THIS Bad Habit Can WRECK Your Playing! Here’s a Fix!

[@BenEller]

Thanks for learning how to loosen up, relax, and ditch the death grip!!! So much cool stuff is waiting for you on my Patreon page: www.patreon.com/posts/109550202?

[@ChrisTopherBunnell]

I had a metalhead guitarist coworker of mine in San Antonio that looks just like you. He also worked pizza. Assistant Manager for Papa Johns. I know a lot of metalhead guitarists work pizza, but funny coincidence nonetheless.

[@graemeozzie2251]

@@ChrisTopherBunnell Have you heard of Pizza Death?? Theyre awesome. Thrash/hardcore, every song is pizza/death themed. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJzdmWqLbJqfq5osi=48qqI7RkNc6quqCM

[@VFFP54]

My mom saw me playing and immediately sent me to watch this video. Told me Uncle Ben has the best fingering technique. She doesn't play guitar tho; I wonder how she knows about these stuff..

[@BenEller]

Tell her I want my Whitesnake shirt back!!!

[@riffmondo9733]

@@BenEller😂

[@BradyIsAfagInHeat]

Uncle Ben gave your mama the finger blasting of her life. I know thats what you are getting at but im only telling you that cause he finger blasted my mother too and thats how I got to this video

[@rayfabris2512]

🤔 what's going on here ? 😂

[@kamranahmad4592]

You & Ben should have a side gig writing scripts for Brazzers

[@zacharysmithingell5460]

My fretting hand has always been like camping trips with my wife: two tents. But now I can learn how to finger the g string with an appropriately light touch! And the other strings too! Thanks Uncle Ben!

[@adhaskym.a9536]

Best channel ever. Even as a season player, this information is super useful. Being 51 years of age, Ben seems to use guitars that are attainable by most players, and that reality is fantastic.

[@BenEller]

Thanks a lot, man!

[@sole__doubt]

Yes! I lve been playing since the late 80s and I learned more in the past 3 years from Ben than the other years combined. Best guitar teacher around.

[@SvenBout]

​@@sole__doubt i haven't been alive for that long. (Early 2000s) but i've been playing since i was 7. I am 20 now. And i've learned more in the past 2 years then all the other years combined. It has really improved a lot.

[@matturner6890]

There's no reason not to! Expensive guitars are boomer territory in this age of CNC.

[@doctari1061]

Good on Schecter for supporting your site. That was very decent of them. Cheers

[@blockboygames5956]

As a reasonably accomplished classical pianist, this is very similar in concept and execution to some foundational exercises that we do on piano. Practicing with minimum pressure. Practicing finger independence, which helps massively with the amount of force you tend to use. One finger at a time is really important at avoiding tension. And after playing a phrase that requires more force, immediately and consciously returning to that minimal force level. Playing phrases without pushing notes down. This helps train your nerves rather than your muscles. Also, thank God pianos don't have Floyd Rose setups. Great work as always Ben. Thanks for the video!

[@BenEller]

But what if… a piano DID have a Floyd?!

[@zacharysmithingell5460]

Somebody tell wolf van Halen to investigate this, STAT!

[@davidlynch5998]

You just answered a looming question that I had as soon as I saw this video, about returning to a lighter playing position after playing a lyk that required a much harder technique such as a really high bend,

[@LuckyPkerz]

Playing phrases without pushing notes down.. BRILLIANT! thanks!!

[@blockboygames5956]

@@LuckyPkerz Anytime. Blessings from Australia. :)

[@leftofzeroofficial]

Uncle Ben, i cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate your channel and your willingness to share this stuff with us. You're a real one.

[@bri114]

Wow… you don’t know what you don’t know…And I didn’t know I needed this lesson! So good!

[@KRayxKodessA]

Oh thank god... I'm not the only one who "plays guitar" on the steering wheel. I feel so validated 😂

[@gloriahancock8358]

I to do the same it’s guitarist thing

[@HiThereFaceHere]

Crazy that this is in my feed. I spent all day yesterday practicing a little sweep lick that ends in a quick arpeggio. After about 5 hours of that nonstop, something popped in the back of my fretting hand, and I lost feeling to the whole hand. Luckily I can feel my hand again today, but it definitely scared the hell out of me and I know I need a change in something. Great video! Subbing for sure! Thanks man!

[@fortisch]

Its so funny you bring that up NOW. This Month I just figured out i was using too much power on the left hand and i could chill way more.

[@BenEller]

Hell yeah!!

