Blowing The Lid on The Biggest Guitar Secret

Any time that someone tells you "learn this one secret and you won't ever need lessons," you know that you are being lied to. Yes, I did listen through. As I expected, it was more than one thing, none of which was particularly secret, and all of it together won't replace a teacher -- not even close.

The claim that guitar teachers keep knowledge from students is ridiculous. Joke or not, this type of claim really plays into the distrust of experts that is rampant on the internet.

I've been coaching as long as this guy. I believe if students learn proper technique with cleaner note placement, they can always dirty it up later. Getting clean notes is the biggest challenge for most people at first. The feel is something you add in once they get the basics down 1st.

I have an extensive background in Classical guitar, degree, etc., and also play electric, adn acoustic guitar. Fretting is very different between them for a variety of reasons. Classical guitar music tends to be polyphonic, with multiple lines of music moving around at the same time. The action on a Classical guitar tends to be about twice the height of an electric guitar. Unless you play on your fingertips, you'll probably be inadvertently muting strings. Music on the electric often involves single lines, where muting unfretted strings is highly beneficial so they don't accidentally ring out, so flattened fingertips are a big benefit. Acoustic guitar music tends to be somewhere in between the two. Of course playing styles and techniques can vary widely, and you'll get the best results by understanding how to use them with the appropriate music and styles.

Hendrix was the main reason I picked up the guitar as little boy in the 70's. I used to hold the guitar exactly like he did, with the entire back of the neck wrapped in the palm of my hand, thumb over the top and fingers on the fleshy part. It looked "cool", and Jimi played that way. When I started to take formal lessons in the 80's the first thing my teacher did was correct my grip and made me play hold it properly. Fingers up on the tips and just the thumb on the back of the neck to brace it. He was correct. This allows for greater reach, dexterity, speed, and cleaner tone. As I've gotten older and wiser, I've come to find that I adjust my grip (and general over all handling of the guitar, for that matter) for what it is I'm playing. But for about 90% of the time, I grip the neck properly, the way I was taught. In retrospect, I think every novice guitarist should be taught that from the very beginning.

Excellent, thank you for pinpointing this aspect, that I was badly ignoring in my beginner-intermediate training 😀

I'm learning to play bass and have been doing this and it has COMPLETELY changed my tone and approach and suddenly I can actually play the instrument with confidence because I know it doesn't sound like crap with every note. This trick is real, guys. You still have to learn all the others stuff, but that subtle shift in tone makes a huuuuuge difference.

You're right. No one tells you this stuff. I figured it out partially because I have short fingers and struggle to stretch my fingers across the fret board. I noticed that people who can play keep their fingers relatively flat. Also allows you to hold the guitar lower while standing. Thank you for confirming what I thought, and giving so much detail. Reinforcing me to get this down. Its a different muscle dynamic and takes some getting used to. I actually got good at bending strings with the very tips lol.

Great tip! I have very small hands and find myself all contorted trying to reach the strings needed. I'll definitely be trying this out. Subscribed!

As a total beginner I have noticed that when teaching they emphasise the end of the fingers but when you see pros play they don't do it like that. I figured it was just through experience. I do think there must be a reason it is taught this way, probably to stop you hitting other strings by accident.

Thanks for the upload I love the analogies and nuances. I'll be watching this again.

i'm a pickcer and do lots of straight, picking and a plucking notes but this was Great, it gave me a new way of getting that slide smooth tone to work in and out of songs so it's never boring with a ton of sharp clear notes, having the relaxed smooth slide notes ( flat fingers!) makes it easy , fun and opens a whole new world. Thanks a ton for your free to the point way of teaching!

Very nice. I've played classical guitar for years, but I recently--2 yrs ago--started playing electric. I love this tid-bit of information. This kind of incorporation really helps relative beginners like me. 👍

Awesome. Something new to show my own student. I don't want to teach classical technique when we both just want to play blues and rock

Thanks I really enjoyed that. I often wondered about players using the flats of their fingers and just thought they were sloppy. Subscribed.

"Guitar teachers are hiding info that would prevent you from needing lessons." Also, Officials in your area are FURIOUS after an elderly grandmother revealed this one simple trick that gives you a bigger tool and longer life! You won't believe what happened next!

My wife keeps asking me why I play the same thing alot, it's called practice and it's repeated until I learn it...thank you for your lesson sir. I'm going to do this all weekend 🤪 😌

Thank you for the tips I’ll keep learning and listening to what I play and how the small differences change the sound and feeling.

I've watched probably 20-30 of your videos over the years, this one is a cut above all the others I've seen. Well done, great information.

Simple touch that will enhance the expression. Thank you very much!