This Is Why You Suck at Guitar: You Don't Pick SMOOTH!

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This almost RUINED by playing!!! This time, it's Uncle Ben Eller here that SUCKS AT GUITAR, not you!!!
On this very special episode of Blossom, I'm going to show you the tension-related issue that was destroying my playing, and how I fixed it! Every struggled getting a SMOOTH sound out of your alternate picked shredding, especially on the high strings? Me too. Let talk about how to beat it, and how to keep tension OUT of your playing so you can rip it like a real Shredi Knight!!!
Gear:
Gibson Slash November Burst Les Paul
Steve Vai signature Synergy module
UA OX
What topic or technique do YOU want to see covered on the next installment of This is Why You Suck at Guitar?!?! Uncle Ben is listening!!

[@BenEller]

Thanks for learning the secrets to picking more smoother and with less tension! How many echoes of the spirit of Rob Thomas did you count??? Get more goodies here: www.patreon.com/posts/89525382?

[@ryanamendt8363]

Not enough Rob Thomas.

[@BenEller]

@@ryanamendt8363I mean, can’t that be said of ALL videos???

[@satchrules101]

Hey Ben could u do a lesson on when a phrase is complete in a measure with chords flying by . That would be great if you could.

[@joeman5220]

I actually do the back-slant picking most of the time. My hand feels more natural grasping the pick by the tips of the thumb and pointer finger and it does work out pretty well most of the time. The only issue I had was getting consistent low string pinch harmonics while using that grip. Higher string squeals are pretty easy though. Also, Rob Thomas is a great musician- his Matchbox 20 stuff is pretty awesome and I can understand why Santana loved his talents.

[@RainRedMusic]

Like 10 or 11 idk

[@Kriegter]

This is probably also why everyone suddenly forgets how to play guitar when they record. Relaxing is quite important

[@markdilley3918]

And gigging. Sometime I hit a realisation that I'm so tense, I'm not plating smoothly. Activey relaxing is a thing.

[@Mark-fo3hx]

I agree, I’m still learning and don’t record anything but I’m trying to get the hang of using a looper. I’ll play the progression I want to loop perfectly right up to the point I hit the pedal. I tense up and it goes to hell.

[@Cruz474]

True and real.

[@Bitstream]

Sad but true! 😄 But now I know why I suck when recording guitar.

[@sashanicodemus4212]

So true. When I'm recording other ppl the never fail routine is start recording before anyone knows. Get so much more useful material everytime.

[@KmartKingz]

I remember when I sucked at xylophone back in the 70s. This was the video that changed it all for me. Nearly 80 yrs later I come back to it for inspiration

[@METALMISFIT6]

I've had more pick issues than anything else... staying lose is key like you said

[@fbettr2627]

LOL.

[@jeffpodrug8942]

​@@METALMISFIT6Me too. It almost felt like I was inventing them. I think everyone has that come to Jesus meeting with themselves.

[@conkyjoe8932]

​@@METALMISFIT6😅😅

[@Fafa_Sauce]

Ok willie

[@tatsuyoshiguitar]

it’s crazy that this works so well, and my stepchildren now consider me their real dad. thanks

[@vltranine720]

Best comment I've seen in a long time 😂

[@JadeHunter272]

That’s rad…Dad!

[@justsomeguy727]

"i picked up the guitar and i fucking sucked!" Uncle Ben always so relatable

[@joegalford2319]

It's refreshing to hear even great players run into bad days.

[@brando851]

It’s crazy how often the natural tendency when playing guitar is to be tense and tight, but learning that playing looser and more restrained sounds way better. It’s something that seems so counterintuitive that it really messes with your mind like “it can’t be this simple can it”?-- such a hard habit to break but I’m working on it. Thanks Uncle Ben for the primo content.

[@kimseniorb]

its not counter intuitive, look at any virtuoso especially the string players and theyre all taught and work constantly from day one on relaxation in every joint. seasoned pros play effortlessly, but for some reason in guitar teaching it’s mostly overlooked

[@brando851]

@@kimseniorb I’m saying it SEEMS counterintuitive--not that it is. Especially to a beginner player. Of course a virtuoso player knows this. Duh?

[@j_freed]

@@brando851 - well it's like professional athletes, they try to find maximum flexibility and range of movement to get the last little percentage of capability and speed. It can make them the worlds fastest runner or top scorer in basketball. Good sports trainers help athletes relax and free up muscle groups so they are not working against themselves, wasting energy or damaging their bodies. I believe in the late 1980s Yngwie Malmsteen had developed serious hand pain issues. Tendinitis I believe.

