Go From Beginner To Intermediate!

The transition from Beginner to intermediate in something that so many players struggle with.
While there isn't a magical scale I can teach you to achieve this there are a few things that might help :)
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[alabamahebrew]

As someone who came late in the game after spending years playing the instrument very very wrongly lol, I have a few suggestions that have helped me so maybe they will help others.
1) Listen to various types of music - sometimes you will hear how someone did something during a song and wonder how they even thought about doing that, well they probably heard it done somewhere before! Just because you like classic rock, does not mean you shouldn't listen to some funk, some country, some heavy metal or some blues. "Experience" your ears.
2) Record yourself! - Both video and just audio, then watch/listen to the playback, sometimes this helps you really identify your problem area. I was making my own music and would notice that I kept hearing this thumping sound on most of the recordings. I could not figure out what that noise was, then one day I was watching a video of myself and I realized that the noise was my own fingers hitting the fretboard as I played a different note! That's how I discovered I have a heavy hand when I play the guitar.
3) Try a different guitar body style - When I began to take the guitar seriously about 7 years ago now, all I wanted was my dream guitar, a Les Paul, so I got one and that's when I discovered that I was having a very difficult time playing in the higher registry area (12th fret to the 22nd fret). I had heard by this time that the single cut body shape was not the best for playing in this area. So, I bought myself an Ibanez Iceman guitar and wow what a difference! Which that's another thing to try, different neck shapes and sizes! Now I can play about the same on any guitar in those higher register areas, which is to say I play horribly up there lol.
4) Come to the understanding that spending more money does not equate to playing better! I was having a difficult time making my guitars sound "good", a few people learned that I was using a Fender modeling amp and of course they laid the blame there and said I needed to get like 5150 or something and my playing would greatly improve! Wrong!! I still only play using modeling amps and my sound has greatly improved because my skills have improved!! So focus on your skills, not necessarily your equipment!

[mikegogel]

I gave up on playing because of physical limitations when I was mid 30's your videos always give me that joy of fulfillment that I've lost since, thank you homie, for everything ✌🏼❤️🤘🏼

[MatthewNineteen]

I literally can't take my eyes off your Strat. Good night that is a lovely guitar!!!

[zeyy]

"You'll never be as good as you will be. Most players never do. Just focus on your strengths and focus it."
That's all I needed. Thanks!

[BretAllenStudios]

I think categorizing guitarists as is very subjective. Comparing players isn’t really a useful measure. Would Willy Nelson be considered a beginner to Randy Rhodes?
I’ve been playing a long time and write my own material and used to perform, but never played metal, shredding scales up and down the neck, yet I can entertain a crowd. Am I a beginner? Advanced?
Find your own path and follow it. Just because you’re not a sweep picking legend, doesn’t mean you don’t play well. Learn some theory like pentatonic scales, triads and their inversions, how chords are formed and you’ll be well on your way to making music. That’s what it’s all about. Don’t get all hung up on being able to play like (insert name here). If you stick with it, you’ll progress over time, picking up new stuff along the way. Don’t confuse quantity over quality. Even playing simple well sounds better than playing difficult poorly. What a boring world it would be if everyone played just like (insert name here).

[MrEric]

Talking guitar is never pointless- sometimes we hit walls or fall in a rut, and need a little nudge to get back on that road we are all on as players. Good vid Rob.

[evettecorrea]

that's very good advice to take in, because I have that problem of trying to do to much, when I should be focusing on one thing and one thing only.

[Emrys_Guitar]

I definitely needed this. I’ve been learning online for almost two months and started to freak out over how much I didn’t know. I’ve been trying to learn theory, strumming, leads, and anything I can get my hands on, to the point I’m overwhelmed

[JayTee]

Ive been trying to step up my guitar game this past year to get to that intermediate level, and I was trying to learn everything. I then decided to just stick with the pentatonic scale and I can now see some noticeable improvement. It helps to focus on something.

[The.Adam.D]

Your shirt makes me think "If Macho Man had a signature pack of Ernie Balls..."

[daviddgrfan]

Great advice as always, Robert. I tend to get overwhelmed. I am an older player, 58yo, and focus too much on gear, and too many scales. I also tend to noodle around instead of dedicated practice. Perhaps a "How to practice" video at some point?

[plectrumura]

I realize this video posted forever ago, but I just wanted to say that I found a lot to love in this advice. Thanks man.

[mrs.hollerbredkennels-jana]

Thank you so much for doing this video. I am in a rut & so discouraged about it. So I really needed to hear this. Thanks alot!

[nemanjamilojevic]

I have been following you for years and years, and gosh, that strat tone is gorgeous.

[CommanderClyde]

I started trying to write songs after only playing for 6 months. Might be too early but I have yet to write a bad riff when I put the effort in.
Its made it a lot easier to translate what I'm thinking onto the fret board.

[caseylee]

ABSOLUTELY WORKS! Doing this when i was young helped me more than anything. Try to do a slow blues song, a rock song and a rock-ballad. If you have a riff or sound in your head that you don't know how to do, this can even help you find it. Another thing that helped me was using a looper, recording a minute or 2 of chords, then making up a lead line over it. Great video!

[benjaminsmith]

I'm 3 minutes into this and it already hits close to home. I regret quitting lessons but it really became like a chore just practicing everyday.

[sabbster]

love the advice Robert, I've been playing on and off for years, but bought your boot camp couple months back. I made sure I learned some stuff on the boot camp and then just stuck to what I learned for a few weeks and have made quite a big job in my ability. also after warming up and practicing I noodle and write song then work on that. that also added to the jump in my ability. Sometimes you got to be patient. Definitely keep working on your strengths too. Thanks Robert for your help

[willdenham]

Making your own music, I think that's huge. It's the whole reason I started in the first place. That and playing in a band with my friends.

[williamcooper]

Great advise man. I believe that's a big problem with most beginning level players is that they to learn too much too quick and now all of a suddenly they have a enormous amount of knowledge thrown on them too quickly and it all becomes a blur and confusing