The LEAST You Should Know On Guitar

Many guitar players are always wondering if they have holes in their games. If they do it's usually because they lack one or more of these 12 things. Once they are mastered you feel much more secure as a guitarist and are ready to move onto bigger things. Check out all the lessons in-depth at: www.the-art-of-guitar.com also we have a Patreon: www.patreon.com/theartofguitar

[@guilhermearantes8694]

I thought I was terrible at guitar, now I still think I'm terrible but at least I know the basics

[@SuperCakeFTW]

It really feels like the more you know, the more you realize how much you don't know

[@rijalmuzikers5698]

revisiting these basic techniques to see if I'm having weakness on them

[@Nokipify]

Watching youtube is great for the confidence! NOOO :p

[@GoldenGateNum9]

trust me you'll get better!, but it all depends on how good you really want to get, whether one has talent or not, there is never a substitute for hard work and dedication.

[@KoreanTakeout]

Guilherme Arantes how are you at guitar now?

[@upoverandgone95]

For people who use this video as a reference/study guide like me: 00:50 tuning 01:30 read tab and chord charts 02:20 learn open chords C A G E D Am Em Dm C7 A7 G7 E7 D7 and B7 03:50 learn 3 strum patters 04:35 learn your 5th and 6th strings 05:35 learn power chords 06:35 Barre chords E shape and A shape 08:50 know minor pentatonic scale shape 09:55 major scale 10:35 know a major and minor shape 10:55 four lead tech 13:13 muting

[@katycosgrove7083]

thank u

[@Catywampus_Kerfuffle]

I appreciate that public service, good sir. Thank you.

[@MrWillcapone]

I'm not a great player, but I also don't want to be an asshole to anyone just beginning when I say this: this is the very first time I watch your video and know exactly everything you were talking about, and it's validating somewhat. As I said I don't consider myself a great player, but we lose track of how much we already know when we keep comparing ourselves to the absolute best in the business and we believe that what we know isn't worth anything. Which isn't true. And this video reminded me of that. And for that I thank you !

[@CaveManCole]

Man I needed to read that. Thank you.

[@cdreid9999]

The one thing i think we should tell newbies... practice all you can. Noodle a lot. ENJOY it. when youre not enjoyiing it.. do something else (also reading music is CRAZY easy)

[@NeoUno866]

This is the most relatable comment I've ever read.

[@kodytieman3806]

I know all of this stuff but never had a foundation in mind. I feel very confident now that I watched this video and read this comment. I just have to get technically proficient. I have something to go off of now. Thanks guys.

[@vanadficio8208]

Thank you.

[@swam4362]

1. know how to tune your guitar: done 2. learn how to read tab: done 3. be able to read chord charts: done 4. know C, A, G, E, D, A minor, E minor, and D minor and know C7, A7, G7, E7, D7: done 5. Know 3 strum patterns: done 6. know how to name each string and know the notes on the 5th and 6th strings: done 7. know power chords: done 8. know barre chords (A and E shaped): done 9. know the pentatonic scale: done 10. know the major scale on one string: done 11. know bends, slides, hammer ons, and pull offs: done 12. know how to mute: done ok so now I know I don't completely suck.

[@MrSubscriber77]

Swam nice bro, what is your favourite song to play/ practice atm?

[@daddywanks4505]

MrSubscriber77 0 3 5

[@Rezzorito]

@@daddywanks4505 😂😂

[@SmartWentCrazy]

How long did it take you to master all these things?

[@axelfoley3376]

@@SmartWentCrazy I'm pretty sure you can easily "do it" in half a year but mastering anything usually takes years

[@joshuahinz2447]

Clearly every beginner should start off learning Through the fire and flames. I’m disappointed you didn’t bring this up!

[@Pannemat]

Funny, I always thought you should start with the intro riff on Scavenger of Human Sorrow. Must be my mistake, lol.

[@cdreid9999]

Why? either of you? So they can learn to hit notes really fast and make SHIT music? GARBAGE? Much rather them learn something they love and other people who arent hipster bitchs love.

[@KieraQ0323]

Nah, they should learn La Grange first.

[@KidNoah2012]

@@cdreid9999 It's called sarcasm maybe look into it.

