BenEllerGuitars

Extended and Ad-Free Cut! What Makes Gojira HEAVY?!

Those French Bois sure did make some NOISE at the Olympics, and now it seems like a perfect time to ask the question: What Makes Gojira HEAVY?!

In this video, I'm gonna show you how the band's devotion to simple, effective metal traditions (with some little twists!) has made them one of the most important bands in heavy music. Their riffs are so wonderfully simple that ANY of us could have written them, and I love that approach.

Snag the TABs for the riffs below and enjoy the ext...

Patreon Exclusive! This Could CHANGE the Way You Practice!

Hey y'all!!!

As promised in the Little Finger Liberator workout, i've got a very special bonus video for you all to try out this week! I learned about this, eh, "brain hack" last week through a couple different sources, and i know right away i wanted to test it out in my own playing to see if it made a difference.... and so far...

.....it has.

This is kinda crazy, but there's science to back it up. I want you all to give this method a try this week and see what it does for y...

YOU ASKED FOR THIS! Practice THIS for Little Finger Liberation!!!

By request!!! Thank you all so much for the suggestions to do a little finger workout FROM HELL! This week, I've got a KILLER Vinnie Moore-style neoclassical arpeggio etude that's gonna get your little finger TAMED! I'll show ya how to play it then give you the tech tips you NEED to get that pinky empowered! GET INTO IT!!!

I'm headed out the door for an art class I'm taking (so fun!!!!!), so I'll post the practice tracks when I get back. Snag the TAB and GP files now and get rolling! An...

What is the RIGHT Way to Hold the Pick?!

What is the RIGHT way to hold the pick?! Is it leading edge? Trailing edge? James Hetfield 3 finger? Western Grip? On today's video, your good buddy Uncle Ben Eller here is gonna school ya good. I'll show you the difference between leading and trailing edge picking, show you when and why I practice both, and give you my theory as to WHY some players gravitate towards one grip versus the other. It's a pretty crazy theory, but I've tested it and it's TRUE! This video will help you find the BEST...

STOKED to share my next video!

What’s the “right” way to pick??? Is it leading edge or trailing edge? How can we find what’s best for us, and why do some players gravitate towards one versus the other? I’ve got a RAD video coming this weekend that’s gonna dive DEEP into this topic, and it’s all because one of you guys sent me a message asking about it (thanks Seth)!

What are other topics that you’d like to see a video about in the future!? Just like Frasier Crane himself, I’M LISTENING!

-BE 2024-07-18 21:59:42 +0000 UTC View Post

Trying to Master Tornado of Souls? Practice THIS! WW375

Because you asked for it!

This week, we are talking about a rad Marty Friedman-style arpeggio workout thats got what it takes. It will teach you EVERY technique and phrasing idea you need to nail ToS, in a slightly more approachable package, especially when you download the TAB, practice tracks, and Guitar Pro files below!! GET INTO IT!!!

Is there another solo with a really challenging section you'd like to see a similar "store brand" etude for? Lemme know, i'm always listening! 2024-07-13 16:22:58 +0000 UTC View Post

The SECRET of SYKES APPEAL

By request! You all know I LOVE John Sykes' playing, but what makes it tick? What makes him the KING of 80's rock? How is his riffing so good, and how can we implement his signature tricks into our own writing? That's what we are talking about today!!

In this video, we are gonna start with a simple stepdad riff and infuse it with some serious SYKES APPEAL using a bunch of John's iconic techniques. Take these ideas and toss them into your own riffs, then tag me in a post so I can see you...

My Birthday Gift to YOU! New Song Preview!!!

Hey y'all!!!

It's your good buddy Uncle Ben here, reporting to you from my 4th decade (okay technically 5th decade as you all have let me know I WAS HOMESCHOOLED GIVE ME A BREAK)!!! I turned 40 the other day, and I've had myself a very chill weekend (hence the lack of a new lesson today!). I've been relaxing, watching some flicks, walking the dogs with Tante Kate, and working on some music for my upcoming debut solo album. I am so pumped on how these songs are sounding, I had to give y...

This is Why You Suck at Guitar: Your Vibrato on Bends SUCKS!

New TIWYSAG day!!!

You all have been asking for this one for YEARS.... what's the secrets of BEAUTIFUL vibrato on bends??? Is it the lemon face? Is it the elbow wiggle? The sweat? The pain and suffering? Heck NAW!

I'm gonna show you how the likes of Yingyang Milkshake, Gary Moore, David Gilmour, and others shake a rope like the Ultimate Warrior at Summer Slam. It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or a pro, or if you're playing country OR western music, you NEED this technique t...

