The 5 WORST Mistakes Every Beginner Guitar Player Makes

Going over the worst mistakes you can make as a beginner learning guitar. Thanks to @sweetwater and Washburn for sponsoring this video. Check out the Washburn Bella Tona Allure:
sweetwater.sjv.io/3eXxOy
Also here are the strings I use:
sweetwater.sjv.io/jrmOM6
Check out the patreon: / seandaniel
All my Udemy courses: bit.ly/3Sy371t
If you feel like leaving a tip:
tiptopjar.com/seandaniel

[@diversidad6550]

Brother, I strongly disagree about bar chords. I think you should explain to whom or what style your approach is directed, I play alone, I am Hispanic, I play in restaurants and events, sometimes in the company of another guitarist and the bar chords are needed, especially because of the colors and the robust and large sound that the basses give, Latin rhythms need the 6 sounds. I accept your approach when you're going to handle arpeggios, as I say. It depends on the style. It's a feedback with love, think about it, there are styles that do need the 6 sounds and the bar chords. In short, it is not necessary to play all 6 strings on the guitar, but it is convenient to learn how to use them all to have more options and musical possibilities. Music is not a matter of comfort, in fact if it is anything, it is the opposite: determination, effort and work. But above all, you have to avoid being comfortable if you aspire to be a musician with all your letters, at least when you start, once you have passed that phase is when you start to "have mischief". I get someone who knows how to play at exorbitant speeds but doesn't know how to play an F Major and I don't know whether to laugh or cry...

[@Bastikovski99]

Bar chords are much easier on nylon strings. Playing bar chords on steel strings will give you arthritis. But yeah, you need that full sound for the flamenco-type strum.

[@Sd12sx23]

I would tell a beginner that barre chords are definitely worth learning, but also don't beat yourself up if you can't do them right away. They are hard and I was probably a few years into playing before I could play a halfway decent barre chord. In the meantime, there are ways around using them, as this video demonstrated. I also would say, dont get upset if you never learn to play them perfectly. Even now, many, many years into playing, if I play a barre chord and one or two of the notes is a little muted or percussive, I just embrace that imperfection and keep strumming. I say it adds a little personality to the chord.

[@j.blogsblues]

I agree with you. I find the thumb over far more painful and difficult than the full barre. if you need to play a quieter minor chord just play the bottom three strings (with one finger across all three) at the fifth fret to get A minor play the bottom 4 to get Amin7 (by bottom strings I mean the thin ones), although mostly I'll play full barre chords for a fuller sound. If the full major barre chord gets painful then I play the basic F shape and use my ring finger to mute the E string. Or move down to play the open A with one finger across the DG and B strings then muting the thin E with your second finger as if playing A7 but not sounding the E. This is also a good way (I think) to play Seventh chords up and down the neck (obviously sounding the thin E ) As I get older my fingers, not that big anyway are also getting less and less flexible so need simple shapes to play.

[@chriscaskenette]

Completely agree. There are countless popular songs with barre chords. Any guitar player should know how to play them. The more musical knowledge you have, the more options you have for chord voicing, it makes you a better player.

[@erniejavier]

Guitar playing has no worth without the bar chords. There's no mistake having it. I'll say you're being a guitar player today wasn't successful without doing bar chords when you started. Come on.. ✌️🙂🙃

[@tahoemike5828]

When I try a new song the first thing I usually do is mute all the strings, and just try to find the groove with my right hand playing chucka-chukka's and plinka-plinka's along until I find something close, and get a feel for the timing or picking pattern. After that I let the melody and the feel of the tune be my guide.

[@Skittles821]

Finally understanding guitar and progressing daily thanks to your videos! Its really helping get me through a very rough time. Watching you lose your mind about people who don't understand teaching is hilarious

[@SuperJsimo]

Jack johnson plays barre chords all the time, it gives him that signature rhythm and style. Learning barre chords is essential for certain styles of playing, so definitely learn them if you want to get as much under your belt

[@annanilsson9372]

No no big mistake, you heard the man - only for beginners ha ha ha 😂

[@tonightweareone]

The difference in tone from the f barre chord and basically all the other Fs is huge to me but I get what he’s saying

[@RobBach]

This guy knows that barre chords are essential and commonly used, needed and easy once mastered. From what I can gather he is using this just to increase his KZbin exposure by utilizing comment interactions that the algorithm uses for search visibility.

