You Can Play Guitar for 10+ Years and STILL Suck...Here's How

An Inspirational message;)
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[@kjdavis1]

Hell yes. Eight more years of excuses

[@axemancj]

We'll get there.

[@mpactdesignmedia]

LOL! Great comment.

[@johnc1963]

I don’t think this was the angle he was going for. XD

[@krzysm8930]

+1

[@axemancj]

I have been playing for 5 years now but I only practice maybe 1-2 hours a week. I got into a thrash metal cover band 2 years ago so that amount of time of practice is just enough because learning cover songs are easier because there is tabs and all. But recently, just this December last year, we started composing songs so now I practice maybe 2-5 hours a day including exercises. I'm not saying I'm good at it now. But at least now I think I suck less now than before. As a negative person (always looking for excuses, etc), I don't look at practicing as getting good at guitar. I look at practicing to suck less at it. As I said before, WE WILL GET THERE.

[@Thirsty_Fox]

10 years?? Some of us are celebrating 20 years of rubbish playing. Amateurs 😎

[@alexoest]

Ha! Noob! I've played for 35 years and I'm at best a decent campfire guitarist.

[@29memyselfandi]

@@alexoest 35 years! Noob! I’ve been playing 40 years and can clear any campfire.

[@davidasince1985]

Right lol

[@michaelhamilton6553]

I'm glad it's not just me then. I honestly thought I was the only one that can't seem to make progress to the point I don't even tell anybody that I "play"

[@copypaste_pro]

Our numbers match exactly bro

[@MichaelBuilds]

I’m 40 yrs old and started plying when I was 10… I sound like I’ve been playing for 1 year 🙄. I found your channel Mike and that’s what’s getting me out of that rut

[@Jazzadrin]

I recommend Troy Stetina’s Metal Rhythm/Lead methods if you are a rock/metal player. Probably the best guide books for that style of music. Start with Rhythm volume 1 and Lead Primer is you decide to take this path

[@msihcs8171]

I've been playing off and on for almost 20 years, but it's always the first thing to get dropped when life gets in my way. I'm going to hope that I get more time to play very soon

[@502deth]

exact same boat. play on and off, by the time i pick it up i already forgot everything i knew last time.

[@remistaom]

Man, you and I are the same person! I'm 40 paying since I was 15, and I SUCK!!!

[@MolitovMichelleX]

Please don't feel bad as its very common. Remember simply being able to play a chord is vastly impressive to someone who knows not. 😉

[@39love31]

YES it happened to me...been Owning a Guitar for 32 years ...However, I Used to play a Lot of "Cowboy" Chords and could play many songs by ear. Then when i was about 39 i got my neck Broken at work and had to get surgery ...Since then i could not feel my fingers because of nerve Damage.So, for about 11 years i had to quit....Then to add Insult to Injury about about 5 years ago i Had Open Heart surgery and a Double Bypass at age 45!!! ... and here i am at age 50 Disabled and feel DEFEATED!!! Until ...October 6, 2020 I had heard EVH had passed away... (RIP Eddie) Eddie was my Fav Guitarist that MADE me want to learn! (i bet More than Likely 70% of your Audience Started because of Eddie?) But since then. I have been Watching many KZbins of Eddie and thought to myself ...WAIT i have 3 guitars on the wall!...Let's Take em Down and just TRY again!? and i did .... So i bought new set of Ernie Ball Strings for all 3 Guitars...and did a "intonation" set up too.. (that required a few days of Fiddling..lol )then I Slowly and Methodically overcame my Nerve Damage problems!!! (Not without dedication and PAINFUL Practice!!! ) And after watching many KZbins of Eddie it gave me that "FIRE" again!!! ....I then started watching many People Like YOU and Others on youtube! ...I am Back to taking this serious again! (Thanks My Friend!) only been able to form Barre Chords from like the Middle Dec 2020...so it was a SLOW process at first!!! but WELL worth the effort! I have been Playing now for about 6 months...and i Sound better than i did when i was PLAYING say 11 years ago!? I also dedicate about 1 hour to 2 hours a day to Practice of Scales and just Playing ...(More than i Used to..lol ) but like you said...YOU MUST HAVE A PLAN! and be ready to get down and Dirty! and Use Practice time to Better yourself ... we have soooo many KZbinrs teaching now...Compared to 1989 when i picked up Guitar ....it's Amazing! I do hope someone reads this...and sees....even a Broken down Man can get the "LOVE" back into playing a Guitar and Loving Music again! I pray all who respond to this RANT of mine ..lol...That it gives you HOPE and even another good REASON to play! Keep a Rockin! and Keep a Smiling! ;)

[@RAKK1313]

RIGHT THE F ON BRO!!! Keep it going man, make your heart happy! 🤙🏽

[@drdj2626]

Hi, Michael, I enjoyed very much reading your account. It brought me a smile, no joke. While having not lived through anything close of what you have lived, when it comes to the six strings I believe we are experiencing the same thing. As you and Mike well said, "you must have a plan", and the plan, I believe, is to live the fullest. Your commitment is nothing less of an inspiration. Stay positive and keep rocking. Sincerely, a random stranger from Brazil.

[@meyou9655]

That's just wonderful. I'm happy to hear that you picked up the guitar again. I'm going to do that too. Music bridges gaps. Sometimes I wish these world leaders could share music and culture instead of killing and war. Cheers from Miramichi.

[@vald3z415]

of course i know him, hes me

[@kristopherthomas7166]

I picked up the guitar when I was 15 years old. Was in a band by 19. Completely self taught. Band breaks up when I’m 25. I’m broke and sell all of my gear. Don’t really play from 25 to 35. Break up with my girlfriend. Some one gives me a Les Paul. I discover KZbin channels like this one. Started playing a couple hours per day learning from channels like this one. Now I’m 45 and I’m writing music and actually playing what I like to hear in the world. Tnanks for making these videos Mike, you BMF’er.

