5 Bad Playing Habits I NEED To Break

[@RhettShull]

Check out my brand new Impulse Response packs and Tone Course here! flatfiv.co/collections/rhett-shull

[@Anthm2011]

Great honesty. Great lesson.

[@michaelprospero8403]

Any possibility of doing a video for home studios? Cheap studio, home semi-pro. What's needed. Products, tips etc. This a perfect time to get into it.

[@vernicevernisdavis47]

Wonderful lesson from an open & honest, good human being. Thank you so much for all of your lessons. Your comments, I believe, will help me face some issues that I should deal with it, as well. Amazingly, I'm not just talkin about in music. So again, thanks!

[@dashermorgan]

I like how you used "I" instead of you. So many people use that in their titles as if that don't have flaws (YOU). It let's me know that it is you, I, and US. We're all in this together. Great job! Now I know you're not a narcissist lol.

[@canvasofart40]

Lol. Yeah, I agree about playing the same darn tune. 😏

[@AlfredHoudijk]

No 1 bad habit: watching KZbin instead of playing the guitar.

[@staylucky4727]

Fuckin truth.

[@midiman5045]

Dead on. !!!!!

[@gabibonza]

hahahahaha Right in the bull's-eye!

[@nik8ivnv]

True story,bro

[@noeticflatulence]

No 2: Looking for more gear instead of practicing.

[@cemsarioglu5947]

Two of my practice routines: -I turn on Spotify. Select a song that I’m familiar with. Try to play the vocal parts. After that play the chords of the same song. Next step is combining the chords with vocal melodies. It really works. And it helps you on live situations as well. On some parts, play unison with the vocalist (without shadowing his/her vocals of course) and let the keyboard player or the other guitar guy do the chord playing. -Play the same chord from at least 5 different positions. Take the C chord for example and try to find 5 different positions to play it. This really helps your mind memorise the map which is called the fretboard. Cheers.

[@HernanHH95]

Thank you for that. Sounds like a great practice challenge

[@AlexandrBorschchev]

how do you know the chords? do you just figure it out by ear?

[@oisinfitzgerald5401]

I’m a lil late to the party but also to build on what you’re saying cause it’s great advice, playing along with the drums and trying to fit in with the drums of a song is a great exercise

[@Kipperbob]

The improv thing, put on the backing track, put down the guitar, Hum or sing a short melody you make up in your head, Then pick up your guitar and attempt to replicate the same melody. After a while you end up playing what you think of rather than what your fingers are comfortable with playing on the neck,

[@rhythmace1]

That's how Rivers Cuomo comes up with his guitar solos

[@christopherbraune04]

Dang! That’s a good idea!

[@cvs1539]

Very good idea for coming up with a melody

[@brianruyack7632]

Jeff Carlisi said the same thing for his solos, he strives for melodic playing

[@Justin-jh3kb]

aramando john mayer too. I just saw a video with him talking about it

[@jackbarlow4104]

As an intermediate guitar player, at best, the best thing I've done recently to improve my playing is to learn songs by ear from memory and then play along with the studio version of the song. Great for your sense of tempo and ability to play with other people.

[@bbwarwick]

Same. I’m a keyboard player in a band but I mostly play acoustic guitar and sing by myself or with a drummer and another singer. One thing that never stops to amaze me though is how much you think you know a song but you don’t. You would swear it’s right and then when you finally play along with it, it can be very humbling at times. But at the same time, I find that I come with different ways of playing certain parts that to me sound better. Something like adding some garnish between Chords, playing bass riffs with it, or slightly adding an extra dimension to a chord.

[@autk]

You'll never really know what you know until you ditch playing along with any tracks...if you cannot put the song together with musicians you literally don't know what you don't know. ..it's totally different from hiding within a track and thinking you know it. Live with real musicians reveals the truth about how good you are. Bedroom jams prove almost nothing.

[@FullmetalDragon1212]

tab is a huge problem for my playing, I can get in time and play with studio albums with relative ease. but trying to learn from a album.... impossible

[@TheMurkGaming]

1. Noodling 2:10 2. Too much reverb 5:17 3. Resting hand on bridge 8:06 4. Relying on muscle memory 11:20 5. Playing the same things over and over again 14:02

[@StefanGBucher]

Bless you.

[@NRG2]

Hahaha whole video is based on concepts John Mayer has been talking for years over and over... however NOBODY (not even John) is capable of executing with even 50% effectiveness. Everybody relies on “licks” and “vocab” that was inspired

[@KurtRichards]

Thank You, Rhett. Very good video.

[@KennethGonzalez]

Well done! 👍

[@joshuaquery6382]

0:01 Starts giving terrible advice.

[@fretfumastery]

Noodling is only a problem if you're on the clock in the studio. Otherwise anytime your guitar is in your hands, you're better off playing then not playing.

[@BollocksUtwat]

You're probably better off playing something productive than mindlessly noodling. There are times I sit down with the guitar and 45 minutes later I realized it was nothing but noodling and I feel unsatisfied.

[@mirak63]

@@BollocksUtwat i force myself to play a full album like if I was playing live, each time I practice. That's 45 minutes I am sure I am closest to real playing.

[@Macop]

@@BollocksUtwat It all depends on your goal. If you want to improve or write something, then play constructively with real intention. If you are just out to get some nice tunes, without any purpose, then noodle away. Noodling should just be you relaxing and not having to think about it, but rather enjoying the guitar and get nice tones. There are positive reasons to noodle. It's only a bad habit if you are doing it and procastinating your goals.

