Help! Got the tools but,

[Smellybum]

So after hearing all the players at the Bash - including the have a go heros from the duel with the devil set it hit me

I REALLY suck at playing guitar, by the time people were getting up at the UK bash I couldn't feel my fingers any way but I realised that I need to get playing some new stuff, the pentatonic blues scale can't keep me going forever. This november I will have been playing for 17 years, and although I'm confident in what I know and I have a playing comfort zone, I'd like to be able to rip it up a bit....

As such I'm either looking for a guitar teacher in the Highlands (well it was worth a try) or someone who does online lessons or some good websites.

I want to focus on - new scales/modes
Improving my picking speed (I guess that's just practice but some exercies would help)

That'll probably do for now, I'm considering banning myself from buying anything over £50 until I improve - but I'm usually weak when it comes to EB Mm products so that might not happen!

As usual I appreciate any help from my fellow knuckleheads

Thank you in advance


Smelly - Really sucking more than normal!

 

[whitestrat]

I want to focus on - new scales/modes
Improving my picking speed (I guess that's just practice but some exercies would help)

What you want to do, is buy John Petrucci's Rock Discipline, and a metronome. Then simply go from page one, to the last page. Also, to improve your phasing vocab, get his other book, Wild Stringdom.

There's a lot of material in there, which is summarised for you by John from many other books which would set you in the right direction. 3 months of hard practising from those 2 books would raise your level a lot.

The rest, is talent and depends on you.

 

[Slingy]

I've learned by learning hundreds of covers from magazine tabs over the years. Maybe not the best way, since I suck mostly, but it keeps it fun and challenging especially playing along to music and backing tracks. I'd get way to bored playing with a metronome, but a nice rockin drum beat to loop and groove on is a blast.

 

[puppyonacid]

Hey Smelly.........don't sweat it. You ask any player here, or any pro, and they would probably all say they should be better than they are. Every artist strives for perfection.

Personally speaking, my playing has improved as I let new techniques seep into my playing naturally. Of course, I would spend a lot of time with a metronome and I still do, but putting the techniques into practice is the key. So you want to improve your picking? Find some of the usual chrmatic/scale excersises. Practice them till you feel you're getting some co-ordination going then try and find a solo to learn with said techniques. I find that a bit more fun than just playing excersises. The challenge of learning new pieces for my band focus's my playing and practice. I always get more out of my practicing when I have a solid goal to work towards. That said, if your strength at the mo lies in blues scales and pentatonics then it'd be worth exploring that as well. Learn some SRV and see how you can bring what you already know to life. Oh.........and down load the Amzing Slow Downer from the Roni music website. With the exchange rate the way it is, it works out quite cheap for us in blighty. It's a great tool and has improved my playing no end. It makes those hard to play pieces accesible.

Don't stress. Ya can't do it all in one go, so my advice would be focus. But try not to force anything as that leads to frustration. Learning an instrument isn't a true learning curve. It's generally about long periods where your playing is on a plateu and you don't really feel like you're getting anywhere, then all of a sudden WHAM! and you're playing is doing nothing but improving for a period and you find yourself on a fierce upward spiral.

 

[Jimmyb]

Hey Smelly!!

I had the same thoughts as you at the bash, in fact I think we both be-moaned our lack of talent!!!

I was chatting to Spud and some of the great guys from S&T and I've come to the conclusion that I'm one of the guys who is 'Good for the industry', in that, I'm never going to set the world alight with my playing, but I really enjoy it anyway.

It's great to try and extend your barriers with things and I'm also considering taking some lessons, but the most important thing has to be the pure enjoyment you get from playing.

 

[koogie2k]

So after hearing all the players at the Bash - including the have a go heros from the duel with the devil set it hit me

I REALLY suck at playing guitar, by the time people were getting up at the UK bash I couldn't feel my fingers any way but I realised that I need to get playing some new stuff, the pentatonic blues scale can't keep me going forever. This november I will have been playing for 17 years, and although I'm confident in what I know and I have a playing comfort zone, I'd like to be able to rip it up a bit....