[@ShreddingDragon]

Yeah, and I think especially the effect we get subconsciously from extreme metal imagery is causing part of this intuition. Theatrical music videos and even guitar playthrough videos where people make faces and headbang and hit the strings as hard as possible to look enthusiastic and badass etc. I mean it's awesome, I love all of that for sure. But that's just a display of showmanship - it's great, but it's not what you're "supposed to do" in order to sound great and to maintain a technique. You're supposed to be relaxed. Sounding great while extremely tensed up is a more like a happy accident and a hazardous quasi-technique. It it may work but it is limited.

[@brando851]

@@ShreddingDragon agree 100%

[@GuitFiddlerOntheR00F]

The band .38 Special knew what they were talking about "Just hold on loosely! But don't let go! If you cling too tightly, you're gonna lose control!" That rule applies on so many levels 😉

[@cbrindle91]

😂😂😂

[@alienautopsy9326]

Same thing goes for dating girls

[@originalgiantvintage]

BEST. TIP. EVER. Seriously. Everyone-don’t waste your time on any other exercise until you’ve got this one under control. You’re welcome and thank you!!

[@jakebriscoe]

I remember this video was the only thing that could distract me from the sound of my step father wrestling my mother back in ‘69…. Now, almost 1.3 million years later, here I am, watching it again.

[@leanmario]

whoa, theyve gotta be pretty old by now, thats gotta be a disgusting spectacle to watch

[@fortheloveofnoise9298]

​@@leanmarioThe Flintstones

[@Guitarisforgrins]

The amount of Smooth references in this kept it real and I won't forget about it.

[@BenEller]

This is the way!

[@alvinallaster9471]

the intro drums😂

[@romaroalte2645]

Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast 🫡

[@zacharysmithingell5460]

I always like to say "don't try harder, try more betterer" Excellent video, perfect advice. Thanks Uncle Ben!

[@paulhusband9002]

Play it quicker but slower.

[@bigkit9963]

@@paulhusband9002both of these are gold

[@jay-shredds]

I believe the saying is “don’t try harder , try more gooder .” I hope this cleared things up for you . We want to prevent misinformation here

[@zacharysmithingell5460]

@@jay-shredds this is the gooderest advice I have received in KZbin comments. Keep fighting the good fight.

[@jay-shredds]

@@zacharysmithingell5460 yep, I’ve been told I’m the bestest . Thank you !

[@BK-lx5mo]

I often watch Yngwie live videos as a reminder to stay RELAXED. He makes it look effortless because he’s loose even during his most difficult passages. He’s also great at “economy of motion” - moving your fingers (L) and wrist (R) as little as necessary versus flailing around. Relaxed and focused motion = control.

[@j_freed]

That's funny, I was just thinking about Yngwie Malmsteen.

[@redbuttonstudiossc]

all the Smooth jokes and reverb'd vocal clips have me legitimately laughing my ass off. Pure gold.

[@MatthewBreithaupt]

The way you drop all those puns in there is almost unnoticeable, you're so smooth!

[@reckless-575]

I figured this out about a year ago. This video is going to help a lot of shredders. Thanks uncle Ben! 👍

[@kellyp9438]

The .38 special reference…gold my friend!

[@martinmorales3195]

I think I'm noticing that the looser it gets the flatter the pick meets the string. Dave Mustaine said years ago that he prefers to pick parallel to the string to avoid that pick scrap noise and I've been doing it ever since.

[@collins2509]

Man, that pick movement is just like the ocean under the moon.

[@SHENDOH]

I'm gonna go practice. Excellent lesson uncle Ben

[@immonkey2074]

I've been watching this series for years and the videos never fail to help me improve my playing.

[@nc1969]

I admire your humility. If someone as good as you can share your "bad days"... days you feel useless as a guitar player... there's hope for all of us! Thx for the great content.

[@QSGWorldwide]

that intro about holding it too tight worked wonders instantly, now to apply it to guitar

[@jamesjordan3192]

I like that Kerry King solo in the beginning!

