Here's a Secret For You....There IS No Secret! 

Probably the best guitar instruction video I've seen in 5 years...

JP, I’m 43. I completely gave up the guitar in the beginning of the pandemic. I just looked at screens and played games and got lazy. About a month ago I grabbed my guitar again. Playing worship band at church. And you are right if I don’t practice before rehearsals I lack the confidence to be a valued member of the band. I have a lot of locked doors in my practice. And I’m still search for the keys. This videos pep talk is important to me. I hope you don’t mind I cut your intro and I exported your sobering wisdom and encouragement to a mp3 so I can keep this truth in the forefront one my mind. I can’t buy skill but I can practice It. Thank you for caring about us guitar players.

I quit playing a few years ago because I was tired of the bull shit in the industry. But thanks to your videos like “ The Arse is Out Of Er Now “ at the first of the pandemic, I now enjoy music and playing again. You’ve made it fun. And I don’t know what I’d be doing on Wednesday evenings if it weren’t for String Theory. I’ve never looked forward to something ( on a screen ) so much in my life. One of these days when time is a little more plentiful I’m going to do your Master Music Method course. Thank you for your honest content. It’s as rare as hens teeth here in the cyber world.

I don't confess to being a good guitarist but, I started at 14 and I am 60 in August and at times in my life the guitar has literally saved my life! Thanks John great words of wisdom.

John I'm sitting here on the west coast surrounded by the blue haze from all the wild fires and a I have to say, sir you are a breath of fresh air.

So glad you’re truthful with people. I’ve been playing for 30 years, and I agree with what you say.

I'm 52 years old and started learning at 40, my Dad has played pretty much all his life, he's pretty much always had a band although now they are getting older and don't play out very much. When I first started I was convinced that some people have an "ear" for music and some don't, I felt like I fit in the latter category :). But, I was definitely wrong about that I soon learned that the ear can be trained because after a few years I began to realize that I could hear keys and hear chords when I was playing with someone doing a song I didn't know. I'm picking up bits and pieces from different youtubers that aren't like the ones promising these magic pills or overnight systems and I'm slowly learning to play up and down the neck and play a little bit of lead here and there. I definitely don't consider myself to be a "lead" player, but along with several other types of music I love bluegrass, my desire is to be able to play like the bluegrass heroes I look up to. I have a lot of practice to do lol! Side note, last year for my birthday my Dad gave me his Gibson Blue Ridge that he bought brand new in 1968 I took it and had a few frets replaced, and have enjoyed playing it. One thing that helped me, I forced myself to spend the time to learn some triads, this helped open up the guitar neck for me, but like I said I still have a long ways to go and I need to put in the time practicing.

just like your parents and grandparents said. Hard work and persistence pay off. That applies to most things in life.

The only "secret" I tell people is to learn songs they like. That'll set the hook and they can reel it in in due time. Starting with scales is the best route in theory and in practice, but the vast majority of people (especially adults) don't have the attention span or patience to spend that much time learning something that doesn't interest them, which leads to quitting.

Well said. That's the truth, the ordinary, honest, liberating truth right there. Thanks for the reminder, best wishes to you, JP.

Great video. I’m a campfire level guitar player and singer. My ability to escape reality for 4 or 5 minutes at a time playing songs that I love has been the best mental health anchor I’ve had over the last year plus. Getting even to this low level of competence certainly didn’t come overnight, but the journey is the destination for me. Cheers

Thank you JP, never heard it any better than the truth. At 73 I have to practice to keep playing and learning. It's the only way.

Absolutely 100% these are true words, well said sir you are a good man 👏🏻

Just found this video, and it’s 100% true! I started playing as a teenager in the mid 70’s, but didn’t own a “good” guitar til I was about 50. The years in between were filled with raising a family and working, and buying guitars for our kids, who taught me how to read tabs. About two years ago retirement freed up more time, and I had bought a couple of decent guitars over the years, so was ready to make progress toward my guitar goals, only to break my left hand (the knuckle above the pinky finger) in a car accident (thank you airbags!). Thinking I may never play again, I didn’t pick up the guitar for months, then when I did, I got discouraged at how difficult it was to move the ring and pinky fingers on my fret hand. A bit over a year after the accident, I started to play every day, first as therapy for my bad hand, then as the fingers started to function somewhat better (but still slower and stiffer), I actually started improving. I’ve probably learned more this year than I did for the past 10 - 20 years. It really is more about desire to learn and time invested than anything else. There are no shortcuts or magic bullets, but if you persevere, you can learn the guitar.

