Right?! Most men I see with a man bun, fille with the urge to cut it off at the scalp. Leaving a shiney bald spot where the stupid thing purched. (I don't act on this but, my brain had made a very entertaining cartoon it runs. Lol) I think the reson our man SG here can pull it off is because, on him it's a cultural statement, not a cheesy hipster fashion statement. Love the tip man.
I watch Michael Vincent, a great magician, giving tips to aspiring magicians. I don't know why, as I'm no magician, but he's great and inspirational, warm, inviting, and extraordinarily talented, and really cares about the art of magic. Same here, I suppose. I'm no musician either.
The Filming Finn - I don't play music either, that doesn't mean I don't love good music. I have roadied for a band, dated musicians and made myself useful. In exchange for my help I have gotten in back stage at some epic events. I didn't make the music, I helped make the music possible. It never hurts to have some extra skills.
Honestly as a professional musician I’d rather work with someone with no experience who can follow some of these tips than an egotistical asshole with chops.
I can't not do this, even with my garden hose - the habit was ingrained in my navy days. I use the twist and flip method, tho' I worked once with an former circus roustabout stagehand who did his in some weird kind of interpretive dance. I was also told not to do this by a sound guy I vastly respected, for taking up slack in live cables for incomprehensible reasons - but who was I to argue with a guy who worked for Springsteen.
Not duct tape, gaffers tape. Duct tape leaves behind a nasty sticky residue that will, over time, gather dust, hair and lint. Gaffers tape removes clean. Gaffers tape is what you use to label items, attach picks to mike stands, secure cables against tripping, tape a set list to the side of a amp and oh so much more. It may cost more, but it's so worth it. It never hurts to have Duct tape for that thing you can't afford to fix, yet can't live without, like the seats of band van. For everything else duct tape is messy over kill.
How to write a song; where to start, how to go about the different sections e.g. chorus, verse etc - I feel like this is a video that could help all musicians as well as guitarists :) Thanks for the great video, keep it up! :)
I like this idea, I could definitely do a video on this topic. The most important part of songwriting, is understanding songs. Study the hits, what makes those songs great, study songs in other genres. Analyze them like you would do a book for a book report. You'll hone your songwriters instinct and then you'll be able to trust your gut. Also just do it, don't wait for inspiration, songwriting is no different than guitar, you need to practice it to get better.
yes please samuraiguitarist do a video on songwriting. I understand what do you say about analyzing songs but it would be awesome to get some of basic theory, if you dont mind doing a video about that. I play in a cover-band to earn a few bucks but I would like to have a great songwriting 101. Cheers! P.S: Excuse my bad english, haha, its kinda rusty.
I dont know if im qualified to give you advice, but the best way for me is by building a chord progression for the chorus according to the feel you want, for example sad or happy or evil sounding. Then record the chord progression and just loop it infinite times, hum out the melody or play it on your instrument. You may want to build a really unique chord progression to prevent plagiarism
I first got into soccer (football) when I was visiting friends in Germany during the 2004 euro cup. I then went back during the 2006 world cup. All my initial soccer memories and celebrations were in Germany rooting for the German national team. Since Canada will never do anything on the soccer stage, I kind of adopted Germany as my favourite team
Haha during my studies in the States I hung out with Canadians but all they seemed to care about was ice hockey :D I appreciate that you're taking the time to answer questions, also thank you for this amazing channel. I'll start being a music teacher in Germany in May and you are an amazing inspiration - also some money will be coming in then and some of it will be transferred to your Patreon. All the best, sensei!
Sean Mertens soccer isn't totally unheard of here in America/Canada. My city just sent a proposal to Major League Soccer to have a team here in RaleighNC
What I would love to see covered - How to decide if you should remain independent or sign to a label How to identify a predatory label How to resolve issues with or between bandmates If you're the core/founding member of a band, how to make a decision without appearing like a dictator Digital distribution packages and how to tell what's best for you How to increase your productivity within a project without sacrificing time you would normally take to improve as a musician yourself (ie daily practice and such) Thumbs up if you agree with these topics so he sees them, cheers!
the points about earplugs and balance are the most important as far as I'm concerned. Health (physical and mental) are just too important to not take seriously. Thanks Samurai!
I don't know if this is a common tip or not, but if you run your cable over the top of where your strap connects to the guitar before plugging it in, it makes it nearly impossible to pull the cable out by stepping on it. Again, I have no idea if this is something everybody knows, but it's something my dad taught me ages ago.
