Wow. With 16 years of guitar under my belt, I can honestly say I never needed a motivational piece more than I needed this. Your humility and passion is a driving force of my continuing to progress. IDK how shitty these last 12ish months would've been without you. I'm not saying this to fan-girl or anything, and this isn't a stretch, but you particularly were one of about 3 or 4 reasons I didn't sell my very expensive guitar and quit earlier this year. Thank you for everything you do Dean. Please don't ever stop being so kind and badass. 💛🌻
I unfortunately dont work but I do play a hell of a lot. I live in a tent so ppl on the sidewalk hear me soloing hitting those harmonics. I used to try to keep quiet and just Palm Mute everything,but I get carried away and I get so into playing. That ppl know there is a homeless Shredder in Orange Park Fl . 🤘🤘
@@TopSecretZ I play at Sam Ash in Orange Park off Blanding. Im the guy with the Winds Of Plague Samurai sleeve with dreads. I have so many hrs of music recorded that I have yet to upload. You a musician as well?
The fact you gave a talk about riding the waves of frustration, coupled with the fact that Dark Souls is being played in the background, is absolutely excellent pairing.
My teacher used to say over and over “If you can’t play it at half speed you can’t play it at full speed.” Playing fast takes blood sweat tears and for most of us mortals, metronome clicks.
@@ZJtraylor That's true though. I enjoy playing a lot, and I'm not always in the mood to practice, so then I don't use a metronome. . When I am serious, I get out a timekeeping device. I use Songsterr a lot, cos I travel and it's so convenient.
"That overnight thing" is when your brain literally grows tissue around brain cells to form skills and memories. Even if you think you haven't gotten better over a practice session, try it again tomorrow, it might go much better.
I've experienced this while playing video games. Can't beat an area or boss, get frustrated, and put it away. I would try the next day and I breeze through it. It's very interesting.
I have to say, you’re primarily the reason I’ve became so much better the last 6 months. I’m 28, played from 13-21ish , didn’t pick up a guitar until 27, back in Nov of 2020. Watched all of your Dean learns x videos and it inspired me to cover Paul Gilbert’s Curse of the castle Dragon. 6-8 hours a day of practicing really does pay off. I know most of people don’t have that time, but from my experience I see a lot do but prioritize other things instead. Even if it means waking up extra early, not watching a movie or playing a video game. The time is there, just have to prioritize it.
Haha, I also started learning curse of the castle dragon because of Dean. It's one of the riffs I'm using to improve my alt picking. And your point about prioritizing is key. The time I spend onRU-vid or watching Netflix or playing video games isn't really productive. Those things are important when you want to relax, but in my case I realized I could drastically cut down that stuff and have more time to practice. Here's to getting better!
@@metalkicker23 if you work a 9 to 5, plus 1.5 hours for commute, and sleep 6 hours a night, that leaves you with 8.5 hours to yourself. Now of course you need to cook and clean and do other things but one can definitely make room for 4-5 hours of practice on a weekday if they are very dedicated. It's just a matter of commitment and sacrifice.
Damn dude, this hit real hard, I used to practise about 4-8 hours a day when I started playing, and now 16 years later I basically stopped progressing for the last 12 years, due to work, life and kids etc. But I still love playing and just guitars in general. Thanks for this really sincere vid. Btw best gig I ever saw was Archspire, Revocation, Soreption, Rivers of Nihil in Wroclaw, Poland. Holy shit you all killed it.
After I went to college to learn biochemistry at 25-26 years of age, after having graduated high school with mediocre results and having worked a lot of factory jobs, I learned that I could get anything done if I just set my mind to it. To me that was the biggest lesson out of that whole experience, worth more than any exam results, and I'm certain it's the same for anyone.
ive been using involuntary doppelganger and remote tumor seeker as "technique checks" for the last few years. two years ago, ass. but i kept breaking down all the trouble parts into their own exercises and two years later, i'm doing those tunes! now to get bleed the future down this also immensely helped in my guitar teaching career - teaching myself how to get over these high hurdles has been invaluable in teaching others how to. so thanks dean!