[@jamesclaygarrison7192]

Wrong. Playing (noodling) in between songs live is a no no

[@tohstygohstygal]

@@jamesclaygarrison7192 No shit. Never seen anyone think it was okay to noodle on stage.

[@joegarrison5911]

"Noodling is the act of playing, but you're not actually playing anything" I've never felt so called out

[@MorleyRobertson1975]

That's bullshit. You think any guitar solo from any great guitarist didn't come from noodling?

[@pronumeral1446]

@@MorleyRobertson1975 it's fine if you set out to write a solo, and noodle to help write. That's like when you want to write a song, so you start jamming with your band. Rhett means noodling without a purpose.

[@tagmomentum]

@@MorleyRobertson1975 Rhett gives a lot of good advice, but he is dead wrong on this.

[@pikiao4686]

totally relate to what your saying Joe

[@slickness8892]

I love to noodle on the guitar. It"s like daydreaming that helps you come up with ideas. It's also just a fun and relaxing escape which is what many are using the guitar for anyway. If someone wants to be an original artist, of course you have to spend time building on the noodling ideas and working out complete songs. I will admit as a home player, I would like to noodle maybe a little less and spending a little more time working on complete songs (whether originals or covers).

[@rickrossi3545]

My wife politely suggested I learn some new material. That bummed me out to where I quit playing a few years ago. Rhett’s suggestions make me want to stop feeling sorry for myself, and pick up my guitar again.Thanks Rhett!

[@danieljones3846]

Keep on playing man!

[@Sefarst86]

Rhett Shull: "I need to stop noodling." Rhett Shull: "I need to stop using reverb." *turns off reverb, immediately starts noodling.

[@ParisblueCos]

Continues the rest of the video with reberb on.

[@bmag1964]

And while resting hand on the bridge... but I do love the video.

[@jebatman756]

Was about to make the same comment XD

[@sunsetjunior9313]

like reverb is a crutch or bad thing? then gain is too? maybe its just me, put i wont play without liberal reverb....dry guitar? no thanks...

[@freddycansino3440]

LMAO😂that's the first thing I thought.

[@pikiwiki]

Disagree about noodling. If no noodling, how do you discover new rhythms, chord sequences, etc? I can complete song parts by noodling then constructing complementary sections after discovering a new part. I would say, noodling itself is merely a method to find undiscovered layers. It depends on the noodler whether they can pull the parts together. That's where music begins.

[@dendon3384]

You sir are correct. Noodling is also a way to see the stuff that you practiced incorporate itself into your subconscious. It's how you grow. Keep noodling.

[@prscustom2112]

I totally agree. How do you think Robbin Ford came up with that solo in the first place. A big bowl of noodles. It’s a big part of the creative process. Learning other people’s music is great, but noodling is how you make your own. I’d say mindless noodling is the caveat, but who actuality noodles without rhythm or or a key in mind???

[@MrMd5555]

Maybe I'm wrong but I think he's more talking about when you're doing nothing else but noodling the same safe licks runs arpeggios etc, or noodling so much you're no longer learning anything new during your playing/practice time. When he mentioned this I realized since I no longer play with a band, I've been basically exclusively noodling over fairly simple tired progressions on a loop station for the past few years & my playing/advancement has suffered instead of pushing myself into unexplored territory like I used to. I agree with everything that's been said in this thread about noodling, I think some of us just need noodlers anonymous at times!! Lol

[@philodonoghue3062]

Totally agree! See my comment above. Thank God McCartney, Lennon, Richards, Townshend, Cale, Gallagher et al., never got a chance to see KZbin electric guitar tutorials. That said, Rhett is still one of my top 5 go-to guitar playing technique and theory tutors (Rick Beato, Tim Pierce, Paul David, and that Canadian guy who specialises in head to head comparisons, reviews of new small company guitars nearly as good as big name companies (usual suspects) and re-engineering and modding, and assembly of the new craze - guitar kit sets* * I’ll get over this ‘senior moment’ and report back with his name

[@yakshrajsingh8121]

Noodling amlessly is bad , like hitting just random notes for enjoying the tone or anything. Picking a scale and REALLY improvising is good. Aimless stuff is bad

[@EJSMITTY17]

If you’re constantly noodling and complaining that you’re not progressing, sure, you should stop. But we noodle because, well, it’s fun! I’m not the player you or many other KZbin guitarists are, but I play for fun and when I pick up my guitar, sometimes I’m set out to learn and improve and other times I’m just trying to get away from everything and enjoy playing. So, I dunno if NEVER noodling is really something a lot of regular folks would be happy doing.

[@NRG2]

EJ Smith nobody said NEVER noodle... but it’s a comparison between doing something completely unconsciously or doing something with intention or direction. This is the way to channel music from an energy that you feel into a vehicle to allow other people to access that energy... it’s a new era in guitar these days. The goal is to distill your own vocabulary from previous eras... soooo when you speak you don’t just talk jibberish.... same on the guitar, you want to learn to make a statement that is coherent, not just guitar jibberish... I’m not there either, but we don’t need to act like we can’t comprehend the truth even if we aren’t capable of demonstrating it. 🙏🏻😁❤️

[@danr5105]

Right on, I say it again "Right on" I would say it again but it is time to noodle.

[@danr5105]

@@NRG2 "Distill your own vocabulary" now that IS gibberish.

[@mnhyti]

@@NRG2 Many a great song has come about through noodling I would bet.

[@Sancho_Retablez]

Agree. Anyway, videogames are also fun, but playing Street Fighter doesn't turn you into a martial arts master.

