1. 1:35 Remember your trusty good tones 2. 3:25 It's always better when wet 3. 4:22 Grab a trusty guitar that's the easiest to play 4. 5:13 Create a cool workspace 5. 5:39 Don't let the gear stall your momentum 6. 6:20 Make it like starting a car 7. 7:48 Celebrate the music you love 8. 8:36 It's awesome to be good at only one thing 9. 10:08 Practicing is separate from playing 10. 10:47 play along with your favorite songs, the actual records!

The sheer amount of joy in your face when you play is enough of a lesson, Tim.

I've another suggestion if you're feeling uninspired - just watch one of Tim's videos! Works for me every time...

I just found Tim's channel not long ago, and I'm convinced that what makes him great (on top of his great chops) is his relentlessly good vibes. If I were a producer, and all he played was jug, I'd have him there just to radiate positivity.

Thanks Tim for helping all of us players through this tough year of no gigs , no band rehearsals, and waay too much time in front of the computer. Your joy in playing, immense knowledge and skill, and killer tips and tricks, helps to keep me inspired.

As a geezer (Tv/film Composer/rock rat/Educator) THIS is one of the best inspirational/non-snob videos I’ve ever seen. As The Great Duke Ellington spake: “If YOU like it, it’s GOOD!” Thanks Tim, you’re a good soul!

As my kids have gotten older, one has moved out. For years I had my corner in the basement. I now have my own music room. All my guitars are on wall hangers. All accessible, at any moment.one is actually always tuned down a half. I have 2 pedal boards with (almost) all my pedals hooked up, neatly and again, accessible. Two amps (A/B-Y switch) I tell everyone that is learning. The best advice (IMO) is always have your guitar out, and easy to pick up & play. I’m also going back and learning and relearning songs I love. I connected with so much of this. Thanks Tim

Sometimes you really need to hear it from you someone who is extremely experienced like Tim to get motivated again. We need motivation especially in these trying times. Thank you so much!

Thanks Tim, Always on point. The part about losing the vibe by simply getting down on the floor to plug in a pedal hit home with me. That really happens. Trying to keep my head in the game is sometimes the most difficult part. Its strange how we can go from really really "on" to flat out "off" simply by adding a tedious un-enjoyable task to our routine. So what did i take from this video? Having the simplest route to the most trusted tone available in an instant is paramount. Use an instrument that doesn't fight back thus allowing for the uninterrupted free flow of creativity. This is also great life advice. Mentioning Andy from Shutupandplayguitar was also helpful as his delivery , tone, ability to communicate (much like your own) is refreshingly free of the agitators found in many other youtube lesson videos. My motivation is restored for the moment lol.

Yeah, the “Andy, at “Shut Up and Play” is quite a resource. That guy is amazing as well. Tim you are so helpful by sharing useful tips! Thanks!

I grew up learning and loving the eighties so called hair bands. Well throw in some AC-DC. Eventhough I listened to Skynyrd, I never really learned their music correctly. For the last month I've been doing just that. Wow, am I having a blast. Never realized how good these bunch of guys were together. Great riffs in my mind done to perfection.

Tim: There's a certain kind of music that I'm sure you love the most. Me: **starts thinking about all the greatest bands, struggles to pick just one. Finally picks Dire Straits...** Tim: What if it's Dire Straits? Me: I will listen to this man's every word. Great video, thank you so much! :)

These are very useful tips Tim. “Stay in your zone”... “the things you love the most”... all of them! Thank you for the well needed reset!

They say a person’s reach should always exceed their grasp. After trying in Amplitude all the amps, pedals, speakers, mike placement, yadada, I have finally found the right sound I’ve been hearing, Fender Twin Reverb with an OD pedal or an Orange Terror when in the mood. My 70’s sounds that I listen to sound pretty good when I play them. I love playing along with the tunes on my phone.

A giant dose of positivity here in this video! I love how you stress to play the music YOU like, that makes you happy to play. I am in the minority in my group of friends with the music I like. I don't get to play much of my favorite music when our garage band is together, so I love to play MY stuff when I'm practicing alone. It's great to hear a pro suggest that very thing. Thank you for this video.

I love the “starting the car” approach. The last thing you want when you’re singular minded about a riff or lyric is to allow for the fuzz of setting up to ruin your flow. Wonderful advice, fantastic suggestions. You are appreciated! ❤️

Thanks again, Tim... Sharing your joy in playing with us is... priceless. I watch this video all the time and it always pumps me up!

