Taylor Swift Might Be a Better Guitarist Than You! (9 Reasons)

[@rome8180]

I watched her Tiny Desk Concert and was really impressed. When you strip away all the big production, you realize what a talented musician she really is.

[@defhoez449]

If she ever decides to release an acoustic album...I'd be one of the first to buy it.

[@ishane]

DeFHoez folklore has a lot more guitar and piano in it

[@kadenthrower878]

I’m glad someone in the guitar community is putting some respect on her name. There are plenty of talented, beautiful, tall, blondes that don’t have even half her career in the industry. She’s one of the only pop artists of this generation who still writes by herself (the entire speak now album) and she’s played guitar at every one of her shows for the past 13 years. All of us guys (and girls) could learn a lot from her.

[@JeevesMorris1]

Kaden Thrower barf

[@luciagianneschi6700]

Thank you !

[@yayayuki8542]

@@JeevesMorris1 No u.

[@BibleStorm]

Except Ed Sheeran and Max Martin (probably mark ronson too) write songs for her. And use the same 4 chords as they do for everybody elses songs. I almost miss the fake country C-C-F-G style from when she blew up.

[@dayumwayne9700]

@@BibleStorm nope, she's been started writing on her 3rd grade, and she started rhyming them with music instruments when she was 9, her teachers even acknowledge her for her brilliance.

[@alext9215]

And she has intense facial expressions to reinforce the lyrics while playing and singing. It's an underrated skill.

[@afonsotopa9164]

If u want an intense facial expression go watch Paul Gilbert, THAT'S intense

[@brubarurno]

@@afonsotopa9164 ok boomer

[@stretchopotomus2385]

@@brubarurno what are you implying? or are you just trolling?

[@Ren21727]

Since when are intense facial expressions the criteria for being a good guitar player???

[@da324]

@@brubarurno Stop with the stupid fuckin' boomer shit. At least that generation can change a goddamn tire without help.

[@inflago]

I realize that she has a massive fanbase, but I'll never get the hate Taylor Swift gets. She actually writes almost all of her songs, and is at least very competent at guitar and piano. What more do you want from a person?

[@riyazuo]

Plus, she also fought for artists' rights

[@chasewillian9010]

Hell yeah dude.

[@gloriousxweirdo]

She writes ALL of her songs.

[@idontwant2beasoldiermama241]

I want her to ride a dinosaur

[@heroe1486]

"really competent at guitar and piano", dude I couldn't disagree more, it's basic stuff, meanwhile amateur guitarists with less time put on their instruments are called jerks even if they play 10x better than her just cause it's not perfect.

[@hamcronation1460]

The people hating are the same people that thought they were playing “Brown Eyed Girl” correctly.

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Exactly!!!

[@boxieracorn8445]

HAMCRO Nation Van Morrison is an extremely underrated guitar play. Really cool the way he plays with dynamics in some of his songs.

[@mcbrodz1663]

The trick is to not play brown eyed girl, you can’t fuck it up if you don’t play it

[@voxextremos22]

try learning Joe Satriani or Eric Johnson then tell me Brown Eyed girl is hard

[@Masonelijah]

HAMCRO Nation hahahahahaha

[@Kris_Bartlett]

The biggest reveal is Mike's been using her calendar for the last 10 months.

[@ksenijajemensek6126]

Taylor Swift is super talented. She can play the guitar, the piano, the banjo, the drums. She writes all her songs, she sings her songs. She fights for artists’ rights. She’s a beautiful beautiful angel who has a heart of gold. She’s one of the very few artists who ALWAYS say thank you to her fans. She’s grateful. And Tiny Desk Concert shows her abilities as an amazing singer, an amazing guitar player, an amazing songwriter and an amazing storyteller. I love this concert and I love and respect Taylor. I wish I could meet her one day.

[@mariefreeman2034]

spot on

[@maximthefox]

I think there is this huge problem with prejudice around the music industry in general. People are extremely quick to call an artist talentless or bad because they're a mainstream pop artist or a rapper. More often than not, mainstream artists are very talented, I'd wager it'd be quite difficult to find an artist in the mainstream that isn't.

[@marianella2551]

She doesnt play drums

[@YourvitamineD]

@Noble Failures she plays banjo and in case you might didn't see it

[@bradwilliams6550]

James Afif Alexander I think he may be right, I can’t find any videos of her playing banjo, but there’s tons of videos of her playing banjitar. Looks and sounds like a banjo, but it has 6 strings and standard guitar tuning.

[@andybowen1249]

Taylor Swift isn’t some manufactured fake artist.Shes a legit country artist who clearly knows music theory and writes her own stuff

[@DittoGod]

she's definitely out of her "country" phase

[@minoriruba1828]

Yeah....but that doesn't mean she's less talented now!!!!

[@colleenwalsh7577]

Andy Bowen yeah she is brilliant

[@foxyvv816]

She became better when she explored other genre

[@ericb.1384]

Except she isn't country, and Max Martin writes her music. She just does lyrics. Not taking away from her skill though

[@OdaKa]

People really take the actual skill of these artists for granted.

[@TamannaDas]

Yeah, the drama around their personal lives overshadows it.

[@T25de]

That’s bcuz ppl like Nickelback get radio time

[@evacody1249]

Not really. Can I play as good at Taylor? No I would first have to learn. But is Taylor better then someone who has been at it longer and knows how to play leads and rhythm? No she's not. Now just because I don't play guitar does not mean I can't say that. I listen to a lot of bands and different guitar players. Taylor would be near the bottom of best guitar players in the world.