[@ponzo1967]

This is exactly why I've never been as fluid playing lead guitar as my younger brother. He barely touches the strings and I try to rip them off the fretboard. I'm definitely giving this more conscious thought and practice.

[@michaelmisczuk1188]

I'm learning guitar. I'm not a guitar player. Few years at it. This is going to help me, immensely. Very grateful.

[@ForTodayisawesome]

Thanks for sharing, Ben. I suffered a finger injury in my fret hand that has really put a damper in my playing. Hoping to retrain my hand using this approach.

[@BenEller]

Get into it! Report back with your findings!

[@SonOvLaw]

Gawd. Damb. It. Between this and muting with your picking hand, why did nobody figure these detailed things out before I started learning to play in my teens!? Thank you Ben.

[@Hegder]

Right?! Those two things are things I needed to implement way earlier.

[@eigengrau1]

(Uncle) Ben Eller; Keeping our playing in shape -And the Barber unemployed since 2011..

[@BenEller]

Don’t need no hair cut!!!

[@eigengrau1]

Me neither... Let those metal-flowers grow! Ps. Happy Barber,, uh Birthday!

[@mycroft174]

for most of the video i was like wow im glad im already good on this! got to the legato part and i have been properly humbled, always grateful for these tips man

[@johngilley3518]

I learned some of this perspective from I think it was a video or tip you gave on playing without your amp, on how the amp will make you think you sound better than you really do. That really works, you get better tone and your gear is an extension not a crutch. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@charvlim5159]

Ernie ball slinkys come in 7s. This would help alot as just a tiny pressure push over would sharp the tone immediately especially if the neck has jumbo frets 😊

[@michaeltownley520]

Seems like something I didn’t know I needed more practice on. Great content as always! I have noticed some guitars need more pressure than others. My Chapman needs NO pressure to ring out notes and makes playing the instrument effortless, but my Dean V needs more pressure than the rest of ‘em. I’m sure tuning, string gauge / tension, and set up makes the difference. As always, can’t wait for the next installment of lifetime wisdom from the great Uncle Ben.🤙🏽

[@sole__doubt]

I still use that A minor scale on the G string I learned from a video of yours a while back. When you said 2, 4 and 5 on the G string I was already doing it to warm up.

[@ultrahighgain412]

This is a great lesson it's something I really struggle with. Also trying to learn Creative Guitar Studios' fixed finger technique and "spider walk." Tough stuff to unlearn all of my bad habits. Thanks Ben.

[@dominiquez5643]

Spectacular video Ben! Much needed! I noticed that on live players and I also noticed that the 6 fret chord from the tab book has nothing to do with the 2 fingers on to frets from the live player. I may sound the same but the triads and power chords they use are way simpler...and I too strum, pick and string press like a Viking learning classical music (BAD!!!!)

[@JohnThayerMN]

I'm left-handed and switched to right-handed guitar after only about a year. With all the attention being on my poor picking stability, my left hand went unchecked. I started in 1980 at 11 years old. Thank you, Ben, for teaching this old dog how to save what is left of my hands.

[@jimmypennell8831]

Good stuff Ben.😊i have carpel tunnel and arthritis. So after a long practice i really feel it. So nowadays i stretch, warm up, anything 😂. Im going to play guitar until I die so whatever it takes

[@DigitalCollision]

OMG! Its SO much less pressure than I ever would have guessed, without trying this.

[@JP4271]

That 4 finger exercise at 7:15 alone was worth the watch! I've never seen that before & I spend a lot of time digging into guitar instructional material. Does anyone else's pinky finger want to lift off the fretboard when you put pressure on just your third finger?

[@SvenBout]

When i put my 3rd finger on a fret. Idk why. But my pinky automatically idk. "Curls up" and goes off/under the fretboard. No clue why it does that. I have decent control over my other fingers. But absolutely 0 control over my pinky finger

[@dethronedemperor]

@@SvenBoutmine does the exact same thing unless I’m playing something that actively uses my pinky

[@chucksaeger7500]

Excellent advice. Explains why my hands hurt so bad. Probably helps to play with an amp or other setup. I practice way too much unplugged.

[@BenEller]

Yeah I recommend playing through an amp as much as possible! Really lets you know if you’re overdoing it

[@thoughtsbeforesleep]

Great video! Another fun tip: Practice with a guitar that has a deeply scalloped fretboard - forces you not to press so hard, otherwise you bend the strings out of tune.

