John Mayer's Pro Guitar Tips: A Complete Compilation

A compilation of all of John Mayer's guitar tips over the last 12 years!

[@PeterLe61]

0:09 Get the idea in your head before playing it 3:28 Emulate vocalists 8:22 Tap once for effect 11:07 Build up the dynamics of solos 18:15 Let lead lines suggest chords 24:14 play the same thing in multiple places 25:22 Use the tremolo to emulate slide or warble 27:18 Switching pick and finger on the fly 28:50 Feel 31:20 Using the major third 36:11 Index finger bends 37:36 Double stop bends 39:47 Taking rhythm guitar training wheels off 44:18 Play notes you want to play, not just because they're there 49:29 Go up a half step 51:27 How to go from open chords to scales and improv 54:37 You must understand the root 57:18 Robben Ford Sweep 58:50 It's not a capo, it's the equator (playing notes towards the nut from where you start) 1:05:57 Never too old to learn

[@cosmiccomedy7394]

Brilliant mate 👌

[@AngshumanBezbaruah]

God bless you mate

[@dulla8469]

Love you

[@dulla8469]

3:28 don't autotune your guitar basically

[@andydug]

Thank you

[@vermontgreencabinets]

As an older guy I always turned my nose up at John Mayer . Thought of him as a poser but I take it all back and then some. This gold for aspiring guitarists

[@mattshepherd8586]

Lol me too but hes a legend.

[@justinc5483]

@@mattshepherd8586 lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

[@justinc5483]

Ml km n. Be VC bbghjiiiooyyu

[@jorgosagb]

Same here. I dare say, this guy is an absolute master.

[@devaflave7943]

Welcome to the party. We'll see ya at a Dead and company show hopefully soon.

[@cvgwin1811]

While everyone is praising John's musical skill, and of course I agree, but what's more impressive is his willingness and desire to help others. To me, this clearly demonstrates his true nature as a person. He's REAL.... thanks John!

[@straightshooter8662]

like vai hes the same great guys

[@Halliday7895]

i think its a side effect from his Ego addiction counseling hahah

[@victorialeal8572]

John is a guitar hero 🙌

[@yakshrajsingh8121]

@@Halliday7895 whats so funny making fun of an addiction? Getting an addiction is very easy, you might have a phone addiction too, if someone makes fun of it how will you feel?. Watch your mouth before writing this

[@SelfHealingGod]

@@Halliday7895 What knowledge can you share or have in your life ?????

[@luke8536]

Imagine how much someone would pay to have regular lessons from someone like John Mayer. And because of technology, I can pick up my guitar, sit on my own couch, and get these lessons for free. Props for putting these all together 🤘🏼

[@Cre8tvMG]

28:45 "It's OK to mess up because you don't know where you are anyways." The most Jazz statement ever. :-) That's the right way to approach the joy of music.

[@pjhill5452]

Can you imagine if Stevie Ray Vaughan or Jimi Hendrix just randomly decided to teach a guitar class to the public? This is up there at that same caliber. Plus the fact this is free.

[@8odycount]

lol comparing mayer with stevie or even hendrix is like comparing a human to a god

[@trytinn]

⁠@@8odycountwhy? Because they’re dead and he isn’t?

[@8odycount]

@@trytinn because Hendrix and stevie really were creating something new and Mayer only imitates. Mayer is a good guitar player, nothing more. Hendrix and stevie were guitar gods compared to him.

[@jortkemker82]

He outplays them both. What are you talking about…

[@potatochicko]

@@8odycount You're acting as if there is an incomprehensible difference in playing ability between those 2 and Mayer. They were legendary for creating and immortalising a musical genre but that has nothing to do with skill on the guitar. Hendrix is arguably the worst in technical ability out of the three but he sure was the biggest genius

[@RastaMonn]

I'm 33. Just bought my 1st guitar. I am love with a great vision and dream! I'm comin for ya Guitar Gods 🎸

[@redrock1963]

At 57, I've been playing for over 30 years and one of the greatest things I've learnt is that playing guitar is a "Continuum".

[@shashwatupadhyay2874]

Liked your enthusiasm bro

[@RastaMonn]

@@shashwatupadhyay2874 played for 2 hours...just pickin and rhythm...so FUN AND CALMING

[@jeffsza3875]

@@RastaMonn How are you holding up a week later?

