5 BIG Mistakes ALL Self-Taught Guitarists Make! 

Download today's exercise play-along videos, tabs, backing tracks & guitar pro files ▶ www.patreon.com/bernth - happy practicing 🤘

One trick I learned regarding nerves and playing live is to run around the block or do something that gets your heart pumping and your body in an non-relaxed state (15 push-ups etc) and practice your piece or passages in that way. It replicates a nervous condition so you know how your body reacts to stage fright without actually being on stage and you can then condition your body to play comfortably.

Not getting lessons as a teenager is something I deeply regret. I was offered them by my parents countless times, and I used to tell them, “Eddie Van Halen never had lessons!” Well, decades later and countless pentatonic abuse, I’m finally starting to break down the barrier. This is a great video, likely helping me in the long haul. Thank you!

I’m proof that 10000 hours of wrong practice makes a mediocre guitarist. I’ve been focusing lately on fixing all my bad habits and these videos have been a tremendous help!

Why the hell am I watching this I’m a self taught pianist

That upstroke escape/downstroke escape is something I desperately need for my playing. My pick keeps getting stuck in between the strings and it slows my playing down. Thank you so much for this advice for self-taught guitarists

So much gold in this video Bernth

I'm not a shredder, more of a boomer rock player. However his lessons, tips, and theory discussions really help me improved even after playing for 45 years (Holy crap! ). I know I'll never get the level of ability like this but I still know working on this has helped me continue to improve. Best tips. Posture, tension and escape movements.

As a self-taught guitar player for years, i have so many problems finding good material to learn (both about technique and theory) until i found out Bernth's channel. Just want to say thank you, you helped me a ton and deserve millions of subcriber

2:05 exercise 1 3:25 exercise 2 5:11 exercise 3 7:34 exercise 4 PRACTICE UR POSTURE WITH A STRAP for Live Playing chromatic workouts speed drills practical music theory funk patterns deadnote patterns

I'm so happy you mentioned that you were shocked by how hard it is to play single strumming patterns perfectly clean and in time - I always thought I just suck 😂

As someone who's been drawing for 7 years, I am offended by this horse with human legs. As someone who's been self-taught for just about a year, I thank you for this very useful content and will try to apply your advice ! (Random fact on the horse's legs : the knee/elbow is "inside" the body and the first joint you see is actually the horse's ankle/wrist, and it walks on its toes/fingertips, hence the arms and legs that seem to fold backward compared to us ! Animals just have... very big feet)

All of this is way too difficult for me for now. I never even thought of trying sweep or alt picking I hope I can make it to that level one day

That "one-sided escape movement preference" really opened my eyes. Surprisingly, I can effortlessly play an arpeggio on four strings, but not on three... First time I notice it, thank you!

Optimal, effective, but also FUN practice! Thanks a lot for this. I’ve been wanting something more to push myself further and this is exactly what I needed.

My lessons were pretty much some chords, the pentatonic scale and “Sunshine of your Love”. Then 19 years of playing by myself. Watching your videos has made me realise a lot of things I’ve been doing wrong for a long time.

genuinely one of the best guitar videos I've seen in ages! All the points made here are 100% spot on! Especially that point about live playing tension!

I had a time a few years ago when I basically only practiced metal and I had such a hard time when I was about to try new genres, but also correcting my mistakes in technique. I had to completely rework the way I held the pick and this channel taught me the correct way. Nowadays I play many different genres. Pop, rock, blues, jazz, and more. I can do basic open chords, but also complicated jazz chords. And now I can even play a bit of fingerstyle. Because I also play the piano I've had an easier time learning music theory. I usually visualize the fretboard as a piano. And now I've basically become a music theory nerd (mostly jazz theory).