[@Expedient_Mensch]

Let's face it, Sean's as rough as guts, about as refined as a fart at the dinner table, so dropping a note here or there is no big deal.

[@cheopys]

I’m playing steel strings for the first time after 40 years of nylon and, yeah, bar chords are a real exhausting strain.

[@Ijcarter1962]

Great tips, Sean. Keep up the good work.

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

Thanks for the bar chord admission. The first guitar I owned and started with was some used no name cheap thing, but I could easily bar any chord with it without straining the hand. That was 45 years ago, and every guitar I have owned since, I can't bar too many in a row without straining. So, from now on I'm going to eliminate 90% of my bar chord use and practice the abbreviated chord structure options instead.

[@starbuck-mz4ts]

Excellent info Sean. My oldest daughter plays piano and guitar and “caught” me during a solo practice session taking the chords of a key and making a “song”, not the traditional way of learning. It was like an epiphany for her own practice.

[@1001CP]

I like the refreshing view of your opinion especially on the F chord (The Beast!0. Looking at all the combo for notes there is nearly always an alternative. Anyway, I came from playing sax to try the guitar- nearly the same size case is what they have in common, but both great instruments. keep the good work going my friend.

[@johnlockyer833]

Such a good video. We need more of these. Thanks

[@josephcasey322]

Dude, nice seeing you rattled and passionate about what's up or what's down. Thanks. Nice to know you are speaking from experience.

[@tammieschiller397]

Since i've watching this i've been doing this daily, (the part where you said practice chord changes with a strumming pattern with 1,3,4,5,) and it's changed my practice and made me a better guitarist already, thanks so much Sean!

[@StreaminFreedom]

First time seeing your content, subscribed! Great insights.

[@seandaniel23]

Welcome to the party!

[@pathfinder1273]

Both you and Rick Beato have talked about muting the top string with your thumb. Well, Im so happy for you two that you have long fingers and thumbs. It is next to impossible for me to reach the top string with my thumb on an F chord, and beyond impossible to do it with a C chord. Please understand that we are not all created identical.

[@callmejackaroo4723]

Damn dude. Get laid & cheer up bro!

[@tomrees4812]

Ignore he guy above who obviously lacks any empathy and just wanted to show the world. I agree. Far too many (all?) of the people ‘teaching’ on KZbin go for a one size fits all and that means basically do what I do. It can be a complete waste of time watching these. There is no substitute for lessons in person from a good teacher. The problem is finding one. What annoys me most about the creators of these videos is they claim to ask for comments but it’s been 10 days and crickets … except for the loser. I’ll mark this guy as a ‘do not recommend this channel.’

[@pathfinder1273]

@@tomrees4812 Good for you. My reply to him obviously got removed.

[@Anthony_Goncalves]

Just get a smaller neck guitar then bro i teach kids they can do that ....

[@pathfinder1273]

@@Anthony_Goncalves If you know about human physiology, you would realize that those with short fingers usually have thicker fingers. Ive already got enough trouble with neighbouring strings buzzing because of the thickness of my fingers. Besides, Ive already made the switch from a classical to an acoustic, which made the buzzing problem even worse.

[@WILPOLLOCK]

Great stuff my Dude! I’m new and this really helped put stuff into perspective. 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@epiphone278]

The no down down down up, wow yeah the way you show it with timing instead is actually for me anyway much easier to remember than keeping track of when to down and when to up. 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 makes way more sense and is easier to remember and apply. I’ll convert the down and ups in future videos I watch to the timing method. Thanks so much Sean!

[@reginasayles]

Learn the barre chords people. They help you connect scales and triads. If you later decide to not use them, you will still have all the knowledge surrounding them.

[@mirandaterrell]

3:25 is by far my favorite moment with you, trying to say down down down up at lightning speed w/a gruff voice impression. Thank you.

[@GuitarNerdTexas]

Try "digada" for triplets and "diga" for twos, etc. Yes, counting is important, and there are ways to count that compliment the strum rather than detract from it.