Thank you for telling us to champion the music we love. I find that ACDC is my band that inspires me, makes me happy and keeps me so motivated. They never fail to fuel my passion. I am jumping for joy with their new album. I just bought a brand new McCarty 594 PRS. It will take 14 months to receive because of COVID. I can hardly wait to get my hands on it. ⚡️🇨🇦

Tim. Honestly. You are a gift. The joy and artistry parallel in such an incredibly inspiring way. Thank you so much.

Tim, I've been watching your videos for a while now, but this one really hit home. Your comments about finding a tone you can live with forever, that is the most ON POINT tip I've heard in a long, long time. Appreciate your videos and taking time to share your insights like this. No telling how many musicians you positively impact! Thank you.

Battling vintage guitars for good tones and getting put in a bad mood by crawling around on the ground plugging petals in I’m so relieved to know there’s other people out there who understand!!

I really loved this video Tim. Thank you for sharing these tips. I want that joy you have and will make some changes to get it happening. When I was young I used to play along with records all the time, and it made me so happy. I need to get back to doing that, so thanks for the reminder to do that. I got lost in all the other things everyone says I should be doing and left that behind.

Tim , your enthusiasm is overwhelming. I'm learning things I'd never imagine I could even process , and I'm really grateful it's from an Artist like you. A million thanks!

Tim "Happy Face" Pierce 😃 Thanks for the wonderful tips! I always learn just by transcribing pieces of your tasteful noodling!!

Most of this advice you could just carry straight into life itself.

Watching Tim play makes me want to play.

This may seem obvious to some players, but: have your guitar set up by a professional tech. This is my number one tip to help improve a player's relationship with their guitar. It will make any guitar (any guitar) play and sound its best. If you're good with tools and can work patiently and carefully, you can do it yourself. There are, however, some setup details that require special tools such as good nut files. Another detail is understanding how to properly and accurately level, crown, and polish the frets. Caution: don't start gaining your tech chops on your only guitar or an expensive guitar, because you'll make mistakes along the way as you fill your toolbox with experience. Buy a cheap/broken beater at a boot sale and practice your fretwork and nut work on that. Thank you Tim!

This is the very of opening up to good explore. I needed to hear this. Give it up people!!! This man is Smart, Honest, & I'm dig the vibe. I'm so into the way he shares.

one good way to remember your sound is take a picture on your phone, making sure your knob is in the right place from when you last fiddled with it. erm....

This was really helpful. Especially number 8. I've always felt ashamed that I like blues and rock and don't want to do fusion and shred. Thanks

I’m subscribed to multiple guitar gurus (you will know who they are). I’ve just unsubscribed from several of them, not for any negative reason .... but more that I now find Tim to be the one who inspires me, limited talent and all, to keep going. Thanks Tim

Tim, you said something that took me back to conversations I have with Tom Bukovac. He said something pivotal to me. He said when I’m playing Sultans of Swing on stage that I am someone’s Mark Knopfler in that moment. He said to remember that and pay homage to it. I still remember that.

This video made me smile on many levels. I have my creative space set up a lot like yours, just not quite as tight but close (2 drum sets, bass, keys, 10 guitars, etc.). I even added lighting behind a few amps and my monitors. It’s a really cheap effect ($12 on Amazon) and is awesome for creating a great mood. Thanks for this! Great advice.

I’m loving your videos more and more every day. I’ve been playing my whole life and I think I’m learning more from your videos than I have the 4 decades before I found you. Thanks so much Tim!

I watch two players on KZfaq consistently and those two people are Tom Bukovac and you. Really like the look of pure joy that comes out of your face when you're playing. It's like you're the happiest guy on earth. Could you please do a video on all that massive amount of equipment you have in your studio? Why would you possibly need all that stuff? These are questions that I seriously would like an answer to. Thanks again Tim for all you do. You are much appreciated.

Can’t believe Tim kept a straight face for tip 2. The TPS boys would be giggling at the very least.

These ten topics and the way you explained what's behind them is pure Gold especially for non professional player like me who often get distracted by "gear search/research". I will stay focused and work with the stuff I already have. Oh boy it lies in front of me and I couldn't see it. Thanks so much Tim

I love tip #7...so true!...Tim is such an amazing teacher :-) Would take me 7 lifetimes to be that good, he makes it so much fun!

Fantastic tips, Tim, especially the one about tone chasing and the beauty of finding that one tone you can always use. Keep up the great work!