[@Templar44]

Upload some of your stuff dude! We'd love to hear it

[@tinflesh]

I’m so happy for you man! Rock on🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@MaquiladoraIII]

I’m in a pretty similar situation, mate. Started out playing in teenage years, being self-taught, but barely picked up the guitar in my 20s. Now 38, I’ve really upped my practise regimen in the last few years, timing my daily sessions and keeping a journal. The plan is to start writing and recording music in 2022.

[@severedmetal]

Similar here. I started at 15, played in a band until I was 22. I was actually pretty good at the time. Then I joined the military and pretty much stopped the entire time I was in it, really only doing the occasional jam to songs once every few months. Note I’m 36, just started back up and I really wish I never stopped. But on the plus, I’m fixing a lot of bad habits I had as I relearn.

[@gdr1174]

I stalled out for a huge chunk of time during the last 10 years, came to the conclusion I'd never be able to master a fast paced metallica solo. Then covid happened, I bought a new guitar to motivate myself again, found some fantastic teachers on KZbin like this guy, devoted some serious practice time and perseverance and now I'm playing better than I ever could before. I can feel the improvement and its hugely rewarding.. being able to play guitar is a journey not a destination

[@andrewk2625]

Guitar noodling is such a big problem too. You can sit hours even, but with just noodling there's not much progress; although it's better than nothing.

[@lalibi3182]

What is guitar noodling?

[@134subscribers3]

@@lalibi3182 its the part where you cook the string as noodles

[@yngvardforskvist]

@@134subscribers3 Literally boiling bass string in a saucepan of water is way to make them sound better :D

[@rexeverything100]

@@yngvardforskvist lol I did this I boiled my strings they sounded brand new for about 5 minutes really not worth the hassle 🤔

[@jjj-qj8lu]

@@rexeverything100 noodling means just improvising the same licks without a backing track over over and over again. They are just trolling you guys. Boiling strings doesnt makes any sh*t btw

[@benearhart1224]

In my 20's I played for five years and couldn't get anywhere. My main problem was due to dexterity symptoms from ADHD and depression. I picked the instrument back up at the age of 52 recently, and the situation has been totally different. Methylphenidate is incredible stuff. such a big part of the instrument is "selling it". you need confidence and assertiveness and strength. If there is pathology, you can hear it in the instrument. I came to hate hearing myself play. I realize now its because I could hear what was wrong with me.

[@williamdevonshire356]

thats very interesting perspective and it makes sense. never heard it that way before

[@kostasz6258]

I couldn't agree more. Whenever I'm not in the mood or I have many things on my mind upsetting me, I always feel like I sound terrible while playing, even though I always use the same techniques. I can only sound good (at least in my opinion) whenever I'm relaxed and in a good mood

[@ReizokoRyu]

Proud of you, mate! Keep it up!

[@TheBonestea]

I have ADHD and that made me hyper focus playing guitar and other activities when younger. I don't think you should use that as an excuse, you either wanted it or you didn't.

[@RealMelodyBlue]

Yeah, I pretty much have given up due to the effects of MS and depression, but here lately that old hankering of wanting to play is coming back, I think because the medication is working, now I just got to save up the money to buy another guitar, cause I sold mine when my hubby passed away.

[@mattgrundy27]

This one cut me deep.

[@xkidgey]

I've been playing ten years **misses string skips and makes horrible noises**

[@ckjjclan]

Right… me too.

[@lauchalz1]

same

[@MetaITurtle]

Same here... hard work wins over talent

[@Viccyvictor]

Right now I have the problem of being too goal-oriented. I gotta think less, and enjoy the ride more.

[@eliasmsv3156]

True! If it's not fun, why bother?

[@dontneedtoknow5836]

Pick a song and learn it. And practice it every day. Then when you get good at that song still practice it every day and start learning a new song. And rinse and repeat. And then when you have to start having days ( these songs on monday wednesdays Friday, these Tues, Thursdays, sat ) start getting into different tunings for your odd or even days. I find that when I'm trying to learn a song not being able to hear myself play ( using head phones loud enough to hear it and not the guitar itself helps. The vibrations will not line up if you are on the wrong note.

[@B3Band]

"My biggest weakness is that I work too hard!"

[@0777coco]

lol i wish i had your problem. i've been enjoying the ride for quite a while now and it shows

[@OljeiKhan]

@@dontneedtoknow5836 "start getting into different tunings" i can't risk 3-4 days of my pay on a broken e string brother but i totally agree with you :)

[@alexmurphy5289]

It’s not the 10,000 hours that matter, it’s what you do with that time IMO

[@williamdevonshire356]

another nasty thing people do unfortunately is instead of practicing they buy more gear somehow thinking the flashiest snazziest gear will make up for the fact they dont practice enough

[@kristinahatchett5041]

You didn’t have to call me out like that

[@FoodFolksandGuns]

GAS is real

[@TaylorLames]

For me, it's more that I have money now to buy my own stuff. And enjoy getting the gear, having it, and using it almost more than just playing guitar itself at this point. Dunno if that makes sense..

[@alexmurphy5289]

Yup, thankfully I remind myself that before I purchase more stuff. “Will this gear make me a better player? No, okay then I have enough stuff as it is”

[@JimHabash]

Yep. That became me, and a few of my friends.

[@lxf9914]

This goes out to 90% of guitarists probably lol Also, your artist series is amazing!!

[@HannahCope88]

I've only been learning to play for a couple years, it's been a slow journey but the important thing is I've not stopped. Outliers is such a good book, to anyone reading this I'd definitely recommend it. However long you've been learning/playing you gotta focus on your own journey and don't compare yourself to others. A quote I came across that sums that up for me is "Comparison is the thief of Joy".

[@Jazzadrin]

Marty Friedman, formerly of Megadeth echoes that sentiment. He says to just focus on you and what you can do, that’s what will bring out your own unique talent; if you try to do what others do it’ll always just be imitation and you’ll likely never do it as good. Plus it’s overwhelming, and it’s always easier to play your own music than someone else’s

[@davesaenz3732]

That is a great quote. Apply it to Everything else in life and its a wonderful gem to have.

