This Is The Most Important Guitar Skill You Can Have and NOBODY TALKS ABOUT IT!!

TRANSFORM your guitar playing! Join the Guitar Playback Academy for STRUCTURED LESSONS and REAL TEACHER FEEDBACK!
📌 Free 14-Day Access ➜ guitarplayback...
►►Free Melodic Workshop: bit.ly/3r6GDaR
►►Download the lesson files: bit.ly/3joZdHv
If you want to become a more versatile guitar player, you should spend a little bit of time on the exercise I'm sharing with you today. Trust me, it's probably the most important skill you can acquire.
►►Donner 39 Inch Jazz Thinline Electric Guitar: shrsl.com/34232
►►Guitar Capo for $1 (code: capo): shrsl.com/34234
►►Guitar Patch Cable for $1 (code: cable): shrsl.com/34236
►►FunToneDonner Discount: shrsl.com/3412x
Aug. 7-13th , save 15% OFF with code: JOY15
►►Snap Deal: shrsl.com/3412z
Recommended playlists
►How to Play Melodic
• Start Unlocking Your M...
►How to Use Guitar Modes
• How To Use Guitar Modes
►How to Play Blues
• How To Play Blues Solos
►►Latest Video: goo.gl/1f9R9A
►►Subscribe: goo.gl/CmJzN2
►David’s Gear Picks: imp.i114863.ne...
►SweetWater Deals: imp.i114863.ne...
►Gear Giveaways: imp.i114863.ne...
►New Gear Day: imp.i114863.ne...
►►David’s music: www.davidwalli...
David’s gear
The Chair! amzn.to/3btIZrt
Vola Guitars:
Use code DAVID to save 5% on your next Vola Guitar!
volaguitars.co...
Fractal Audio: www.fractalaudi...
ClearTone Strings: www.cleartonest...
Hosa cables: hosatech.com
Neck Diagrams: neckdiagrams.s...
Transcribe!: bit.ly/2DCMfC7
Guitar Pro: goo.gl/VM5QEx
Business Inquiries: [e-mail]

[@joemasse4568]

I have played guitar 43 years, never had a lesson, You are absolutely correct, I don’t usually have a plan, it is spontaneous usually, and the more I think of the music, and not the guitar, is when I’m playing best, you have to have a clear mind to really get into playing guitar!

[@radmed979]

True, but the emotion your having at the time helps.

[@ZJLove]

This is why he's probably my favorite teacher so far. Music, to me, is supposed to be soulful and expressive than anything. Being technical, I personally believe, falls by the wayside when thinking about the whole thing, but can also be useful. Music (not to be cheesy) is life, in a way.

[@robertdunoskovic1564]

Lies

[@DodgeDartSongs]

This is so valuable. The basic truth is that music comes from a person-not an instrument or a book or a sequencer or-or-or. It comes THROUGH these but is originated by the person.

[@MrWillSolly]

I almost passed over this. So glad i didn't. A breakthrough in a few minutes for me. Thanks so much David

[@11calman]

I passed over it, to much talking for 5mins, lost my attention

[@G_Demolished]

@@11calman You probably shouldn’t be trying to learn an instrument then. It requires a lot of patience.

[@kennienielsen5704]

Yea, pretty much this. It also highlights that singing jazzy scales is something I totally should practice.

[@Dreamdancer11]

I couldnt agree more,it is indeed the most important skill that ll skyrocket your musicianship....just to add to it..that is also the best method to transcribe and learn songs by other artists.....hear it...sing it and internalise it...play it....

[@IamQuintin]

This is good. I have always felt disconnected because of my finger would just autopilot on the fret instead of the mind expressing on the guitar.

[@seenonyt2210]

3:30 "it put me on a path of non-competition, because . . . I just had to express myself, and that's it." 🎯👏👏👏

[@Dougs-Ear-Hole-Entertainment]

I like the fact your teaching me to play by ear. This is what I want and need thanks.

[@jimanderson5172]

It's being in the moment, not thinking and letting it flow. I can't read music and I don't play very well either but I can right songs somewhat. Visualize and blend cords and notes together, I find it very relaxing.

[@snartzzb983]

Something left out of most guitar lessons, congrats. This is the introduction of really playing head and hands together. 👍

[@jasonwissa1]

Really good stuff. I’ve watched way too many Satch videos and he talks about this in almost every one. His high school music teacher taught him to sing the Ionian scale to himself. I started doing it everyday for 5 mins. Then skipping intervals. Backwards. Forwards. Adding minors. I thought I knew it. I don’t know it. But I’m starting to now.

