Oh no Mary!,you have opened the floodgates to hairy dudes requesting metal... Bleed by Mesuggah plz.

Bill Kelliher said this (about Mastodon's riffs): "Almost every single song has 10 or 12 open notes. Almost anytime I want to play a note that's also an open string, I'll go for the open string. "Not everyone notices that or picks up on that up but to me, if it seems like it's way too hard to play, you're probably playing it wrong. "All of our stuff is around the same areas - you're going up and down the strings rather than up and down the fretboard. All those notes are underneath your fingers as well. You just have to find them. "Just keep it to where it's not too difficult to play."

My guitar instructor from many many years ago said “When you finally learn a song, you’ll be so sick of it!”

I wish more good guitarists would upload stuff like this. Everything on YT is so polished. As a beginner it's inspiring to see a good guitarist fumble their way through something new, and of course pick up tips on how to learn.

"tattoos don't make you play any better, let alone fake tattoos" *put my guitar down and go into bathroom to wash off vending machine tattoo and cry*

Dont slide up to the 9th fret - it's the open string! Mastodon is all about the open strings - Brent Hinds learned to play the banjo and so the band have an incredible hybrid picking technique that relies on a lot of open strings. Aqua Dementia is a great example as is The Octopus Has No Friends.

"More Gain!" Where is Rob Chapman when we need him? 😂

I havent been able to play my guitar for the past 6 months (even though I've been a guitarist for almost 15 years), due to the pandemic resulting in anxiety, but mainly because I wasnt confident. I listen mostly to prog metal (Animals as Leaders, Plini, Haken), which is kind of about prodigy guitarists. This has made me more insecure about my playing, as I cant play what they play. Watching you go through that process of learning a new song, independent of how long you've been a guitarist, and struggling in the initial phase has inspired me so much, it reminded me of why I loved learning the guitar in the first place: having that moment of gratification when, after 2 or 3 hours trying to get the riff right, I can finally play it with the song. Messing everything up in the beginning is essential and motivating, and I miss that. I am now ready to go back to playing. Thanks!

Never pictured you as a Mastodon fan! Just shows that inspiration and influences come from anywhere, and variety just helps you grow as a musician.

So, i am a beginner. Since a few years. I am discouraged very fast, but i have the inner wish to "master" guitar one day. 😅 I really appreciate to see, that you struggle at the beginning of trying something new. It compares in my mind somehow how i struggle with going on to learn guitar at all. I love it. And yesterday i made one step in the learning progress. And that in combination makes me more optimistic, so i can continue with less pressure i set on myself. You are great Mary. 😊 Thank you for encuraging me. Thank you, for you being you.

I could relate to so much of this video, thank you for making it! I feel so many of the same frustrations you encountered when learning a song. It's good and refreshing to see someone tackle these things head on and being transparent about them, because I feel like we as musicians in general tend to want to make it seem like it was very easy to learn or do something while in reality we all face these same challenges, and if we can just be a bit more vulnerable we can probably learn a lot more from each other and rise on the same boat. Again, thanks for this video

I suffer from the same problem, spending a lot of time on just one part. A friend suggested practicing each segment in reverse chronological order (starting from the outro and working your way backwards to the intro) and it has helped me IMMENSELY. Transitions seem to be easier, and toward the end of the song I'm completely relaxed, whereas I used to dread the finale. I know it's not for everyone, but I hope it helps at least a little bit. Keep up the good work. You're sounding great!

Good on you for getting out of your “comfort zone” and having a crack at something different to your normal style of playing. I wanna see Brent learn a Mary Spender riff now.

You need an overdrive, real low drive but high volume into the distortion in like 6 or 7, mids pronounced but higher treble, it will sound awesome! ;)

Mastodon are awesome! Thank you for showng us your process, I enjoyed this video

I love this, Mastodon is my favorite band! Someone may have already mentioned this, but in that opening lick, the last part of the riff with the open strings is so much easier if you chicken pick them. The guys in mastodon are notorious for hybrid picking open strings like that mid riff and letting them ring out

Watching your reaction to the times you "messed up" when playing along was priceless! I usually drop a f-bomb or something, but you played right through with the "oh well" face and that made me smile. I really liked the "what the hell did I just play there" face too... LOL! Great job learning some intensely unique music that is so unmistakably one person/band! Those are the hardest ones to learn.