[@therrienvictor8474]

Yep

[@JimHabash]

Yes Hannah, a big step is to stop being other guitarists, and be yourself. You have stayed with it and that's important. I've helped maybe 5 people get a guitar and show them stuff, and they eventually lost interest. I agree, keep at it, if you love it , you will grow with it , and it will give you back what you gave it.

[@odgeUK]

28 years now, still don't play as well as most 18yr olds. It's no mystery, it's lack of practice, plain and simple. Something that really helps is to be competing (in a friendly way) with another player, and sharing discoveries.

[@Haydrn]

I agree with the last part. My little brother recently started playing and it’s given me so much more motivation than I’ve ever had since I started playing in like 2012

[@robsheen11]

I have friends who listen to me play sometimes. I’ll play a song I’ve been practicing for a few weeks and I’m proud of, they’ll say ‘cool, now learn this other song’ - that keeps me going.

[@JohnSmith-fp8il]

It's not lack of practice it's lack of natural ability.

[@fosoofkkkfkfkckd]

@@JohnSmith-fp8il Facts

[@drewjohnson4794]

Most 18 year olds today don't even know what a guitar is.

[@paulsccna2964]

Guitar is like golf. Most people are never going to be good. So, just do it for enjoyment or throw the clubs in the pond and move on.

[@MrHobocopter]

I've been playing since I was 13, and I recently turned 26. I first started playing because alot of kids in my middle school that I admired started playing guitar, so I wanted to be like them. I saw a van outside Walmart with my mom that said "Cheap guitar lessons" around this time and I said "Mom I think I wanna play guitar." She found me a teacher and it turned out he played in reunion lineups of Franki Valli's Four Seasons and Tommy James and the Shondell's, but he mostly was a mediocre teacher and spent most of the classes hitting on my mom. He told me to quit 2 years in because I was making inadequate progress and I was crushed. Although I don't think he was a good teacher, I was motivated for the wrong reasons and didn't really begin my musical journey until around this exact time. I tried a few teachers in one-off lessons and none of them clicked until I found this one guy my friends were taking lessons from. In the same month that I went to my first concert (RUSH's time machine tour) I also started taking lessons from him and I was motivated because I wanted to learn the songs that my heroes wrote. Although I was finally making progress, it was at the same time that I had an emerging interest in music, budding social life, school, etc. When I went away to undergrad my playing stagnated. For 4 years I basically didn't play at all except occasionally to pass the time. Although I've struggled with various other things since graduating, I've been making alot of progress in the 4 years since I came home. Technically I've been playing for 13 years, but all things considered it's more like 6 or 7. Although my teacher and I pay alot of attention to technique and trying various different styles (Rock/Metal, Blues, Spanish Classical, occasionally Jazz) I feel like my major gaps are in lead playing (in terms of speed and improvisation) as well as music theory. Although I think I could be more efficient with my training sometimes, I practice several hours every week so I can always be making progress. I hope your students get that spark that pushes them to learn like I eventually did. The road is difficult, but rewarding. It opens you up to a world of friends and experiences you never would have had otherwise.

[@shaun64vet]

This is me. 19 years since I started but 10 of that is noodling around. Been taken lessons the last year and improved a lot.

[@ThatsPety]

This is a great video. I think one big problem (among the people who even practice regularly) is practicing on autopilot. Like, you'll be practicing a song, and on one section some strong noise pops up, but you did play it correctly. So you play that section a few more times until it sounds passable and move on. Instead, you should have played it slowly while observing, noticed "I slightly pull off of the strings when I lift my finger off of a fret sometimes", looked for and found other examples of this in songs you play, and eventually came up with an exercise that helps correct this issue. That's just one random example to get the idea in your head. This mentality could apply to a million different issues, and goes well beyond improving at guitar

[@ThatsPety]

Btw I used this example because this is one example of me autopoliting where I happened to catch myself

[@hzaa6810]

Wow you explained my problem perfectly. Im surprised to see im not the only one

[@joshua_wherley]

When I hit a rut on electric, I got an acoustic and starting playing it almost exclusively. I got tired of just strumming so I started working on different finger picking patterns and experimenting with different chords and voicings. Then I started playing electric more and using what I learned from playing acoustic on my electric. I found it gratifying and exciting because the nice sounds I got out of an acoustic lent themselves to all kinds of new sounds on electric, especially broken chords with something like reverb or delay. Sometimes I get really into playing electric for a bit and work on something like tremolo picking (I'm rubbish at that). Once I feel like I'm making progress I switch back and forth between the two guitars and see if I can cross over between them. My biggest problem is just a lack of free time. I'm involved with my parish, train BJJ to help stay in shape, read a variety of things, and work full-time. Some days I don't get home until like 7 PM and still have things to do, then have to get up at 6 AM at the latest the next morning. So by the time I do the quick math to see when I should go to bed, I have maybe two or three hours to take care of household chores, eat dinner, and get things ready for tomorrow. Even when I have time, I'm usually feeling drained and have no motivation. So I at least try to maybe noodle around for maybe 10 minutes. The hardest part of it all for me is just getting out of the mental rut. It's so easy to focus on how difficult it's been to make time for practicing and progress that I almost lose my interest. But I love guitar. My dad plays and that was so exciting for me as a kid, to watch my dad play. I don't want to give up but sometimes I feel like I have no real skill at it. I have to remind myself that it's just a hobby for me.

[@chrisdunn4590]

I was in that rut because I was just learning stuff that my friends were listening to. I then heard "Eruption" and it blew the doors wide open and I never stopped after that.

[@patrickt4095]

More like 40 years for me! Not sure if I ever fully got out of the rut (it seems to come in waves), but certainly your videos have been a source of inspiration. Thank you!