[@RastaMonn]

@@jeffsza3875 doing picking with my fingers getting use to hand position and plucking without looking. It's difficult, but fun. It's therapeutic. Thabks for checking on me. I need some pointers as to "how" to learn

[@mitchelllayton24]

There’s so much wisdom here. He’s great at pushing guitarists out of their comfort zone and creating actual musical players instead of noodlers.

[@brysonw1956]

fr

[@prophetsbourne1136]

It’s amazing that with a click we can learn from the Masters Of The Universe like Mr. Mayer is!

[@franckbourlaize3037]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWO2noyrrM12pq8

[@franckbourlaize3037]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnecgpSKlrKKo6M

[@franckbourlaize3037]

Some real masters,Sayce,Shawn lane.....

[@rijgrg1]

13:26 OH MY DAYS THAT’S THE GREAT TOMO AT THE BACK

[@PaullieOllie]

Tomo was John’s professor at Berklee

[@1man2manynotes]

What’s he’s doing at 47:00 is key to a lot of this info. Being able to play what you think or hum first. It’s called relative pitch. Develop it

[@alexsouza9533]

YUP.. That's everything and it's priceless.

[@Ash-fm6ym]

How to develop it ?

[@mysterry2000]

Everytime I decide to teach someone who is serious, I always bring up his important relative pitch is. It becomes even more apparent once you actually develop it to a good amount; every guitar lesson you see in the world after learning relative pitch can be broken down into solid steps for improving instead of vague advice; your compositions start to become embodiments of the beautiful things you imagined, etc To start improving it: 1. just KZbin and cross-check your relative pitch with the notes they expect you to find from the base-note (you'll get it once your search it). After becoming proficient enough 2. Use it. Use it to find the chords for songs without searching for the chords. Use it for attempting to release ideas for compositions. Use it until it becomes your preferred habit. Then, once you become good at it 3. Watch these Masterclass videos again. You'll get a whole new perspective of their teaching

[@alebo0]

That's so important. I'm so impressed right now, my mind is blowing up. I always construct solos in my head, but by the time I sit by the guitar it goes away and I just can't do it

[@GoogleAccount-cs8dm]

@@alebo0 I had that same problem. I started to record what was in my mind (even though it was just the crapiest base version). Eventually with enough scale practice, i think you will be able to play them on command 🙂

[@austintexas9440]

The difference between John Mayer and those noodlers at guitar center is that John doesn’t view the guitar as this sort of sport where you play as many licks as you can, but instead be mindful of the melody even before playing, as if it’s another singer. It doesn’t just play it, he becomes one with it and makes it sing.

[@SealedKiller]

As every guitar player should. But of course it's all about being the fastest and the most technical player possible nowadays.

[@baldbearded9601]

This is gold! Thank you for taking the time to set this up! Saved to rewatch! 👌

[@kapilkrishnamurthy3939]

Thank you thank you thank you for this awesome compilation. Some of this I had seen before but most of it I hadn’t before. There’s years worth of concepts to explore here! John’s such a great teacher

[@dreamr4c3r]

Yes, thank you very much for putting the time into this. I value this knowledge greatly!

[@marlonobando1882]

Thanks John for your tips and humility to share your thoughts and knowledge.

[@kevinking2468]

Thanks John - I just started forgetting about scales and simply playing melodies I hear in my head - What a HUGE difference it's made in my playing!

[@agentsmith3594]

Big props for stitching these together Simon. Respect

[@wouterdeheus3626]

Who is Simon?

[@SimonNackborn]

Thank you Stephen!

[@robrippen]

I've always thought John was a musical genius. He was underrated by alot of folks who I'd point out most are not musicians themselves. Being a musician myself yet nowhere near his genius, I envy his ability to hear an idea before it actually happens, and how he can translate that idea immediately to his guitar and vocals. Its like he's completely free to create without the restrictions for a lack of a better word, that I'd say most wanna be musicians such as myself, spend their whole lives trying to free themselves from. Obviously not many are blessed with that ability & which is why he's where he's at. I can only imagine having his ability to think Ideas and instantly put them to music in such a way that it furthers his creative thought process to add and expand upon. Simply amazing

[@ForMyOwnGood]

Years of singing helped me freestyle, or as you say create on the spot- same with lyrical writing. But I will say the underlying theory and muscle/mental memory of connections does help immensely when translating from the inner sound to the instrument specifically But as an intuitive player I am immensely hindered by the process of using a daw. I might work with technical support, but it doesn’t help me create when I’m focusing on clicking a mouse and doing menial tasks. Everyone is different, the above is stated from a guy with ADD so bear that in mind

[@chrishyde1216]

The difficult part is translating the idea to the guitar before it's lost.