I've been playing for 10 years and always felt like a dill when i start unpacking at a gig an i have to straighten out all my improperly coiled cables! Thankyou!!
it took me 20 minutes to learn the cable wrapping technique, rewinding the video and feeling dumb haha thats a great tip, my cables will never twist anymore.
Wow ! Someone who can roll a lead properly _and_ play guitar !!! subscribed ! I played bass for years and only ever had a spare bass and a spare lead. When i started on guitar just on 5 years ago, the first thing I did was put a kit together of all the bits I might need. I also bolted a pedal board together and made a loom to go from the board to the various orifices in the amp. It cut my setup time in half. In my kit I have two pick containers. One with the ones I use, and one full of different ones, as there is always some douchebag who doesn't have any picks !
a small notebook and pens come in handy for quick notes about possible gigs, managers names, charting chords for yourself or someone else on a last minute setlist change... can't tell u how many times someone preshow runs around like a chicken with their head cut off and I become a hero because I have paper and pens (note I use the plural... people will steal your pen!). 😂
The task lists I use to tick stuff off before I leave for the gig and untick as I leave the gig. I've colour coded all my PA leads, and kind of colour coded my guitar rig leads. So it makes them easy to spot with everyone else stuff
you're the first youtuber I've ever seen that mentioned how to wrap a cable properly! every single wanker on youtube will show you how fast they can sweep pick, but you're a real musician. kudos from mexico :^)
You are great in packaging important messages in high quality videos. THANK YOU for your efforts teaching us this all Sensei. Greetings from the beating heart of the amazone where aspiring guitarists also enjoy you're lessons! All of these are useful, practical and it is pleasant learning in this form; more than about guitar- you also give subtle and direct life lessons.
+samuraiguitarist when you said balance i was just like oh i know exactly what hes gonna say and it was too true man i playsed everyday for two and a half weeks and after that i just sat on my bed and looked at my guitar like ''i dont even want to touch you'. ive only recent seen your channel dude i gotta say i love it great content new sub earned dude
Your last comment hit home for me. I left music school because it really did become a chore. There was so much time spent on music, even between classes, my classes ran back to back, and being a percussionist, there was so much extra time eaten up between set-ups and tear downs that it was hard fitting meals in. I love music more than anything, but music school started to take a toll on both my mental and physical health. I miss it, but I couldn’t handle the stress it put on me. When you say “balancing your life is important”, it really is. Sadly, I couldn’t make it work.
My music well has run dry, making tunes has become a chore and iv worn the pentatonic scale to the bone. Now when I pick up a guitar I play in such a similar style all the time that it leaves me feeling unsatisfied and well... depressed. Music is my life energy and I seem to have lost it somewhere, can you do a video on this??
Haha! I wonder who one would have to speak to once they reach Level 99 of an instrument to purchase the skillcape Also this video was a huge help. Big thanks to SamuraiGuitarist!
in my gig kit i forewent the capo (playing style difference), but i always made sure i packed masking tape, gaff-tape (electrician's tape), markers and paper. it's such a relief to tape down cables on-stage to avoid tripping. the masking tape is to mark where gear goes for quick stage-changes. didn't make me better, but it made switches faster.
Just wanted to add this as well: don't show off your playing in social settings too much, and prefer letting the "little guy" play instead. A special case of "don't be that dick"
if yer at a mic'd gig, yes. Buddy Rich was on tape yelling at the brass section for being too loud and threatened to take down the amplification. "up there! without all the assistance!"
I went busking one time. My advice, don't use the money you earned to buy that cheap australian wine that comes in a bag or you'll wake up with a raging hangover. Haha sorry dude, wish I could be more helpful!
I'd like to assume this has already been said, but most of these tips, of course, apply to players of a lot of different instruments. I keep most of these things in mind, and I play many instruments and have done so in quite a few constellations. Great video, in any case! Lots of kudos for putting out info for people seeking help and tips. ^ ^
Other items in gig kit: batteries, ground lift plug, extra mic clip, flashlight, copies of your song list, spray can electronics cleaner, big trash bags (to cover things if an outdoor gig) sharpie pen, towel and hand sanitizer. Something I used to carry was a pedal like box called a .22 Cal or .44 Cal power amp. I think made by Electro Harmonixs, not sure. But it was an actual power amp the size of a pedal and saved a few gigs for me. Thanks!
Hey man, this is my first time watching one of your videos. I'm a fairly experienced guitarist (5 or 6yrs) and was aware of these tips you mentioned but I just wanted to say good job! If only I would have learned these things early on in my musical journey I would have been much more prepared. I'm sure you'll help out many aspiring musicians!
