The 4 Stages of Guitar Store Playing (which one are you?)

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Don't take this video too seriously. It's just a light-hearted collection of observations I've made over the years of myself and others in the path to trying to master guitar.
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[@shiloh9311]

What about when you forget everything you've learned the second you plug in.

[@RomeoTRM]

So good at soloing but it's not your gear so you can't master perfectly with everything you've done

[@Illbebacc]

sooo freakin' relatable

[@RyusukePrudence]

Level 0: walked into a guitar store by accident

[@elijahfordsidioticvarietys8770]

That's level -2.

[@Sparkda]

wheres the vacuum cleaner section?

[@randomraisins7954]

lucky u

[@ScotchIrishTarheel]

@@Sparkda So you've heard me play . . . .

[@kvnmcinturff1]

Then there's Level 5 where you just look at the guitar and play it in your head.

[@proshathaghighi8927]

😂😂😂

[@theofficialdiamondlou2418]

Right 🤣🤣🤣

[@TheJazzDestroyersOfficial]

isn't that just ordering from Sweetwater?

[@Demiglitch]

Hey I do that now. I'm a lot better there.

[@ThorneyedWT]

80 lvl = amp on 11, ignoring everything around, playing chromatic over whole neck up and down for 10 min straight.

[@4wardfr3ak23]

Через два года я нахожу здесь комментарий Торнайда)

[@gothictyronejackson6057]

Stage 5: Fat Black Guy Slappin Da Bass

[@IagoVital]

Lmao

[@emmywillow6599]

Yes. Amazing.

[@patrickpruitt8737]

A true sage

[@midkills]

Welcome to maxproud channel

[@isaacsarosi9284]

I peed a little

[@vincentlok8894]

Level 2.5 = the store has a “No Stairway to Heaven” sign ... because of you. (Denied!!)

[@clap0niteclap0nite]

Party on

[@theofficialdiamondlou2418]

I just play “the rain song” that usually shuts them up.

[@YouTubricant]

I feel like another route to Level 4 is just general maturity.

[@storm14k]

@Bear Man yep full introvert here and the idea of playing at the store brings on anxiety. Hell I've played sax and low brass for 30 years and dread the idea of playing in a store. You can always tell the folks doing it for attention and it always annoys me personally.

[@lueysixty-six7300]

Coming from some guy who calls himself youtubricant?!!!? Sounds like a pipedream for you Buddy! Perhaps you're better off just taking the route your guitar instructor has just taken the time to show you... Just maybe! 😂

[@lt-yx1hx]

@@lueysixty-six7300 oh, fuck off

[@SilasLives1]

I'm the guy that makes the employee play for me as I'm too shy to play myself. I'm between 2 and 3.

[@mrbigg7255]

SilasLives1 This is sometimes a good thing. Especially when buying an amplifier. It allows you to step back 10 to 15 feet and hear it from a different perspective.

[@spongeborgtheford4971]

Yep. I’m at 2-3 as well. Currently struggling to learn duelling ninjas. Also, too nervous to play, even in front of my parents. RIP

[@nope110]

I'm the guy who's better than 2 but not as good as 3, but aware of that so I'm far too scared to play

[@vitcy8139]

if this ain't me

[@lawdymellons]

what about the old guys strumming open chords

[@spacep0d]

Can I even get to level 3 with my open-chord playing? I can't do barre chords, but I've been doing open chords for 2+ years and my rhythm is good. Maybe I don't need to learn barre chords? :D

[@matcoddy6097]

+spacep0d I know barre chords can be hard to learn, but their basically a requirement, work on jazz chords as well, might help you with the proprioception of your fingers, also jazz chords are another requirement lol, well your at it study classical, and counterpoint

[@IgnoresTrolls]

Verty try a lower gauge of strings for a while and go back up when your fingers are stronger.

[@SentaiKoboru]

I also noticed that Barré is much more harder on acoustic guitars. I think it comes from the strings and the fact that you have more space between the strings than on an electric guitar. But as my teacher always say "if you learn on an acoustis, the electric will be a piece of cake.

[@jumemowery9434]

How old do you have to be to be an "old guy"?

[@andrewfujiki616]

Scared to touch the guitars? What the fuck... I get kicked out cause I touch them too much. The employees call it "inappropriate"

[@raytorvalds3699]

My balls are probably cleaner than my hands. But I can't seem to master that bar chord with them.

[@xmasta105]

Bruce Wayne my guitar store purposely puts the expensive guitars high up on the wall so you can't get them unless you ask them to help you or your pretty tall.

[@Ragnarockalypse]

Only touch guitars that are over 18 years old.

[@tite93]

Toolman329 what should I do if my barre chords work on certain frets but do not on others? I've mastered the first three frets, but as they go higher I can't really do anything

[@slick8640]

Didn't your mama ever teach you " if it's not yours, don't touch it....its called respect.