[@justsomeguy727]

Ying Yang Milkshake approves this message

[@BenEller]

Yolo Mousemeat has entered the chat!

[@mattsmithsongs]

Thank you Ben! You always have he best tips and convey them in a way that is super easy to understand.

[@ericsilverperson4611]

Be careful with your hands, people. I messed up mine (L) for years with too much tension. Only just started to recover.

[@sole__doubt]

Tension is my biggest hurdle too. I still havent found a real cure... yet.

[@matturner6890]

This is true, I started off self-teaching playing punk rock records and it gave me a power chord death-grip that I still haven't really shaken.

[@Carina_d3a]

Great stuff! Think this kind of thing would prolly go well with picking as well

[@JesseMichel]

Great stuff as always Ben 👏

[@BenEller]

Glad you enjoyed it!!!

[@A-1GINDALOON]

Wow Uncle Ben, I was just gonna request a Glenn Tipton type of effortless picking A'la Painkiller live! This really gave me a foundation! I'm 46 and this lesson is a game changer for me! Thank you!!

[@gusman412]

Always fighting to loosen my grip . I will try this . Thanks and Rock On !

[@BenEller]

You can do it! Get into it!!!

[@mettall1981]

A friend of mine was singer in a band called DEATHGRIP. Drummer was named Animal

[@redbloodedamerican2346]

Love Schecter. I have an Evil twin solo ii and a C-1 Hellraiser FRS sustainiac

[@BenEller]

They’re great!!!

[@Damn3dYank33]

Hellraiser FR-S7, Apocalypse EX-7 & EX-FR-S Candy Apple satin here… Schecter ROCKS!

[@JoelCSabo]

This was the perfect video for me today. I've been practicing a pseudochromatic warm-up for a week now just to do something consistent every day, and I just so happened to have a slackly-tuned guitar in hand when I started watching. Thank you, Ben Eller!

[@BenEller]

Glad to help!

[@jeffskyberg5615]

This has been a game changer for me. I did finally learn this on my own. But I will vouch for this being a huge improvement on my guitar journey. Everything feels and sounds so much better! Great advice!!

[@programlamaicin]

thank you for this. I always felt this too much pressure on fretting fingers, Now I know how to fix the issue 🙏

[@randallhaney7909]

Awesome exercises Tips/Hacks and info.. Fun and totally useable.. As always. Thanks Uncle Benny Bob. You are appreciated.

[@BenEller]

Glad you like them!

[@mikemiller6628]

Great lesson ,youre an exellent teacher.

[@Ryanmichaelmaga]

Uncle Ben always bringing the goods! 🤝🏻🫡

[@jimgodofbiscuits]

Let me first say Ben is absolutely great, a good teacher, and a very cool guy. I've been a subscriber for a long time. I play mostly acoustic and learned when it got harder to play and found the frets had deepening grooves from pressing too hard. 😬 Especially in the cowboy chord area. The old cliche of consciously learning to relax shoulders And bicep made me realize just the weight of my fingers with minimal pressure was all that is needed...even for an Fmaj barre chord. Of course setup is important and i use lighter elixer on acoustic.

[@Bj5m17h]

Great advice for this aspiring guitarist. Skill over strength. Subscribed.

[@aphelionmk1]

I absolutely needed this lesson, my wrist pain disappeared INSTANTLY when I tried your demonstration. Thanks, Uncle Ben!!!

[@Lucifer-qt9gh]

Holy sheet Ben, I bought my geeetar two weeks ago and I've binged your bids and I'm progressing quick

[@frankwren8215]

Assert dominance, show the fretboard who's boss

[@Blixer7]

That was a solid lesson on fret finger pressures . Thanks

[@bradsims5116]

So important. This is how I solved this problem. ( thank you kiko) now I can shred, go figure. Thanks ben !

[@keithburnett-i7f]

So I’m sat in my deck chair (guitarless), & I’m fretting lightly on the arm of the chair. Already I can see my fretting fingers are staying put & not trying to take flight! Definitely incorporating this into my practice routine! Thanks Ben 👍👍👍

[@roknrole]

This is such an important video! I was taught this as a way to get better at playing the acoustic guitar, and applied it to my electric guitar stuff and had the same revelation

[@williambaker1136]

Well Ben, I have been forming crappy habits for years now, but the focus of this lesson is ringing true with pun intended. Giving credit to your teacher in Morristown, TN prompted me to share that I grew up in E. TN as well, though my guitar progress is nowhere near the same level. My other bent is in aviation and another legend from Morristown is none other than Evelyn Johnson who taught many a fledgling pilot basic flying. Just thinking there may be something in the water in those parts.....As always, appreciate the content.

