The REAL Secret Behind Yngwie’s Great Playing

[@Superjet113]

This was great, thank you for being real and laying it down. Im almost 60 years old and started playing in 1978 when I was 15. What bugs me now a days is that somebody puts up the hard work to teach you a song or a solo note by note, and then people complain there are no tabs! Wow, how lazy can you be. We had to learn by magazines, cassette tapes and records, in other words "by ear". The only time you were able to see your guitar hero was at a concert or magazine.

[@plaidman67]

My Wife and I have seen Yngwie play live about 5 or 6 times and have been blown away, not only by the magnificent playing and showmanship but by his engaging the audience and making us feel as though we're a part of the show. No one is perfect. No one is an angel. I think Yngwie gets a lot of stick mostly from people who are jealous, even if they don't realize that is the cause of their dislike. I personally have nothing but the utmost respect for his amazing ability that he worked hard to achieve.

[@Sphereal]

Yngwie moved to the US as a teen with nothing more than a guitar and a toothbrush. He's now a millionaire, married to a hot woman. The man has every right to be arrogant.

[@garykeller15]

when i started out playing guitar in 1990 as a left handed guitar player. I had the confidence of yngwie and believed in this lie if you work hard and focus and believe you can be and do anything. i practiced 8 hours a day and from 1990-1996 every two weeks of every month i practiced 5 days straight with only 5-15 minutes of rest, sleep, bathroom breaks, eating, etc. in between, basically i played till my fingers actually bled which is why i think is why my middle finger tips and top joint is bent the way they are now. my right hand middle finger tip to the joint leans to the right and the one on the left hand leans to the left hand. So 1996 i been playing and i could not get past barre chords, playing them cleanly getting every note to ring out from the infamous open position f chord in the house of the rising sun to the barre chords in war pigs from black sabbath . Then i realized the old saying elders stated in the past. you must have the talent and be destined by god to accomplish things. If you are not then there will be permanent brick walls, roadblocks you will never get past. No this does not mean you do not still have to work hard, practice to be able to be a musician or whatever, you still have to hone your skills. I have used techniques such as chopsticks which is supposed to increase dexterity, and speed, i believe i was the only one who bought into those subliminal hypnosis tapes scam in the classified of guitar magazines None of these worked. I realized that teachers and parents where telling this great lie of you can do and be anything if you set your mind to it, believe and work hard. That talent and being destined by god has not part in it. Fact is if you are not destined by god and given the talent to do it. You will get maybe as far as i did barre chords, maybe you won't even get that far before you it the permanent brick wall/roadblock and you will go no further and will not improve. I had the yngwie malmsteen thinking back when i started but reality set in and realized he was destined by god to be a musician and was given the talent to do it. where as i was not. people like me god has destined to do other things, things we may not like or even hate to do, but we can not fight our destiny. We can try to fight to become what we want try to do music but we will never achieve due to we were not destined to do it and were not given the talent to do it. This is what is called reality. The proved lie of you can do and be anything if you set your mind to it, believe and work hard at it is a proven lie, fairytale, delusional thinking. I wish i did not waste all those years in denial. There is still a small part of me that believes that delusional lie. By the way i was stuck on barre chords from when i got to them in 92 to 96 when i put down the guitar and stopped playing and have only picked up guitar 3 various times since 1996 that's it. I tried every hand and finger positioning still could not get barre chords to ring out properly it would always be one or two strings that was the issue, especially when you have to use one finger to fret two strings. So after few years trying to get past barre chords and these are basics not the advanced ones, i put my guitar down and have not picked them up maybe 3 times since 1996 but for very short time. Yes i had focused practices, 15 minutes on each topic, string skipping, arpeggios, barre chords, scales, music theory, sight reading, hybrid and finger picking, chords, bends and vibrato, trills, finger independence, etc. then there would be a 5 min break every 3 or 4 segments (changing topics of what i was practicing), Hell i did not even know till i stopped playing in 1996 that why i wasn't getting anywhere with tapping and double hand tapping is because i simply was tapping straight down and not flicking or pushing the string as i tapped and remove the tapping finger, I simply was tapping straight down on that. and it would sound crappy and that would get me not wanting to continue to practice cause i did not see improvement. i also during the later part 0f 95-96 i tried using metronome. 1st the clicking noise bothers me, 2nd i could never get exactly on the beat 3. when i hear others use it. it always confused me because they playing notes before and after the beat. i could not see or tell what they were doing. I have no rhythm , i can not even clap in rhythm. Then there is the old saying i read in guitar magainzes whjere these people giving lessons say if you can not sing, hum the parts you will never be able to play them this was especially directed at fast complicated parts. I learnt a lot of you will not be able to statements are actual facts, while the whole if you work hard and believe and focus you can be and do anything was a lie, also the lie of you don't need talent or be destined by god to do it. That was also a lie. I have not seen clear evidence proving otherwise. Sorry for the long drawn out comment but i simply had to state where i stand on this.