[@masterstepz9800]

*Tells you to stop noodling* *Starts noodling beautifully* *Me:* I must learn the art of noodling

[@kirkmooneyham]

I know, old comment, but this one actually made me laugh, thanks.

[@brettadkins7563]

Lmao

[@wolverine3344]

Amen for giving Buk the credit he deserves. Love that dude, what a breath of fresh air for our community. Pure gold.

[@darrickthompson1171]

* WOLVERINE * among the purest.

[@caleshtcincredibles]

He is awesome

[@danmc6118]

Tom Buk is the best thing about lockdown. Can’t get enough of the Home Skoolin 👍🏻

[@mrpendent]

Rhett: "I need to stop noodling." Me: "I hope some day I can play well enough to even pretend to noodle..."

[@donaldfewell8908]

I'd say that the problem has more to do with when to noodle and when not to noodle. Also, there are many kinds of noodling, and one can become open to melodic, chordal and rhythmic noodling ad lib and improvisation. Most importantly, don't noodle or tune out loud on stage, as this is very unprofessional.

[@treydurio6288]

@@donaldfewell8908 Stevie Ray Vaughan noodled on stage sometimes

[@jamesonnewhouse1298]

Rhett- "noodling is bad" *Proceeds to noodle throughout the rest of the video*

[@RhettShull]

yup....told you it was a habit.

[@sniffrat3646]

Noodling on your own is good - keeps the fingers and ears working. Noodling around other people is bad - no one wants to hear me practising.

[@jackhammer111]

@@sniffrat3646 you weren't paying attention were you? fingers yes, ears no. brain no. at some point, noodling should bore you unless you mistake your noodling for good playing and you aren't interested in getting better. and even if your noodling is decent playing it will be there if you need it. but the last thing you want to have happen is for other people to get bored with your playing before you do. The whole point of getting better is making a stronger pathway between you brain (where your ears go and where imagination lives) and your hands, actually your whole body. The entire object is to get your body out of the way so music can flow through you from wherever it comes from. That's is virtuosity. spontaneous creation. Most of us will never be virtuosos but hey, it's good to have goals right?

[@MichaelAlvey]

Yes, Haha LOL!

[@sniffrat3646]

@@jackhammer111 Fair point :)

[@RomainDelmaire]

Played guitar for a few months a few years ago, had to sell my gears for financial reasons but even then, I was burning out from playing too much inefficiently...relying only on tabs, not understand what I was playing, noodling all the time instead of learning new things. I recently was able to finally get a guitar and start me journey again. And decided to set myself a routine and limit time for my practicing. 15 minutes practicing things I learned (spider exercise and chords transition right now), 15 minutes playing a song, and I add a little bit of time to learn music theory (for example, instead of following stuff that show me what chord to play, I see the name of the chords and build them myself) I started back just a couple weeks ago and, while I'm still getting back up to speed in term of play, I have learned so much more in 2 weeks...now I can look at the name of a chord and come up with it anywhere on the fretboard (well, anywhere it makes sense) which it something I couldn't do before. And it's so satisfying to learn things by myself instead of someone telling me what to do. Anyway, it's beginner talk, but I strongly recommend to others who start playing to try to understand what they are playing.

[@RC32Smiths01]

We are all easily guilty of making bad habits. It's all a matter of knowing how it'll negatively affect you in the long run. Glad to see you really admitting and changing, that is the most important part in my opinion.

[@stevennemeth6256]

Totally disagree with "noodling" as a bad habit. It's the simple act of playing and finding a creative inspiration and warming up your hands. Much like "Doodling" as a way of opening your mind to creative inspiration. That said, your entire practice routine should not just be noodling around aimlessly. And if the "Timing" issue bothers you, noodle to a click track, metronome, or drum sample. But don't ever stop noodling, that's how you discover new techniques, tones, phrases, speed, etc. You'll find various other videos on KZbin that agree with this theory of noodling is good.

[@MarcosRobertoDosSantosJF]

Yeah, I agree with you. Noodling can be bad if it is done in the middle of a conversation on a band rehearsal or something similar (some people can't stop playing even at a song transition or when talking to another musician).

[@owenf2835]

its also how you create licks and riffs EVERY tony Iommi riff was born from noodling

[@killyourtelevision]

I don't think all noodling is bad. But it can overwhelm your playing if you let it.

[@bobcampbell781]

I've been playing guitar for 52 years, and this is the worst advice I have ever seen. 'Noodling' is experimentation and development. This guy is utterly and completely wrong.

[@aidanhanlon6290]

@@bobcampbell781 I disagree, I find noodling to be a way to cement old habits rather than forging into new territory, to each their own though.

[@Chimp_6]

I've been noodling for 60 years. Am I going to stop? Nope!

[@jonp3890]

Nor will I, lol.

[@ESP77769]

When you start making money from "noodling"... You might be onto something!! lol...

[@pauljones2112]

It depends on your goal. For me? I work 9-5 and noodle to relax. So...noodle on my friends!

[@slickness8892]

Same here. I agree with others that say it is their escape to just sit down and noodle on the guitar. If your goal is to be a musician that comes up with original songs, then I still think some noodling is fine and will help come up with ideas. Then you have to work it out to build on the noodling and come up with songs.

[@bradmiller6172]

@@jonp3890 username checks out.

[@EthioMod]

Thanks for getting me hooked to Tom's channel

[@ajbueno6868]

Noodling is not a bad habit. I have developed my own creative licks that other players ask me about through noodling around. Most songs we listen came from noodling Imagine this: all guitar players locked themselves in a room with a guitar and amp and paper and no videos or songs at all, no music influences, just you and the instrument (guitar). No tabs or sheet music. There would be an explosion of creative material. The problem is is that guitar isn’t progressing very fast because we are all playing like each other and practicing being each other....noodling can help break out of the mold and look at your instrument (guitar) in a different way.

