This Is Why You Suck at Guitar: You Don't Pick SMOOTH!

Рет қаралды 285,009

9 ай бұрын

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This almost RUINED by playing!!! This time, it's Uncle Ben Eller here that SUCKS AT GUITAR, not you!!!
On this very special episode of Blossom, I'm going to show you the tension-related issue that was destroying my playing, and how I fixed it! Every struggled getting a SMOOTH sound out of your alternate picked shredding, especially on the high strings? Me too. Let talk about how to beat it, and how to keep tension OUT of your playing so you can rip it like a real Shredi Knight!!!
Gear:
Gibson Slash November Burst Les Paul
Steve Vai signature Synergy module
UA OX
What topic or technique do YOU want to see covered on the next installment of This is Why You Suck at Guitar?!?! Uncle Ben is listening!!

Пікірлер: 807

@BenEller 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for learning the secrets to picking more smoother and with less tension! How many echoes of the spirit of Rob Thomas did you count??? Get more goodies here: www.patreon.com/posts/89525382?

@ryanamendt8363 9 ай бұрын

Not enough Rob Thomas.

@BenEller 9 ай бұрын

@@ryanamendt8363I mean, can’t that be said of ALL videos???

@satchrules101 9 ай бұрын

Hey Ben could u do a lesson on when a phrase is complete in a measure with chords flying by . That would be great if you could.

@joeman5220 9 ай бұрын

I actually do the back-slant picking most of the time. My hand feels more natural grasping the pick by the tips of the thumb and pointer finger and it does work out pretty well most of the time. The only issue I had was getting consistent low string pinch harmonics while using that grip. Higher string squeals are pretty easy though. Also, Rob Thomas is a great musician- his Matchbox 20 stuff is pretty awesome and I can understand why Santana loved his talents.

@RainRedMusic 9 ай бұрын

Like 10 or 11 idk

@Kriegter 9 ай бұрын

This is probably also why everyone suddenly forgets how to play guitar when they record. Relaxing is quite important

@markdilley3918 7 ай бұрын

And gigging. Sometime I hit a realisation that I'm so tense, I'm not plating smoothly. Activey relaxing is a thing.

@Mark-fo3hx 7 ай бұрын

I agree, I’m still learning and don’t record anything but I’m trying to get the hang of using a looper. I’ll play the progression I want to loop perfectly right up to the point I hit the pedal. I tense up and it goes to hell.

@Cruz474 6 ай бұрын

True and real.

@Bitstream 4 ай бұрын

Sad but true! 😄 But now I know why I suck when recording guitar.

@sashanicodemus4212 2 ай бұрын

So true. When I'm recording other ppl the never fail routine is start recording before anyone knows. Get so much more useful material everytime.

@KmartKingz 9 ай бұрын

I remember when I sucked at xylophone back in the 70s. This was the video that changed it all for me. Nearly 80 yrs later I come back to it for inspiration

@METALMISFIT6 9 ай бұрын

I've had more pick issues than anything else... staying lose is key like you said

@fbettr2627 9 ай бұрын

LOL.

@jeffpodrug8942 9 ай бұрын

@@METALMISFIT6Me too. It almost felt like I was inventing them. I think everyone has that come to Jesus meeting with themselves.

@conkyjoe8932 9 ай бұрын

@@METALMISFIT6😅😅

@Fafa_Sauce 9 ай бұрын

Ok willie

@tatsuyoshiguitar 9 ай бұрын

it’s crazy that this works so well, and my stepchildren now consider me their real dad. thanks

@vltranine720 7 ай бұрын

Best comment I've seen in a long time 😂

@JadeHunter272 4 ай бұрын

That’s rad…Dad!

@brando851 9 ай бұрын

It’s crazy how often the natural tendency when playing guitar is to be tense and tight, but learning that playing looser and more restrained sounds way better. It’s something that seems so counterintuitive that it really messes with your mind like “it can’t be this simple can it”?-- such a hard habit to break but I’m working on it. Thanks Uncle Ben for the primo content.