Love the drawing idea! I started on acoustic, but your video is still insightful to watch :)

Thanks man it’s been so long since I’ve played guitar (10 years) and this has helped me so much get back to where I was

Glad you've mentioned a posture. There's a lot of guitarists (including me), who are not able to play equally when sitting or standing. Video about that would be great, but I can't force you... :)

I started focusing on music theory in my practicing by studying the chord progressions and song structure of music I like. And then trying out the same songs in different keys. I learned the key of C so well that that just by seeing the Roman numerals of a song I can play it in C if it not already in C. And I plan on studying the other keys next before diving deeper and learning about what makes chords chords though I have a basic understanding of chords and their functions.

Crazy what BERNTH’s videos have done for me. Would have never thought I would play any CHON and some Polyphia. Just grabbed a lot of his legato, sweep picking, tapping, and shredding videos and put them into a practice routine. Also fixing my picking motion to close hand worked wonders ! Great teacher !

The horse could be out of the Berserk Eclipse(Japanese Manga). The other question is: how do I hold my pick and how do I arrange the other three fingers of the hand that holds the pick correctly? Naturally I want to open my hand. But I see a lot of guitar players who are able to keep their fingers together, almost like a fist and like you did in the clip.

The learning curve graph was spot on, it was a great idea putting it in the video because it makes visible the actual representation of learning. Not too many people have this creativity, no matter the topic they are discussing here on youtube.

I never get nervous on stage. I crave that interaction and feedback from the audience. It unlocks my virtuosity, because then I’m playing from my heart instead of my head. Use your head in practice (Practice Practice!) and rehearsal, so you can rely on your heart on stage.

Great video, thank you for always pushing us to improve. You are an excellent teacher.

The single-note domination is spot on. Even some of the big shred guys have an algorithm or trick to figure out the structure in their playing. So when you do get it, even if you can't quite nail the raw speed (because Nuno and Petrucci are absolute freaks), you still get the trick and can maybe even blag your way through their songs. Big learning later comes when you try playing stuff where there's nowhere to hide, no tricks and every note means something. Can't cheat with any of the goddamn Hellecasters, just have to nail it. Even Johnny Marr, I swear This Charming Man gave me more sweats on-stage than playing, say, Jump. Every note matters and the audience will notice even one clam instantly.

How do you keep coming up with such amazing lessons with the frequency you do? You're seriously the best guitar lesson channel on RU-vid right now. On that note, I'm totally adding that modal arpeggio/scale exercises to my lesson plan. A horse with the mouth of a crocodile is the thing of nightmares. I love it.

Honestly learning to play afew Polyphia songs has helped me immensely on a lot of these techniques although ever since learning to hybrid pick I always pick with an open hand now and find it awkward to pick closed hand.

I enjoy that as an "artist" you are 'exercising' multiple instruments via sketch and in my humble experience. Piano helped me build tonic variation, guitar helped me build rhythm that transitions into my piano improv. But drawing freehand (I'm left handed but play traditional) that helps me really analyze shaping, muscle groups in wrist and fingers using only pencil. I'm getting better all over mind and body. This exercise will be very stimulating to say the least. I began guitar in a metalcor3 band but I play in folk, funk n pop/ballad more than metal solo riff picking and sweeps. Finger picking and variants with pick and fingers also gives my right hand new solo riff skill on piano and that also begets rhythm style in string. Great thought experience and implementation.

You're the best teacher anyone could ask, I love your channel man, thank you for everything!

One thing that's really helped me is doubling every exercise I play or song I learn on both acoustic guitar and electric guitar

You're doing a great job. We all should learn from everywhere we can, thanks for your efforts in doing all this work. Much success to you!

In the 80s my guitar teacher made me focus on technique which I did. He also tried to make me focus on theory but at the time all I cared about was speed and could I play everything live my band wanted me to play. It wasn't until about 12 years ago when I was filling in on bass for a band that wanted to switch keys all the time for the singer that I realized how woefully inadequate my theory was. At 40 something I started really working on my theory. It's been a long but definitely worthwhile journey. Excellent note about turning down the gain/distortion when practicing because it makes mistakes much more apparent. Great video! I just wanted to press the importance of theory from my experience.