[@nullfield]

Started playing when I was twelve, on an Emenee Tiger (as seen on TV!). I'm 67 now, and I can play clean Barre chords all day long. There are six strings and I like to hear them all.

[@KarenSDR]

Almost exactly the same for me! I'm 67, learned when I was 12 from Laura Webber on TV, played bar chords all my life and always felt comfortable with them.

[@roberteccles3896]

Just play what you feel there's no rules. You're ear will tell you what's right. You get what you put into it.

[@WoodworkerDan]

I used to say the same thing, but thanks to a drunk driver who ran a red light I have lost some of the strength in my left hand.

[@Robertgregormcgregor]

That is the correct way to play a full F chord. The shortcut is great but you will never develop the strength you need in your fingers, hand and wrist if you don't push.

[@MrA1582000]

Love this. Could never do the up/down, but counting the beats and any intervening & makes so much easier.

[@ajmould47]

Thanks man great video really helpful

[@bluearmy4228]

Bro, you're giving great tips there for more experienced players as well! Love it!

[@stavies7525]

Thank you 😊 so much valuable info here!

[@badbury24]

Very helpful, many thanks for this

[@michaelobrien2805]

This is such a helpful video. Appreciate you!

[@ralfybaby]

As a relative beginner still i am always a bit surprised whenever u see a song lesson and below the line i see countless "what's the strumming pattern?" I always just strum and try get the feel for the groove. Although sometimes it is useful to start with a formal strumming pattern when first learning a song.

[@srakagensta4461]

Learn the barre cords PROPERLY so you can play with puting the bar on and of, thats much better

[@srakagensta4461]

I challenge you, yes they happen in real life just practice

[@forcemajeur.5138]

Great video. Took me forever with the f bar chord, then I saw Waylon play it wrapped in an old concert. You can actually hit the low e on first fret with your thumb, or atleast many people can (depending on the persons hand size and the neck size, etc).

[@barrymanley4975]

Great video Shaun, really helpful.

[@seandaniel23]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@corycardenas767]

Thank you for clarifying! Love it!! 👊😂

[@JR-pr8jb]

I guess nobody believes small hands/fingers are a "thing." No way my thumb would reach around the neck to catch the 6th string. But I agree, a full barre is rarely needed. Just play the strings (notes) you need.

[@greggorsag9787]

Barre chords are actually much easier than getting clear sharp tones from partial chords through muting and “missing” strings, at least in most contexts where people play acoustic guitars. That technique is great, and is part of a more advanced player’s arsenal for sure, but it requires right (strumming) hand accuracy and control , particularly with faster tempos/strummy parts. As others have said, the type of music you’re playing decides the issue, and barre chords are an essential tool much of the time. Plus, they’re simply not that hard. I have small hands, and with work, I got mine to a consistent point for gigging and recording in a reasonable time. With work, mind you, and one has to get a few tips at the start so one doesn’t waste practice time/muscle build with inferior technique.

[@coyote520]

For some of us, barre chords, esp covering six strings, are literally impossible. I had a serious hand injury, a long with a stroke, that makes barre chords impossible for me. My hand will never be strong enough again.

[@greggorsag9787]

@@coyote520 Yep, I was just responding for the typical student. I’m glad you’re playing despite those challenges! Just in case, have you tried hacks like lowering the action down to the bare minimum, getting a smaller acoustic to increase leverage, putting electric strings on an acoustic, or playing an electric with, say, 8-gauge strings and just dialing in a tone that works? Not sure if any of that will work for you, but if not, there are indeed many other chord forms than barres.

[@basicbluesjones]

i like youre vids Sean,ive enjoyed them for a while now, good job

[@lh3428]

You make some great points. I do use barre chords. Play a good quality, well set-up guitar and barre chords aren’t hard, and they can add just the right sound at times. Not everyone can or should reach over the fretboard with the thumb. There’s a reason I have a large arthritic bump on my left thumb knuckle but not my right. I had to stop that technique. It’s painful now.

[@jimmyv6703]

Using coated strings, learning songs, not basic licks, which I intend to do when I practice (noodle), and trying open tunings, is making me more excited about my practice sessions. I'm like a beginning intermediate, if that's a level, and those suggestions will really help me get more excited about guitar. The other two were great too.

