7 Things I Wish I Knew as a Beginner Guitarist

ByDaniel Weiss

Um, well, this video had to happen. I’ve had this in my mind for quite a long time, and I wasn’t sure how to go about it. Then I thought, maybe I should just go for it. So, what we’re going to do today is listen to my past self playing. It’s going to be a video from about 10 years ago – I don’t remember exactly. I’ll check, and then I’ll reflect on my feelings hearing myself from a decade ago.

TL;DR
Here’s the deal: Your unique voice is already there from day one. Don’t lose it chasing other players’ sounds.

Let’s start now. By the way, I just wanted to mention the reason I’m doing this is because I believe everyone has their own unique voice that’s already built within them. It’s not about linear development as a musician – it’s part of who you are, it’s in your DNA. We shouldn’t forget that; we should embrace where we came from and find our inner voice from our roots. Even though we learn new things like scales, arpeggios, and listen to new styles, let’s not forget where we came from so we can develop from there with a more independent spirit.

So, with that spirit in mind, let’s check out a video of me playing. I think I was 17 or 18 – not sure. I’ll put it on.

Okay, so this video is from 2004. It was for “Two Steps” – a rock competition. It’s from 2004, meaning I had only been playing for like two or three years. I’m 17 years old. The guy over here, the host, is an amazing guitar player from Israel. His name is Aries Nets. Check him out if you can – he’s an amazing player.

I was really happy to be invited to that show. For some reason, they heard about me and contacted me to come and jam with them live. We just came up with the jam on the spot and then filmed it. I kind of improvised this solo. Let me check it out now – let me see what I think about it.

Okay, wow. The first thing I notice is that my sense of time is pretty good here. I had an awareness of chord changes. This is obviously only two chords, but I did hit that F major 7 when the change happened. Also, I was definitely inspired by some tapping guys – there’s some Michael Romeo happening here. So, I would say this is pretty good for three years of progress playing guitar.

The lesson I can reflect on and learn from watching this is just going for it – grooving and being unapologetic about your ideas. Just really going for it with what you have. That’s the tiny lesson I’m getting from this video.

Let me know in the comments below – have you been checking out videos of your past self? What can you learn from listening to your past self? It can be anything – the first solo you ever transcribed, or maybe the first show you had with your first band, or a musician you worked with. This short video is just to bring a message: always remember your roots and where you came from. They might tell you a little bit about where you’re heading. Even though there is a lot of data and information available these days, and so many amazing players online, don’t forget that no one will ever sound like you.

Uniqueness and finding your own voice is huge to think about, and that’s a topic I’m definitely going to talk about more on this channel. I thought about making this quick video – I had this feeling that I wanted to share it. So, if you enjoyed this kind of more mellow vibe video, please make sure to press the bell button to subscribe, hit that like, drop me a comment, and always feel free to contact me.

I’m just sharing the vibe right now, you know, trying to make some more on-the-spot videos, just brainstorming ideas here live. Hopefully, you guys enjoy these kinds of videos as well as the more in-depth lessons. And with that said, don’t forget to remember where you came from and connect to your own unique voice. There are lots of arpeggios and scales to learn, but let’s remember that the point of all this is to express ourselves and to find a voice to connect to higher expression.

That’s it. That’s my jam for today, and I’ll see you in the next jam.

01 Hello and welcome to this video on 7 things I wish I knew as a beginner guitarist.

When I first picked up the guitar, I had no idea what I was doing. I was just a kid with a dream of becoming a Rockstar, and I had no idea how much hard work and dedication it would take to get there. But looking back on those early days, there are a few things that I wish I knew that could have made my journey a little easier.

