The Ultimate Guitar Improvisation Hack

[@rheinhardtgrafvonthiesenha8185]

I’ve been playing over 30 years and wish I could do it all over again. I’m improving allot in the last 5 years or so with the novel concept of actually practicing. My whole career I essentially noodled. I wasn’t a natural and assumed that’s what guitar was and to some degree it is. Some people are just naturally take red and you can tell very quickly, but the majority of us aren’t. So I made my peace that I’d always suck at guitar. I never once practiced picking technique, never learned much more than the first 2 positions of the major, minor and blues scales and then I’d just switch root position on the chord changes and play in the 1 or 2 positions there. For years I played but never bothered to learn anything or even truly practice in the practice sense. I played often but I never actually practiced something to improve it just mindlessly played the same licks hoping they’d sound better. So much of guitar is not a mysterious Bigfoot that only some people see. It’s nose to the grindstone almost left brained math. So many patterns that sound musical are not artistic persay but rather formulaic. The image I always had in my head was of this other worldly artist who just heard things no oft else could imagine and somehow their fingers were able to replicate these sounds as they occurred in their head. That’s likely true for the greats but you don’t need that to be a really really good guitarist. Playing guitar is as much about a person who could crack a code, or solve a cross word puzzle, or guess the answer in a game of hangman quickly. It’s about being clever as much as it is artistic. And when you try to actively learn you will realize this. I’ll never be an amazing artist but I can be a very good guitarist and that’s all I wanted to be. Thanks to guys like this out there!

[@MaxRichMusic]

That is very well said. It's true that the process of improvement is formulaic and methodical. Playing licks can be pattern based, and through that process your ear begins to recognize similar and common patterns. This is how you get to the point of hearing something and having your fingers just go there on the fretboard. There was a time I was completely unable to do that, but through methodical practice of planned out ideas like enclosure, articulation and some others my ear learned how to do that. Keep up the hard work and anybody can get there, it has nothing to do with inborn talent, simply hard work.You're on the right path!

[@Davidz_Harp]

@@MaxRichMusicabsolutely love this comment and response!!!!! Awesome video will apply this method to my harpejji playing.

[@jaywhy3178]

Thanks for posting that. I'm in a similar place, bought my first guitar and took my first lesson over 30 years ago. I've put down the guitar for extended periods of time, partly I think because I got sick of being stuck on the same plateau. Got back into it again, and this time I'm actively seeking out all the `boring` things I avoided in the past. Getting into theory, finding new exercises that challenge me, and even (gasp) practicing using a metronome. I see people much younger than me who shred lightyears ahead of my skill. I'd be willing to bet they put in the work and did the stuff I avoided because it wasn't fun or exciting (or I quit trying because it was a little to challenging and frustrating.) So I'm trying to go at it like I'm a beginner again. Great part is: the internet these days is overflowing with amazing information for learning or improving on guitar (or basically *any* instrument you want.) Shout out and sincerest thank you to MaxRichMusic and all the other youtubers sharing their knowledge so freely. (Also, hopefully hoards of people who appreciate your lessons and info also support you financially so you can afford and want to keep giving the great info!)

[@rvheard]

Great concept! I've been playing guitar for 58 years, and I never once considered this idea, which I shall now incorporate into my improvisation. Many Thanks!

[@MaxRichMusic]

That's awesome to hear! So glad you enjoyed the video

[@VladimirVladimirovich1952]

Played for 58 years and never considered this technique? Pfft pathetic.

[@tatern3923]

This is one of those things players like me do and don't realize they do, and when they understand there's a method to their madness, it's a light bulb moment. Cool to actually understand the "math behind the music" and feel like i'm more in control of what i'm doing because I understand a little more of what I'm doing.

[@MaxRichMusic]

That's awesome dude! The same thing happened to me when I realized I was doing this type of thing and had that same lightbulb moment. Thanks for watching!

[@BiiirdMusic]

I don't say this often, but you deserve way more love. Never heard of this before. You've got a new fan in me.

[@MaxRichMusic]

Thank you so much! I appreciate it very much

[@maxkelter3561]

Enclosure, great concept for experimenting. Thanks.

[@MaxRichMusic]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@rafa_guitar]

Hey Max, I just discovered your channel, it is full of quality lessons, congrats and thank you very much!

[@MaxRichMusic]

Thanks so much, I'm really glad you like them!

[@catherinegoodsett-wein3313]

Thank you so much, for this very helpful video. Other videos tried to explain enclosure to me, but left me frustrated. Thanks for making me CONSCIOUS of this pattern of tension and release! You helped to relieve my frustration!

[@MaxRichMusic]

I'm so glad to hear it!

[@davidmcgibany2274]

This is a cool lesson! I heard the riff to the Grateful Dead’s Turn on your Lovelight with this. Which makes sense because Pigpen was a total blues guy.

[@MaxRichMusic]

That's really funny, that makes total sense now that you mention that song! I wasn't even thinking of that, but maybe it was in the back of my mind somewhere haha. Thanks for watching!