[@melindamercier6811]

I consider myself an intermediate beginner. 😅

[@margaretblack8491]

Very helpful, even though I play the Octave Mandolin instead of the guitar. :) Thanks so much for taking the time and making the effort to share this.

[@seandaniel23]

Oooh, octaave mandos are so cool!

[@h.smontage1615]

in fingerstyle the usage of bar chords is crazy don make the bar chords look not important they are extremely important in fingerstyle

[@h.smontage1615]

when changing keys they are also extra important

[@h.smontage1615]

an example mate kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6LEip5jq7WIg9ksi=tvN-nksC54uZ7MwA

[@castleanthrax1833]

Yeah, he should've given the context. I just watched one of Sean's shorts vids where he's playing fingerstyle on a baritone, and he was using whole barre chords throughout.

[@h.smontage1615]

@@castleanthrax1833 yeah right

[@THE-zv7vj]

@@h.smontage1615 Tissue??

[@bemep0k]

Great video! Lot of valuable information here :)

[@joepike6460]

Hey Sean, really great info as usual! Just wondered if you could do a video on the partial chords electric guitar players use in bands commonly - I know a lot of guitar chords but whenever I watch bands live it’s like they all know completely different shapes and I’m pretty sure they are just broken voicings of chords to minimise effort and reduce how heavy they impose on the mix.

[@tammieschiller397]

yes please Sean, was going to ask same thing, but i found your minor chord you showed much harder to play than the double finger one, just bc of muting the a chord to stretch two chords over for the index finger note

[@martydoherty2660]

Triads? Three thinnest strings, all open is Em. A little barre across all three at third fret is Gm; fifth is Am; seventh is Bm; eighth is Cm; tenth Dm. Take the Dm shape and slide it up two frets (thinnest strings only) is Em; one more Fm etc. Much easier Fm than a big barre at the first fret. Same with D shape (thinnest three only). Up two and it’s E major; to the fifth and it’s F major. Who needs ‘the beast’? If you CAN do ‘the beast’ on the three thinnest, slide up two, you’ve got a G major, two more it’s A major etc. I used to be amazed watching guys playing funky guitar without seeming to do anything. But think about it. A little ‘three thinnest’ barre at the fifth fret gives you A minor. Plonk your second finger onto fret six of the B (second thinnest) string, and you’ve got F major. Interesting sound for no effort. Have a go!

[@tammieschiller397]

thanks!@@martydoherty2660

[@harrisbooker5792]

@@martydoherty2660excellent information thanks

[@RandyTorrez-wb5sz]

​@martydoherty2660 RANDY JUDAH TORREZ ❤< Make a bloody Tutorial this sounds interesting but a visual will be more better.👍😆 🤣 😂

[@billallen1594]

Great call about the open tuning. Sometimes you can move stuff around and it still sounds great - even if you make a mistake. It’s good for your confidence. I like open C especially for this CGCGCE. More so if you like Fahey

[@ziblot1235]

I never play open C. I play G, D or open E. I learned open E first. (Allman Bros, Melliisa) Tune open E, then play the shape of an e chord, then play it again up a whole step, Then play an "A"shape on 5th fret. Then back to open E chord. I think I have that right.

[@THE-zv7vj]

first thing i learned was bar chords I can crush all 6 anywhere on th fret board I fingerpick . even wrote 2 songs using them.. . Im glad i learned it, It has served me very well in other aspects of MY playing ..

[@McGhinch]

...even if I don't use them as often as before. But when I need them I have them. There are a few songs where bar chords are needed. Stray Cat Strut is one where Brian Setzer uses one. If you don't practice them, you just can't use them. -- But for a new player, I suggest that bar chords are part of a later stage in a guitar player's career.

[@flakvr]

THANK YOU! This is my first week of starting to play guitar (learning chords) and counting the rhythm actually enabled me to play something that sounds like a song for the first time. What a rush! ❤ Im just trying out different counting patterns.😍😍

[@pdcorlis]

Maybe the most important lesson I’ve learned in years. Thank You!

