Musical Things I Wish I Figured Out Sooner

[@chucky_music]

One of my favourite 'quotes' is a (alleged) Japanese proverb "The best time to plant a tree was 12 years ago; The next best time is now."

[@fama8947]

I remember bono said that once

[@manalivealiveo]

Or 11

[@lueysixty-six7300]

Soo good! That quote is good.

[@victoza9232]

chucky Actually, it's a Chinese proverb: "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

[@manalivealiveo]

@@victoza9232 or 19

[@SH4M4N_YT]

"See a doctor. It only costs a couple bucks." **cries in American**

[@CaspPlays]

They pay for it in their taxes

[@Goose21]

*laughs in Australian*

[@robandmurr1770]

Cornelius Gustafason **laughs in English**

[@LMAESUM]

*wheezes in english*

[@colinedmunds2238]

So true

[@eliyahfranson]

I wish I’d cared to watch videos like this 5 years ago

[@samuraiguitarist]

At least you aren't leaving that same comment in 5 years

[@eliyahfranson]

samuraiguitarist that’s true! I’m looking forward to see where I’m at in those five years

[@CorkyK]

I wish they had videos like this 40 years ago.

[@eliyahfranson]

Corky K seeing as my life span is only half of that, I’m going to go ahead and say that I wish that one for you!

[@CorkyK]

@@eliyahfranson Very kind of you, young person, you can stay on my lawn.

[@michaelsanders994]

I think you’re doing a great job. It feels like a lot of your peers are playing characters, or trying to portray themselves more like how they would like to be seen, rather than who they actually are. I think your openness and honesty makes you have a much more personal connection to your audience. Keep it up!

[@samuraiguitarist]

Thanks mate!

[@onpsxmember]

@@samuraiguitarist If you ever have problems with your nails again, maybe with your picking hand, go for a set of 3M micro-mesh pads to smooth the surface. They go up to 12000 grit and they won't break that easy. If you do more flamenco stuff...there is nothing better than a hard gel nail treatment. It costs a bit, but it lasts for several months of abuse.

[@jdl2180]

It's not a competition, music is art. Most people who don't quit playing eventually get good but it really takes all the fun out of it if your worried about how good you are.

[@shaneharrington3655]

*Focus less on getting good.* Focus more on getting original. Find that voice.

[@jibicusmaximus4827]

or 'voices' but i agree with your point..

[@johnf.hebert1409]

exactly. the ONLY thing that really matters. let everyone be walking copycats.

[@TheRiboka]

There are techniques you can learn that will drasticlly improve your ability to play your own original music. Gotta learn how to play in the box so you can step outside of it, that's my opinion. Like Hendrix plays the most basic blues scales, but does it in a completely unique way.

[@Tjmm89]

I disagree. Unless you play only indie rock focus on getting good.

[@shaneharrington3655]

Jack Jack #triggered

[@mannyhatz6041]

Your humility about your ability seems silly. You play amazingly well!

[@kitano0]

The real great guitarists are humble, in my experience...

[@highestsettings]

It's not for the individual to decide how good they are. All you can do is try your best and hope that other's vibe with you.

[@mannyhatz6041]

Johnny Torpedo thank you for that perspective!

[@-calitros-6792]

Hes seen alot more guitarists. Anything in life is in relativity. Stubbing your toe is painful, but is it really when you've broken a couple bones here and there? We all thought the empire state building was amazing but now we have buildings nearly twice that size. Experience makes people understand how unsurprising they are. Experience also allows people to grow indifferent to the negative aspects of competition, leading to better practice.

[@1-eye-willy]

People who boast about their playing usually aren't the best. Also. Ive seen kids who are clueless about their gear and they are better than 90% of players

[@oldgoat381]

Musical thing I wish I'd worked out sooner: How to play guitar with any sort of semblance of musicality Been 7 years, still can't play

[@florianmeyer5450]

I feel you. It's gonna be 8 soon for me

[@samuraiguitarist]

Get on it! Don't make let it be 8 years ya old goat

[@florianmeyer5450]

Working hard on it :)

[@oldgoat381]

Hah thanks for the pointers and replies all, but I am actually a music teacher, I just suck at guitar in comparison to my main instruments. The willingness to support someone is nice though.

[@shitmandood]

@@oldgoat381 lol, well at least you tried. What I've found when I've hit these plateaus & then take multi-year long "breaks", I've managed to break through it with all of the Internet courses that are online. They're amazingly cheap. I've bought a few $100 in TrueFire downloadable videos. I subscribe to Groove 3, ADSR Sounds, plus KZbin. I've also found that studying & using DAWs, VST software, & MIDI controllers helped my perspective with the guitar. What's really weird is that when you hit these plateaus you can't see a way through it, but you have to trust those neural networks & muscle memory are going to come through in time. And it's my experience with other things, like my tough day job, where I've had to force my way through some difficult software & then see it from the other side. If you get an experience like that, you can sense it's the same for guitar playing. I love the fact that there are so many online courses, articles, & books. The whole field has expanded, though 25 years ago, it felt a bit contracted & it wasn't that easy to find good material as a poor/just out of college student.