[@JamesJones-ot2jv]

I'm an old school metal head who has been playing now for 39 years. (Ouch) It's surprising how accurate your four stages are. I can clearly remember each one. I hope I've reached level 4 by now! Some days I feel like I regress and have a strange urge to go shred at GC...maybe I'm musically bipolar? Great video!

[@ciaagentgod2968]

I love the term musically bipolar, I can relate 😂

[@skeetersaurus6249]

Level 5: Buying the strings you KNOW you need on Amazon (for half GC price) because the thought of going in GC causes minor tremors in your left hand, just at the thought.

[@stratkiller2531]

lol... fuck guitar center. I buy all my strings and picks online in bulk.

[@heret1c385]

i think im level 4, but not because of professionalism but because of anxiety

[@mcphp3931]

heret1c don't want to sound like a dick but just cuz your socially awkward doesn't make you level 4

[@wickedmajestic8100]

Right everybody hosts looks at me when I start jamming and yesterday they where like why did you stop it sounded cool and then just started sweeping and they started recording me and I turned red

[@livodo2610]

*you're

[@isaiahjones4930]

@@wickedmajestic8100 and then everybody clapped r/thathappened

[@nolandailey3362]

Same lol

[@bobmason2607]

I'm at level 5...I suck, I play for just me, and my bedroom walls are still throwing tomatoes at me

[@brunobailly7013]

😂 Damn walls!

[@someguy6838]

Man... I recorded myself playing the riff from toxicity by system of a down while at stage two, listen to it and cringed so much it was so muddy and stiff but it came with some enlightenment because of how far I came.

[@oranwax5848]

some guy same with stairway to heaven.

[@andrejgajic4379]

Ahhh yes same thing happened to me and master of puppets

[@themetalmemeboi5429]

some guy same but I did the one string seven nation army

[@mathiasxvii]

some guy i play toxicity pretty well but need more distortion

[@Captianmarshmallow]

the meme boi oh god. Thats the worst one you couldve ever chosen to record

[@DrsJacksonn]

Lol when I read the title I thought it was from Jared Dines.

[@blackbasil88]

im the guy who walks in, plays acoustically or quietly through an amp, im pretty good but i dont want to impress or disturb people i just want to test out a guitar im considering buying. this is the 'reasonable human being' level.

[@brunobailly7013]

I do the same. That still sounds like level 4 😉

[@jackhaugh]

What level is the guy that plays licks back to me correctly that I'm playing a little off?

[@metalmoto3275]

I'm that guy

[@chasesan]

Level 3.

[@CapuletLeGrand]

We usually do :-)

[@PennyDreadful1]

@@j.uiriagain9813 It could also be that he shows you that he is paying attention and appreciates your taste in music. It depends on how obscure the song is. For example if you try to play Moonlapse Vertigo and someone else starts playing it. He is probably not a douche. It's just not possible.

[@Hockeygoalie-lz9li]

A dick

[@RickyD.03]

I’ve been playing for years, and I’ve always hated playing in a guitar store. Let me tell why. EVERY TIME, EVERY TIME I ever play, somebody always gets into a battle with me at the other end of the store, their volume at 8, mine at 3, and always playing a completely different style, usually heavy metal, for the entire duration of my visit. He progressively gets louder, until I’ve decided that I want to protect my hearing and faith in humanity and buy the pack of strings I came in for.

[@pmscalisi]

Feel your pain......

[@Jettblack98]

Exactly. I like to just try out new guitars and play and someone always feels they have to try to show me up. I keep the volume low because its a matter of respect for others who are trying to play their own stuff.

[@clonezy7800]

😂😂 you made my day

[@guitarsrcool4922]

That's some funny shit right there.

[@johnstewart594]

There is always a bloke who thinks he is the best guitarist that has ever graced the shop and he wants you to know it , his mate is the guy with all the cash that the shop assistant drools over and ignores you because your just after picks and strings

[@stephanosanahuja]

I’m glad that my choir teacher let me play guitar for a song, it was a song from moana really cheesy but it was my first stage performance at stage 1, really boosted me to continue.

[@dylanakent]

Level 5: Someone who knows what they're doing (like a former guitar salesperson) - you don't need to be cranked up. You play a chord, let it ring, repeat this a few times. Play one or two licks or scales. You will know the guitar sucks or is hot within less than 3 minutes. Don't waste your time. Move on to another guitar until you find something you want to buy. You don't have to play much to know if the the guitar is worth something IF you know what you're looking for.

[@Shiyounin]

Exactly this

[@TheJazzDestroyersOfficial]

Isn't that kinda level 4?

[@arnoldp8962]

I'm on a whole new level now. I order everything online.

