How I Got Good at Guitar 

I'm just waiting for my training montage to kick into gear.

imagine being good at guitar

playing in a band definitely is in my opinion the best and most important thing you can do as a guitarist or musician in general. you get a) an incentive to play and improve, b) a way of breaking out of 'your own way of practicing', c) you can get into a musical entourage, d) the funnest thing u can do with music.

Can you're next video be: How I became a Samurai Guitarist

Sammy, I think you are selling yourself short if you think you can't ever make any big leaps. You need to hang around a crossroads and wait for someone to make you a deal.

What got me really good, like, almost pro was learning and playing jazz (tho I hated it) I learned to read, learned about harmony, a lot of new licks, chops, chords. I did nothing but playing jazz for 2 years. I was fortunate enough to have friends that was really into it. If I were to put that effort by myself I dont think I would have made it.

I got good at guitar by following instructors like you, Paul Davids, and a few others. Thank you so much!

Thank you for the words of wisdom to all the young padawans out there

May I just say that you, Sammy, have been a wonderful musical inspiration for us. Thank you for the lessons and information over the years.

sammy, just here to tell you that you're one of my favourite guitarists in every aspect, not only because i really enjoy your musical project but also because you've taught me a lot

Im 24, I never stick to anything and I bought a guitar last week. I dont want to perform, or get good, I want to be able to use it to express myself, only to myself, to use the instrument in a way where i dont feel limited by my incompetence. I hope i dont give up on it, not before my fingers get callous at the very least

I like how humble you are. Really inspiring!

You're such a humble guy and a great inspiration! Thankyou for existing ♥️

Hey Sammy G, I wanted to say thank you. You have become one of my biggest influences, because you are so original and I really like your music style/taste.

couple of years ago I me this dude at a crossroads, i don't speak Spanish so i just nodded, now im pretty good.

It was great to see you mention "Zen Guitar". This is a great book that I often go back to, and have been for years!

Hi Sammy i love your vids, you’ve inspired me so much and samurai guitar theory was so worth it, thanks love your content and hope the best

I watch these videos and they really get me out of my own head and make me dial it back in. Thanks ol’ Sammy g 👌🍻

Super inspiring and humble...thank you !😊

A good guitarist is someone who can play with others and knows when to stop playing. Most guitar playing in bands doesn't involve lots of soloing. Rhythm chops, folks. That'll get you in the door.

I love the guitar solo you showed second. Hoping one day I’ll be able to do something half as nice as that. Also, love the wood grain looking guitars. They’re beautiful.

This is a refreshing and humble take one’s self image. 👏

Great video idea!

Plot twist : he was always good at guitar

The opening part of your playing guitar. Took me back to 1995 thru 2005. Whiskeytown, drive by truckers and other not so country indie bands like Dire Straits. Personally I loved it samurai. Thank you for posting that.

Thanks mate! 🙏

A very clear and precise explanation. I am currently transitioning from "why did I pick this thing up" to "maybe I'll get the hang of it." Cheers...

Love you Sammy G !!

This was very helpful! I’m going through a phase at the moment where I don’t think I’m as good as I used to be 5 years ago. I used to play progressive rock and now instead I’m more into producing music. I guess you have to pick one thing to do at the end, it’s hard to keep a high level in all the things you do.

Hey, that was a nice lyrical demo solo :-) I like the song and would like to hear the rest!

how I got good at guitar : I didn't.

Your a great guitarist Sammy.

I was never good at guitar but I loved it and had fun playing with my friends. After about 12 years off I decided to buy a guitar again and I absolutely suck. I really thought I'd have more time to play and at least some skill leftover from my younger days. The only thing I've learned in the year since I picked it up is the theme song to Bluey, for my toddler, and that's honestly just as much fun as playing classic rock and pop punk songs with my friends. I hope to get better, these videos give great tips, but I'll be happy as long as I can strum a few chords without hitting dead notes.

Thank you

Zen Guitar is the book that inspired me to play (yes I bought the book n didn’t own or have ambition for guitar...) it’s cool to see my favourite guitar RU-vidr say it helped him get where he is. Makes me feel like I may be on the right path

Among the many music channels I watch, you, David Bennett Piano and Rick Beato are my absolute favorites. If you know them at all, would you ever consider collaborating with them? Just a suggestion. Keep up these inspiring vids man.

GIT GUD at geetar

I'm turning 15 in a couple weeks and I've been at guitar for about 2 years now. Nothing else really seems to interest me but music and next year I'm doing my final exams and then after that I will be moving onto college. I'm taking music as one of my courses and I really do want to do well and perhaps seek further education and attend music school. It's a hard career path to go down, but it's something I really want to do. I guess all I can do is improve my craft as much as possible and work hard, but it scares me what the future might hold.

Good video young man

Don't know how helpful this reply is, but I recently got over quite a long period of "plateuing" with my playing. And one of the biggest reasons was mentality more than anything. I stopped thinking that I HAD to improve, that I was not worthy of even holding a guitar unless I could to this thing or that thing on it. And rather, started thinking that I WANTED to improve, and get better. And after that, playing got a lot more fun and less stressfull. And I think a lot of people get's intimidated by the sheer possibilities of what they can potentially do on their instruments, and feel a lot of pressure to become great at it. But that strive to get better than also, in my experience, make you blind to the things you have learned and all the improvements you done if you've been playing for a long time

I mean you could play a solo on year 3, in 2 months will be my 4th year anniversary, and last week i learned plug in baby. Started with a classical, hated it, had a break, bought an electric year later and i try to work this guitar thing by my self. After i get my health in shape i will get lessons.