[@rijalmuzikers5698]

When you skipped tutorial and jumping straight into Insane Mode

[@ReginaldAnteel]

Man this guy deserves so much credit for teaching.

[@JakobSeidl]

that lp custom looks delicious mike

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

does it have a real rosewood fretboard or the Richlite crap that Gibson is pushing these days?

[@paulmccartney1109]

Well. I don't know what it's made of. Chocolate maybe? Since it's black.

[@Damaged262]

@@GuitarsAndSynths On a Custom? I'm doubting pretty hard it's a Richlite. But, still, that's a damn fine guitar. I normally don't care for gold hardware but it looks pretty good on there with the over all set up.

[@xArsVivendi]

@@GuitarsAndSynths Pretty sure those Gibson Customs have Ebony fretboards, not rosewood or anything else...

[@andrewzanas9387]

My first thought was I didn't think 78 rpms were still being made. There's dating yourself, and then there's uninterring yourself.

[@ak2010utube]

Probably the most informative 15 minutes of youtube video on guitar i've ever watched. Thank you

[@TheMijoAaron]

ak2010utube I know!

[@StilljustHelen]

This is truly the most useful guitar video I've ever come across. It just makes it all come together.

[@TheMijoAaron]

Right! Questions I had were just casually answered.

[@bobbyg65]

I couldn't agree more.. Shows me the basics that I should know down pat... Thankfully I have a good understanding of what he's talking about...

[@francisbouchard7336]

Learn powerchords = Billie joe Armstrong picture 😂😂

[@Mk-cp8eh]

should have used a picture of Kurt Cobain

[@calebhightower6676]

I altogether agree

[@Punttipate62]

@@magyar9479 and billie joe doesnt?

[@derekleinonen3378]

Mk yeah I get that but Green Day uses way more.

[@madamefeast4824]

@@Punttipate62 Eh he can do the shred in the blues box. He always does that live. But every single Green Day song I have ever heard are bar chords or like a G major or C major. Even tho maybe he is more proficient than Kurt Cobain and can get around the fret board better.. no.. no haha Kurt Cobain wrote much more complicated melodies n nice little progressions. And I'm not even a big Nirvana fan

[@stewvlogs5084]

I’m three weeks into learning. It’s really good to see where I should be at or be aiming to get to. Some of these like the strumming patterns I have already nailed. Working on some of the others right now like power chords. About to start learning the pentatonic scale. Know the notes on strings 5 and 6 as well. Just started learning vibrato. Learnt a small amount of muting. Learnt a lot of chords, practicing speeding up my changes and slowing down to perfect my changes. So it’s really nice to see I’m progressing in the right direction. I see learning guitar as a journey and I’m in no rush to reach the destination. I want to learn everything but learn it correctly so I’m putting the practice in every day to get it right. Thank you very good video 👍

[@Vicnsi]

If you work on pretty much all the techniques discussed in this video, absolutely guaranteed, Your friends will be so blown-away impressed with how quickly you've become a good guitar player after only a couple of months. I know this, from first hand experience; coz this is exactly what happened to me! A few months ago, a friend let me borrow his (acoustic) guitar. He was totally amazed about two months later when he came to take back his guitar just how good I had become in just a few weeks - now he's even asking to take guitar lessons from me: true story! This even encouraged me to go out and buy an acoustic guitar of my own...and so my guitar journey continues... 🙂 btw, I can also play Bass and Piano, so being already able to play another musical instrument definitely speeds up the learning process.

[@jacksonroberts7721]

Dang... I’m about a month into playing guitar and I’m still getting comfortable switching between CAGED chords. I’m impressed. I guess we all learn at different paces

[@AustrianEconomist]

@@jacksonroberts7721 Don't forget to read his last sentence, brother. He can also play the bass and the piano already, so that helps tremendously and makes everything WAY easier on the guitar. Don't be discouraged (:

[@jery3385]

@@AustrianEconomistyeah,if you can play bass well,guitar will be rather easy.

[@Apostateoftheunion]

I've been playing for 21 years, but I still find things to learn in your videos. It's truly amazing how slight changes in technique can drastically affect your sound. Thanks for all the great content!