@kimseniorb 9 ай бұрын

its not counter intuitive, look at any virtuoso especially the string players and theyre all taught and work constantly from day one on relaxation in every joint. seasoned pros play effortlessly, but for some reason in guitar teaching it’s mostly overlooked

@brando851 9 ай бұрын

@@kimseniorb I’m saying it SEEMS counterintuitive--not that it is. Especially to a beginner player. Of course a virtuoso player knows this. Duh?

@j_freed 9 ай бұрын

@@brando851 - well it's like professional athletes, they try to find maximum flexibility and range of movement to get the last little percentage of capability and speed. It can make them the worlds fastest runner or top scorer in basketball. Good sports trainers help athletes relax and free up muscle groups so they are not working against themselves, wasting energy or damaging their bodies. I believe in the late 1980s Yngwie Malmsteen had developed serious hand pain issues. Tendinitis I believe.

@ShreddingDragon 9 ай бұрын

Yeah, and I think especially the effect we get subconsciously from extreme metal imagery is causing part of this intuition. Theatrical music videos and even guitar playthrough videos where people make faces and headbang and hit the strings as hard as possible to look enthusiastic and badass etc. I mean it's awesome, I love all of that for sure. But that's just a display of showmanship - it's great, but it's not what you're "supposed to do" in order to sound great and to maintain a technique. You're supposed to be relaxed. Sounding great while extremely tensed up is a more like a happy accident and a hazardous quasi-technique. It it may work but it is limited.

@brando851 9 ай бұрын

@@ShreddingDragon agree 100%

@justsomeguy727 9 ай бұрын

"i picked up the guitar and i fucking sucked!" Uncle Ben always so relatable

@joegalford2319 9 ай бұрын

It's refreshing to hear even great players run into bad days.

@originalgiantvintage 9 ай бұрын

BEST. TIP. EVER. Seriously. Everyone-don’t waste your time on any other exercise until you’ve got this one under control. You’re welcome and thank you!!

@zacharysmithingell5460 9 ай бұрын

I always like to say "don't try harder, try more betterer" Excellent video, perfect advice. Thanks Uncle Ben!

@paulhusband9002 9 ай бұрын

Play it quicker but slower.

@bigkit9963 8 ай бұрын

@@paulhusband9002both of these are gold

@jay-shredds 7 ай бұрын

I believe the saying is “don’t try harder , try more gooder .” I hope this cleared things up for you . We want to prevent misinformation here

@zacharysmithingell5460 7 ай бұрын

@@jay-shredds this is the gooderest advice I have received in KZfaq comments. Keep fighting the good fight.

@jay-shredds 7 ай бұрын

@@zacharysmithingell5460 yep, I’ve been told I’m the bestest . Thank you !

@redbuttonstudiossc 9 ай бұрын

all the Smooth jokes and reverb'd vocal clips have me legitimately laughing my ass off. Pure gold.

@GuitFiddlerOntheR00F 9 ай бұрын

The band .38 Special knew what they were talking about "Just hold on loosely! But don't let go! If you cling too tightly, you're gonna lose control!" That rule applies on so many levels 😉

@cbrindle91 9 ай бұрын

😂😂😂

@alienautopsy9326 9 ай бұрын

Same thing goes for dating girls

@BK-lx5mo 9 ай бұрын

I often watch Yngwie live videos as a reminder to stay RELAXED. He makes it look effortless because he’s loose even during his most difficult passages. He’s also great at “economy of motion” - moving your fingers (L) and wrist (R) as little as necessary versus flailing around. Relaxed and focused motion = control.

@j_freed 9 ай бұрын

That's funny, I was just thinking about Yngwie Malmsteen.

@reckless-575 9 ай бұрын

I figured this out about a year ago. This video is going to help a lot of shredders. Thanks uncle Ben! 👍

@chrisnaishguitar 9 ай бұрын

I've gleaned a lot of great things from your videos over the years. This is one of the most important ones for me. Thank you for posting this!

