My 3-Step Formula For Effortless Guitar Technique

Raise your hand if you've ever felt like your hand was on fire after playing a bunch of barre chords... I've developed a 3-step practice formula to help you develop effortless technique - so you can finally play those tricky chords pain-free, with a clear tone, and the comfort of a relaxed fretting hand.
►FRETBOARD FREEDOM: Learn how to make guitar arrangements / guitar covers! Follow the link to take my free training "Fretboard Freedom", where I teach you how to find and play chords anywhere on the fretboard:
beyondtheguitar.com/get-started/
►SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL: Hit that "Subscribe" and notification bell to never miss a video:
bit.ly/BTGAcademySubscribe
►BEYOND THE GUITAR MUSIC VIDEOS: Subscribe to my other channel for all my music videos featuring my own unique classical guitar arrangements of music from movies, tv, and video games:
/ beyondtheguitar
►MY GEAR: kit.co/beyondtheguitar/my-mus...
►MY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEARNING GUITAR (guitars, gear, books, etc.): kit.co/beyondtheguitar/my-rec...
Stay updated on all things Beyond The Guitar!
Twitter: / beyondtheguitar
Instagram: / beyondtheguitar
Facebook: / beyondtheguitar
classical guitar lesson, fingerstyle guitar lesson, guitar technique, how to play barre chords, how to play bar chords without buzzing, how to play barre chords without pain, how to play guitar relaxed

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

Want to learn how to create your own classical and fingerstyle guitar arrangements? Get started by taking my free training, "Fretboard Freedom", where I teach you how to find and play chords anywhere on the fretboard: beyondtheguitar.com/get-started/

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

Also, how about that new background?? You dig it?

[@SuperAmp3]

Looks really calm 😴☺️

[@mayukhbanerjee1147]

I really dig Batman. Thinking he's out there somewhere protecting the world helps me relax all the time. :))

[@ricardohernandezsalas8659]

Just perfect.

[@ricardohernandezsalas8659]

I wish I had you as a physical teacher.

[@moyletom]

Looks great... very relaxed

[@metalurgjunior7378]

i really respect the fact that your youtube channel hasn't grown as much as it should (like 1mil subs) and you are still making the best videos keep it up!

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

We're just gettin started babyyyyyyy

[@triebschen]

Nathan....you have the most exceptional clarity while trying to explain difficult issues. Respect! You are one of the outstanding guitarist/teachers in youtube. The new background is very warm, intimate and delicate. Attracts the attention immediately! Greetings from Spain!

[@_orion_1473]

Your new studio looks dope! Can’t wait to see more vids in it!!

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

thanks!! can't wait to make more

[@petermakesmusic]

So excited for this BTG Studio tour!!!

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

Just waiting for a few more items!

[@michal.morawski91]

I've been looking for a new instructional video and here it is. Made my day, thank you.

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

thanks for hanging in there! getting back into a regular schedule now that the studio is mostly finished

[@prodbyaye8751]

Dude do u remember this comment “ Please make videos on your academy channel” and u replied by saying “ soon, my new setup is getting ready” but honestly its dope and cool. Keep posting videos no matter how underrated u are. Almost everything I know about the chord making all over the fretboard for fingerstyle songs is just because of you. Ur fretboard freedom video just made me an original guitarist.( those of u who don’t know about the fretboard freedom video, its in his website go check it out.

[@megh_murhekar]

I struggle a lot with tension in my fingers while playing. I am definitely going to practice this way to play in a relaxed manner. Thanks for the amazing video!

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

You're not the only one. Good luck!

[@JoseOchoa-dw9vk]

I can relate to the concept of minimal energy. Great video.

[@rebelaqua823]

relaxation applies to almost everything; music, sport, driving etc etc. This is the way.

[@wilburythesage2734]

This explanation made it easier for me to refocus what I need to do. As someone with dyspraxia, it’s a challenge getting the correct pressure for holding a pen to write with it, let alone keep movement consistent.

[@ufanisoneetze]

it starts 3:17 thank you very much.

[@seadawg93]

I haven’t had a chance to grab my guitar and try this out, or even finish this video, but in re: where the pressure is coming from ...🤯🤯🤯

[@gabrielgabin0]

Thanks a lot Nathan! Cheers from Brazil

[@manuelfranco102]

Just want to say: i love the bg!

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

yes! i'm geeking out about it. can't wait to show you guys more of the new studio

[@manuelfranco102]

I'm excited to see more of it in future videos! And also: and intro would be really interesting :P

[@toituxu749]

Thanks so much for your effort in this video to make people play effortlessly

[@sekainodreamers6273]

Exactly what I was looking for, thank you kindly

[@Aalii6]

very helpful, thank you!

[@pedrorochaguitar]

Awesome class, thanks!!

[@shanepearson9356]

Thanks so much for this video! Relaxation is probably one of my biggest issues with guitar, and I’ve always been super impressed with how relaxed and effortlessly you play your pieces so I’ll definitely be taking this advice seriously.

[@paulomelo1792]

Nathan, you have no idea how much you helped me. Thank you so much! Greetings from Brazil!

[@johntrentis_my_hero6667]

Thanks for the tips. Very valuable to a new player like myself. And thanks for the inspiration to take on learning the classical guitar.

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

You're very welcome. Keep it up!

[@ozmoscovichdvm463]

I am really impressed by the clarity and simplicity with which you expressed the interesting concepts in this video. Kudos to you Nathan !

