I like how Rick is emphasizing how hard these basic fundamental elements of guitar playing are, not to discourage people, but rather to reassure beginners who might be struggling that it's okay for them to struggle on the basics.

@SpartanLaserCanon

2 жыл бұрын

It's ok to struggle as long as you are not struggling to hard and too much for your own mental health and I embraced that early in my music progress. Sometimes I can learn fast, sometimes slow, but I still maintain at least some guitar practice that works for me with theory sometimes included throughout migraine weeks and some days. Even if someone doesn't practice every day, that doesn't mean all knowledge is lost since some retain lots of info for music. Music does work on your brain overall unlike anything especially with using theory. I at least really know when I am ready to practice instead of just jam over stuff.

@LukenUSee

2 жыл бұрын

@@SpartanLaserCanon Good point about music being good for the brain. In many ways, playing music on an instrument (or even just listening to it) activates the brain and helps keep it healthy. I picked up my guitar after a number of years and was surprised at how much came back to me, slowly but surely. I'm working on building up the calluses on my fingertips again and trying to get the dexterity back. It does take effort and patience. 👍

@seanbaines

2 жыл бұрын

I remember the early days when even playing through a basic 3 or 4 chord progression to practice the open chords, and doing so cleanly and in time, was a major achievement. It took quite some months to get this down on the 3-4 basic cowboy progressions I was practicing, and using for basic songs like Knocking on Heaven's Door, etc. Be patient, folks. We've all been there.

@scottbaines4747

2 жыл бұрын

@@seanbaines Amen, brother.

@yuwotongxing

2 жыл бұрын

Everything you don't yet know how to is at some point difficult. Something will always be hard, If you don't play guitar yet, just holding is gonna be hard. Hell walking is hard sometimes and that's a fixed action pattern! lol

Playing guitar is definitely not for everyone and you have to really want it. It’s much more difficult than I imagined, and playing anything fluently took much longer than I anticipated. I’m glad I didn’t give up though. If you stick with it and just keep learning and playing, you make huge leaps when you least suspect it. It’s immensely satisfying and so worth it.

@user-lv7ph7hs7l

2 ай бұрын

Definetly. If I wasn't such a fanatic I would never have had the patience. But I started on electric so the sound of a distorted guitar was enough to keep me going until it sounded like more than just noise :)

At age 60, had my first lesson last week, glad to see my instructor covering many of these same things Rick. Hopefully this old dog can learn a new trick and can play this darn thing.

Great lesson Rick. I'd like to share what happened when my neighbor asked me to teach his 9 year old son to play. First off, I'm not a great player (have terrible arthritis in my thumbs) and certainly not a teacher. But I thought I would try and show him every thing I had learned in my 50 years of playing. During this time, I encouraged his parents to take him to a professional teacher, but, they were happy with me. So, over the next 9 years, twice a week, I showed him everything that had been hard for me to learn. First thing I taught him was the spider drill, walking his 4 fingers through the first four frets, then "stepping" to the next string and gradually working up the neck and back down. Then the major chords. I taught him, bends, hammer-ons, pull-offs, trills, slides, double-stops, slurs, tapping, alternate and speed picking; I showed him the works. I broke out my old college classical books and bought him a Yamaha Classical for Christmas. We learned rest strokes, free strokes, time-signatures, how to read notes, working with a metronome, etc. We studied Classical in the winters and Rock 'n Roll the rest of the time. When he turned 18, he was playing all the greats: Stairway, Sweet Home, Smoke ot W, Get Back, Crossfire, Watchtower, Babe I'm Gonna Leave You; you name it, we played it. Then, he was invited to play in a folk band. I sent him off, knowing he was going to impress with his skills. He came back from the first practice and said, "You didn't teach me to strum!". 🤯... I had assumed, what came simple for me was something he would just know how to do. Now I send him links to your videos. 🙏

@HammyGirl999

Жыл бұрын

What a great story! Thx for sharing. You did a wonderful service and Im sure he picked up strumming no prob after all you taught him. 😄

@randomlight1069

Жыл бұрын

Sorry....I laughed at the end. What the Folk!!!

@maryannsullivan7724

Жыл бұрын

That response goes into the KZread Hall of Fame.