[@BillPeschel]

This was fabulous. I started playing the guitar young, took lessons (I still have the book), and then played a bunch of popular songs with chord books. Watching this, I was impressed with how much I picked up (bending notes, bar chords) and a lot I missed (the three types of rhythms and learning the notes). When I have time to relearn, I can now go farther and feel more confident, because you've shown me the holes in my knowledge. Thank you.

[@LetsPlayLuka]

This video gave me a big motivational boost and a direction to work towards. Thanks a lot. Love your videos.

[@alexkonopka2092]

Hmmm did I hear riffs of Say It Ain’t So and Under The Bridge? 👀👀👀

[@WatchfulBonsai]

best video ever for anyone teaching themselves but stuck in terms of not knowing where to begin or what to focus on next. perfect.

[@jaydenbeck1411]

1. learn how to tune your guitar: done (with a tuning device) 2. learn how to read tab: half done 3. be able to read chord charts... and I'm lost- but I've only been learning for a week without a teacher so I don't think that's bad- right?

[@uffesommerlund6523]

if you like to get on fast approaching learning rhythm guitar ping me I just finished my first guitar booklet out of 5. I sell it for 10euro

[@titobungo01]

I'm pretty early, let me make a joke: My guitar skills

[@stefankovacevic1344]

*ba dum tsssss*

[@mattrickard3716]

Ha ha ha ha... huh #metoo 😫 waaaah!

[@Damaged262]

At least you can still laugh, when I practice, my dead relatives slap me in the back of the head, my late daughter doing the most damage, I can hear her laughing, that's pretty good for 5 years gone. Maybe it's the organs she'd donated, that could be whats smacking me around!

[@paprikaspicy5751]

@@Damaged262 damn, I'm sorry man

[@rijalmuzikers5698]

pick up your guitar and play it, that's the only way to learn

[@Gabriel-rj9gn]

Thank you for making this! Been trying to teach myself to play for two years now. I’ve been feeling like I’ve been trying to piece together a foundation and it hasn’t really been working, but now I finally feel like I’ve found the right guide to really build my base.

[@spaceknight793]

This vid makes me feel good, because I've already taught myself "the least I need to know." So now what?

[@pb12661]

More chord shapes, more scales, more songs, jam with people, study technique/general music theory. Get familiar with a keyboard/Piano. basically more more more...……..FWIW

[@Woods_Hiker]

VERY helpful, especially the different chord variations like 7ths and minors, etc... Thank you 👍🙂

[@mbmillermo]

This is a great intro for a beginning guitar player. I agree with you on what is most important. Another thing I would probably add is about the way tuning causes a change in patterns and chord shapes as we move up a string -- crossing from G to B. For example, the four lowest notes of E, A and D chord shapes are all the same relative notes -- 1, 5, 1, 3. Instead of giving the numbers, I'd play the D chord in first, 5th and 10th positions to demonstrate this. In addition, the C and G shapes, playing four notes and skipping the low 3rd are also the same four notes. You could show this by playing C in 1st, 3rd, 5th, 8th and 10th positions - the C, A, G, E and D shapes.

[@benanderson5379]

This is perhaps the most useful lesson I've ever seen. I've been doing a lot of the 12 things since I began 3 years ago but didn't know how they all worked together. This is the solid foundation you need. Thank you so much!

[@southeastsavior985]

dude when i started playing 6 months ago you were the only person i could stand to learn from on youtube . coming back to this video after 6 months man you have done so much for me dude . seriously you are an angel

[@keoni-2344]

Thanks Mike, I'm a beggining guitar player. This video really gave me a goal to set with every skill you taught. I learned so much just in the time I spent watching . Also, the way you teach is so understandable to even beginning guitarists. Thanks!!

[@grace-4072]

this is my favorite instructory channel because you're never rude and never act like those who don''t know this stuff aren't smart/good at guitar, you just TEACH and that's awesome

[@robbieblackmore7272]

Dude, gotta tell you I love your channel and am really learning a lot from it. Appreciate all the great lessons and your calm, peaceful delivery. Keep up the awesome vids. Thanks so much.

[@gludvig]

Wow! This is the best instructional video out there. In one lesson he literally covers everything you need to know in a logical progression of beautifully described and demonstrated techniques along with the underlying music theory. This one lesson combined wth commitment and practice will transform someone new to the guitar into a musician. Had I had this video as a kid learning guitar I would have saved myself years and years of guitar lessons, bus rides back-and-forth and the frustration of slow piece meal instruction. For me this lesson would have been “the keys to the castle”. What a great example of technology empowering us all. Bravo!