[@ajvc2233]

Level 5: Parent who goes into the store and says they are shopping for their kid so they can play all the mini guitars

[@jaspercartino5556]

I kinda bypassed level 2 cause when I knew just a few riffs, I'd still be playing really quietly. I was too scared for anyone to hear me, haha! And who am I kidding, I still can't bring myself to make myself heard in a guitar store. It's just so different from a gig, it's more intimidating, I feel

[@dougjarvis3970]

I totally agree. On stage, it feels like people want you to succeed. In the guitar shop, that feeling isn't there.

[@thegiron8730]

@@dougjarvis3970 thats why you gotta be confident, if it sounds good, then it is good

[@TheJazzDestroyersOfficial]

The worst is when you have echo boy on the other side of the room playing every note you're playing back at you bc he wants to show off that he can do that, too.

[@epplebradley9395]

I'm probably like a Lvl 5 or 6 I got a cool cape of shadows which adds +10 musical skills and i got some eternal power rings which add +5 to my magic skills and +5 power also which is kinda cool. If you guys don't believe me then you can get fucked!

[@mustangtech331]

Epple Bradley apples

[@MkNine]

Then a barbarian appears and kick your ass because you dont have armor :)

[@The_Kiosk]

I play a dime slime I bought back when he was still alive. that's a ±5 buff, putting me at level nine every time I riff out "I'm broken".

[@undeadp0wer390]

Epple Bradley I rolled a 20, you lose

[@deangianotti906]

Lol

[@andrewmitchell5807]

I guess that I'm level 4 because I can play smoke on the water with like only two mistakes on average. Also I'm learning Stairway to heaven soon and I'm sure that when I do that I'll be a level 5 at the guitar shop.

[@perkyoranges250]

Andrew Mitchell people who are confident are level 4's in my heart

[@josueh5831]

Andrew Mitchell guys this is a joke comment

[@sirpsycho612]

Nanananaaaana😜 almost play stairway without mistakes.... 💪level 5 for me. And I play without amp..I want nobody to hear me. Because it sounds like crap

[@ceilingfanenthusiast6041]

I legit thought I was a prodigy or something when I learnt stairway and smoke one the water within a month of each other. Granted I was 12 or 13 but still, it's funny to think about. (Not that I'm insanely good now, that was only a year or two ago.

[@JohnDavis-qk7mt]

Stairway is a level 3 song lol

[@EsperDLC]

I'm gonna chill at level 3 for a bit.

[@dduffee64]

im negative 11teen

[@stephenmosack4496]

Same here, bruh

[@bekahn.4762]

Legendary

[@flurng]

I've been playing on & off for decades, now - hundreds of shows, but haven't been in a band for about 1000 years. I don't feel I ever got past level 3.5, maybe 3.6, but I play well enough to satisfy myself. I find you're right about wanting to head for the back room, not so much for privacy, but just to HEAR myself over the level 1's & 2's, and more importantly, because I realize how much I STILL have yet to learn! But, no matter how long I go without playing, how rusty I get, or how much my fingers STILL ache, I just can't get it out of my blood. I think that's when you realize that skill level doesn't matter - as long as you've got that PASSION, your guitar will NEVER let you down!

[@UnDoneDg]

I'm pretty much a 2.6 LOL. I can play pretty well and know about 10ish songs fully, but I only play as a hobby and haven't played for an audience larger than maybe 5 max. But I enjoy playing guitar because it's a awesome feeling to learn a new song and be able to jam along with your favorite tunes.

[@chrispools]

Yeah me too. To play tunes in front of people who dont play,,,,,,,,,,im awsome. Play in front of other players and they would probably laugh

[@adog3129]

Do you kno da wey? Hey i thought the exact same thing

[@joseph10d]

I've played in front of crowds of 50ish people and it's more rewarding to play in front of a small 5 person crowd. Im personally at level three because I mostly play rhythm guitar and Bass and I prefer classical guitar.

[@Bfolks84]

UndoneDead guy1 I’m probably right around there... I know a few songs... but I’ve also written a whole bunch of my own songs..I’ve played at a lot of open mics, and songwriting retreats.. so I have some performance experience and have failed and failed a lot during them. But I’m still not that advanced of a guitar player skill wise.

[@fro6513]

Really just...guitarist Markiplier look wise but still great video!!!

[@Smokie181]

I'm the guy that walks in and asks where the pianos are.

[@robertschuler6825]

Back in my glory days it was Steve Howe's intro to roundabout.. To paraphrase Mark Twain, " a gentleman is a man who can play a guitar but chooses not to"...Robert.

[@rev0lvingd00rs6]

I'm a 3 but cant work on it for another month because i have my arm in a cast :( I've been staring it my guitar in the corner wanting to play for ages.

