So Many Players Lack This ( And How To Conquer It!)

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Hey gang, not tons of playing in today's video. Not sure what I did to my hand but im sure after a few days of rest it'll be back to normal.

[@WayneMemphisMojo]

Dude, I appreciate your words and advice just as much as I enjoy your playing. Thanks for posting this content for us.

[@emmanueldubois5882]

Hopefully your issue with your hand is not... aging...

[@RedEyedPatriot]

Hey Rob check your IG dm's...i sent you something cool😎🤘

[@way2sh0rt07grad]

Joining my dads band , I definitely needed this. Hope your hand feels better soon. Keep up the great content!

[@penchhalimboo3587]

Very nice and very helpful..lesson sir.

[@conan218]

Robert Baker is single handedly saving 2020 with his content!

[@nothomeyet96]

I think when my wife tells me something sounds really good or impressive, it really picks up my mood.

[@hkguitar1984]

My best music store story! In the Fall of 1979 I was at Al Nali music store in Ann Arbor MI. trying out one of the new 25th Anniversary Stratocasters. As a young guy (18) I was always a little self conscious when playing in public. I had it plugged into a small combo and was just kind of making sure the guitar was in tune while the amp was warming up. Just as I was getting ready to flip the amp off stand-by I hear somebody playing the just released Highway Song on an Acoustic! I look over and three members of Blackfoot are huddled around Guitarist Charlie Hargrett who's playing the intro to the song on an Acoustic guitar. I was like WOW, I'd just learned that song the month before. As he was playing the intro I flipped the amp ON and let the intro solo rip at a respectable volume as I played along with him. I was pretty excited as I let the last note of the short intro solo ring out. I looked over and was completely horrified to see he had stopped playing due to my actions and all four members of the band were just staring at me like I was going to get an A$$-Kicking. Who knows, maybe they had a bad day or I struck a nerve, just never know with people. I carefully turned the amp off, hung the guitar up and made my exit. To this day I always take a quick look around the store before trying any guitar out through an amp. I nailed the intro solo though, I'd worked hard on it and was spot on. Having Mr. Medlocke stare me down was kind of un-nerving though. I also ended up going back and buying the 25th Anniversary Strat.

[@damonj69]

I'm self taught so that's where my lack of confidence comes from. I have been playing for over 30 almost 40 years!

[@thegoodechannel]

Me too. Three years or so in and I still suck!

[@mikeroadblock]

Brothers keep on rockin’

[@ogawasan5581]

Great content as always ! I wanna share Three things that helped me become a much better guitar player in a really short period : 1- Recording videos of myself playing , watching my technique and hearing my playing , being honest about it , if i suck at it , i say : "daamn man that sounds horrible and my technique look so bad " , i figure out what's wrong there ,what made me suck , and then work at it like crazy , until it sounds good and i'm Totally satisfied with it , seeing my mistakes and working on them . 2- Having that motivation , Watching great guitar Players Like Robert here , or your guitar hero , or maybe just a friend and saying , i wanna be as great as that person , it will take time , patience , but you are amazing and you will work for it , because you don't want to sound like a beginner forever , you want to sound amazing like greats ! 3- Being lucky because I can access KZbin , a place where you can find Amazing information and advice from great guitar players and teachers like Robert and many more , and we can find content from our guitar heroes themselves sometimes . Thank you so much Robert for every single video you put out for us here , You really made me a better guitar player :) . Keep shredding Boys !

[@rockostar2668]

What helps my confidence is a great rythm section and couple beers.

[@markk171]

A couple of beers and a couple shots of tequila makes me sound REALLY good!

[@selfsupremacy7816]

for me its weed

[@stricknine8623]

"Go to a guitar store like you are preparing for a gig" -- Robert Baker

[@AnonyMous-rr1rv]

I'm 55 and learning to play. I'm always blown away by your skill, creativity, knowledge and humility. Love the vids...thank you for sharing.

[@shawnreed9016]

Great advice. I still go into the acoustic room but as soon as someone comes in I put the guitar up and act like I’m looking at other guitars till they leave. I haven’t had the nerve to actually plug in an electric. 😂😂😂

[@andocobo]

I’ve never really thought of trying out a guitar as a time I need to play well and impress people, I always just thought it was about seeing if I liked the feel of the neck 😕

[@Gutch220]

One thing to help your confidence is to record yourself and listen back to yourself. You hear things differently when NOT playing, and you might impress yourself.