[@larryherbert252]

Exactly the way I’ve been playing (lol). Great idea, so many ways to play guitar, just as you said not playing a scale up and down, play the 2 outside notes and then the inside note(s) really great! I like your teaching and also you said put a rhythm to it( not to sound robotic)Thanks

[@bernicekemp953]

Thank you very much Max ... I think this will be a useful exercise.

[@boilermakerslash8166]

I learned some good tips from you bro thanks .

[@Tomtoms-tomtoms]

Thanks a million for this.. I’ve been stuck in a rutt for AGES and really struggling to escape.. this is very inspiring 🙏🤟😎🤟

[@MaxRichMusic]

So glad!

[@MetaphysicalMusician]

When I learn this it changed everything.I started listening to Charlie Parker...and heard TBone Walker..Micheal Schenker..Warren Dimartini using Parker's concept of enclosed notes..then I found that Warren listens to Sax players and Angus Young listens to Louis Armstrong

[@MaxRichMusic]

Yeah man, it's literally everywhere in music. Once you hear it it's impossible to not notice it. Glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching!

[@pratyushchanchal9253]

Great lesson. Thank you. You are amazing.

[@MaxRichMusic]

That's really nice of you...thanks for the compliment and keep an eye out. New video coming today!

[@WrynnCZ]

Nice technique, thanks Max. Cheers! 💚✌ I never liked those kinda mastrubations around pentatonics, this is more organic for me and for my construction on improv.

[@zaldum386]

Great, time to get to work on these

[@lucidityaudiofidelity7359]

Thanks! Awesome lesson.

[@MaxRichMusic]

Glad you liked it, thanks for watching!

[@yinyanger]

Wonderful explanation!

[@MaxRichMusic]

Thank you!

[@darkomtobia]

Subbed. This is good.

[@MaxRichMusic]

Thank you so much! I look forward to making more content that you can use and enjoy.

[@michaelolz]

Can’t believe I never did this. 😖

[@philsheridan1454]

This concept ended one of those long plateaus …. Much appreciated

[@harolddavis4138]

Groovy, this may be another part of the missing link.

[@frannyp46]

Listen to the intro to crackling Rosie.Great lesson by the way.

[@MaxRichMusic]

Thank you!

[@JP-ce1xw]

Pure genius 👍👍

[@ZPX945]

Nice lesson!

[@MaxRichMusic]

Thanks! 😃

[@arunviswanathan5555]

Cool lesson dude! Subbed!🎸🎶🔥

[@MaxRichMusic]

Thanks for the sub!

[@roybatty6328]

Good idea.

[@MaxRichMusic]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

[@moGear6253]

you said it if you know .. im mently chalanged dislexic to be exzact its been a long haul and instructors never wanted to point me or send me in the right direction,, lots of people get it i struggle with it

[@joev4483]

sweet! thanks ...

[@MaxRichMusic]

No problem! Thanks for watching!

[@TockProductions]

If only all guitar teachers had your level of chill and humility... it can really help stoke the fire in people trying to improve. Come teach @ my music shop 😆

[@MaxRichMusic]

Haha thanks!

[@Busby-di3my]

Intro's f.a.b as well! Can we do that?

[@CAB1701]

U sound extremely wealthy Max Rich. Great lesson anywayz 🤘

[@MaxRichMusic]

Hahaha, I wish! Thanks for watching

[@davidbowen2779]

signed up but no free tab or reply?

[@MaxRichMusic]

Sorry to hear that. Please send me an email with the correct address you used to sign up and I'll get that sorted out for you. [e-mail]

[@johnthorpe8341]

I HAVE A WEAK PINKY AND TIGHT WEBBING INBETWEEN MY FINGERS SHOULD I GIVE UP NOW

[@MaxRichMusic]

No! Definitely not.

[@Davidz_Harp]

I’m a roofing contractor so I’m always working with my hands and I often gets injuries mostly minor but occasionally more severe. This one time I fell and dislocated my right index finger and cracked my right scapula. Needless to say I was in a sling for almost 2 months. I happen to play a really cool instrument called the harpejji. I was so frustrated because I couldn’t use my dominant hand. Out extreme frustration I used those couple of months to increase the speed and dexterity of my weaker left hand. My point is we can often use our disadvantage to our advantage.

[@TheGeniuschrist]

These enclosure licks are similar to ragtime licks.

[@MaxRichMusic]

They definitely can be...some of that has to do with the fact that jazz players use enclosure a lot and the ear tends to associate techniques like this with genres in which they're often used. But like the last lick or the first one, you can essentially incorporate enclosure into any style.

[@TheGeniuschrist]

@@MaxRichMusic it's good stuff, for sure

[@jeffreeman9499]

Should have done your concept to a track as an example.

[@Ones_Complement]

This kinda naturally just happens if you incorporate rolling in your lead playing.

[@dennisneo1608]

I think this could have been taught a little clearer.

[@liamoconlocha3264]

No he is excellent, maybe ye need more knowledge of the basics