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Bummer man. What happened?

[@rev0lvingd00rs6]

Didn't break it or anything, my arm is being straightend because it has been bent at a slight angle from birth.

[@edwardjons8684]

Gurkin Boy Damn! I would definitely watch a guitar-rehab video of someone trying to recover playing technique after an operation like that: from first fumbling efforts to full recovery...

[@Skinny_Karlos]

Gurkin Boy Get better man. That guitar'll be gettin' lonely, sneaking out at night to the pub looking for people to play with her g string or something.

[@slipperystairs6924]

Gurkin Boy or

[@scottie22slick]

The four levels of life...

[@spencerrosario-mccabe8185]

I’m stage one, I just bought a fender duo sonic... it’s my first guitar, and I love it. It’s surf green. I was that newbie in awe, the guitar center guy actually had to take it off the wall for me to touch anything. He was really helpful though and played some music for me so I could hear the different sounds so I could find the guitar right for me. Was a great experiencez

[@TheJazzDestroyersOfficial]

My HS graduation present (21 years ago) was a Teal Green Stratocaster. I spent like 15 years wishing it was surf green like your duo sonic bc that color is so cool. Back then the only Strat you could get in that color was the Tom Delonge signature model which was a bridge bucker only. I played on a year later and it was an alright guitar, but not as nice as my American Deluxe. The important thing is the instrument inspires you to practice.

[@michaelpeschetti7887]

Playing 4 Years. First Year I got the usual strat for christmas, didn't really have a huge interest in guitars. Second Year I learned the basics, Not chords, not full songs, I just played what I felt was fun. Third Year the shred stage came about with my SG. Fourth Year the blues/good solos came around. This Christmas will be my 5th year and I'm content. I've recorded a few songs in studios, and played live with my buddy, I had only a half guitar since one of my pickups didn't work an hour before the stage, did the whole song wiht a half-a-guitar haha. He actually broke his wire or something right from the start so i ended up doing the whole thing and had him go back up later with my equipment and we all had a fun time.

[@aaaqui__9761]

Why am I watching this. I play marimba in marching band

[@zacdostal3989]

The phenomenon you explained that covers playing on your own in a private room hit home for me so hard.

[@barbaraepsaro2718]

People forget music is a great hobby not just ego. You bought that back in the video its great to hear that

[@adamm.1604]

Anyone who is incredibly serious about guitar knows you never really reach any top level. The better you get, the higher you set your sights. I'm a level 4 by your standards, and if I could see my playing now when I started 9 years ago, I'd absolutely blow my socks off, id be so impressed and happy w myself, & I'd have definitely at that time called myself a master. However, now I don't even consider myself anywhere close to an expert or master, because now I want to play like Django, or Adrian Legg, or tommy emmanuel, or wes montgomery, etc. srv was my idol at level 3. I still love srv and NO I AM NOT YET NEARLY AS GOOD AS HIM AT ALL, my point is that once I began getting really proficient at the blues and rock, etc, I started turning to other genres, jazz, focusing more on fingerstyle and classical, etc. As soon as you think you're "there" you become stagnant and actually start regressing, playing the same licks and songs that you already know entirely. The best players are always students still themselves.

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Always. Like they say in BJJ, blackbelt is just a new beginning.

[@danielhadjicostas2731]

Great comment. The better you get at anything in life, you actually become more and more aware of just how 'great' the Greats were! I used to listen to Texas Flood by SRV and would literally have given my legs just to be able to play that song like Stevie. Once I got there (or thereabouts) I realised the chasm that was between mine and Stevie's playing. Even if I could hit every lick and inflection in the same way as he did, I still couldn't bleed my soul into the fretboard like SRV.

[@lukesoares7117]

Shut up literally

[@w.g.121]

Daniel Hadjicostas - I know a guitar player that can play every EVH riff imaginable note for note. But ask him to come up with his own riffs or songs and it sounded just like a bad VH song. Pretty sad.

[@guitarplayer2846]

People who are born with a "gift and talent" are really born with the desire to learn and practice several hours per day. Nobody is born with callused fingers or knowledge of music theory. It's humbling when the more you learn, the more you realize how much you don't know and never will. 'Paying your dues' is a never-ending process.

[@robrockstv781]

Im at negitive 4

[@appleaza4892]

Did you destroy the guitar store???

[@fortunatejeremy]

The guitar store where I live hired a guy with long hair to dress in black and play pick sweeps for 10 hours a day.

[@TheTerryd5150]

I hit "level 4" when the music store owner would ask me to play out on the showroom floor instead of the sound rooms. Funny thing, at that level you've learned a lot and can execute it extremely well; however, you also know "what it is you don't know yet" and have internalized that the guitar is an endless journey of learning. It's that very aspect that keeps you humble - meaning that you don't HAVE to walk in a music store with the sole purpose of seeking attention. Good luck to everyone in their journey.

