Why Your Guitar Playing Stinks

Today it's a lesson/motivational video on what's holding you back as a guitar player. I get this all the time in the comments of my videos, and I used to get it back when I worked as a music teacher. And yes, the title has been inspired by Ben Eller.
I hope you enjoy!
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[@MrPolevaulter]

Check out more lessons: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5-wk6xtid12pbM&pp=gAQBiAQB

[@catzdollz9810]

Everywhere in my home, I have a guitar placed. Yes, I have one next to the "THRONE". I'm chasing the art of guitar playing. I just keep pushing forward, every single day, I learn from instructional videos, grab a guitar and familiarize myself with what I just learned. At the age of 75, I'm learning, adding to my skill, and loving every step forward.

[@MashaT22]

There’s a famous picture of Kirk Hammett playing an acoustic flamenco style guitar while sitting on the toilet - probably from the early 90’s judging by his hair and facial hair, but might also be from the late 80’s. In interviews, he’s said some of his best songs were written on the throne. Not sure how the neck handles shower humidity, but these days, you can get a roasted maple neck, and CF reinforced neck, or a fully CF guitar to combat that problem. If Kirk can play guitar on the throne, why not you?! It’s really not that much different than people who like to sit and read on the toilet, lol. (I wish I’d have room for a guitar in my bathroom, lol.)

[@squirelova1815]

Well YOU'VE got the Advantage of being Royalty too.

[@rodrigobelinchon2982]

I used to practice scales while watching tv , but never while sitting on the throne hahahaha

[@No1karez]

You're an inspiration for this 45 year old beginner. Thank you you bloody legend d!!

[@trioguitar]

Wise words. After 45 years, I'm still rubbish, but I can say with confidence that I am less rubbish than I was 46 years ago!

[@MrDavee1]

60 years old, and I've just got to the stage of enjoying listening to myself. There's always hope for us! :)

[@MrPolevaulter]

Spot on :)

[@Sambre.]

I started to learn guitar at 42 with my 12yo son. I'm way slower than my son but I try things. I am old enough that I know there is no shame in that even if you fail or take forever. What I love is that when he sees me succeeding then he realises he can also do it. And he does it better and faster.

[@riceflatpicking4954]

Sounds like you all are a great team!

[@patrickunderwood5662]

One of most thought-provoking guitar teaching points I ever heard was “you must play something so many times that your brain is no longer needed.” Which in reality means, a long road ahead. There might be tricks and shortcuts, and obviously there are efficient and inefficient ways to practice, but it eventually comes down to just hammering at the problem over and over until the magical moment happens. Then pick the next problem, and get back to hammering!

[@rodrigobelinchon2982]

No pain no gain . GO PRACTICE!

[@benrusher581]

There were situations , environments and people in my life that knocked my self confidence and self belief and its taken me a long time to be able to overcome that. I am glad now, at 50 years old, to be able to learn the guitar (having lost so many years to the inner critic and perfectionist)) and to be supportive and constructive toward myself and the process. We just need a kind and encouraging voice from outside to help us find it in ourselves.

[@steves1015]

I feel you. I had a similar experience - valid criticism is fine but I had several important people in my life who didn't know how to give praise when it was due and nothing was ever good enough. That dented my confidence and gave rise to the little self-critical voice in my head. It's taken a long time to try to combat it, and I still haven't won that war yet.

[@juliocesarpetrini_guitar]

Great video. I think most of this negativity comes from the culture that people has “talent”, and not determination and training. I’ve seen a lot of people saying “oh, look how this guys is lucky, his has so much talent”, or even “I don’t have this talent”. It’s not about talent or being gifted by the gods (I don’t even believe in talent). It’s about putting your body set on a couch and being determined to study for hours to improve and become better on a daily basis routine. That’s all about it.

[@MrDavee1]

I've heard that excuse a lot.

[@MAX96MENDES]

@@MrDavee1 Its true. The best and most famous guitar players, play and practice for more than 6+ hours a day, and that is EVERY DAY ! That is how much dedication you have to put in , if you want to play really good and in less time.

[@ukguitarnoodle]

I'm 56 and have had 1-2-1 guitar lessons for around two years. I went in wanting to get furious alternate picking, then swerved off in a largely jazz theory direction due to wrist arthritis. I know I know more theory now and must have improved.

[@TheGlato]

Golden words and some harsh truth for someone. Guitar is very rewarding, because every practice session pays off. Consistently practicing at least 15minutes every day gives you a lot.