@TK229Az

3 ай бұрын

Haha

Rick is definitely an expert but he gets into the shoes of an absolute beginner so effortlessly, it's incredible

I'm going on 20 months with guitar. Yes, it's hard. I'm at a point where I want to meet with a teacher so some experienced eyes can check my form. In time, chord changes are still difficult. But Rick's videos are a constant source of inspiration. I often watch one to get me psyched up to practice.

@footos8511

2 жыл бұрын

Oh self taught?? Kudos to you man!👏👏

@SeekerGoOn2013

2 жыл бұрын

Give yourself little wins. Am to C. Over and over. Slow as heck first.

@seanbaines

2 жыл бұрын

The teacher's eyes and ears are HUGE. if you can get that, do arrange to do so. I had one who, at first lesson, listened and watched very closely as i strummed, then adjusted the position of my fingers on the pick just a millimetre or two. After I practiced with it awhile, I got more stable, consistent strumming, with better tone. And I didn't have my pick pulled lose from my fingers by strumming as much, He did something similar to diagnose a small flaw in my fingerpicking, and prescribe a correction. Another teacher adjusted the position of my guitar in my lap, and got me to practice being visually centred over a different spot on the fretboard. I was way too far forward up the neck, and I was jamming my strumming, and my ability to work up the neck. Eyes, ears, brain (knowledge and experience). These are what teachers bring.

@ericksemino8614

2 жыл бұрын

@@seanbaines I really suggest playing with other people in other to get better at chords changes. I always play with my students, I slow it down a little bit (so they can play and the music doesn't sound wierd). Although its a VERY important exercise, it's really boring to do chords changes over and over again, so try to play songs with someone else, try to keep the rhythm with them even if it means to just play the open strings while you position your fingers (i'm sure the horrible sound of it won't let this become a thing in your playing, although its a nice and idiomatic tecnique). When you realize a particular chord change its really difficult, try practing it at home a little and them go play the song again ;) Sorry for my english

@johnpeterson2035

2 жыл бұрын

Ditto

The patience to teach something like this and to be this meticulous is a real art. To me you are nothing short of being a truly great teacher. Kudos to you Rick!

Started 4 weeks ago and when he said to make sure your fingers are glued together, I thought, yeah... I do that. Then I sat down to practice and paid attention to it. I'm now laying down chords with all my fingers at once instead of one finger first that I use as a reference to find the other notes. Also able to do it with B7 quickly after struggling with that chord last two days. Best advice ever!

@seanbaines

2 жыл бұрын

Eventually, we need to learn to play with fingers more spread out at times to play wider ranging lines, or do 12 bar Blues shuffle reaches for keys like E Minor. But that's eventually. And there are drills and stretches to help with that. Later. For open chords, fingers supporting each other are pretty important.

I have been playing guitar for 61 years. I have also taught guitar to single students, as well as classes of as many as ten students in a neighborhood summer program. My youngest student was a very motivated six year old, and my oldest was my father, who started at the age of 70. I have learned over the years that not every great guitarist can be a great guitar teacher. It is a very different thing to instinctively do something by muscle memory every time you pick up a guitar, than it is to inwardly examine your technique to the point where you actually know why you do this, or that, with your strumming hand, or why you place your fingers where on the strings and fret board on your fingering hand. Not every guitar player is willing, or even capable of self-examination to the point where they can effectively transfer their possibly vast knowledge to a brand new student of the guitar. My first attempts at guitar teaching were prompted by folks being somewhat impressed by my abilities and God-given talent. But unfortunately, I hadn’t taken the time to examine “why I do the things I do” to the point that I could effectively transfer that knowledge to any student. My first few teaching projects were not successful, to say the least. It was not until I began to break down my techniques and moves that I truly began to teach, effectively that is. Rick, is not only an amazing master on the guitar, but after watching this video, I can attest to the fact that he has down his self- examination homework, and is truly a teacher to learn from. There is an old adage that tells “those that can’t do, teach”. But it it is still more true that “ those that can do, can’t always teach”. Thank you Rick for showing how a real guitar teacher is supposed to do it. Well done !!!

Mission accomplished, Rick. Em, Am, C, D, G, A, E, basic strumming. "Fundamentals in ALMOST 30 minutes" ;-) Well done. I've been playing since '73, and have taught beginners off/on for years. The only "fundamental" I think you missed was tuning. Impressed that you started with fingernail length! Definitely sharing this! Cheers from Kokomo, Indiana.