[@AntonioRockGP]

Oh yes! I have video on that. Recording yourself regularly is a game changer for sure!

[@phoenix-yx7xd]

Yes very true.

[@SomeJustice19k]

I second this.

[@johnnyguitar91]

I third this? Haha agreed.

[@felixplaza823]

Very good advice! By the way, love your profile picture! Mega man was by far my favorite video game. I almost love it as much as I love music or Iron Maiden!

[@AlmostGrewMyHair]

I thought he was gonna say "When you go into a guitar store, have 2 or 3 of your BEST BEERS beforehand".

[@harrisdouglas7229]

I’ll have confidence when I can shred like a Robert Baker

[@AniaForrest]

Great video.. Love the intro and would love to learn it.. Lots of your intros sound very cool.. That I am sure many of us would love to learn... Do you ever tab them.. Can you tab them for us? I would even pay for the Tab... Hope your hand feels better 👍😎

[@jerbear1601]

Robert Baker you have been a great guitar friend for a couple of years now and I've never even met you. I live in Ontario Canada and I enjoy your channel quite a bit. This lesson you gave here is very valuable to open up people's playing. A simple bunch of ideas shared very clearly and without too much jargon. I have taught some beginners before and your approach is similar to what mine was. Keep it simple, fun and creative. Cheers!

[@chadbaker2224]

I always found that playing shows and putting yourself out there really helps. I was scared to play live at first, after a couple times of doing it you'll have more confidence!

[@JC-11111]

I love your intros, Robert! Some of the best on KZbin! 😎👍

[@andocobo]

I really feel like improving my technique has helped with confidence. Just the real fundamentals, essentially learning to play cleaner and more consistently

[@elsobnumberone3306]

I desperately needed this video. I've been playing for 15 years and I still struggle mightily with my confidence to the point where It keeps me from starting bands/playing with people or even picking up a guitar in the store.

[@marcotapia7068]

I gained confidence after painting my pickguard, for some reason the looks just helped me playing better!!!

[@craiger2399]

Your Strat has the richest, shinniest fretboard I've ever seen. Very cool. For me, being able to play something in different settings, makes me more confident. It's one thing for me to play in my room alone. Another walking around the house. Another in front of friends. If I can do all, then I'm confident with that material.

[@hulldrummer4403]

Using a drum machine to practice riffs really boosted my confidence.

[@lennywright5655]

I wasn’t confident either first couple years, the song I practice and played better than most was “Stairway to Heaven” Tried playing at a guitar store... 😳

[@WhatsMyNameAgain93]

The last bit about sliding around the neck has just determined what I'm trying tomorrow. Thanks!

[@emmanueldubois5882]

Cool advice - as always - in particular, loved the suggestion to change patterns in the pentatonic box!

[@stevenowen82]

Thx for all you do Bro. Your humility and kindness comes through and keeps us listing.

[@Canadianwheelchairguitar]

Watching this makes me want to practice even more!

[@davel_ggw]

Definitely can relate, then I think I overcompensated mentally and now I often get overly confident, beyond my skill level, then I lose focus and fall apart lol, but this will still help with that too, thanks! It's always a challenge, but it's a fun and rewarding one. And hope that hand gets better soon!

[@johndavies4317]

Great vid Rob, I hope the hand healed in good time. I have that when playing to much. All the best....

[@sepulveda67]

Robert, I totally understand the practice of referencing fret and string positions (7,5 on the G as an example), it's an easy way of learning the fret board. And shapes are universal on any musical instruments, this coming from a guitar, sax and piano player. In this video you mention learning scales which is a good starting point for soloing or getting out of a rut. But why is it the norm in guitar instruction to teach shapes and stop short of actually learning a scale (ABC#DEF#G#)? I find it a bit restrictive to play in "boxes" and yes we move those boxes for variety but, I don't see boxes and I don't see fret numbers and strings. In my musical development I see notes, notes that fall within a chord/scale/mode, extensions, passing tones, notes from different keys, wrong notes (or chromatic notes). I think guitar tabulature is a big culprit but it has its place in guitar instruction however, learning notes on the fret board goes a longer way. You go beyond knowing where you are on the fret board and knowing where you are within a piece of music. As guitar player I don't see shapes, boxes, fret number or strings I see individual notes.

[@sixpenske1940]

Thanks for the tips Robert and hope your hand heals up brother i know the feeling.

