If You Can't Do These Things, Then You Don't Sound Smooth On Guitar.

👉 I want to Practice With You!
Bonus Lessons and Practice Sessions Designed Just For You.
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#1 / 33325344 Song Smoothness Practice
#2 / 33377930 Smooth Chord Voicing Practice
#3 / 33377952 Smooth Scale Practice
#4 / 33378346 Smooth Pentatonic Practice
🔴 / stichmethod 🔴
Every time I release a video on KZbin, I make a series of extra content and practice sessions that go deeper. I'm adding new videos all the time! Can't wait to see you there.
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I totally understand the frustration of not understanding how the greatest guitarists navigate and create such colorful guitar lines. Here is a FREE Masterclass to help you not only understand, but also create with the same tools. From Bass lines to Guitar Solos, Arpeggios are the Spice Of Music.
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Wanna take lessons with Stich? Visit www.stichmethod...

[@GuitarsandDrones]

You are by far one of the best improvisation teachers on YT. I am trying at impro and the way you teach is connecting...Thanks 😊

[@michaeldobransky8019]

I take a lesson from you everyday.What I like is you seem down to earth.You’ve taught me is if you make a mistake laugh it off and try it again,it will come. Michael from Orillia,Ontario.🎸😊🎶

[@noname.___]

When i first started guitar i hated watching vids like this but after about 8 months of learning, this stuff is interesting and fun to watch.

[@jerrybean5973]

Ian, I spoke to you and Sean on a radio spot last year. I told you my wife gave me the go ahead to purchase a new Strat. This was mainly due to my improvement because of your lessons. While improving on my new Elite Strat, my family said, "You sound like you know how to play!" LOL I can not thank you enough. Keep up these wonderful lessons. Your friend, Jerry.

[@ericheine2414]

I'm 61, I met my first Ampex MM1000 when I was 13. My first job was to listen. I was bitten by a Telecaster. You are the best guitar teacher I've ever heard. The importance of singing, humming, and whistling, is under appreciated. Aces, you are Aces. I liked it so much I am going to subscribe. I am a brutal percussive guitar player. I'm a framer with a 24 oz hammer. I hear what you're saying. Bravo.

[@danielmiller2886]

I have found that recording myself and immediately listening/watching back allows me to catch what needs work better than listening just listening while playing.

[@mickey2036]

You’re so good at your job Mr. Stich. If I can get this stuff, anybody could.

[@lancethrustworthy]

Absolute beginner here. Thanks for the video. You are one of my KZbin guitar playing guides.

[@christophergossard1591]

Clicked on this on a whim and am pleased I did. I appreciate what I guess I would call your wholistic approach to the instrument. Keep it up!

[@marshawnlynch6244]

Self taught off youtube. Played for over 12 years. Your lessons are some of the best on youtube.

[@iandobbs4920]

What a great lesson! I know my playing often sounds choppy, sloppy even. This gives me a great way to start cleaning up my playing. Thanks!

[@KevinORourke25]

This is such a great and important Practice tip. As an old coffin dodger, my fingers don't quite work like they used to, so I'm sure this will help and keep me from getting lazy in my playing. Kevin O'Rourke

[@darinhill3773]

I'm dodging coffins myself brother! It's all about the head fake

[@MetaphysicalMusician]

Coffin Dodger 🤣

[@runningwithscissors0911]

Yes! How not to sound choppy and clunky ~ that's what I need. Thanks for explaining and clearly demonstrating how choppy/clunky happens (sometimes it's hard to figure out what you're doing wrong) and how to play legato correctly. "Ba" vs "Do" ~ very helpful to me. Such a good lesson.

[@kirklapine2833]

I’ve watch them all on You Tube teaching guitar and you are in the cream of the crop. Your method of teaching is so clear and precise. I’ve learned so much from you….. THANK YOU!!!

[@StichMethodGuitar]

That’s really kind. Thank you

[@stewmcleod7315]

That’s very helpful to be more aware of smooth and appropriate transitions with singing the melody. I find I’m immediately more aware of the music, the coordination with left and right hand, the clarity of the note due to focus on the right string pressure /fingering. Hey it sounds better.

[@keithfaust8925]

If you can't do these things, then you don't sound Grammy-Award Winning 1999 Hit Smooth By Santana Feat. Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty on guitar.

[@steveburchfield5576]

i think it features c.santana on guitar and rob on vocals...ya think?

[@edwhite7475]

@@steveburchfield5576 LOL...thats a perfect response to a really stupid comment....

[@geofflewis4815]

Hello Stich, although I don't play a Guitar it's so lovely to see and listen to a professional playing and explaining as you go, brilliant Stich 👍👍. Best wishes Geoff Lewis Wales UK 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿.