As such I'm either looking for a guitar teacher in the Highlands (well it was worth a try) or someone who does online lessons or some good websites.

I want to focus on - new scales/modes
Improving my picking speed (I guess that's just practice but some exercies would help)

That'll probably do for now, I'm considering banning myself from buying anything over £50 until I improve - but I'm usually weak when it comes to EB Mm products so that might not happen!

As usual I appreciate any help from my fellow knuckleheads

Thank you in advance


Smelly - Really sucking more than normal!

I have a couple of wonderful books that will open you up to more scales, modes, chords and theory. Shoot me a PM with your address and I will send them to you.

 

[Owen]

We all enjoy playing and collecting the lovely gear but the guys at the Bash showed me that I am so far behind in my playing, even after 20 years, so you are not on your own.

I'm considering banning myself from buying anything over £50 until I improve - but I'm usually weak when it comes to EB Mm products so that might not happen!

I have no willpower either!, I keep saying I'm going to concentrate on learning but then I see a special offer on something and I spend the next week or so messing about with my new toy and not actually doing anything constructive.

I'm also going to get a proper practice regime sorted, the main thing is to enjoy it, after all we're never going to be the Devil are we?

 

[starsky]

I'm considering banning myself from buying anything over £50 until I improve

The problem is, there's always the sneaky suspicion that the new piece of gear is going to improve your playing/make you sound better.

That's the dastardly hold GAS places over you, with whispered promises of effortless whizzing up and down the neck, an honors degree in music theory, fame and fortune IF YOU COULD JUST GET ONE MORE EBMM!

At least that's what seems to happen to me!

One of my new year resolutions was to take time to sit down and improve my music knowledge and technique. I've got some great EBMM's, books and so on, and actually putting the time in is the hard part, especially with work etc. At the end of the day that's what will make the most difference, I know it's down to me - nothing comes without hard work...

 

[spychocyco]

I've been playing for 20 years or so myself, and I still suck. I finally came to terms with the fact that I'll never be a great guitar player. I still enjoy playing in my broken, stuttering fashion, and I long ago gave up delusions about making a living as a musician, so what the heck?

 

[Spudmurphy]

Smelly don't sweat it - I wish that I could sweep pick and do all those 2 handed tricks too!

Just go for the feel - that's my excuse anyway !!

 

[Sweat]

Smelly,

I hear you, I still suck after going on 4 years of trying to learn, like you have the tools, great guitars which helps, and other great gear but still not very good buddy, i also have instructional DVD's, books, etc. i just like trying, may never be good but I dont let that stop me from trying, i do it for me and that works

One of my problems is bad pratice habits, so i may find an instructor to help with those items.

 

[candid_x]

Try 43 years and still playing around the basics, plus I have seriously short, stubby fingers, and am right-brain (intuitive) dominant. But I believe that even if you lack understanding of theory, and have mental or physical handicaps, you can still continue to develop your playing by keeping an open mind and experimenting, taking chances.

Mistakes are my friends and greatest teacher. Nearly every new thing I learn on guitar is through a mistake - either intentional or unintentional. Sometimes you just have to scratch the record, mess up something you're too familiar with and know too well. Sometimes I absolutely refuse to play my best few licks, as tempting as it is to go there. "No! Stop it, I say. Yeah, it sounds slick, like you're (speaking to myself) actually a good player, but for the next hour just knock it off!" It works. I'm forced to look elsewhere.

I've also found my little Zoom groove box to be fun and very helpful, in developing my playing. First, it's immensely tightened up my timing (it can't be the drummer's fault), second, because the groove stays on one chord it forces me to think outside my usual patterns, to keep it interesting to play and listen to, and third, it's a lot of fun. I run it through its own amp and can crank it up clean.

