Make Guitar Easy: 9 Hacks for Effortless Playing

[@audiophileman7047]

I knew most of those hacks, but what has really helped me is the realization that guitar isn't easy. Once you realize that patience is invaluable, you slowly start putting the pieces together. Did you also say practice every day even if for just 10 minutes? I also like having a guitar on a stand, so it's easy to pick it up and play it. 🎸🎸🎸

[@yourguitarsage]

good ones, my friend!

[@audiophileman7047]

@@yourguitarsage 👍👍👍

[@ModernGolfer]

Always first class advice and recommendations coming from Erich. Certainly a great mentor for myself and tons of others out there. And it's not just the advice, it's the encouragement to keep moving forward even when it gets 'tough'. Thanks a million, Erich!

[@yourguitarsage]

Thanks so much, I TRULY appreciate your kind words! 🙏😃

[@rick00770]

Good tips friend, I’m self taught , played for around 60 yrs now. I learned chords from books and people, just kept playing and learning songs. Started out on some rough guitars. Keep practicing and learning folks , time equaled experience, knowledge will come if you’re serious and hang in there.😊

[@yourguitarsage]

That is a great perspective!

[@marinemomma62]

Same. 🙏❤️🙏

[@stevejones3956]

I agree with all your points, and at your invitation, have 2 suggestions to add. When I developed painful osteoarthritis in both hands about 10 years ago, I started using many of these same tips that are in this video lesson. My advice is to intentionally incorporate the tips that Erich has provided. Don't play for 50-60 years and suffer as a result of bad habits and poor choices. 1. First tip is to use partial barre chords in lieu of full 6-string barre chords, thereby reducing grip pressure in the fretting hand. This works particularly well in a group situation where another player is playing the bass notes, such as a bassist or keyboard player. An additional benefit is that the mix will be clearer if two instruments aren't playing the same frequencies. However, if you're playing a solo gig, then you likely will want to play the full 6 string formation. Use this tip when you can, because damage is done to the joints from cumulative wear-and-tear. Everything you do to limit damage will lengthen your playing. 2. Next is to reduce how much pressure you use to play the note(s). Without realizing it, I used to have a heavy grip, strongly pushing the strings down to the fretboard. A clear note can be played when the string just contacts the fret. Any further pressure is unnecessary, and can be detrimental to your joints and connective tissues over time. This takes conscious awareness and is best done during practice-time rather than live performances. Peace!

[@yourguitarsage]

Yes, amazing advice, I agree that small adjustments can make a big difference! Great suggestions.

[@robh7422]

Thanks Erich, great info as always. Such simple hacks but when combined will result in massive improvements.

[@yourguitarsage]

I agree, small adjustments can make a big difference! 👍

[@CalvinLimSH-ld5le]

Thanks for sharing the 9 tips hack and I agreed we always find ways to improve our guitar playing by getting the right strings or learning new guitar playing techniques. As for the use of a capo hack, make sure this doesn't inhibits your learning of actual chord shapes in 12 different key signatures. I find many guitarists struggled to play without a capo and too depended on it as the years progress. Most important try learning something new each day to see how much you know to become a better guitarist and one day contribute back your knowledges to other beginner guitarists.

[@yourguitarsage]

Great advice, and I agree! Learning new things daily makes a huge difference. 👍

[@RealThunderberg]

Love me some Sage....man has had quite a lot to do with the player I am today 🙏🏼 Thanks Erich 👊🏼

[@yourguitarsage]

LOVE that! Thank you, my friend. Thanks for the kind words! 🙌

[@marybethhempel9101]

Great video Erich!! Super advice and as always, appreciate you!! 🙏💕🤩

[@yourguitarsage]

I'm glad you found it helpful! Thank you, Mary Beth!

[@yourguitarsage]

I hope you enjoyed this video! Do you have any you would like to add? Drop them in the comments!

[@fastted9390]

Good 'tips' for the beginners, by you. Been a hobbyist' for 55 years. And all you say is TRUE. So, young 'guns,' listen up to all he says.

[@daviator4720]

I like your instructional technique ! Good pace keeps me interested !

[@yourguitarsage]

I appreciate the kind words!

[@florianliebtmusik]

Thank you covering those often overlooked things. In fact, bigger strings change the tone. If you like a massive tone and are not into much distortion, you will find out that bigger strings prevent you from digging in harder to get this sound. At least, it got easier for me after going from 10 to 11. Also adjusting to light strings can be an issue if you play acoustic, too.