[@mikew7694]

Feels like I was sweep picking arpeggios there for a minute!!. Damn I make more progress with your videos than any other YT channel out there!

[@ericheine2414]

Stitch, you're wonderful guitar teacher. Thank you

[@MrJamlee88]

This is a good follow-up to the Arpeggio-like playing of the scale and chord-tone options as discussed during the live workshop.

[@rvmeth7070]

What was the video called

[@johnrattinger18]

Simple, but spot-on as usual... Love Take 5. Another similar type song to practice on is Spooky or The Story in Your Eyes, both with cool bass runs, then staccato notes. Thanks Ian.

[@VirginiaWolf88]

I'm following along on acoustic :) Kind of tough :) Thank You for teaching us.

[@MoneyShotSolo]

Please keep up the improvisation lessons, I'm a lot more interested in learning that than note for note copying. With your help I finally feel like things are starting to click.

[@jodya5740]

Hello, I just wanted to thank you personally for all your advice, it really helped stitch all those theory lessons together for me. You're amazing 👏 💖

[@igordevisate1494]

man, i was thinking about those concepts yesterday, and today you uploaded the exact trouble i've been struggling with... masterful teacher indeed, Ian

[@sisamouthsin5544]

You are the best YT guitar 🎸 instructor,

[@nickmoore4880]

A couple months ago I took a lesson and the instructor noticed when I soloed I was leaving a note slightly before I played the next note, leading to a lot of choppiness. I got that all cleaned up and my playing has improved a lot just since then. I'm 5 years into the guitar and I'm starting to sound really OK.

[@cchuah5630]

Thank you for the scale practice, it helped me to notice some of my finger work issues and after practising a few minutes it did improve my finger pressure on the strings as well (more fluid).

[@timpage4212]

Great lesson really makes u listen to what's being played and how it's played.

[@qwadratix]

Those are really, really good exercises. I haven't been in so much pain for years!

[@ak2010utube]

THE MISSING PART OF THE JIGSAW PUZZLE! . Took me ages to work this out when I was first learning. REALLY important in making your playing sound musical.

[@Edward-MTBKR]

Dude you are a zen master of guitar instruction! You might also mention to use a guitar/effects with a little sustain.

[@efsglass]

If anyone else out there is incredibly thankful for Ian’s lessons and your curious about the patreon thing, do it! There is so much more extra content he is doing for each video. Plus you get the handouts etc. I’m not affiliated with stitch. Just a guy who was frustrated with not finding a teacher who could make sense of things the way I need to be taught.

[@vicloher6986]

Never thought about this. So very helpful. Thank you.

[@lueysixty-six7300]

Great lesson! Stumbled into it. I really like the main exercise in the backend that's almost sweeping; the legato finger run that cycles nicely. You know it! Anyway, while it's great for the smoothness exercise as you taught, it's also a great finger exercise. I expect I'll be playing this to TV all week and by next week I'll be sweep picking it, shredder style, just from sheer repitition! It's nice to have something to noodle with that's not pentatonic. Edit: P.S,I subscribed just so I don't lose you in Utube land!

[@musikkluvelectrobanger]

Fundamentals man- Great video.

[@ashworthwiltshire7446]

Great lesson and nice choice of material. Thank you, you’re awesome!

[@richardalan6219]

Thanks for this great lesson on technique/practice Ian! I can do them all, but still need practice on the 1st one--that was the hardest for me. Also, love the legato over Gmin that you taught!

[@jacktraver7264]

Great lesson. Your analogies crack me up.

[@texasviking1]

As a bass player I know exactly what you mean when you’re talking about staccato and legato. You’re lessons are fantastic 👍🏻

[@townbeach3604]

The wife has great art skills!!!

[@brianmcgee3580]

I watch your videos twice.. First without guitar second with..thanx Mr Stitch B.K.M

[@dcrich19]

Thanks Ian. Been struggling to get into the practice mode lately. Just been playing along to rock smith. It’s fun but it doesn’t really push me to work on technique. Will be jumping into the Patreon channel soon.

[@yoska25]

Great lesson! Thank you!

[@ClydeneBalkeMusic]

Great lesson!!! Thanks!!! Your lesson on the linear pentatonic pattern made then light bulbs go on for me!!! I am playing solo riffs and melodies on my electric ukulele, now!!! This is a great lesson, too. I will definitely work on these skills on my ukes.

[@mairenared]

Great lesson. The I IV V minor VI progression (with variations in the order) is a classic. There are so many songs that use it, "Let It Be" by the Beatles being one of the best known. There's a great video by Axis of Awesome on here about it. I don't usually have problems playing legato (my problem is speed but that's an age thing!) but I'll certainly try out your ideas.

