Because i have the attention spam of a goldfish so i play the 4 metallica riffs that i learned when i was for 15 for 10 minutes and i'm done for the day.
Play scales. At some point the benefit of doing so will kick in. That's when you advance to noodling. It took a long time for me to get to that but when it did I had more fun and could make up my own, albeit short, guitar stuff. I still suck but then again I haven't been playing much.
I appreciate that you come at this from the friendly place and not in an accusatory or borderline insulting way. I got an ad for a guitar corse where it felt like the guy was kind of taking shots at intermediate players and that shit just makes me want to put my guitar down and go to bed.
100% agree about the value of learning how to play in a genre outside your comfort zone. I have been learning some jazz and taking on board the theory that comes with (hopefully) an understanding of the harmonic structure of that music has improved my ear and my playing in my own music has improved by leaps and bounds.
Another one I would add on that list is to recognizes the accomplishments and celebrate them. My band is doing another Pearl Jam tribute night next month and I brushed up on the set. I remember the first time playing a song that, at the time, required me to stretch and it was difficult. I played it last night and it took no effort to do the same thing that was difficult the first time we did it. I made sure to take a moment and talk to myself about that improvement. Just encouraging things like, "You see? You might not notice them but eventually the work pays off in lots of little ways."
I love how you simplify things! Can you do a crash course on eqs and compressors? And may i know what is the most versatile electric guitar for you, for different genres? Thanks!
Most of this applys to electric bass as well (not too surprising, I know) but many things apply to music in general - practise slowly if you wanna play fast, do your soloing mindfully, be dynamic etc. I think you explained it well and in an entertaining way, good job and thanks for sharing stuff on youtube! Wish you all the best! 👍
I'm have lots of trouble due to arthritis and time (kids). My I have time my hands kill, but when I'm busy they're at least functional. Thanks for what you do because despite my limitations the suggestions are a major help.
i think prince is a great guitarist to exemplarize a lot of these things because he wasnt playing all the time and his tone was pretty subtle, only letting go when the song called for it but otherwise he would always keep a lot of space open in his music where other musicians could also jump in and out
they're not mutually exclusive, your dynamic playing will still come across very clearly when using a compressor. it just irons things out, nothing more
I got this idea from a John Petrucci interview years ago. Write stuff that you can't play. That way, by the time you have to record or perform it, you'll be a better musician.
that's just a silly approach. I have seen these guys in bands, always trying the next cool thing to challenge themselves, never laying down proper foundations, or being able to stay in tempo. You have to practice the boring comfortable stuff over and over too, to build muscle memory and routine. Not all practice methods are equal or are for the same goal.
Ya, I find myself curious about that also….. I feel like my dynamics have gotten better because I haven’t gotten along with compressors. (and it sounds better, per Sensei’s advice)
Even with a compressor the dynamics of playing will come through very well. the compressor helps to even things out in a pleasant way (to me it feels like it “sweetens” the notes), but you can still feel the dynamics of how the note is played regardless of a compressor or not.
That MXR EQ you have is a STELLAR 1st EQ because it also has volume and drive in addition to having two outputs. You can get them used for under $100. You are literally getting a multitool. I wish I had this when I was just starting.
For a few extra bucks you can get the Whirlwind Perfect 10. Has a feature the MXR doesn't that allows for a much broader array of configuration and still getting usable sounds.
100% agree with the need for an EQ pedal. But I think compressors are case by case. If you play finger style and use a lot of dynamics in your picking, compressors steal most of the magic. If you're playing single note lines, solos, riffs and licks, I can see the usefulness of compression.
Re: “why play with dynamics when you also recommend a compressor” comments, it’s because playing with dynamics creates not just different volumes, but different tones and musical colors for you to paint with. A compressor allows you the best of both worlds: colorful dynamic playing AND a more consistent volume output that keeps you from getting lost in the mix!
compressors have the slight downside of making mistakes such as accidental harmonics and the squeaks of moving around the fretboard way more noticeable
Seems that a good portion of viewers who clicked on a video about making changes to improve their guitar playing actually have no interest in such a concept.
Yo Sammy. I haven't played the guitar or bass for 10 years due to looking after someone, I really want to get back in to playing but where do I start? Also my left hand has always been the slow one so I've never played lead guitar and I'm ok with that, but I do know I need to speed it up just because it's holding me back. I know there's lots of other people in the same position so maybe a video?
The space thing is so important. I recently had a rehearsal with a guitarist (also the MD) who kept telling me to take all the space out of my bass playing because he wanted a full sound. It sounded like crap. No rhythm, no bounce, no pulse. Just harmony. I hated it.
There are actually some chord shapes that require that, namely a D/F# in first position. Unless you have a ridiculously long index finger, it’s gonna require you to play that with your thumb.
That’s a non-reverse Firebird. I think it was a rare version that Gibson made a couple years back that has, as you can see, P-90 pickups rather than Firebird pickups.
i dont mean to sound stupid nor doubtful, but im a little confused about compression pedals in general. would it not completely limit your dynamic range? or are they supposed to be used on and off fairly quickly depending on the parts of a piece
Respectfully disagree to an extent. I completely understand where you're coming from because there's a huge range in metal subgenres. And some of them really don't require dynamics like that.
You know I realized something, I clicked on your video and immediately knew I was gonna feel bad about my playing by the end of it. Then I realized you have a vested interest in me not feeling like I can play because you sell courses. That’s pretty messed up dude.
I mean i personally quite enjoy sammy g, him aswell as other guitarists (paul davids is also awesome) have made me more motivated to do music. Talking about music just makes me more willing to go do it. You're always going to feel like your level of skill isn't good enough, and i think that's partly because we always want to improve, but also remember there's a reason you keep coming back to guitar, and you shouldn't let your insecuritys take away guitar, which make no mistake it don't matter where you are, guitar is for you my friend, don't give that up.
I think the video did a good job of showing things to look out for if you are struggling, like the picking speed thing with the wrist. For me, it was less humiliating and more relieving to see someone talk about the weird little things that people get stuck on early on playing guitar. Sammy didn’t just pick on newbies, he gave some good advice. Stay strong, I’m sure you’re a perfectly fine guitarist!
I agree 💯 with you're statement. It's a con and has been since the first guitarist broke on to the scene. They all become teachers because they can't sell they're own music.
There's excellent advice in this video, and if you feel like you keed more guidance you can buy the course or feel free to look it up somewhere else. He has a vested interest in you doing some self reflection and deciding if you need to buy the course, not "feeling bad."
"You ever listen to a ] great guitar player and say to yourself, 'Well, I'm absolutely terrible.'" Only every single day! Literally every guitar player on RU-vid is better than i am!
Yeah no lol if anything it makes it easier to skip around it. It seems more like a favor to us. Maybe stop actively looking for something to be mad about.