[@mikegibsonincognito4580]

Thanks for taking the time to put this all together. It’s so nice that John spends so much time sharing his knowledge. We all get stuck in our routines it nice to be jogged into variations. I play covers and get locked into the solos, the nudge to blues for my practice is a joy. Cheers

[@CC-gf3nt]

"It's ok to mess up" is a statement only a respected musician, that earned the right, can make and slide with. The beat goes on. I can equate it to skating. I am pretty good at skating yet I still pad up because I am going to fall. We aren't learning if we aren't falling.

[@TheSoundConnoisseur]

This guys is a master guitarists. The Messi of guitarists. Where the Greats even recognize him as our younger generation’s best

[@impartialobservers7060]

Younger generation? I think you mean Max Ostro.

[@fongy200]

There's a Welsh guy called Chris Buck check him out he's another of the new masters as they say.He's a superb player but i don't think he equal Mayers song writting abillities.

[@thedeathcake]

@@fongy200 Chris Buck is phenomenal!

[@desmo999]

I was never a fan from him, but after that I am loving him! He is a real Bluesman and a great Groover.

[@joancarreras9127]

Thank you man! I had a playlist of these videos separately, but this is definitely better!

[@Esch47on]

Kudos overload for this amazingly inspiring set of lessons

[@christianramos767]

Those random little jams he does are so fire

[@jigso]

Thank you very much for the effort you had placed into making this! I appreciate it. I'm somehow new to guitar, but the stuff in here are understandble, at least for me they are. I've acquired stuff both technically and musically from this video alone. I never knew that John Mayer had these guitar tips until now. Again, thank you for this! Keep up the work. Your other videos are helpful as well. Stay humble!

[@aw4925]

John's intelligent, articulate, compassionate, excitable and often random thought processes just transfer to his guitar playing. The activity in his brain comes out of his head, down his arm and in to his fingers. Always ready to share his knowledge , always fascinating to listen to and always plays ,writes and sings with such love of his craft . He's really quite a remarkable, talented artist.

[@RudyRamirez-mh1oc]

I am so impressed with the way he makes us feel that it's so much fun to want to create your own and how easy it is to get there. He is such a great human being to teach so much in a generous manner. What an outstanding performer to want to share his talent. He has been one of few stars to make a difference in a world that most grow up wanting it all for themselves and only for their own gain. But this gentleman has a heart of gold and God pay him ten fold. Gracias Sir John Mayer.

[@otismanousakos3946]

Thank you for doing this Simon. Very grateful

[@christopherlopez2491]

I honestly never liked the blues but this time around with studying guitar I have an appreciation and understanding that this is a “foundation” for understanding other things. So I’m watching all his videos.

[@adelincartiaux3191]

the pick/no pick stuff is ridiculously amazing

[@SebastianGarcia-ln4sd]

This is the Mayer 101 thank you very much for the reupload!!!

[@philipchandnoit732]

I don't care about any haters, John is a master guitarist I've watched and will watch anything he does and I listen with wanting more

[@c.amoroso]

I feel like John has more fans and admirers than haters at this point. I don’t see any of the hate

[@matthewmayorga917]

@@c.amoroso nah I used to be in the crowd of associating john with artists who just write songs to get laid like ed sheeran or justin bieber it definitely exists. that was until I learned how genius and knowledgeable he is about the guitar and music in general

[@mikedouglas9863]

I couldn’t agree more. John is the best living guitarist in my opinion. Sure there’s faster players and what not, but this mans understanding is supreme

[@gassyroyalnova2582]

@@matthewmayorga917 justin yeah , but ed sheeran no way

[@Jealod24]

@@matthewmayorga917 you have zero clue why a musician writes songs... sheeran or bieber don’t need to write anything to get laid... and even if that was a consideration who cares... most people want to have a good job to make a lot of money to buy nice things and meet beautiful women... it’s in our evolutionary code to try and move up the hierarchy and procreate. If you’re not having luck in the female department you don’t have to get upset at others who make the effort... and as said, they don’t have to do anything to get fucked.

[@danielgrove1300]

This is so enjoyable. Somewhere around 20 minutes he is playing a sort of shuffle blues that will help me expand the break in an original song I'm working on. John Mayer! Such a good listener. Eric Clapton famously says, "I don't think he knows how good he is." This in response to John's version for "Magnolia"..I know you all know that quote. I'll stop.. I'm just writing to say thank you for posting this.