Point 3: choose a guitar that is easy to play. I've tried many acoustic and electric guitars, and even if the neck isn't very large, or 'thick', I always have the same problem. My fingers are quite... Short . They're about 3.15 inches (or 8 cm)... Which makes things like arpeggios, Barre chords, etc etc, much harder to do. And if I use nylon strings, I would say everything becomes 2x harder. Because we have more power, force, pression, at the 2nd half of the fingers ( center-‐>tip ), and because the fingers are quite small, a simple G major barre chord can require tons of practice (no joke...not a talent issue..but a physics, or anatomy problem). I need to apply a ton of pressure, for my entire finger to correctly press all the strings, for the chord to sound ok. I had friends, with gigantic hands, so big, they could almost touch 3 strings, with the tip of one finger. Super hard to play, on guitars with small necks. So yeah, small fingers make playing the guitar almost an impossible thing. Shit !

Great video. After hearing points #7 & 8, I had a great time playing this weekend and really enjoyed it. It was great to take a break from technical lessons and just play the kind of music I like.

Great intro. I'm 63 and when I finally got an electric when I was 15 in '72, I jammed with guys but sold everything in '80. Back on the horse for a cover band that got paid in '82. gear sat after I quit a year later. dabbled abit until '85. 8 years go by and i'm on standby. Hear Candlebox Far Behind and You. All in again. '05, old band does a reunion. just a jam but we nailed the practice trax. Played Far Behind at a bar gig (one of three sets). Sweet. Moved to an apt. Modified jams. Headphones or stratos unplugged. Like the Peter Gabriel song, "Don't Give Up".

Dear Tim, this is great advice for players of any level. Thanks for sharing your expertise in such a humble, honest and generous way. Plus, your playing is always very musical and on point, truly inspiring!

Andy over at ..."Shut up and play" is my one stop place for learning songs. As a member of Tim's Masterclass and a patron of Andy's KZfaq channel I feel extremely fortunate to have this level of guitar education at my finger tips...for peanuts ! relatively speaking.

Ed Van Halen has that “feel good” in most of his music.

Watching Tim's hands and how he includes his body moving into the playing clips is inspiring.

Step 6: Make It Like Starting a Car. I agree totally with this and have accomplished this over the years. The one thing I wish pedal makers would incorporate is letting the user decide what state the pedal should start up as (active or inactive). On system startup I have a couple pedals I always to have turn-off or turn-on. Also, unfortunately electricity is expensive where I live and just can't leave the system always powered up.

I've taken your (and others') advice and revisited the 9-42 string set of my younger days and I couldn't be happier. I was a heavy string advocate for years and was willing to sacrifice having fun playing for "tone" for far too long. Then you find out that the "tone" you get from heavy strings doesn't amount to a hill of beans in the end...at least on solid bodies. A very valuable piece of information. I am also happiest plugging straight into a good 2 channel amp with its own overdrive with either no pedals, or maybe just a Phase 90 or chorus with a battery in it, and a little bit of reverb on the amp. Pedals, pedal boards, digital programmable units, etc...all that stuff just gets in the way of my playing fun. I have a POD floor unit that I use for recording convenience, but I absolutely hate it for fun bedroom jamming. Always feel like there's something that needs tweaking on the POD.

Tim your advice is so spot on. And timely too! After months of COVID sheltering my Trio is playing tonight outside at a small venue. Keeping it simple with my 91 PRS Custom 24 (w/sweet switch!) my line6 amp loaded with a few Dan Boul crafted tones and that’s it. Having fun is the name of the game. Thanks so much for your insights.

Thanks Tim, I haven't played in over 3 years and this made me pick up the guitar and learn it, you're a legend

Vintage, aged woods, brand new big frets. That's what works well a lot for me. Like in Tim's '65 Gibson video, takes the value down for resale but ups the value as a playable tool. Inspired to tidy up my studio now after watching this, it's like a car sometimes but over time it gets out of tune with junk mail sitting on the desk, old food containers, cables everywhere.

Your enthusiasm is truly contagious! Thank you for this boost. I work on the road a lot and started bringing my acoustic with me as a companion.

learning the essence with mr pierce. playing music is about joy and feeling at home. like any cliche this is just the near to trivial essence of loads of truth.

And when you find the tone you like on your guitar and amp write down the settings so you can find it again!

I enjoy watching Tim’s enthusiasm and passion and happiness about music! Inspiring!!!!!!