The bit about recording can work to boost your confidence as well. I remember playing for people and they praised me, and I was like "What the hell are they talking about I'm terrible" but then after recording myself playing and listening back to it I was blown away. I'd played for years and never recorded myself, or at least never listened back to it on my own and actually listened. It made me a lot more confident in my playing, and inspired me to tackle more challenging techniques. This is a wonderful video.
I'm a lifelong guitarist/bassist who's started doing vocals. I think your philosophy works for that too. Thank you Dean, you have a real way with words.
I fully agree with the process of deliberately practicing. I've improved more in the last 6 months than I did in the previous 5 years, simply because I've been so focused and dedicated to it.
Came back to this video a year later, and I can definitively say that this one video has had a MASSIVE impact on my mentality when I practice guitar now. My technique has drastically improved and I’m attempting to learn songs I would’ve been terrified to touch even a year ago. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Glad I ran across this vid. Very honest humble straight foward advise. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE, BREATH, STREATCH, EAT RIGHT, LOTS OF WATER, CORRECT AMOUNT OF SLEEP, REPEAT !!!
try other instruments too. When I started playing bass I played finger style, and as a side effect it improved my playing on nylon string classical guitar. The longer scale length forces me to use my pinky, and helped me stretch and move my fretting hand faster across the neck and more accurately. Bending and fretting the heavier string gauge strengthens up the fingers a bit too. Which lead to improvements on guitar.
I agree on everything you say here. I do this but on my drumset. You need to stress yourself enough to force you to want to get better, and then hit that wall. Relax, rest, think about it. And above all, my mindset is" Every fail makes me better". Then you go again, and again, and keep failing until you just can do that technique.
Been playing for 9 years now, recently I've found myself getting a little too comfortable with where I'm at in my playing, but I now realize my error in that way of thinking. Thank you Dean for the advice, you just reignited my fire to push myself further, and that's why I love this channel.
Dude, im 40, and you inspire me!! And so does your band! The way you deal with the frustration is genius. I recently decided i needed to get better, like you did, just way later in life lol🤘👽🤘 (Taking notes)
Thanks for this man. I've spent alot of time feeling embarrassed about where im at, despite playing guitar since age 13ish. It really helps to hear advice from someone I really look up to in the music scene ❤️
Feel like I’m listening to myself talk. We’re the same age and very similar experience with guitar and music. I like to think that if my college band had stayed together I’d be in your shoes but alas I’ve been solo for over a decade and it’s been a struggle. But I won’t give up. About to release my very first EP this year.
preparedness meets opportunity. You guys are going to slaughter the charts in your careers, as tech death artists! Insane talent and determination, much respect for you all.
Thank you for the valuable insight! Having around 8 years of guitar experience, I thought that all the development there would ever be had already been... The story of you joining Archspire after a decade with instrument and the skyrocketing with the craft and art leading to it is refreshing and a bit reassuring.
Wow ive been in a slump these last few days and have not felt like practicing, really needed to see this video to understand how to deal with the wave of frustration. Invaluable insight.
Sage advice. Been playing on and off for 20 years, and whenever I deliberately practice, and PLAN out my practice sessions, I’ve advanced. Even after all these years, I get better by being structured. Always spend time that way, and always do something fun (learning a cool riff or even a whole piece of music).
4:20 absolutely. That's how I practice now. Works incredibly well. Learned how to do sweeps almost well enough in just two months time. Could've done it in one month if I wasn't so damn busy.
Great advice Dean! Used to just watch your content on RU-vid but I finally got around to checking out Archspire and you guys are now one of my favourite bands :D
All of this is so info is so valuable. Clicked out of curiosity but I myself did alot of these things last year and have seen immeasurable gains in my playing. The biggest benefit to me was bringing in someone else to listen to my recordings. She's hella honest with me and it makes me want to play everything as perfect as I can before I call it done.