[@friedrudibega6384]

Talent is just a little inspiration and a ton of work. In music, it’s how much you love it and how many hours you put into it.

[@ZitherBeast]

I'm not sure why you don't have 5 times as many subs as you do. Your channel is Awesome Elmo. Thanks for the great videos Sir.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thank you very much 😊

[@ericskinner7355]

Thanks, I needed to hear this.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Ashbash75]

Elmo that's great advice and something we all need to be reminded of ! Thank you 🙏🏻

[@ricmusician]

Excellent motivational video! If a person doesn't try their best, they'll never know how good they can be at anything, not just music.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Absolutely!

[@seanbarker4610]

Glad to know you have finally heard my playing! Lol

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Absolutely. I totally agree. My wise farmer grandfather used to say " can't isn't the person that doesn't try! ".. It's so true. ❤ We can always do more than we give ourselves credit for. Totally agree and everyone does this at some point. ❤ That's not football. That's soccer . 😂 . Just teasing. ❤ Be well my friend. You're a good teacher sir. ❤ It isn't talent. Talent is just hard work that you put in the hours. You just have to have positive attitudes as you say and work hard. ❤ Regards from the heartland of USA. Tim . ❤

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers Tim!

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

@@MrPolevaulter Thank you brother!

[@henrjp]

Thank you, really needed to see this video!

[@dragan4658]

Confidence is a viable part of success in any activity and you make very valid points about confidence Elmo! 🤘

[@francoreia8147]

Thankyou

[@Spaceman-jo5mz]

Inspiring helpful message Elmo! 👍🎸

[@MrPolevaulter]

Glad to hear it!

[@jimmyx4599]

I was 12 when i started to learn guitar i still need to learn and need to improve at it i am 61 now. I gave it up for 8 years but i wish i didnt.

[@Aries_Alpha]

I agree we are all different and some are naturally better at certain things than others. I've played for 25 years I started at 16 and not getting started early enough on music theory held me back so much as a beginner, I was learning songs/riffs but I had no idea what I was doing or why it worked. It made me a much better player quickly once I started learning as much as I could in the spare time I had.

[@neilchakr]

another thing: Tony Iommi lost 2 fingertips in a metal factory accident, but he still wrote some of the greatest Sabbath riffs ever

[@BoogieTheMann]

Always a wealth of useful knowledge. Appreciate you mucho.

[@daniellarson3068]

Wow! I wish I would have had Elmo as a teacher as a kid. The lessons Elmo teaches us here is true of anything. Somewhere people get the idea that they should be "naturals." One does not learn any craft without starting at the basics and slowly honing your skills. If your attitude is destroyed before you even start, whatever you are doing won't get done. Rome wasn't built in a day. Anyone who has ever built anything realizes that it is "cut and try." Finally you may get it to fit right. Some people are good teachers and some aren't. I guess the good teachers like Elmo have the right attitude. They haven't given up on the rest of us. I bet he has got quite a lot of those 14 year olds to play "right."

[@SBsoton]

Good advice👍🏻

[@RickMichaelis63]

Thanks for sharing Elmo🙏✌️❤️🎶🎵🎼🎸😎

[@pedrocacela1885]

People seem to forget that talent and vocation are not the same thing. It's all about vocation not inate talent. If one has the love and the interest and, therefore, the fascination for a certain activity, by putting the long, hard work, which is like pleasure, they eventually will become good at what they have vocation for. Such is the case of music and musical instruments.

[@scotchgod8478]

My guitar playing doesn't stink unless i crack a fart while playing😁

[@johnnorth9355]

I have spent 55 years going back and forth improving and going backwards on guitar and I agree it's a state of mind. In my own mind (and perhaps in reality) I still suck but I know enough to bring a room of people to a stop in amazement when I want too. Speed is not what is really impressive so don't go there first. Concentrate on musicality and you can keep yourself and others amused for hours.

[@tymanngruter1808]

Thank you for make my day interesting! Without play our beloved piece of wood, we have food for tought to! 👏👏👏

[@farber2]

When your efforts are rewarded, it works.