[@thejimmichanga2913]

I actually just went through this with guitar. Started back an 05 and was super passionate about it for about 5 years straight. Bought a fender gdec 30 in 2007 when there was nothing really like it and it inspired me to get away from covers and really start embarking down a soloist path/goal with all the backing tracks and options it offered. Around 2010 I started really devoting all my free time for guitar into acoustic, and the lasted for around 3 years. Since around 2013 I've lost all inspiration simply from trying to do to many things and never sticking to one style and mastering it before moving on. Spent the last 7 or so years picking my an electric guitar up that was incredibly uninspiring and hard to play because the guitar i liked to play got a bad bridge pup around the same time I switched to acoustic. I just never was motivated to change it as I really didn't have a reason to as all I was doing at the point is picking my original guitar up for maybe an hour a week and doing some chugs or some covers..just staying in my comfort zone. Finally last year I replaced that bridge pup which inspired me to start taking music theory and scales serious, which in return inspired my to by a an actual solid guitar EC1000 burl popular as well as a boss katana mkII and instantly fell in love all over again. The amount of time I've spent playing in the last year and a half been more beneficial for my progression than the last 10 years combined. I'm addicted again. Long story but its the little things you don't think about that could be hindering your experience and or motivation for playing.

[@destinationunderground6006]

Same here!!! Recently got back into it and bought 2 katana mk2 100 2x12s to play in stereo, a schecter c1 platinum similar to my old one...and now after 8 or so years I've been at it for hours each day after work! With the on board effects of that amp, and my processor through the effects loop, there's no shortage of inspiration and I can't wait to pick it up everyday...feel like a 43 year old kid again 😂

[@vincentkral8386]

Great video lesson, I’ve been playing on and off since the nineties, it’s easy to get caught up in all sorts of reasons not to play. Don’t stop what you are doing. Peace.

[@colinmitchell9212]

This one struck a chord with me, I played in local bands for over 10 years during the late 80s/90s, gigs in pubs ect but ended up giving up as I always thought, in my mind anyhow, that my playing sucked dispite an average of 1hr aday practice. I was so convinced, I quit, totally. I still have my gear but its all under a pile of dust now in the spare room. "might pick it up again one day" although Im now disabled with severe COPD and muscle problems and looking more unlikely. Love watching guitar videos, go figure.

[@cessbird8212]

It’s not to late to start again ya know. Give it go for old times sake before those problems progress!

[@karllongbottomguitars9192]

Go on do it Also read the comment about Michael Irvine, a good inspiration

[@RichTechGuy]

Picked up the guitar a year ago. Your channel & website has been a great help, the way you explain certain techniques or music theory is excellent and often creates lightbulb moments for me. I'm still not where I would like to be one year in, but I do notice my improvements and keep pushing forward.

[@rajdeep.banerjee]

Greetings! Beautiful sharing and reflections! It will definitely be helpful for beginners, intermediate as well as professional musicians. Stay blessed! 🙏🏻

[@williamdevonshire356]

i can tell you are a good teacher by the way you explain things with analogies and how you lessen the pain people probably have from not progressing by showing how you can relate with you jujitsu. rock on buddy 🤘🏻✨🚀

[@someguy5607]

Absolutely agreed on your points, I feel like I hit that kind of rut every once and a while but I always find a way out by finding a new genre to learn about, new band to learn the songs of, or new gear to take for a spin. I think one of the most important things is to accept the growing pains and find meaning in them, and through that you'll have a much more intimate experience, at least in mine. Great stuff Mike!

[@sheolcodemonkey4027]

I have been playing since I was 10. I'm currently 26 and still don't feel like I have enough competence to even call myself a guitarist, rather than just some guy who owns a guitar and knows a few pieces on it. My finger speed is still too slow, I can't do artificial harmonics, I can't sweep pick or economy pick and I'm not even good at alternate picking, I'm terrible at improvising, my muting technique is garbage. It feels like I'm just never going to improve

[@Lambik79]

Hang in there my man. Remember, as long as it's still fun you already succeeded

[@victorformosa2825]

Dave Gilmour don't shred and he is brilliant, neither did BB King.

[@TurtlesTattoos21]

I know this is 9 months late but .. you WILL get there!!! If you haven't already :)

[@drewjohnson4794]

I am you too but I keep at it.

[@anthonynoe8889]

Yo this channel is great, i can't believe I just found you man. Subscribed!

[@charlesgauldin8010]

Thanks for all of your videos ! You have helped me a ton, it’s awesome you train Jiujitsu! I train as well, 8 years now, and I still feel like a white belt! Much like jiujitsu, atleast for me getting out of a rut when it came to guitar was playing different things. Learning something new often, whether new songs by different genres of music, new techniques , etc. I am a big student of the game, I am always trying to improve upon something when it comes to playing guitar and jiujitsu. A couple of years ago I was in a rut, and loved this song by the old Lynyrd Skynyrd band called “I ain’t the One” well the intro involved “hi brid” picking. I didt even want to bother because I had never hi brid picked before, and I sounded awful and looked clunky, but I was like “ I need to get out of my comfort zone, buckle down and give it a try” so after a few days I was hi brid picking ( not like Gary Rossington) but I was none the less, and it made my regular picking so much better in such a small time span, just by trying something new. Thanks again for the videos Mike and good luck with your grappling brother

[@Jef-F]

Thanks man, you're half of what keeps my motivation to practice alive.

[@nicolascovers.]

I recently got out of the rut with my KZbin channel, It's kind of like how you described being in a band. It gives me some more incentive and motivation to practice for some video, and even better I'm doing ear training when learning Sanctus songs.

[@richardlopez5900]

I identify with a lot of what you said in this video. I've been going through what you described for probably the last 5-10 years. Not for a lack of trying, though. It's always been something - "the tabs I found were bad", "this teacher just isn't my style", etc. The part that really hit home was about the fear; when I hit that wall some years ago I was afraid to progress because it was hard, and doing something hard and doing it right was (and is) a lot of pressure so just like that student, I would put it off or like your other friend, do the bare minimum. I recently picked up "No Bull Music Theory" and giving that a go and heavily considering an instructor, because again as you said: I need a guide to prevent me from fostering any bad habits I have and help me pave the road for improvement. Thanks for this!