[@stilldynamix2506]

These tips along with Paul davids introducing me to merle Travis has really shaped the way I've played recently

[@jakestasil5506]

Magnolia, Bold As Love, Althea he simply does the best covers ever. Let alone one of the most respected lyricists. I can talk alllll day about johnny boy

[@adrianard5804]

Thank you Soo much for these lessons john

[@Artie8283]

Thanks for putting this together!! Good stuff!

[@tonycross4519]

John is such a great guitarist. As well as teacher. The comment about, "What is photo shop good for if you don't get the picture you want"? Think about where you want to go and a picture in your mind what it will sound like and fallow your heart, mind and ear.

[@budgetguitaristcom]

Thank you so much for putting this together - super useful!!!

[@milenadeltorto7158]

I like that! The idea first vs what the guitar offers. Thanks John.

[@smkh2890]

I took up music after I retired, so maybe there are no songs in my head longing to get out. But i have found music in the instrument. The piano is amazing, the tonal range is exceptional. The guitar more personal, as you get in among the strings, but when you understand how each is constructed, then the possibilities emerge. Maybe in a few years I'll start to hear new songs in my head, when I can forget about technique.

[@UncleTerry]

This gold , I'll be re- watching this multiple times just trying to internalize this information.

[@louisleroy4580]

Love your work man super educational thanks a bunch 👍

[@nc9263]

amazing compilation

[@michaeleilers88]

Thank you for this compilation 👍

[@evh5150evh100]

What a great teacher.

[@jtw2382]

Guitar Gold!! Thanks for reposting.

[@johnasbury3744]

Wasn't a fan of his pop music but his new music is more blue's love it and the way he talks about guitar and the way he breaks it down is outstanding the dude is an amazing player

[@vinsanityguitar]

Love John Mayer. Definitely some great tips for beginners here.

[@geetarman513]

Been a fan for a long time but that’s what is crazy he never stops impressing me and what’s funny is it’s always as an overall musician not just guitar hero 386, this dude plays, sings, and writes better than a lot of folks but I have to agree with what has already been said his desire to help others is pretty incredible. I actually hate to say so many good things on here about one dude but man, John’s a class act.

[@trendkill1891]

He’s the guitar teacher I’ve never had but always needed, after watching all these it’s unbelievable how knowledgeable he is. Edit: He’s a literal virtuoso.

[@orangeiceice12]

That switching between picking and fingerpicking thing is really something else. God bless.

[@anthonycrook1987]

at 35 minutes onward is the style I like, it's feel and beyond.

[@adameisenbarger]

Thanks for taking the time to edit and post this !

[@djack_1977]

Great guitarist and also great teacher 👏

[@futile-evenings]

What a living legend, hats off John. 👏

[@DivyanshuMaithani]

Thanks for this compilation man 🙏

[@TheZuoyou]

Two of my favorite guitarist ! Tommy Emmanuel and John Mayer !

[@zanderscott9158]

Bro SAME!!!

[@MrMarkieMoose]

Thank you for this. So helpful.

[@danicaggese]

Awesome!! Great work thank you!

[@threadoflife]

Thanks so much John I’d give so much to have you as a teacher what an incredible opportunity that would be wish we were friend brotha lol just wanna chill and learn from you man. You are an incredible musician one of my favorite ever. I would say in your class you are the best. Such a wealth of knowledge.

[@SticksAandstonesBozo]

Johns the most slept on musician of the last 40 years. And I know he’s not slept on but he’s not praised nearly enough

[@julesderks7614]

The guy has 7 grammy's lol

[@randolphvanhook5829]

I think most guitarists caught on pretty quick to him, but the average fan just knows he makes pop hits and has no clue how great of a guitar player he really is based off what they’re exposed to.

[@b_m3998]

@xerebec13the number of people who grew up on Hendrix, Clapton, SRV, and think Mayer is just that guy who wrote daughters is still way larger than it should be

[@Tismuggle]

Great Compilations👏

[@toddpomeroy6367]

Great presentation Thanks

[@mikeflores625]

Love ya John! Great wealth of great information! Thank You!

[@rjlguitars]

awsome, love your guitar words, going to listen to vocals more.

[@malteschwarz4081]

Thanks so much for the reupload :)

[@vipulranjan6706]

Without knowing even ABCD of guitar playing, I can see that the dude is a guitar maniac and he is freakishly good at it.