[@rherd]

@@evacody1249 this is so far from the point. She's never set out to be the worlds best guitar player. The point is even though she's writing smash hits for pop and country, she is also a fully capable and skilled musician at several instruments. Shes created more success in music than 99% of musicians to ever exist. I personally, couldn't care less about listening to music just because it has difficult guitar patterns or whatever. Shes set out to write and create hit albums that people can listen to and sing along with for years to come, she's succeeded and far exceeded in that goal. Just don't dismiss her as a untalented musician just because she's in pop music and you'll have understand the point of the video.

[@doublegaming5958]

@@rherd yeah Taylor Swift is a success and one of successful artist right now, but she is more success than 99% musicians ever exist? I've never seen some bullshit and dumbest shit in my life. At what point you think "success" mean? Winning a lot of Grammy and awards? Bullshit, everyone know Grammy is some shitty awards that just meant for Americans. Winning Grammy Doesn't mean you're success and better than other artist. If you think success is based on how many Grammy and awards somebody got, then she is more success than The Beatles which is stupid. Success is how you changed the music which is didn't happen since 90s. Bob Dylan, Joan Jett, Rachel Goswell doesn't win a single Grammy during their prime time does that mean them are not successful? There are a lot underground artist that more talented and know what they are doing but nowhere get attention, Not disrespect to Taylor but your statement is very very dumb.

[@temsulonglemdur2497]

She's been plucking and using mutes her entire career. It's just that people don't give her enough credit for her guitar skills.

[@patrickclark3337]

I'm not sure why you would have doubts about Taylor Swifts guitar playing abilities. She's got a Taylor guitars endorsement and has been playing since she was a child. She's been a professional musician for most of her life and played thousands of live shows. She writes her own music and performs it herself as well as sings which she's been doing for ever too. I have no doubt that she is a great musician and a competent and able guitar player. Now she probably not a shredder or anything like that but she's definitely better than most guitar players that don't do it for a living and even some that do.

[@endergranger4522]

Thank you for saying this

[@Bigheadedwon]

Tom Petty played the guitar since he was a kid, but he was a pretty average player, maybe to the lower end of average considering he had been playing for so long.

[@shaun8459]

She is categorized as a pop musician and has a mega production when performing live. Most other pop musicians that do this aren’t skilled with instruments (and most can’t play any instrument at all). That’s why many assume Taylor Swift lacks such abilities. Guilty by association.

[@josefinaazpiroz9526]

Also how good at eye contact she is most of the time guitar players are really focused on what tey're playing but you can tell she not really thinking about it, she moves around looks at the audience. She really engages with whats around her and that shows what a great performer in general she is. Btw on tours she leaves this open segment where she plays a surprise song that it either an old one of hers or its from another artist. That shows great versality, to one night play a song that you havent played in years and another play one from another artist is a feat in itself. You should really check out her surprise songs youll love them

[@josefinaazpiroz9526]

I also think that the reason she has such a great sence of rythm is not only because she writes her own songs so she know not only the topline but also the baseline and wher they came from, but also because she plays multiple instrument. When she recorded 1989, theres behind the scenes footage that show her playing the drums, and adding percusion sound with her feet, and her heartbeat and rain drops. She really thinks the sound through so i think thats why she is able to play so well. Other than the fact that she is clearly gifted at music in general

[@TacticalxRecon]

@@josefinaazpiroz9526 Who plays guitar while looking at it lmao Have you seen john mayer?

Alexandra Hendstridge usually if you only play chords you don‘t have to look at your hand. Unless you are a beginner at guitar.

[@kaleidoscope6623]

Tactical x Recon you’ll be surprise at how may people look down on their guitar while playing it

[@evacody1249]

She is not playing lead though. The best guitar players focus on what they are doing and make eye contact when need because if they fuck up you will know it. And you really think when a rock or metal band is playing with a full on Orchestra Epica kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4vYnHt_Zttphrs Bring Me The Horizon kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqiyo2BpmthobKs They better be on point and not fuck up there is no do over with that Now lets see Taylor play lead and rhythm.

[@nee_nee_]

Taylor Swift is a great songwriter, the problem is that most guitarists happen to be stuck in classic rock.

[@trislovescats]

TEAAA

[@reesh7550]

this is so true to many guitar hobbyist

[@envioleta4966]

truuuuu

[@pipebombhs1412]

Coz electric guitar= rock n roll. Acoustic can explore you diff genres

[@jefflevesque5316]

She's an OK musician. A very successful writer. She's a solid rythym player for what she does and it works. If a guitar player has been doing the craft for any period of time there will be studies in Jazz, Country, Rock etc. Would I hire her as a straight rythym player? I dunno, I've only seen her play about 5 chord positions.

[@chiparooo]

I watched that Tiny Desk concert on a whim when it came out and was blown away. Just a great performance even if you’re not a fan for all the reasons you state Mike.

[@jamesmoon5632]

Chiparooo i watched it and was also impressed wish i was as good as that

[@kdrake777]

You could do a series called “What We Can Learn From....” Taylor Swift, Angus Young, etc.

[@AliJr_MetalGames_MetalGuitar]

Yes

[@Axess-sv8nq]

When you change that calendar behind you to next month, it'll be 'back to December'........... I'll see myself out.........