This is exactly what I mean about finding your voice. The Fretboard Freedom Path shows you how to build on what you already have instead of copying everyone else.
Explore the Fretboard Freedom Path →

And if you have been playing guitar for a while now or just starting out on your guitar journey, I hope that these tips will inspire you and help you avoid some of the mistakes that I made. Because the most important thing to remember when learning any instrument is to have fun.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into

02 The 7 Things I wish I knew as a Beginner Guitarist:

  1. Always transcribe music that you love. If you hear a song or a guitar solo that you really enjoy, take the time to learn it. Your taste is a great indicator of the style that is unique to you, and transcribing music is a great way to learn new techniques and improve your overall skill.
  2. Pay attention to body awareness and how you hold and play the guitar. Avoid pressing too hard and be aware of unnecessary tension in your hands, arms, and face. Remember to breathe while playing, as this can help you stay relaxed and focused. This will improve your overall comfort and skill on the guitar.
  3. Learn the basics of music theory. Understanding concepts like scales, chords, and intervals can greatly improve a beginner’s understanding of the guitar and the music they are playing.
  4. Be open to learning from and incorporating new techniques and styles that appeal to you, rather than trying to please others with your own style. Don’t overlook the potential for learning from others, regardless of their genre or style, or their skill level. Everyone has something to teach, and you can learn from anyone at any stage of your guitar journey. In fact, teaching beginners can also help you improve your own skills.
  5. The importance of recording yourself and listening back. This can be a powerful tool for learning and improving as a musician. It allows you to hear how you sound and identify areas where you can improve.
  6. The importance of setting goals as a musician. After the beginner phase, it’s important to have specific goals in mind to work towards. These could be short term goals like learning a certain song or improving a specific technique, or long term goals like performing live.
  7. Remember that learning the guitar is a journey, not a destination. It’s important to enjoy the process and celebrate the milestones along the way. Don’t get discouraged if you’re not progressing as quickly as you’d like, and don’t compare yourself to other players. Just have fun, and keep learning and improving at your own pace.

I hope these 7 things I wish I knew as a beginner guitarist have inspired you on your own journey. Remember to always transcribe music you love, pay attention to body awareness and music theory, be open to learning

Try This

Pick a simple jazz blues in F. Set a metronome to 100 BPM. Play ONLY the root note of each chord in quarter notes for the whole form. Once comfortable, add the 3rd on beat 3. Then add the 5th on beat 4. Build your chord tone awareness one note at a time.

For more inspiration, lessons, usefull tips and much more subscribe to my youtube channel. Love to hear your thoughts and answer any question you may have. Please leave me a note in the comment section below.

Daniel Weiss

About Daniel Weiss

Berklee-trained jazz fusion guitarist, Guitar Idol 2016 finalist, and praised by Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater). Daniel has taught over 5,000 students worldwide through his Fretboard Freedom Path method. Learn more

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The Fretboard Freedom Path
A structured roadmap that connects triads, arpeggios, and voice leading into one system. Every step builds on the last – so you always know what to practice next.
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Frequently Asked Questions

03 How can I develop my own guitar voice instead of just copying other players?

Focus on embracing your musical roots and the foundational techniques you’ve already learned – scales, arpeggios, and chord changes – without losing the unique instincts that are already within you. Rather than endlessly chasing new styles and players online, use those influences to build on your existing foundation with an independent spirit that reflects who you are as a musician.

04 Should I review old recordings of myself playing guitar?

Absolutely – listening to past recordings helps you recognize what you were doing right, even as a beginner, and understand your musical DNA. You might discover that elements like your sense of timing, awareness of chord changes (like hitting that F major 7 at the right moment), or your improvisational instincts were already strong, which can boost your confidence and inform your future development.

05 How long does it take to get good at improvising guitar solos?

You can start improvising meaningfully within 2-3 years of consistent practice, especially if you’re studying chord progressions and have influences like tapping or shredding to inspire you. The key is to go for it without apology – even early solos that show awareness of chord changes and personal style demonstrate real progress, not perfection.

06 Why is finding my unique guitar style more important than learning everything?

Your unique voice is part of your musical DNA and can’t be replicated by anyone else, no matter how much data or technique they possess. While learning scales, arpeggios, and studying great players is valuable, it’s most powerful when you apply it to express who you already are rather than become someone else.

Key Takeaway
In summary: Go for it with what you have. Your natural groove matters more than perfect technique.
Daniel Weiss