[@willbdtd]

Im a self taught(watch yt videos) guitarist for the last 7 years and have always had issues with the strings buzzing so much after picking. Nobody ever pointed it out to me til now either. Its been only a few days and an immediate improvement in my playing. Appreciate you!🤘

[@stupidusername38]

The light bulb moment for me came from watching Mike Michalkows drumming system tuition. Mike spoke about holding the drum stick at the fulcrum point. His grip was so loose and it needs to be because you get bounce back off the snare head. The guitars string are similar, they vibrate, and those vibrations generate kinetic energy. A rigid pick grip fights the string vibrations and makes you tense up as you fight the string . Let the pick move in your grip and you won't lose any tone. Also, tension starts in the shoulders and travels down the arm. Drop the shoulders

[@Petes-Vintage]

Dude it's like you read my mind. I was literally just noticing I was doing this yesterday and realized I probably do it all the time while practicing and don't even realize it. I honestly think this is probably the #1 most important thing all guitarists need to learn if they want to play fast, period. It took me 40 years to figure it out but learning to relax and "un-tense" specific muscles completely transformed my playing (along w/ Troy Grady's video series). This video is seriously The Shit - everyone needs to watch it.

[@dubbleplusgood]

I got my 1st guitar a couple years ago and sucked so bad I gave up soon after. Damn thing's been staring at me every day wondering why I don't try it again. I know it all starts with the pick handling so I'll give it another go tonight. Fingers crossed, but "more loosily" this time. 😊

[@StrokedTac]

For the last 6 months I have noticed the biggest knuckle on my picking index finger has been getting sore after picking practice. This was the answer. I would go on autopilot and crush the pick. Weird, because I've been playing for over 20 years and just created this new bad habit. I'm assuming I am trying to play too fast too soon on some of these exercises, compensating with tension. Thanks Uncle Ben!

[@Chris-tl9wd]

As a former drummer I forgot how important it was to be relaxed while playing! Man, such a small tip for some, yet makes a HUGE difference in my playing. Thanks Uncle Ben, this has helped me with my carpal tunnel and wrist problems. Thus letting me rock out longer with no pain! :)

[@xavkoston16]

I'm a drummer that hits pretty hard and for relaxing while recording i try to have some limits because of wrist problems like you said. If i'm not able to relax properly when recording i do just 2/3 takes at 100% then relax a little, listen and re-do what needs to be after that break.

[@brendajeannewyche2294]

I just tried playing that troublesome part while relaxing when holding the pick & the improvement is miraculous. CHANGED MY LIFE! I’m not even joking. Because that part has been my bully for way too long & things are about to change. 🎉🎉🎉❤️😎

[@BenEller]

Yesss so glad to help!

[@sepiarain]

Ben, you are gift.

[@nj1255]

I usually tell people that if they feel like they always drop picks or they get turned around in their hands, it's not because they aren't holding the picks tight enough, but because they are picking too deep. Only the tip of the pick should touch the string, not the whole pick. There are times when digging in can sound good, but the majority of your playing should not be like that.

[@kcyrowolf]

Absolutely spot-on lesson. Thanks Ben! ❤️

[@MeikelLohse]

Always love picking pointers, even after playing for 30+yrs. Hands don’t move like they used to. Lol

[@dmeemd7787]

I remember a close friend of mine I play with just nonchalantly saying, probably just need to relax a little bit sometimes, referring to right/left hand.. and my brain just played it over and over and over every time I’m playing to the point where there’s no inner dialogue anymore and try and do the same!! it will help so much

[@ccaputa]

Ben, I hear you whisper and the words melt everyone.

[@Kwert]

This is something I’ve been working on a lot in my guitar playing, and am trying to be consciously aware of at all times (until it becomes unconscious, of course). It was really interesting watching how the pick moved in Martin Miller’s fingers in one of the clips he shot for Troy. It’s flopping around so loosely but is incredibly controlled at the same time.

[@billymcguiremusic]

Always love your content, Ben! Always giving amazing insight on improving our technique!

[@snowbeast63]

I've taken a long time off in an attempt to unlearn or forget so many bad habits. When I pick up again I will remember this. 👍🏼

[@FartCoffinStudios]

I’ve been having trouble with this. Thanks for the great advice, as usual!

[@kevinlification]

No clickbait and straight to the point? Amazing

[@mazklassa9338]

Ben you are an amazing guitar teacher and fantastic editor too!

[@camarotrash]

It’s good for my mental health to know that even cut-ups as in-the-pocket as Uncle Ben forget how to talk and speak.

[@chrisnaishguitar]

I've gleaned a lot of great things from your videos over the years. This is one of the most important ones for me. Thank you for posting this!

[@stefanokrivtzoff1593]

Thank to you Ben, I’m rethinking how I pick… now I feel like even my endurance has improved! Thanks a million!