[@Zoomjah]

This is amazing! I've been intimidated so many times I try to learn some guitar. But this video puts things into some really nice quantifiable goals, to get to the point of feeling competent to truly have more fun with it!

[@naav642]

lmao he put an image of billie joe when talking about power chords. You didn't have to do him like that!

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

hey I thought it was Paul McCartney!

[@cralo5431]

I’ve only been playing for almost 3months and this is exactly everything I practice lol good to know I’m not wasting time

[@Max-dr6rz]

Same. I have 4 months of experience. I'm mostly self taught, so I had no idea where to go..glad I'm not wasting time either

[@domi202]

I so appreciate all the fundamental advice , proper techniques , tricks , tid bits etc. thank you brother.

[@maxonmendel5757]

Boy when you dropped Under the Bridge on us I realized how much I was missing some foundational stuff.

[@paulfrank4551]

Thank you. The work you are doing on KZbin is priceless. It means a lot to me. I am so grateful for KZbin because of people like you.

[@franurfrend]

I love this channel, you are a great master and you inspire me to actually teach, keep the good work!!

[@maxrussell2967]

I've been playing the guitar very much on and off since I was 9, but pretty consistently for the last year and a half or so. I'm 21 now This is probably the single most beneficial video I've come across. I can just about hold my own in a jam, but not confidently. I've been struggling to figure out where I needed to go from where I'm now to better myself as a guitarist. I appreciate the guidance!

[@SaxJockey]

This is an excellent summary of guitar techniques. I have picked each one up over time and to see them all summarised here re-inforces the value of them. I would also suggest to experiment/explore the fretboard, take a pentatonic shape and explore either side of it to appreciate its relationship with the rest of the neck, that helps develop your first solo. I knew all the major/minor bar chords in all positions but only yesterday discovered the associated 7 chords; now they have a name - Thanks Mike!

[@itsmeagain1745]

Epic! Thanks Mike - this will give my practice better direction! String bending to a note is worth doing - pick a string/fret and play it then fret the same string 1 fret down and bend up to the note you just played (good ear training). Try with different strings at different places on the neck (different pressure at different positions on the neck, different string guages need different pressure) and try 1 and 2 semitone bends. Pre-bends are fun too (bend, play and check you hit the right note - sort of reverse of the above). Tom Quayle has a very useful video lesson on this here (37 mins)... kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioWclKSshs-Gla8 Thanks again Mike for all the work you put in for us mere mortals :-)

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

mixing up the pentatonic with these things is basis of most rock and metal solos

[@sladen3884]

You are such an incredible teacher! As someone who also teaches guitar (to much smaller audiences lol), stumbling across you has been a breath of fresh air! Pouring through your videos i've learned so much about how to better *teach* guitar from you, and i thank you.

[@OlyaBolt]

You gave me so much more confidence by one 15 minutes video, and so many things got so much clearer. Just wow. And huuge thank you.

[@toddgarman6732]

Everytime I watch another one of your video's I learn something new, love your content and teaching stlye...please keep them coming!!

[@SkippyHatesMe]

One of the best explanations of the fret board I've seen. Awesome job.

[@ryanblumenow]

This is such a great video. Going to develop this as the intro to my practice routine and make a schedule. Great tips. Thank you.

[@stevejohnson7002]

This is a very helpful lesson, especially the discussion of muting with both the strumming and fretting hands.

[@rolene333]

It took me a few years to pick these all up. Definitely comes naturally eventually especially if you listen to a lot of music, but it's nice having all of these in a list. Awesome video

[@toddchavez5671]

I’ve been learning from KZbin and sometimes it’s hard to know if you’re learning things in the right order, so this video was really validating. Only thing I really struggle with is tuning by ear

[@titobungo01]

then why not just buy or download a guitar tuner?

[@miles_lacey]

I have searched for like a million of these guitar teaching videos, and must say this one was by far the most helpful

[@omarethiop6778]

I’ve been playing for a year and have watched countless videos. Martys music, Justin guitar etc. None of them lay out the big picture like this. This is by far the most consolidated and easy to understand tutorial on guitar I’ve ever seen.