[@jogmas12]

I actually try to learned more difficult songs beyond my skill set on guitar as a way to help me improve

[@Harrythe1st]

I've had guitar over 35yrs in my life, haven't been actively player and that is one of the reason, also I'm left handed but I got a birthday present a righthanded electric aria guitar, when I was 13 and started playing with that but I just enjoy playing, band times are way behind at this point 😅

[@christophersheeler4380]

Are you trying to tell me something, Elmo...LOL 😂

[@patrickunderwood5662]

“Steve Vai started when he was 14! Now don’t you feel better?” 62-y-o me: “Well… uhh… actually…” 🤣 Hey I get your point. Jus kiddin

[@nicks931]

Confidence!

[@Kadotus]

Only be negative when you are tested for a disease. I have large hands, but my fingers are relatively short. Yet, I was able to learn difficult Yngwie stuff when I was just a teenager. I just played a lot and wanted to be better than my friends who also played the guitar. A little competition really helps, but there is no substitute for practice, practice, and more practice.

[@robphillips8351]

Right guard on the fretboard fixes the problem right up..😆🤣

[@JacubWhite38]

I put cologne on my guitar so my playing doesn't stink nearly as bad anymore

[@cahhazley8241]

thank you.

[@MAX96MENDES]

Why Your Guitar Playing Stinks? I know my guitar playing stinks but....but.... but you don´t have to tell everyone, Elmo !!! LOL I am still learning. Everyday a new chords and a new Riff :)

[@robertclarkguitar]

Passion. Talent is usually from passion. So working seems like a joy ...lol

[@stevepelham9010]

Yeahh my grandpa was an musician a trubadur, studioplayer and a hired gun. He was an lousy teatcher as it was all about him, he throwed some fast advanced licks with an ease, eyhh? Hehehe... you try! Mehehee no no but you will learn you must follow study and train as hard and then ( in about 100 years after) maybe... well I was smart enough as to figure that out. As I was stiff uper lip to hell with that I learned by chord tabels and as lissening step by step on tunes that I liked I had friends that played guitar we shared progress.

[@ezrhino100]

This not what I was expecting.. but it's true. You will be surprised at what you can play. You simply attempt it....

[@chrisstevens4680]

Angus has very short fingers and Tony Iommi chopped off the end of his fingers….. they seam to play quite well!!🤘(Then there is Hommer Simpson who famously said to Bart: “Never try”! 🤣)

[@chrisstevens4680]

The video pop up on how to practice didn’t pop up……..

[@francoreia8147]

Your a driver. DRIVE IT HOME I know that's my issue somewhat, other issue wasting time somewhat noodling but noodling gives me some exercise to promote growth

[@darrinwarner4046]

Read "with winning in mind". Language you use can derail so many things in progress. I don't like being around people that talk like that. It's about sports but it's the same thing. I'm 50. Come from a flamenco/classical background. And working on playing like Yngwie. I have no doubt I'll be able to do it, I just. Don't know how long it'll take. But I don't care. Every time I can speed up the metronome it's kinda exciting.

[@jaunianise4172]

3:33 Django Reinhardt, short fingers too :D

[@transparent6748]

Don’t tell me we all haven’t wondered if our fingers/hands were to blame for limited guitar playing lol

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

It's that silly lemon oil people put on fretboards ;)

[@No_Comment87]

I just need a new Ibanez, wizard neck bla bla bla. That should do it

[@markopokupcic8525]

Hy Elmo! Harley Benton st modern. New angel in Thomann. Go and review it, I don't care how you get it, steal her.

[@pete614]

Some people are great musicians. Some people are fantastic in other things. Its really important to GIVE IT A TRY. Maybe you are like me and pick up guitar after 30 years of not playing 😁

[@squirelova1815]

Negative? I'll tell 'ya when I was a kid I was so ugly when my parents got my school photos in the mail they only kept the Negatives, alright?

[@MusicalBoys18]

Brother why dont u review jakson js 24

[@Timmyfigs]

Did you bug my house?! lol jk Yeah you gotta at least try. You talked before about "playing to your strengths" and one can't find their strengths if they don't try lots of things.

[@MrPolevaulter]

🤣

[@robphillips8351]

P.s. that is some good advice though 👍👍

[@Blodtann]

How do you know I suck? Is KZbin two-way now??

[@matzer8846]

Great description of the self erected wall with all your whishes behind that "big" wall Thanks a lot for sharing

[@PaulVigil-jl8ce]

Hay elmo i love when u answer the hateful comments ur a funny a hell.u could be a comedian.i just want to say i think ur guitar playing is fantastic. I would love to see anyone of the haters play against u but they dont dare.its easier to talk shit there just jealous.u seem like a really kool dude. And a great father god bless u and ur family. All the way from sunny california later rhino