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Nice!!!

[@biancateachey2207]

Axess2084 I actually like that comment you used one of her songs in your comment i actually like that song

[@Yesh77777]

I’ve never played in heels you got me there

[@sebione3576]

Your comment flew under the radar, but I liked it to give it a little push so hopefully more people see it.

[@TheBeatle49]

I used to wear cowboy boots in a CW band. No effin' fun.

[@u2buserusingu2b95]

Michael Brook, some cowboy boots are comfortable. I stay away from Justin boots, though. I don’t know how anybody can wear those things.

[@stretchopotomus2385]

LOL, I'm a girl and I've never played in heels. I do wear heels, but I'm a little person and I like big heavy guitars, so the thought of simultaneously wearing heels and a guitar as big as me is slightly daunting! That's before performing halfway decent even comes into the question.

[@stelladevania3607]

😂😂😂😂😂 why do i relate to this 😂😂

[@Ty-mu7gl]

She's a really expressive performer, and I really admire that about her. It's so crazy, she makes it hard to take your eyes off her performance!

[@davidwollpert5276]

'John Mayer-like rhythms." Yeah, uh, she wouldn't like that comment.

[@serenitymercer]

And she's always done rhythms!

[@stacystupid4083]

LOL

[@ellieanneauthor]

That's an oof

[@ThisIsMego]

My thought was "Didn't she use to date him?"

[@TanguyBlanchard]

Love brutal honesty like this. Give credit where it's due, even if you hate the genre. Brilliant!

[@anant8884]

@Luke Robinett true man.. respect

[@ashrendar7173]

I'm gonna let you in on a secret about female guitarists a lot of us have to play our guitars that low on the strap because certain aspects of our anatomy get in the way lmao

[@nyekawhitaker1083]

😂😂😂 lol truee

[@ceb4382]

Here is the guy's secret. For us , it's purely style. Above the junk or below the junk. Never right in front of the junk. Why? You can figure that out for yourself. lol

[@battarabbit8827]

Really? I'll have to tell my certain parts of anatomy this. Maybe height is an issue, but it's not an issue for many women. Playing the guitar down low has more to do with how you play, and how cool you want to look. I like it under my chin. Not.

[@hitismeduh]

CEB I think Dean Ween said that was the first thing his guitar teacher ever taught him 😂

[@kamallb4650]

😏😏

[@wendyh7513]

Nice video! I find it disturbing how many people in this community think it's 'humiliating' for a woman/pop artist to be better than them. Of course she is better - she's a professional. There's misogyny and snobbery behind it. Also, what's with people saying 'you must have a crush on her'? Sounds to me like he just respects her talent? You can appreciate women for their work without wanting to bone them, it's 2019 chaps. Everyone should REALLY listen to the first track she plays for NPR.

[@RickyTickyTV]

@Wendy H Who has said its "Humiliating" though? I don't think i have ever heard that from anyone, not even once. Taylor Swift is a great songwriter and guitarist. Just because this guy (who i have respect for and his channel) makes a click bait video, doesn't mean the guitar community hates Taylor Swifts' guitar skills lol... you cant deny someones skill just because you don't like their music and most people in the guitar community are familiar with her country albums/roots so I'm not sure any are threatened by Taylor Swifts playing-ability but respect it. Honestly, I have been playing guitar for 16 years and have heard more people shit on the guitarist from Nickelback than anyone else. You can't shit on someones skills because of gender, height, weight or anything else. Skill is skill. Perhaps people complain about her music but not her skills.

[@Shadows921]

THANK YOU!!

[@tunadoomshitpost]

bruh no one's saying that y r u white knighting

[@toddchavez5671]

If you think Taylor swift has it bad you should read some of the comment sections on a St. Vincent video. I think there’s a certain subset of elitist guitarists who hate anything that isn’t blues or dad rock

[@parengthonycastillo4272]

We are not hating any just because she is a woman. We are just angry because the guy on the video is comparing real musicians to a famous personality who have no any proper musical background in repertoire or conservatory. I acknowledge her songwriting skills but telling us she is a better guitarist than anyone is kind of insulting. I am a musician who have crafted my skills for years of practicing in unlimited of hours of intense training. I hate comparing skills in music but if someone compare us with a famous personality who I believe doesn't have any proper music studies, is a little bit rude or disrespectful. Will a musician get mad or be angry because of this? Yes! Will I consider Taylor Swift as a musician? No! I only accept Taylor Swift as a good songwriter/singer/performer and that is all. But if she can write songs or sing a melody in 5 or 7 notes per bar, maybe I will consider her as a musician because a true musician only writes songs in noted melodies and not by chords per verse.

[@JuskoLord247]

I'd like to add more... #10. Her ability to hit the perfect chords without looking down the guitar while singing. #11. Her ability to hit the perfect chords playing guitar while walking the stage during her concerts. #12. Her ability to rap while playing guitar. ...And so on... She's got extra talent where her abilities tops other pop musicians. She's not your ordinary pop star doing lip-sync and auto-tune shit at live shows!