[@BradyIsAfagInHeat]

Thank you brother. so simple and yet, such a major change in sound quality and playing speed

[@Fuck_handles]

I've been playing for a year and frankly I'm not a good player but in the past couple of days I thought maybe I've destroyed my hand or somehow progressed backwards specially with my tremolo picking; But after seeing this vid and playing for some minutes without holding the pick too hard, I gotta thank you mate, because to this day my solution for inconsistent and generally sounding bad on the picking part was gripping the bloody thing harder and holding it lightly really does make things easier. So again, thanks.

[@BenEller]

Happy to hear! Keep loose!

[@Mj-gu9rs]

Great video, smoothly done

[@kalvincunhaaguiar2894]

Another thing that helps playing aggressive but clean is learning to mute with both hands and using the thumb on your picking hand to mute almost like a pinch harmonic but not all the way. I hope this helps people 😀

[@trevorpugh6475]

Another TOP video that makes complete sense...I often use relaxation techniques generally but often forget to utilise them when playing so, once again, thank you Ben... keep these excellent tutorials coming! 👉👍🙂

[@weslester1119]

Thanks. Definitely needed this.

[@myoriginalname]

Frank Gambale on his tutorial videos always repeats the same line in between each exercise: “relax”. Such a simple concept yet so effective.

[@haplozetetic9519]

As someone who stopped playing for a long time, and lost almost all I had learned, I've found that it's easy to dig in too much with the pick. Playing exercises while trying to make the pick contact the strings by only a hair helps. Initially, there will be a lot of missed notes, but it eventually comes together for much smoother, and cleaner playing without the grinding screech on each note.

[@katzensprung7449]

Great advice and very helpful. Thank you very much, Ben!

[@andres.g]

Man, you are a genius! I've been looking for months for issues on my guitars as to why it sounded so horrible on the high strings. LOL. The problem was Me. Now it sounds great!!! Thanks a billion!

[@Slipperygecko390]

Yeah dude I notice that you can dig into the wound strings and they just sound better and better but unwound high strings need more finesse

[@kenzuercher7497]

This hits the nail on the head with me. I'm left handed but play regular (pick with right hand). Been an issue for 50+ years, pick flies out of my hand, two hands not coordinated, etc. Your description put it back to sounding good for me! Thank you much, Ben!

[@danielb.4817]

What a great video, thank you for all the info ! This happens to me a lot while I try to learn shred licks, after a hours of practice I get frustrated and then sound worse because of the tension and always wonder why

[@LewisElmes.]

Great video mate. Cheers it’s helped me A LOT. Perfect timing 🤘🏼

[@BlaCkLaBeL2002]

Oh, man.. I hate those days when it feels like I've completely forgotten how to play guitar. Even holding the pick seems strange on these days, hahah. Have you made more videos on this subject? That would be cool! Keep rocking, Uncle Ben! 🤘

[@paulodantas1492]

I'm currenty suffering from an essential tremor in my right arm, and playing guitar is sometimes frustrating. Your video was really helpful because I was playing with my picking hand really tense, and you gave some tips that really helped me.. Thank you so much, Uncle Ben!

[@zishanhaider6]

I have never heard anyone speak about the subjects you did in the video. Thanks, they are very useful

[@pinkmaggot1]

Effing amazing, Ben! Thanks a ton!

[@bezerah3695]

BRO YOU REALLY ARE THAT GUY! Thanks for this man this is gonna help me out a lot

[@rickybishop2012]

This is some good stuff man this changed a lot on how I play. Nice!!

[@Blue_3rd]

Very interesting, thanks Ben - and Rob 👍.

[@joshgurr260]

Been working on this since the video uploaded and damn it's making such a difference already. Thanks uncle Ben!

[@victorteixeira1433]

I have this problem (and many others as I'm learning lol), and I've been wondering if it wasn't the picking. Now it makes sense, thanks Uncle Ben!

[@AndrewGrey22]

You're right. I've been trying that since I watched this. It works. I guess I've always been playing that way. Never noticed this til you mentioned it.

[@joeywilder9708]

This was definitely a lesson I needed! Awesome stuff man thank you!

[@BenEller]

Glad to hear it!

[@brianjetter1270]

This is one of the life altering lessons- thank you Ben. I’m the 5 times I’ve practiced since viewing this, I’ve thought about this & tried to follow the principle & im reaping major rewards. Everything just feels quicker & lighter

[@chriss1492]

I actually laughed out loud at the .38 Special reference (and canned laughter) 😂

[@christopheredgar7549]

Really good perspective of an issue often blamed on equipment (the easy excuse) rather than on technique (the hard realization). Also, nice burst on that Lester. Cheers!