[@rayoorb]

this video just helped me get out from my rut...Thank You!!

[@BrentOwens]

Great talk Mike! I can relate to almost all of your points! Solid advice!

[@omartrachen6794]

Im in my first year and already feel stuck !! ... I think i dont have long term goals... Great video..

[@tamarahhabib]

ive only been playing for a few months i would say abt 3 or 4 but im very passionate about it and im making a lot of progress since i highkey practice mostly all day and your channel has helped me a lot with self doubt and confidence i really wanna thank you for all the advice you put out. its like you and the viewer actually know each other and have an endearing friendship almost and its nice. im still self taught but im pretty sure im getting a teacher soon, hopefully ill find one as good as you lol. take care man

[@DeliriumXM]

That line about short term goals turning into long term goals is the story of my guitar playing started with chords then i wanted to do start scales but needed to get enough and so on and now im just at the point where i want to get good enough to be confident with improvisation in more than a few keys, which will ultimately turn into creating more than some snippets of music like i am now; its definitely a ride, but its been a good one and i hope it doesn’t stop

[@AirConditioned]

I know some ten year house painters who can't cut a straight line.

[@EpicTetsu]

I remember the early days of my guitar playing... sounding bad and listening to my playing. Then I went through the oh its the guitar or its the amp phase. I had a friend who was pretty damn good back then, we went over to my house after school grabbed my gear and went over to his house, we jammed a lil bit and I just went to that no confidence and excuse mode,, blamed every piece of equipment i had...hell even my pick probably lol...Anyway he grabbed my guitar and played it, it was at that moment I knew sure equipment mattered but it wasn't the issue, it was the player, it was me. It was definitely the first best lesson I learned. Glad to see your channel still grows bro. Keep playing and keep posting!

[@mikedr1549]

"I'm kind of a nerd - I enjoy sitting in my room practicing." I'm pretty sure this is the key. The people who stick with it and make progress over the years are the ones who learn to enjoy practicing.

[@ttothep1]

20 + years of playing pentatonic up and down the neck. Learning chromatic scales changed and improved my playing. So I wrote a song that was in C but I started the first chord in the song was the f chord. So I approached the solo in f Lydian. My point is in the past I’d just minor pentatonic in c. Great video!

[@purpleraventd3]

Got my first guitar for my 20th birthday-1989. I still suck, but haven't quit. I really just became serious about it again the past 8 months or so. You're videos are inspirational and educational as well as entertaining. So much comes to make more sense with your breakdown of things.

[@ravenstrange8466]

Thank you for this video. This is true inspiration.

[@andrewkratz226]

Good stuff as always Mike,

[@KrispyCoins]

Dude this his the nail on the head man! I was just feeling like I'm surrounded by all these beautiful guitars and buying a new one but suck and have no desire out of being scared I won't progress.

[@carsonwiltink9613]

I’m just starting to come out of a 2 year rut. To get out I started researching music theory and it made me look at and understand the guitar in a whole new way. I’m still struggling a bit but it’s slowly getting better

[@joneigotaku8919]

Absolutely nailed a few of these for me. The vicious cycle of sounding trash because I don’t practice still gets me, along with the pressure I put on myself to not only play, but play in front of other people. Getting a little Vox plug in and a pair of earphones let me crank up the gain/ reverb and go crazy, yet no one in the house knew. Also- Terrible lack of patience- it (the song I’m trying to learn) sounds easy yet the instant gratification apparent from other media leads to frustration and my fingers feel like sausages/ lead. Finally- Being a teacher for six days a week is a serious deterrent to the role reversal of becoming a student. The desperation of learning a language because I had to, trumps the procrastination of having no set goals and/ or within a time frame. Great work on the videos, they are helping a lot.

[@thediamonddog95]

That's me. I've been playing since 2011 and i feel that i didn't make significant results. I can play songs, i can improvise somehow on a minor scale. But i don't feel confident, don't have a feeling i can express myself emotionaly nor i can pick up a strong, consistent rhythm. And my story of guitar playing is utterly boring. I didn't have a guitar teacher or good enough internet first several years, so i learned from tabs. When i got better internet, i went to college, and i couldn't find enough time. Last few years i found time, but amount of informations on internet is overwhelming - i don't know if i should first learn notes or chords or scales or licks or theory or, songs, or chord progressions, or pickings, or metronome, or rhythm or tips for songwriting - especialy since i play for 10 years and some of these things are very simple for me... and there are like 50 videos for each of these things. And 50 guitar channels with different approaches, one person saying you must do this, the other one that that's the thing you must avoid. I had a guitar teacher, but he didn't have a sense of organisation. He said i'm doing fine when learning songs, but we couldn't keep achieving the most simple short goals. And every time i make a short goals/long goals list - i always give up, forget it or end up doing something out of it. I probably made 10 lists of that way until now. I also tried to follow list from Art of guitar site (which is great, by the way, and i recommend it for everybody), and i didn't even start. And i want to play it for living. I want to be a professional guitarist. When i hurt my finger and held it in bondage for one month, i just couldn't stop playing. I picked a guitar pick with rest of the fingers and somehow keep practising. It's pointless, and at the same time, it's my life. And i don't know how to do it better.

[@Capillus]

I've been playing for 33 years and my playing is worse than when I started.

[@tomflynn2912]

Ive played off and on all my life and i suck. Its funny, my action on my guitar sucked and i got it fixed up and it sounds great again and its really renewed my efforts. KZbin is also here now and its so great! Thank you Art of Guitar, you are 1 of the very best teachers!

[@adamwilliams1980]

Some good words of wisdom right here! wish someone told me this in the first year or 2 of playing

[@friedrudibega6384]

I’ve been playing for a few decades and sometimes you might need to break away from the instrument to get inspiration back on track. I put in 16 hr a day practice in during my youth though. To get back on track, I usually start a new project, like putting together a studio or starting a new project. With the internet and especially KZbin, I try to learn something new every day. There’s always something on here that will at least brush up your knowledge or skills. Good vid dude.