Drums are my primary instrument. I used to use foam earplugs. Now I prefer over the head ear mufflers, you know the kind you see people using at firearm ranges. They're harder to lose and they have a more balanced sound profile.
Tips for a successful sound check for a band. You know, how to go about it, ideal way to get levels for different instruments adjusted, so that they all sound balanced, etc. Because I feel that my bandmates always have fights over who's louder than the other, and who's not audible. I'd love to have a way to avoid those fights. By the way, your Sensei series rocks.
Cool Idea, I could talk about that. It's a tough topic because it's really subjective. For the most part guitars in a certain price range are usually pretty similar quality wise, it just comes down to personal preference. I'm going to think about how I could approach this topic, thanks!
Hey, i got 2 topic requests: 1. how to balance between theoretical and cover/song based practiced. (Practising songs vs scales e.t.c). 2. the benefits of being a specialist guitarist (blues, jazz, country and so forth) versus being an all around guitarist and finding a balance between the 2 as a session guitarist. I hope you see this. Thanks!
In the gig bag it's a good idea to take that stuff in a can called Fast Fret. I've known a couple of guys who swear by it. They said it made their old strings sound new and saved the day. No, I'm not getting paid to endorse anything.
Hello! just found your videos! very insightful! I just wanted to know, since most bands make most of their money playing shows, and selling merch, what makes a band worth seeing live for you? could you do a video on what you find most useful to improve your live show?
In thirty or so years of gigging the one item from my gig kit that was most useful was a plastic adaptor that allows you to plug a 3-prong cord into a 2-prong outlet. Costs maybe three bucks. Be Cool.
Really great video. My suggestion - how do you get your material out there and get people to find and listen to you? I always feel guilty and unsure of how to handle any sort of self-promotion.
Getting a job at a guitar store there's a lot of big misconceptions out there. The first question you may be asked by the management that's potentially going to hire you is so what do you do? If the first answer you give them is, I'm a guitar player well though probably just show you the door. See they're not interested in guitar players they're interested in..............................SALESPEOPLE!!!!!! I've known a lot of great guitar players very talented people that know their gear very well but were the worst sales and customer service people. So understand that most of your days are spent selling to people and customer service and that is the only way to thrive in that industry. Is it good to know how to play guitar very well yes it's helpful because demoing equipment does sometimes lead to a sale but if you don't have any sales ability and the personality then you're in trouble? Also, make sure that your cleaning skills are exceptional because you'll be doing a lot of that too. Your working for a company so there is a lot of pressure in doing sales and making your quotas. This is also very important as you saw in the samurai guitarist video life is about balance. Be prepared to watch your interest in guitar playing and music go down after working in a music store all day. The last thing you're going to want to do is to plug in and play or gig after eight hours of exposure. Your passion is going to have to lay with doing sales and the products your selling. Also working for a guitar store be prepared not to make a lot of money unless you get to the management level. You also have to be very political with the gear you're selling let me explain. If a client walks into a store and you start slamming a certain brand sometimes that gets back to the distributor or manufacturer and the company that you're working for could end up losing a line and you could end up losing your job. I think I've pretty much covered the most important things.
I worked for a guitar store for about a year but i knew the owner for years prior ever since i was a little kid musician. I was involved with more classic rock and involved with bands that featured 60 year olds in it and was referred to as a an old soul. Just make good relationships with the owner and be loyal to the store then ask if there hiring. Although i dont work at the store i once did i still work for events and check out the gear on a regular basis .
that last one really hit home - my ex/fiancee was a full time musician while i am p/t - and by the time she was done teaching during the day and gigging at night - when we'd get together to play - she'd typically cut it short - that was a drag for me especially when people/audiences/other musicians would be asking for more - tried to get her into yoga and tai chi …
Wrapping a cable or coiling up a snake. Learn the over/under method. It is better for the cables and does not make a snarled mess. With the over/under method, you can start in the middle if you have to .
Lol slim margin for profit? Instruments are usually marked up 100%. In my experience, you can usually get a discount on a used instrument if it's been hanging out for awhile.