[@brostoevsky22]

My advice for playing scales is to mix it up and add other notes from other scales. Ex. Mix the Blues scale with the Dorian scale in the same position. Also use backing/ jamming tracks to practice with.

[@antoniojss]

You are doing a great job. Congratulations!

[@keithlamontdavis8047]

Practicing things slowly is the best way to build confidence. Accepting that you've only mastered something to about a 60% level and using lots of slow repetitions to make it truly effortless is critical. Effortless = Confident.

[@prenticeemler7709]

just want to pass this on . i been playing for awhile and my hand got mesed up . only thing that would help me is i bought a hand wrist brace any drug store or retail store should have it ,just get the kind with a metal brace inside . it i really enjoy your 80s stuff ,please keep em coming

[@christophervincent8420]

As a beginner, yes. Confidence is definitely not in my strongest suits right now. But I do have the contact to know what I have heard and can say it sounds good. I do tones of research before I buy. Still don't have a Les Paul, out if the price range with 2 children.

[@guitarocd9984]

That was the best almost Roadhouse Blues I've ever heard. It just so happens I've been working on that song.

[@markschafer8275]

Im gonna play"smells like smoke on the water".....

[@REDW1NG94]

"Smoke on the Spirit"

[@mikeivey8471]

Always entertaining & informative !! Thank you !!

[@SinkMan434]

Dude that intro was so cool, great job man :)

[@jamesclough2638]

Excellent tips. Thank you so much.

[@nicksparks3543]

Nicely done, really helpful especially when I sense I'm loosing a bit of direction, you are the go to place to get me back on track. :)

[@wjewell63]

That intro man......just friggin awesome

[@mr.mckinnon5680]

No Soldier has ever gone into combat, without knowing all of the pieces and parts of his weapon. Getting to know all of the pieces of the guitar. How they work. And what their actual name is. Is a great way to learn the language of guitar. Become an expert on your actual instrument. Most people suffer a lack of confidence, because of a fear of the unknown. Knowing, everything there is to know, about your guitar, is a great way to eliminate that fear. I tell my automotive repair customers to become experts on their own cars, so they can't get ripped off by Shady technicians. This is also true for your guitar.

[@robindavis726]

Sweet jam at the front. Stealing every bit of that ☺

[@colebuckmaster966]

dynamics, timing, maturity.

[@rsfields2009]

I agree with the guitar store stuff... But for the love of Ignito Montoya, know how to tune a guitar. At least to itself. Doesn't have to be at a perfect 440, but tune it so my ears aren't bleeding when I walk past you.

[@JJWerkz]

I get so many ideas watching your videos and that helps me learn. Thanx!

[@chuckbush6569]

That goldtop LP with P90s is a rock machine!

[@lukin86]

Dude. Haha you should do a video and show us how to rip that intro. Call it the walk into a guitar store and lay it down on a gibson riff. Pretty long, might need to abbreviate.

[@chzzyg2698]

My go to in a guitar shop is blues licks. I want to know how the neck feels. Then, I'll run some scales to hear which tones stand out in it. Then I'll try to get into some sort of rhythm once my fingers are warmed up. If I'm not getting a vibe that I can bond with, I'll put it back on the rack and try something else. I don't think I've ever had some sort of song list in mind when picking up a new guitar. Just feel it out. Everyone is at a different skill level and we all know it and respect it. Or, should anyway.

[@allendean9807]

I’ve always been a songwriter first, soloist second, and lately, I’ve really felt insecure about my soloing. I think a lot of it comes from not being able to pull off what i hear in my head... I’ve been playing more than 38 years, so young players? It happens to us all. Don’t feel bad! In guitar shops, I’ve always felt that you’re there to try out a potential purchase. Have fun! If you can’t have fun on the instrument, it’s not for you, pick a guitar that you fall in love with!!

[@michaeljiggs2053]

I would love it if you provided tab for all of your intros. They are all great.

[@Emma-kz3zr]

A. Drone and riff. B.When in doubt just change octave (e.g just move a whole 12 frets up or down), backwards and forwards a couple of times, using the same riff. Always sounds good and gives you a chance to figure out what way you want evolve a melody.

[@NordsMcGourds]

Super helpful my bro. Thank you!