[@TheJazzDestroyersOfficial]

It's rad on the other side, yeah. I was checking this instrument out the other day I had driven 90 minutes to go try and have my 5yo film it to get him out of mom's hair for the afternoon and see if anything comes out usable. I got one nice video out of it that I put on instagram. I should put it up as a KZbin short. It took this dude a few minutes and then he had to confirm that yes, I'm driving a bass amp and a guitar amp on separate jacks on the instrument with split outputs. I feel like everyone knows about Charlie Hunter, and then find out nobody knows.

[@faboolean7039]

I guess I'm level 3.5 I don't crave the attention. I only really play guitar with my band mates. I've played live and had my fair share of embarrassment e.g breaking a string on stage but I'm now comfortable on stage. I don't really like preaching out to the whole world how good I am. I am always self conscious of the volume I'm playing at and 75% of the time I play guitar it's just to myself but, then again it's always nice when someone who actually plays guitar to tell me I'm good. I still have a long way till level 4 though

[@migdonalds]

i have exactly the same

[@MMLL-vl6tt]

Way to go bro, stay humble 😊👍

[@Deerock_FL]

I think it also has to do with personality. There are people out there who think their shit don't stink when they actually suck (regardless of the topic)

[@vyper2112]

I too am 3.5. I don't consider myself "good", but I do play professionally and if I'm in a music store I'm auditioning either an amp, guitar, or both. I don't want to be obnoxious, but it does have to be loud enough to get an idea of how it will sound and I do have to play like I would play live. I'm not trying to show off for you, or impress employees. I just need to know if this amp is going to do what I need it to do or if this guitar neck is going to be comfortable and allow me to play the best I possibly can.

[@stigmatamartyr5921]

Same, I've done little band work being im only 14 but I've done small performances for school. Even that though I've had my share of embarrassment like when I was doing a song and failed to switch distortion on. (Wasnt my fault)

[@nickmunoz2635]

Then those people who just play clean chords on gibsons that aren't even in the same key with a ton of reverb

[@TheArtofGuitar]

+fluffy weiners Hipsters? Hehe

[@weho1233]

fluffy weiners clean chords mixed with groovy phrasing and voicing sounds fucking awesome

[@jeremym5331]

fluffy weiners i mean, hipster rhythm guitarists?

[@KaiserHabsburg]

thoes guys suck. ill get there hear somebody playing something that sounds like a drunk and drugged pink floyyed. go to pick up a bass and start playing slap or something. and realize hes out of tune and time.

[@nastysmg9934]

Ricky Bobby way to true. Hell I've been playing years and I still refuse to play because of these people

[@totterymanx]

Surprisingly accurate. In the beginning, I wanted to go into stores, but didn't want to play. Now, I do not want to go into them at all.

[@nospam1583]

I WAS BORN A 5.....BIATCH

[@NatureOverland]

No Spam which means you’re a 2

[@jackthompson1382]

NO SPAM

[@axemancj]

@@NatureOverland or asian

[@johvanortiz6267]

I'm probably a level 2.5. The first time I went into a Guitar Center I picked up a $200 Epiphone Les Paul and tried to play "Hey Joe" and butchered the opening riff.

[@transformingthebear238]

I was in the store a few weeks ago and a guy was in the bass section banging away with the amp settings turned all the way up. I overheard him tell his buddy after beating the heck out of about 6 guitars that every one of them sounded like crap. Ohhhh, I so wanted to break the bad news to him that it wasn't the guitars that sucked. It was his ego that sucked....but I held my tongue.

[@thepoozer]

Great channel man, love what you're doing.

[@KM-jp2wx]

The level five players: those who go in and put their paws on as many guitars as possible without the intention of buying one; they just take up space and make noise so that no one else can actually shop for an instrument; they don't wipe down the neck or the guitar when they're finished and they get angry when confronted regarding their lack of respect for the rest of the music community. So the only way to test any guitar or amp, and hopefully make a purchase, is to go in right after opening on a weekday or 40 minutes before closing on a Friday or Saturday night. It may take a few sessions, but you will at least be able to hear what you're playing.

[@ericpowell335]

I think I'm probably at the playing level of a 3, but the mindset of a 4. I practice fairly quiet, not because I'm embarrassed that anyone would hear, but I'm really listening to what I am playing and internalizing it. On a slightly funnier note, with few exceptions, it seems like only level 2's will ever bring their girlfriend to the guitar store.

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Haha.. So true! :)

[@grantss1]

No Stairway...denied!

[@harshtokas123]

Nobody has talked about these things that you're covering on your channel, love it honestly, subscribed already and please keep up the good work!