[@aselrahc]

Man, I'm 44 and nowhere near as skilled on a guitar as you. But I. was still in a band in my 20s and brought crowds in. Do what you CAN do as well as you can, and keep learning. We all wish we learned something sooner than we did. But I realize more and more as I get older that I have my whole life ahead of me!

[@shaunyap9663]

1. 0:11 2. 2:08 3. 3:43 4. 4:22 5. 5:11 6. 5:35 7. 6:12

[@zissisalimoudis6332]

Thanks

[@Corai12]

1. How many good guitarists are there 2. Youtubing and video economy 3. Nail files for guitarists 4. See a doctor 5. How to practice efficiently 6.How to play notes instead of how to choose notes 7. SRV NOTE BURST RHYTHM

[@johnmurphy5783]

I wish I learned to cook and diet sooner, but better late than never.

[@jayluck8047]

I read that waaay too quick, as: "but butter ain't forever." 🤢

[@davidmerriman5306]

You've just changed my life with that nail file

[@gringogreen4719]

There's always someone better around the corner. You be the best version of you...no one else can be you.

[@gabopalacios2028]

Man, whether you regret the things you did or didn't do, we're glad you're here. I love watching your videos. I follow like ten or more guitarists/KZbinrs and most of them either teach you how to play something, how to improve your speed or do pedal demos, but you're the only one that talks about what it feels to be a musician. When the other guitarists I follow on KZbin talk about how to improve your playing, they show you some exercises, their personal advices, and warn you about what you might be doing wrong; but you tell us how to improve, the exercises, the warnings, and then you go beyond duty, and say why you think it's important, why it became important for you, your personal struggle, how it felt when you succeded or if you didn't succeed. That's what keeps me here. Sometimes I don't even mind about the other musicians I follow because they don't always post something interesting but your videos always have that personal touch that makes them valuable

[@SuperMarioJamesSMJ]

A metronome is the secret in any practice...your head time is rarely true...

[@alamooji3716]

Metronome your right!

[@musicwitharijit]

Really love you man ... it's really about the personal connections we make with the audience... and suddenly the creator and the viewer are on the same page ... it starts to feel like ... I know this guy from the very beginning and gives a vibe of being close | thanks man ... keep making the awesome content that u do

[@Foodgeek]

Awesome SRV'esque licks 😍

[@JackMuskrat]

It's always to see/hear these kinds of things, especially from those you look up to as being more skilled etc. It's so easy to get bogged down in mistakes and things you haven't done/can't do. A lot of the time not realising that others experience similar things. Cheers for the personal insight, as well as the tid-bits of info and advice.

[@YRUACNT]

Musical Things I Wish I Figured Out Sooner #1) Music isn't a sport, more it's an art form, songwriting is the key to a longer career.

[@YRUACNT]

​@John The King Robinson when you strive for speed and technique over expression, it doesn't matter if you call it an art form if your actions don't match.

[@chaseclarkemusic]

More people need to realize this

[@falconismbot9370]

That first one is so important. I can't deny myself that the hick area in NC I was from had a very limited amount of solid musicians. You get to be the best in the area and there's no competition. Then you think, why get better? And for years I sat stagnant around here. Luckily I got a good slap in the face after seeing some of the early KZbin videos of musicians. It keeps me going everyday. Pay attention to the sensei kids!

[@3vergiven]

Regarding the nail file: You don't need a nail file when you're a nervous compulsive nail biter.

[@jayareguitar]

big mood

[@griffinsentz3317]

Absolutely correct lmao

[@williampolk2882]

anastu same

[@groverjuicy]

Is that you Stevie T?

[@mal2ksc]

Yes, you still do. Biting your nails leaves rough edges that catch on things and tear, and a file can help with that when there's not enough left to chew on.

[@notfromearth8496]

A quick comment on the wrist pain. I started practicing yoga daily several months ago (entire body), but specifically I found a yoga video for hands/wrists as well. I had a dramatic improvement in the dexterity of my fingers and an increase in range of motion in my wrists and fingers. Now I do that particular exercise twice a week along with my other yoga daily. Yoga with Adrian on KZbin is great, and her hand yoga video is on there as well. Thanks for your tips!