[@enricoleppla874]

well said!

[@ralfhedstrom]

There are two levels of noodling. The creative one when You just play and all of a sudden something exciting comes out. But then there is the bad habit, when You stop being creative and just noodle.....I am there now :)

[@ZebraStandards]

I agree, and had a similar thought, but I think there are different kinds of noodling. Some of those types and the ways we incorporate them into what we do as players aren't creative, and after a certain point they don't do a lot for our technique. My feeling is that this is the type of noodling Rhett had in mind; just playing the same recycled, stale pentatonic riffs over and over again, without being deliberate and trying to play tighter, with more feel, or whatever. The type of playing where you're looking for this gratification from playing something fast or busy, or just something satisfying that amounts to "look what I can do" or "nailed it". But again I agree with you and think certain kinds of spontaneous playing are where a lot of innovative musical ideas come from, and while some noodling is just masturbatory and nonproductive, we definitely shouldn't throw the baby out with the bath water

[@ESP77769]

This video is for guitarists who can't or won't learn to improvise... One should try to break-free from "pattern-playing" instead.

[@Ben59910]

Exactly, BB king noodled his heart out before creating his most iconic licks, but I don't feel comfortable calling it noodling, please suggest another word 😂

[@bigkickleo]

As a working/ gigging drummer (52yrs old): I applaud you!! Played SOOOO many gigs with young players and NOODLING at check or between songs or takes is THE. ABSOLUTE. WORST. distraction, unconstructive and unproductive thing. Ever. Again - THANK YOU!! 👊🦁

[@sirmadrigal6427]

Plays the lick *Adam Neely would like to know your location

[@droidfan]

haha surprised not that many people noticed. Obviously a nod - an effective one. However, I am self-conscious now. If I am practicing and I play the lick, I consider it an error and I stop haha darn influencers!

[@bipbipletucha]

69th like

[@wuxiadaddy]

I was going to say the same. Some of us are spending to much time on youtube music instruction videos.

[@CyrusTseDrums]

About to say the same thing. THAT LICK!

[@benwedgwood3620]

L I C C

[@thomasnowicki5844]

Great video, Rhett. I've been an on and off gigging guitarist for almost fifty years who just started watching your videos. I'd like to add one suggestion to your top five bad habits that I've always noticed among guitar players: #6. Ditch the pentatonic scale and start basing your solos on chord tones! All of the great jazz and session players I know (Carol Kaye and George Benson come to mind) utilize chord tones in their soloing far and away over pentatonics. They have their place obviously, but if you really want to spice up your playing, try it.

[@orryfishburne5326]

I am also a self taught musician and I do every single one of those bad habits besides the anchored palm. The noodling and reverb are my biggest bad habits.

[@sunsetjunior9313]

nope, they might be your best, most enjoyed habits. if it feels good, do it.

[@dendon3384]

@@sunsetjunior9313 Correct. Noodling is completely OK. Don't let this video dissuade you from doing it.

[@estebangonzalez6068]

Just discovered this channel, and I’m digging it. I’ve been watching your videos with my guitar on my lap for the past few days. I’m an audio engineer who has always played guitar, but have never really taken it seriously. I want to change that.

[@burroughs334]

It's refreshing that you are a player and storyteller that takes the humble approach of framing these kinds of videos in terms of YOUR OWN habits. It gets pretty tiresome to see some of the other guitarists out there acting like they have THE method and shove these "TOP FIVE HABITS EVERY GUITARIST NEEDS TO HAVE." and then fire off some projected form of lukewarm advice disembodied from the story of WHY they became bad habits. It's really nice to see you explaining a little bit about how you identified some of the areas you wanted to improve. I think that methodology is hugely valuable and it's a little bit nicer to watch as a fellow player.

[@northsongs]

I've been playing over 50 years now. Took lessons the first 2 or 3 years. The best thing I learned from my teacher was keeping time. Don't just pat your foot down, SLAP it down. Make your whole body a metronome. Thanks for the tips Rhett! love your channel.

[@guydouglas6094]

I have done for many years - learn new songs. Different types, genres, pop, rock, soft rock and other solo instruments like sax, piano. It breaks you out playing the same things/shit and takes your playing to another level. And challenge yourself with harder songs. Too much reverb/effects especially DISTORTION masks poor playing. As for noodling, for some it is just showing off - hate it in band practice. Love this video, your honesty and your playing. Man you have some gear. Look forward to your next video. From DownUnder.

[@jonathandas3533]

Rhett, I want to thank you for making this video, not for only these tips but for leading me to a gold mine by the name of Tom Bukovac! I really can't thank you enough. His stuff is eye-opening!

[@johannesglockler8152]

Honestly, when I noodle, most of the time, that’s when I come up with new ideas...

[@marcador79]

That's how the Rolling Stones came up with a lot of their songs.

[@stanislavmigra]

How ever would Slash came up with Sweet child of mine? I cant thing about anything else then noodling.

[@dacenmclean7901]

The grateful dead’s guitar playing was %50 noodling

[@cameronwalshguitar]

Sweet video Rhett. I like how you aimed this video at yourself for the benefit of your viewers. There are other videos where it feels like the KZbinr is just enjoying sitting on their high horse telling their watchers what they're doing wrong. I tend to noodle a lot when I'm at home, some great topics here for us to be a little more mindful of. Play on

[@Junterhack]

“Reverb is like adding a little talent to your playing” Chet Atkins

[@ichisatori]

somebody better tell Ronnie Earl

[@alexfvcruz]

in my opinion gain and distortion are even better at masking your playing.