Thanks for kindly stating the blunt truth.❤

Excellent advice JP. I've played for 56 years 52 of those picking bluegrass started at 11 years old. I still practice everyday. Now retired I practice longer than ever. Nothing takes the place of practice and I still love learning something new. For me there were no shortcuts just the desire. to get better. After all those years of playing your playing amazes me.

Preach it J.P. A great student is a rare gift. Most are not dedicated to study seriously. The teacher is just there to give direction. I thought at one point i could reach the level of Malmsteen technique-wise, it took a while to realize it wasn't going to happen however much i practiced. But I was already a student of guitar and music at that point, so there was no stopping even knowing my limitations. The love for music and playing is it's own reward ;-)

always good stuff jp.

Thanks for the advice. Coming from you it means more.

Thank you , John, for making a point that I would have thought was obvious- but sadly I've seen many people both perpetrate this kind of crap, and also fall for it! So, thank you for stating the obvious-that needy, insecure beginners, or in my case( after 59 years since I first picked up an axe) bumbling intermediates( I use that term only because it sounds better) are preyed upon by these degenerate pirates! I think of myself as someone who has after many years "mastered" the basics- that's all!!! At times, when frustrated, I've been tempted to look into this kind of stuff, but quickly slapped myself in the face and returned to the woodshed. Decent, and the least I would expect from any honourable guitarist, of you to weigh in on this thank you again.

Many people starting out learning how to play think that it's somehow built in to certain people naturally and don't realize that it actually takes alot of good, honest hard work. Plain and simple, there are no ways around it. It doesn't just magically happen like they think. Lol. When they finally realize it, many just quit. The best thing I did for myself was taking a chance and investing a little more than I really could afford at the time by purchasing a good quality instrument that made me want to play more. It really made a difference because the more you play, the easier it becomes the more you progress. It doesn't even have to be a lot of money. But you got to find an instrument that draws you into playing it often because the old adage, practice, practice, practice is spot on when it comes to learning music.

Very well said. Thanks JP. 🎻🎸

Personaly i have all the respect in the world for canadian luthiers. Canadian flat pickers and finger pickers. Most of the canadian pickers are percusive,lively,and precise. Just like the canadian made instruments they play. I had a canadian guitar teacher here in america during a week long music school and festival. He introduced the fundamental melody on concertina Then came foundation chords and use of the flat pick. It was agood time and most memorable guitar experience.

Amen to all your comments and thoughts on this topic. I have been asked a zillion times how i got as good as i am on the guitar and my answer was and is always the same. Instead of staring stupidly at my guitar i put it in my hands and play. Never had a lesson in my life. But 56 years of deliberately putting the guitar in my hands, either by myself or with others with me i got better, found inspiration and just kept doing it. Keep doing it.

Amen!

thanks for the encouragement! some days i need it

So true!!!

You nailed it 👍

So true! What kills me are all the Tab monsters out there! You can watch some highly skilled guitarist improvise something beautiful and the inevitable question is "have you got tab for that" Put the time in and learn how to play! I'm 63 years old and no where near the player I would like to be but I wake up most days excited to play guitar and still learning new things all the Time, I cant put the damn thing down!!

You are truly the man JP mad respect 👊🏻🔥

great video and advice . JP

wise words indeed!!👍👍

Good advice...woodshed desire...🎸☮💕 ...get at 'er!

Good stuff. Straightforward and brutally honest.

Amen, couldn't agree more 🙏

Bravo, JP.

Absolutely right.

Couldn't agree more. Well said!

AT LAST !!!!! BRAVO !!!!

you are the best!

You're absolutely right.