[@nathanielreichert4638]

Wow, I feel this. I am 24 now, and I've been playing guitar for almost four years, but I feel like I've only just now gotten into the groove of active and efficient learning, especially with scale and chord positions other than the open (first) position. I finally finished learning the pentatonic in every position, and now all the exotic scales I want to learn are exponentially easier. I'm sure I'm not alone here. Keep it up my peeps! :)

[@nathanielreichert4638]

Oh yeah, and another thing I still struggle with is tuning by ear, which I wish I was practicing earlier.

[@connordavis4766]

Fucking up for a long time is underrated. The sheer joy you feel when you discover the right way to do something you've been doing wrong for a long time is pretty great.

[@4malulz104]

Intervals, wish I had studied intervals sooner, seems to help make everything make sense in theory, understanding how and why things are the way they are, unlocked modes, and just the relationships between the major and minor scales. It wasn't until I invested in a keyboard and had to figure out the scales manually did it 'click'. Now, I see the fretboard in intervals, and life's good... Spent too much time 'trying' to figure it out, the keyboard MADE me figure it out... Now, soloing makes a lot more sense, and the distances make me more harmonic on both (3 actually) instruments. (guitar, bass, and keyboard.. theory is all the same). Also, after a certain number of practice hours, trust your body, it knows those fret distances better than you think you do.

[@dylansonderman3003]

Thank you for this video. I know I’m discovering it two years late, but your candor and wisdom is very appreciated and I can tell your knowledge is the kind won through hard work, discipline, and keeping that spirit of dedication to growth!

[@heyhato]

your nails were the problem all along since the beginning, now that you figured that out you're gonna be the new jimi hendrix in the matter of 7 months.

[@rushpittsburgh4]

As somebody strugging with a bad inflammation rash called psoriasis on my left hand that almost entirely inhibited my 4th finger and often the others, I can attest to how frustrating it is to know the best you're ever going to play is maybe 75%. Wish the cream worked as well for me as it did him...

[@heyhato]

@@rushpittsburgh4 stay strong bro! 75% with hard work and passion is more than most lazy players would ever get

[@michaelcraig9449]

@@rushpittsburgh4 put the cream on the meat

[@nehemiahzo_]

Michael Craig *woah*

[@mjs2016]

@@michaelcraig9449 🤔

[@jasoncohran7265]

Thanks for your candor and honesty and openness. Takes courage to tell everyone some of these things but worth it because it really helps tremendously.

[@justadudebrowsin5807]

I really empathize with point #1 the most. I realized very early on that I didn't have much musical talent, so rather than try to become the master shredder I focused on music as a means of expression. It's okay if my skills are low comparatively speaking; as long as I can write my own songs and rhythms, it's all good.

[@alexcaruso8858]

Thank you for all of your videos. I just began your intermediate course today. Looks like I have a lot of work to do on interval recognition, but I am thankful that I now have a road map to follow. Cheers!

[@aldojosue3210]

That psychedelic strat reminds me a lot of Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, specially the headstock. Nice video man, luv u

[@Zoologic21]

Oddly enough, I found a file to be lifesaving as well, but for my picking hand. I usually cut my nails on both hands all the way down to as close to the skin it can go without hurting, but I really got into wanting to fingerpick, and I was attracted to the idea of having a strong tone similar to that of using a pick with fingernails, that, try as I might, could never cut to the appropriate length, and even when I got close, everything was still too sharp and uneven and meant I was more scratching the strings than plucking them. The nail file has allowed me to shape my nails the way I want, keeping in mind how I place my hand on the body so that everything makes contact but still feels natural.

[@garrettcarroll5808]

I gotta be honest, I found out about Yngwie when I was 13, so I was already discouraged from the get-go. But I still play! 13 years now :)

[@shitmandood]

Did you discover Yngwie to be boring? After the Rising Force album, all the rest of it sounded like more of the same. His playing fast didn't translate into great musicality compared to others of his day. I probably started with Yngwie as well, but then got tired of it after Rising Force, & moved on. I also had a guitar prodigy that I grew up with in high school who played scales all over the neck really fast. He could play just about anything. Went to GIT later. What I found was nobody wanted to hear it which was a serious juxtaposition compared to people wanting to hear Yngwie. At the time, it was pretty intimidating to play guitar in front of him since that is when I started guitar playing with a $100 guitar from a Sears catalog. :)

[@garrettcarroll5808]

@@shitmandood No, I never found him boring. That said, I prefer Van Halen and Slash over Yngwie Malmsteen.

[@jvin248]

so Yngwie has discouraged you for half your life... don't let him.

[@NathanMichalik]

To add to your first point: I wish I figured out that being "the best" isn't actually important to me. Early on, I was pushing myself to be 'the best' in my small circle. It was stressful, depressing, and not all that fun. Now, I focus on having fun and developing my own style. I'll never be the best at theory or technique, but I can be 'the best' at my own style/sound. Also big +1 to that video you did on 'actively improving'. It helped me a lot

[@caleb8075]

I appreciate all of your honesty in this video. Also I want to add. If you’re having any joint pains from playing guitar, always consider finding a physical therapist! We can treat and give great education to help you out. Sincerely , A biased Physical Therapist who loves playing guitar

[@caleb8075]

@Hungrytongues 69 I certainly dont disagree. Was trying to not go into any details as our bodies are all very complex and unique.

