In working with so many thousands of students over the last 30+ years, there are a few common things that beginners do out of necessity…
But there also comes a point when those particular ideas and techniques no longer serve you and it’s time to learn how to let those things go.
So in this video, I’ll cover 7 things that you need to consider as you progress.
29 replies to "Shedding The Beginner’s Mindset"
Storm Continues….
Shud I start with Strumming and Rhythm Mastery, or Blues Guitar Unleashed (1.0), or 4 Note Solo,
or what?
Having all those courses you mentioned, to answer your question, I’d first ask what your goals are. Do you want to play lead, rhythm or both?
If you want to play lead, IMHO learn the 4 note solo first (really 5 notes, but just 4 places to put your index and ring finger) which is free – it unlocked soloing for me but it’s just the start of soloing as to move beyond those 4 notes you have to learn your pentatonic positions, and eventually you’ll need to know your chords to mix in and visualize chord tones, and the occasional chord in a solo. By unlocked, I mean that if I know where the 4 notes Griff used, are based on its key of a song, I can play an improvised solo over any 12 bar blues, and many other songs as well (provided the song doesn’t change keys). It’s like, just play notes in time, listen to the notes you’re playing to make sure it sounds appropriate, and adjust, if necessary. You’ll start to hear the notes and soon be playing phrases that sound good. You usually start and end your solo on the root note, while phrases may start/end on the root of the chord being played at that time. Best lesson I ever took IMHO, and led me to buy several of Griff’s courses.. It’s a short video, and there’s a lot more to learn that it doesn’t teach.
For rhythm, or rhythm and more advanced lead, I’d recommend BGU. If you’re having trouble with rhythm (and I was), the Strumming and Rhythm Mastery will teach you that, including reading and understanding music rhythms from sheet music.
Hey Dan,
that is a wealth of information and I truly appreciate it.
I have purchased many (~30) of his courses, especially if on DVD and with a book, but the amount I have confuse my next course decision. I seem to get into a rut frequently and then don’t know the next step for a smooth transition. This has been going on for 10-15 years.
But thanks for your feedback and I like the 4 Note Solo best. S n R is dry, not as exciting. 😉
Griff
What would your recommended course progression be after the Beginning Blues Guitar 2.0?
I have come to the fork in the road and don’t know the route to take to continue comfortably with all the right tools of knowledge.
Thank you Griff!
Thank you Griff, I found this video very informative. Especially the muting suggestions; I’ll search BGU and see if you have any muting-specific lessons.
Hey Griff how do you make the guitar sound like a growl when you first start playing in the video above?
Hey Griff – Thanks for today’s lesson. I’ve been stuck in the beginner/intermediate stage for 30 years! Due to all of the issues you mentioned. I’ve heard many of them over the years but did not have the discipline to focus on them to improve. Instead, I continued to “noodle”, grinding in all of those bad habits, keeping me perpetually in this stage. I encourage anyone who is transitioning to that intermediate level to take your advice seriously – otherwise you’ll be where I am 20-30 years from now. I would like to add one more idea to your list that I believe is probably the most significant reason I’m still stuck. Stop looking at the fretboard when you’re playing!! Doing this, traps your brain into a mechanical mode instead of a musical mode. Like a touch-typist, practice without looking until your fretting hand will do whatever you’re hearing in your head without looking. I continue to fight this battle, but I’m improving, and I’m convinced it’s helping me move forward.
Hi Griff,
I really liked this video, especially the campfire songs suggestion. I have not seen that blogged anywhere from you, but it might be helpful. A weekly blog helping out with rhythm, posting some of these beginner/ intermediate transitions.
Griff,
I tend to listen and not watch so I did not write down those seven steps. I could watch again though those seven steps printed here would help.
Regards
When beginning playing with a pick, fingers 2,4,5 do nothing. If you learned soloing with those fingers anchored on the body , it’s very difficult to unlearn picking with other fingers too. You have rid yourself of a habit done for years and years. There has to be a better way.