You know every other channel I’ve watched for tips isn’t as detailed as yours. You go in depth and I love that

The last one is so true. I play bass, just some simple pop sounding songs. But practicing sitting down and performing live standing up is so different. My big other mistake is i kinda avoid using my pinky finger, limiting me to a lot of guitar technique and cool chords

As an artist as well as a guitarist, my drawing recommendation is that you start with something simple, like an apple, but pay attention to shading and highlights. Animals are much more of a challenge because they require knowledge of that specific animal's anatomy in order for a drawing to look convincing.

Great vid man! Tons of useful tips and I'm looking forward to applying the lessons!

Yep! Definitely needed this video. Love your videos for sure and I thank you for them. One thing I've done for awhile is practice on acoustic. That way I could hear every single mistake I was making.

Prob the first video I’ve seen that not only says like, the reasons you’re struggling, but then throwing out exercises to show said techniques. Really good video 🫡

Bernth, I usually get lost about half way through the video, but I sure love to watch them and try to do some of the exercises you present, so Thanks a bunch.

Dude, I've been a long-time watcher, and I've gained so much knowledge from the bits you post here, I finally went and joined the Patreon group. Beyond stoked to continue my journey as a guitarist and musician with you. \m/

my favorite video so far is the piano 🎹 visual overlay on the guitar fretboard helps me increase understanding and learning fundamental theory scales modes that is something i really wish i had back in 1980 when i began learning how to play guitar

I really appreciate this video. It shows some really helpful exercises, even if I a lot of what I tend to gravitate towards is less on the metal side. I'm happy I was able to play the first exercise pretty alright. In fact, playing it full alternate picking instead of cherry picking based on muscle memory/the direction the hand was already moving felt like the easiest way to play it (which I'm sure was the point). I'll probably continue to just do what feels right, but I'll definitely start explicitly practicing full alternate picking more to help with learning more complex future riffs and patterns.

The advice I always give people who have stage fright is to two-fold. First, always practice the same way you'll play. In my case, standing with my drummer behind me and the synth player to my right. I'm facing away from the band, and I'm doing the same types of movements I'd do onstage. We are playing an established playlist in the same order. I'm imagining that I'm onstage at that moment. I've even gone as far as to make cardboard cutouts of people and place them in different spots so I can look at them and imagine that I'm playing to the crowd. Secondly, when the set is about to start, I'll close my eyes and look straight up. I'm tuning out all of the outside noise. I'm building up energy in my head and body. I'm like an Olympic swimmer waiting for the gun to fire so I can start the race. What I'm waiting for is the 4 count from the drummer. In my world, there is silence, then tss tss tss tss. The 4 count sets me free. At that point, I start playing the song. I know how to play it. I don't look at the crowd until I've gotten past the intro of the song. At that point, I don't have the choice to stop. We've gotten too far into the song. All I can do is just keep playing. By the end of the 2nd song, I'm on autopilot. I'm just doing exactly as I've been doing during practice. TLDR: Practice like you play, play like you practice, and the 4 count sets you free.

loving these practice exercises with tabs. new sub! Just getting back into guitar again after almost 10 years off

Thank you so much Bernth, you're work on patreon ( tab, video etc) is just pure gold !

I appreciate videos like this as a self-taught guitarist. I easily have over 10,000 hours since I've been playing guitar for about 23 years now, do not know music theory or care to learn have hardly ever quote unquote practiced anything I find I just don't want to practice I want to play I want to write I want to create, practicing techniques was something that was so excruciatingly boring that I had no interest in doing it. I'm not saying I didn't practice but typically only when learning other people's music and of course I definitely prefer to constantly be writing my own music. Training is great to help you achieve technical goals however as somebody that considers myself an artist essentially in every way when I pick up the guitar my approach is always going to be emotional to the instrument and with a goal of creating something new. In the end creating music that resonates with yourself is what's important, if achieving a speed goal or a technique goal is what you're doing, so long as that is to reach a unique creative expression that's great for you. But music is appreciated subjectively ultimately. Great video. ru-vid.com-lEf41ZsYMs?feature=share ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Q47P-40XkFM.html

in the exercise 3, you start with an A dim arpeggio, and then goes to B locrian with alternate picking, i guess is just a tab error, you can just transpose everything a full tone, so it starts on the 14 fret on the A string, the B for the B dim arpegio