The moment I got better at guitar was the moment I pushed off the idea that scales are music. It’s usable in a sensible approach but in things like jazz you need to understand how chord tones and connect motifs. This is why I also love jazz blues

When I can manage to get my hands on a decent acoustic, then I will be buying some of your lessons. I just want to start with something that will last & grow with me...have had my eyes on some of the auditorium Martins. Sommedayy...

bro im early early btw love your vids keep them up

I can just listen to this man all day

Great vid, thanks for posting. Did your pickup selector switch magically jump from neck to bridge at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="133">2:13</a> 😉

I’m barely an intermediate cowboy chord strummer, but I have been improving a lot because of Covid. I spend 2 hours a night watching trash on Netflix with he volume turned down while perseverating on one small bit or another. I have developed alternate bass thumb picking, partial chords in the middle of the neck and minor and mixolydian scales.

I've hit that humble point myself, I'll never be a virtuoso but I can do what I need to do and that's all that matters

Hi I am a beginner thanks for this video 😅

great songs to use as practice is tom sawyer by rush especially the solo section that goes for bass and guitar

wow noise great music

Well, come on. You’re actually really good. I really enjoy hearing it.

Very humble

LOVE that Tele in your first gig solo! Honestly, I thought the solo fit the song...no?

When you're early but can't actually think of a good sammy g joke

30 seconds in and I feel it’s going to be a really polite version of Jared Dines “just fucking practice” video

I'm sold

Make a podcast. Your voice is what I’d call “the perfect podcast voice”

I have been playing guitar for about 5 months just having fun and learning songs with tabs I think its time for guitar theory... and Sammy g is the person I think of when I hear music theory

Could you do a lesson about tritone ?

damn shaky gun is a really dope name for a band

What was your first electric guitar?

Thinking you cant be as good as you are now is limiting, only if you belive. Theres always room to grow.

Im at a Stage when my full focus is to get accepted in music school

Enjoy your vid does

Where can I buy that hoodie??!?!!

Zen Guitar is a great book.

I love ur stuff! Can you do a video watching smaller guitar channels like mine?

@<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="434">7:14</a> "it won't last forever" 😭

maybe someone think the same but, what fender strat is that. sick beauty

👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏

I want to be good at guitar. I've been playing for three years. What's your advice?

Yeap, you need to buy the course and a Fender guitar. In two weeks you're going to be a Master.

we need more music composed by you! get your bethoven brain working man!

Give me a training course on The Barry Harris Method and I will happily plunk down hard coin!

That, dear samurai guitarist, was the same way I did the guitar! Now, almost 40 year's later, I'm playing alone! Playing with a band didn't get me where I wanted to be and so I realized, playing by myself is better than playing with some guys who didn't get the way I wanted to go!

#beardisback

Got my first electric guitar Christmas 1993 at age 15. I still can't sweep pick but I've got a decent amount of theory. My technique isn't all that great but I can do 99% of what I WANT to do, so whatever. I'm content.

Plays intro Training Plays outro

Paused at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="3">0:03</a> -- Is the answer "Practice" ?

Should of been a two second video of him just saying practice

yeah for 2004 Sammy G :)

What guitar is that!?

That solo at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="121">2:01</a> had gorgeous tones, reminded my of Speedway At Nazareth (the live version with EmmyLou Harris) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vs91er7AZmg.html . I love the part about phrasing, breathing. Most heavier rock genres suck (in my mind) due to lack of phrasing. Shredding is impressive, but without a musical story, it's just musical masturbation. Sammy, you have great taste and excellent playing skills. Great video!

I’m older than Sammy - maybe a little more jaded - but this is all good advice. The only thing he didn’t say explicitly in this video is hear what you’re playing over and adapt. Hit wrong notes and bend them to the correct pitch. That can add some flavor, Marty Friedman and others made this part of their style. Just don’t overdo it. Relax, have fun and find your style.

Before I watch the video: practice and consistency?

Since you recommended us a book I’d like to recommend “Can't Be Satisfied: The Life and Times of Muddy Waters.”

420’th like. I feel i was made for this

I have two friends that are better musicians than me (one guitarist and one drummer, i play guitar) but everytime i show them my music etc i get really demotivated and feel bad about myself with a sense that im wasting my time with my music. I dont know if the problem is with them or with me though?

Train your ear, listen to your favorite guitatist and finger it out yourself. Course thats just what i did, guitar lessons never really stuck with me :(

Zen Guitar is the first guitar book I read. I highly recommend reading.

can't believe i got here at around 11 seconds

Dose Sammy reply ?

"How do I get good at guitar?" Certainly through watching a ton of youtube videos but never actually practicing 😄

Sammy G

Him at 16 after 3 years of playing is lightyears ahead of me after about 3 years of playing and that makes me sad

Playing it a little fast and loose with the word "good" eh, Steve?

Do you have multiple courses? I had a teacher for while but I never feel like he taught me anything. I still know nothing about the guitar. I can strum chords and play other solos, but I don’t know everything behind the guitar. And I really want to learn

GUYS I NEED YOUR HELP! I play guitar for about 5 years, im at a point where whith a few days of practice I can master pretty much any song (except for some crazy stuff like through fire and flames...) So the question is, ehat are some good songs for impressing girls? I just want to have that one song in my arsenal that i can just shred and have girls blow away. Please don't say some crazy stuff that I'll need 5 months to learn like the G.O.A.T or something like that. Thanks in advance.

my string broke