[@vanodyancab9086]

You should stop believing in god 🤣

[@eddiejr540]

I’m gonna be honest…I did not read all of this😳

[@CerealDust-nStuff]

True. If you're 3 feet 2 inches tall, you're not going to kill it in the NBA. I think there has to be a little bit of giftedness or talent there already. I knew how to play drums the first time I sat down to play a set when I was 8 years old, and I've never worked at playing guitar. It's always been just sort of a hobby, but playing Bass, or Guitar, or Piano, has always come very super easy to me. And that's the problem... I don't want to work at it. If I did, I'd probably be a monster musician. I wish I had just 1% of the dedication you had from '90 to '96

[@andrejz8954]

Don't believe in God, but agreed. I have practiced a lot also and just couldn't get past the wall at some point.

[@markdonnelly6921]

If you practiced that much you probably put in the same number of hours malmsteen did.

[@marcozarattini1854]

When l begun play guitar in 1989(also thanks to Yngwie's Trial by fire-live in Leningrad)l'd never thought one day l'd be able to play just a lick from him...today,after many years and influences after (Kossoff,Felder,Walsh,Rossington between the others) l am proud of being able to play the initial part of Rising Force solo...thanks a lot Yngwie...for not giving up...what a guitar...in one word you are MORE(than anyone else)🎸🎸🎸🤟🤟🤟👍👍👍

[@cayvzcult]

FANTASTIC message in this video, Mike!

[@friedrudibega6384]

The world wouldn’t be the same without him. 🤘🎸👍

[@choowie92]

I saw Yngwie in Asheville, North Carolina a few months ago. It was my first time. What struck me was the generosity of his show. He was sharing and not demonstrating. The way he plays is very organic.

[@j.vtrigger813]

Man your videos always inspire me to keep pushing and believe.

[@ralphdamatojr]

THANK YOU !!!! Yngwie is such a cool guy.. he loves to tell stories, which I can listen too all day... Loves to teach... No interview is too big or small for him.. he loves to just talk music... That's a gift for us.. people are unappreciative of what he gives us... Thank you for this video.. well said.. 👍🏻👏🏻🎸🤟🏻🔥

[@geoks]

You are fair for Yngwie 👍 hear the story of his life!! well said!! He is one of the top 10 ever for me!!!

[@LegatoStacatp]

Fully agreed my friend . Malmsteen is the man, an inspiration, and if you’re serious about the guitar there are no excuses nowadays with the internet

[@X1zaaa7]

Great video out of the box👏

[@coltrane1966]

I've watched Yngwie playing and was stood no more than 2 feet away from him and what struck me was that Yngwie's hands are not very big at all or muscular, yet he played like a god. So hand size can't be an excuse.

[@davidhurley5032]

This was spot on.

[@-MRN-]

Agreed. Good channel brother.

[@torarinvik4920]

Great video. Yngwie didn't use to be arrogant in his younger years(he was in his late teens when he started to get well known), I think he started to believe his own hype a bit. Personally I don't like his personality and his playing style, I prefer other players that were equally as fast like: Gary Moore(his earlier stuff), Shawn Lane, Steve Lukather(check out his face melting solo on Hold the line particularly the live clips), John Sykes, Michael Angelo Batio, Tony Macalpine, Greg Howe(for his insane tapping and economy picking), John Norum, Vinnie Moore and many more. But still Yngwie Malmsteen was a huge pioneer in neo-classical rock, and his influence and contribution to the guitar community and the genre is undeniable. I also dislike the attitude that someone needs to play slow, players should find their own unique voice. And if that means playing fast the majority of the time then that's fine. Yngwie has also great phrasing, vibrato and expressiveness on his slower parts so I really don't see the problem. There are situation where players flaunt their speed at the total cost of phrasing and musicality. But this is rather rare, and I have yet to see a famous guitarist that actually does this. I think Malmsteens' talent in undeniable, and according to my guitar teacher Malmsteen contributed a lot by transcribing many classical compositions to guitar.

[@martinopinto6323]

Ahahahahah thanks for putting "BB King plays Malmsteen", what a milestone. I like your channel, is informative but also fresh and fun!

[@nickpapas6496]

02:40 when you made that wimpy voice....🤣🤣🤣 lol, you made my day dude.

[@cyberghost4043]

True 👍❤️Yngwie is a Virtouso I want to learn from him also

[@jeanfrancoisgouezmallea6168]

FINALLY SOMEONE SAYS IT! YNGWIE IS AWESOME!

[@vikramjitbanerjeetuki]

Well said 👍

[@mars6433]

There were 4 milestone guitar players IMHO....Chuck Berry, Hendrix, EVH and Yngwie. Those 4 radically raised the bar for guitar players.

[@Runark79]

Satriani and Vai

[@michaelhall644]

Excellent video Mike! :D

[@Anton_the_Vampire]

Thank you! I'm glad someone FINALLY said this. I am sick & tired of people ragging on Yngwie, yet they themselves have produced so little of note. As for myself, I may be old, bald, fat, have small, stiff hands & all the rest of it, but I don't care. Guitar playing excites me, makes me happy, & I will god damned get better at it.