Yea being self taught, i never put any barriers on just doing what feels natural to me even if its "technically wrong" or not the way a professional would do, and the upside to that is just feeling free to do what you want like i learn songs by ear and quickly realized theres usually atleast 2 ways to play any song and i would play the most difficult way until i learn the actual way a song cover is played and find out a much easier way than what i tried lol but i noticed i should be much further in progressing than I actually am. Ive been playing since i was 7yrs old and im now 34yrs old, ive definitely improved but not as far as I should be. But because of money restraints and being a lefty with right handed guitars it took me awhile before i actually got a guitar that fits me aesthetically better but i STILL havent gotten a guitar perfect for me. But i notice my picking right hand is severely lacking...because i never really cared about picking techniques growing up playing....but ive realized why some covers I play doesnt sound quite exact as the way it sounds on album even though im playing the right strings...but like with alternate picking im not great at it or chugging the low E string as im playing something on the 5th string the chugging doesnt sound as tight. And/or it sounds sloppy because I originally started playing with no pick, just using my thumb and other fingers to strum but realized if i want to play extreme metal and Thrash i need to learn using a pick

I taught myself some basics on acoustic aomw years ago but fell out. I just found a Gibson electric pro series in the trash so I guess its time to learn again. Thank you for the tips they really help to know what to fix as I transition into electric

Eigentlich a Wahnsinn, wieviel Expertise in unserer Stadt steckt. Alles Gute weiterhin für deinen genialen Kanöö👏

I've been wanting to learn to play for various reasons and have been apprehensive.... 3 minutes of watching you and i'm already feeling like i could do it with your help with the way you're explaining things. i can't wait to finish this video and watch more before i purchase a guitar and give it a go.

Best teacher I never had. So clear and concise.

You are so good. But I know that you're dedicated af and that your hard work just turned out. Hats off to that and thanks for more videos.

Guilty as charged lol. Called out in front of class, thanks Teach lol😂🤣 🤘👽🤘

Last big step I took in my guitar playing couple of years back was to simply push the speed of the songs on a limit where I can play them. I used to spend countless hours trying to perfectly play songs and it seemed like endless work. When I pushed up the speed, I obviously made much more mistakes, but I also had to lock in and feel rhythm to keep it together. There's much less distraction and chance to overthink. It took very little time to start getting much better with timing and accuracy, and lowering the speed I suddenly could play them in a whole different level than previously.

I'm glad I found you on here. Thanks! I found you after I got the weird and wonderful 7 string guitar. It gave me interest in music I had not previously been interested in, and techniques I had not pursued.

Dude....your a fantastic teacher! Thoroughly enjoy your videos and I've learned alot from them! Thank you!

I appreciate that Bernth has incorporated Troy’s Cracking the Code vocabulary like upstroke and downstroke escape, however I feel like that the original idea that there are actually multiple ways to make picking technique work is a bit lost in the progress. For example, closed and open fist pick grips are both viable options depending on the person. For me both work well but I prefer open fist because it introduces less tension and helps with noise control.