[@jimray2281]

Thanks Mike - Great tips, thanks to you and few other KZbin Instructors I'm learning more now than ever before

[@IronandWire]

The wink when you mentioned whole steps vs half steps on the fretboard was priceless.

[@sirjacob2922]

super helpful thank you! been playing for bout a month or so now and didn't know some of those key things this has definitely upped my guitar experience as i can wrap my head around it better. cheers :)

[@RiffRaffish]

This video pretty much had everything. Came up in recommended and was very informative for someone who has only just picked up guitar.

[@VideoNozoki]

This is a GREAT outline of goals to set. (THANK YOU for putting this together!)

[@alanbrown6415]

Great little video showing a good number of the essential skills you need to develop in order to create a solid foundation, on which to build your on-going development as a musician - an invaluable insight from The Art of Guitar.

[@AmmoniakET]

your lessons is very helpful. thanks for sharing all these.

[@ian101284]

These videos have helped my confidence a lot. I was a great singer at a younger age, still comes naturally- I can sing anything. My older sister got the instrumentalist gene, she can play anything. I wrote two songs just listening to you and jamming. I grilled myself on guitar for 10 years and gave up; thought I sucked. Turns out I have the puzzle pieces, just need to put them together. I knew everything you showed, chord shapes etc, scales- just not really how they relate. You are a fantastic teacher. It’s kind of starting to click.

[@estherrenee55]

I haven't played in a bazillion years. Getting a new guitar and can't wait to practice these techniques! Thank you!

[@MrPhins]

I just started learning and have watched countless videos. Even though this wasn't an "instructional" video it's the first one I've watched where I had that lightbulb moment on learning the fretboard and chord names/placement. Subbed...obviously.

[@jakobbruh6366]

I’m learning the pentatonic scales rn and it’s really boosting me

[@avocadoflowmix7171]

very useful lesson, so informative, lots of good tips in so fast pace, amazing, in short time, you went through all like years of learning so quick, from now I will follow your lessons, thanks a lot.

[@elixenramirez740]

This was a great video! Made me realize there are definitely some gaps in my playing but will get to work coach 💪

[@dominicbus2925]

This is by far the best learning channel in all over KZbin! You sir are awesome 👏🏽

[@LEIFanevret]

Awesome guitar teacher! So cool nice down to Earth! Crystal clear!

[@MikeOnBike360]

Amazing! Thank you so much for showing us great things to work on. Cheers, Michael

[@brettneuberger6466]

Fantastic video! Picking things up here and there, as a beginner, Its easy to feel like your just going in circles. (Which is a good reason to get your course.) This was extremely helpful, and it turns out I’m not quite as clueless as I thought. Thanks.

[@jwalters8498]

Great video Mike. Made me feel real good about where I am in my journey.

[@LTVX2]

excellent instruction ! I've never played, but it still made since.

[@DankNarwhal]

I see that string butler. I like

[@Mark-qr4xg]

Markiplier is that you? For real though thanks I have only been playing guitar for only a week and this really helps Edit: Thanks for the heart

[@RyusukePrudence]

@@miko-to2hw congrats

[@Hannahishawt69]

No this is guitarkiplier

[@SmartWentCrazy]

Are you still playing? Did you master the 12 items?

[@Damaged262]

I'd been toying with the idea of adding string trees to all my Gibson/Epi guitars. Now that I see them on your guitar, I'm absolutely doing it. Functional and they just look great on there. I'm glad I came back for another viewing of this great video, I hadn't noticed them first time around

[@tito.tarantula]

Awesome "inventory list"! Great vid as always.

[@TheMijoAaron]

Probly the best guitar learning vid I’ve seen not even joking. Liked, saved and subscribed. Jesus, this really motivated me after a frustrating practice session today.

[@CluelessGent]

Thanks for this. I wasn't sure how well I was doing, but I can do almost everything you included in the video, so maybe I'm not doing too bad. Thanks!