[@ryancarona4199]

@@alexfvcruz It’s the opposite for me lol I feel like one slip on a distortion lead is unbearable to my ear.. I’m my worst critic

[@trickedouttech321]

What has always pulled me into Rhett Shull's content is the fact he is a realist. One who's honest with themself and others, seeing things for what they are, not what they want or need. You can really see the difference between a person that is honest to them selfs & searching to better themself. Like Rhett here being real and honest with himself & others in this video. Then for some crazy reason you fall below the line into a bunch of trolling and excuses, you know the place one should never go, comment section. It's always nice to interact and relate to other realists even when it's just watching a video on how others try and break bad playing habits. Especially since it has become so rare in today's world, and always a good reminder to stay out of the troll section below the video info. As always great video Rhett!! Peace out!!!

[@stevek8821]

Hey! Subtract noodling from my playing and there isn’t a great deal left... a worry... 🤔

[@guitarz99]

steve knight 😂😂😂

[@christianmatthews5141]

That’s funny and so true.

[@tylerwinkler8590]

Just started playing guitar last week. Your videos are really helping me. Thanks dude !

[@paulspencer2892]

After I took lessons as a kid I pretty much would put on my favorite records and play along with them! I learned a lot from the masters!!!

[@lespaulguy1979]

Kerry Livgren wrote Dust In The Wind (at his wife's suggestion) by "noodling", practicing a finger picking technique. I think it's a valid "habit". Just don't do it on stage in between songs. Time and place for everything.

[@ThrashXCV]

anchoring your right hand to the bridge is a technique I developed from playing extreme metal. double mute all your unplayed strings with both hands when you're playing with a mountain of gain, otherwise they will start squealing given a millisecond of open air. also aren't all metal riffs a bit palm muted anyway? haha

[@molekyyli]

That's what came to my mind... Beginner here but I thought I was supposed to ensure (or learn in my case) that the non-played strings are silent cos they make hell lot of unwanted noise??

[@calfaro1979]

42 years old here. Started playing guitar at 15 or 16 but didn't start recording / composing until recently. My playing has evolved and improved more in the past two years than it ever did the previous 20. Always hated practice because it became homework and felt like it took away from the fun of playing. However using my guitar time to write and compose and record even if it's simple or ends up being mediocre "songs" has been super satisfying and entertaining.

[@askehikrogh7016]

Hey Rhett. Love your stuff! I've started recording at home in these Corona Virus times, and I've already learned that it can be a MESS. Especially to get the basics down. I would love to see how YOU record at home, tips and tricks, mic up amps, how to equalize guitartones etc. I really dig your tone on the instrumental intros and live sound! Just a idea for quarantine videos! Keep it up!

[@SamBellGuitar]

I end up trying to play too many 'ideas' in my improvisation rather than spending time with one or two 'shells' and developing them through a section. This also manifests itself as not leaving enough space. Its a bit like being nervous in a social situation. Either speaking too much to fill the awkward silence (and not saying anything) or not speaking at all for fear of 'failing' somehow... I try to work on listening to the space after each phrase I play in order to 'listen' for where it should go next. Its tough! Its all part of the journey. Thanks for the great video Rhett!

[@pithy-wisdom]

Practicing without reverb significantly improved my tone. It made me work harder on my accuracy, touch and vibrato. If it sounds good without reverb it'll sound fantastic with reverb. I find noodling in-time is great practice :-)

[@williamweller8100]

This video is comforting. Thank you for letting me know I am not the only one facing these struggles. Pretty much every bad habit you listed I am guilty of.

[@jaribu2758]

The best thing to take from this is being honest about your playing and having the courage to leave your comfort zone.

[@DavidRamos-nz4bh]

Paul Gilbert said something similar. He said ( approximately) “ I want to stop guessing, I don’t want to play anything I don’t mean to play”. All good tips. Thanks!

[@lukesmusic317]

Have to disagree a little bit about noodling. For me tons of great ideas come from noodling. It could be from a mistake, it could be from a particular sequence of notes that come out by accident. The important thing is to not fall into the muscle memory trap that you mentioned. As long as you take chances and seek out new sounds (good or bad) during noodling I think it can be a good source of ideas. That said, playing actual progressions/songs/full ideas is way better for practice and improvement.

[@Tact012]

I think he meant to hammer down more on the repetitive aspect just having a couple of go to’s. Noodling for the new I would agree with you is definitely important

[@kahlemagalis5619]

Luke's Music m

[@OslerWannabe]

Excellent, Rhett. Your fifth point is one that is applicable to many areas in life. No matter the discipline we're practicing, we tend to practice "for" an audience, either real people hanging out in the room, or an imaginary audience of highly discerning and appreciative people with educated tastes, i.e. they really have a feel for our work. I noticed it years ago when studying martial arts, and my instructor, a "master" level practitioner, told me that he always found himself practicing techniques or kicks which he's already mastered, or in the case of kicks, he avoided practicing with (usually) the left leg, his less coordinated leg. I immediately noticed that I was doing the same thing, so I tried to force myself to practice the things I was less proficient at. Despite having my second degree black belt, I didn't like looking less than polished, so when I went for my evening run in the forest every day, I'd stop someplace where no one could watch, and work on the stuff that really needed the work. Of course, if another runner came by, I'd quickly switch to working on something I'd already mastered... We all, I suspect, have trouble allowing ourselves to look mediocre.

