Top 3 Takeaways
1) Find out what matters to you — Find the thing that makes you excited to play guitar and chase that feeling
2) Build a solid foundation — Start with universal concepts like open chords, then begin to hone in on what type of player you want to be
3) Don't try to be everything at once — This pulls you in too many different directions, slows progress and can often create an inferiority complex
The Question Every Guitarist Eventually Faces
At some point in every guitarist’s journey, a big question shows up—sometimes quietly, sometimes with frustration attached:
“What kind of guitarist am I actually trying to be?”
In this thoughtful conversation, Anders Mouridsen and Barrett Wilson dig into that exact question. Not from a place of rules or limitations, but from clarity. Their message is simple and powerful: once you understand what truly matters to you as a player, everything about your practice, progress, and enjoyment becomes easier.
Instead of chasing every lesson, technique, or genre, you can start walking a clear path—one that leads directly toward the music you actually want to make.
The Problem: Trying to Be Every Guitarist at Once
One of the biggest traps guitar players fall into is trying to do everything. You see a blues lesson, a metal shred video, a jazz harmony breakdown, a fingerstyle arrangement—and suddenly your practice routine is pulling you in ten different directions.
Anders points out that this scattershot approach often leads to:
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Slower progress
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Constant frustration
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Feeling “not good enough” at everything
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A lack of musical identity
It’s not that learning different styles is bad. The issue is lack of intention. Without knowing what kind of guitarist you want to be, every new idea feels equally important—and your time, energy, and focus get diluted.
There’s No “Best” Type of Guitarist
A key moment in the discussion is Anders emphasizing that there is no hierarchy of guitarists. There’s no “better” or “worse” path—only different ones.
Some players love:
- Writing songs and singing
- Being the backbone rhythm guitarist in a band
- Playing expressive lead lines
- Deep harmonic exploration
- Tight grooves and pocket playing
- Ambient textures and soundscapes
None of these goals are more valid than the others. The problem only arises when your practice doesn’t match your priorities.
Barrett reinforces this by pointing out that many players feel stuck not because they lack talent, but because they’re investing time into skills that don’t actually serve what excites them.
Why Clarity Changes Everything
Once you identify the type of guitarist you want to be, everything else becomes clearer:
- What to practice
- What not to practice
- Which lessons matter right now
- Which skills can wait
- How to measure progress
Instead of asking, “What should I learn next?” you start asking,
“Does this move me closer to the music I want to make?”
That single shift removes a massive amount of pressure and confusion.
Common Guitarist Paths (And Why They Matter)
Anders and Barrett don’t try to box players into rigid categories, but they do talk about recognizing patterns in what players naturally gravitate toward. Some common paths include:
The Songwriter
If you love creating songs, lyrics, and chord progressions, your focus might be:
- Open chords and voicings
- Strumming patterns
- Fingerstyle techniques
- Harmony and arrangement
Advanced shredding or exotic scales may be interesting—but they aren’t essential to your main goal.
The Rhythm Guitarist
If locking in with a drummer and creating grooves excites you, your priorities might include:
- Timing and feel
- Muting and articulation
- Triads and partial chords
- Funk, rock, or pop rhythm styles
Clean execution and pocket matter more than speed.
The Lead Player
If you dream of expressive solos and melodic lines, your focus could be:
- Phrasing and bends
- Targeting chord tones
- Vibrato and articulation
- Connecting ideas across the fretboard
Rather than memorizing endless patterns, clarity and intention become your biggest assets.
The Explorer
Some players love textures, ambient playing, and experimental sounds. For them:
- Effects and tone-shaping
- Alternative tunings
- Volume and dynamics
- Layering and space
Technical mastery serves expression, not the other way around.
The takeaway isn’t to label yourself permanently—it’s to recognize what excites you right now.
Stop Chasing Everything — Start Choosing
One of the most freeing ideas Anders shares is that you don’t need to learn everything to be a great guitarist. In fact, trying to learn everything often prevents real progress.
Once you choose a direction:
- Practice becomes more efficient
- Motivation increases
- Progress feels visible
- Playing becomes more fun
Barrett notes that many players feel burned out not because they lack discipline, but because they’re constantly second-guessing what they should be working on.
Clarity removes that mental friction.
Your Path Can Change — And That’s Okay
Another important point in the conversation is that choosing a path doesn’t lock you in forever. Guitar playing is a long journey, and your interests will evolve.
You might start as:
- A songwriter
Then become: - A rhythm-focused band player
Then later: - A lead guitarist or improviser
Each phase builds on the last. Skills transfer. Experience compounds.
The key is not predicting your future—but being honest about what matters to you now.
How to Apply This to Your Practice Routine
Based on Anders and Barrett’s insights, here’s a simple way to realign your practice:
- Ask yourself one honest question:
What kind of music do I actually want to play? - List 3 skills that directly support that goal.
(Not 10. Not everything. Just 3.) - Design your practice around those skills.
Let everything else be optional or secondary. - Revisit the question every few months.
Adjust as your interests evolve.
This approach doesn’t limit you—it focuses you.
Why This Makes Guitar More Enjoyable
At the heart of this video is a reminder many players need to hear:
Guitar is supposed to be fun.
When you stop comparing yourself to players on a different path, you free yourself to enjoy your own progress. When your practice aligns with your goals, even small improvements feel meaningful.
And when you’re excited about what you’re working on, you naturally play more—which leads to better results anyway.
Final Takeaway: Choose Your Direction, Then Go Deep
The question “Which type of guitarist are you?” isn’t about labels. It’s about honesty.
Anders Mouridsen and Barrett Wilson make a compelling case that clarity—not complexity—is the key to growth. Once you recognize what truly matters to you, you can stop chasing every lesson under the sun and start moving forward with purpose.
Clear path. Better progress. More fun playing.
That’s not just good guitar advice—it’s a mindset that keeps you playing for life.
