How to play G.O.A.T. by Polyphia 

In this video, Tim continues his transcendence into an Anime villain, while teaching us that we will never be as good as he is.

"In the recording I play it like this, but live I don't because.... It's hard, and I'd rather not". That's a fantastic bit of advice 😂

My dad is a blind guitar player (been playing 52 years). I had to show him this video; the way Tim describes everything made it so much easier for him to learn this song, he loves Polyphia. Very well done!

After 9 months of playing guitar I can finally play the first 6 notes at 25% speed! Thanks, bro!

I love that you are so happy to teach everyone, some people are so stingy about their techniques. And that you’re so knowledgeable about the theory too is just *mwah*

Tim doesn’t need to gatekeep his technique because he knows nobody will be as good as him

Tim really went from your emo kid shredder classmate to your Jedi auntie who always keep up with the kardashians 💀

The fact that you have no overtly ambitious attitude and are willing to explain your creative nature makes you one of the greatest musicians alive. I mean that. Your willingness to explain your methods, to break things down so that someone even like me can play this riff. After just a few days of practice i have half of this riff down already and NEVER in a million years did i expect to be able to learn this. I would not have been able to otherwise. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Teaching is the greatest tool we have to offer.

never expected to live in times where talented artists would take their time to school others and make free tutorials on the internet what a time to be alive thank you!

The primordial polyphia riff

TIMESTAMPS Phrase 1 : <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="60">1:00</a> - <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="123">2:03</a> Phrase 1B Triplet Tapping : <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="124">2:04</a> - <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="182">3:02</a> Phrase 2 : <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="183">3:03</a> - <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="315">5:15</a> Phrase 3 : <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="316">5:16</a> - <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="360">6:00</a> Phrase 3B Sextuplets: <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="361">6:01</a> - <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="427">7:07</a> Last Phrase: <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="428">7:08</a> - <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="459">7:39</a> Never thought I'd be watching a tutorial for G.O.A.T. from a samurai that looks just like that Tim Henson guy from Polyphia

I'm pretty sure this is the first actual walkthrough of how to play a song. There's tabs. There's playthroughs. But nothing compares to this. This is a full on walkthrough. I appreciate this alot.

Imagine if he taught everyone how to play every single one of his songs for his fans for free on youtube. What a fucking beast either way. Thank you Tim. You are moving the guitar into a new era! and I like it.

I grew up in the days of trying to acquire tabs from various sources or constantly rewinding cassette tapes. .. but, to have the CREATOR of the song show you is stinking AMAZING.. It adds to why I love your music!

The fact that Tim took the time to explain one of his craziest riffs in beginner terms and down to details, so anyone has the chance to at least attempt to learn it... It's fantastic. What a Legend!

I got guitar a week ago and have been really eager to learn. My uncle showed me GOAT yesterday and now I've set a new goal for what I want to be able to play. I'm in absolute awe at the skill and nonchalance while playing this riff.....I want to be that good some day

You'd think with how many tutorials and play throughs Tim has done, we'd finally get it down... I am at the exact same place I've been ever since the song dropped.

a tutorial on O.D. would be sick. definitely one of your best songs. thanks tim for posting all this cool shit. my favorite guitarist and most inspiring to me and to many. keep doing you man🖤

My head exploded about 14 seconds after Tim started explaining how to play the "simple 8 note melody" LOL. Absolutely love watching him talk about anything. He's always so calm, cool, and so damn nice! ☺

The thing that always blows my mind with Polyphia's music is how simple the inspiration is for the music and how deeply they explore the melodies and tones within that inspiration.

Super great to have this freely available. This is what the digital-native musicianship looks like at the highest tier. Thank you Tim for your effort!

It's amazing how accessible Tim made this, explaining it without theory or chords or notes, easy enough for beginners to follow. Not an easy teaching skill to make things graspable. Rock on

I actually enjoy the way he teaches this. Instead of going “play these notes” he actually tells where to put your hands. I followed along as someone who only has a decorative guitar and I could pick up some of it just by his directions.

Love all the new generation prodigies and guitarists in general nowadays. When I was growing up the older kids who played guitar wouldn’t show me shit because they wanted to be the guys who played guitar and old heads often had a smugness about them but you and Tosin among others understand when you share your secrets in music for everyone in an accessible way the amount of good music being made will increase exponentially. Keep spreading joy homie

thank u master tim for not gatekeeping plus being kind and actually a good teacher to celebrate what's most importante: people and music together

What a priceless tutorial from the man himself... And he is happy to do it for everyone... Tim is so genuine.

Really appreciate you generously engaging your fans and teaching them how to play your songs. Real guitar heroes are the ones who help others learn how to do what they do!