[@seanfitzpatrick7878]

I had been playing guitar for over 30 years when my wife suggested I use a nail file and while I was immensely grateful that she had, I was also upset that she hadn't suggested it years ago. It's such an amazing implement for guitarists.

[@marshallzingkhai889]

I wish i knew how to improvise solos earlier. I did not even know how scales are associated with the key of the music even after i can play some cover songs.

[@shitmandood]

I disagree. I didn't learn any songs at all when I started: just scales, chords, theory. Nothing anyone would care to listen to. At least you had a repertoire to draw from. I wish I had spent more time learning tons of songs when I started out.

[@DH-qu8wh]

Thanks for the line about wrist pain. I've been dealing with it from my job and it's healing really slowly. Might go get it checked out now.

[@onpsxmember]

Take your time finding the right doc...some sports guy, someone who deals with lots of musicians as well. If they don't really look at you and just want to give you an injection right away, go so a different doc.

[@julius2538]

You really make me mad by owning this psychedelic Strat... This is the fifth comment I write about that thing and I absolutely want it. Give it to me.

[@pauldada2797]

JewlzTheRambler any information on where one could get one like it?

[@mikemichael618]

@@pauldada2797 Make one.

[@julius2538]

@@pauldada2797 www.jacoland.it But I guess they are one offs so the chances are high that either you won't get one or it will cost you millions

[@aaronkeane2336]

@james crowe It's not the funniest thing I've ever heard, but he clearly wasn't being serious when he wrote it. Try not to take everything so literally. What's with the political rant? Also learn how to use capitals and punctuation. At least then your mindless rants might be correct in at least some sense.

[@aaronkeane2336]

@james crowe Just giving you a dose of your own sour brand of medicine pal. ''Give" it to you? What? Are you a communist? Are you on welfare? Didn't your parents explain to you how the world operates? Get a job and work for what you want....millennial, I presume'' Please read through that and explain how it's not condescending or superior?

[@dust17111]

1:40 yeah I feel that , being a lover of drop d rythms but also a lover of complex prog and blues solos it was quite the eye opener when I first started trying to solo just how difficult and different it is . Just got to keep on keeping on and embrace your own sound , but I still wish I could solo like tosin abasi

[@WalmartTom]

Drop D

[@racefrazier7998]

Drop C

[@vanation321]

Drop trou

[@joshuaharris6638]

Drop Y flat minor

[@DoodlezMusic]

Drop the B

[@violenceisfun991]

Get a seven-string, tune the top string to A: you can play all the jazzy shit and then go metal without having to change guitars

[@markalexander4641]

samuraiguitarist I play finger-style rather than flat picking and I use various grits of "permanent" types of sandpaper from my shop on my nails, plus a diamond file once in a while. The sandpaper does the quickest job. It's best to sand from each outside edge of the nails, toward the middle. Sanding TOWARD the outside edges can create small splits. Sandpaper is also superior to files for beveling the top edge of the nail. This reduces harshness in certain finger picking moves. Grit ranges from 120 to 220 work best for me.

[@jayluck8047]

Finger Tips, by Jay Today's Episode: "Them nasty-ass calloused digits." To achieve a more consistent technique and better tonal quality during practice and performance, follow these simple steps. Utilizing two small bowls, fill one half-way with iced water, the other with a small amount of hair conditioner. Dip the fingertips of your fret hand into the water for 30 seconds, remove and quickly pat dry. Carefully de-burr and evenly rough-up each fingertip with a nail file before soaking In the goo for 60 seconds. Rinse and knead your fingertips under running warm water to round them again and to get rid of any remaining string divots. Once desired shape is achieved, "cure" the tips by dipping them back into the ice water for 30 seconds. Allow to air dry and "set" for 1-2 minutes before touching or gripping anything. This procedure also helps get rid of some of the pain due to dry, hardened, misshaped skin, while keeping a tough yet smooth outer skin layer with a firm under-pad that will be harder to misshape the next time. Enjoy your next practice.

[@sonjalam3843]

Holy shit, I'm gonna try this from now on. Thanks man.

[@cojohnso80]

I spent a lot of time in Winnipeg in the 00's and the quality of the music bar scene was second to none. Great memories from that town.

[@eleonora4649]

1. Thing Me: So you wished that you heared SLASH and Hendrix earlier?

[@Brodie3K]

It's actually really nice to see someone who can play actually talk about some of the struggles or things they learned while learning to play.