[@tonyyoung6581]

Great lesson and timely. BTW love that guitar. I have a ‘79 LP natural grain.

[@carlosarredondo2589]

AMAZING! Thank you again Stitch.

[@jezzbass1826]

as always stich you are the best teacher thank you!

[@mikerowe6061]

10:34 You Enjoy Myself! Just before Boy, Man, God, Sheeeeit...

[@gregc1189]

Awesome analogy! It’s the STICH STRETCH METHOD. :)

[@johnnybx3254]

Great lesson 👍thanks for sharing your knowledge with us 👏👏🤠

[@mountain_girl]

wow, very cool. 2 years late to the discussion. I really think the point about being able to "sing" a part in your head is something worth a good ammount of self-study. For smoothness, but also for melody ideas and improv, and so much more. I do often use vocal lines as a starting point as I explore more lead work....but piano or keyboard lines are great too, horn lines....even percussion.....being able to sing these or play them in my mind has been a key that unlocked a lot of stuff and I'm willing to bet there is a ocean of learning there that I've not even considered. Great content, again. thank you! peace-- mtgirl

[@davidreid2301]

Great lesson! Thank you so much for making and sharing this!

[@thetempleofsound]

So simple, so useful and so well explained. Awesome and Thank You!

[@SeeWhyMan]

This is great! I love that you teach the students to know to sing, hum, or think the melody! One thought I had while watching was... instead of "da/du" sound for legato, maybe a "la." The "la" seems even more legato (softer without the percussive sound of the d. But either one is better than the Ba :)

[@Asimov16]

After years of playing it as a Barr chord I found it difficult to play the one note and then add the other notes. What I learnt after playing this was my nails were too long LOL, and much biting had to be done to solve this problem.

[@JapanSurvivalGuide]

Perfect timing I`m practicing right now. Thanks brother. Hopefully we all inspire each other.

[@chainsawkarate]

One of my favorite guitar teachers. Where were you when I was first learning?

[@stevewilson7915]

Great lesson Stich. I did subscribe. You seem to have some good ideas that I haven't heard covered before. You make sense. I'll be working on this stuff because I think you pointed out some weak spots in my game. Thanks so much.

[@DerEchteBold]

Hmm, I can do this easily ...but I still don't sound smooth ; ) The first exercise made me come up with a slightly harder version, play the bass note, the chord ...and then release the rest of the chord and have the bass still ringing, I still find it rather easy but it's a very good exercise and I wouldn't have thought of that myself, thanks!

[@chrisa3961]

Great lesson as always, Mr. Stich!

[@brianmcgee3580]

I am so grateful for you Stitch...B.K.M

[@lueysixty-six7300]

*So much more valuable than the "Guess what's funky about this Strat!" clickbait type of video that is our usual fare on the Utube algorithm!

[@bryandrew3734]

Hi, Stitch. I found your videos two days ago. Really enjoy them. I'm being a bit nit-picky here, but in this lesson you are stopping notes with your fretting hand. But, in another lesson you explain why that is a common mistake made by guitar players. Do you think a discussion on the difference between stopping notes with the fret hand (or fretting fingers) vs palm muting with the picking/strumming hand, might benefit your students? Also, I tried to explain the difference between legato, staccato (which you have shown extremely well in this lesson), and spiccato on guitar. I have a few guitar students and had a violin player ask me how to play spiccato on guitar. After thinking about it, I told her that legato is "la, la, la"; staccato is "dot, dot, dot"; spiccato is "bop, bop, bop" and played with a hard strike by plucking/strumming hand, and with a quick and forceful stop with both hands (lift fretting fingers, while palm muting with strumming hands. Any chance you have a better way to explain spiccato on guitar?

[@stephenbrumlow931]

The C-Am-F-G progression is the Ionian mode correct? So would I use the major scale or major pentatonic for soloing improvisation? Or a combination of the two? There are so many great songs from the 50s and 60s that use that chord progression. Stand By Me and Last Kiss instantly come to mind.

[@StichMethodGuitar]

Yes and yes

[@jharlesgeorge431]

I didn't realise Tom segura played a mean guitar

[@BetaGott]

Just riffin

[@TheLozo23]

Hey jeans

[@roncallahan40]

You are mistaken sir! Its David Cross in hinding.

[@kevinmcluvin517]

This man follows proto

[@JesseFuches]

StichMethod keeps his jeans high and tight

[@101bluesguy]

Wow this is Great thank you for showing us this guy.

[@akinnon2000]

cmon people comment anything, let youtube fucked up algorith know this is worthy content.

[@ThijsLammerse]

Great lesson, thank you

[@tzvitombak5671]

That Les Paul is stunning. Do you have a vid specifically talking about it?

[@vincerooney2445]

HT Looks like a Gibson Custom Shop Blond 1967-68 reissue.