[@yourguitarsage]

Thanks for the additional information, my friend.

[@StefanGBucher]

For me, one great thing about a light string gauge is that it's teaching me to unlearn the death grip. Because all the notes go sharp I I press too hard, and 08s will let you know REAL quick.

[@yourguitarsage]

👍

[@RonaldKing-c1c]

Erich, thank you for the great advice! Many things to remember to do early on to help play easier and better!!

[@yourguitarsage]

I’m glad you found it helpful! Thanks, Ronald.

[@LouisSwanigan]

You’ve made this process so much easier to grasp!

[@yourguitarsage]

Glad it was helpful!😃🙏

[@soulpatch987]

Enjoyed the tips, just coming off one month rest from guitar, pushed to hard I guess. Liked the weighted arm and guitar positions tips as I have thumb pain, so more ammo to cure that. Thanks I am GeeLouie

[@yourguitarsage]

Glad you enjoyed it, GeeLouie! I hope the weighted arm tip helps with your thumb pain.

[@limakilo1331]

Great video, thank you!

[@yourguitarsage]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!😃👍

[@joelshields8807]

I've been playing 35 years, but only in the past few have I started to be more disciplined in my technique and I like to see what tips I can pick up (my tip: never stop being a beginner, even/especially if you're an advanced player). And while this is maybe too complex to be a "hack," the thin strings thing is probably good advice for a new player/someone dealing with hand pain, but I do think there are merits to moving to heavier gauges once you've developed the hand strength. Jazz players and SRV play/ed them for a reason. Yes, if you like overdriven/distorted sounds and want to cut through a mix with a rock band, I can see how 8s or 9s could work well and if you do a lot of bending, the advantages are obvious. But it may not be for everyone and in my experience, if you play clean a lot, it absolutely makes a difference and to my ears, heavier strings are noticeably fuller (also, "better" tone is highly subjective and context-specific). I have big hands and learned to play on an old Ventura acoustic that desperately needed a neck re-set. I developed hand strength quickly - too much, really, and I played with a fairly tight grip, even when reducing string gauge. I eventually realized this was bad, and tried lighter strings. I hated it. I couldn't feel the tension in the strings and they felt flimsy, no matter how lightly I fretted them. I went to 10s, then my home base of 11-50s. What actually got me loosening my grip was less about the strings being too thick but that I needed them to respond to my touch (in both the right hand and the left), so I slowed down greatly and tried to be mindful of how fretting every note felt. Having more tension made that easier for me to sense. And of course the scale of the guitar makes a difference too. If you're playing 8s on a Duo Sonic, they'll flap all over the place. On a Strat, it might not be so bad. I realize the whole string gauge thing is one of the most heated and pointless guitar debates on the Internet, besides "does tonewood matter?;" I'm just saying YMMV. If it works for you, I'm truly happy. But it may not, and that's okay. There are lots of other things you can try (most importantly patience with yourself - it's a marathon, not a sprint). All that said, I'd heard of the "heavy arm" technique but actually thought it was more in reference to the left arm (which always seemed like strange advice :D). Your explanation makes more sense haha.

[@regtaylor1163]

Heavy strings sound fuller? That may be true, if your guitar and amp have no control on tone. I noticed your strat, it has 3 pickups, so your bridge setting will sound thinner, neck will be fuller. 5 position switch, 1 being neck, 5 being bridge. Clapton played at 2 having neck, and middle for his "woman tone." Your amp has treble, mid, and low in alot of amps. But even a fairly cheap amp has a tone on it. Jazz guitar players from the 60's had none of those luxuries. SRV used heavier strings but tuned down. So many variables.

[@mmikeyhignight8573]

Fantastic Erich, thanks

[@yourguitarsage]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you, Mikey.

[@calciofan828]

Hey I love all your video man! Great hacks. Did you by chance ever do a video on how to keep your fingers close to the fretboard when changing chords?

[@Shaun12ization]

Dude akways has the most attractive guitars! Helpful quick relevant video too.

[@yourguitarsage]

Thank you, Shaun. I appreciate it!