[@paraskaith5027]

Thanks for the reminder hehe

[@JoshGUITARofolo]

Love the new studio, background and lighting. Thanks for the great tips, will start working on this immediately!

[@KevinQualls]

Thanks, Nathan! Excellent advice as always!

[@trinityepiphanyguitar795]

I’m going to start playing a little more lightly. I play like I’m trying to strangle the guitar 😂

[@gamegorilla705]

This video is so different to the usual stuff. I love it

[@sophieandersson6106]

Enjoyed the video, and more importantly I have started practising the concepts as explained, an important by product is that I am enjoying playing the guitar - it's no longer a chore - this is becuase I am relaxed. Thanks another excellent video.

[@lucabarchiesi5321]

I'm going to practice it right away!

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

Get itttt!

[@chiluditospro2]

Dude your tips and classes are awesome, keep it up and seriously I've been realizing about this issue, it is extremely tiring to play while being tense and clamping to the neck of the guitar, and I'm happy to have learnt a way to solve it. I'll be applying your tips for today onwards. Really thanks!! You deserve sooo many more subscribers. Hope your channel soon gets bigger!

[@chaitanyashahare2734]

I wish I would have found you years ago!! Great video , actually all your video are helpful and packed with all the relevant explainations, that's what makes them easy to follow. Keep the great work up helping fellow guitarists like me to achieve our goals, and thank you so much;

[@nikhilaarons]

Love this video. Watched it multiple times. I have the same issue which is blocking me from being able to play a full song, especially with barre chords coz it hurts in between. Thanks Nathan for the tips!

[@dodoguitar2415]

Nate, thank you so much, again and again for the advice to use gravity on playing barre chords 👍🏽. I hope that I can be less blue in a face now 😂

[@prenomnom3930]

Thanks for the advice! Cramps are something I'm struggling with.

[@latavernedeloracle3007]

Thanks for the tip !

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

Very welcome

[@silvertopbeauty]

Such important advice! Great video :)

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

Thanks man!

[@agastya6799]

Love your videos! Can you please make a video on how to slap (percussion) while playing fingerstyle? It's something that I really struggle in

[@mysteriousstranger2695]

Amazing guide nathan you inspire me to be a better arranger keep it up

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

Thanks! Likewise, keep it up

[@zachwils2]

Awesome video- I know it is 3 years old so I am not sure if you will see this comment, but I had a question regarding the concept of using the arm for fretting as opposed to the thumb. When using your arm, do you naturally counter the pressure put on the left side of the guitar with counter-pressure from your right hand? That is to say, do you push into the guitar from your right arm as it rests on the body of the guitar? When I try to implement this technique, I notice that happening and wasn’t sure if this is to be expected. P.S. if you do end up reading this, your videos are truly amazing. The cover of Distant Horizons from Skyrim brought tears to my eyes :’)

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

Yes exactly. You need to apply equal and opposite counter-weight by pushing in with your other arm. Glad you dig the videos!

[@zachwils2]

@@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy thanks for the reply and the great advice!

[@wesl5359]

hey Nathan, does the weighted arm concept apply to flamenco position as well or is it solely entitled to the classical position ? thank you so much for the video and also the new bg is looking really good!

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

As long as you're getting some elevation and angle with the neck you can use the weight of your arm, so it should work. It's just easier when the neck is more elevated. The only time you can't use the weight at all, is if the neck is completely parallel to the ground. Glad you like the background!

[@sethferguson7365]

But where is the next podcast episode?? Seriously miss it

[@mralowen]

So when are you doing Lestat's Sonata from Interview with The Vampire? .....because you HAVE TO!

[@pepsiq210200]

hey man, i have an issue with left hand tension. As i start practicing i feel pretty good i can be relax, and accurate but with some time i gradually start feeling pain in the wrist and my left hand gets clamped and sloppy, no matter how relaxed i was. Playing very slow just make it worse. i can't play anything because of that, i feel completely unconfident. Tension feels like waves which got provoked with lesser and lesser effort within single practice session. i hope there is solution for me :(

[@user-qb6yy6xp9s]

how much minutes each threshold to take? please reply thank you

[@Luke-ih1oc]

Nathan, do you really never use your thumb at all while playing? Pulling back with the arm seems like it might be too cumbersome during fast chord /note changes, but is this not the case? I think that I use somewhat of a hybrid between pulling with the arm and my thumb. I also play with the neck somewhere between full classical position and parallel to the ground, so perhaps my leverage isn’t as good. Maybe I need to revisit this. Since I injured myself about a year ago I began doing similar exercises and paying much more attention to the force I was using (as well as using my thumb less overall), but perhaps I need to divorce myself completely of the use of the thumb? Ideally, it should never be used to squeeze.. at all?

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

In most scenarios, you don't have to pull with the arm, you can just rely on the weight of your arm. That isn't as cumbersome for fast transitions. Pulling with the arm is just reserved for barre chords typically, where you need extra pressure. If you don't play with an elevated neck, you can't rely on the weight of your arm and gravity, so your only option is thumb or pulling the arm. So it is possible that's the problem you're running into. I've never found a scenario where squeezing with the thumb is favorable to weight of the arm.

[@Luke-ih1oc]

Beyond The Guitar Academy I see. I use a Sageworks Umbra but on my right knee - the neck is elevated but to a lesser extent otherwise. I can share a picture in the discord. I’ll have to play around with this and see if I can play without using my thumb at all.