[@cowboycalebbroersma]

I wish I had realized that learning pentatonic scales weren't nearly as hard as I thought it was to learn. I wasted a year of my life playing only super easy camp fire songs on my acoustic guitar when I could have been learning lead guitar

[@cowboycalebbroersma]

@Hungrytongues 69 agreed it was a good foundation but I wish I'd also learned lead at the same time

[@shitmandood]

Well, you must've had other things on your mind. This happens to everyone. The past couple of years, I buy & accumulate gear intermittently, but sometimes I don't get around to using it for up to 6 months or longer. I just get it on the sale, then get back to it later. And the same happens with some of the online courses I get. I can't always get to it right away & sometimes forget about it for a bit.

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

learning the scales is pathetically easy.being able to use them is the hard part.playing a scale isn't musical in any way so the scales you learn are not musical artillery.now the real work begins,you cant play a scale over a chord progression

[@SonicXRage]

I'm glad you mentioned health concerns! I play bass and I've found using a pick near the bridge to be really uncomfortable. I looked up bass picking techniques and very quickly started wondering whether I should use a pick at all, as I kept hearing horror stories about CTS and other repetitive stress injuries. You gave me some reassurance that wrist pain probably isn't as likely to become permanent as I've been led to believe. I'm still experimenting to find a less stressful way to palm mute and pick at the bridge so I'm less likely to ever need a doctor, but at least I have more peace of mind.

[@danielskrivan6921]

1:30 then there's me "meh, I already knew I sucked" and then just keep plodding along with minor growth every week.

[@danzender7665]

Wow, I have been playing guitar for about 18 years, and I have recently developed wrist issues. It's been a total damper in my playing and general mood about playing. I have had the same mindset that I will need surgery and rehab to fix my issue. Your comments about your wrist issues really made me feel better. I think its time to schedule that doctors appointment. Thanks for the great content!

[@Equimanthorn80]

Samurai: "Gone are the days of viral videos..." Kmac: "Hold my beer"

[@violenceisfun991]

Equimanthorn80, hold my irn bru*

[@johnspecht72]

I really enjoy your earlier videos. I especially enjoyed the year long video. I think that they stand the test of time for quality of production and material. Your past decisions led to the person you are now. You are someone a lot of people, including myself, like so they must have been worthwhile after all.

[@samuraiguitarist]

Thanks John those words mean a lot and thanks for joining Patreon! You'll be seeing your name start popping up at the end of videos very soon.

[@Mete94st]

Simple is better. i figure out this every day and forgot about it every other day.

[@williamwinn948]

I'm thankful i grew up in Boston, When I was a teenager in the nineties we had an amazing Music scene. As far as being the best musician that never mattered to me, creativity always did.

[@xerofugkery4742]

Haha if I knew how many good guitarist where out there young I would have focus on being a great drummer cuz I'd never b out of work

[@jml7916]

Worked for me except keyboard. It’s so strange how many people play piano but not keyboard. They can’t play anything except classical, can’t play with a band, can’t get out of the way in a band, can’t play blues and can’t play without sheet music. Makes it a strangely open market. PS, my piano playing is mediocre at best. But when no one else around can make a Hammond scream...

[@manricorazzi]

Lot of sensible, down to earth, humble and yet brilliant thoughts in here, kudos

[@sanyo_neezy]

That SRV thing was pretty cool

[@Cleath78]

You are so talented, yet really chill and humble, and I really appreciate that.

[@hanswurst61245]

I wish I had found out about pickslanting sooner.

[@jaycobmercado1409]

You really helped me with these video. All these days I’ve been down because im not getting good at guitar and i see a lots of guitarist in my school that are much better. I been feeling kinda stress because of these but i have to fix my errors and overcome my obstacles .In that way i know i will improve and you helped me see that with these video . Thank you so Much 😊

[@PNWGuitar]

I have a question that I've been avoiding for awhile. How do you go about practicing both technique and theory? I'm self taught and been playing for 13 years but not anywhere near the level I'd like to be. Some days I can fly around the fretboard and others my hands feel slow and out of sync, I also find that I play the same things alot and want to expand my musical vocabulary. I know that's a complex question but it's something that's troubled me.

[@Zigarius1123]

Search out the roots of your favorite bands you really can groove with. Then listen to their roots. Kind of like loving rush and finding out jethro tull had a big influence on them and a ton of other bands. This will help play new stuff through exposure to new music. You need to break it down into bite size pieces. Out of sync? Use a metronome and learn to count in 16ths. Then work on playing in between the up and down beats. Slap your legs like a drummer and then use that phrasing on guitar. Try it with different notes to cause different emotions. Learn to use modes and interval functions. Modes comes from the Greek word mood, so they really do imply emotion when you use them right. Look up Guthrie Govan masterclass on bends. Lastly, on a personal note I think of music as sounds in motion. It's a story all by itself before vocals every happen or even just a lone instrument. It's a language, the better you learn to speak it the more you can express yourself and really turn peoples heads.