[@kellybeane7546]

Thanks so much , great lesson I've just been getting back playing again and this helped me. Awesome lesson uncle Ben.

[@charliek2557]

This is great, thanks Ben

[@ensoniq2k]

As a guitarist and drummer you reference to how drummers hold the sticks really opened my eyes! I always pride myself holding the sticks pretty lose but controlled and it never occurred to me it's really the same with picks.

[@WitchKing99]

What I love about your videos is that I always learn WAY more then I would have expected! When clicking on this specific video I thought you will teach us a neat trick to have more control in the picking or something like that. Well... You did exactly that in the end but first there was a whole story involved; with your own Suckage™ and life lessons! I think I can put it like this: "You tought us nothing new but rather exposed something that was hidden" And I love this kind of teaching! It was fascinating for me and therefore it sticks better to my memory and I feel inspired and motivated to try it out! Thank you very much! Also: The variety of Smooth jokes was hilarious! Keep it up, Ben! ♥

[@TheMatSignal.]

"Stuck in a vortex of suckage" pretty much describes my lifetime of attempting to play guitar (and many other aspects of my life)!😢😂😂 Great video, thanks!

[@ricardoostos2406]

awesome video, great insight into pick grip! I am trying to work on that in the last few months, it does help a lot. For me it takes some time to get use to a new 'feeling' of pick grip/hold. Thank you for the video!

[@dunehaggar7495]

Nice! I found going to chunky in-flexible picks and really playing lightly really helped me work on this stuff...

[@xinshon]

Funny fact, some weeks ago i was playing some acoustic guitar and notice a lot of string noise while fooling around with gallops chugs, soo i tried the trailing edge 08:40 and the sound immeadiatly was cleaned, until this day i didn't know that was a thing and in my mind that way of holding the pick was "wrong", soo i tried to clean with the normal hand, but never sounded pure clean, that video releases my soul to do it, thank you uncle Ben.

[@jfrockon]

Words of advice I can work with. Thnx!

[@chucksaeger7500]

I’m a recent subscriber and this is the first video I’ve watched and I feel so beginner like by guitarists like you. Fabulous speed and dexterity that may be beyond my limited abilities. I’m gonna study your stuff and see if I can even get in the ballpark. You present very well and have a great voice for this. Thanks for inspiring me to get better.

[@stevecaststringtheory8691]

I’ve never considered this, thank you for the great tip Uncle Ben! I’ve always equated hard picking with firm grip.

[@gregpelton6516]

Great tip for many things. Thanks Uncle Ben. Eric Johnson mentions this in one of his videos, how you have to be careful not to tense up when going for a big lick

[@canalmarco888]

I already knew it but this is gold man, you shared something really precious, one of the greatest secrets of eletric guitar playing.

[@pennywise4843]

Best guitar teacher on KZbin hands down! Thank you .

[@Trikisixx]

Thanks Uncle Ben. I needed this one.......desperately

[@Novotny72]

thanks very much, this was an interesting video for me. I do tend to tense up and had never realised it.

[@jacksonallan5659]

Dude the whole smooth theme and the meme parts are incredible haha

[@kevincarman5739]

This is the video I needed. I’ve been playing for years and one thing that has really stumped me is my picking. I’ve felt a reoccurring disconnect between my fretting and picking hand and everything you described from the chirp, dropping the pick, even how I hold the pick. Over the last few years, I’ve noticed my right hand’s index finger is crooked and I hold my pick just like you demonstrated when you were showing what was messing you up. Thanks for making this video Ben. You’re one of the best guitar teachers/players around!

[@13Ghosty13]

perfect! i needed this! thanks, uncle ben!

[@jamesswanson4391]

Ben Eller has some good videos about reducing tension in your playing. That dude is a genius!!

[@richardwouters4416]

Really good eye (ear) opener Ben!

[@TyroneLoganMusic]

Great reminder! Also, the guitar tone was lovely as ever.

[@Normynator]

Good lesson! Thx sir

[@alistairpraet9108]

beautiful vid and advice as always as a beginer this is a massive thing i keep doing without realising so great to see it from your experience

[@BenEller]

Happy to help!

[@e.d.1642]

Finally someone who puts the subject of the video in the description and in the title. Thank you

[@esmoroglu]

Convincing digestable wisdom as always, off to Patreon exercises!⚡️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@PaulWarrenMusic]

Preach! This was such a big part of my difficulties with picking until I realized what was happening. The more I relaxed everything - arms, hands, pick grip - everything got better. Great video dude! \m/