WW374: Superior Sweep Picking

Once again, by request from you wonderful folks!

You all asked for a hot new sweep picking workout, and I'm happy to oblige. Here on WW374, I'm giving you all a great workout in the key of E minor that uses all 7 diatonic arpeggios slippin and sliding all over the neck like it was the dang ol Crocodile Mile (shoutout to my fellow 80's/90's kids who know what I'm talking about)!

That reminds me of one of the last times I ever rocked a Slip & Slide; it was at my buddy Kevin's ho...

Favorite old WW episodes that need GP files/backing tracks?

Hey y'all!!!

So, I started this page 200+ Weekend Wankshop episodes in, and I KNOW there's great stuff in the back catalogue that I need to introduce new viewers to, PLUS update for you all with Guitar Pro files, practice tracks, non-whiteboard TABs, etc!!!

Are there any favorite licks or exercises that come to mind that you'd like to see? Drop the links or episode names/number below and I'll get on it!

Hope y'all are having a good weekend. Its BEAUTIFUL in Knoxville TN rig...

Patreon Extended Cut! Uncle Ben's Legato Lunacy Workout!

Because you all requested it!!!

Whenever I asked y'all the other day what you wanted to see next, I got SO MANY messages asking for a great legato workout, so here you go!!! You're about to become a HERO of hammer ons, a PRO at pull offs, a LEGEND OF LEGATO!!!

Grab the Guitar Pro file, TAB, and practice tracks below, and enjoy your ad-free extended cut of this video with WAY more tips and tricks along the way.

This also makes a GREAT alternate picking workout, so run it that...

Help me decide what to do next!!!

My lovely and loyal Patrons! Lend me thine grey matter!

I started to make a new video today, and i ended up getting caught in endless option paralysis, as i sometimes do!

I can't decide what i want to put up next on my channel, so i want YOU to!!! Check the options below, and feel free to drop suggestions down in the comments to help me out! Thanks a ton, y'all, means a lot.

-BE

Patreon Cut: I Tried Learning "Out in the Fields" in ONE DAY!

Patreon Exclusive! Can't Stretch Those Mitts? Try THIS

Just for you guys, my most lovely and loyal supporters!!!

I get asked how to make those monster stretches all the time, and there's a lot of confusion and misinformation out there on this topic... most of the time, its not about how much you got, its about how you use it (that's what my wife has always told me, anyway....). In this special bonus video, I'm gonna show you guys a couple tips and tricks for getting MAXIMUM reach outta those mitts!

-BE

WW372: No-Stretch Ratt Riffs!!!

Because you demanded it! On WW372, I'm going be showing you all LOW IMPACT alternatives to play those sick Ratt riffs you've always loved! Those chord stretches can be SO HARD, especially if you're playing them standing up and rocking out with your band; I know I've wrestled with the riffs from Round and Round + Lay it Down live, so I've come up with different fingerings that sound GREAT and take WAY less of a toll on the fret hand. I guarantee you, these are gonna make your life better! Grab...

Patreon ad-free and extended cut! WW371, Sick Sextuplet Speed Burst workout

Just for you all!!!

This has become one of my favorite warmups. Y'all know I love speed bursts and rhythmic variations, and this has got them all! This is a killer way to build speed, reduce tension, and gain the rhythmic awareness you need to make your soloing stand out. Try it and let me know how it goes! This is also a GREAT one to practice legato with, too, as you'll see in the video!

TAB, Guitar Pro file, and practice tracks can all be found below. Enjoy!

-BE

Next week... what if I tried learning the solo to Out in the Fields in a day?!?!

I had so much fun doing that "Cliffs of Dover in One Day" video recently that I'm inspired to do more! You all have been asking for some content on the LEGENDARY Gary Moore for a long time, specifically the Out in the Fields solo, and this seems like a fun format to give it a shot!

I am TERRIFIED of that last run. God help me.

Would you watch this? If you vote "no", let me know in the comments what you would watch in another "In One Day" challenge type video! (and heck, just add ...

Anybody got an Ibanez Jem for sale?

I got a fever…. And the only prescription…. Is an Ibanez Jem.

I’m selling a few things and have a little dough to turn into a tax write off, and it only seems like the right tribute to my idol to pick up an Ibanez Jem. I’ve got my eyes on a BSB right now that’s looking pretty delightful, but I wanted to put out some feelers before I pull the trigger!

I ONLY want Japan-made with the Edge or Lo-Pro Edge on it. I’m especially interested in a Floral, BSB, LNG, VBK…. Th...

WW370: What The Paul Gilbert Lick ISN'T Teaching You!