I’ve been playing for decades. Everything you say, Rick, is dead on,,,,Beginning players will realize,,once these few methods and skills are mastered,,it may take months,,,the entire world opens up,,,and playing your guitar will be an infectious hobby,,,

I've been playing for about 50 years, and I still think this is a great refresher video on the basics. It's always worth reviewing the things you thought you were good at later on in life...

@bassaniobrokenhart5045

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely! I think you are completely right. I myself am 57, I started playing when I was like 12 or so. And I always love reviewing these videos, like Rick's. Not only you refresh your knowledge, but it's also true that you always learn something new. Always. Maybe different, new ways to do the same thing, new approaches... This is a wonderful world, music I mean, and especially guitar. I also play a bit of piano, but the guitar beats everything. Sometimes the acoustic, sometimes the electric, sometimes the Spanish guitar (I'm from Spain). Humility is at the base of everything that is human contact, communication, reaching out to others... Music helps with that.

Love the point at 33:20ish about independence, playing bass 16th between hh 8ths, that was one of those first obstacles as a drummer that once overcome, unlocked a whole world. May seem trivial but to a beginner it's huge! Great analogy!

Just 50 seconds into your video, and I felt this energy that we could just sit in a table with friends, drinking a beer and tak about life. There's your like and subscribe my friend; great guy, great energy!

Thank you so much! It's one thing to know some of the basic chords but hearing these kind of tips from an experienced player with lots of info on "why" instead just "what" or "how" is invaluable. :)

It actually good to hear you acknowledge that it's difficult for beginners to play the guitar...I mean...It's not just me...it IS kinda difficult in the beginning, but with practice I'll get there.

@seanbaines

2 жыл бұрын

It ABSOLUTELY is not just you. We've all fought through this. Chin up and persist. It's a work-in-progress, but it get's better.

@John1873--

2 жыл бұрын

I remember literally cello taping my fingers together when first learning barre chords. Whilst I've still plenty to learn, I'm at a point now where I don't think such measures are required.

Thank you very much for the lesson. I started playing guitar when I was in the Army. It was on a Gibson B-25 back in 1967. I plinked around on it for about 10 years without really learning anything, so I sold the guitar to my brother and quit. Now I'm 76 years old and trying to learn all over again. My calluses are coming along nicely but not yet fully developed. That being said, I've already bought 3 guitars. The first one was an all mahogany offering from Orangewood. The second was a Fender CD-60. Both those guitars have laminated top wood. I wanted a solid Spruce top, so today I bought a Yamaha FG800, and it sounds a lot better to me than the other two. I really enjoyed your lesson today and hope I can find some more online. I felt a bit inspired by todays lesson, and wanted to take the time to tell you how much I appreciated it. THANK YOU!

This very well could be the best beginner guitar lesson I have ever watched. I have literally spent hundreds of hours listening to KZread guitar lessons for the last three years and man this one is it.

Invaluable lesson, Rick. As a novice player, this is goldmine of information. Bravo!

@SeekerGoOn2013

2 жыл бұрын

I’ve been playing for over 50 years, and yes, this is the goldmine. This is it. By the way, for beginners, counting in fours means that we’re using 4/4 time (1234, 1234, etc.). Most popular and folk songs are in this time (or “meter”).

Brilliant! More of this please!!! This was so much help for someone that desperately wants to be able to take advantage of your other videos that I just get completely lost in. Thank you for this!!

Rick really talks about the basics. I had to find it out myself in quite a few years. For a beginner this is really valuable. 🤓😋🥰. Thank you.

Rick is one of my favorite guitar teachers! For everyone out there starting to play guitar: PLEASE! please try to enjoy the process, learn songs that aren´t that difficult to play and that you really love, don´t do too much social media because we tend to compare ourselves to other guitarists that usually seems to be guitar gods to us and you will probably get discouraged (take this as an advice, it´s not the absolute truth) and last but not least important, THIS WILL TAKE TIME so, be kind to yourself (as Tomo Fujita would say) and be consistent, put your guitar in a place you are usually at so you can grab it easily and remember to take care of it and yourself! Love you all

@SeekerGoOn2013

2 жыл бұрын

Oh Yes! Get a stand for your guitar! Don’t put it back in the case! Make it easy to pick up. It WILL start talking to you. “Just 10 minutes, buddy …”

So thankful I watched this video! I am starting to learn guitar in my late 50's and needed this encouragement. I love music and creativity and love the guitar. I have always felt it was out of my reach. I appreciate this pep talk!!!