I've been struggling with guitar for a year now but since I actually found your channel like 6 months ago I've been trying to grind it out, so I just wanna say thanks. 🍤👍🏼
Dude! You're my greatest inspiration right now and I soak up all of this. I get high and watch archspire playthrough videos to set the bar and get hyped. I even add a "3rd guitar" while shredding a long but I couldnt rip you guys off If I wanted to because the music you compose in archspire Is just mind blowing and so dynamic. I'd be interested to hear you do a solo project or something. Stay tech and thanks for being you!
I feel like learning music theory while you practice technique will save you a lot of time in the future, theory and fretboard freedom go hand and hand.
Great advice, all very good points! I’m actually preparing for the studio after a very long break and I 1000% confirm that sitting down and recording stuff at home, overlaying tracks, finalising the little details greatly boosts playing. And it’s playing where it matters: your own music, which at the end of the day is why most of us play in the first place.
It's funny. I was in a metal band in the late 90's as late teen and I didn't understand practice back then. So I quit after a while, because I didn't get better (and I was allergic to nickel and this was pre nickel free strings, which made it so I couldn't really play for more than an hour before my fingers started itching and becoming red). I only started really playing again when I was like 35, got a private teacher with a conservatory jazz background, and for the last 6 to 7 years I've been progressing so much. No longer in metal, really, but your video's - especially the longer attempts to learn video's - have been such a big help, an inspiration, but also this feeling of recognition of the way you have to work to get better. Really appreciate the content and the hard work. :) Cheers from the Netherlands.
Thanks Dean, needed that, almost 20 years of using guitar, playing death metal and still sound like shit. Need to practice more without bs. You are the man, peace!
This is all great advice and super chill delivery. I've been working on Involuntary Doppelganger for the last year or so and I haven't moved past the first 3 riffs because I'm determined to get them clean before I move on. Practicing the one part over and over and feeling the improvement is so satisfying, as sloppy as I still have it for now.
I found a Yamaha acoustic in the dumpster when I was 10. Only had 3 strings and I played it with a bent paper clip. That started my journey. I’ve always wondered if whoever threw that out was frustrated and over trying. Whatever the case, glad I found it.
geez man, you don't know how much I deal with frustration, no matter how much I practice I feel I'm not going anywhere. I've been feeling like that for quite a while, I even thought of giving up. I feel like everything I play or compose sucks, and I don't have anyone to guide me, no teachers, no friends who play guitar, nothing at all. Hearing that even a professional like you dealed with it makes me feel like I can improve, thanks dude.
This was a great video, and I'm currently going through a similar experience. I've played heavily for the better part of 15 years, but it is only recently that I started doing deliberate practice sessions, signed up for lessons to fill in gaps etc. I'm ready to really level up my playing and am excited to put in the dedicated time and work to achieve it.
Get your right hand in order! Perfect palm muting, play slow blues to learn hammer ons and pull offs, legato. Speed it up. Use downpicking and alternate picking. Get real tight with your riffs and licks, then after a while tackle the difficult stuff like sweeping and harmonics etc. Practice makes perfect and in time you will just feel everything without having to think about it.
Dean, that video is very useful. I can also share how I progressed : I copied at least 20 guitar solos, from 15 various artists, along with some video game music that is melodic and somewhat not ''too difficult'' to reproduce (Megaman, Ninja Gaiden, CastleVania music). Then I assembled a serie of 10 other guitar solos that were ''similar'' in style and phrasing. Then I pick a difficult solo that is not too far from my skill level. Always try to reach ''the next level'' in skill - - do not attempt things that are miles away from your skills ; unless you can slow it down to 30 % and 50 %
Dude you shred,end of story. You inspire the shit out of myself and many others as well,seeing how much fun you have when you play makes your videos so enjoyable. I'm a proud member of the shrimp army 🦐🦐🦐
This was very beautifully put, Dean. I've "played" guitar for about 20 years, which means sporadic bursts of intense focus only to stop for long periods of time. I'm not in depth on the theory side of music, but I can play along to some songs from bands like Mastodon, Cradle of Filth, Death, etc - I've never gotten to the next level where I can actually play the SOLOS in those songs or songs that are just harder in general, such as yours in Archspire. I'm 38 and just had a stroke, so I don't know if it's still possible for me to get to that level, but this has inspired me to try. Consistent, deliberate practice is the key. And actual practice, not just jamming around. Thank you, Dean, both for the music you make and the motivation you give. Love you, dude - I hope I get to meet you when Archspire swings through Maryland/DC.