[@iMertin90]

ABCDEFG are the chords bud

[@zailovesmusic]

This is so good! Thank you Simon. :)

[@williambaumert7726]

Something that really helped me was to transcribe solos or just melodies I liked. It helped my musical vocab and my ear training. I'm definitely not as good as john mayer but I got significantly better than I was

[@bluescanfly1981]

This was key for me too. Transcribing is writing your thoughts on paper. In any language, the more you write the clearer you think.

[@michaeljulius5895]

awesome! just found this. very helpful for me.

[@lucasnon5784]

Thank you! Got all the good stuff appreciate ya

[@arcarioandsons]

Great comp video!

[@GuitarUniverse2013]

The JOHN that I knew was always a generous kid, but it’s nice to see him grow, mature and so forth. His center of energy is much more grounded it’s lower in his body. Now as far as his guitar playing goes I get the same feeling from it. It’s much more deliberate. Less flash and so forth. One thing I’ve always kind of wondered; what would his music sound like if he played more of a heavy metal rig? Even a seven string? It’s hard, isn’t it ladies and gentlemen, if your guitarist, to be bouncing around in between the worlds of the Gibson and the worlds that Leo Fender constructed. But as my Irish friends say, “ that’s a grand problem to be having.”

[@albertjonesmusic]

around 20mins in is pure gold. Thanks Simon and thanks John!

[@supercussion6590]

John is a genius MUSICIAN. Master of many perspectives

[@dancassidy7471]

Love the pick switch !

[@ajitpatel6832]

Quite remarkable! How dedicated and clever and focused this person is. He has to be GIFTED. There can’t be any other answer. Long may he continue on his journey.

[@ayericky4903]

He’s not gifted at all. What it is is practice and skill, just like me an you have. The difference is he dosent make excuses like you, he works hard to get to that level

[@domsawyer8953]

Ugh....he's so fucking good. And he's an amazing teacher, as well. Love you, John.

[@mawhianne]

thank you for this, sir.

[@jcee6886]

Play like a vocalist, as a singer that's always helped me develop great solos . The beauty is you don't have to be a singer, as John said listen to blues singers to get the feel. Great compilation.

[@CaberraTV]

such a cool idea brother! Thanks for the video ;)

[@SeanHuddleston]

thanks for this! I'm on a Mayer kick these days. diving in.

[@guitarded5198]

Where should a noob start?

[@Davecm008]

Oh man that "just one tap" tip is awesome, almost sounds like a harmonica. Can't wait to try this.

[@Gracia144JesusSaves]

Thank you and God Bless you John Mayer for sharing so much insights and knowledge that you share with us the gift that God Placed in you and that what you love and born to do with us the world. 🖐️❤️🗺️🕊️

[@ekstradycja]

I'd love to see him playing with the great Mark Knopfler

[@pacogalvan6346]

YES PLEASEEE MAKE IT HAPPEN

[@smokesgtp]

I've always wanted to see that.

[@georgeaustin5943]

Ikrrrr... It might be a fucking apocalypse 😍🔥

[@peelarat9578]

Mark a legend...

[@aussie_philosopher8079]

That's a very fine idea.

[@kaljaybrown3205]

thank you so much for this!

[@adam_-adam]

glad we get to see stuff like this from a master guitar player who i beleive is on srvs level who has always been my number one, srv did pretty stuff but more heavy blues imo but john does more pretty soulful stuff and heavy blues, wish srv was still alive and comming out with more pretty soundin stuff such as lenny, or little wing, to bad he couldnt be alive teaching us all his tricks like john is, we should all really appreciate this cuz what if you could go back in time and have srv do stuff like this for his fans, that would be incredible but will never happen. So the fact that John is doing this for us is awsome.

[@aejaythomas]

This is such a blessing, thank you 🙏

[@makkerfelix]

the first clip is already legendary advice

[@adammadtin8451]

And this is why there are more and more great guitar players out there now then ever before

[@jcee6886]

That one tap bend is awesome.

[@Geotubest]

This is great thanks.

[@karlopalenzuela7915]

Thanks Simon!

[@henrikrvald173]

This is unfair.. I cant keep all of this in my head at once John!

[@VintageGuitarWorld]

Very nice video!!

[@cafesociety8525]

A great video full of sage words but I couldn't help thinking while watching it that he could do with taking some of his own advice. He confirmed it during his tap rhythm tap section, he's perfected the 50s.

[@taf8903]

I definitely noticed the vocals on Live At The Regal way before the guitar. I knew BB King was a great guitarist but his vocals are fucking fantastic.

[@austinalexander238]

“It’s okay to mess up, you don’t know where you are anyway”.. instantly relaxes