[@clawhammer704]

Iv been playing for forty some years. I learned G C and D major cords to start with to play simple early folk, country, bluegrass music with simple rhythm strumming. Playing with others helps a lot.

[@neilmartin7564]

wow that was great.....been playing 40 odd years and its exactly what i tell people new to guitar,,,This is the first video of yours ive seen,,,Nice work mate, SUBSCRIBED ✌😎🤘

[@seandaniel23]

Welcome to the party!

[@williamlewis700]

Once you said no Barre chords, you got got me ! Your tip number four, I teach drumming and always give students a fun piece of music so they can enjoy the rudiments.

[@Blinknone]

Solid list.. super helpful too.

[@marthaworc7873]

Thanks for that bass note tip. Much appreciated.

[@mt-qc2qh]

great tips, as usual. thank's Sean.

[@fuzzpedal]

Man, that up-down example hit close to home. I’ve been feeling stagnant lately, thanks for the tips

[@louieo.blevinsmusic4197]

What helped me was making up my own sounds to it. Not counting. I.E. boom chick chick boom chicka chicka

[@rabecht245]

Thanks Sean, best instructor, by far, simple and easy to understand, cut and dry, no BS.

[@6jay66]

What he says about barre chords is THE most ridiculous thing I've heard a guitar 🎸 instructor say! WTF?

[@6jay66]

Which IS a LOT of BS!

[@tonym2513]

The strumming pattern rant was absolutely beautiful. Bravo.

[@ThinkIsMe]

Thank you for setting me free from the down ups! I felt so incompetent because I could not grasp it!

[@bc3316]

Sean's Safe Zone channel - Keepin' it real. Always good stuff, especially for us noodlers aspiring to play creatively coherent sounds. Cheers

[@ekisoderqvist]

That Washburn! I have the exact same guitar as my steel string and it's an awesome sounding and beautiful looking instrument! And great value for money, imo sounds like a much more expensive guitar than it is. And the reason why it's so cool to see it in a video like this is that I've never seen it actually used anywhere except videos that advertise/showcase it.

[@ekisoderqvist]

My bad, commented before I saw the part where you advertised the guitar 😂 still a legit great instrument

[@lsealey20]

I just got mine and love it.

[@andywalex]

This is the first video I've seen from this channel, so I'm not really sure what your level of playing is and I get that this video is for beginners. I understand we want to avoid driving off new players because they're frustrated, but in my opinion you have to learn not only Barre chords, but multiple versions of chords to graduate to being an intermediate player. This is the only video I've seen that tells players to not learn Barre chords. If you're struggling with Barre chords take your guitar in and get it set up, your action is probably too high, or try a lighter gauge string. Most guitars I play, I've sanded the saddle down a bit. Of course, you might not always need all of the notes in a chord, for example Gaug7 (aka G7#5). I once new an excellent guitar player that only practiced to a metronome, he asked me how I learned timing and playing in the pocket. I explained that the only time I might use a metronome is when I'm recording (with no drums) and practice to the actual recording of the song. If you can play in time with a recording, you can play in time with professional musicians.

[@JohnTandy74]

I agree with the barre chord theory but I would say when learning it’s good to learn for finger strength and muscle memory

[@momchilo4388]

Ty so much these tips were reeally useful!

[@MrSDFD18]

1. Don’t learn chords. Learn triads. 2. Don’t learn all notes of the major scale, top string to bottom. Learn one octave major, minor and pentatonic scales starting at their root on each string. 3. Always play to a metronome or drum track, even when noodling. 4. Noodle at will but pay attention to intervals. Even sour notes have an interval! 5. Have fun. When it’s not, you’re playing it wrong.

[@ziblot1235]

Why? Why cant you do both? I did. Ive been playing since 65. I should be terrific. But Im not. I took off for periods when I didnt play at all. I always played better when I was in a band. I learned more stuff. Theres no short cuts. I planned on doing it all. Im so glad I have succh a wealth of teachers arund now.

[@MrSDFD18]

“Why?” “Why not?”@@ziblot1235 They are simply suggestions. You don’t have to do anything I suggest. There you go. I just eliminated your why and why not.