[@driverslqqk7940]

Gosh some of those things I had done but didn't know what I was doing and you help me improve it and that beautiful melodic that thing you came up with that about at the 8:50 maybe 9 was spectacular that was really good. You helped me a lot I enjoy your videos thank you very much for making these and taking your time to teach us guitar players to enjoy it more and get diverse and not stuck in a rut thank you.

[@driverslqqk7940]

And you're a very personal man when you teach these lessons that makes it fun, you can really relate to us out here thank you.

[@loabilooly]

I just like what ur doing there..even if i dnt knw i like the sound 😉

[@christiansuster6680]

Stitch you're starting to tap into treys sustain secrets. I think alot of folks credit treys sustain to his hollowbody and gear, but i also believe you NEED to have this clean guitar playing technique infused into your muscle memory. I mean how else does trey hit the YEM note so well all the time, divided sky etc. Thanks alot for these lessons!

[@Bigbuddyandblue]

How many “o’s” do I need in “smooth” for this to work? 🤔

[@aracknido]

"go have fun watching another video..." then immediately gives you the finger. 6:48

[@StichMethodGuitar]

😂

[@michaelk3582]

Smooth indeed. I just like your methods of muscle memory and detail between the left and right hand. I mean I don't expect much because I've had two forms of arthritis since 21, I've had severe carpal tunnel, tendonitis and a chronic painful left thumb and ball joint. But I'm too stubborn, however I don't expect a whole lot since i didn't start this until the age of .....a young 52 - 53 yr. As long as I can not be disappointed by my own playing and I can play around my fire pit, I'll be a happy camper.

[@chasekemp]

Hey man huge fan of your work from Utah! Keep up the great advice friend

[@DeusExMathias]

I can confidently say without having yet watched the video that I can do none of the things smoothly. Ok I'll watch it now. 😀

[@mikew7694]

yup.. my playing is not smooth. .right now it sounds like my old Buick, squeals and bad timing.. an all around bumpy ride.. thanks for the tune up with these tips:)

[@羅允駿]

Can establishing legato be considered in terms of establishing, "ionization" among sounds? "Ionization" would be all those little nano-electric particles that make a silky connection among notes.

[@maryannedwards5424]

NICE voice!! Mary Ann

[@seanenglish3002]

This is such a great lesson. I love your Patreon channel. I know that riff, but cannot place it. It is a classic. Any hints? Is it a one hit wonder?

[@KaninTuzi]

Take Five

[@smore8588]

so awesome! Thank you for the tip! See you on Patreon as i need more tips just like this!

[@notfromearth8496]

Really digging your house plants, and especially your 🍄

[@townbeach3604]

Excellent!!

[@daviddawkins]

Ok what song is the arpeggio riff from? Not the Take 5 sequence...

[@StichMethodGuitar]

If someone doesn’t answer. I’ll announce it on my live feed on Thursday evening

[@mikerowe6061]

@@StichMethodGuitar YEM- Phish

[@donburton594]

Could we maybe get an "in the mind of...Robby Krieger" sometime? I'd love to hear your take on his style, brother. Thanks for everything!

[@donburton594]

@MauiGreenDragonism love me two times would be a great lesson. So would The End.

[@chrisa3961]

Almost nobody never did "The End", and surely never in an appropiate intellectual way for understanding what is actually going on. My anticipation is high. And it's my fav song, ever.

[@stewmcleod7315]

That would be mind bending.

[@pattican7995]

Thank you

[@ianguitar7532]

Nice lesson and useful practise!

[@townbeach3604]

Thanks

[@user-zg1qz8oz2u]

Absolutely great.

[@mikew7694]

kick ass lesson! thanks

[@RavenMadd9]

thank you for explanations

[@toddflowers8052]

Thanks Ian l 😎🎸🎼

[@daedalusi315]

Smoothness aside, apparently ive been playing take 5 wrong for years XD so thanks for the clarification

[@chadm7872]

I’ve been watching yours/ Sean Daniel modal videos; can the modes start on the Dorian note on the A string? I’m thinking that as long as the notes following are in the scale, everything is good? Or does matter? Because of dissonance created by note off key, And as long as I play tonic after? I like your smooth video, ty

[@johnwigger49]

Now, not only practice this lesson, but then figure out the main melody to probably my all time favorite jazz tune, Take 5.

[@danielsmith324]

This wasn’t just an extra lesson. Like all of your lessons you understand where players need to improve before they do and address it. I can’t believe how practical and helpful this was. Perhaps the concept needs to be moved up the learners list before all the bad habits start.

[@andyc7696]

This is crazy hard because my index finger pokes above the fretboard in order to get the B string to stop buzzing with barre chords...what should I do?