[@Blink-oy6ux]

I think i really stalled out over the last 2-3 years, only doing the bare minimum. But recently i've been a lot more motivated and i have stuff i wanna learn, plus this channel is super helpful! Keep up the content man👍

[@aidenmohrmann1850]

This is going to be me if I don't get my act together. Thanks for the video, very inspiring and just what I needed.

[@MrZarkv]

You nailed my struggles with reason 2 Mike. It took me 15yrs to corect 10yrs of bad habits! I wish I had internet back in the day. Either way we pay for it so my advice would be just find a good teacher. If not keep a practice journal and tune in, rock on Mike 🤘

[@Inadvisablescience]

Now I am more motivated to practice at least once a week now. I really needed this video at this point in my life.

[@jmcb8440]

The story of my life. I am in my 50s. I had an interest in playing and had spates in my lates 20s where I learned a few things here and there. In my 30s, I hacked around but did nothing that really made me advance. I quit from my mid 30s to mid 50s. I left my career in my mid 50s and went back to lessons with a classical teacher who also taught rock and told myself I really want to make it happen this time. Then Covid came and his online lessons were a means to survive and turn a frown upside down. From there I joined the adult performance group at my local School of Rock. I have played in multiple shows now and continue to grow with my teacher who is a world famous rock musician. Playing with other people who make me accountable and embracing the fact that music is a life journey helps me continue to improve and constantly achieve things I never could have imagined in my youth. Cheers!

[@BLADEOUTDATOMB]

been playing for around 2 and a half years and felt like my progress was starting to plateau around a month ago. what i’ve been doing to break through is really breaking down my technique an focusing on something until it’s where i want it to be. also, picking a single song and learning the entire thing including the solo and working on that until you can play it has really helped me. the song i chose was cradle robber by revocation, highly recommend any song by them haha.

[@thoroughfaretonothingness623]

It's been 2 years.I play an electric.During the first year i didn't even play on an amp cuz i wanted a decent one and i'd need to save up to get something better and keep it affordable cuz i foolishly purchased a second hand off craigslist.and i had no money whatsoever.Typical indian family,guitars are for rich people,i'm a lower middle class lone son and i have responsibilities and stuff. Needless to say the progress is hella great now!I can do simple shreds,play some steve vai and almost any song takes me 15-20 days to master(the term master is subjective).The goal of making a band and doing gigs in jungles and basements has kept the spirit and one day i surely will reach my mark.This was really helpful,i recontemplated these thoughts i had during some phases when i hit the wall.Thanks for this very important upload!

[@blabla6878]

I can relate. I'm turkish and guitars are so expensive in here i can't buy an amp now but i really want to be a guitarist one day and have a band uh...

[@zolazon3009]

When you said 15 to 20 days to master a song, how many hours you spent in a day to learn it? Just curious because I am still learning how to play the intro for Cliff of Dovers for 30 years correctly 😀

[@bofa83]

I don’t think any guitar player ever feels like they are a master.

[@the48thvain]

Yeah, im sure insane guitarists like Michael Angelo Batio are still learning stuff. Thats the beauty of any sort of hobby

[@drewjohnson4794]

I'm a master. At sucking.

[@jessebua1324]

This is my exact issue as a guitar player! I’ve been playing for about 14 years and I certainly know more than how to play wonderwall, but my poor practice habits and lack of direction leave me feeling like I could be a much more proficient player by now had I done it the right way from the start. I hope no one gets discouraged and keeps on playing no matter what because the emotional expression conveyed through music is unlike any other❤️

[@thefellduck]

Damn dude, we haven't even met and you're putting me on blast :) This is definitely on point

[@krishkrush]

Amazing message. So many guitar students of all levels need to see this. As a school teacher, we look for “evidence of learning”. For music, that could be a practice journal, recordings, a progress chart that uses a metronome, memory tests, etc. Looking at your own evidence of progress can keep your momentum going when your energy is low or you’ve hit a plateau. John Petrucci wrote an essay on guitar, weights, and plateaus. Mike, what has been your experience with plateaus and how to break through them?

[@krishkrush]

“Excuses are the nails that build the house of failure.” - LA Beast

[@andocobo]

I made excellent progress for like 3-4 years when I first started, I would’ve practiced maybe 4-5 hours a day during that period. Then I kind of lost focus on guitar for a variety of reasons and just stayed at around that level for a loooooong time. I’d sometimes go months without picking up a guitar. Luckily that didn’t seem cause me to go backward or forget how to play too much. A few years ago I started to get really into guitar again, after at least 10 years of not really playing much. I’m happy to say I’m making real progress again like I did back in the early days and I’m enjoying it more than ever. I actually think more access to quality teaching online has been part of my renewed interest - and easier access to all kinds of music has opened up a lot of doors for inspiration.

[@gtrriffs]

🤟💯🎸

[@nimrodjoeTV]

So for many years I just a bass player and I was practicing many hours a week, got in a few bands and projects. I started to pick up guitar about 15 years ago, but for the first 5 years or so I didnt give it much of my time and focused on bass. Unfortunately I no longer had a band and I found it really hard to find people to play with (due to work or family lives). So for the next handful of years I was barely touching any instrument. Then about 2 years ago that all changed. I felt re-inspired to play again, but this time around I have been more focused on guitar. I have learned more the past two than I did the first 13 years.

[@jimdrechsel3611]

I’ve been playing 6 months and really enjoy learning but feel like I don’t know what to focus on because I’m going on 62 and don’t have the time to cram everything in due to age. I would like instructions but I am not sure how often I should get instructions since this is something you need to develop. It takes so much time and I don’t have a lot to be proficient reading music and the skills so I need advice on where to focus to get the most out of the journey. Thank you for your great videos. It would be great if you had different levels and groups of videos to choose from so I could follow a system. When you go live can viewers chat or interact? I also don’t have the ability it seems to get the strum patterns to play along with actual songs and it throws me off. Keep the videos coming!