[@cyberghost4043]

When I first saw Malmsteen Video I said to myself this is it! this is the real thing the benchmark😊

[@sesarsehatsantoso8459]

Hey man thanks man.

[@yourguitarist]

YES!!! 👏👏👏

[@mcsnavely]

Testify, my brother!

[@MeTriviSlipKlokDriva]

This is the correct information

[@loopyzreal]

Glad I wasn’t the only person seeing the loser mentality in the comments section below guitar videos - people giving up too easily and having no confidence nor willpower to practice. I’ve just learned to ignore these people rather than feeding into my anger against them that they don’t have the same grit and confidence as myself when learning new things in guitar.

[@Matthew_Klepadlo]

He did straight up leave a booth where he was signing signatures when there were only two or three girls there. But apparently afterwards he did end up giving them signatures being as kind, warm and apologetic as he could be. Weird. Maybe he thinks he needs to play up the rockstar attitude for the camera and to develop his branding… Maybe he’s a sociopathic a-hole, maybe he eats too many donuts and it gives him gas (which is not fun in his latex and leather pants). Oh wait, what does he say about donuts?😉 I guess I’m feeding into his branding, eh? Find by me! I like myself some hot and steamy linguini Malmsteem-y.

[@scorpionleader1967]

He has earned the right to be proud of himself.

[@mixolydianmuscle2974]

Yngwie is an all-time great.

[@joeylodes]

Amen 🙏

[@RealDeathMetalLover]

People who criticize and talk shit about Yngwie most likely have never heard more than 1 song from him, probably haven't watched a full interview or concert from him and most likely do not know what they are talking about with the claims they make, they mostly repeat what other haters of Yngwie say!

[@DookiedoohdahPRO]

“I dont think about you at all” he says while he files a lawsuit on the hater and takes the video down

[@johanniemann4041]

So true!

[@miikayak]

Yngwie is the GOAT

[@cris_horizons]

you dont know that malmsteen get hard study on Guitar trio dimeola paco de lucia in his earlys 80´s and hard study of scorpions Uli jon roth there is an interview in 1982 when he plays mediterranean sundance , sails of charon etc. before he was in alcatrazz so yep he get some licks from flamenco paco de lucia!

[@realeques]

First time i heard of the guy.

[@jeffsimard8846]

So I stopped listening to Malmsteen decades ago… mostly because that style of music didn’t interest me any longer But anyone that would slag his guitar playing literally isn’t listening First, the man seamlessly blends loads of different techniques together Malmsteen has INCREDIBLE feel and vibrato, and his tone is fat warm and natural His articulation with his pick and legato notes is awesome He pretty much spawned a whole new genre of music single-handedly He broke away from pentatonic box playing and blues cliches I’d truly like to hear anyone who slags Malmsteen play better I can guarantee that they cant

[@gurgensaiyan]

2:17 He's more like Andrew Tate of guitar

[@user-ox6hj6bm3t]

Is the BB King video real?

[@alwinanpazhakan311]

nothing offensive... but i think the video that you mentioned at @1:07 is a fake video.

[@spunkybrewster1972]

Dang. Well said! Yngwie bet on himself, and won big time. Jerk? Maybe. But he sure as hell put in the work.

[@deedrmee2044]

I have adhd, can someone tell me what the REAL Secret Behind Yngwie’s Great Playing is?

[@bogse]

If someone is bragging with Ferraris who cares how he plays. Its all about being a good guy not how good you play.

[@dakisouls5316]

I feel like I dont hear much about Yngwie compared to other guitarists

[@ryan.m990]

Hopefully kirk hammet has or has had this mentality........ Bcus ppl everywhere talk shit about him and what have you ..lol jeeze,if it weren't for Kirk and Metallica, there's no doubt that I wouldn't be playing guitar rn.... Lol ,son of a gun

[@cayvzcult]

People love when rappers be “flossin” but when rockers do it it’s frowned upon. Maybe that’s one reason why rock isn’t mainstream anymore.. people want their rockers to remain in the gutter or else they’re a sellout. Gtfoh w that bs.. I say… Go Yngwie!! 🤘🔥🤑

[@harpsdesire4200]

Well said

[@jeffreymcgahren7110]

Well 30 years ago his music was great and relevant but now no one really cares anymore about shred guitar. Good luck making money with that

[@nicholasdorazio10]

Moronic you were right🤣🤣

[@serranodavid3247]

Haters....

[@angry_karakuri]

they hated h8k bc he told them the truth

[@jordanrush1988]

Welcome to the guitar community. Everyone likes to complain 😂

[@stann6868]

Sounds to me like he just don't let the nay-sayers knock him down. I happen to like that in a person. Just my humble opinion.

[@nigeldewetter415]

Ygnwie is like eminem on guitar, dude's shreds fasters than eminem can rap, and that's a bold statement

[@levisalvini4110]

"Yngwie J Malmsteen, is not just a Guitar player, Yngwie J Malmsteen is GOD" (Alexi Laiho)

[@Runark79]

Yngwie was great!🥰. This guy tho.....likes to tell you not to have an opinion..👎🤦. Hoping that YJM sees hes videos 🤣