[@CentaurusRelax314]

I grew up with EVH as my guitar hero, and always knew he played 9s-so that was my standard. Until the interwebs came along and ‘everyone’ seemed to think you needed heavier gauges… for more tone or more manliness or somesuch…. I do have big hands and I’m like so strong you don’t even know, so i did go up to 10s and 10.5s on some guitars, but I really don’t notice a difference. // Never heard of the heavy arm thing, after 45 years of playing. I wonder if I sometimes do that naturally. Will have to try that later. Interesting!

[@yourguitarsage]

Great addition!

[@eyeheartsushi2212]

Just discovered you and subscribed. Great video! I’m sorry I don’t have a guitar question this moment but, where did you get that shirt?

[@gmkaufmann85]

With the lighter strings and lower action, talk about adjusting for intonation. Super easy with an electric guitar saddle (youtube).

[@gmkaufmann85]

I've been following you for 10+ years, and you're the first person I mention for people wanting to learn.

[@bwyou812]

I could never play with the guitar on my right thigh under my arm and reaching out to the neck. It came more natural for me to use a strap and play with my guitar resting between my legs. It would be in the same position as if you were standing up.

[@yourguitarsage]

I love that you found a way that works for you! There are so many different ways to get the job done, and every guitarist will find their own comfort zone!

[@andy-wi5gc]

Same for me

[@chrisprevite]

Cool

[@yourguitarsage]

🙏

[@Guitaristforelife]

What year is that beauty?

[@LA-zc9rg]

Depends on the guitar with string guage. I have a Tele with 10’s it’s super slinky if you used light strings it would probably become unplayable. I had a G&L Legacy that regardless of setup felt extremely tight even with 9’s….

[@yourguitarsage]

Indeed! 9s on my Gibsons. 8s on my Fenders. Gauge to personal choice. 👍😃

[@voska7390]

Any hacks finger soreness. Never had problem but as I’ve gotten better I’m finding myself practicing up to 4 hours a day. Not all at once. I’m just always picking up the guitar. 20 minutes here and hour there. Through out the day. But my fingers are getting sore

[@peterkaputsos4125]

As far as future videos, I’ve always had questions about bar cords up the neck where the spacing is tight.

[@yourguitarsage]

That is a great idea for a future video! 👍

[@hamzanadeem3419]

Im wondering to buy your courses ... Does it have a video about low and high action?

[@yourguitarsage]

Yes, inside of UGS Pro, I have a whole section on guitar set up. 👍

[@hamzanadeem3419]

Sir Plz make a video about low and high action... Idk about it and when i snare on the strings its just awat from the fretboard so it doesn't make a sound for snare ... Please guide a bit about it i am a beginner...

[@yourguitarsage]

That is a great question! I have in my UGS Pro but not on YT.

[@chocolatecookie8571]

Using thicker or thinner strings will most definitely change the tone of the sound. I can most confidently conclude that after experimenting with all kinds of gauges, even customized combinations. And on top of that I watched tons of comparison videos. Thinner strings is a thinner tone. Thicker strings equals thicker tone. Very self explinatory. Lighter set can indeed give more clarity but thinner strings can also be harder to control because they are easier to be pressed down and vibrate quicker. So it depends on your hands, your music style, your guitar and tuning that determines which gauge string suits you best.

[@yourguitarsage]

👍

[@brucechavez9535]

I just wanna add up 2 other hacks especially for the beginners. This 2 things helped me a lot when I was just starting out. 1) Stretch your fingers before and after playing. - It's like working out in the gym, they call it "warm-up" and "warm-down". 2) Use hand-grip or finger-grip to exercise and strengthen the fingers. - I still use one to this day, almost daily before I play my guitar. I have the Planet Waves I bought from Guitar Center years ago. It actually helps to strengthen the fingers, especially when playing barre chords. Thanks so much for all your lessons and tips..😊

[@yourguitarsage]

Nice additions! Thank you so much, Bruce.

[@wendylee9592]

Thank you I am now 91 and I have never been told these things before min you I didnt start playing till I was in my eihties. THANKS @@yourguitarsage

[@yourguitarsage]

👏👏👏💪I LOVE THIS!!!

[@pcyorock]

Can I get a coupon for your course

[@yourguitarsage]

which one? I give so many of them away.

[@pcyorock]

@@yourguitarsage complete guitar lessons system - beginner to advanced

[@yourguitarsage]

if you get into any of my free courses on that same platform, I’ll be sending out a coupon in a week or two.