[@ToniVarga]

I better start figuring out what may goals are

[@astewart9410]

This hit me for real. I've been playing guitar since 1993. Here in 2021 that's 28 years. It's always been just a hobby, and a lot of what I know is self-taught (pre-internet, even). I did play in a band briefly, years ago, but that was on drums. I own 5 guitars and two amps (and that's pared down from a lot more, at other points). I used to always tell myself I'll play every day, I'll practice. I'll submit to a training course and finally "get it." But two kids and a mortgage eats into a lot, so now I play when I can, and I still enjoy it. It's a lovely thing. Sure, I play the same damn things a lot, but it's something to keep the fingers moving. I'm not in a rut, I'm in a gorge lol.

[@PaulMills1963]

i love your videos bro....spot on.

[@kaleb.metzger]

I miss the good feeling I get by learning a song. I need to get back in the groove of guitar. Thank you.

[@jonasl7323]

Self-tought chords / campfire guitar in 2005, played some gigs for the family and practiced for these (weddings, 50's birthdays...) , I even played the solo for paranoid once. Then had a long time of an on and off relationship to my guitar. This christmas holydays I FINALLY rang up my old best buddys little brother who teaches guitar. Now I have a guy that forces me to practice and tries to exorcise my bad habits. I haven't made this kind of progress in forever!

[@jackslate99]

The bit about goals is really true. For example to make myself play more guitar I started a series on my Instagram where I will play 100 riffs and upload them whenever possible. I think this kicked up a lot in me to pick up the guitar every once in a while and try playing a new Riff.

[@rabokel]

Thanks for your thoughts on this issue. I do know a guy, who always tells me how easy some tutorial on the Internet is, but when asked, he cannot play any of it. On the other hand he seems to be very passionate about playing the guitar. Id like to help him out of this situation, but i am not sure how.

[@dominicsedillo1980]

I've been playing guitar for over 20 years. However, a few years ago I took a break for a few years (for a lot of reasons). I am just getting back into it and it's often very discouraging because I'm having to start all over again. I've been able to get back into a groove, but I still have a long way. On the plus side I have been able to identify some of the holes in my playing. Also, learning other instruments too has helped me have a better sense of how music works (on a technical level).

[@diatomicfawn1141]

This reminded me of a guy at my high school that was bragging about having 10 years playing guitar and I was expecting some not virtuoso but at least very advanced level guitar playing, then the dude couldn’t even play a solo like highway star slowed down a little, like come on man, I would be more ashamed saying i have been playing for 10 years and only being able to strum basic chords

[@williamfreeze3924]

Hi Mike I have been playing guitar now for 11 years and guess what that has happened to me but I found a way out of it and started learning again instead of doing the same old things I did before. And what got me out of that stall was ALTERNATE PICKING it was not the ALTERNATE PICKING making me stall but it helped me play runs I could not do before plus it also felt to normal to do alternate picking and has got me learning again I'm now learning MODES and how to connect the whole fretboard together.

[@davidp7833]

I've played a lot over the last 10 years because I love to play, but I blow because I never bothered to memorize the fretboard and if I'm not playing a cover, my leads blow because I have to think about what I'm doing too much to be fluid and intuitive. I have been lazy with the fundamentals because theyre boring. And it costs me

[@captainhowdy7847]

Hi, I had songwriting as a goal rather than improving guitar, meaning I spent years working on lyrics and writing (literally) hundreds of songs and chord compositions - but not developing past fingerpicking from chords . In only the last few years I switched to electric guitar and started to learn scales and improvisation, and - shock horror - my entire notion of musicality has been tipped on its head...

[@icrtiqk5905]

Hey Mike! Hope you have a great day tomorrow!

[@robertpurdy3611]

get out of my head dude haha. i was all those and still.am some of em . but i been practicing hours a day the last year. binging everything guitar. you are one of the good teachers i found . thank you .

[@brandons6167]

I'm 41 and started guitar at 16. Got a Strat and a Crate amp. Never got past some AC/DC rhythm and basics. I started drumming at 14 and never had a drumset. Just mimicked motions and tapped on legs and tabletops while stomping the floor for bass. I can play drums at an advanced level now and love it. I got better without even owning a set. But when I got to play I enjoyed it and had a natural love that made learning new things fun, not work. I think many of us like the idea of playing guitar well, but just don't have an innate love to actually work at getting better.

[@ReizokoRyu]

It's happened to me, Mike. ~10 years or a bit more now and disappointed in myself, but I've decided enough is enough and have begun studying my music theory and will follow along with the instructional book I have, as well as many of your videos for guidance on learning new techniques! I just wanna ROCK. Edit: I *can* play at asomewherw between novice-intermediate level at best, but haven't much knowledge of the fretboard and an inability to just jam and create

[@hiralparikh494]

It is okay to be bad in the beginning. The shame of beginning is one of the most demotivating reasons people quit things. I mean, you’re new, and just beginning. We all suck, but practice helps suck less over time and get good. Good luck!!

[@bciecko1]

I'm in a rut. I'm one of those people that have been playing for over 10 years but sucks still. I don't p active enough at all. It's tough with little kids around and a house to take care of. There was a couple year hiatus. Just too busy to really play. I go through periods of playing everyday to playing once every week or two. I'd like to set a better schedule. For sure. I do get out of my rut time and again though by listening to new to me music. It inspires me and I can get out of my strumming and technique rut. Also having different guitars helps. I don't okay a mustang the same way I play a Gretsch or an acoustic. I get inspired to play heavier when I pick up a Les Paul or more mellow indie like when the Jag comes out. Fuzz for this guitar and tremolo and reverb in spades for that one. It's quite inspiring and rut-busting to get into different types of equipment.