Im 25 years old, been playing guitar since i was around 12/13. Back then i was in my prime, learning songs left and right, fast, clean, had some techniques down, got into a band, played gigs infront of crowds ranging from 30 people when we started to 250+ people, recorded an EP, living the life and seeing that goal of becoming a big band in sight! Then life happened, band fell apart, my enjoyment of playing diminished, playing became more of a chore then enjoyment, and now in this point in time, i play maybe 1-3 times a week, just play the same shit every time, try to learn something new every now and then but dont own a 7 string so cuts me back at times, but iv just hit a wall for the past like 7 years or so. Just cant progress further in my technique and playing, and i think lately iv actually gotten worse, its like my brain forgot how to hold a pick. I think ill try some of your advice, try record myself, try tempo stuff, and be honest with myself and accept the fact that i might just be a campfire sorta guy now and my dream of becoming a big band is over. Harsh reality but it is what it is
The best piece of advice I can give new players is if you can’t get to now, you WILL if you are persistent, guitar is such a great tool because it gives you everything you need to do what you want on it, the rest is in your hands literally. You practice and practice and practice and get frustrated and put the guitar down, that’s okay because as long as you pick it up again the next day, you’ll be better. It’s really that’s simple if you practice with the intent to be better.
100%. There was a part of Elder Misanthropy that I didn't like the way it was played. So I moved it around, but for the speed, it pretty much required economy picking. Each day, practiced. By the end of the day, it felt like I got worse. But, allowing your brain to make the connections in the background entirely separate from your conscious thought, allows the muscle memory to solidify. At the beginning of each day, I was immediately better by magnitudes. Work smarter. Not harder.
The fret and picking packages you offer has elevated my playing to a new level. I still have a long way to go though the progress I have made in six months is insane.
I really like how much emphasis Dean puts on having fun, and how he didn't (as one of the shreddiest and most terrifying guitarists out there right now) discount the validity of just playing chords if that's what you're into.
I too found this lovely and insightful. I suppose that you already know that deliberate practice on your weaknesses is the key to successful learning. That's the thing that the 10,000 hours concept missed. Regardless, I really enjoyed this direct, focused discussion of what you have learned in your guitar journey. As a new player at 57 years of age, there is always a fight with a negative voice in your head: "You're too old. You started too late. What's the point?" As I'm writing this it just occurred to me that I suppose everyone has similar thoughts. Back to my point, this kind of encouragement, grounded in experience, lessons learned, and an honest assessment of your journey is inspiring to me. Thank you Dean.
This was really good. The "overnight digestion" thing is super-important. Shen I was learning to windsurf, I spent a whole afternoon getting smashing in a shorebreak trying to learn to waterstart. I never got going, but the next time I went out, I water started perfectly first go, and never had to think about it after that.
Thanks Dean for sharing your experience, I've been playing guitar for almost 2 years and I got to say the frustration is through the roof. I'm currently trying to play C.P.E Bach's solfeggietto , it's really tough but I'm making some progress which is all the motivation I need
Recording yourself, especially on dual track, is so painfully, because you hear that you are not as good as you thought... But you motivated me, I will do it now in a routine and get better!
Man, I am currently a guitar major at Berklee and this video honestly helped me so much. I am so bad about lying to myself about something sounding good when in reality it's barely passable. What you said about deliberate practice is so incredibly true. I've learned that playing whatever is fun for 8 hours straight yields far fewer results than focusing on fundamentals for just an hour. Thank you for this video.