[@coderainbow2581]

“Rap” when playing guitar pls fucking link that to me 😂😂😂

[@jeremiahh.3865]

IKRRR i still cant do that after years of playing guitar

[@LordStompyHarpLoonyTunes]

Rap isn't a skill

[@Lochness19]

@@coderainbow2581 Lose Yourself was a regular part of her concert setlists when she was starting out, she apparently covered it 29 times, although she was only doing the first verse and chorus. Still I feel like having to play the chords on guitar while rapping is pretty tricky because the rhythms are kinda different... kzbin.info/www/bejne/enKQeWyGiJ2ghMk&ab_channel=rc34rhp

[@JuanHernandez-mw9zt]

@@LordStompyHarpLoonyTunes You're entitled to your incorrect opinion.

[@MarkHindenaturalbodybuilder]

#10 she writes hit songs over and over, for over a decade, with just her guitar, on her own. No one else is doing that right now.

[@patricklim4314]

silly. A ton of other artists are doing it. Noel Gallagher , John Mayer , Damien Rice , just to name a few.

[@jonathanvelez4182]

You do know most of her hits are written by someone else right.

Mark Hinde Bad blood and shake it of are songs just with her guitar?

[@kaleidoscope6623]

SirSpliffaLot 46 her songs are written with a guitar or a piano, even the songs with heavy productions.

[@Lex-jj7hb]

@ Even heavy production stuff starts out with her and a guitar or her and a piano. Google "Taylor Swift The Making Of A Song". She did them for the reputation era where she recorded herself in the process of writing and coproducing songs. For instance, here's one for King Of My Heart: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYHEloRsbLmjnac

[@orange-rv9ek]

Hey if you have never heard the story of Dave Grohl's about Taylor Swift following Paul McCartney on piano at a celebrity party while he was freaking out then you should Google it. She's a much more technically proficient musician than your average pop star today. Great content Mike!

[@coderainbow2581]

Yeah I saw that interview someone in the comments said that she can play stuff by ear is she just listens to it so it’s cool for someone like Taylor Swift who i at first kinda assumed was just like Justin Bieber or Ariana grande or something

[@Bhawna03]

She can play a 12-string guitar too. In fact that's how she originally learned to play guitar :)

[@pilyswiftie8316]

Thanks to that guy who fixed her computer for teaching her a few chords 💕

[@quezlark7875]

In all fairness playing a 12 string is just about the same as 6 just sounds way fuller. Same chord shapes for the most part.

[@Lex-jj7hb]

One of my fave clips of her playing a 12 string: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKmQZpV-mqhprtE

[@tenamsalsangma2402]

@@quezlark7875 true

[@bimshake]

If you can play 6-string guitar, you instantly can play 12-string as well, it's same tuning, same chord shape. 12-string guitars is just like a double barreled shotgun.

[@valepakh]

I heard "Her ability to play "Under Pressure" is incredible" lol

[@CorbCorbin]

valepakh Ooo da lay!

[@sebione3576]

Vanilla Ice disagrees.

[@jani11]

people on streets!

[@yoannam.2243]

Same

[@cfos118]

She’s extremely talented. End of.

[@synuscos1685]

@Elnatã S.Gonçalves meh Iearned all of this stuff in my 3 first months playing guitar

[@rocknrollresignation93]

The Bearded Discussion it’s not my thing but dude you’re lying to yourself if you say she isn’t talented. She’s a whole package.

[@ErikQuintanillaMusic66]

@@synuscos1685 your obviously still new. A decent guitarist knows getting the fundamentals of guitar takes a very long time since you'll essentially always be working on them your entire life but whatever be a dick if you want.

[@MarkHindenaturalbodybuilder]

I'm not ashamed to say I am a fan of Taylor. Haven't owned or downloaded music in 15 years, but i enjoy pop. Most middle aged men do to a degree.

[@SeanZraft]

@@BeatlesCentricUniverse or all too well

[@fpereira77]

Can she play a G chord? Any chord? Yeah, she's better than me lol

[@francoperez4593]

Next video: 9 reasons why Lil' Wayne might be a better guitarist than you

[@TheArtofGuitar]

No no, you're way better than Lil' Wayne. Way way!

[@ashydayz1337]

@@TheArtofGuitar me too?🥺

[@tjdonaldson6923]

Hahaha that was my first thought when I read the video title

[@sebione3576]

Reason #1: you don't have hands.

[@Cuzjudd]

Stevie T likes this

[@lastsundaydrive]

Girl knows more than she lets on. She just doesn’t need it for her art. As Dave Grohl once said “Anyone can make a song like radiohead, but can you make it...POPular?”

[@skatefood]

i dont get the dave grohl quote.. "anyone can make a song like radiohead"????? i strongly disagree unless thats the joke

[@DanJanTube]

I've been bedroom playing for 25 years but my immediate reaction was "Of course she is!" She's a professional recording and touring artist at the peak of her game.

[@colleenwalsh7577]

She is one of the most talented musicians out there today. People need to give her more credit. Listen to The Man on the Lover album and you will understand why she is so frustrated with the music industry and the media

[@JenniferJiang2013]

That and watch Miss Americana the documentary

[@tylerhonsel8136]

Taylor is one of my favorite artists period. She’s multi talented as a musician, lyricist and vocalist! Thank you for the insightful video, giving acknowledgement and praise where it is clearly due. Overall great analysis!

[@Gichanasa]

Doing all of the mentioned things in a stadium filled with tens of thousands of people... playing live and not lip-syncing... I would say that's some solid talent and hard work.

[@frmcf]

Ed Sheeran is also a surprisingly good guitar player. Or at least he’s got a couple of techniques that aren’t so easy to imitate.