Hello. I’m a new kid on the Block. I found your channel by accident. I was watching 5 Watt World. I have been so inspired by this video. Thank You Sir.

I am a saxophonist and I love your channel! I have long heard a comparison between you and Luke. It is in the melodic creativity and use of space. Luke is an absolute beast and it seems patently obvious that you two must be friends. Hopefully I will see you one day at the Baked Potato

I often thought the key to EVH's playing was his smile. I see that in you... when you show your super smile after a cool lick!

Thank you soooo much Tim! You really pushed my inspiration button! I’m re-arranging my studio patches immediately!!!!!!!

Great advice about being yourself. Been saying that for years. Nice to hear from accomplished musician. Thanks.

I met Tim at Norm’s while visiting family in LA. I was super impressed how cool and unassuming this guy is! To think guitar monsters like Tim could be the guy ahead of you on line to get coffee! I a fan of his talent and I’ll always be a fan of how much enthusiasm he has when talking guitar. Best to Tim from N.Y.

I (played) cheap guitars for a long time and finally bought a 2012 fender American standard strat and wow ! Yes a better quality guitar that feels really good in your hands can (and did for me) make you a better player. It made playing more enjoyable which I didn't know was possible. Olympic white/maple fingerboard...plug in the wah and channel jimi all night 🎸🤟🍻❤

Tim! This is great advice for new guitarists and us old 'vets' as well. I shared this video with my niece who picked up her first electric guitar this Christmas (with a little help from her uncle) Follow what you love!

after 45 years since i started my 1st band and recording since 1988,,just in a home teach myself way..my biggest tip is yes its great to have everything set up like a studio,but in my younger days i always had alot of visitors,what happend my house was robbed... in the couple of times i lost,,,tascam midi studio"s 644 x2 ,shergold masquerador 1975.hofner violin bass (1970-71) peavey acoustic 210watt amp(with horns )combo. vox valve combo. ect ect now age55 i know i didant have as many real friends as i thought,,the fact i would always record and teach recording to anyone for nothing,i thought would mean people didanmt need to steal off me,,they still do,,take care

You look so genuinely happy when playing. I love it! Super interesting and helpful videos too!

I feel like a Neandertal seeing an UFO with Tim on the bridge. For me it's just guitar-cable-amp, but I love it 🙂

Your channel is your greatest gig... Thanks for pushing your audience to improve.

Tims smile when he hits the high bends is pure joy, the very essence of rocknroll

Hi Tim, love seeing those Steve Lukather session rhythm parts desmonstrated they are superb aswell as his solos. Hope you can demonstrate another of your rhythm session records soon? hope you have a great day, alex

Love you , don't ever stop what your doing.. Thank you so much for your love to us.

Your advice to turn up your amp is a game changer .. even in modelers .. don't know why I never did it before ... thank you !!!

I prolly can't do half the stuff you talked about, but I love to watch/hear you play

oh man Tim THANK YOU! "Create your fantasy workstation" will be my NUMBER ONE New Year's Resolution to be implemented on day ONE !!!

You sir, inspire me. I cant watch you without picking up one of my guitars and getting better. Thank you for what you do. This channel is just good for the soul.

Great points, Tim! Love that Steve Lukather riff! I totally agree about playing along with favorite riffs. One of my favs is Jealous Lover by Rainbow. What a groove, huh?!

Absolutely Wonderful, I actually really needed this video this week Mr Tim! So thanks for being there and as ever, thanks for inspiring and motivating us all - it makes us all feel just a little bit better about ourselves as guitarists and musicians, and that truly is so precious and valuable! Cheers

Tim, if folks would watch your videos, your upbeat, positive attitude would put Zoloft and Prozac out of business. You are a great inspiration, I can't help but to feel better after having your videos.

Thanks Tim! Super great advice... especially about having a fail-safe go-to sound (or sounds). When MIchael Thompson would come to a session I was on, he'd showcase his very best iconic sounds instantly, with no guess work. We were always impressed by how focused on the music he was, never searching for some elusive "better" sound...

Really dig your messages here. Absolutely love your jams, too. I recommend using two cameras (or even three) with cuts, not one camera with the crash zooms. Most filmmakers use cuts, or they actually move the camera if they want to change framing. Tarantino uses zooms, but that is a deliberate effect to simulate spaghetti westerns and martial arts B movies. But do what you feel works for you - it's actually kind of a signature effect now.