[@TheTeaDubz]

Nice tip about that flurry of notes thing. I'm going to practice this! I've been improvising solos and I've been wanting to inject that flurry of notes but my approach has been the same as you mentioned... just playing as many notes as I can in a short amount of time, but that ends up making everything fall apart pretty much 100% of the time. lol

[@TheMitchellverse]

Samuari or anyone else here, do you know the name of this magical inflammation cream? also is it prescription only or over the counter? Having bad wrist pain from guitar and am looking for something to help

[@M_Olive]

If you like nail files I'd recommend trying a 3m WetorDry Abrasive Sheet of 2000 fine grade, it was introduced to me by my classical guitar tutor and I never went back! I've been using it for years now and haven't broken a nail ever since

[@HotElectricBand]

Ive been playing for 7 years and i can barely get my head around moving around the neck with scales

[@shitmandood]

How about chords?

[@HotElectricBand]

@@shitmandood im decent with chords, i took the time to learn all notes on the E string so theres that, i probally do alot of scale related stuff when improvizing without thinking about it in a theorical way

[@elijahbraunbeck7125]

What musical concepts should I focus on? Never had formal training and finding concepts to learn that challenge me without being too optimistic is hard. I spent hours teaching myself modes and finally have a decent grasp of that.

[@spacemissing]

Even plumbers sometimes have mind-blowing discoveries to make about Their profession...

[@JustinNogle]

You've mentioned a cream your doctor prescribed for pain you've had in a couple videos now, and that it largely wiped out the issue. Been battling tendinitis for the past year (fun times!) and was wondering if you could please tell me, and anyone else struggling, what you've been using that has helped you so much. Miraculously (in my mind anyway), I was able to barrel through it the last few months and complete another song after much previous rest and physical therapy (presumed carpal tunnel originally). This pain's gotta go! Thank you for doing what you do! My wife loves watching your videos with me and she's not a musician at all!

[@racefrazier7998]

I work a full time job. In construction. In America. I don't have insurance. That would be $400 doctor visit, even with good insurance that would be a $10 or $20 co pay

[@samuraiguitarist]

Dang. I can't help you there my friend.

[@metalslugfest]

Try the pain relief balm, it works wonders! I didn't start using it until a year ago, but it makes a night and day difference

[@KaitouKaiju]

OTC might help

[@ruBenes94]

This last one is something I've been tryning to work on for a while now, thanks!

[@theRiver_joan]

“Go see a doctor”, damn Canadians 😭

[@imnotreal6146]

I experienced pain in my wrists that would prevent me from being able to play at ease. It was so terrible, I would have to take a solid hour of stretching and massaging my hands. I recently got a CBD salve from a coworker and it’s been tremendously helpful.

[@jacobopepito2366]

Sensei pls can you tell me the name of the cream yohr doctor told you to use? It would be very helpful to me

[@bandobandit353]

Wasn't one of the points of advise to go see a doctor rather than getting advice from other guitarists ;)

[@onpsxmember]

Probably one containing diclofenac...that might be the right thing IF you know it's flaring up to reduce inflamation, BUT change your playing if it happens often...warm up your forearms until you can really feel those muscles (weights/theraband), have your wrist straight unless you're playing barre chords across all strings or when you're bending. If you can't get your wrist straight, change the position of your guitar, angle your neck further up and adjust the strap. How does your posture change when you're already playing for a few hours? Keep that in mind. If you want a diclofenac cream (like diclac or other kinds), get your allergies checked (doc) and check if you get any stomach problems when you take it. If you're ever in big pain on your wrist/fingers, don't let any doctor inject you with cortisone. They throw those injections around like crazy cause it's a quick fix to get you out of their office, they get money and no further check ups cause there is no physiotherapy. Cortisone destroys bloodvessels, fat tissue and cartilage. In some cases they need to pump you full of cortisone for certain surgery, but if you got lots of injections over the years, your body can't handle that and there won't be any surgery when you desperately need it. The problem why something hurts is all the monotone shit we do. If you know something comes and goes even at a young age...go see a sports doc and a physiotherapist and keep doing what they preach + videos you can find directly for that diagnosis. Don't stop doing the exercises, they have to become routine. You have 3-5 minutes a day to save you the money of artificial joints and surgery.

[@LTGuitarist]

Massively relate to the "thinking you're great then going to music school and.... uh oh..." story. But, if that experience wasn't as suddenly impactful and humbling as it was, I probably wouldn't have noticed it :s

[@jasonsummit1885]

Just wondering what your thoughts are on the Gittler guitar, don't think it would be very easy to play a guitar without a fingerboard just frets and strings.