[@scyphozoa]

i was at guitar center the other night and this fairly small kid just picked up a neon green mini jackson v, plugged it into an amp, and just went ham playing whatever he was playing with 0 shame. i hope that kid grows up to do great things

[@BrendanDormanMMA]

Love the Jiu Jitsu reference, and I know all of this all too well. Nice video, cheers

[@TheArtofGuitar]

+Brendan Dorman MMA OSS! Just kidding. Sweet!

[@blinddog58]

No matter what level you get to, you won't stay there unless you continue to practice and play.

[@jmcb8440]

That humbling moment when you have an epic failure on stage..lol. Also the act of recovering later in the same show💪💪💪. Everybody must live this to be truly Jedi!

[@broor]

are all bass players automatically level 4?

[@zipzip8239]

they are just nerds

[@insp106]

Only if they can play YYZ...

[@michaelcampbell6400]

Marian Alexandru uwu

[@galacticpenguintv6752]

Marian Alexandru - Get out of here kid

[@SoullessScythe]

Lvl 1 if you ask me, lol. My bass players all sucked, rip

[@planesofrealitymusic547]

you look like a knockoff markiplier

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Someday we're gonna switch roles and he's gonna teach you how to shred and I'm gonna freak out playing Resident Evil 14.

[@faboolean7039]

Jack Latham well now you said that I can't stop thinking about that when I watch these videos

[@tobyastill1940]

Get angry Rob, far out mate

[@jaimeeiswriting]

other way around

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Ha!

[@music9556]

a classic guitar store thing is one guy playing at one end and another one the other side playing different riffs songs ! and mix in the bass player just around the corner in the bass room cranking it up! sounds really funny! totally out of tune and sync but cool! nothing like instrument noise! its still to love!

[@mrr3000gt]

Spot on! My advice is to keep on keeping on and have fun with it? The good, bad, and ugly all have a place in music.

[@michaelbarber1123]

I'm now at level 7. I work at a Custom guitar shop where some people bring in their guitars for a repair or setup and I just stick them up on a shelf for several months and place bets on who will get tired of calling and eventually never come back to pick up their guitar, adding to our huge stock of forfeited guitars.

[@Boss-cj6zn]

Michael Barber That’s really horrible 😂😂

[@Mikestheking]

Awesome Bro! I am at stage 4 and I never really heard anyone categorize guitar playing and learning the way you explained it. So true, I laughed to myself as you explained every level especially the time I thought I was great and then I got onstage and choked from the pressure, OUCH! I can still feel it in my gut. Also the times I worked through the pressure and made it happen! Thanks man that was enjoyable.

[@spacep0d]

I kinda choked on stage singing. Forgot verses of my own songs, but saved it anyway. That was humbling!

[@DxAxMxD]

Level 3: You're Good and you want everyone to know it? So Rob Chapman? ;)

[@clamfishing3795]

Too much of a jump between 2 and 3

[@jensvide777]

The best is when you really learn how to try out guitars and amps and really go in to try out different ones. Very fun.

[@georgewilliams2152]

what if i suck but i know i suck, level two or three

[@TheArtofGuitar]

I meant suck jokingly. I suck all the time and know it, think of it as awareness and a good way to improve. ;)

[@stevangajic88]

See thats an interesting thing...im a beginner and i have that awareness of sucking lol that is why i have super hard time letting anyone listen to me and avoid playing in the store

[@d0wnstars]

Learn to get used to staring eyes.

[@B3Band]

Wouldn't that be level 1?

[@BONA7902]

George Williams 2 at best

[@jonthecomposer]

I actually know a level three keyboardist. He shows off and has the attitude like he's the greatest. And yeah, he can chord and solo like mad, but he has no ear (as in he has a really hard time figuring out lines by ear), solos pretty much just from riffs he's learned (as in doesn't actually create much of his own), and has a very limited feel... as well as cranking his lows up past the bassist. Basically, he shows off so people can tell him how good he is. And to think, someone with that amount of raw talent could be SO much better if he'd simply drop the attitude, EQ correctly, and train his ear a bit.

[@tgm2tgm137]

I WAS so petrified about guitar, even though I had tons of singing and keyboard/piano, that I bought my first guitar without ever playing it. LUCKILY, I bought an SG like yours so I was happy with my purchase. Still on stage 2 working at it slowly... My Guitar Center has a lot of great players who are regular older stage 4 players who play for hours whether someone is there or not... they are VERY kind to us novices but wow it is intimidating. I GOT my revenge lately however, a guitarist who is quite good came looking for a synth I was checking out... he was just starting keyboard and was hunting and pecking lo like a new typist and asked me if I knew anything and asked what I could show him. He had helped me with guitars and knew I hadn't known anything. I finally got to intimidate someone in a music store....it only took 20 years!!!! We now both laugh when we see each other...!! Turns out we are all newbies at something !! Remember that next time you get intimidated! I don't recommend buying anything without ever playing it though!! : ) Good video!!!!