[@AydarItkulov]

Now that guy is a ultra player. At least that's what i see. They way he have his way (sorry) around the instrument. It's not just that slapping shit or whatever it is:) I think he's 100% legit.

[@foreignmornings]

Not the biggest fan of his music but can't argue that the dude is a whole lot better on guitar than people give him credit for

[@accountsequity5587]

peachy Agreed

[@RijuChatterjee]

Ed Sheeran is _absolutely_ a better guitar player than most people reading this

[@BibleStorm]

Fucking shit music though

[@juno5589]

no matter what any insecure guitarists have to say abt taylor, nobody will ever convince that shes not a musician who cares abt her music

[@saywhat9158]

Having an innate sense of rhythm has to be one of the largest advantages and most difficult things to teach and learn compared to the physical mechanics of playing.

[@jimg8083]

Mike I've always enjoyed your videos and had a lot of respect for you as a musician. Now my respect has doubled. I'm not a Taylor Swift fan. I'm not a Justin Timberlake fan. But I can listen to both of them and watch them perform and tell how extremely talented they are. Anyone who writes, sings, plays multiple instruments well and even has gone into producing is okay in my book. Even if I never ever ever liked their music! (pun intended).

[@PNWRideAlongs]

Seriously I was blown away when the lead singer of NSYNC became a legit solo act. Also for all the shit Beiber gets I am impressed that he can play multiple instruments also.

[@kamallb4650]

Are u into acoustics?

[@prtauvers]

Until this vid I never even thought to listen to anything from Swift, so thanks for the heads-up, esp about the Tiny Desk gig. One aspect that it brought home to me is that writing songs should also be on your list: how many of the 30 million guitarists out there have written a whole song? How many have written a hit song? I know guitarists who never even try to or want to improvise in a well-known song, but just play by the book...so, using your guitar creatively, not just dynamics and technique, puts her another million notches above guitarists like me.

[@TheRisingIcarus]

A lot of people will immediately underestimate anyone with the label "pop artist" without actually looking into their work

[@samraffertymusic]

I think she definitely is a lot better than people give her credit for. And now this has inspired me to go and practice. Thanks Mike! 👍

[@ardi1606]

I will admit her skill if she plays barre chrods atleast once.

[@cjsheu]

Her now playing "John Mayer" chords would be the height of irony

[@Darkfusion280]

Taylor Swift is much better than me at guitar - particularly in her style. That said, I have mostly studied classical guitar, and lord knows it is a whole separate beast from Taylor's playing. Props where it's due, and thank you for giving me a new perspective on Ms. Swift's performance!

[@domblidoo2500]

Damn, I was ready to see a troll video in slightly bad taste to help inflate my ego, but now I'm just bitter that she's probably better with an acoustic guitar in her hands than me. God dangit

[@Viper-dz2kw]

Good lord I know way too many musicians who don’t understand the importance of dynamics

[@stefan1024]

Somebody has a little crush on TayTay ... ;) Seriously, I'd say that almost all professional musicians are quite good on their instrument.

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Little crush? Nah, Huge-ass crush! haha

[@stefan1024]

@@TheArtofGuitar hahaha

[@rome8180]

@@bobito3861 there are a lot of pop stars who are objectively terrible singers. They have to be autotuned live. (I consider the voice an instrument.) This isn't as true for other instruments because you can replace a guitarist or bassist easier than a singer. A singer is often there for their personality and appearance as much as their voice.

[@Viper-dz2kw]

Auston pretty sure that she is, in fact, a girl

[@matthewtaylor808]

all professional musicians except Nick Jonas

[@brandon8667]

Probably. She literally does that for a living

[@afiqakmal6676]

There’s reasons why she’s ARTIST OF THE DECADE you know ?

[@pipebombhs1412]

Those are irrelevant lmfao. Overproduced mainstream pop gets it all. Here its about guitar playing

[@pouisca]

@@pipebombhs1412 Do you even know who are the other artists of the decade? D-E-C-A-D-E! Not artist of the week. It's not everyone who get that title. And I'd like to hear your 9 albums (in 3 different genres with at least 50 songs written by yourself). I'm waiting.

[@elizabethjulia20]

This video was so well put! So many people evaluate the skill level of a musician by the crazy riffs or skills they display, but mastering the basics to the degree she has and under the circumstances she does, and the versatility with which she does is a finely honed skill of guitar as accompaniment. That in itself does make her a great guitarist, we undervalue simplicity in music, we want the belted notes and impressive riffs... but that's not always what sounds the best or what determines skill or talent.

[@noahsianez1119]

(sees title, thinks "Yeah right", goes to pick up guitar) *Guitar:* "Just gonna do the same old pentatonic scale, right kid?" *Me:* "What? No... I mean I was gonna... (sigh) yeah I was."

[@mosaicbrokenhearts1113]

I love how everyone here gives credit to her talent! She's the reason why I picked up my first guitar!! 💛

[@alexraphael6534]

Everyone talks a good game until they have to play a Taylor Swift song all the way through. Fact. :P

[@Cuzjudd]

Putting respek on Taylor's name

[@danyjeff4447]

Taylor swift: - Strong sense if rhythm -She can play with her guitar low - She can sing while playing James Hetfield: "Hold my Beer"

[@lazylegolars]

But how fast can she down pick though? :D

[@princemjbp695]

So James Hetfield = Taylor Swift 😲 It's ok. I'm a Metallica fan

[@agaf2389]

Many guitarists are way better than me lol :D but every day I do what I can to improve :)

[@theodorberza9933]

Best mindset!