One thing I've learned is that I can mix up majors with minors/7ths, regardless whether a groove or tune is in a major or minor key, and that connects me to something I could never get through my theoretically void head: relative major/minors. (absolutely have to learn to play around major keys) Then, it's just a matter of building bridges and segues back and forth between them and their different inversions on the neck. The more roads I can build back and forth, up and down the neck, using majors and minors, the more fluent my playing becomes. I have no clue of what I'm technically playing, but it works for me.

 

[candid_x]

While I'm in a babbling mood, let me babble a little more on some abstract (right brain) theory, just in case someone else here can relate.

I think of major as happy and/or resolved, and minor as sad and unresolved. Rarely does inner conversation stick to one or the other. Instead, our thoughts and mental images move back forth, from resolved to uncertain, happy to sad. So when I'm playing, I'm not thinking: this is in a major key, but a minor phrase would work here. Instead, I'm feeling: yeah, this is how it is... but then on the other hand---major to minor. Or: damn, this really sucks the way she done me (minor), I'm gonna go do somethin'! (major). Hendrix did this all the time: unresolved - resolved - unresolved - resolved. "Yeah! You know what I'm talkin' about."

 

[whitestrat]

There's something I liked about another forum I frequent.

Everyone posts backing tracks they make (mostly blues), and people just lay jams over them. Then the results are posted online where the forum members can critique the playings, listen to the others, share ideas and playing tips.

I learnt about picking dynamics, using various gain settings, effective uses of single coils and humbuckers from this forum. Then, by listening to other guitarists who aren't pros, you sort of get a less biased sense of belonging. Thankfully, there's some really good players there, and by listening to their stuff, you more or less get new ideas for yourself to try.

I'd like to think my playing has mre or less matured some because of that forum.

Maybe we should have something like that here... heh.

 

[whitestrat]

While I'm in a babbling mood, let me babble a little more on some abstract (right brain) theory, just in case someone else here can relate.

I think of major as happy and/or resolved, and minor as sad and unresolved. Rarely does inner conversation stick to one or the other. Instead, our thoughts and mental images move back forth, from resolved to uncertain, happy to sad. So when I'm playing, I'm not thinking: this is in a major key, but a minor phrase would work here. Instead, I'm feeling: yeah, this is how it is... but then on the other hand---major to minor. Or: damn, this really sucks the way she done me (minor), I'm gonna go do somethin'! (major). Hendrix did this all the time: unresolved - resolved - unresolved - resolved. "Yeah! You know what I'm talkin' about."

I know what you mean. I'm realising this about my playing as well, and trying to find ways to control where I'm going. Like, ending a solo on a cliffhanger, or closing the passage. Not as easy as I thought, but it really depends on the ear you have. Some people (Eric Clapton, Slash) I guess are born with this talent. Others have to acquire it (ME!). hahahhaha...

But once you realise how much you don't know or can't do, more doors open up, and you can choose what you want to learn and cover. I think that what's also important, is to ensure you know your limitations as well. I've found out that no matter how much I practise, I can never play as fast as JP, or sweep like Paul Gilbert, or tap like EVH. I do know what's right about my playing, and that's what I'm trying to develop. I've realised that I'm more proficient in melodies and fluidity, and I'm mainly now trying to make sure I can decide what to do when and control the outcome of my lead playing.

Not everyone is a Satriani or a Vai. I'm thinking I'm more like a Clapton/Timmons/Cray sort of hybrid, and that's the direction I tend to go on. When I play leads, I like to use searing tones with plenty of pinch harmonics embedded in mid-solos. I like to control my bends and fully utilise my vibratos like Cray, SRV etc etc... I like to play descending fluid lines like Clapton. I like to utilise picking dynamics like Andy Timmons. I'm beginning to learn how to play less, but say more.

So rather than get bogged down with what I can't do, I groom myself in what I can do.