Simply Right!

Bravo ! Bravo ! Bravo ! So True, thanks !

What an awesome video. Honestly, love this.

While i do agree that there is no secret to learning guitar and that theres no 1 magic item that will make you a better player, but i do really feel that the resources for teaching guitar have gotten SOOO much better than in the 80s and 90s. Tools like the fender play app are pretty awesome tools to get people playing and practicing more effectively, and im personally a fan of tony's acoustic challenge. I fell that the TAC has given me cool resources to strategize my practicing and set realistic goals for what i want to accomplish. 12 year old me would be ecstatic for the tools that are readily available today instead of spending countless nights searching through ultimate guitar forums.

Amen Amen Amen 💥💥💥

Anthropologists and ethnographers tell us that no human group has ever been found that did not practice music - until our modern society emerged. When I say practice I mean that EVERY member of the tribe or society sings and/or plays - not just stars on a stage. Nor is it merely "entertainment", it has other, and probably more important, roles. If it is so universal, I suspect that it is because it is very GOOD for us. This fits in with J-P's comments towards the end of this video. I suspect that NOT playing or singing is bad for your mental and physical health. SOOO many people will tell you, right off the bat "Oh, I can't sing". Yet this is generally not in fact the case and to renounce our universal musical therapy is not good for them. So keep up the good work, J-P. Bonne continuation!

Keep picking! I would love to buy you a beer sometime after this is all over. Cheers from Cape Breton.

Extremely wise words JP! I tell my students something to this effect all the time, but I feel that you have voiced it in a very eloquent manner here my friend. Great video!

Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bless you and your use of you-tube .This is my 3rd time watching this LESSON . It has become the most important lesson on the tube .Subscribed a long time ago and watched all your posts TKS.

Omg JP best information I've heard yet. We'll said sir.

Never take it for granted either. I lost the use of my fret hand and large pieces of memory after multiple TBI's. I was told by my therapist that playing is the best thing I could do when my left side started coming around. I'm probably 30 percent of the player I used to be, but that's 30% more than I was 2 years ago. An instrument will get you through the worst of times... if you don't cheat yourself and let it.

Thanks for the truth, good sir. Your videos are a breath of fresh air. Peace from Tennessee.

Great point! Well said and true! Players grow from playing.

well said

I love this advice. A good dose of the truth. Just takes time and hard work. If it was easy I wouldn’t want to learn it so badly. Thanks

Practice is king, but there's definitely tools out there that will help you have better practice. I started learning at 30 from watching Justin Sandercoe's channel, and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have made it if I just took one lesson a week from someone locally. Billy Strings was better at 16 than 99% of players will be practicing 6 hours a day for a lifetime, so there has to be some things that some people have figured out that the rest of us haven't. I've been practicing "The Streets of London" for 3 years and I still don't have it nailed 100%

Abstract thinking,I like it ,and inspirational , thankyou

That's exactly the truth! No shortcuts. ❤️👍

Hey ole bud. I didn’t even know you were doing a RU-vid thing here till this morning haha! VERY WELL SAID! As a kid my dad had a poster in the wall with the chords on it and I started there for about 3 hours a day with a desire to play the guitar. I still love picking it up today. All the best and keep up the good work. Looking forward to your other videos!

JP..every new student (or any student for that matter) should be REQUIRED to view this video...it's that good! My dad stopped playing guitar when he was 97...only because he died. He told me the same things that you are now telling the world. Thank you...from California.

totally agree

I totally admire your honesty. What you have said has the same effect on anything you want to do well. Commitment and practice. Thanks.

Right on JP! Skills are built through intent and practice. Whether it is playing guitar or becoming a physician or being a great farmer. There are no shortcuts to skill in anything. I admit I see no ads on RU-vid because I voluntarily pay a fee NOT to suffer bullshit ads. If I did not do this I would not watch anything. My time is too valuable to waste on shit when I could be doing something that I enjoy.

Great point! I couldn’t agree more. Building muscle memory by practicing is the most important thing. Find what motivates you to keep practicing.

right on, as a teacher of guitar I agree wholeheartedly. I have been playing all my life and I keep playing and learning and practicing cheers Play On.