[@yudan2218]

You are great!! Keep moving!!👍

[@ratatatuff]

The lesson I would take from this is that it's not always important to be the best guitarist around. Taylor's a pretty okay guitarist and it seems like she can play everything she needs and wants for her songs. And sometimes that's just enough. Sure, tapping or fast arpeggio runs are fun but actually nobody really cares about that (at least I don't). Writing a good song is what makes music interesting. I don't know why it makes people feel good to think they're better than Taylor Swift. At the end of the day 99% of those are playing at home for their cats or dogs while Taylor Swift is selling millions of albums ... And this is coming from someone who doesn't like her or her music at all. But just one point; since you praise Taylor's ability to perform under pressure. I mean, well, hm ... It's her job, she has to. And, at some point in my life my ability to perform drunk or high was on a VERY high level. Nobody ever praised me for that :p

[@dpa103304]

She’s fantastic. My guitar “heroes” list expanded a thousand times once I started playing. I f I could play like that And sing at the same time I’d never put the guitar down. Rhythm guitar is under rated and not as easy as non-players think.

[@Emma-kz3zr]

Hang on just because her songs are seemingly simple, doesn't mean privately she can't shred. Ultimately she's a professional musician.

[@thedude6307]

One Thing I learned from this video: You have a crush on Taylor Swift.

[@GenZ_Guitarist]

😂

[@friedcash9815]

Lolol

[@quanicle101]

Luke Robinett Lover was pretty alright though

[@verinmandingbam3001]

"Subscribe and I'll ask Taylor out on a date". He is definitely looking for an alibi. 😂😂

[@tomasgarcia7499]

Who wouldn’t tbh lol?!

[@darriensilva2512]

Taylor Swift is the most influential artist when it comes to my music ability. I started playing guitar about a year and a half ago, started my teaching myself her songs with simple chord progressions, not knowing much about dynamics. I started off with that rhythm ability and eventually started being able to play her more complicated songs and getting the F chord down about a year after staring and slowly getting Bm and B major. I’ve written over 2 dozen songs, and have gotten much more comfortable with my guitar playing and it really was all thanks to Taylor. Her lyrics are beyond amazing and learning guitar by her music, and transitioning to writing my own was not only fucking awesome, but it was a life changing, spiritual experience.

[@peterparker7649]

Her lyrics are not Amazing. Sure songs like Cardigan are great but her teenage girl break-up/love songs lyrics are not that good. If u wanna hear really GOOD lyrics, there are people who are actually good lyrics. Here is a few of them Radiohead David Bowie Lou reed Bob Dylan Opeth Pink Floyd Nirvana Marilyn Manson Trent Reznor Tool Band Some of them are my favorites. I like some of Taylor songs but With all due respect, i think she is not that good of a lyricist. Although better than almost all of today mumble rap and pop singers. That being said, don't assume i am a oldhead boomer. I am just 20

[@EVERLY-SHADY65]

There's nothing more annoying then someone who doesn't play guitar, does not sing, or isn't a songwriter, yet they put Taylor Swift's guitar playing abilities down, I've been a guitarist and musician for over 35 years, and I can tell you that Taylor Swift is an incredible solid all around musician,

[@8KilgoreTrout4]

Too many people fail to recognize talent in a style they don't like

[@frankrobinson8852]

Good point about pressure! My first real big gig, I was playing my own songs ( bear in mind I’d not recently written them... I’d been playing them for years ) and I looked out at the crowd... looked at my guitar... looked at the bassist... looked back at my guitar... I had nothing! I completely forgot what to play! 🤣 It came back pretty quick and the gig went well... but it was horrific! Definitely one to prepare yourself for if you’re about to start gigging outside your comfort zone 👍🏼

[@RedFlip64]

Some people took this way too personally and don’t realize that says a lot more about them than it does about Taylor Swift. I thought this was very thoughtful and yes if you actually watch her she is an incredible musician. Maybe not THE best guitar player or THE best vocalist but as a package whole she is incredible.

[@robbievalentine8239]

Tay Tay is a national treasure. I love her. That Grammy performance of wildest dreams was everything.

[@WoodyGamesUK]

A better sense of rhythm than another guitar player single-handedly makes her a better guitarist.

[@Andrew-cu9lf]

Amazing coincidence. I just watched that Tiny Desk video the other day. I know absolutely nothing about Taylor Swift other than her name. I couldn't name one song of hers. Her music is just not in my wheelhouse. But after watching her Tiny Desk concert, I thought, "Wow! She's pretty good. I should acquaint myself with her repertoire." Another great video Mike! Timely and on-point. Thank you! p.s. What the hell is an egg shaker?

[@kamallb4650]

She considers herself as a songwriter first. Listen to her RED and speak now(entirely written by herself) albums.

[@amn_1ohtrix989]

what do you think about folklore

[@lukebrennan5780]

This was really interesting! Thank you. It does make you realise just how complete she has become, over the years. A brilliant lyricist and can play (well) a collection of instruments AND perform truly amazing concerts AND now branching off to work with Andrew Lloyd Weber. That's all pretty impressive. The Tiny Desk thing really was an eye opener.

[@NeonRadarMusic]

Taylor Swift has inspired most of my students to pick up playing an instrument and happens to have written enough classic pop songs (quite often by herself). She's beyond just worthy of real respect. Also, her greatest achievement is releasing TWO great alternative rock inspired albums with actual instruments in 2020 and getting teens into things beyond what they'd usually listen to.