[@FlarGarg]

thank you for stuff you are doing. I`m not really good at music even tho spending some times with my guitar or a bass is quite enjoyable. One time i`ve understood that i`m not trying to "hit on top" or become "The One" or whatever, and its about that time i`ve started to just enjoy my time with music, as simple and unskillful i might be or consider myself on that topic. This surprisingly almost not an option for my friends or fellow musicians, however it works well for me - i just play or practise whenever i feel right to do so and just enjoy the process, not the result.

[@purplealice]

You can "go see a doctor" easily enough, because you live in a civilized country. But what about those of us in the the US, where a struggling guitar player can't afford to go to a doctor?

[@samuraiguitarist]

This is a very good point that I don't really have the answer to. My way of advocating for change is trying to remind people that unviersal healthcare does exist and works pretty well vs. shoving an ideology down someone's throat. I guess what I'm saying is it's worthwhile trying to make changes in whatever way you can for what you believe in.

[@TokyoBlue587]

Vote for political candidates who support universal healthcare

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

My fingernails have always been thick and tough, and I discovered nail files after I'd been playing around 10 years, which was about 45 years ago. My problem is when I trim them with nail clippers the outside "corners" feel like tiny machetes, especially on the same two fingers you mentioned. Filing them instead of clipping them almost always solves the problem. In those rarer occasions when I have pain, I just squirt a few drops of super glue between the corners of the nails and the nail beds. It helps a lot.

[@kilocide6242]

Point 1 bothers me. You don't have to meet some technical standard. Tons of sick songs with 3 chords. Super technical ability impresses music nerds. The kind of guys who drool over Neil pert etc.

[@Howitchewstofeel5gum]

Yup. People are not going to suddenly invite you to play arenas once you've reached a certain skill level. The mentioned professors are probably way better players than, let's say Kirk Hammett. Yet he plays in front of tens of thousands of people every night, and the profs never do.

[@Javo_Non]

Thats sad

[@chippchipp1]

Neil Peart is a kind of shitty example, he's technically skilled but also writes memorable and dynamic drum parts that support the song perfectly. He's not a show-off.

[@Jaspertine]

It's not just a question of technical ability. You could be the best at writing 3 chord songs in your local area, and if you let that go to your head and start thinking you're hot shit, then it's gonna hurt your ego all the more when you move to the next phase of your career and realize how many people out there are writing truly amazing 3 chord songs. Every musician needs to spend time working on the parts of their craft that they care about, whether it's technical ability, catchy hooks, improvisational skills, whatever. No matter what you focus on, there's almost guaranteed to be someone else who's put more time and energy into it than you have... and that's okay. The point is to avoid believing your own hype.

[@macintoshplus1mb412]

Kilocide Whatever helps you sleep knowing your skill mate

[@geraldwest3428]

Some of the best guitarist I know have never been to any music school. Thanks for your thoughts man!

[@trentxthomas5958]

I thought you'd have mentioned it, but I hear it a lot in other guitarists that they wish they would've picked up acoustic and learned about chord structure and strumming patterns, etc. Rather than getting an electric and wanting to be a"bAdAsS rOcKsTaR" right off the bat and covering avenged sevenfold songs and shit, lmao I was lucky enough to actually take interest in acoustic early on and started writing songs with one and practicing for about 2 years, then I finally got my first electric and was astounded at how fast I could play lol. I was like "Holy SHIT it's so easy to move down the fretboard!!"

[@levijohnson6291]

I am happy that he also enjoys making these videos, they are really educational and fun to watch.

[@corkscrew4585]

*"Hot Soup"*

[@zabelius1]

Hi Sensei. From my point of view, you are a great musician. Besides your playing skills, you own a great tone. Your playing is recognizeable. To hear you, is to know that it´s you. Isn´t that, what a musician wants? Cheers from Germany, Axel "happyshredder".

[@allanallan4791]

Heres a tip, Rick Beato.....&.....If you want to write your own songs learn how your heros WROTE their songs dont just cover them.

[@rustyshackleford2841]

Allan Allan Drugs plenty of drugs, got it!!!

[@grangerlofton8608]

Very well said. I hope the younger set will listen and heed...actually, all sets. My 83-year-old parents send me crazy creative things they create online. Life-long joy of learning, baby!

[@pcb8059]

Truth is, if you want to be a working musician, just need to buy a 10,000$ guitar and then it should just happen on its own.

[@P_Ezi]

Pc B Then get your $300 hand wired vintage TS-9 replica with NOS semiconductors from the 70's, a wall full of vintage Marshall cabinets, and play the same licks every time you pick up your guitar. If that doesnt work, find another $300 pedal....and another...

[@shitmandood]

Amen!