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="169">2:49</a> I believe it's tapping fret 19 to open B (like he's doing) for those who are confused.

He’s just giving us the tabs for free, how generous of him 😸

The tone is always god tier. I wish he shared the archetype preset or showed how he gets his tones!

Absolutely amazing.. and the best part is he doesnt mind sharing knowledge.... i just can't get over his technique... and how easy it's just flowing out of him and you can feel every notation

Tim’s contribution to music and especially guitar music is immeasurable … Very cool he is from our town. Live long and prosper Sir …

Ngl thank you so much. I love it when artists post videos breaking down their riffs or songs allowing people to learn the theory behind songs.

Tim becoming a Jedi master on the guitar & got the robes to match 🔥👌

I'm actually very impressed with myself that I was able to follow along this tutorial and understand each step even though I haven't touched a guitar in what must be over 15 years now.

i feel like ive had this music in my heart my entire life and now tim is letting me listen to it for the first time.

Always love it when you find out you’ve been playing parts of the song the wrong way after spending way too much time practicing them!

I love that you pointed out some differences in recording vs playing live.

These videos are unbelievably inspiring to me. I am what I could only describe as a beginner or a bit further along than that guitarist. Attempting to play anything you've written is very much so like scaling a brick wall. But the in depth videos like this allow me to get a huge amount of value and keep me from getting burnt out looking at tablature. BTW ty for being so cool, I'm the v tall 6'8" dude from the show in sacramento when u toured with coheed. I will not forget how nice you were, or how big scott's nose is.

As much as I burnt myself out of this song having it on repeat for 5 years, it really never gets old hearing it again

Gonna now need a breakdown video for every other Polyphia song. Every one.

Just uploaded a cover of this today and this video was super helpful, thanks. So cool that you take the time to do this, and slightly terrifying that this isn't even the most challenging song on that album let alone across your full catalogue!

Recently started watching Tim's vids and i gotta say. He seems like a truly gentle soul.

I don't know what any of this means but just solidifies how much I respect your ability to shred guitar! Thanks for blessing my ears

Thank you for this! Been playing for 35yrs, love learning. I appreciate your innovative approach to guitar. Not many of you come around often enough. So happy to be alive at this time. All the best to you and that fabulous band!

Thanks for being so kind and teaching this in such a clear and digestible way. The melody reminds me of Augustin Barrios (sp) and some of the etudes he wrote. My son learns a lot from your videos and songs, and is a huge fan of your band. I'm thankful he introduced me to your stuff! Cheers!

I love how clear this is as an instructional.

Just a heads up, the fluttering frame rate on your video is due to the shutter frame rate not matching the frequency of the lights. Can take a little time to sync them (basically look at screen while changing frame rate slowly until the issue disappears) but it will get rid of those random dark bars in the video. Cheers!

hes the smartest guy ever, he blocks any page to learn the song, then he teaches it himself the way he actually plays it and gets paid for it, a genius

The first time I heard this song almost two years ago, it absolutely obliterated my mind, and every time I listen to it again, I still mostly get that same feeling. Absolutely incredible, Tim and Polyphia.

how can you not love this guy, he shared everything to all his fans.

Dope man. Thanks for the content. Always a pleasure to see a musician share their insights/passion

Actually goated for this. Keep them up and bring some more tutorials every now and then, they're much appreciated!

One of the greatest tutorials I've seen. Managed to grasp it all pretty quickly, gotta get it up to speed now. Big thank you Tim! Keep it up

I loved it! I would appreciate more of these tutorials a lot because I am actually trying to learn your songs and it's hard to find actual good tutorials because your songs are hard to play and no one can really do it like you XD this video was very helpful so keep it up! ♥️❤️

At <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="385">6:25</a> Tim says to hammer on the 9th fret of the A string, but it's actually the 7th fret of the A string. And at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="377">6:17</a> it sounds like he says to hybrid pick the open E but you actually have to hybrid pick the open B string. Still the best tutorial for G.O.A.T out there. I'm on and off learning this Song for 2 years now and this video helps alot.

Love the tutorial format my guy! And such an epic song too 🔥

I love your music so much! It`s hard, complex, fun and estetic. You inspiring and motivating me to do my own music and improve my guitar skill. Thank you

I don't know what it is about Tim but I cannot get enough of this man's style. Literally, Edward Scissorhands meets Jimmy Hendrix, Harry Styles and Chris Heria.

Really appreciate you putting up a tutorial. You’re inspiring guitarists all over the world to pick up and play😊

I can't imagine the level of genius it takes to conjure up such a unique and amazing riff. You are a God level guitar player, but this song in particular tickles parts of my brain that no other melody ever has

Tim out here looking like the Jedi guitar master he is. I love that your approach to music is the love of music and making music with others. Thanks for the comprehensive breakdown

No BS, straight to the point. I like tutorials that follow that simple point. I don't need to know that the guitar is an instrument, generally with 6 strings, each string has a name, and that the name of the note changes depending on where you press, which I find in way too many tutorials on youtube.