[@raymorgan4657]

Good tips, especially the down up! I disagree with bar chords though. I do primarily play fingerstyle, but I use bar chords all the time, along with thumb over, or partial chords like you showed. It all depends on what melody notes I need in a particular song. Hell, some songs I might play that F chord 2 or 3 different ways or octaves in the same song depending on the notes needed. And because I do use bar chords so often in fingerstyle and am used to them, I play them al lot stumming as well.

[@0rkrist]

I somehow find the open f major a bit more complicated by now, simply because I didnt practice it as much as I did with the bar chords. I did use Sean's 3rd tip however: Basically I learned or trained bar chords by learning a song that had a ton of F in it :P

[@louieo.blevinsmusic4197]

F is a good barre chord to use for some extra heaviness/voicing when your tonic is Dm or Am and playing cowboy chords. Elliott Smith used that major barre F plenty. “Happiness” and “Waltz #2” come to mind

[@notmyname3681]

I think the thing is that new players get put off struggling with barre chords. They spend too much time on them, get frustrated because they think they can't play their favourite songs and quit. Remember showing a friend who was new the easy open F and it really upped her motivation. Couple of years further on and she's fine with the full barre, but it never held her back.

[@raymorgan4657]

@@notmyname3681 Yes, they can definitely be a struggle for beginners. My disagreement with Sean is that he said professional performing players never use them which is just not true at all. I think bar chords are important to learn and are used a lot.

[@notmyname3681]

@@raymorgan4657 Yeah, I agree. Like most things it's better to have the ability and choose whether or not to use it than not be able.

[@ronaldlinton5033]

Ok, I read many of the comments looking to see if any have the same difficulty with bar cords, the first crease in my left (bar) pointer finger is almost always and precisely over the 6th, high E when making bar chords dulling the note fully or a buzzing weak attempt at a clear tone. The only effective way to have a clear ring to the 6th is with pronounced pressure focused on the treble side of the fretboard or move the finger down and emphasizing the treble strings and over the E leaving the bass weak. Certain electric guitar fretboard radius configurations as the 7 1/4” help but not always. This lesson, which I stumbled upon, reaffirms what I had concluded which to research and implement any alternative to bar chords and found a much cleaner tone as well

[@-Pol-]

I learned to play the Bodhran (Irish Drum) before I learned the guitar. With hindsight I think that was a great primer for learning the guitar later in life as it meant I already had acquired the rhythmic wiring in my head and the wrist action for strumming the guitar and drumming with a tipper are in some ways quite similar..

[@cheopys]

I strum without using my thumb. Called rasqueado in classical playing. Listen to the opening of the Concerto de Aranjuez by Rodrigo. It’s a MUCH cleaner sound than thumb strumming.

[@tonydalton459]

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.

[@sjd5750]

I use some barre chords still, but I make much more use of triads..You don't always need barres anyway..In place of full barres I'll use root position D-G-B string triads up the neck, or some other inversions. Triads are also the absolute best and quickest way to learn the entire fretboard hands down, imho.

[@muckypuppy4445]

You are a great teacher and have taught me a couple of things from the one or two videos I have watched. I have to respectfully disagree with the bit on Barre chords unfourtunately. After some practice I can use them fluently and ring most notes and there are certain songs such as All Around The World by Oasis that use these alternative barr chords in the bridge sections. Further to this, playing them regular helps hammer the E string notes into any newbies brain further unlocking their knowledge of the fretboard. Other than this, I think everything I have heard you say is spot on brother.

[@Martin-ym4go]

Really helpful thank you

[@55tmilam]

He’s so spot on about the strumming patterns!

[@Jerry16776]

Best thing for me as a 6 or 7 year old learning to play was learning bar chords. Set me up to be able to move all over the neck. Don’t really use full bar chords now but use portions of them all the time.

[@knotwilg3596]

"Trading the D-U secrets" cracked me up. The bars advice was completely new to me and I'm older than you. It might be a little controversial too - I'd rephrase it as "get away from fixed chord shapes and learn new voicings". But as a shocker, the advice serves its purpose. Coated 11 - check. Practice in context - absolutely. I'm mostly practicing scales as a warm-up. Open tuning - I finally got into doing that more often when I realized I could leave my spare guitar in drop D or any alternative tuning for a while. Before that, I would stay away from open chords because I was too lazy tuning my guitar back and forth. Good stuff!