[@martyhafermann938]

Thanks for the tips. Very helpful

[@shreddievanhalen1]

You seem like a super cool guy and very knowledgeable. Glad I found this channel

[@cmmuraca]

i have tried to understand guitar theory for hours. you made it click. perfect demo with vocab . thankyou

[@shahin75pf97]

im amazed with how many good and useful concepts you come up with for your videos!!! well done👍

[@TheArtofGuitar]

It's over 25 years of teaching and 30 years of playing condensed into short little YT vids. :)

[@robertgrimm1723]

Out of all the people that have taught me things about the guitar I have to say this was the most informative. Thank you. Earned a subscriber.

[@fpvollgasgermany7919]

Thats the video ive been looking for. Thank you very much😀 definately subbed👍

[@edstott4080]

Great lesson….You gave a lot of great info…Thank you!

[@stillo1578]

thank you for this very informative video, I am just starting out learning to play the guitar and I can play most of these things but I didn't realise how important they were until your video, thank you very much for sharing it is very much appreciated

[@margita951]

Man I saw this lesson before as I running in again it just clicked timing is everything. As I learned the minimum I know everything. Every day I will practice. A BIG THANKS !!

[@bryanbishop2377]

I really appreciate your calm demeanor and step by step application of knowledge. I've been reading James Shipway's three volumes in one book on guitar music theory and spent a bunch of money on equipment...🙄 Now, I just need skill...🤦🏿‍♂️ I'm a recent EVH fan, even though I'm in my 50's. I heard this band as a teenager, but only now appreciate Eddie's skill. I now know enough to appreciate the incredible capabilities he and other guitar players have. As a former young air guitar player I want to be able to do it for real...

[@shashanksherkar392]

Thanks for all this stuff. I should have found this 5-6 years back when I started playing guitar seriously. Anyway, it just confirmed that the way I am doing most of the stuff you showed correctly. I also do a workout before guitar playing and finger stretching and hand bending exercises before and after each session. This is just to prevent tendon and wrist injuries. Hope we will be in touch and someday I will surprise you with a lead song or perfect song. Thanks again.

[@peters2928]

Excellent! If I was to start over again, I believe this would be a handy reference.

[@cameronbuchanan502]

This was so eye opening and helpful thank you for making this video

[@afonsotopa9164]

I think I know everything and more from the technical parts but thanks to this video I know what I missed from the theory part I would also recommend as a total beginner to use this video as list of what your objectives are, but don't forget to keep learning songs, that's also really important!!

[@chazburger100]

Pretty crazy that he explained everything I know up to my current progress after playing for one year. I guess this is where alot of players get stuck cos its confusing to know where to go from here.

[@LucasTheUltimate]

8:33 Such a tasty, beautiful riff. Frusciante is really a guitar hero.

[@freesk8]

Wow! So helpful! Thank you so much!

[@carfixer1ify]

Great basic fundamentals refresher! Thank you so much!! and Im really feeling the Japanese zen like feel in the back ground!! very cool!! thank you! :)

[@garymaher100]

There are so many little tips that are important but get lost by most experienced players. The one I took from this was to bend right up against the fret wire. I was doing it ok but when I moved it up it was perfect. Thanks.

[@mrs.hollerbredkennels-jana7891]

Such a good video Mike. Thanks!

[@damien2729]

I know you said words in this video, but that guitar is so gorgeous, I couldn't stop looking at it side to side >

[@s.e.n3264]

Such a beautiful guitar! I wish I had a les paul like that one.

[@ricklewis5804]

Excellent video, very useful info.

[@Bartisoft]

What a beatufil Les Paul you got there...congrats !! Nice video...I wish I had all this info available when I was starting to play guitar...like 25 years ago...

[@RaabStephan]

Great video, feel like it deserves a downloadable checklist!

[@englishmanbo]

Helpful information, thanks, perfect timing for me.

[@drdre4397]

I've been playing since November of 2018 so like 5 months. I really got into it and find the thing that hooked me was playing along to my favourite songs. Learning Jimmy eat world I learned what Drop D tuning was. Playing Bowie I learned what chords in a key were. Failing my way through Floyd thought me how important bends are. It's kind of cool because when I finally sat down to properly learn barre chord shapes and other stuff like that, I had a foot in the door. A big step for me was being able to watch someone play and a learn chord shapes and notes in a song that way. Thanks for all the videos, you're prince video is the reason I finally got off my ass and picked up a guitar.

[@markd4768]

Themightyinvader 🖕🏻