Mooore gain, bridge pickup and open strings, that's all about the Mastodon

I really appreciate your thoughts and insights on the process of learning a new riff/song. I always feel like I'm playing catch up when I try to start playing full speed with the track. This video inspires me to be more patient considering someone at your level has the same difficulties. Oh yeah, \m/ for playing Mastadon!

"Monday Metal" would be a great compliment to "Tuesday Talks"

Definitely would love to see a full cover of this song!

2020: Learning my first Tosin Abasi double thumbp

Ha! That was cool. Watching you learn the riff rang so true to my own experiences. Thanks for sharing and being real.

Awesome! Keep it going and make sure to share further results. Its good to see someone getting out of its comfort zone and enjoying the learning process. Most KZfaqrs do not have the humility required to do this. Thumbs up!

Learning the intro to 'waves' by Guthrie Govan took me months to get under my fingers, and I've been playing 20+ years. Maybe try that one Mary, great vid as always :)

OMG, Mary's got a pick in her hand...Maurice must be so proud :D On a more serious note, thank you so much for this video. As one of those beginners you referenced, it's wonderfully reassuring to see someone whose skill you respect fight with their guitar a little bit. You're one of the people that inspired me to finally take the leap and learn to play, and now you've inspired me to go sit down and practice a bit more :) Also, yes yes full cover please!

That is so cool showing your process to everyone. I have so much respect for you Mary Spender, you rock!

That was refreshing to watch you honestly struggle learning something totally outside of your comfort zone. Your frustrations are very common to me. Thanks for posting this well edited version of the actual trials guitarist go through to learn new songs.

Hey Mary, really enjoyed seeing you with this exercise because I totally get you! I love bands like Mastodon, even when its not the kind of music I do. But we also play for the love of the instrument, and playing heavy riffs has this gorgeous vibe itself. Wont you agree? Anyway since you asked for suggestions, there is a certain song I really enjoyed learning and played it over and over again a few years ago. Ten Speed by Coheed and Cambria. Enjoy!

I enjoyed watching your process. I've never really listened to Mastadon before, but I'm heading over to Amazon music now.

Such a great person and artist you are, Mary Spender!

once you started to play the beginning part i knew right away which song you were trying to learn. mastodon is a badass band and the motherload is one of my favorite tracks.

While you're in Drop C, learn Toxic Garbage Island by Gojira. It's not that difficult of a song to play.

Hello Mary Spender. Great video!

Your vulnerability and humble honesty is so refreshing. Thank you for this

Way to go Mary! It’s awesome that you’re a Mastodon fan! They really are so damn epic. I’m stoked to see them for the second time this summer with Coheed & Cambria. Mastodon is even playing my favorite album in full!

You'd really do well to learn some Lamb of God riffs. Mark and Willie are both masters of the instrument. The breakdown to "Hourglass" is especially fun to play (not hard, just memorization).

Ooh and please do a full playthrough of this song!

C'mon Mary you got this, I've been playing twenty years and i've just learned my first mastodon riff slowly learning the song do to my weaknesses, you're doing great keep it up and rock out, Don't think as much pump yourself up and play it 100 times then kick the speed up

good to hear from you Mary. down-to-earth and passionate..bless ya

So cool Mary! Great job playing outside of your comfort zone! Please do put it on Instagram! Big Maiden fan here. How about playing The Trooper?!!!

I curse the algorithm for taking six months to bring this to my attention!

Thank you Mary. Battle with the same when learning new parts. What you said about knowing your own limitations/weaknesses has been cardinal to my life.