[@lightningstrikes7314]

The problem with teaching the inbetween/upstrums between the counts though is that they don't necessarily fall exactly on the 'and' at the half-way point between beats they fall on any one of the two other 16th note divisions known as 'eh-and-ah'. Students need to know direction and should be able to copy aurally anyway. You can get them to copy a rhythm without any verbal direction: if they get strum direction wrong it can be tweaked/corrected after they have 'heard' the rhythm.

[@merkazoidduff7651]

I like the idea of using riffs and solos for practicing scales.

[@johnf6545]

Hey Sean, love your content, newb moving to intermediate on acoustic 6 string and your lessons are very helpful. I will add another mistake, at least one I made, failure to setup your guitar properly. I just went through all my settings, neck relief, bridge height, which was fine and finally got around to filing the nut down to just above the 1st fret. What a difference, night and day, bar chords are no longer an issue, the tone is more mellow, not as twangy on my LL-16 on the high E. I had adjusted neck relief in the past and checked the strings at the 12th fret but the nut filing, for my guitar was huge. Later man oh and BTW, I tried to open your website yesterday and it would not open, cheers.

[@ronhoffman2405]

Sean, try wrapping the e-6th string with your thumb, play B-2nd and E-1st with index finger, and the rest of the strings as you would with a bar chord. It makes it easy and you're using the forearm muscles instead of the thumb muscle to exert the pressure. I've been playing that way for 55 years. You don't get tired and youget the full six string sound for both major and minor chords all the way up the neck, i.e., F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F. i teach it as Form 1 major and minor chords.

[@michaeldematteis3409]

Knowing the chords of the key is a game changer.know the intervals of one key you know them all

[@oldun18]

I do wish that YT guitar teachers would remember that many of us learning to play the guitar do not have large hands, ‘ie’ large enough to be able to play a chord and bring their thumb over the neck to play the low E string. Yes I agree to be able to play the low E string with your thumb does give you the opportunity to be more creative etc with hammer on’s etc as apposed to playing a barre chord with your pointer finger, but you can only do that if your hand is large enough, I do not have small hands but they are not large enough to use the ‘thumb over’ method, it would be great if I could.

[@raymorgan4657]

Neck profile and shape, not just width can make a big difference for thumb over. I have a few guitars and on some I have a difficult time with thumb over if at all. However, my Martin solid wood GPCRSGT, I have no problem with thumb over, even though the neck widths are virtually the same

[@tanglewife]

I have tiny hands and can do this. Stop making excuses!

[@goodvideos.113]

Thank you for letting me see this great share from A to Z. 17:38

[@MrSpencem1959]

Due to arthritis in my index finger on my left hand I have to play the barre cord and I have no problem.

[@user-hn8wo9go1s]

I also really disagree with you on not playing the bar chords . I play bar chords as much as regular chords in every song I play. It's a million times easier to play abar chord for alot of people then it is to get their thumb on that top E string. Remember not everyone has a big enough hand and long enough fingers to make the F style regular chord with their thumb. Been to lots a concerts and gigs and bars. Most of the guitar players are definitely using the bar chords.

[@samsblues]

F major bar chords are way heavier also, completely disagree with this video. Some people don’t have large fingers/thumbs either. Stupid video

[@tomm5023]

How about this one: don’t start with a pick. Acoustic guitars are meant to be played with fingers and it honestly feels a lot more natural vs a pick. Also the sound is a lot less harsh.

[@wraith_1171]

😂I so enjoy your videos and I had a "son of a gun" moment with the barre chords, thank you!

[@daleturner3507]

My guitar teacher taught me the F chord that way. He also taught alternative ways to play chords much like I see you doing in your videos.

[@deadbang241]

Makes sense to me Sean ! Thanks

[@jremedy7053]

Man I like your bar chord tip. When I first started I just played “power chords”, so 3 or 4 fingers/strings instead of all 6 strings. I play my F the same way you showed.

[@steveklinck526]

Good stuff Sean.