[@davidschertler]

David, I totally agree with you in pointing out what is the most important skill for a musician (not only for guitar but any instrument). There are some guitarists who pointed that out (like Joe Pass did), but only very few help you to get on this path (like Chris Standring). You do it from the bottom in an easy way. That‘s really precious!👍🏻

[@BluegillGreg]

Sing the pitch names: Do La Sol Mi Re Do, Do Si La Sol Mi Re Do

[@e1ay3dme12]

I've always said "sing it and play it." Numbers, solfeggio, fingers. Concept, relations spoken/sung, physical manifestation. All 3. Added bonus: instant backing harmony.

[@joeym.delgado7144]

Simple and effective. Thank you David. You make guitar fun.

[@mikecarroll5853]

I do not recall anyone ever mentioning singing their solos (scat) to put in their head what their fingers are doing in the box pattern so that one can improv variation without hitting a poor note soloing. Pretty slick subject to bring up. Nice.

[@davulcu64st]

Listen Davud Gilmour ...

[@stratowhore9051]

Jazz guitar players have done for decades! George Benson would scat during parts of his live and studio recordings.

[@stratowhore9051]

Oh, yeah. Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Miles would scat sing their favorite R&B solos when they were just hanging out and screwing around. Lots of scat singing (like, maybe too much) on the various Band of Gypsies LPs/CDs. Also check out Sarah Vaughan and other jazz vocalists here on youtube for things like scat singing in jazz, jazz scat singers, and the like.

[@stratowhore9051]

Add the FREE JazzAdvice email lessons/links to your learning list.

[@Vunsunta]

Wow this simple concept is remarkable in its application. Thanks!

[@cygnals524]

Thanks for this lesson! I need to be reminded of this often. I have heard Steve Vai & Joe Satriani mention this in the late 80s/early 90s but only in print articles. They never did a video lesson on this. Joe Satriani even had a lesson in Guitar for the Practicing Musician titled something like "atonal scat phrasing" but I was still trying to memorize the names of the modes and the lesson reminded me of Jazz scat singing & I had no clue how to put it in action. Thank you for making my overactive brain to stop over complicating things especially music theory. It usually isn't as complex as my brain tries to make it out to be so thanks for reminding me & thanks for an example to watch & follow.

[@SethLoweakaSquid]

That’s the best way I’ve heard ‘visualisation’ explained... thanks 🙏🏽

[@BrandochGarage]

I remember seeing a video with Barney Kessel saying this is how he composed his licks. he sang it then played it. It seemed like such an amazing, magical, and possibly unattainable skill at the time, but I can see improvements all the time. Practise, practise, practise.

[@jamesdilts277]

Thank you for that gift

[@hogrotten6897]

Eric Clapton said to sing your leads. After that I noticed lead players lips moving occasionally on video's. I just started learning the minor pentatonic about 1 year ago. I've been playing at playing guitar for over 40 years. A bit slow but I love how you exsplain doing it. Thanx !

[@Bad.Rabbit]

Definitely the most important skill. Once you get good at it, music theory and guitar knowledge kinda go out the window and you just put the music in your soul on the fretboard. No need to even know what key you're in.

[@talal-music.2961]

Every single backing track you put out is simply beautiful and filled with EMOTION

[@MustafaBaabad]

Thank you very much for bringing things back to what really matter; which is expressing melody from our mind through the instrument. You mention southern France, I used to stay couple of months in Pau (when I was working for Schlumberger) and spent week ends on Pyrene or in Biaritz. Cheers from Indonesia.

[@trevorskelton8997]

Victor Wooten's whole schtick is based around the "conversation" concept and he's amazing. He's a bassist though. So lead and rhythm players may never hear his name. Great video David

[@KipIngram]

Wow, David, this is a fantastic video. That whole bit about thinking of guitar playing as just another way of speaking - EXPLICITLY - that's inspired. Very, VERY nice lesson.

[@Wallimann]

Thank you so much!!

[@FlyingGemSparkly]

This will help me immensely because my improvisations to soundtracks are so mechanical and boring sounding scales. The great guitarists like Neal Schon have solos that are so vocal and mind blowing!