Thanks Griff, What an Eye opener, (my 77th B’day is 30th Dec the day after Eric Clapton) and I never thought I would be learning Guitar after being a semi pro drummer during my working life. Now I am in the Intermediate stage and I have already started to learn Camp Fire songs on my acoustics and even some Christmas Carols which most years I play at a neighbours Christmas eve dinner party with another Guitarist who is a professional but he plays most of the songs in the same key thus same Patterns. I have downloaded a lot of Jam tracks mainly in 12 Bar Blues in different Keys and cheating a bit, I play the Tab Sheets of your 5 easy Blues Solos across the Jam tracks in that Key often making mistakes but I try to keep up with the jam track or in your course Classic Rock Guitar Unleashed Solo2 Lesson 8 in E minor or Solo3 Style David Gilmor of Pink Floyd and Solo 4 Lesson 12 Style Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top. This is helping me to get use to playing your lessons with my favourite jam tracks by reading the Tab as I have a problem in the memory of the solos, so the BGU Lessons for solos is now really helping my enjoyment.. Very good lesson Griff and I will watch it again soon.
Happy NY 2024 to you and Laura and family and all other BGUers here.
Michael-Sydney-Australia Dec 30, 2023
Hey Griff, just to add a bit more, I had set my goals along the lines of your lesson here which is very good because I was a thinking maybe I should set some guitar playing annual goals so I can stick to a schedule of practice. I also took a lot of notes and I think sometime ago you provided a Guitar learning Road Map. But this lesson here was really in great need for me. Practice time in retirement should be easy but I am so busy in other activities especially over the festive season but I should be able to fit in at least a few hours per week, so I have a good excuse to have quite a few guitars and amps around me in my den..
Thanks again.
Michael -Sydney -Australia – Dec 30,2023
Interesting lesson this morning. I have 3 pages of notes I wrote while watching the 7 tips video and I probably didn’t get it all. My muting techniques have gotten better but my rhythm, goal setting and campfire songs need a lot of work. My practice sessions don’t have enough structure to them either. I guess I better get to work. 🙂
Fantastic Lesson Griff
Walking us through our musical development step by step and a timely look at next year’s achievable goals.
Many Thanks as always
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Thank you very much, Griff. This was just what I needed to view today; especially as we enter a new year and I am setting some personal goals.
What an eye opener! Thanks
the chord progression, i have noticed chord progressions!!!
BUT it took me going to another instrument …BASS!!!
BUT I have noticed and muting. it is gawd awful to hear bass notes humming in the back ground.
Blues 1,4,5 alot
Bass at church 1,4,5,6 ALOT it helps Griff It helps thank you
started bass at church because no one else would step up… and it cool I think
I won’t have to wait as long to play at sit ins!!!!
Thank you, Griff, for the wonderful video. I don’t know if there is enough material on this subject (transitioning from beginner to intermediate) for an entire course, but if there were, I’d buy it. Not only mindset, but also technique, music theory, whatever.
I agree, this is a great transition for me. I think a course from beginner to intermediate might be warranted. Finding realistic things to work on is a challenge at times. for me.
Glenn. Very nice lesson. Important to me. Thanks.
I don’t comment much but it is all great Griff
I think I’ve heard you say all these things before at different times. It was good for me to hear them all at once and consider what a difference they make. As always, thanks.
Griff, in what video or course do you discuss/show picking style? Frank who?
It’s not one specific place, I mention it as needed. Mostly in the Beginning Blues Guitar course and the Speed Builders.
That’s Frank Gambale. I’m not 100% sure of the spelling right now. He’s excellent – and a bit over my head!
Thanks Griff. That was just what I needed to hear today.
Today is Eric Claptons 77th Birthday! SO crank up some Crossroads or other blues favorites in his honor today.
Awesome video. I’ve been trying to learn guitar for a year now but I have limited practice time. I get a lot of inspiration from your videos. Thank you for everything.
Thanks Griff – Each & every one of those ideas is a winner !
At nursing school, our teachers were hugely into setting SMART goals for things . . . Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. Long ago realised that SMART goals are very beneficial when you’re trying to learn or develop pretty well any skill.
Love also tips 6 and 7. They go together hand in glove.
Thanks again.