@Guitarisforgrins 9 ай бұрын

The amount of Smooth references in this kept it real and I won't forget about it.

@BenEller 9 ай бұрын

This is the way!

@alvinallaster9471 8 ай бұрын

the intro drums😂

@romaroalte2645 3 ай бұрын

Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast 🫡

@immonkey2074 9 ай бұрын

I've been watching this series for years and the videos never fail to help me improve my playing.

@w328x 9 ай бұрын

Im a self taught(watch yt videos) guitarist for the last 7 years and have always had issues with the strings buzzing so much after picking. Nobody ever pointed it out to me til now either. Its been only a few days and an immediate improvement in my playing. Appreciate you!🤘

@MatthewBreithaupt 9 ай бұрын

The way you drop all those puns in there is almost unnoticeable, you're so smooth!

@kenzuercher7497 9 ай бұрын

This hits the nail on the head with me. I'm left handed but play regular (pick with right hand). Been an issue for 50+ years, pick flies out of my hand, two hands not coordinated, etc. Your description put it back to sounding good for me! Thank you much, Ben!

@trevorpugh6475 9 ай бұрын

Another TOP video that makes complete sense...I often use relaxation techniques generally but often forget to utilise them when playing so, once again, thank you Ben... keep these excellent tutorials coming! 👉👍🙂

@jakebriscoe 9 ай бұрын

I remember this video was the only thing that could distract me from the sound of my step father wrestling my mother back in ‘69…. Now, almost 1.3 million years later, here I am, watching it again.

@leanmario 9 ай бұрын

whoa, theyve gotta be pretty old by now, thats gotta be a disgusting spectacle to watch

@fortheloveofnoise9298 7 ай бұрын

@@leanmarioThe Flintstones

@billymcguiremusic 9 ай бұрын

Always love your content, Ben! Always giving amazing insight on improving our technique!

@WitchKing99 9 ай бұрын

What I love about your videos is that I always learn WAY more then I would have expected! When clicking on this specific video I thought you will teach us a neat trick to have more control in the picking or something like that. Well... You did exactly that in the end but first there was a whole story involved; with your own Suckage™ and life lessons! I think I can put it like this: "You tought us nothing new but rather exposed something that was hidden" And I love this kind of teaching! It was fascinating for me and therefore it sticks better to my memory and I feel inspired and motivated to try it out! Thank you very much! Also: The variety of Smooth jokes was hilarious! Keep it up, Ben! ♥

@BradyIsAfagInHeat 9 ай бұрын

Thank you brother. so simple and yet, such a major change in sound quality and playing speed

@FartCoffinStudios 9 ай бұрын

I’ve been having trouble with this. Thanks for the great advice, as usual!

@nc1969 9 ай бұрын

I admire your humility. If someone as good as you can share your "bad days"... days you feel useless as a guitar player... there's hope for all of us! Thx for the great content.

@paulodantas1492 9 ай бұрын

I'm currenty suffering from an essential tremor in my right arm, and playing guitar is sometimes frustrating. Your video was really helpful because I was playing with my picking hand really tense, and you gave some tips that really helped me.. Thank you so much, Uncle Ben!

@Kwert 9 ай бұрын

This is something I’ve been working on a lot in my guitar playing, and am trying to be consciously aware of at all times (until it becomes unconscious, of course). It was really interesting watching how the pick moved in Martin Miller’s fingers in one of the clips he shot for Troy. It’s flopping around so loosely but is incredibly controlled at the same time.

@Connor-us6jt Ай бұрын

Dude I started on drums and that comparison you made with the sticks to a guitar pick (around 4mins in) is awesome !! Cheers thanks 🔥🎸

@Mj-gu9rs 9 ай бұрын

Great video, smoothly done

@tezzo55 8 ай бұрын

Wow dude - exactly the advice I needed to hear right now! Magic! Thanks sir, I've subscribed!