[@cnking27]

The 6 string “e shape” barre chord is not only difficult to play well on its own, especially down by the nut, it’s also almost impossible to make clean, musical transitions into and out of it. When I use it I find myself sliding up to G or A minor instead of going into their open shapes because the transition sucks so bad. And then you’re holding that shape for a whole song and your hand is dead after 2 minutes. Learning “Wind Cries Mary” and “Goodbye Carolina” and learning the freedom and flexibility of the shorter shapes has done well to break me from it.

[@christineweatherford5852]

This information is gold!!!! Can you please make a video on barre chord substitutions? Barre chords hurt my fingers so bad and I haha thought about quitting so if you have alternatives then I will be forever grateful ❤

[@shivanshgilhotra701]

I am probably late to comment this If you're struggling with barre chords I have been playing guitar for 8 months (not regular though) I was struggling a hell lot like 3 months ago but there came a time when eventually barre sounded better and once i was able to strum barre chords my confidence was over the top and i got motivated to play guitar again

[@ilyanagalen9320]

Barre chords, like the guitar itself, is all about practice. Practice, practice, practice. You won’t develop the strength if you don’t do it.

[@davidhumphreys8530]

As a newby, I only recently discovered the importance of counting. I LOL'd at the remark about how ludicrous artists back stage sharing their up-downs would be 😂

[@rpisuba]

Me to hahaha! I’ve been called out, but at least I’m laughing about it 😂

[@spherecat7740]

Thank you Sean!

[@davidgooley1544]

This is great. Also chord fragments is the other way to state what you are saying. I will work on this in hopes of getting better

[@justbeingmybestbob]

OMG people who teach in down ups drive me crazy too!! Great video.

[@Sarah-ll98]

Well done 👍

[@MULTIMOONSHOTS]

Great content!👍💯🎶🎸

[@stephen25uk]

Brilliant lesson, absolutely invaluable. I have been playing for many years and eventually found most of this stuff out for myself. Tip number four? about learning the numbered chords in each key is so useful, and learning to play the classy but often easier shape for each sounds so much better. I watch players like John Mayer, Jimi Hendrix, Clapton etc and they all play this way. The down - up strumming lessons are so awful, if you want to spoil a song just try memorising downs and ups 😋, it sucks.

[@andrewfisher3035]

Useful tips, what about the use of capo’s are you for or against?

[@gazzie12000]

I agree with most of this but the comments about full barre chords are just plain daft. You say you'll never play a full F barre chord ever. Utter rubbish. Professional guitarists (me included) play full barre chords a lot. Not all the time, and as you say usually a partial chord or inversion is preferable. But to say you'll "never play them" so don't learn them. Very bad advice. I'm a teacher and I teach them for sure. Just to show the most obvious guitarists I could think of to demonstrate how useful full barre chords are - check out The Beatles playing live on any song. Full barre chords all over the place, but then again what did they ever achieve? 🙂🙂🙂

[@GuitarSeekh]

Hey Saun, glad to see someone speaking the same thing which I speak in my live guitar lessons and also, on my channel to guitar players.. never understand strumming through stroke directions - learn the goddamn rhythm 😊

[@shivathedestroyer2816]

Sean, been waiting for someone to say what u did re DD UU ETC. thx

[@2011littlejohn1]

I too was perplexed when I started watching instructional videos about strumming. I always thought in primitive terms of singing the beat in my head such as ching ching chinga (down up)ching which seems the same as your counting. I never even thought about if it was up and down or not. I always told people I was instructing to relax their wrist - the beat seemed obvious.

[@SurrendertheEctypeofficial]

Very well done

[@jamesfetherston1190]

I spent most of my first several years playing full barre chords - and I did the “A” shape with all four fingers fretting- so I would get the high e ringing out (I didn’t double barre). I don’t play that way as much, but can and will play full barres without fatigue.

[@maxcarter3413]

ONG. Thank you for telling me I don' t need bar cords! Yay! I thought I would never plat guitar!

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

Sweetwater inspects only guitars above a posted price level, not all guitars. Sweetwater also offers special requested work done on your guitar for an added cost before shipped. Sweetwater employs techs, they are not just a reseller.