[@Soobysounds]

Stop making fun of me.

[@stevethomason678]

I love that you gave Ben Forehand a shout out. He and I played on stage together a couple of times, and he had some of the best feel and tone I’ve ever heard. That dude is a beast, and just one of the nicest, most gracious guys ever. I love your channel, by the way. Very well done!

[@1410-y1n]

“Too much reverb” Shoegazers: What?

[@videoguysimster]

Thank You Thank You. Being a bass player for 30 years and much of that time in a band. Nothing gets old faster than the guitar player noodling during setup.

[@TheElectricfishmusic]

Rhett, I kind of think you're wrong about noodling. Depending on how long you've been playing it might have some benefits. Keeps your fingers exercised. Gives you deeper fingerboard familiarity. If you go a little "out" or "random" it could help you discover note relationships you're not familiar with. Granted - it doesn't make for a well constructed and interesting solo, but it might give some building blocks.

[@Illiyinmusic]

You can do that by learning new licks and ect though or have some kind of purpose for it. Noodling is like walking in place while trying to walk to point B. I think he was on point with it. It's not productive

[@pawnshopninjas]

Hi Rhett, my name is Josh. Your videos are great man. I had a similar epiphany about a year ago on the reverb thing and decided to practice without it more often. The results have been astounding to me! Thank you for what you do for the guitar community. Be safe out there.

[@reethkitchards]

#6. Play more acoustic guitar. Instead of grabbing the electric, work on these things with an acoustic. Plus, drop the pick and play with your fingers more.

[@reethkitchards]

@Fire Tribal Funny thing is if you think the pick is limiting, then it will be. Fingers are awesome and it takes time to get the coordination down. Flamenco finger styles on the right hand are the ones to master and I believe there are 5 basic styles. Those and a solid Travis Picking will keep you thoroughly occupied. As for the pick, the key is beginning to master circular energy or the patterning. I always think about tying to make little circles with the pick in between my thumb and index finger. That will lead you to and through sweep picking. Alternating stings will be the next jump and once you are in that groove your right hand will start really unlock what is happening with you fretting hand. It is all about getting your feel for your fingers and for the pick interacting with the strings. It takes time. Believe me. It's about familiarity. Remember too that the strings have circular vibrational energy. That is what sound is. You are physically manipulating the string and becoming in sync with it and getting in touch with the vibrations. Building the neural connection between your brain and the control of your fingers engaging with the strings. Once you are in sync, you will feel the music you are creating with the guitar and you can create volume, texture, color and above all TONE from what you are playing. Think about it this way, the best guitar players are all people who master the control of Micro Movements. Circular energy is real. Eddie and Randy were so good because their right hands were masters of Micro Movements. That was the breakthrough that got my right hand moving in really interesting directions. Then you can work with rhythm, timing, attack, speed etc. The thing that also happens is your right and left hand will start to magically sync up as well and the you will feel more of that energy, get it under control and guitar will be just a Sea of Possibilities. Hope that helps.

[@mattharandi7912]

@@reethkitchards right on! whenever i transition back to acoustic, i become a lot more technical.

[@reethkitchards]

@@mattharandi7912 I've been working on Jazz Chord transitions on a Gibson Hummingbird...A lot harder but so rewarding. It's also good for your ears and right hand work.

[@FINELINEVAN]

Great point, as being a life time guitar player who played professionally now 62 . I am experiencing these same 5 points that I just started to try to get away from myself. I get so sick of hearing and doing the same crap and enjoy playing much more as I move ahead to newer ideas. I think like you said I have the time to fix these bad habits and move on. Watching this vid makes me feel like im not alone....... THnaks

[@Piggy-0145]

Lmao I was on the exhale of a bong rip when you gave examples of noodling, and when you played the lick I started coughing my lungs out and pretty sure I woke up my sister and her dog in the next room over from mine.

[@NathanChisholm041]

Pulling a bong gives me 100% inspiration🤣

[@dvan9631]

I'm relatively new to guitar and appreciate experienced musicians sharing some pitfalls and tips. Thank you.

[@allrequiredfields]

All I hear from almost all guitarists, all the time, is noodling. I can't remember the last time I listened to a KZbin or Instagram guitar player that didn't sound like mindless noodling. Even the super technical stuff I hear sounds like noodling. I think peoples' biggest biggest problems with guitar are having only 4 or 5 rhythms from their strumming hand, and then once they've chosen that rhythm, it's on autopilot for the whole verse or chorus. And secondly, people spending all their time learning leads and soloing, and ignoring their song and riff writing. Every instagram guitar player out there will do these insane solos and leads, and then you hear songs or riffs they've written and they sound like they literally started playing guitar 6 months ago.

[@xRedstoneCraftx]

I agree with your last part. There’s a really good guitar player on Instagram that plays insane and raw Hendrix covers and other songs but when I listen to his original material it’s all bland.

[@JustinHaglerMusic]

I play random jam tracks everyday to expand. Multiple genres break me out of my box...and it is very healthy I feel. Flamenco backing tracks helped me a ton & changed me a ton. Re inspire yourself daily to hear things differently...it worked for me is all I can say. Your way may be different in the end, but re inspire yourself daily and growth will occur. Love this channel!!!

[@pantone369c]

Noodling is absolutely necessary! If you just avoid bad habit #5 then you will stumble upon new and unexpected riffs and licks all the time.

[@StevenRoby]

Rhett, I wanted to personally thank you for recommending Tom Bukovac's Home Skoolin' show. Changed my outlook on life and my guitar playing forever.