@kevincarman5739 9 ай бұрын

This is the video I needed. I’ve been playing for years and one thing that has really stumped me is my picking. I’ve felt a reoccurring disconnect between my fretting and picking hand and everything you described from the chirp, dropping the pick, even how I hold the pick. Over the last few years, I’ve noticed my right hand’s index finger is crooked and I hold my pick just like you demonstrated when you were showing what was messing you up. Thanks for making this video Ben. You’re one of the best guitar teachers/players around!

@brianjetter1270 9 ай бұрын

This is one of the life altering lessons- thank you Ben. I’m the 5 times I’ve practiced since viewing this, I’ve thought about this & tried to follow the principle & im reaping major rewards. Everything just feels quicker & lighter

@e.d.1642 4 ай бұрын

Finally someone who puts the subject of the video in the description and in the title. Thank you

@bezerah3695 9 ай бұрын

BRO YOU REALLY ARE THAT GUY! Thanks for this man this is gonna help me out a lot

@ricardoostos2406 9 ай бұрын

awesome video, great insight into pick grip! I am trying to work on that in the last few months, it does help a lot. For me it takes some time to get use to a new 'feeling' of pick grip/hold. Thank you for the video!

@stefanokrivtzoff1593 9 ай бұрын

Thank to you Ben, I’m rethinking how I pick… now I feel like even my endurance has improved! Thanks a million!

@LewisElmes. 9 ай бұрын

Great video mate. Cheers it’s helped me A LOT. Perfect timing 🤘🏼

@canalmarco888 7 ай бұрын

I already knew it but this is gold man, you shared something really precious, one of the greatest secrets of eletric guitar playing.

@rickybishop2012 9 ай бұрын

This is some good stuff man this changed a lot on how I play. Nice!!

@PaulWarrenMusic 9 ай бұрын

Preach! This was such a big part of my difficulties with picking until I realized what was happening. The more I relaxed everything - arms, hands, pick grip - everything got better. Great video dude! \m/

@kcyrowolf 9 ай бұрын

Absolutely spot-on lesson. Thanks Ben! ❤️

@AndrewGrey22 9 ай бұрын

You're right. I've been trying that since I watched this. It works. I guess I've always been playing that way. Never noticed this til you mentioned it.

@katzensprung7449 9 ай бұрын

Great advice and very helpful. Thank you very much, Ben!

@Blue_3rd 9 ай бұрын

Very interesting, thanks Ben - and Rob 👍.

@mazklassa9338 9 ай бұрын

Ben you are an amazing guitar teacher and fantastic editor too!

@Petes-Vintage 9 ай бұрын

Dude it's like you read my mind. I was literally just noticing I was doing this yesterday and realized I probably do it all the time while practicing and don't even realize it. I honestly think this is probably the #1 most important thing all guitarists need to learn if they want to play fast, period. It took me 40 years to figure it out but learning to relax and "un-tense" specific muscles completely transformed my playing (along w/ Troy Grady's video series). This video is seriously The Shit - everyone needs to watch it.

@13Ghosty13 7 ай бұрын

perfect! i needed this! thanks, uncle ben!

@weslester1119 9 ай бұрын

Thanks. Definitely needed this.

@joshgurr260 9 ай бұрын

Been working on this since the video uploaded and damn it's making such a difference already. Thanks uncle Ben!

@kellybeane7546 9 ай бұрын

Thanks so much , great lesson I've just been getting back playing again and this helped me. Awesome lesson uncle Ben.

@christopheredgar7549 9 ай бұрын

Really good perspective of an issue often blamed on equipment (the easy excuse) rather than on technique (the hard realization). Also, nice burst on that Lester. Cheers!

@JohnPakalenka 7 ай бұрын

Wonderful! Beautiful! Thank s for pointing this out Ben! Holding my pick too tightly never worked well or felt smooth, or sounded right. When I relaxed the grip it made my overall playing so much smoother, better sounding, and easier! A lot less suckage!