Hey y'all!!!

Time for a hot new WW! The legendary Paul Gilbert Lick might be a shred staple, but it's not giving you the complete and balanced alternate picking diet you need to become the next Shredi Knight. In this video, i'm gonna show you how adding some picking and fingering variations into this workout can yield MAXIMUM results and turn you into a MORE BETTER SHREDDER!

Tabs, GP files, and practice tracks are below! Grab em and get to it, brave shredders!!! Tell us how you d...

SATCH-IFY Your Playing With These Legato Tricks!

Hey y'all!

Time to dig deep into the vocabulary of one of my heroes, Mr Joe Satriani!!!

Maybe its cause I just saw him recently in NYC, maybe its because he's got a pretty new album, maybe its because I've only been listening to him my whole life, but I found myself in a very Satch mood this week. I've copied SO MANY legato ideas from his playing, I wanted to make lesson about 3 of my favorite Satriani-isms that you can add into your legato playing, no matter what style or skill ...

Will I see you at the Dallas Guitar Fest?!

I’ll be there with big guitar in tow playing onstage with my buddy Andy Wood, and otherwise milling around, looking at guitars I can’t afford, and smashing some cold beers! (Plus watching sets from all these legendary players, of course)

I’ve never been before, I’m looking forward to it! If you’ve attended before, what do I need to know?

-BE

Patreon Extended Cut! I Tried Learning Cliffs of Dover in ONE DAY!

Patrons! Lend me thine Strat-based opinions

Hey yall!!!

Ok, so help me out here… this week, I’m filming a Strat-centric video in conjunction with Sweetwater for the 70th anniversary of the Strat. I would like to film a “learn it along with me” type video, kind of like I have done with Acid Rain recently and Hang ‘em High before that. Those kinds of videos are a lot of fun to make, I love making it about the PROCESS and not exactly the PRODUCT, if that makes sense!

So I’m trying to decide on a legendary Strat tu...

Meet the Machines: Synergy DRECT (finally, a Dual Rec alternative!)

Hey y'all!!!

I'm SOOOOOO excited about this.... Synergy has delivered a LEGIT Dual Rec alternative!!! It's always been so weird to me that there's a zillion different Plexi's, AC30's, Bassman's, and what have you.... but only ONE Rec. Other companies haven't even TRIED to capture the classic low end girth, mid scoop, and bristling top end of the early 90's Recs... until now!!!

I wrote this slab of Meshuggah worship called Large Moving Torb (bonus points to the first person to get ...

WW369: Rip It Like ROMEO! Neoclassical SHRED etude!

Hey y'all!!!

Here's a brand new WW for ya. I actually meant to post this one over the weekend hahaha.... according to my analytics, Saturday and Sunday are my biggest watch days. But I'm SO in the habit of doing weekday posts, I flat-out FORGOT to do it!!! Hahaha new habits are tough!

I gotta go run some errands, but when I get back, I'll be sharing the Guitar Pro file, practice tracks, and TAB with you. Thanks for the patience!!!

What's your favorite Symphony X song? I sho...

Patreon Only!!! 3+4 Mode Shape User Guide!

Just for you guys!!!

You've learned the magical 3+4 shapes for every mode... now, how do we shred them!?!?! That's what we are gonna dive into with this video!

I'll give y'all some phrasing, technique, and visualization strategies so you can make the most outta these things. You're gonna be the next Shreddy Krueger in no time!

The EASTIEST Way to Learn the Modes! 3+4 MAGIC!

Because YOU, my loyal and lovely Patrons, demanded it....

MODES!!!!

Let's go!!!!!! In this video, I'm gonna show you all the 3+4 magical two string scale shapes you can use to learn ALL 7 MODES in a FLASH!

Laying scales out like this has a myriad of benefits; learn the shapes here, then check out the bonus Patreon-only video later on today for a clear cut guide on how to use, navigate, and SHRED these Bad Larrys!!!

Remember: 1(Ionian)-step-2(Dorian)-step-3(Phrygian)-h...

Conquering Petrucci's Hardest 7 String Riff EXTENDED CUT

WW367: I Stole THIS from Jake E Lee, and So Should YOU!

Hey y'all! Happy Thursday!

Got a new one up on the ART of thievery! We all rip each other's licks off, and Jake is an easy target. But how can I copy his style and twist it into something different? Lets talk about that!!!

(Gotta run my wife to a tattoo appointment {yes, she's a lot cooler than I am}, I'll get the TABs, GP files, and other assets up after I get back! Thanks for the patience)

UPDATE! All assets added. Enjoy, thanks y'all so much!