[@ButtmanRises]

I an here from your older videos which are a couple of year older than this one and my god you changed from a girl to a viking Edit: The Intro ended and I changed my mind

[@cesartalibong7685]

I will never get tired waitinh for robert bakers new video just to hear his sick intro

[@Scoopdoggydogg]

That opening jam sick af 🤘🤘🤘

[@psdmvm8698]

I started playing classical guitar when I was 8, now, 10 years later, I have no problem with playing on stage, but as soon as I walk off the stage, I start overthinking about how I played and usually convice myself that I didn't play very well.

[@jerbear1601]

By the way, great playing and sounds too! I really like your oddly shaped guitar that sounds like a great Les Paul. It's name escapes me.

[@Izzygirl7516]

Hey Robert, can you make a video on one string riffs for beginners? I’ve seen a few others make videos like that, but I would love to have you teach them. Also a video just on scales and how you learned them.

[@brentkermusic]

Thanks for the explanation Robert! You are a huge inspiration!!!

[@4u2nvhaters59]

Great appreciation for the video,(dont forget to shut off the delay!)\m/stay rock'n\m/hope the hand feels better take care cya in the next 1

[@pdooley730]

I’m glad you mentioned the unsub thing I apparently was unsubed as well wtf!?

[@brettgarner4882]

Another cool vid - thanks bro! I hope the hand improves soon. I’d love to know if you still really dig your PRS CE24. I think I’m about to buy one. Your videos from May 2019 on the PRS were super cool and helpful. I’ve got a beat up old Gibson SG that lives in the office, and a John Page Tele for home. So I think the CE24 would be addition to the family. Anyways... love your work. Cheers from NZ!

[@jamelynch4474]

Sorry to hear about your hands hurting . I have been dealing with this for years.

[@ericwikander3192]

Good tips Robert!

[@AndyInTheUK]

I got to 20 seconds before I clicked LIKE! Wonder what the rest of the video is like :-)

[@frankiedonofrio5438]

Rest that hand brother!!

[@nieze]

My favorite intro.. KILLER!!!

[@JC-11111]

Personally, I don't believe in the whole "you can't play that song here" in guitar stores, either. Just because that person may have heard this song played badly 50k times doesn't mean you can't play it. These are all songs that we ALL know and love and want(ed)to learn to play. Just because some old boomer has heard it played badly for the last 30 years shouldn't detract you from playing whatever it is that you know how to play. They may have learned it 30 years ago but that in no way means you can't play it in the store. Even "Stairway to Heaven" 😆 If I'm looking to buy a new guitar and all I can play is riffs to "Smoke on the Water", "Enter Sandman", "Come As You Are", and "Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones, then that's all I can play and I'm gonna play it whether they like it or not. They aren't going to make you leave and give up that sale just because all you can play is songs they're sick of hearing. 🤷‍♂️

[@fivefigga4038]

Damn right

[@Joe-mz6dc]

I make it a point to play little snippets of stairway to heaven every single time I'm in a guitar sore. I feel I have earned the right. I'm 55 years old and I started playing guitar when I was 9. I was probably playing led Zeppelin 4, 5 or 6 hours a day by the time I was 13 LOL. I got some of it down pretty well by now. They are beautiful songs and I love playing them so I agree 100% my brother. Play what you want and play it with your heart. The world be damned.

[@Joe-mz6dc]

Yeah and you may want to watch those boomer comments. Us boomers were the ones who created all this music in the first place.

[@deekos4578]

Well said, Joe!!

[@djent1448]

If you only can play riffs like that i wonder why you would even go into a guitar store. Just stay at home and practise. If someone came in my store with a lefty attitude like you, i'd kick you out.

[@andrewhamel8892]

"I really think the secret to confidence is putting yourself, when you're practicing, in uncomfortable, unconfident situations." #this x1000 Thanks for great lessons Sir!!! I have expanded incrementally employing this strategy. I have a LOOOOOONG way to go, but I'm a better guitarist than I was yesterday. \m/

[@andrewhamel8892]

Take care of that hand man!

[@PlouplePoupi]

You’re great 👍🏼🍒

[@jesseparadon6261]

I know not everyone will get to do this but ever since the first time I played on stage I've been able to play anywhere with no confidence issues because deep down I know nothing will be worse then that so if anyone is reading this try playing in front of people even of it kills you inside because it force's you to wan't to do better

[@georeed62]

Hey good to see Robert how you doing brother sorry about the hand man I got great news awesome news my p90s came in for my telecaster and I'm building my own Gibson SG which I think is the sexiest guitar ever made. I wanted one all my life and now I'm building it I love it I love it I love it! I'm going to keep both of them. By the way why don't you have an SG Gibson what do you think of them?