@Hmmm7512 7 ай бұрын

As a beginning/ intermediate guitarist this vid def help me out bro, appreciate ya

@joaquinodriozola4963 8 ай бұрын

keep it up brother! love your content since like 8 years ago!

@rafaellewis1263 7 ай бұрын

This is the exact video I needed to see. Thanky.

@JamesWilliams-js4fo 7 ай бұрын

Great video Ben! I have problems from day to day with tension in my alternate picking. I've at times had good results not picking at all for a couple days then going back it feels like I can play again. You have an informative and very helpful channel here keep it up brother.👍

@purasa2426 Ай бұрын

this is the best advice iv heard when it comes to picking ......thanks for sharing mate

@zishanhaider6 9 ай бұрын

I have never heard anyone speak about the subjects you did in the video. Thanks, they are very useful

@pinkmaggot1 9 ай бұрын

Effing amazing, Ben! Thanks a ton!

@charliek2557 9 ай бұрын

This is great, thanks Ben

@MrLdvo 9 ай бұрын

Awesome way to teach! Thanks a lot. ❤

@philipthomas3503 11 күн бұрын

Wow that "buddy system" hack really helped - love this attention to detail you rock

@joeywilder9708 9 ай бұрын

This was definitely a lesson I needed! Awesome stuff man thank you!

@BenEller 9 ай бұрын

Glad to hear it!

@ensoniq2k 3 ай бұрын

As a guitarist and drummer you reference to how drummers hold the sticks really opened my eyes! I always pride myself holding the sticks pretty lose but controlled and it never occurred to me it's really the same with picks.

@michaelsnyder6922 9 ай бұрын

I’m sure you’ve heard this before but you just gave me the best 8 seconds of my life. Watching your motion while gripping lighter made me realize what I’ve been doing wrong. So thanks I’ve also been putting double sided tape on one side of the puck and I can pretty much hold the puck with zero tension

@alistairpraet9108 9 ай бұрын

beautiful vid and advice as always as a beginer this is a massive thing i keep doing without realising so great to see it from your experience

@BenEller 9 ай бұрын

Happy to help!

@victorteixeira1433 9 ай бұрын

I have this problem (and many others as I'm learning lol), and I've been wondering if it wasn't the picking. Now it makes sense, thanks Uncle Ben!

@richardwouters4416 9 ай бұрын

Really good eye (ear) opener Ben!

@QSGWorldwide 9 ай бұрын

that intro about holding it too tight worked wonders instantly, now to apply it to guitar

@janusn9 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for the great video dude.

@wilmer33086 9 ай бұрын

That’s a Nice Looking LP, Unc!!!!

@SHENDOH 9 ай бұрын

I'm gonna go practice. Excellent lesson uncle Ben

@deauvelli 9 ай бұрын

What a great video, thank you for all the info ! This happens to me a lot while I try to learn shred licks, after a hours of practice I get frustrated and then sound worse because of the tension and always wonder why

@Chris-tl9wd 7 ай бұрын

As a former drummer I forgot how important it was to be relaxed while playing! Man, such a small tip for some, yet makes a HUGE difference in my playing. Thanks Uncle Ben, this has helped me with my carpal tunnel and wrist problems. Thus letting me rock out longer with no pain! :)

@xavkoston16 7 ай бұрын

I'm a drummer that hits pretty hard and for relaxing while recording i try to have some limits because of wrist problems like you said. If i'm not able to relax properly when recording i do just 2/3 takes at 100% then relax a little, listen and re-do what needs to be after that break.

@dunehaggar7495 8 ай бұрын

Nice! I found going to chunky in-flexible picks and really playing lightly really helped me work on this stuff...

@esmoroglu 9 ай бұрын

Convincing digestable wisdom as always, off to Patreon exercises!⚡️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

@johnathondupuis1301 9 ай бұрын

Awesome content as always.

@stickman55100 9 ай бұрын

Some really great tips!