Thank you so much for this inspirational video! This video is not only about learning guitar as every part of life is about learning. Attention to details while looking at big picture, and keep on putting efforts. I loved your video about learning guitar which you had sleep, all is truly inspirational. Thank you.

18:15 Sleep is EVERYTHING when learning tunes. I used to waste so much time before i figured that out.

Dude can you get the Jim Root signature Orange micro and try and play some Slipknot 😂 Ps great video! :)

Cool that you took us along for this journey Mary! I know exactly what you mean about not thinking about the next bar coming up fast and not being ready for it. Happens to me all the time while I'm still in the "learning phase" of a new song, regardless of which instrument I'm playing. If you're not already familiar with Big Wreck, check them out. Ian Thornley is a wizard, but should be well within your reach. Cheers!

I really enjoyed this video. As someone who has been trying to learn guitar for two years, and struggling every step of the way, it's reassuring to see that you, and other people who really know what they're doing, also have to struggle with new stuff.

Mary guest vocals on the next Mastodon album confirmed. (actually. That would be fucking epic. Like a harmony with Brann, then some interchange with Troy. Hinds does the chorus. Epic piece incoming mark my words.) Edit: PS, those open string notes, would Hinds not finger pick those? Sounds like that might have been up your street ironically. :)

Heads up, I use Winamp and an add-on called Pacemaker to learn songs. The add-on will slow the song down up to 50% without changing the pitch. Dated software I know, but it's effective and easy to use.

I think the fact your learning something outside your usual genre deserves note. Like I've always played blues, so trying to learn like even an easy metal song has a steeper learning curve just because of the the whole new skill sets you have to add.

Love this song and your playing is really inspiring to me, thank you Mary. The video kicks ass too.

Mary you got balls learning a new song and documenting it on KZfaq. You are amazing and inspiring!

Orange Amps Rep: Why do you want to try out the Brent Hinds Amp? Mary (slowly takes off shades): Simple; Game respects Game.

I love jamming on the chords, so much energy and hype! And the intro is so silky smooth.

Yes. I would totally love to hear a playthrough of this song. It's literally my fave Mastodon song. If you want something challenging and could definitely take you out of your comfort zone; the timing changes in just about any Tool song are a good choice.

...What would be the sound of a Mary Spender Terror?

This was really unexpected, but UltraCool!

Well done Mary that was cool!! Great song as well one of my Favourites

You could not have picked a better band to learn riffs from! They are AWESOME!!!!! Absolutely LOOOOOVE BRENT HINDS! Can’t wait to see him in June! Great playing by the way! You rock!

I watched this all the way through because I was trying to wrap my head around Mary using a PICK!!!! OMG!!

Definitely go for a playthrough =p And how about Aenema from TOOL ;)

I'm new to your channel, been enjoying the videos pop up over the last month. But today I think I fell in love!

It's so nice to hear a musician I admire talking about becoming frustrated with learning a new song. Thanks for sharing that, it helps to get me back on track again, cause now I can say, "even Mary get's frustrated learning new songs."

this is what Guitar Pro was invented for!!

The song came out fine but you shold work on your heavy tone a little bit, don't know how you recorded it but it sounded like you were running the amp without micing it up and without using a cab emulator. Awesome content as usual Mary!

Great video! I feel the same way when I learn a song either I'm playing the riff to slow, to fast, or just wrong in general. But I also find that it happens to me when I try to play along to a song right away. Usually I'll give it a go then stop and really listen to the song a couple times and try to feel the part before I try again. That helps me tremendously and takes the anxiety and frustration away enough to try again with a clear mind. Great channel content, be blessed.

This is wonderful. I just discovered Mastodon. I’m learning The Motherload also. It is a daunting tune . I’ve never downtuned except for some drop d . I’ve got 10/52 strings on and dealing with that change as well. Thank you for the honesty and inspiration.

"I know my weaknesses, and yet I just let them happen" - Literally any teacher who spends more time teaching than practicing.

Use the bridge humbucker , sounds like both pick up are on... Keep on Keepin on!