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

That’s awesome man congrats!!! I had an SG just didn’t jell with it so I sold it and got my Goldtop

[@brownsfan7753]

Great vid! Take care of that hand!!

[@MasterLo-Pan]

Take care of that hand brothaa!

[@capybaraPaul]

what's wrong with the hand? I've been dealing with tendonitis and carpal tunnel... wondering if you have any tips? I ended up changing a few things (and went o .009s as well), like the way my thumb rests on the neck and I stopped bending with my pinky, it's helped a lot.. but still curious.., you obviously play way more hours than I do :)

[@anthonydean1577]

Hey Robert. In your intros, do you know where your going or do you do it instinctively. They sound cool. I find learning guitar is done by ear. Ie I hear a certain song and look for tabs and learn em. Show us the intro dude......

[@geohaber]

The last time I went to Guitar Center, about a month ago during the quarantine, the guitars were roped off and you had to request one to be taken down. Too much trouble for too little reward.

[@coreyworrell9648]

I went to one 2 days ago it was a joke. They escort you through the whole store and they only want you to get what you came to buy and leave. No looking around and they don’t even want you touching the guitars unless you are guitar shopping

[@johnstitt2615]

Every note in the intro was juicy and sweet.

[@preppinglife624]

Great food for playing!

[@fallofmanbrand]

great video bro

[@atlasofthestreets5352]

I stopped being scared that I wouldn't hit the note but rather knew I would

[@lincolnfromct34]

The intros alone are great even if you don’t watch the lesson.

[@billhinsperger9878]

Awesome

[@kitano0]

When going to the music store...don't forget your pick!

[@atuljaguri3834]

U r amazing❤

[@HigherPlanes]

The trick is playing your music backwards but making it sound like it's being played forwards.

[@BasBach]

This may sound weird but if the hand hurts try to get a massage on your neck, shoulder and forearm. And try to sleep with a splint or wrist guard not to tight tho.

[@nolanp123ns]

What drive pedals do you use?

[@salgadoMCR]

Man whats amp to use a intro video? Thks man

[@ButtmanRises]

By the way what is the Intro song?

[@alabamahebrew]

Hey Robert, maybe you can help me with an issue I am having with the scales. Why should I learn the shapes if I know the notes that I am supposed to play? Take A minor pentatonic for example, I know you play the C not the B, I know that the notes allowed are E,A,D,G,C even though sometimes you can work a B into a song but it has to be in the right spot lol. So, by knowing the notes I can play, why should I study out shape 1 is this and shape 2 is this. When I play I go up and down the fret board and I never worry about what shape I am in I can just look at my fret board, even if I am not actually "looking" at it, and know what notes are in the particular scale I am in. So, your thoughts? As a 55 year old with half his body destroyed from work related injuries and taking pain meds constantly my memory is shot so trying to remember all those shapes is not an option, I have the minor pentatonic scales printed and taped to my wall.

[@Blue-ev5ow]

At least in my experience, thinking in shapes helps greatly if you ever want to mess around with the modes. Realistically, there is only one large repeating pattern covering the fretboard that includes major, minor, and all the modes in it; you just need to understand where your starting point is. For example... If your root (1) is on the fifth fret on your sixth string (so an A) and you are in minor, you can know by natural relation via the circle of fifths (or fourths) the corresponding major is C but also know that you can just go to the 3rd interval of your minor scale to find the root of its relative major. This is extremely useful when, for example, you want to seamless transition between something like B major to B lydian, where otherwise trying to think about what notes you need to switch to would slow down your playing and ability to transition. TL;DR - I think it's just a situational shortcut.

[@Guitarsdetectors]

Hell yeh! I’m gonna play stairway!

[@heyitsvonage2768]

6:44 I heard these 3 notes and figured out the main melody to that song from Willy Wonka

[@FenderTeleDeluxe]

It’s also the first three notes of Van Halen’s Poundcake.

[@howardcunniffe8738]

When I play riffs, I like playing in the pentatonic scale. But sometimes working up the neck helps you play something different. Playing guitar with a sore hand is nothing. Try playing with a sore back.

[@belotface]

I get nervous as fuck playing in front of people... I tend to speed up the tempo of my playing.

[@rafaelpuente8932]

Whoop whoop

[@johnboleyjr.1698]

Yeah, I just found out I wasn't subscribed to you anymore. I fixed that, but I'm sure it cost me a Squier Esquire. 😜