[@Robocline]

I'm on my third time learning the guitar. The first two just didn't seem to click with me. This go around I'm two weeks in and I'm finally thinking I'm going to do it. I pick the guitar up at least 10 times a day and mess around. I never got past simple things like 035 or nothing lese matters in the past because I just didn't put in the effort. After two weeks of having my current guitar I have actually learned chords (you taught me E and A) and some scales. Yesterday I learned the opening few seconds of the Refreshments King of the Hill theme. It's not much but it's miles ahead of what I did in the past. Sucking at something is part of life but I think it all comes down to desire ultimately. I was hesitant to even buy this current guitar since I had sold the other two in the past. I didn't want to buy another piece of furniture/art for the room. I definitely set my mind to learning this instrument and I am. I think the difference is I have been working with DAWs and making my own electronic music for a while now and this guitar will take that to another level. I never gave up on music but the guitar is a daunting task that I just never could seem to get going with in the past. I don't know where I'll end up on the proficiency ladder but I'm determined to not let this opportunity go to waste. So I'm using a bunch of KZbin videos and Rocksmith to try to learn something new every day. I can't tell you how excited I am that I can change chords without having to look at the fretboard and taking 30 seconds to reposition my fingers to the right locations. I hope I don't hit a plateau and I can keep learning new things because I know that's the only thing that will keep me going ultimately.

[@alexaleah11]

Yeah.... I totally agree with this... I've been into playing guitars for many years but lack of motivation is the one thing i think that hinders me to improve..... or may i should start to look one... Thanks

[@helloimatapir]

Yup... this is definitely me. Been playing 25+ years, but I sure as hell don't have 25 years experience. You won't see me on one of those shred wars videos or sweep picking across the fretboard. Only this past year have I sat down and really tried to get better. I finally figured out the CAGED shapes and can play the pentatonic in two keys. I can't play fast, but at least I can play to a jam track, connect notes, and resolve to the root. My biggest problem now is repeating too many of the same licks. I am also trying to fix bad habits and work on slowing down. I hope one day I can jam to a track or with a person/band, without having to reference anything or do guesswork. It would also be nice to play both rhythm and lead to some of my favorite songs. Who knows though... I might never get there. We'll see if I have improved any by the end of 2021.

[@SlowerIsFaster139]

I hit a rut every year. But when i finally get out of it I make crazy progress. Right now sweep picking is my goal and I have been practicing picking and fingering as efficiently as possible.

[@TheBcoolGuy]

I started playing 15 ½ years ago and if it had been my main interest and I had spent more time on it, I would've certainly come further, but I'm quite happy with what I've achieved. There are some things, like shredding, using a pick well, and scales that don't work well for me, but on the other hand, I have improved so much in the past few years. That's just because I picked it up a lot more, literally. I played more and I got better. Just today, I played for maybe 3 or 4 hours. I didn't even plan on it. I don't force myself to practice this and that because I run into the different techniques and things that are difficult for me and that I want to be able to do so I can play what I want to play. This is similar to lifting weights, though there there is more reward for consistency.

[@penttikoivuniemi2146]

I always say it's not the years practiced but the hours that counts when learning anything. I spent the first three years after I started playing guitar doing pretty much nothing else in my free time, I'd easily spend 5 hours or more in one sitting just playing. Of course I picked it up "faster" than somebody else who only touched their guitar once every few days. Same with my martial arts training, since I spend around ten hours every week training and more just thinking about it and visualizing techniques, of course I'm better at it than somebody who comes to the club once a week and coasts through a session.

[@23centrifuge]

I started ‘playing guitar’ at about 24. I was a vocalist and played synth in an industrial band that was mainly electronics but when we got a guitarist I decided I should learn. I learned enough to play one of the guitar parts live, the rest went to the actual guitarist. It was just too much to pile on, so I would look at my guitar on the wall of my studio and tell people who asked that I tried once but never stuck with it. I knew if I wanted to get better I’d have to put in the time (just like I did with learning synth and getting a vocal coach), but that instrument never got the attention it needed. In October 2020 (I am in my 40’s now), I got a new acoustic and decided I would really put my mind to it with the goal of being able to play finger style guitar and Flaminco style (which is amazing when mixed with electronics imho). I have been using a learning app and have logged 93 hours of practice in my spare time, and have seen the progress. I am still very much a beginner, and am not embarrassed anymore and can see the progress. Once we are really beyond the covid thing Im going to get a human instructor to help me clean up bad habits. This video really resonated with me.

[@spiritualservicesllc]

You got me out of that rut Mike. I got bored with the pandemic and wanted to do something musically constructive and I came across you in January 21 & have improved so much in 7 months (after 20 years of playing in monthly spurts). Now I’m playing for 4-6 hours sometimes, or at least an hour every other day. Built a platform in my backyard and play almost weekly with a buddy on drums/bass. And I enjoy your life lessons & stories as much as the guitar lessons. Btw - Do you do any simple vocal lesson videos?

[@synchehe8385]

I got into loop because of my work duties, recently I have bought a new guitar to get me hooked again

[@LlorracTN]

For the first 5/6 years of learning guitar, it was really hard for me to find motivation to practice, i had a 1 hour lesson once a week but outside of that i hardly did anything. and the reason was it just took so much effort to accomplish anything i wanted, learning riffs was ok but learning a full song would take months and that took a lot of the fun out of it for me, especially when i'd have to give up on learning solos and bits that were outright too hard for me at the time. Thankfully once i reached the point that i could learn faster (which took forever because i only did 1hr of practice a week), I finally started to have fun with the guitar again, I could learn 80% of a song easily and by then i was happy to put in the effort to learn the hard parts. I reached a point where i was practicing an hour a day after school, and now i'm trying to start a band sometimes i play for up to 4 hours at a time jamming or writing riffs, and i'm in love with the guitar again. The main advice i have is to push yourself, because all i can think about now as a pretty decent player is how much better i could be now if i pushed myself to practice early on.

[@musicbigz]

I had a stroke about 8 years ago. I was never that good, but I was improving. Guitar was all of the sudden almost impossible. Now I'm mostly recovered, but I spent so long not playing that I'm now way worse than I was