I've been playing guitar for years but I really enjoyed this video start to finish. Its so well articulated and your practical method of teaching makes so much sense

Thank you for doing a beginner lesson!! It's so important that new guitarists have some early successes! Get that three or four chord song done and the excitement will kick in!!

When I teach I usually use G C and D as the first chords to teach. The reason why is because there are so many songs that use that chord progression especially country music. I find that if a beginning student can play a song right away they are more likely to stick with it. I may be wrong but I have found that they are more proud with their playing if they know a simple song. Also using down strokes on strumming and teaching a simple 4 beat measure is useful.

Ive been playing guitar for over 30 years and its fun to watch Rick explain the basics. Always good to go over the basics.

Hope you keep doing this. Shout out to you all the way down from Brazil!

Rick, thank you for your spending your valuable time teaching. Much appreciated.

I absolutely love your channel, Rick! It’s always entertaining and educational.

I started playing guitar again in March. Proud to say I have covered everything on this stream. Additionally, just this morning, I was able to perform my own truss rod, action height, and intonation adjustments on my Albert Hammond Jr. signature Stratocaster... Very pleased with it.

Rick I think this is one of the best videos you made. I recently started learning to play guitar and I feel like your videos have given me a great start. Also your Beato book is great. Sometimes I feel like some of the things you say go over my head. For instance I don't understand how you determine where the positions of the pentatonic scale are.

Love your videos Rick some real gems of information again. Relevant and interesting as always

That was the best beginner guitar lesson I ever had. He explains things clearly and makes it very understandable. Well done! Now I can’t wait to see what’s next. That’s a real teacher.

I've played drums for 35 years and started playing guitar about 1 year ago. Teaching myself Rick's videos have been so enjoyable and helpful. Such a great positive influence. Amen!

As always, bang on the money 👌 It's interesting that you mention the right hand bracing. I tend to use that and teach it but for single note/melody playing and some arpeggiation. I've not known anybody to use it for strumming. Need more of these. Best music and education channel on youtube 👍

Rick, I have learned more in the last 30 minutes and enjoyed it more than I did 25 years ago when taking lessons. Just a question, which course do I sign up for to continue where you left off. At 60 I'm starting all over again. Thank you for everything you do.

@christiannavello1277

2 жыл бұрын

So did I. And as a french fan, I had an english-american lesson as well. Thank you so much Rick!

@symelian

2 жыл бұрын

Same here at 40. Good luck! :)

@tyronefowler

2 жыл бұрын

Also 40...also just getting back into it. Awesome lesson

Brilliant as always, thank you.

I’ve been playing as a hobby for more than 50 years. I only wish my first guitar teacher had started like this. Love all you do!

Fascinating. From an ancient black and white "how to play guitar" pamphlet i learned A as middle finger on the fourth string, index finger on the third string, and ring finger on the second string. Like a reverse D. The nice thing is that your index finger never moves from the second string when moving around amongst E, A, and D. I never considered a forward D fingering.

@seanbaines

2 жыл бұрын

I quite like that fingering, myself. I find it works very well. It's the same fingering as a D7, except at the 2nd fret on the 2nd-4th strings, rather than 1st fret, 1st 3 strings.

@granthurlburt4062

2 жыл бұрын

I figured that out after a friend showed me I was forming the D chord in a way that doenst work well. The rest follows. My fingers are a bit large and I cant easily form an A chord with the fingers side-by-side. You're quite right.

Rick you're the Man! I appreciate you sharing your skills with us beginners!

I’ve been playing for 40 years and wish I had learned some of these basic techniques right from the start. Would have saved me lots of frustrations further down the road. Bad habits can be so hard to break! You’re such a great teacher, Rick. Invaluable information here.

This is my initial visit and the background studio with the line-up of guitars is so cool. To have that type of space to spread out and keep the beauties in line is really, really nice and you my friend have a neat cave that anyone who is a guitar enthusiast would love. I loved your educational teaching here also.