[@dakotabeayrd2267]

Let’s not forget the girl has been playing a 12 string guitar since she was 10. And can play basically everything with strings

[@ianmeadows5234]

Great video! Damn right! She's a far better guitarist than most enthusiastic amateurs! All the points you made in the video are totally valid! She is a consummate professional singer, songwriter, musician and performer! She is doing far more than just strumming a chord monotonously! Her playing is intelligent, detailed and accurate, with really good dynamic range! And all whilst giving a superb vocal performance! Not just singing, but performing her songs brilliantly! She has talent, determination, a great work ethic, wit and courage! The reason less talented people do not fully appreciate her guitar playing is because they do not have the observational skills to realise just what she is doing! And she makes it look easy! Go figure people! God bless you Taylor Swift! Thanks for your wonderful music and performances! You are awesome!

[@zx7-rr486]

I'm a long time rock guitarist, and as far as I am concerned Taylor is a master of melody and an incredible song writer. For her the guitar and piano are just vehicles for song writing, and her chops are enough to do that. That said, she is still an absolute rock SOLID acoustic guitar player and piano player. Her timing is metronomic. In all the many videos I've seen of her (yep, I am a big fan) I think I've only seen her make one obvious mistake (and that was on piano!). Given that she started off as a nervous and insecure teenager, and quickly graduated to playing in front of countless thousands, I have masses of respect for her instrumental competence. And of course, she rapidly learnt how to be a top "front woman" who has complete control of a stage, and puts on amazing shows with real musicianship (she has a great backing band) front and centre.

[@Dian2Gig]

I saw the Tiny a Desk concert and was equally impressed with her playing. A reminder, there will always be someone out there better than you. Challenge yourself to be a better you at playing. Thank you for this video.

[@timandersen3498]

Going into this video: What kind of bs is this?! You better have thought your reasons through! Leaving the video: ...Dammit

[@sebione3576]

Stevie T: " but can she *djent?* "

[@PNWRideAlongs]

Best comment award ..

[@sebione3576]

@@PNWRideAlongs 19 likes in 3 weeks says otherwise 😂

[@Yusufu82]

Her knowing how to play is probably the best thing that I like about her. And that she likes cats.

[@kamallb4650]

She's a crazy cat lady 🤣

[@JTroskaTV]

I went and watched the Tiny Desk Concert after seeing this. Honestly, I wish more guitarists could do what she does. She can groove and knows how to hold a song together. Seems simple in theory. Until you jam with guitarists that roll full stacks into small pubs, crank the gain full and have no dynamics, never play rests and can’t groove... Give me somebody that can support a song. Please. I think I could enjoy playing again.

[@yourveryownexistentialcris9127]

*might* be? I've LITERALLY never questioned it lmao.

[@anden468]

I think the most obvious reason everyone should assume taylor swift is better than themselves is her musical knowledge. she is a pro at so many different aspects of music (singing, writing, piano, guitar) i’m sure it changes the way she thinks about guitar

[@SHTMusik]

I just watched the tiny desk show too. Yes, she probably has the best teachers money can buy but still, give credit where credit is due. Her banter at Tiny Desk was also great. Good luck with the date!

[@candelajordi7703]

She learned buy herself I think

[@hamcronation1460]

The Wildest Dreams performance is one of my favorites. Great Tone!!

[@rickfeith6372]

I have respect for most pro musicians, especiallyif they actually play an instrument. The guys you think might not be that good are often just the opposite. Even the incredible Dave Gilmour doesn't consider himself an amazing guitarist, but when is the last time you heard him come up short? They aren't pros by accident...and 95% of the ones you wouldn't think twice about are 10x better than you probably realize.

[@LaureanoMuller]

I have never felt complimented for playing with a low strap untill today, thank you Taylor Swift.

[@mertemir3319]

"Taylor Swift's 9 Greatest Guitar Techniques" lol

[@geovaniraffaelli4508]

Taylor Swift's only 9 guitar techniques

[@riyazuo]

@@geovaniraffaelli4508 you sound bitter

[@alabamahebrew]

I'm 54 years old and started picking, plucking and everything otherwise known as guitar molestation. It wasn't until I was about 48 that I decided to get serious about my guitar playing. Just today I found myself playing a few songs very well that just a few years ago I could not even get past the verse 3 bars on. So, I'm feeling pretty good about myself and then this black haired punk comes on this here You Tube contraption and points out that I ain't even as good as some dern pop star!! Gee thanks buddy! Lol, No you have to remember something about Taylor Swift, she was country then decided to be cool and get into pop music. Because she was country, of course she learned how to play the geetar! Most pop stars couldn't even tell you if it's an electric or acoustic! NO KIDDING, I saw a video just the other day and it was some pop star I had never heard of, nothing unusual about that though lol. She was told to hand this guy his guitar so he could play along with her while she sang. They had just spent like 5 minutes talking about how beautiful the ACOUSTIC GUITAR parts were in that song and she went on and on about how "they" worked on that for hours and hours before perfecting it because she is stickler for perfection, "especially when it comes to using an acoustic guitar". So she reaches to her right, grabs the guitar and hands it to the guy... but she handed him an electric BASS!! Now mind you she had to reach past the acoustic that was sitting almost right next to her lolol. The guy just looked at her and played it off as a "mistake" by her but you could see by her face she had no clue what he was talking about or what "mistake" she had just made!! LOL. Anywhoo back to Taylor, like I said she was a country performer before becoming a pop star and as such she became very acquainted with the guitar and yes the girl can play!