[@chandraiyer1710]

The ‘dry’ reverbless playing actually had pretty nice verb from the natual room

[@seanc4907]

That Bukovac guy is simply amazing and just so very down to earth, dig that. Thank you for pointing him out, maybe a vid on pointing out these guys. And turning off that reverb does do something with my playing right away, its the timing or attack - but I become aware of it for sure.

[@lesharrison3739]

Messing with gear, "fixing" settings, hiding behind gear, constantly swapping out gear, noodling, playing the same repertoire, not learning songs to the album . . . Generally being undisciplined.

[@jamesandrassy8612]

Rhett I just I just viewed this video on bad habits, new subscriber playing 52 years, age 70 not a pro but find myself in a rut at times you have renergized me. A new subscriber keep it up.

[@MaharGuitar]

One thing you can do is listen to Peter Frampton. His solos sound like he is composing a new melody on the fly as opposed to riffing on a scale. This would address bad habit #1 and bad habit #5. If you don't like Frampton, there are other melodic soloists you can use.

[@johnnyd63]

I love Framptons playing also, but of all the guitarists, his solos sound worked out.I believe he admitted as much. My goal? Play spontaneous solos that sound worked out.

[@JMac.]

That is pretty much what he’s doing I think. It was in the rig rundown where he mentioned he never plays the exact same solo twice.

[@jamesm4435]

Great video. Reassuring to hear you have these playing issues as well. Thanks for the Tom Bukovac link, he is a rare talent.

[@jayd9707]

Andy Timmons once said in a vid once, that he was the worst noodler ever. Why? Cause the dude is used to playing songs and writing his own music. He has a purpose everytime he grabs his guitar. He happens to be one of my favorite guitarists, and obviously has plenty of skill and talent to noodle if he wanted to, but uses his time to create and not replicate. Just one example and my two cents

[@edwhite7475]

i do the same thing....i used to be the other way, but now i have prupose since ive been writing for 20 years

[@joshuamichael4312]

Andy Timmons has been in my top 5 list for a long time now. The guy is highly underrated Imo. He doesn't get talked about enough in guitar circles. Same with Vinnie Moore. It's a shame he didn't propel in his career like Satch and Vai.

[@urbangorilla33]

I love the honesty Rhett. If you can say these things out loud then the rest of us ought to take a good look at ourselves too.

[@autocratdaddyjones]

It's interesting that you highlight the floating/anchored right hand thing. I've recently been wondering if I should play with my hand more anchored! There are times when I find my picking accuracy - especially on the higher (tone wise) strings is better if I anchor my hand. Also, been at least close to a palm mute - even if I'm not actually muting - makes it easier to control bum notes and accidental string hits...

[@rhcpmd]

When making any changes make sure to pay attention to pain or discomfort. I pushed it with some exercises, ignored the pain and then developed carpal tunnel syndrome. My wrist wasn't used to such movements at all.

[@SomeRandomDude2020]

I actually teach my students to use a combination of the anchored heel and/or resting fingers 3&4 on the pickguard. IMO these become the “you are here” for the thumb/pointer picking “machine” enabling the fine motor skills necessary to differentiate strings. I make them memorize this: Why do we anchor our right hand? A) To hit the strings we want to hit, and B) To control the length of our pick stroke. Floating your hand, again IMHO, depends on you to develop that muscle memory in your elbow? Wrist?

[@leiferickson3183]

I used to anchor with my pinky on the pickguard. Now I kind of anchor my fingertips on the strings that are not vibrating. Kind of like a classical guitarist.

[@lesharrison3739]

Thanks for this video, Rhett. I feel exposed by Buk as a hack guitarist. It is comforting that accomplished people like you, Robert Baker, and others feel humbled by his playing and are trying to improve. That can only be good. This honesty and vulnerability is appreciated. Thanks for moving from frustration to solutions. Still, be kind to yourself. You rock. Thank you. Stay well!

[@davidnoir188]

Noodling, or farting around as I call it, or unstructured playing as it is, or jamming as most people would know it, often leads me to serendipitous creativity...... ok it's still shit but that's my lack of talent more than anything.

[@samtoshner8002]

The muscle memory thing is my worst habit. I've basically wasted my guitar career learning to play in this way, instead of musically. I am now correcting this by focusing on the music theory - scales, chords, and learning all the tones and intervals. Muscle memory will fail you - it doesn't always land you on the correct fret or chord phrasing. Knowing music theory will help to land on the correct notes more often. Playing in scale, in time will always sound better.

[@JamieLamb]

Vai says to noodle. So I noodle. What I've found is that during any noodling session, much of it is the same thing I've done before...but there is always something new, and then you explore that idea. So I disagree... noodling is one of the best tools in a guitarist arsenal. You just need to recognize when there is a seed of something new or interesting... then explore it.

[@pastorkev777]

Noodling is not all bad but always doing and always playing the same thing over and over is.

[@JamieLamb]

@@pastorkev777 did you mean to say "not all bad"? But yeah, if you literally just play the same thing... of course that's not productive. But noodling is more than just mindlessly putting your fingers through the same stuff.. watch Vai play during his recent teaching sessions... he calls it noodling, and said he does it every day.

[@dodgemotorsports1]

I think Rhett and Vais definition of noodling is different here. I would refer to Vais term more as exploring because your goal is to find something new. Rhetts noodling is more like a mindless go to riff we play just to make sound and sort of do a tone check if you will. Less purpose here than the other.

[@JamieLamb]

@@dodgemotorsports1 right. That's pretty much what I was getting at. A prominent KZbin guitar player like Rhett needs to be careful not to discourage a lot of youngsters just learning... because it might kill their creativity. Being clear on terminology is important.