[@martincloutier666]

Merci David, c'est la lesson yt la plus pertinente que j'ai visionné depuis longtemps, merci de nous ramener à l'essentiel.

[@AslanRising]

David, your are a very good teacher. You're always teaching something eternal about music...the things that go beyond style, and even technique, to the heart, or core of music. That is mans fundamental desire to know and to be known, and the reminisce of echoing Gods own creation, and in the end, to worship Him. Soli Deo gloria

[@matt12v2]

well said!

[@charliemcgrain]

Excellent work, man. Thanks for the video. Miles Davis said "a great musician can play what he thinks. The difference between a great musician and a genius is 'what' he thinks. Yes, you've got to learn that fret board, but that is just like learning to type. Writing great solos is about imagining them first, thinking them first, then playing them.

[@jamro217]

Thank you for putting into words what I've been doing for decades. I thought it was laziness because I never practiced scales as often as I was told to. I spent time learning how to phrase notes to sound unique. The attack , vibrato and release of notes gives them character.

[@darko714]

Same here. It's more fun, too. Really what motivates me to pick up the instrument. Being in a band really helps with the other stuff.

[@hogrotten6897]

B.B King would agree !

[@kevinwolf6623]

I play by ear. Love music but when I play I want to express myself not learn other people's emotions. This channel helps me more than any other guitar show I have ever seen since the invention of the internet. I'm 52. Yes, I am having to go back and learn a ton but I'm having a blast because I am improving quickly and becoming more able to play what I feel as I feel it.

[@garyjohnson9383]

Hi, after fifty years of playing guitar it is interesting to hear you describe the way I have managed to survive but was unable to explain to others! Thank you , gary. 100% 👍

[@candecarro]

Fabulous concept. I haven'really started guitar yet. I was following and doing the exercis on my Uke. Very cool.

[@rjlguitars]

When you spend a lifetime playing the notes in your head, it makes it a lot harder to play very fast but does stop you becoming a riff machine. Add feel and contect playing over the changes and you play music. One of the most important things to learn is this conection. Sing every note you play, at least in your mind.

[@kylerschenk520]

Beautiful. I it’s so much more impactful when riffs are melodic like this. Great lesson!

[@talal-music.2961]

The unhealthy music competition should be addressed in a video, with a positive and motivational perspective. cant wait for that video Mr.David

[@rogierstoel7898]

Beautifull lesson David! It really opened up a new guitar 'mental' process for me 👍

[@dannyhood8857]

These simple Melodie hums using 4 notes of pentatonic scale sounds killer adding duel guitar harmony 3rds.

[@TheImageDoctor]

WOW !!! Simple applicable advice on learning to play INTENTIONAL and CREATIVE lead (as opposed to "muscle memory gone wild" lead, which I'm usually stuck in)... 1. Start w/ a fixed zone on the fretboard (e.g. pentatonic in A) 2. Subset that to a small fixed set of notes (e.g. a 1-4 box on the high E+B strings) 3. Sing a short "melody" to yourself using only the small fixed set of notes you selected 4. Playback the short melody on your guitar Repeat steps 3 and 4 for a while, singing different "melodies" each time. Next level, go back to step 2, change or expand your "fixed set of notes" and challenge yourself with longer "melodies." Keep doing this, moving to longer and longer note sequences, different fretboard zones (or scale types), etc. So it's kinda like playing one of those "Simon" games from the 80's - lol - except WE are the Simon game. Did I miss anything critical to your method ??? Again, great advice !!!

[@Wallimann]

That’s exactly that man, you got it!

[@rongoin6481]

I think I've found my favorite on-line guitar instructor. Great stuff!

[@lightfoot413]

Thanks David for all you do..this ones a game changer,,hear and create it in our mind..then tranfer it to the fretboard.....

[@babaabba9348]

Hello I appreciate your effort u try to spread among the guitar community and by the way I'm from Marseille

[@Wallimann]

Merci!! Allez les bleus!

[@kevinovard1912]

Brilliant lesson...simple but effective. It's the same in visual arts. It's not about comparing with others but expressing your ideas/feelings through the paint brush and using a simple paint palette

[@robertdunoskovic1564]

Lies

[@josephplatania5593]

A very insightful lesson my friend. Useful and simple. Just like me. Stay well. I'll practice it.

[@Larrymh07]

I'm struggling with playing solos. One of the exercises I've been doing is playing thru each of the five pentatonic positions with their corresponding scale (mode). Maybe this will help another guitarist. Keep playing, everyone!

