PRESENCE - Volume 32

Inspiration For Guitarists

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The Foundation Every Guitarist Needs

I started teaching guitar in the dark ages—before YouTube.

Today, YouTube is the most incredible resource for learning guitar (or really, learning anything). But as great as it is, it also has some drawbacks.

One of the biggest problems I see is the emphasis on complex skills:

• Targeting notes

• Playing changes

• Modes

• Intervals

These are fantastic skills. I use them all the time. But here’s the truth: unless you have a solid foundation, those skills won’t stick.

When I was in my 20s, I tried learning modes, playing changes, and all that advanced stuff. But because I didn’t yet have the core skills in place, none of it clicked. I could kind of use them, but I didn’t really understand them.

And here’s something most people don’t realize: many legendary players didn’t lean on theory-heavy skills either. Hendrix, Clapton, Van Halen, SRV—none of them were “chasing chords” in the academic sense. They leaned on strong fundamentals, their ears, and their instincts.

That’s why I tell every guitarist: before you dive into the advanced stuff, get your foundation solid.

The 3 Essential Skills Every Guitarist Needs

1. The Landmark Pentatonic Scale Shapes

2. The CAGED System

3. The Number System

With these skills, you can:

• Make music in almost any situation

• Sound musical right away

• Build a rock-solid foundation for advanced skills later

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to know all the answers.
The goal is to make music.

This week’s video is on a great hack to help memorize and use the 5 shapes of the Pentatonic Scale:

• Pentatonic Made Easy: Spot the Twins & Triplets

Here are a couple more recent videos that you might find helpful:

• 15 Soloing Mistakes That Make You Sound Worse Than You Are

• How To Learn Songs 14x Faster With One Simple Trick

See you in the next lesson,
Dustin

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