Amazing video. I need to watch this at least weekly. Thanks Tim. I was smiling all the way through.

Luke and Tim in the same room and session ... all my guitars' wet dreams in one. I've worked on TOTO gigs and hung out backstage with Steve. It's also been my goal to meet you too one day, Tim. Thank you for the lifelong inspirations.

Man, I thank my lucky stars the day I found your channel Tim..........to have a top pro give such truly GREAT insight and advice, is a joy. This video is one of your BEST for us weekend warriors IMHO.........I just LOVE playing guitar, but never had the wherewithal to be a pro at it..........but I think of myself that way 😂so watching how the REAL pros do it is such a pleasure.................my biggest challenge from today's video, and the thing I struggle with most, is the SPACE and SETUP.......I love that you have that "bridge on the Starship Enterprise" and it's something I don't have, and realise I desperately need.........I think I feel a discussion with my other half coming up, and a "negotiation" taking place 😂🤣Wish me luck..........😳

Oh and the Boss EQ video warmed my heart. I think I got mine when I was 14 or 15. I'm 40 today and I use it every day of my life. Just awesome boost.

#8 hit me where I live. When I was started working, I tried to do a lot of stuff outside of my wheelhouse, and I learned a ton, it was only later when I leaned into the funk/R&B/soul rhythm guitar vibe that was in me naturally did more and better gigs come my way. Always plenty to chew on after watching you drop pearls of wisdom.:)

I totally stole the "cockpit" idea not only for my setup, but for how I record my videos for my own channel, based on this channel! I've learned so much from this channel. :)

Love how you geeked out and shared with us that you like the airplane cockpit feel...AND answered a burning question: how the hell do you get in and out of there!!!??? Seriously, I have been wondering. Thanks for your many gifts to us, Tim :-)

Thnx Tim, This was very inspiring. Love your channel and your playing. Keep up the good work. Peter

Can't agree more. I get in so much more playing since I set up my amps right in the middle of the floor beside the computer and put the pedalboard on a cab stand so its easy to access, looper on the floor of course and then guitars on stands within reach. It's made a mess of my living room but well worth it

Great tips! Thank you so very much Tim . Best wishes to you from Northern Ireland 🌌🙋‍♂️

Great tips. I’d add simplify as well. Gear doesn’t make you great. Playing makes you great. I’ve paired my setup down as simple as possible with a tone I love, with a great, easy to play partscaster. Got a great mini amp head, into a fantastic 2x12 cabinet. Since I’ve stopped tweaking tones and settled on one really good sound, I’ve become so much better. I know how to wring every drop out of my setup. Plus, I can ignore the latest shiniest thing from NAMM and not drool over all the latest gear demos.

One of your better "teaching" recommendations......Thanks....ENJOY LIFE

One way to love your guitar is to have a private stock PRS like yours. That’s probably a $15,000 guitar. And I’m glad that you have it sir you deserve it.

I used my little Marshall haze, but I used only the clean channel with a digitech tube screamer just a teensy bit of gain. Big place, effect send to a Roland 60 cube, used for tremolo and delay that stayed on. Reverb on the Marshall on but you couldn’t hear it til you went from 6 to 10 on guitar. The cube sat on the ground at a right angle towards stage left. This kinda ended up sounding like a studio channel, clean but guitar output up to ten got your tube sound big, with the really clean in there two.\

Beautiful melodic playing in your intro!

It comes across how much you enjoy playing all the time. Even the mistakes too, because you learn from them. - I might add something to your list about having a rest if you're feeling under the weather. It becomes more important as you get older. Return to what was going on refreshed, ready to go again.

Absolute golden nuggets of wisdom. Thank you!!

Andy from Shut Up & Play Guitar is awesome... always nails the tone and feel of the song.

You're so inspirational Tim. I always feel empowered to play when I watch your YT vids. Cheers from Oz.

Tim, great stuff as always. I totally agree. I just learned Rock and Roll Band by Boston. But not the solos, just the core cranking guitar parts. What a fun song to play. When I got stuck on a part I searched KZfaq for a live cut and watched Tom Shultz play it for me. The resources we have today are endless.

Little place, fender vibrochamp, same little overdrive, jumper out to an old rte. 66 comp overdrive, digitech digital d8 in effect loop. In a monoprice 15, and I mic that rig. My basement looks similar to yours. The older I have become, the heavier my equipment gets. That 62 fender sounds like god dimned with a tiny boost. I have more fun with it than my Mesa 100 nomad