[@nomadexplorer6682]

Excellent way to unlock the musical sense the easy way David. High E and B with 5,7 and 8 and with myriad combinations can be the gateway to a wonderful musical journey for the beginner. Hope to hear from you soon. 🎉👍

[@stevendugandzic4347]

Just found your videos awesome now I'm going to watch thank you you make it simple to follow brilliant tres bon

[@jaypierce6336]

So So true! This ability ,talent or hard earned, separates true musicians.

[@shockmarkets7384]

That was a pretty interesting exercise. Thank you.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

I've always played spontaneously, off the top of my head, "singing" through my guitar, but I'm just an amateur home player, and know little about music theory, or many chords. I have Mickey Baker book, which some of my favorite guitar players learned from, but haven't spent much time with it. It's fun to just improvise melodic leads, but I want to learn how to be a rhythm guitar player too. Some guitar players are so amazing with chords, like Chris Cain - I've never seen anybody slide chords around like he does, or play chord medley stuff like Chris can - he's a guitar players guitar player. I enjoyed the video, but your guitar tone would sound better to me if it wasn't processed. Of course somebody else might like it, but I've always been into the sound of guitars plugged straight into an amp, being from the old school (really old in my case - ha ha). Cheers!

[@TheWilliamHoganExperience]

There's a great scene in US's "Rattle and Hum" film where BB King is getting bready to rehearse "When Love Come's to Town" with the band prior to a live show. King turns to Bono and says "I hope they don't want me to play chords. I'm terrible with chords..." Bono laughs and says "Don't worry, Edge will play the chords..." The more I play, the more I realize that lead playing is the easiest skill to master. It's rhythm playing and chords that are the most challenging. Changing between chords in time and correctly while fingering all the notes and following the key and changes like bridges and stops and picking / strumming and muting cords is incredibly hard to master. Lead playing requires less mastery because there are two basic scale patterns that cover 99% of what you'll ever need as a rock player - and just one scale (with some minor variations and position shifts) for blues. Those are of course the major scale (shift the root position of the scale and the same pattern of whole and half steps becomes the minor scale) and the pentatonic scale - again, shift the scale's root note and it becomes major or minor relative to the key you are playing in. Add a note here and there, and it becomes the blues scale / grace notes / chromatic scale. The thing is, the exact same skills it takes to play the major scale translate to every other scale. Bends, hammer-ons, tremolo picking, alternate picking, harmonics, pull-offs, tapping, slides, whatever..... It aint like that with chords. At all. Each shape is unique, and there are endless variations and possible fingerings and combinations. True, some are more common than others in various genres, like power chords in rock, 7th in blues and 9ths, 11ths, and diminished, augmented etc in Jazz, but as you move around the neck they change. A LOT. These are called "inversions" and they can get pretty crazy. Barre chords are a fundamental part of rhythm playing in most genres and they are physically very demanding to play well technically without muted or buzzing notes. Actually painful if you don't practice them frequently with proper technique. Why learn them? Because when you play with other guitarists, it's important to not play the exact same OPEN chords THEY are (probably) playing if you want the band to sound good. Doubling up muddies the rhythm and tends to blur and diminish the groove - and it's all about the groove. If you REALLY want a challenge, try doing lead fills between barre chord changes, or picking out individual notes occasionally instead of just strumming. Try singing while playing lead lines and rhythm. The worst part is that rhythm playing gets very little respect - just abuse by the singer when you make mistakes. The best part is, good rhythm playing skills are the best foundation you can lay for truly great lead playing, and I guarantee you, BB King started out playing chords and rhythm and got good at that before he became one of the greatest soloists history.

[@ahom_ahom_ahom]

You've got a Donner. Cool. I love their guitars

[@tontoninbas9496]

Vraiment important pour jouer avec sa tête (et son cœur) au lieu de s'en remettre aux automatismes que les doigts ont tendance à nous imposer... Merci

[@Daniel_Antonio_Arellano782]

I've played guitar since I was 12. Almost all by ear. And still get lost with some teaching systems. I started learning more since the internet came around. I depend more on muscle memory than anything.

[@greenatom]

It's like using the power of mimicry to play what you hear in your mind.

[@moxmultiverse4034]

Heya Dave! Been a while :) Love the way you articulate your passion. Especially great once the musician realizes their own expression is beyond competition!