At the end of the day, I think it's more important to enjoy what you play, and play what you enjoy.

One point of consolation for me is always listening to Clapton's River Of Tears. Nothing fancy, but that simple lead with very few notes just gets me there everytime.

 

[phatduckk]

i feel you buddy. im in the same boat. i have days where im happy with my playing but mostly im frustrated.

i remember being 16 and playing & learning all the time. now im at a strange plateau. im kindof OK but not as proficient as i know i can be. seems like the next level of stuff require me to get over some mental block that's developed.

the days im "on" my fingers cooperate and they're moving. but i dont seem to be able to get them there when i want to learn something new. theyre like a deer in headlights or something. i dont get it.

id attribute a HUGE portion of my plateau on liking punk rock. its not hard. i love it, its great but i can do it all day - no problem. but back when i was into metal id keep hearing & trying to learn things that pushed me.

for me metallica was a key band. their material is great to learn on IMO. its hard enough to teach you but not so hard to where its impossible to make noticable progress. + they have random slow parts and finger picking stuff that a 16 year old wouldnt normally hear or try to play.

so thanks for writing this up. gave me a chance to vent as well but FWIW buddy im in the same boat. all we can do is keep on trying & playing cause, really, what else we gonna do

 

[Smellybum]

Guys

A huge thank you for this, It really makes me feel better knowing that I'm not alone -although I think alot of you are selling yoursleves short.

Special Thanks to Koogs for his kind offer, very much appreciated,

I guess it's time to hit the strings, I'm going to set myslef a target of 1 hour per day minimum - tall order with a 60 work hour week (Self enduced) and 2 kids
,wife and all the stuff that comes with 'em. - enought moaning.

As for another ball to make you play better I'll tell you a story one day soon about a Ball that could have been - breaks my heart to think about missing it but, well, women! I think Jimmyb knows - you old dog - you're my guitar hiding hero fella!

Thanks again all.

 

[koogie2k]

No worries bro....it has been done for me as well by some of these very same knuckleheads.

 

[colinboy]

Hey smelly,

we are all in the same boat and its great to know were not alone in thinking were crap.

For me personally it was the straw that broke the camels back at the LIMS& knucklehead bash for me seeing all the great players.i wish i had the confidence&skills to get up and play against a very good player like paul aka the devil.

i am getting my act together now and am going to give it a real honest go at getting really good at the guitar instead of getting upset and pissed off whenever i come up against something difficult and bemoaning my lack of talent.thats when focus and determination is required to move up to a new plateau as mentioned in an earlier post.

SMELLY MY FRIEND,LETS MOTIVATE EACHOTHER!

 

[DavidOfOz]

Smelly, I feel your pain. I've been playing 28+ years and I still suck! I remember about 15 years ago jamming with a kid (he must have been about 14 or 15 at the time) and I showed him a few licks. He was a raw beginner then, and was in awe of my playing. A few months later I jammed with him again. By that time, he had Hendrix stuff mastered to perfection. A few more months later, he was playing the most amazing jazz...and teaching me stuff!

Here's something I was told recently: When you practice, it's tempting to play what you already know (familiar scale patterns, favourite songs, favourite licks). It's a practice habit a lot of us get into. However, if you make yourself tackle something new and challenging every time you have a practice session instead, there's a good chance you'll see some progress. It sounds kind of obvious when you say it like this, and yet a lot of us still spend all our time practicing the same old stuff we already know.

Case in point: My daughter is learning drums from an excellent teacher...and he uses that approach in lessons. Just as my daughter thinks she's mastered something really hard, the teacher throws a spanner into the works and makes it way more complex. She gets thrown in the deep end every single lesson. It's painful to watch (and listen too ) but the end-result is incredible progress. She's improved 10x as much in 4 months with the new teacher than she did in two years with her previous teacher (who just got her to play the same old basic exercises over and over).

Now...if I could only discipline myself to do this...