[@ArtbyPaulPetro]

these are, for me, your most useful vids. thank you so much!

[@d3lr1us]

UB, this is such a critical concept! Thank you!

[@BenEller]

Glad it was helpful!

[@yippy327]

I'm going to work on this. I've been having a lot of hand pain. Hopefully this will help elevate some of that. Thanks

[@PeterKoch-o1u]

Really love your channel. Good contents. I got tendon and muscle problems in my fret hand index finger from playing triads as in evh unchained. Single strings you can approach with finger tips, a natural way to apply pressure. Controlling Several strings as in triads or barres need finger surface which is more challenging and way more prone to such issues . I would love if you could extend your video demo to that stuff.

[@dominiquez5643]

Man you are a stupendous teacherr! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!

[@donvape336]

I used this today on my 2014 Fender Standard and I can't believe how different the guitar sounded. It ringed and was so much more clear then clamping down. I still have issues being a bass player and really had to concentrate to only press what I needed. Thank you

[@helio1055]

I wish more guitar teachers / youtubers talked about the stuff that you do that makes so much sense and helps so much, thank you so much Uncle Ben, best guitar teacher I've ever had! ^^

[@brentstoner7029]

Awesome lesson, Ben. I will definitely use this for my students.

[@BenEller]

Please do!

[@captainmilk2691]

This is a really important lesson, thank you for making it. I think I read something similar in the book "the inner game of tennis". The book isn't really about tennis, I don't even play tennis, but about staying calm under pressure and focusing on little things to improve performance. Losing ALL unnecessary tension is a key part of mastering ANYTHING, the violin, F1 driving, shredding

[@777gallen]

This is some samurai, flow like water techniques! Awesome!

[@audioexpeditions]

Thank you, Ben. I never knew guitar could be played like this. ❤️

[@BenEller]

Happy to help!

[@johnster327]

Hey Ben! Love your videos. Was just wondering do you remember where you got that shelf for your amps? Looks really clean

[@jamesswanson4391]

Even bigger deal on a scalloped fretboard. Thanks Uncle Ben!

[@BenEller]

Dang right!!!

[@dlmyrs]

Fantastic lesson, Uncle Ben. Thank you.

[@Damn3dYank33]

Jumbo frets need a lighter touch also. You’ll pull em sharp quickly with too much pressure. Fretting closer to the fret wire also helps.

[@t3hgir]

you notice really great bassists will fret very close to the fret wire, as you can get pure intonation with less pressure..

[@deltalegendsguitaramplific5450]

Thanks Uncle Ben !!

[@samuelleevallongo9752]

Really wish I saw this about 10 yrs ago fantastic advice

[@mestengo22]

Outstanding Uncle Ben great insights I love playing guitar

[@sebafehlandt]

As someone who is dealing (again) with tendonitis on the left thumb, this is really helpful. Thank you very much @BenEller. If I may suggest a follow-up video, maybe you can explore how to apply the minimum strength for bends in more detail? I started with my first tendonitis in the left thumb in 2019, it went back and forth until I learned how to play with less grip, using the thumb merely as a guide and using the weight of the arm and the strength of the other fingers. Now I am playing much better but it is still hard to remember to do it. You explained this perfectly, I am not supposed to be conscious about this, I must reprogram my muscle memory! Anyway, this year the pain came back but I think it is mostly due to excesive force and unproper technique on bends. So if you could tap into it that would be awesome!

[@partriotsfight5039]

Good stuff Ben. Thanks

[@gnvtr20s]

Well done. Excellent teaching.

[@mathewfascetti5968]

I think they call that light pressure fret hand technique Ghosting. Thanks again Uncle Ben, it's always been one of my issues.

[@donald-parker]

Tom Quayle has a good vid on "lazy first finger" syndrome. I know the main point of this vid is about "light touch fretting" but the legato bit reminded me of another common muscle memory "problem" - leaving the first finger anchored on the low note. Among other things it kind of gets in the way of ascending legato scales where you need the first finger to do "hammer on's from nowhere".

[@MetalHeadMarc]

One thing id also like to mention is that when your more relaxed and efficient with your fretting hand, this can help players get off a plateu and go to a new level. Great vid, Uncle Benjamin. No wonder all our moms sleep with you.