[@My-Channel_forever]

I asked the employee to play the guitars I was interested. He was happy to do it.

[@lahavfarkas5534]

I'm The one who plays 1 riff over and over

[@rollacoastaride1937]

been playin since 1980, still level 1, folks tell me I'm a good singer though, try some mics???

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Are you the other guy in the PA room yelling "Check! Check!" ? ;)

[@rollacoastaride1937]

I'm the one who just says "one, two," several times

[@spacep0d]

Sibilance! Sibilance! :D

[@canklesclinton7158]

The "ball rub" guy tests by saying "testes 1, 2"

[@rob8872]

I am great at picking out guitar stands!

[@EdgarHernandez-ep3co]

I don't like to play at guitar shops because then my mom records me and puts it on face book

[@tatesmith3518]

i bore my mom to death

[@DogByteFR]

Ave you got any help with pedals? I have been using a couple recently but I'm starting to diversify them more. Particularly Overdrive/Distortion, LT Metal, and Compressors.

[@viennapalace]

A long time ago, I saw a kid of about 13 or 14 skulk into a music shop & slyly pluck a Maton off the back wall without any of the sales staff noticing (they would have freaked, it was a $3000 guitar!) He carefully tuned it & proceed to play "Mood For A Day" note for note, start to finish in a fashion that would have made Steve Howe himself stop & take notice. By the time he'd finished, the 8 or 9 people in the shop were all standing there watching & burst into well deserved applause. He looked up, realized he had an audience, turned bright red & rushed out of the shop! Level 22/7...

[@randyreimer9056]

I love this!!!!! Totally true! I'm at level "-4" ... I no longer feel I need to impress anyone and would rather be left alone in music stores, etc ... after playing in front of small & large crowds for over 30 years I've earned my chops, so to speak. Only ... I sure wish I could hit the right notes! Pedal steel is supposed to be easy!!!!

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Pedal Steel rules. Seems like a noble pursuit!

[@robertreynolds1489]

What struck me the most about this video was "failing on stage". If you can fail, and recover w/o showing to the audience that you just messed up, keepin' on like breathing...you are playing at a black belt level. The only obstacles are within -Zen Guitar

[@BrianTurnbo]

Robert Reynolds. I've fallen on every stage I've ever played on, until today I had no clue I was a black belt.

[@JohnHWelch63]

I'd rather hear that level 1 guy playing the Smoke on the Water riff than that wannabe metal drummer who thinks he's keeping perfect tempo but he's actually fluctuating up and down about 10 or 15, even 20 bpm and he thinks every song is one long 5 minute fill.

[@hifijohn]

I have to laugh at one of them, I knew a guy who worked at a guitar store and wore a t-shirt that read"tune your damn guitar".

[@edwardjons8684]

I hear ya. I worked in a guitar shop about twenty years ago and have a similar view about the different way guitarists behaved when trying out the gear. The level 4 thing is as much about maturity generally as being an experienced live performer. There comes a point in a decent musician's development when the only opinions you really value are those of more experienced and skilled musicians, so there's less of a kick from showing off since the audience you want is supportive, rather than sycophantic. At levels 1 and 2 you aren't really aware of how much further you have to go to become a really competent musician, so you think everyone is going to be impressed by what you can do. At level 3, I agree, there's a transition - it's that stage where you have put yourself to the test a few times and learned that you have a hell of a long way to go to achieve the proficiency you admire in better musicians. At level 4 you have come to terms with that, are no longer trying to blow people away with your awesome chops, have figured out what kind of musicianship you may be capable of in the long run, and are instead now obsessing about tone and musicality, whatever the hell that is... And listening as much as playing...

[@ryanelison4539]

Today I went to a Sam Ash store and I could be on level 2.

[@jonahkerr5966]

Thanks man you're videos are always helpful. You really put things into perspective. Sometimes you piss me off, and that drives me to practice and get better. Stay honest.

[@alessandroh10]

level 5: Scott Mishoe at Alpha Music

[@Microtonal_Cats]

You ever read "Zen Guitar" by the late great Phil Sudo? When you got to "level 4" part, it reminded me of that book. good vid. Thank you for your service!

[@TheArtofGuitar]

+Michael Dean I have read that. Great book!

[@ejm922]

yep- when you pick up a guitar and play without an amp,feel the neck,the balance,the weight, and actually look at the guitar detail,your at level 4👍

[@adarbyem]

Not quite at a 2 yet. Just picked up guitar about a month ago. I have some musical experience from four years of band in high school, so a lot of the theory is just a quick refresher. At this point I am just trying to stay disciplined at daily practice and "staying in my lane" with what my lessons are teaching me.