@sorenahlback 9 ай бұрын

Great subject and advice. I’ve also noticed I must remember to breathe when I play something challenging. Focus while relaxing seems to work best. It’s the same if you for example want to drive a car fast.

@jfrockon 9 ай бұрын

Words of advice I can work with. Thnx!

@BlaCkLaBeL2002 9 ай бұрын

Oh, man.. I hate those days when it feels like I've completely forgotten how to play guitar. Even holding the pick seems strange on these days, hahah. Have you made more videos on this subject? That would be cool! Keep rocking, Uncle Ben! 🤘

@stevecaststringtheory8691 9 ай бұрын

I’ve never considered this, thank you for the great tip Uncle Ben! I’ve always equated hard picking with firm grip.

@Sandy_Clam 9 ай бұрын

Without even knowing it until this video, this is the exact problem I have been having for years in my playing; been on a major plateau for so long, and looking forward to trying this out. The way you articulate the problems and solutions is second to none, love you Uncle Ben!

@fortheloveofnoise9298 7 ай бұрын

Now that you know, make a shoegaze album, I believe in you.

@chucksaeger7500 9 ай бұрын

I’m a recent subscriber and this is the first video I’ve watched and I feel so beginner like by guitarists like you. Fabulous speed and dexterity that may be beyond my limited abilities. I’m gonna study your stuff and see if I can even get in the ballpark. You present very well and have a great voice for this. Thanks for inspiring me to get better.

@ExperienceJacob 9 ай бұрын

Loving the commitment to the bit

@fhatsk8er 9 ай бұрын

I love your burst tip! I used to play “marathon” exercises all the time, but the past few years I’ve been doing bursts. I think it’s less mentally taxing too which makes it less tense. It’s become more a “Simon says” game, starting with a tiny chunk of a run, then gradually adding more and more instead of just playing a super-long passage at a snail pace. Anyway thanks for these reminders I think we all need!

@Novotny72 9 ай бұрын

thanks very much, this was an interesting video for me. I do tend to tense up and had never realised it.

@ryanhass8716 9 ай бұрын

Genuinely helpful as hell, my guy. The Rob Thomas gag was hilarious as well lol

@assimilcursorusosinesfuerz4983 7 ай бұрын

this is gold man thank you !!!

@pennywise4843 9 ай бұрын

Best guitar teacher on KZfaq hands down! Thank you .

@Trikisixx 9 ай бұрын

Thanks Uncle Ben. I needed this one.......desperately

@TyroneLoganMusic 9 ай бұрын

Great reminder! Also, the guitar tone was lovely as ever.

@clouds5 9 ай бұрын

This is very good. It's one of the main things I learned from vocal lessons. With singing, staying relaxed is not optional. If you tense up your instrument doesn't work :D but it's super important for guitar and other parts of your life too. You can only bring 100% if you're relaxed.

@jamesswanson4391 9 ай бұрын

Ben Eller has some good videos about reducing tension in your playing. That dude is a genius!!

@klauswigsmith 9 ай бұрын

6:44 GREAT advice. Oftentimes you can practice something too much and you reach a point where, not only does progress stop...it regresses! Whenever I start getting worse at something, I know it's time to either put the guitar down for a bit or practice something completely different, as I know I've done all I can do on that particular endeavour for the day. I'll go back to it the next or following day and I know I'll be better at it.

@deanrobertnoble138 9 ай бұрын

I think you also mentioning the mental aspect is also really pertinent. Many times if my mood is not cutting it or i am really tired, it can be difficult to produce results. Remember in the 2020’s ‘Rona period, we were all producing multi-part video recordings from home. I had to read a classical part that could only be one pass. Man, i just couldn’t do it; tried like forever. Ended up leaving it until the next day and nailed it first time wondering why I’d had an issue. Definitely think the mental aspect and psychology of playing can’t be underestimated. Great video; thankyou.

@gregpelton6516 9 ай бұрын

Great tip for many things. Thanks Uncle Ben. Eric Johnson mentions this in one of his videos, how you have to be careful not to tense up when going for a big lick