[@EyesOpen369]

Happy SHATTER DAY UNCLE BEN🤘😎🤘

[@demianferiy]

Amazing lesson!!! ❤❤❤

[@djabthrash]

Amazing content as always.

[@johnegan4762]

Thank you. Good lesson. Do you have a lesson on how to get reliable EVH style harmonics?

[@ravikant840]

I've had that grip problem with both of my hands and for as long as I can remember. Then I started learning your speed techniques and what I realised was, if I keep strangling the guitar and the pick, I can't play fast. I started working on it. I wouldn't say that I'm gliding through but I think I've improved quite a lot.

[@BenEller]

Good stuff!

[@Dolphinado]

Side question: any chance you'd be willing to shoutout which amp model + cab IR you're using on the Axe FX when you give your quick gear rundowns at the start of each video? I know I for one would love to check them out in more detail!

[@randallhaney7909]

Yup Uncle Benny Bob,, You be right. I caught myself just last night; While trying to remember and play a half forgotten little riff. And each time I messed it up. The next attempt as frustration increased. Yup and My fretting hand went from Vice grip all the way to Crocodile jaws death grip. My entire body was Tense. I eventually I remembered your lessons on being relaxed when playing. So I unlocked my jaw lowered my shoulders from covering my ears. Took a deep breath sighed and tried again.. And indeed my intro to "I know a little" sounded pretty much like the intro to "I know a little". Man I quit smoking easier that learning to relax when playing... I owe you one Uncle benny Bob. Thanks Boss.

[@BenEller]

Glad to help!

[@Snake-filledChimp]

Touché, kind sir - my bad playing is what always wrecks my playing.

[@cheribarkman1784]

Ty

[@mattb383]

The ole Pedder Brown Spider exercises help with this as well and independent finger control.

[@jerbear-pw7xm]

i was taught to press through the fret board when learning the open chords. after watching this i only just realized i do that junk all the time, even when practicing lead. thanks uncle ben i get to avoid early arthritis in my wrist lol.

[@granthelas4468]

A decent guitar that's properly setup helps with learning to play with that fretting hand more better.

[@Hegder]

Yeah I wonder how many of us with too much left hand tension started out with a cheapo Strat copy with terrible action and intonation😂

[@InsolentMusicalPeasant]

Uncle Ben and matte finish guitars. Name a more iconic duo.

[@temjin0014]

Yep. Playing lead parts on a guitar with XL jumbo frets is a great way to know if you’re death gripping it.

[@dagoelius]

This one takes me back to my days at GIT. Spider exercise next!

[@amesmilesoff4768]

Really good idea, cheers Ben 👍

[@besubtle4747]

Thanks! this is absolutely something I need to work on. something I struggle with is when i play lightly with my fretting hand, my picking hand goes along, but I still want that pick to get some good attack! any tips for that? Thanks for the video!

[@neilhowellmusic]

I write left-handed but play guitar right-handed. As a result, I have had the exact opposite problem in my long journey on the guitar. My left fretting hand has always been more powerful and in control. But my right picking hand is the one I’ve had to work on, as it is far less precise and if I don’t watch it, out of control.

[@BenEller]

You need this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGbFpmSYp7mhpqcsi=WfShUYmjr8n5MUmt

[@neilhowellmusic]

@@BenEller It’s the reason why I play a lot of legato, tapping, sweeping, and hammer on/pull off licks. kzbin.infoP8Y744-6W2U?si=dHkjlOzvFqCc6I1Q

[@HiThereFaceHere]

Same here man! Your the only other person I've seen like me. I find myself over working the left hand terribly since the right picking hand is lacking.

[@alexanderw2962]

Shit, I wish one of the founding fathers was my guitar teacher

[@tedrobinson3802]

I tend to be a Malcom Young kinda player. I'm trying to lighten up. I can't even use 9's. I play acoustic a lot and its hard to keep the same memory on light gauge electric strings.

[@justsomeguy727]

God, that first lick you used in the opening reminded me of part of "If I Could Fly" by Satriani so much. Please tell me it wasnt just me who heard that?

[@BenEller]

Oh man you’re right! Huge Satch fan, so that makes sense!

[@michaeljulius5895]

Trippy...I loved it🎉

[@Russell_Optics]

I had the problem of over-pressure for years playing cowboy chords and having them sound sharp until I seriously reduced the "grip" on the strings. I also think a starter guitar with a poor set-up yields the same issue because a poorly set-up guitar requires more pressure. Bottom line a good guitar set-up also helps a lot.