I've got to say something I feel is very important. Near the start of your video, you show a graph of improvement which maybe, perhaps, unintentionally reveals a bigger issue in most guitarists approach. First off, let me say your guidance and views herein expressed are respectable and very likely to be helpful to most. Also your skills are very finely honed, and that's commendable. So many outsiders (non-musicians) frequently remark on this as a matter of talent, but we know the truth; your a hard worker and a devotee to the craft. Now, I have to tell you as a fellow lover of guitar, that what is most lacking in students is love of crafting artistic expression. You see, I know what we hear from so many teachers all of the time is to gain more technical abilities or theoretical familiarity. In part, this makes sense. Expand your vocabulary, so as to communicate more fluently; become a more capable player, so as to phrase cleaner and more deliberately. But here's another perspective: If you can't say something simply, you don't know it as well as you think. If I'm being completely honest, I've gotten better over the years by simplifying. After performing people have come up to me with tears in their eyes telling me how moved they were over my delivery, both through the instrument and my voice. Way back when I was shredding Impellitteri as a teenager, I never could have hoped to leave a lasting impression on so many different people who want to hear music of the heart. Yes, lots lot shred is from the heart, but it just doesn't come across that way to most. Even as I'm sure you must admit, a considerable percentage of your viewers watch you, not for your passion, but for selfish ambition; perhaps even judging you by their own insecurities. This has certainly been my experience in the business, both in private lessons and on stage. My advice to all is to better understand what moves people, and stick with that. Obviously your music is moving for a certain demographic (myself included); as I said I was into shred as a teen, it was extremely fun at that time in my life. Maybe a reminder to call up some old friends and play some Gamma Ray or something we used to play back in the day. So thank you for sticking with the business of sharing what you care about.

I love how in every guitar video, they start the video with them playing amazingly to let us know they know what they’re talking about

I found that I was able to get thru both exercise. Really enjoy them and want to work on them some more.🙂

I was surprised to discover when i played my first gig at 13yrs old with our band there was no stage fright,and i felt more at home with playing on stage than anything id ever done previously .😊

I am completely self taught and now looking back on these videos after playing for a decade I have to say; if you're trying hard every day and you have critical thinking skills you will come to these conclusions without anyone teaching you. Because I have, it's nice to have the confirmation though. Caveat, I started on Piano; learned all the keys by ear and started composition without knowing theory - but it's all math, so if you have a mathematical mind you will learn theory just by training your ear to learn all the keys. I had a piano teacher literally force me to take a lesson because they said I was so gifted; simply because I could play in any key by ear on piano. Those lessons made me want to quit music all together. Theory is a double edged sword. If you learn it just for technical knowledge that can cause you not to realize breaking the rules can make the coolest shit ever. I've been paid to compose entire orchestra's for commercials; no lessons, no theory teachers. It's about developing your ear and being extremely critical. Don't try to be like everyone else! The only reason metal exists is because people DIDN'T listen to their musical teachers. But you have to have CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS. You have to turn every thought upside down and see it from every angle, focus, and learn to learn on your own. Just copying speedy people you will be a poor copy. I was homeschooled though, so I guess a key is to be homeschooled - I also taught myself from 6th grade on, so you have to start young on teaching yourself! Then you learn to teach yourself, then you can teach yourself effectively. Learning how to teach yourself is more important than learning. Just playing around trying to go fast is not teaching yourself. You must think, think about every aspect of what is going on. From how sound travels, why a string makes noise, why a guitar resonates and how pickups work. Think.

Really interesting!! This is exactly what I was looking for. I'm going to check out this patreon.

Hey just I just signed up to your patreon page 🤘🤘 I just completed the Fret mastery 1-5 exercises- will practice again tomorrow TY!!

I'm a total newbie in electric and play mostly acoustic which also am a newbie. I watch this video and my mind goes like. "Hmm hmmm.... Yeah. This totally sounds like magic and some kinda wizard words. I don't have the slightest idea what it is."

😂 it's a zombie horse. Great vid as always

I Dig the humility, that's my number one box to check when learning off videos of guitar teachers.

This is a good video and I am saving it to my watch later So I can come back practice the practices lol the addition of some actual music in practice is great and helps me out. Because I've previously been making my own practice routines for using the music theory but can only use what I know and this helps build vocabulary in the arpeggios domain. Thanks Bernth for helping me become a better player.

I'm 70, I started playing guitar when I was 5. Being self taught has never hindered me. I played my first professional show at 14. Now at 70 the only thing that does hinder me is the arthritis in my hands but I compensate and keep pulling it off. Your generation might think it's all about speed but frankly it's not. Your exercises will help a lot of young musicians who want to play shred and metal though. Keep up the good work.

Omfg, can't get past that freakin horse....lmao 😂😂😂😂😂😂

I swear this guy is monitoring me when I play guitar pointing out all the mistakes, lol! Great video and thanks for your time and knowledge, I'm learning as I'm going.