[@danielschoenholz7863]

Still can't quite decided where I'm at (at least on your chart). I think I'm probably a 2.5ish maybe 3. I like playing for people and for myself but I've played in front of people at summer camp. Yeah, I still haven't learned to check master before turning on. And, I'm only half way decent even though I've been playing for 2-3 years now (man I sound like a noob!). Though, I do my guitar time every day. How would you rank me art of guitar?

[@---xz3sx]

I think this was really well thought out and you made a very fitting analogy with the guitar store and a professional music career in general - wicked!

[@quadzilla60]

Im def lvl 3, i can play mostly anything except super shreddy solos, but i go into th store and definetly feel like not having anyone listen to me like a lvl 4, i have no gig experience either, i usually go in an grab strings or pics but if i see a rectifier or 5150 head and cab and guitar i like ill play, but ill play really low haha as not to disturb the public with drop tuned metalcore riffage, or sometime ill play so pretty chords on the clean channel.

[@rockcycle824]

4 stages of bass playing at guitar stores:1) the bass is a giant boomy stick. Volume way up, bass knob on the EQ way up, cuz it's a bass, right? Plays random notes that shake the store.2) the level 2 bassist has discovered that cranking the mids on the EQ allow him to fight with the guitar frequencies. Plays driving 8th note riffs that are excessively loud, mid-forward, and clanky3) the level 3 bassist has learned that all the mids in the world won't make him a lead guitar, so has turned to the magic of scooped mids and boosted bass and treble. Utilizes the scooped tone to play many excessively loud slap riffs, all in the key of E.4) the level 4 bassist already has an idea of what all the bass types generally sound like, and is more interested in the intricacies of the pickups and preamps. Spends more time playing scales and exercises in order to get a feel for different scale lengths, neck widths, and string spacings. Keeps volume low so as not to attract anybody looking to show off their slap-wankery. Gets annoyed with everybody else making noises because then he can't hear the stupidly subtle tone differences that his audience definitely won't give a crap about.

[@Ryan-kf7of]

That stage 4 began affecting me thinking about playing live again. I haven't played in ages and I feel like I'll mess everything up live.

[@ivyper_7334]

I’m eleven and I’m probably in high level 3 to low level four, and I’ve failed on stage a few times. Like my first time on stage, I completely missed the solo, and the second time I absolutely butchered it and was really out of tune (first gig outside) and I’m having one on Black Friday, so hope that goes better.

[@Adambenhmida0000]

iVyper_ good for you, your better than me cause I’ve never done a big

[@moritz759]

How did it go?

[@mikeedwards6519]

stage 3.5 make videos on youtube because you've grown out of guitar store playing

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Prolly.

[@juanfelipeleyvaacero8186]

But I love it and honestly the guitar has brought me out of so much boarding moments in my life as there is nothing better than just chilling with one playing soft songs

[@jacobgirling7739]

I'm too socially anxious, I constantly just play at a volume so I can only just hear.

[@thrasherx9319]

"I am out of my basement." Best KZbin comment ever.

[@steamonkey9927]

I think I've done the exact same thing as you did. I barely had any time at level 1 and after 4 months of playing and practicing guitar I'm starting to feel like I'm losing momentum in level 2. Does anyone have any tips or anything on how to get any better before I start losing motivation?

[@purplepineapple117]

SteaMonkey Watch a shit ton of guitar videos. Or think of upgrading to a nicer guitar. If your electric guitar maybe buy a Yamaha thr5 on the used market. Sweet tones always gets me motivated to play more.

[@davehendricks7023]

Listen to music and watch videos of all kinds of bands so you are not limited to one genera also explore the local music scene see people who are just regular people play more your lvl .

[@guitarplayer2846]

You're not losing momentum. You've hit a rut. It happens to everybody. Sometimes the best thing to do is not pick up your guitar for a couple weeks. When you go back to it, you'll be energized, more creative, and better at listening.

[@eriklundstrum4656]

SteaMonkey what I do (I’m still definitely not all that amazing at all) but when i get bored i just find a new genre/artist to learn to just freshen it up a little.

[@cmnidit4444]

Buy a newer guitar and if you need it, an amp. Start recording everything you play and listening to what you play. You will get much better like this

[@supercarsfl9633]

ive been at like between 2 and 3 forever and it fun because i know guitar store etiquette but still get super happy when i learn a hard riff or write soemthing that sounds badass

[@Iheartdgd]

I used to spend hours at guitar center in my younger days at a 2-2.5 , and I was definitely that kid picking up the baddest warlock or a nice Gibson V etc. playing on 11 in the corner of the store. Good times