[@pcb8059]

@@P_Ezi Yes, In my case, I figured Id be a rockstar if I spent 20 years fingerpicking variations of G and C. But now Im 50 years and can only fingerpick variations of G and C for some reason.

[@middleagedgearjunkie]

Totally agree with your first point, I was always told how good I was and I became complacent and conceited. I set myself back about 5 years.

[@flipierfatalbina4757]

The doctor thing doesn't really work for americans sad to say.

[@WalrusDoom]

Was here to say that. We’re an awful country.

[@kitano0]

Yeah, thinking the same thing. Here, the doctor would order all kinds of tests before prescribing something.

[@onpsxmember]

@@kitano0 Be more afraid of those who quickly describe you medication without really looking at you.

[@kitano0]

@@onpsxmember Aww..where's the fun in THAT?

[@jdl2180]

@@WalrusDoom then go live somewhere else you stupid asshole! 💩💩💩💩💩💩💩

[@ATAsgard1]

OMG!!!! I had the same issue with bending and having my skin peel away from the nail. SO PAINFUL. Continuing to file them - AND pulling the skin back while it's cut (yes, this hurts) while it's healing helps the skin heal in a way that will prevent it from tearing again in the future. It also helps a lot if you use some kind of vaseline/neosporin on the cut to help mitigate the pain.

[@mer6088]

Im a drummer What am I doing here

[@idiom_moidi6072]

Hey samurai could you make another video like this but explaining what you wish you could have learned sooner for guitar specifically? (music theory, techniques, etc.) I’ve been playing for 1 year and 5 months and sometimes get lost when it comes to knowing what I should learn next. Thanks!

[@africanchina1]

I wish I started playing guitar when I was a little kid and not at 26 🤣

[@timothycormier3494]

africanchina1 it’s not about how long you’ve been playing. It’s about desire and dedication. How bad do you want it. Granted I started playing when I was 13yrs old and I’m 46 now. But after just one year of playing. I was 14 and playing with a decent band. All because of the fact that I wanted it more than air. You’ll be fine guitarist. You just have to really want it

[@polydactylstrangle]

I started at 37, making good progress, hours and hours of dedication, best of luck!

[@TokyoBlue587]

Hey I'm starting at 47...better late than never

[@mattgilbert7347]

@@timothycormier3494 Age matters. Biology matters. Managing expectations is important.

[@jacobbockover1628]

I'm subscribing due to your amazing eyebrows. My sister is good at what she does not a great guitarist but a good writer with a small career as a folk musician. She's currently working in Alaska playing folk songs at a resort not what people dream of but a success. I've had a vascular surgery to divert an artery out of my hand so it gets numb but the more I exercise the less it bugs me

[@Mr29Tiger]

Samurai Sensei! Don't discard your wrist pain by just applying a topic cream every time it flares up please! Work on why it becomes a problem in the first place. Carpal Tunnels is often due to shortened muscles in the forearm - stretching your forearm and wrist will do wonders! Stay safe, thanks for the vid.

[@samuraiguitarist]

It's not carpal tunnel though. At least according to the doc, it's a inflammation of the tendon sheath. Either way it only impacts me once every couple years now

[@felicityfoo6240]

I have problems with my nails too but they're quite the opposite from the typical nail issue. I'm still a senior in high school now and there are rules that prevent us from having long nails. Now this might not seem like an issue but I'm a classical guitarist. So for any classical guitarists out there with similar issues, I recommend getting one of those really cheap nails and a bottle of nail glue. Wear the nails on your picking hand and file 'em down to get that perfect length and angle. Just remove the nails when not in use, clean and keep them so you have a set of perfectly filed nails

[@artturipura9238]

HEYYY Don't blame me, I just wanted to comment something

[@billgroves5672]

Great content - thanks for sharing. One question and one nit pick : what's the name of the tendon ointment? I find its better to ask a Doc if they would prescribe a specific treatment rather than fish for them arriving at the answer cold. Tylenol and NSAIDs aren't working for my occasional right wrist/forearm aches from strumming, drumming, and probably yard weed whacking too. For the minor nit pick - can you sound deaden your room or close mic with a directional to reduce the the hard walled chamber sound? Often ok for music - less so for infrastructural content IMO. I found I had to slow down the audio to lessen its effect & hear you best (post middle age everything matters). Again really appreciate you sharing being analytical - many of us can relate. Cheers.

[@carl3248]

your webcam is pointed a little bit more down than usual

[@zacevans1683]

Stop

[@samuraiguitarist]

Yes I became very aware of this when I was editing.... also that ain't no webcam my friend!

[@ValenceFlux]

I remember hanging around a music school in Boston wondering about what path to pursue with my life as much as guitar was part of my soul. I was reading the Book of Five Rings around that time. Thanks for reminding me. Health issues halted my playing for a while.