[@danlillis21]

I just watched your first video that came up. I don't see the backing track. I signed up on your site too. I have watched sooooo many instructional videos looking for what I just found. Thank you.

[@redmed10]

So great to see you with a low budget guitar.

[@Claudio.forte.t]

Excellent tip, thank you David. Les français, d'habitude, sont nul en anglais mais le tien est impeccable! Sûrement un indice d'intelligence.

[@msenecal]

This is like connecting your brain to the speakers.

[@davidbarker2566]

That’s digging to roots of the truth

[@safourasalami]

I really feel like a kitten when her human talks with her 😂🐈🎶

[@komobg6403]

Please make a video about pitching and the touch for all kind of notes manipulation like plain notes vibrato and bending with and with out vibrato, the bar and the high and low notes Thank you

[@SjonnyBB]

Listening to a lot of music, also very important indeed

[@kaysemshongthuofficial8816]

Best instructor..

[@SjonnyBB]

I love your teaching style David, keep it up!

[@mikemedina9902]

Awesome channel. Congrats !

[@damien6685]

Wow Going to come back to this in the morning

[@2good2betrue3]

Agree with David, make the guitar an extension of your body. Practice makes perfect!.. subscribed! :)

[@chrisburzenski2317]

Thanks Dave, great stuff! The other thing that this helps with is developing your own style. I think that is something that can be overlooked as well.

[@machia0705]

What amp are you using? Pedal? Nice sound. Good lesson here. Voicing the fretboard. Thank you.

[@Wallimann]

Thanks! I’m using a factory preset in the Axe FX III

[@youtubesux6361]

Dude you actually have no French accent. I would have never guessed you were born in France.

[@user-zg1qz8oz2u]

Really enjoyed this,man! Thanks!

[@Ababmmmm]

what are intermediate electric guitar skills, including effects, tone, muting, playing on stage, getting good live tone???

[@Alfredo78666]

Hey, you play you, and always have a feedback with your bandmates. BTW David, speak with Donner to make leftyz options.

[@dpatt6175]

Yo can we get a colab with the French Stallion? Ooh la la in baguettes

[@SergeiVlassov]

good to see other people who hate phone talks :) Not just me

[@garysandifer9169]

That was Good... Thank You

[@juliodefreitas157]

Absolutely awesome 👍💙💙🔥

[@2ndbar]

Good idea.

[@GS-uy4xo]

Ear to hand training, I picked it up by singing bits and pieces and then finding them in different places on the fretboard, an ongoing struggle for me.

[@miniguitarjams]

Nice. Going to use this. Thanks.

[@steev6946]

David: can you play this? KZbin plays corona ad Me: hell yeah.... very well

[@Wallimann]

hahaha!!

[@jeremiahlyleseditor437]

Nice video. Great approach to playing technique.

[@samiam9059]

Playing melodic is much harder than mechanically fast. Hardest thing to do and most important is being a melodic capable player first. Have to have a good ear also.

[@KipIngram]

David, you look, and sound and have mannerisms, that remind me SO MUCH of a guy that worked on my team when I was the VP of Engineering for a seismic company. It just keeps weirding me out. :-)

[@Wallimann]

That's funny!

[@Stardust.Wonder]

Thanks! Great lesson.

[@StefanGBucher]

It’s the Joe Pass exercise made accessible! Thank you, as always!

[@barryjones872]

the most important skill any muscian needs is being able to play in time ! dosen,t matter what you play ,if it,s not in time ,it will sound a mess

[@dfafox]

I see the potential thanks

[@davorgolik7873]

Awesome lesson David! Maybe one day I realy become musician.

[@Wallimann]

You already are!

[@sublyme2157]

Show up on time and prepared! Oh.

[@lrb3989]

Great vid

[@JohnDoe-jc3cl]

Ear training. That’s it. But it takes work. I went to subscribe, and I already was. I’m taking this technique with me wherever I go from now on. Observation: @ 4:00. “ it’s a great guitar to practice with “, then it’s a great guitar to perform with. 🤨. Unless it sounds good only when it’s clean. And it has no sustain when dirty

[@chrisandrade4738]

thanks

[@SkylarRocketMusic]

Thank you for this lesson, very awesome. Question: where is the link to download this backing track

[@Wallimann]

Thanks! Here is the sign up link: bit.ly/3joZdHv

[@jerrydaniel1505]

I love your videos. But I can't find the backing track.