[@flamencoprof]

That "Wildest Dreams" video you referenced was what made me realise she could play well. I even downloaded the lyrics and annotated the chords to it using Word. I'd be very happy to pull off that particular performance. I bought her first CD only a couple of years ago just to hear what all the fuss was about. I concluded she transcends her "look", and is a genuinely talented composer/performer. Trouble is, some might say I'm not allowed to be a fan boy since I am too old (late 60s) and she is so young, but I am old enough not to be afraid of admiring anyone of talent in genres I don't usually follow.

[@samirraza9069]

I think that there are way too many snobby elitists in the guitar community that think they're better than the professional musicians. I've seen it way too often, a scary number of idiots that think they're better than Taylor Swift (or Brad Delson from Linkin Park, and yes I've heard people say that), and that's because she doesn't shred like Van Halen, so they think that because they've been playing for so and so many years they think that they're better. Here's something to ponder about: There's a reason why she got signed to a record label and became a massive celebrity. Yes other people usually write her songs and she uses autotune, and she gets plus points for being an attractive girl, but don't let that fool you, she still has some talent that got her there, and if you think you're better, you'd also be able to get a little famous yourself, maybe not like that but if you'd put yourself out there you'd be noticable if you were better. But you're not tho, so stfu. You don't like her music? Fine, neither do I, but don't use that as a reason for thinking that you're a more skilled musician.

[@delphinef.9579]

I have one thing to correct you on though: she does actually write her own songs, every single one of them. She even writes for other artists. Other than that, you’re spot on

[@alexchung736]

Samir Raza She writes her own songs. She wrote/cowrote every song and even has a self-written album - Speak Now

[@stayswiftie]

you made fine points but fun fact: she's one of the few artists in modern pop who has had an entirely self-written song (lover) be nominated for a grammy for song of the year. she's also part of the songwriters hall of fame so yes, she does write her songs.

[@IGleeker]

She writes her own songs and barely unused auto tune. And she never issues auto tune when live like never only playbacks.

[@Timliu92]

The problem is, some bedroom guitarists tend to judge musicians based on how fast they can play scalar runs or whether they play guitar solos (a thing that I see often in Internet forums), which is huge nonsense IMO. Imagine putting an 80s hair metal shred solo in a Taylor Swift or Bruno Mars song - it is going to sound terrible and not fit the mix at all, yet this is what many of these people do not understand. I am in for incredible fast playing that can give you a huge adrenaline rush (Satriani, Vai, Al Di Meola, Randy Rhoads - love all of them!), but just because one does not go weedly-weedly-wah on the instrument does not mean that he or she is a bad musician. Of course, you not need to necessarily like his or her music because our preferences are different, but you get the point.

[@CorbCorbin]

Well she’s only been playing over half her life.

[@MorganOliviaMusic]

LOVED this video! Can you please make a tutorial for that song she was arpeggiating? It's Death by A Thousand Cuts

[@merlinshalel5729]

I’m so glad you made this video, many people don’t appreciate her guitar playing. She was the one who actually inspired me to pick up a guitar🥰

[@FriendlySpiderFriend]

I'm a swifty and a guitar player for about 8yrs. I have taken some tips from taylor swift on her dynamics and used it to improve my own style

[@Shadows921]

What's really sad is that it's taken you 13+ YEARS to just now pick up on how Taylor Swift plays acoustic guitar. She's performed acoustic most of her shows in the first half of her career so far and is still a significant part of her pop shows today. Her Tiny Desk concert is only a small example. This is a woman who has essentially held up the entire music industry that entire time, were you not paying attention?? If you have any younger female students, chances are they've wanted to learn to play because of this woman. Maybe you should ask some of them who inspired them to want to play, it might surprise you. 😉

[@TheArtofGuitar]

There's a difference between knowing someone strums along to their song, it's another to go deeper and really study her playing. Yes it took me a while to go deeper but most of my students that wanted to learn her songs just wanted to strum the basic chords and sing.

[@shayh.3556]

Your pressure point is spot on. Sometimes I forget some simple stuff and have to think for a second when I go and play with other musicians, but on stage is different because I’ve already came up with the parts.

[@miromax811]

Today I chose the wrong video to cheer myself up.

[@sebione3576]

Also, she is richer than you.

[@noah08296]

Her Cats are richer than you.

[@yudan2218]

Ric Nabua her cats...lol that’s true though😹

[@Claudia-ty5yr]

@@yudan2218 her cats are richer than most of the people next to her on the charts (legitimately though, each one is worth about 100 million, the two oldest ones are the richest cats in the world)

[@imadumas2]

Fell in love with her after watching that tiny desk performance- I gained much respect for her talent and skill for all the reasons you so succinctly outlined. Nice job!

[@adi._.]

Taylor is really a master at what she does. Her talent is out of this world.

[@streetwiserhapsody]

Yep she's better than me, I can shred solos in my bedroom alone but I tend to mess up with even simple chord strumming when I'm playing in front of an audience. I'm getting a little better at it but still not confident enough.

[@rome8180]

James Hetfield can play with his guitar really low because it's all downstrokes. Less distance to cover. :)