Nice video. I especially agree with pay-to-play scams, coiling your cables correctly and the gig kit. I snagged one of those Crate Powerblock heads (basically the smallest 150w head ever made) and keep it with me on the road at all times so if my rig ever fails, I can immediately hook up the powerblock and plug my rig into it's power section.
how does one organize and start pieceing songs together when its so much easier to just come up with bits and parts and save them on your computer until you have like 113 song ideas
Fritz it's your mindset, some people like to never finish anything, don't let that be you, you won't go anywhere. I've seen it happen, I know a genius recording artist and he made the mist beautiful pieces but never made full songs. Don't start that next project, go to your finest songs and finish and polish them
Maybe find another person to collaborate with. At the very least , if you meet up to write songs with someone, that creates a defined period where it is all you do. I used to help a guy write his songs even tho he did 90% of the creating. We would usually have about three on the go at once because you sometimes you need a break from one song. But we would try not to take on too many at once, so at some point we would have to say "no more new songs" until we properly finished one , or we formally drop one that isn't working. Working out bits and parts is fine but I think writing songs is a distinct activity, even tho one can turn into the other on a good day.
***** over the years i learned to do it at least two other ways and its hard to explain cause it just comes naturally by now but to me it seems easier that the method you described i suppose the best thing is to make shure you always do it properly until you never even have to think about it
Bima Riyanto I would say find people who are as passionate about music as you are to begin with, don't validate this by their words but their actions, it's hard to change someone else's motivation since 90% of it is entirely reliant on them motivating themselves.
Yes, i totally agree with that, i wouldn't share my problem in this case, but everyone has a different experience with "chemistry" which is important in any kind of music group. IMHO :D
the more you map out your mutual goals the more this will serve to motivate you. And it also makes it easier if someone isn't pulling their weight, bc you can point to your goal list as a measuring stick... some people aren't motivated... at all... and others, well, see the comment above, it's probably the best advice... find like minded folks....(which isn't always easy.. sigh) 😉
Quikdeth right it's not easy that's why I decided to pursue music by myself for the time being until I meet someone as motivated as I am, I had a band and I was the only one serious about getting a gig almost every time I said hey lets do this, it'd be no we aren't ready then all my equipment got stolen after I was about to force them into one, I was offered a gig at an art gallery in LA and I said yes and told my band we couldn't back out that we'd never truly be ready we just had to do it and if we failed that was ok, but of course life has many twists and turns and I wasn't able to pursue that opportunity :/
You are very good teacher please do a video on time, tempo and just the whole concept of composing music in relation to time, I never seem to crack the code. Drums and guitar synchronicity, like dime and vinnie amazing groove.
I didn't discover just how important that life balancing thing was until the last two weeks. It has had a huge affect on my creative energy and how much I accomplish during the time I set aside for music. Engaging in other activities such as exercise and social outings throughout my week have helped immensely. It's rejuvenating. I had a habit of burning myself out on music when I wasn't at work or in class and this simple lifestyle change has kept that from happening sense. Thank you Sensei for affirming this.
I really agree with supporting the local music store. 30 bucks of from a 250 total? Fuck yeah thank you! I'll email you how's the setup and how the manual helped. Imagine it as a back scratching, you have to take turns. I give them feedback about their products, and they'll notice it when the time is right. In my experience once I started talking them more about what I'm looking for and what I need, they stopped "advertising" some products that felt just marketing. Once you say it out loud what's your problem with your instrument, they'll and SHOULD help.
I wish they taught how to wrap cables in primary school. Most people I share this with think I'm nuts... I find the method works well with electrical cables, too, but not with LAN cables :))
Also, to prevent knotty cables stitch a piece of velcro around the lead to secure the wrapped cable. Hold the velcro close to on of the jacks, wrap the cable as per the video, now wrap the velcro around the wrapped cable once, then put a bit of cable from the jack you weren't holding over the initial velcro wrap and secure it with the last bit of velcro. (All one piece of velcro) (I didn't think this was going to be so hard to explain. It's late, or early, depending how you look at it. I'm tired. That's my excuse) (Iiiii hope that made sens-hey)
Keep a little flashlight in your gig-bag, as well, and you'll connect the back of your amp on a dark stage a lot faster (line out, cab-cables, loop send/return), and check your appropriate cab ohms (4, 8, 16) switch, and full, 50%, 25% power-setting. An extra string-winder isn't a bad idea, either......
to me the number one thing is melody. could you give some pointers (if it's possible) on melody building. very often, if you only strum the chords of a song, you miss the whole flavor. in fact people would not recognize a song at all without the melody being sang or played. thank you very much
Soldering! Learn to solder guitar jacks! I have a Soldering iron in my gig bag (Big one in my Tour bag and Battery powered in gig bag) an rescued a bunch of Newcomer bands and own second guitarists with it that had problems at Soundcheck cause of ripped of cables.
I learned most of these from live shows (sound guy). some from experience and some from others. but it's definitely great learning new stuff that I didn't know before. thanks man, I appreciate it!