Love the honesty and authenticity of this video. Good stuff

That’s sounded great... great lesson... don’t be afraid to play outside your comfort zone... and sharing your frustrations and feelings helps us realize we are not the only ones... rock it

also i was hoping for last baron harmonic riff that happens 8 minutes in.

Thanks for sharing your process. This is particularly useful for me as I struggle through my own song (on bass). I've only been at this for little better than a year, so it's inspiring for me to know that people like you - far more talented and experienced than me - struggle through it, too. Keep practicing...keep failing...sigh...will do! Rock on, sister!

Really great video Mary! Motivating to me. Solid play through & would love to see your entire run at it! Thanks. :)

That was so fun to watch. No edits just straight learning on the fly. Look forward to more like this. Cheers.

how about ain't talkin' bout love by van halen? :-)

Tattoos don't make you play any better? Damn, why didn't you mention that before? I'd have saved thousands! ;-)

Great video, fantastic insight to how a real professional goes about learning a new piece. Thank you.

Mary you're on a journey that is enjoyable and exciting to see where you go. Like what I hear and see, best to you. Jeff in LA USA

Next week: Mary learns Dragonforce

A Mary Spender Terror would have to include incredible cleans and a switch-on option to layer your guitar sound with your vocals, kind of like the Korg Miku 🤑

Great job! Very cool and shows that stuff takes time to learn at a basic level and building towards mastery.

This is probably one of my favorite Mastodon tunes. Super cool to see somebody just jam on it until it feels right.

Every time I think to myself "why in hell's name am I learning the guitar, it's so frustrating" youtube slaps me with Mary's video and I'm reinvigorated with new energy and drive for the instrument. Thank you, Mary.

I was expecting more Distortion from the amp

HAHAHA Mary, I have met them years and years ago! Get Brent on, he's hilarious! My buddy and I ended up after one of their shows at a dive bar, that they were also at!

Great job! Especially for a style you don't usually play, it takes time to get your brain and fingers around that kind of thing, huh. I reckon you'll be able to own it within a week - it's nice to see a pro going through this process too! I think it's helpful to remember that trying to play along to the recorded track is actually trying to nail a performance, like you're recording. And (obvs) that's hard work, it takes a ton of concentration and practice, but eventually from sheer repetition it starts to feel... maybe not easy, but under your control? You can just *do* it - and that's the version you're hearing on the recording, people who already got there, while you're struggling to get started. And it's always kinda like that until it clicks for you too, so you're not really failing or whatever - it's just part of the process Same goes for feeling like it's running away from you - I can play some stuff ok, but the tempo of the actual recording is jusssssst beyond what I can manage. Close enough that I feel like I can do it, but hard enough that I trip up or my hands don't quite get there in time. Which is obviously another thing you overcome with practice and put on the final recording! Tools that let you slow down songs are great for learning though, sometimes even 5% or something is all you need

You learned quite fast. It's Mastodon after all.

I love Mary Spender, and think what she is doing for women musicians is awesome. But if that sound came out of my amp id be shipping it straight back.

lol that pure joy on your face when you did the 1st string bend was so nice

I remember learning this song on drums...certainly no easy task. I think the thing that occurred to me most, when it wasn’t sounding right was - we all have a different feel on our instruments. We can play the part, note for note, and still have that different “feel”. The driving force for me is always the satisfaction of knowing that I persevered, and made myself a better player, simply by sticking with it, and putting in the effort. I also find it interesting that the last two notes of the opening riff completely caught me off-guard. I never REALLY heard them, until I watched your video. 😊 Good work, Mary!

special...did you try with the bridge pickup :P ?

You dont need to chamge string gauges just ask the good ol capt lee anderton for a the drop pedal by digitech

Hey Mary, nice amp. Bought the exact one last year at black friday. Best amp-choice i've ever made. Have fun Chris

I love how you clearly enjoyed playing it!

Me hairy! Me want METAL! SO BROOTAL

I always hated the orange sound :_)

it was really good actually to see you not being totally in control :) gives us hope! Good Job Mary