These type of videos have been very helpful for someone like me who has an extremely irregular work schedule , which makes it hard to find lessons.

Ive been trying to learn Riot of Violence by Kreator and its really giving me a tough time. I can consistently play the main riff at 80%tempo, but anything higher I play very sloppily.

Guitar needs to think outside the box or it will go nowhere Still cool people are trying to teach "right from wrong" But is there really is something like that?

and that last tip.... tension and pressure, that is a performance tip that can transcend instrument, genre, even the basic material. I come from a spoken word poetry background, with training as a stage actor. I am primarily a rapper. I love guitar and have noodled for most of my life... but the tension and pressure tip-i immediately felt how that translates to microphone technique concerning grip position, breath, distance, and delivery dynamics. shoot goes for throwing a good punch too.

Best teacher on youtube keep up the great work man!

Really loved and appreciate your skills. waiting for your new technique and lesson.thanks a lot for the videoes.

I had the rude awaking, twice, having to get my strumming perfected for gigs. Also figuring out what pick can strum AND shred and sound good doing both.

Omg thanks bro can't wait you rock 🤘🫠🔥

Awesome video, I love the accent!! Great content, the most metal horse ever.. I would love your drawing.

Amazing info like always! Thanks teach!!

I took lessons for a few years in my late teens, then life and family happened and I always played when I could thinking that when my kids were older and on their own I would come back to it. That time is now but in that time I developed multiple sclerosis and it affects my pick hand quite a bit. My hand trembles and I usually just drop a pick. So I’ve been working on classical guitar fingerpicking, changing everything about playing to what I thought I would come back to. Sometimes life throws curveballs and we have to adapt. I wish like hell I could practice this. I’ve always wanted to be a fast picker, but learning to adapt is crucial, for anything in life. Whatever happens be the best you can. Rock on 🤘

My issue with the picking exercise is completely different. My pick technique is fine for it, at least I couldn't get far enough along to detect an issue. My issue is that I play in a let ring style, so I have extreme difficulty playing such a pattern as individual notes. Time to practice!

I love your use of the MGS alert sound effect.

escape good one, i cnat resist composing and playing riff with the escaping mechanism , its so fun when doing complicated escalation of a chords

Just wanna tell you that after 25 years of playing I tried switching picking style after seeing one of your videos. That was about a year ago or so, and I've upped my shredding game soo much. It's easier on my arm, a lot more controlled and sounds better as well. Thank you!

You talk about the real thing man... Thank you💛

That horse drawing caught my attention 😅 would’ve watched anyways cuz you play incredibly and your videos are easy to understand and so awesome! 😁🤘 pure gold

You've helped me so much! Thank you!

Bei Ola gesehen, hier auf dem Kanal gestöbert und direkt Abo! Spiele schon seit 1994 und konnte hier ziemlich viele Fehler bei meiner Spielweise ausmachen und ordentlich angehen (und ja, ich bin "self-taught-player"...).Daumen hoch!

Thank you for your videos, Ive made a terrible mistake of giving up guitar when I was 16 back then we had big comunity of musicians in my town. Now I have more free time after my studies and Ive picked it up again. Im basically forced to be self-taught there is no musical school anymore, no bands nor any venues, so I have only feedback from my friend who doesnt live in my town anymore and sometimes we meet to have a beer and he helps me. So people like you are big help.

I’ve been searching far and wide for a quality horse drawing tutorial. Thank you

The technique you put as "escape" is also has been coined by Troy Grady - he calls it pick slanting. His videos are gold, worth checking out.

Something I learned a while back is the way you hold your guitar can actually severely impact your guitar's tuning if you have a floating bridge. People with larger bellies are also affected by this. Try your best to always hold your guitar the game either standing up or sitting down

Great tips! And nice Tyrannohorseus Rex! Legs and faces are the most challenging, in my experience.

Exercise #1 instead of the 5th fret[ on the g string] , try the 4th and needs a total left hand switch. Much harder and sounds great.