Hands down THE best video I’ve ever seen on starting with the guitar.

Jst love the way you teach things Rick! So much passion and knowledge is invaluable. Keep it going 🤘

So happy to see these, they are the exact tips I use to teach beginners.

@andrewsilva1404

2 жыл бұрын

✝️✝️❤️( Share ) Jesus Christ loves you and can truly heal you , deliver you and can set you free . The Gospel is this , is that God revealed to us who He is through Jesus Christ , He came on the earth to die for our sins because Sin separates us from God , and God created us to have a relationship with Him , that’s why in Genesis 1:27 we are made in Gods image ! You can be a Child of God Spiritually through Jesus Christ , it’s like. Father / Son , Father / Daughter Relationship . If we die in our sins we will go to Hell and Ultimately the Lake of Fire , but there is a way out of Hell and that’s through Jesus Christ who payed the penalty for our sins on the cross . If you accept and believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins and rose again on the 3rd day , conquering sin , conquering death , and conquering the devil , and you repent and turn away from your sins . You will get filled with the Holy Spirit , you will become born again and you will be saved ! You will have eternal life , eternal peace , you can be healed , delivered and set free today of all your pain through Jesus Christ !

Another really helpful video Rick. Thank you!

Super lesson! Your a true gem for anyone with a musical passion. I know you know, but felt like I wanted to tell you!

Nice job Rick. We need a part two with Bm and Bb or any bar chords fundamentals!

Haven't picked up my guitar over a month, worked my way through the entire video, great video!

Thank You. You are a terrific teacher!

Wow Rick! THIS lesson is amazing and so CLEAR and understandable.. Thank YOU so much! ☺😎

Thank you so much Rick. As a beginner who has been playing for about 7 months now, it encourages me that such a good musician like you acknowledges these difficulties for beginners. That stuff about muting the E string and "glue-ing" your fingers was especially useful!

Recently started practicing guitar, and what Rick explained in this stream was on the spot I was having a trouble. What an eye-opener !

So awesome video Rick, info packed!

Love the tutorial - Great help!!

Great video! once again Rick excellent advice!

Thank you so much Rick!!!

Thank you so much, Rick. Excellent tips. I didn’t know that you taught also.

Thank you Rick! That was very informative! I’m new to playing guitar and it’s very useful for me as a beginner to get some advice on basic things such as how to hold a pick so it doesn’t slip away or hand movement when strumming. I hope you will make a video on right hand in the future as well. And thank you for doing great content!

Thank you Rick!

You’re all ACES Mr. Rick! Love your channel bro!

Barely 2 years in and this video is the pick me up I needed to stay on track and not give up. Feels like I’m trying to break through a wall right now and it can be discouraging when these progress speed bumps occur.

@wildbillnj1975

2 жыл бұрын

2 1/2 years here. Yup, we all hit that wall occasionally and it's great to find something that inspires us to keep banging away at it.

Back to basics. Always refreshing! Never fails.

Best Beato video ever! Thank you.

Than you, Rick! I played along to make sure I have my basics covered. One thing about the G chord I was taught was it was easier/ faster to keep the middle and ring finger together going from G to C to D and back. Lots of good information in this, and I will pass it along to any budding guitarists I know.

Great starter video. Finally something where I was able to follow along for the entire thing. Maybe Rick needs to segment his videos by level. This one is really appreciated by beginner guitarists like me.

I think you are right on point with all the details about finger positions and grip technique. I think most of the time, new players always want to dig in to a song right away, but learning the actual ways to get the most out of the instrument is overlooked. I've always used my thumb to mute and to bar the lower E string when doing for example "Travis picking" on songs or various delta blues style type of playing. The fun thing is, I went to Cuba in 2014 and met an old man who taught me the classical guitar, waltz, salsa etc. And when he saw me doing the bar chords with my thumb he slapped my hand and yelled in Spanish "no thumb!", Also saying do, re, mi etc. Instead of the naming the notes/chords in a way I was familiar to. That was totally a collision of two separate styles of playing that was really fascinating to experience!

FINALLY!!! A video I'm able to watch throughout and digest... Your lessons are usually waaaay out there.

I really appreciated this video as someone who began playing about 3 years ago as a middle-aged man. While I own a few guitars now, I definitely gravitate more towards acoustic. I found that I had picked up about 90% of what you covered here, which made me feel like I was on the right path, but also even learning just one thing in 30 minutes is worthwhile. I would be interested to see a continuation of this series.