I was practicing goat when this was posted I literally got the notification while practicing it

I cant get over how nice that guitar sounds my goodness

Thank for giving this Tutorial, its really fun to play your riffs so please continue making these videos. Love from Germany

today is one of the day i'm happy the internet is a thing, learning the riff from the dude that actually wrote it is amazing, you should do more of this for your most iconic riffs and maybe release full lessons to sell, i'd certainly buy them

It took me half a year to learn Goat 👁️👅👁️ Also the bells at the intro are cool, but it also sounds delicious played using harmonics. Also huge shout out to the producer & mixing engeneer. Also found ways to make the into riff easier without loosing the quality 😎

In all seriousness though - how did you actually come up with this Tim - I have seen how you create etc But just how you mix the different styles and techniques etc is just phenomenal The amount of people who play guitar and have over all of time - nobody had ever thought of the instrument like you do Sincerely Thankyou for sharing - you are a once in a generation player who has single handedly changed the landscape of guitar forever

Thanks so much Tim for making this video, this is my favourite song of polyphia, it’s simply so cool!

Tim Henson. Thank you brother for sharing your knowledge. Gives lowly strummers like myself hope. Love you too brother.

Tim Henson is reaching levels of androgyny never before thought possible lmao great stuff the guitar work is mesmerizing

Pls do a makeup tutorial Tim!

Thank you, Tim Henson! You’re such an inspiration, keep grooving!

Beginner at guitar and finding this not too difficult to follow along to compared to a lot of videos out there and for a song I love too, which is very encouraging for me so thank you!

This is crazy!!! Little correction.. in the second lick of the second phrase you say to hammer on the 17 th while you actually hammer the 19th. I will not die before i can play this masterpiece

This guy’s not even close to the song. Waiting until Marty Swartz does this song lesson instead…

Hearing you mention that slide and how you don't do it live is super refreshing, I feel like a lot of guitarists will use little differences from the recorded versions of their songs during live sets but are more resistant to admit it 😅

This is so much more informative and easily explained than everything I’ve seen so far

I just keep liking this guy more and more. He's just so flippin cool and good at guitar. 😲

Recent sub, thanks for the content. I like your style from the first time I saw one of your videos. You and others have taken music and guitar playing to a whole new place, I believe that you haven't allowed yourself to be limited by what others said can't be done.

Such a beautiful man; such an inspired guitarist -- and a tremendous instructor at that.

Dude is hanging out in his robe or kimono and teaching people how to play his riffs. I don’t know if people still refer to others as G’s because I’m old AF but this guy is a G. Thanks Tim.

Who else became a goat when trying to learn this? :)

This tutorial needs a tutorial

It is super helpful to see you break the phrases down!! thank youu

Holy shit Tim. Already tried this when i was younger but this tutorial did't existed. Back then i tried to play this from hearing and only got to the first 12 notes (its really not that far but it was hell of fun play the section). See you in few years while i'm ad it again. Thx for the energy man.

After watching this, I looked at my guitar and it just kinda said "just don't, play wonderwall instead"

Step 1: Become an anime Jedi

The fact that the GOAT is taking the time to teach the world his amazing song G.O.A.T. … what a selfless, confident human being Tim is, what a world we live in today. Years ago we would stare at album covers for hours just imagining and wondering what the artist are like…. Today the greatest artists are giving us free lessons 🤯🤯🤯

i really enjoy the tone of this

You can't. Saved you <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="492">8:12</a>

Bros 4 years late

Not only a masterful guitarist but a good educator as well

Learned it so quickly, thank you tim! I loved this type of video

dude you explaining how to play it just makes it even crazier. Such depth in so little time

Absolutely amazing to see how it’s actually done. Cannot wait to see you all in Glasgow Scotland 2023

Sharing your gift. Sir you are a gentleman and a scholar. I am a lady fast approaching autumn years who doesn't play guitar, but I can appreciate your unique brilliance. The world needs teachers like you. Pure gold.

I appreciate that he takes the time to call out what notes he is getting down on. That’s pretty cool, I haven’t played in years, but this encourages me to get back at it. Life & work just finds a way to suck all the free time that you have lol 😅 regardless I’ll start to make time again. It’s all Practice it’s what it boils down to plain n simple. Thanks Tim.

Haven’t touched my guitar in months, but this nice and easy breakdown inspired me to pick it up again. I’m barely able to play the first part of the first phrase at 0.25 speed, but I’m gonna keep at it a little bit everyday