It’s not just guitar I watch lots of photography videos and there are so many “5 pro tips to make you a better photographer” videos! I was always amazed that the breakthrough never came in my weekly 30 minute guitar lessons ... it always came in the week between the guitar lessons when I practiced what I was taught in the lesson! Taking a lot of bad photos will make you a better photographer and playing lots of bad notes will make you a better guitarist! 😄

100% agree

Bravo

Great player AND human being,! Guitar never had it so good.

I couldn't agree more. There are no short cuts learning the guitar it takes years. 40+ years of playing and I'm still learning!! Thank You JP

Nice going J.P., you put the truth out there!!!

Preaching to the choir! 👍🏻

Best guitar video and advice ever. Thank you very much for posting !

JP...you're so right ..there's no secret, just a commitment to hard work and a drive to continue on your musical journey no matter how long it takes. Cheers

And we love you.

Excellent, but you could agree that tips and tricks also go a distance to people who are actually practicing and have the desire. Thirty years ago a jazz play in Halifax, made a few diagrams on the back of my sheet music and everything about music theory came clear, I had been reading theory books for a few years and was no closer to understanding it, but his quick diagrams was like opening a door.

never been worry on how to play guitar, this or thar song, licks, etc. Just played over the years, enjoying the art, doing g, e, c, simple chords. You´re right JP

A very important video that had to be made. Practice is the only way!

J P is right its hard work learning there is no magic fix but when you learn a new lick its very rewarding and a sense of achievement you can never stop learning thanks J P

All true. 👍

You did hit on the “secret” . Effort and practice. CAGED is a descent method to visualize the fingerboard.

So very true! I wish you’d do an into to finger picking though!

It’s the only way, Thanks JP

Now that is the truth....a great video

There are great players and there are great teachers...... be fortunate if you find both (in a teacher)

Yes.

I’ve been playing since I was 8 I’m now 63. I play every day. J P is right practice. Learn what others do. Thx man.

JP. MY Moto I have always gone by is,, There is no such thing as Perfection.. Just the Perfection of PRACTICE!!!.. Thx for this post !

Truer words were never spoken! There is no easy way…diligent practice and hard work are the road to success, not just in guitar, but in most things in life. Thanks John for telling us the truth it is always much appreciated. Cheers from Cape Breton. MikeR.

About right young man.And about time some body said it. 44 vintage - It keeps the Brain Fog away,

John, I agree wholeheartedly with you on this. Too many good folks get fooled by these flash-in-the-pan tricksters. If a person has a strong enough desire, wild horses couldn’t separate that person from their instrument. Thank you for your service to Music. Bob

He knows what he is talking about. As you continue to practice a door will open and you will be on a new level and this will continue to happen as you keep practicing. I only wish I had caught on to this when I was a much younger man.

My experience was at 14yrs old being fastinated with the guitar. Coming home from school and shutting myself in my room for about three hrs a day practicing. After about a year or so I had become a competent chord player. From there, the world of the guitar opened wide. 42yrs later, I'm still jamming!!!

John, have to tell you, I own a bunch of guitars, all of them are good guitars, Martin, Fender, Gibson. One of them is a Fender acoustic, it's all mahogany, and 12-13 years old. The sound that comes out of that old Fender is absolutely beautiful. I will never sell or stop playing that guitar, the sound is amazing!!!!

The best, TRUTHFUL, guitar video ever made! Thank you for telling the truth

Great advice J.P. I started playing guitar over 50 years ago. I learned to play songs and entertain friends, but I have yet to learn how to the play. Doc Watson, Tony Rice, Wyatt Rice and others inspire me to practice to try and flat pick. I am working on it more now than ever. That Yamaha FGX3 is on my list. I had to sell my 1976 D-28, and 000-28 Eric Clapton ( it never produced the sound I like) and I love my Taylor 114 but it is a little bright, but frets very easy. Anyway, thanks for the inspiration.

Nice

Lets clap for those kind words true no practice no playing 👋🙂🤝🎸👏👏👏