I'm just learning. So glad I found your channel. Subscribed.

Loved this Rick, any chance of some more acoustic lessons please. Cheers

Great Teacher

Awesome lesson Rick!

I've been playing since 1975 but still learned a lot from this video. I was taught the classical 'rule' to keep the thumb behind the neck and only recently started using the left hand thumb to play bass notes in one song. I will now try using it for muting.

Great message ❤

Rick, I've been recently mesmerized by Ventura Highway. It's so inspiring.

Enjoying your channel Rick. Greetings from Canada.

I start teaching kids guitar lessons next week. This was VERY helpful. THANK YOU.

Yes the basics. I learned some it trial and error through my playing years. Good to hear it from you Rick. You and I are the same age. I picked up a guitar when I was 12. I never took the steps to get up to a super high level of playing. I just enjoy what I do play.

Thank you Rick; that helped. Jason

I loved this, thank you!!

Been playing for decades…really great, Rick. Glue the fingers! Going to use this method for my son.

A played with middle ring and pinky! brilliant!

This is great, Rick. I've been a bass player for over 30 years and have recently decided I need to play 6 string. Got me a sweet LP and a nice Orange and realized that there are so many fundamental things to learn that are so different. Your advice is great! It seems very basic but it's really good, foundational advice that stops people from developing bad habits and gets them started in the right direction. It's funny, but I figured out just a couple of days ago while working out my F bar that I was stronger when locking my ring and pinky together, then I watched this video. Now I'm rethinking my approach to all of my chords. I'm also recognizing my tendency to lift my fingers between chords with common notes. Your experience and wisdom aren't wasted. Keep up with the great content!

Hey Rick, maybe you should do a video course covering all your book, that would be very helpful. I understand it would be a massive enterprise

This is gold

Love your show!

I feel heard and seen. Thank u for this video

Thank you

Also fantastic video that should be mandatory every beginner!

This is such a good lesson. I've been playing for years, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching you explain the basics. The thumb thing really resonated. I learned from books and all of them insisted you clamped your thumb to the back of the neck. It took me years to realise that I'd do better bringing it round to the top.

@stevescuba1978

Жыл бұрын

@@craighendrickson7938 I wish I had a thumb that would reach. I have the triple whammy....short, stubby fingers, arthritis, and a damaged index finger. Barre chords hurt no matter how I play them. I've tried the thumb over the top 2 strings, but I just can't reach, and it sounds awful.

@teleguy5699

Жыл бұрын

@@stevescuba1978 Have you tried thinner neck guitars like the Telecaster?

@stevescuba1978

Жыл бұрын

@@teleguy5699 my PRS SE semi-hollow has a fairly thin neck. It feels fairly similar to a tele neck, as far as I can tell. I am currently working on learning triads, and will just move away from barre chords when possible. I also will be having a surgery soon that may help with the strength in my fretting hand. Fingers crossed

@teleguy5699

Жыл бұрын

@@stevescuba1978 Good luck to you!

Great tips and reminders as I go back to acoustic guitar. Partly actually as Physical Therapy needing to my left hand back up to 100 percent! Thank you !

Jewels man! I was told my fingers were weak and that's why they touched each other. For about a yr I did everything i could to keep them from touching. Gave up on that and thought that letting them touch was more comfy but improper. I needed this lesson. Thank you!

Excellent video thank you 👍👍

Rick, I’m teaching y granddaughter tenor guitar. She has tiny hands. Supporting fingers is a great tip. Also never really thought about finger on fret positioning. I have strong hands/fingers and have never really had an issue with note tone. This is a super tip for learners. Keep up the good work and thx for your dedication.

Really good video Rick.

Great lesson.

So glad to see you point out using your lower 3 fingers for A and A minor, E major etc as needed. I remember trying to learn every song in Alice In Chains' Unplugged session and realizing just how important that could be for transition and moving up and down the neck. Great lesson. 😊 First song I learned Nutshell uses variation of that same E, G, D, C The right hand then becomes crucial on that one.

I have been playing acoustic guitar for awhile but it's always good to look at fundamentals helps correct back techniques thank you so much that's why subscribed to your channel 👍