[@fabianportilla7567]

Great vid! One of my bad habits... playing too many notes. Learning to play more phrasing with fewer notes can make a piece more interesting.

[@zachshipstead5247]

#3: I'm like "eh, I really don't care about being THAT good", then missed the rest of the video wondering if I actually keep my hand on the bridge. Turns out I don't. But I always touch a pickup with either my ring or pinkie finger. I guess I should fix it, but eh, I really don't care about being THAT good.

[@BCTGuitarPlayer]

This is serendipitous that I should run into this because I’ve been thinking about it a lot. I’ve been playing for 48 years and when I first began learning, my first five years, my intention was of course to learn, so noodling just never happened. Everything was to learn a new thing and hopefully to create some kind of progression. Now, all these years later I find myself constantly noodling because I no longer play in a band. This has been good to listen to Rhett and I thank you very much for it.

[@dodgemotorsports1]

You play guitar!? Are you good? “Nah I just noodle.”

[@keithlutman5611]

Excellent advice, especially about noodling. Ten out of ten for honesty and dedication.

[@WoodyGamesUK]

Using too much reverb is like relying too much on the sustain pedal on the piano.

[@TheTeaTVI]

pretty sure you stole that from Daniel Thrasher

[@parkerb9010]

Love your vids along with all the other guys like Baker ECT. Thanks for giving the shout to the session man he deserves it. His golden nuggets are priceless , it's wonderful for this new generation.

[@willkrause3979]

I was literally noodling as I clicked on this video. I am embarrassed, glad I'm not the only one who does this though

[@roymontero4066]

Lol a youtuber's opinion made you *embarrassed* ? Heaven help us with this generation of fragile egos

[@guitarz99]

Will Krause youre not alone my friend im a noodling specialist

[@satanpuncher06]

Haha me too

[@gjw45]

@@guitarz99 I have a black belt in noodling. I agree it's a bad habit compared to focused practise. But and this is a big but......it's not always about getting better for some people. I use noodling for therapy if you like, meditation, relaxation. I get so much out of it......

[@pg402]

Just my own opinion, but I think noodling is great for progress on the guitar it's small talk getting through the formalities, waiting, slowly building up to a higher expression. Your (my) brain is taking it all in and sorting it out . Like a young child learning how to communicate. Your videos are so informative and have really brought me on, well done and thanks.

[@robertvavra414]

The worst place/time to noodle: On stage! - Between songs!

[@maxriptide]

at the Harder Beat Magazine 10 year anniversary show in Dallas we got done with the set and while the guys were taking the stuff down for the next band i started hammering away. the drummer gave a dirty look and i realized the people were waiting just off stage for me to get done being a jackass so they could do their presentation. Humiliating

[@KieranThinks]

I really hate seeing guitarist noodling on stage between songs, like thinking they're so cool

[@harrysachs2274]

There is a whole genre of music based on noodling.

[@masonvankraayenburg]

Good old crutches. Always smart to step back every once in a while like you are here. One of the biggest things for me was switching from floating bridge to fixed bridge guitars. My right hand was plastered to that bridge because of my inability to not use vibrato. It’s helped my right hand picking as well as my left hand vibrato and bending tremendously.

[@christopherlafreniere7141]

"Going to turn off my reverb and practice dry".... proceeds to "noodle" =)

[@Skyne_E_Vader]

Had to subscribe due to your honesty about your own playing. Keep it up and thank you.

[@chubbypapaya]

Wait, no noodling? So I have to stop playing my guitar with a bundle of uncooked spaghetti? Well, there goes my whole practice routine.

[@eanroad]

In my opinion, this is probably one of the most important videos you have done. Thanks man. Cheers!

[@alexgreychuck7605]

If I didn't have bad habits, I wouldn't have any habits.

[@NelsonJeanGaasch]

For the anchoring issue, playing with a floyd rose helped me a lot getting rid of it!

[@gameymcgame]

Noodles from The Offspring, aka Kevin Wasserman, made a pretty decent career out of noodling.

[@MishaHendrix]

Each point hurt a little... which means you're absolutely right... except the reverb, I do all of these... but we'll get around to fixing these habits! cheers

[@LimewaterMusic]

The greatest riffs you’ll ever write come from noodling around

[@DKR-1881]

Really loving these Rhett. Simple, practical lessons for any guitar player. Very inspiring as well. Thanks

[@stanislavmigra]

You forgot, the badest habbits of them all: Whatching youtube instead of practicing 😁

[@wumpascott]

I've been attacked!!

[@northtrader]

Bingo. My first bad habit by a long shot.

[@markv.5962]

worst habit is watching someone else play and then saying, i can do that better

[@leemcmann4467]

Wow Rhett, we share a lot of the same bad habits. Lol. For me one of the worst things I do is when I sit down to practice with a specific idea, whether it be technique based or learning a song or whatever. I find that if I'm struggling and not getting it as soon as I would like I start the noodling and just messing around with the same old riffs that I've been noodling on for years and then it's been an hour or two and I've wasted my practice time without finishing the original plan. So I just stay the same and not progress. It's a real problem . So I'm trying to be more focused and stay on track. Man it ain't easy. Great video, keep up the great work

[@robmfk6987]

Bad playing habit I need to break... Stop sucking at guitar!!!

[@michaelwatkins7480]

LMAO hahaaha

[@youngbn3056]

I'm a noob, I don't even know the chords.😔

[@reginaldworthington7558]

Best comment on this thread. Thanks for the laugh.