What helped me tremendously when I first started learning guitar, was metronome practice. If you have a computer, an audio software like Audacity (free and amazing audio software), and/or a tabulature software like TuxGuitar (Also free and amazing software), those three things put together are an extremely valuable toolset for supplementing, and I would argue, accelerating your learning. If you are like me and never learned how to read music, tabulature (guitar tabs) software is invaluable. Tempos can be slowed, and tunings can be changed for the song you want to learn, so you don't have to constantly change your tuning, or buy 6 different guitars for 6 different tunings. Most tab software has metronome functionality, as well as looping of the part you want to practice. Cannot overstate how valuable this is for building muscle memory. Use the audio software or the tab to slow down the song you want to play along to, or change the pitch (the music key). Invaluable toolset!!
Bro, I LOVE THIS video! I just started a series myself called "Embrace the suck" where I take this EXACT approach. It's good to know that I am not the only one that views learning the same way. Growth is deliberate and SLOW. But it's worth it. Love your shit Dean, this was music to my ears man. Thank you.
Hey Dean, huge fan and also player of 20 years. Self taught and quickly latched onto the shredders like Malmsteen and Batio, but focused on technique and not theory. Not even near your level, but big inspiration nonetheless. Trying to put some more "deliberate" approach into my play and practice.
Being honest with yourself is huge, for everything in life. You're always going to be more successful when you're being brutally honest with yourself rather than just telling yourself what you want to hear
For sure, but it can swing the other way. Being overly critical is my thing, you can talk yourself out of trying pretty easily that way. I know I'm not deluding myself about my skill level, I just try to be understanding and compassionate with myself, shit takes time and as long as you're putting in real effort consistently there's no need to shit on yourself
Thanks Dean. I've been playing since 12-13 as well. Guitar has always been a thing that is just for fun, most of my friends haven't heard me play unless they lived with me. I got to put in a lot of good time in my teens same as you. I find that without the challenge I have no drive to play in general. I wish I had been consistent but your music has gotten me playing and practicing solidly for over a year now. I've almost got parts of Human Murmuration up to speed. Thanks for the inspiration!
I like going to a guitar store and just playing my heart and the looks and thumbs up I get especially with my own originals . Thank You Dean For being You and being COOL AND HUMBLE . You and ROB ARNOLD IMO HAVE THE SAME REAL GOOD PERSONALITY ON THE SCREEN AND AGAIN JUST Y'ALLS HUMBLENESS AND GRATITUDE TOWARDS MUSIC, THE FANS ,AND JUST LIFE IN GENERAL .THANK YOU .
Dude I needed to hear this! It’s really hard bro I constantly question myself and I ask what am I even doing. Your an amazing guitarist and one of the many that inspire me. 🤘💀🤘 Your words of wisdom are exactly what I need to hear! Thanks Dean!
As a guitar tutor I get students to always perform music live for family busking whatever. The stress of live performance is everything as your level when stressed will diminish greatly.
Dean, I'm surprised you didn't talk about visualizing practice. Huge part of preventing injuries such as tendonitis. There's classical guitarist who have learned Bach's Chaconne without touching the guitar and performing it almost flawlessly. Extremely helpful whether you visualize your left hand, right hand, and even TAB your music. It's so much better than repeating a passage 1 million times and failing.
@@darkstar8196 It's actually just a law of the universe known as Mentalism in the Hermetic tradition. All exists in mind before being manifest into physicality. This visualization is also encouraged for skateboarding; it works, and you should do it. Build synaptic connections by inputting the actions into your brain mentally.
Damn hits a spot here. Been playing six months and I feel like I'm walking down that road of bad habits. My playing is good to others but I can always improve. Thank you and I will definitely be focusing on those techniques I've been neglecting.
I think the important part that dean brought up is how everyone has a different learning style… this cannot be underestimated as each player can go off of instinct, rhythmic feel, muscle memory / repetition, noticing key changes or time signature changes… everyone is different in what they pay attention to
You had me from the title. That's how you inspire people!!! I don't care if you plug your band, you should. Open source and no elitist stuff. Cheers man.
When I played from 13-17 i averaged 4 hours a day. I'm 31 now and still have some muscle memory kick in... I went to college and went into video game as a career... I work on video games and now can try to focus on guitar again.
