Starcraft dont really get me hot and bothered the way it used to anymore (fantasy go go go!) but you are a fine bunch and having been away from TL, I just saw that my guitar thread was getting luv but I hadnt been around. So I'm gonna start this up again since you are a fine bunch
DO YOU WANT TO PLAY GUITAR?! DO YOU WANT TO BE A ROCKSTAR!? Well fuck yourself mostly. This shit is pretty hard...to start! Guitar, compared to say, piano, has a steep learning curve. the positions are unnatural, it hurts the fingers, and can make a lot of awful noises when you get stuff wrong.
The good news? Once you get over the initial couple of months, you'll notice a lot of your favourite music uses similar chords and patterns and ideas. So the initial investment has infinite dividends and then some if you can grind it out.
Stress this point ________
If you can commit 15 minutes a day 4 days a week, I can personally promise you will improve your skills from now until your lil fingies turn to dust. It doesnt take much but it is loads of fun.
ok LET THE QUESTIONS BEGIN LETS GET THIS BOSS HYPE SHIT GOIN!!!
I guess I'll start by answering the most obvious...
Will this help me get laid?
If you have even a shred of personality, yes.
*however* over the years I have noticed something, that I can draw up in graph form.
It helps markedly. There comes a level in skill where girls can pick up on the fact that you've dedicated time to this instead of beers. Too much time for their liking. Not only does their perception of your attractiveness diminish, it becomes inverse. I labeled the graph wrong because the pain was all too real.
You can never go back.
(If you could, check some of my responses from the other thread. I cant figure out how to edit an OLD POST so I cant C+P. The responses start around here :
I started playing guitar around when I was 14-15 and now I'm 20. I don't feel like I've improved, probably because I've been playing on and off, stopping for 6 months, then repicking the guitar. Could you maybe make a list of what I should learn and in what order? Maybe a suggestion of easy songs to start with? Consider me as a complete beginner and don't assume I actually know anything about guitars.... Thank you!
I feel like I'm in the same boat as PetitCrabe above. I've been playing guitar for around 10-12 years with significant breaks here and there. I am entirely self-taught with no one to play with. I feel like I've hit a wall that I can't break through. I've been at about the same level of proficiency for .. give or take, 4-5yrs (at least, that's what it feels like.)
Without having lessons and without having a practice partner to bounce ideas off and jam with, is there anything you could recommend that might help me shatter that barrier?
Also should note that I can't read music, I don't know all the notes on every string on every fret and I'm not all that great with tabs. I've always played by ear and that usually works out. If I really put my mind to a song I want to learn I can end up figuring it out but I'm sure there are infinitely better ways!
On April 11 2011 23:08 ella_guru wrote: Guitar, compared to say, piano, has a steep learning curve.
That's quite a bold claim.. I would argue the opposite. Getting both hands to work together is much easier when playing guitar than when playing piano.
On April 11 2011 23:08 ella_guru wrote: Guitar, compared to say, piano, has a steep learning curve.
That's quite a bold claim.. I would argue the opposite. Getting both hands to work together is much easier when playing guitar than when playing piano.
Not true, at least in the case of bass guitar, as the timings in both hands vary its much like piano.
On April 11 2011 23:08 ella_guru wrote: There comes a level in skill where girls can pick up on the fact that you've dedicated time to this instead of beers. Too much time for their liking. Not only does their perception of your attractiveness diminish, it becomes inverse. I labeled the graph wrong because the pain was all too real.
QFT man.
At some point, any skill is perceived as nerdy.
So is this supposed to be about teaching guitar?
If so, could you just write down or give a link to an overview of how chords are structured? No specific chords, but the intervals in relation to their root note?
I can work that out for the generic chords, but not for the more advanced ones.
On April 11 2011 23:08 ella_guru wrote: There comes a level in skill where girls can pick up on the fact that you've dedicated time to this instead of beers. Too much time for their liking. Not only does their perception of your attractiveness diminish, it becomes inverse. I labeled the graph wrong because the pain was all too real.
QFT man.
At some point, any skill is perceived as nerdy.
So is this supposed to be about teaching guitar?
If so, could you just write down or give a link to an overview of how chords are structured? No specific chords, but the intervals in relation to their root note?
I can work that out for the generic chords, but not for the more advanced ones.
I've always found that this type of question is much easier to demonstrate then explain. Why are you concerned with chord structure? If you are just trying to understand the intervals, i suggest using pen and paper to tab various chords you know (lets say, every chord you know with D as its root) then you can look at and begin to gauge the difference in your chord when the 3rd is flat or w/e
Im trying to mess around with tunings now. I use stantard and DADGAD. I like the dark, folksy sound of the latter, can you recommend any other tunings that are in the vein of DADGAD?. I really like the sixth string to be low because, as I play songs on my own (i mean, no other instruments), it gives the music a nice percussive, rythmical, bassy spine on which higher notes can rely.
On April 11 2011 23:08 ella_guru wrote: Guitar, compared to say, piano, has a steep learning curve.
That's quite a bold claim.. I would argue the opposite. Getting both hands to work together is much easier when playing guitar than when playing piano.
You misunderstand me.
With very little effort I can have someone playing a melody on the piano the same day as they started. Maybe a very simple one, but they will get an immediate return on the investment. I'm NOT saying one is harder than the other, no , nothing is harder than another thing. Want to play 3 chords on the piano? Guarantee you can at least play each one individually today. Guitar? You going to need some strength and finesse to pull off a lot of even the most basic chords.
Thanks for the questions guys I love to see people wanting to up their game! I know not everyone has access to teachers or resources so I want to further you along. I'm just working on some music right now but I'll be back later today and answer all your questions so dont be shy! It can be hard to get the message through text but dont be shy and we can hit home runs and shit together haha.
I start with a note, make some chords, then pick some scale that fits. Then when i want to connect this awsome riff/melody with another awsome riff i have no idea what goes with what and end up droning the same root over and over and over. As soon as i pick a scale it seems to box me into a corner where I can only seem to fit 5-6 notes. What scales go with what scales and how am I supposed to figure this out?
Also I find when i write im constantly trapped or drawn back to the 1-4-5 progression. Any tips?
Yo dude, long time no see. I was wondering if you have any methods or memes to remember various chords and chord progressions that sound nice in various keys. For instance, I know Cmaj, Dmin, Emin, Fmaj, etc are all chords in the key of C but I like crazy shit like diminshed chords and min7, min9.. I never know when I will be able to drop a sick chord like that in an otherwise 'standard' progression to kick it up a notch. Basically, can you explain how melodies work in boss nova?
Not really using MSN TOO MUCH but if you msg I'll get it in a few days as I check periodically.
Oh, and for ANYONE who has some questions I'm going to set up a new MSN so you guys can reach me with your questions.
On April 12 2011 00:07 PetitCrabe wrote: I started playing guitar around when I was 14-15 and now I'm 20. I don't feel like I've improved, probably because I've been playing on and off, stopping for 6 months, then repicking the guitar. Could you maybe make a list of what I should learn and in what order? Maybe a suggestion of easy songs to start with? Consider me as a complete beginner and don't assume I actually know anything about guitars.... Thank you!
I'd start with 3 chords. Lets go with E minor, A minor, and a G Major.
**Watch your left hand as you make these chords, your left hand strength comes in a "can crushing" sort of posture. You want to press the strings with the tips of your fingers and not the pads, come DOWN on the string as straight as you can, not sloppy at an angle.
Get comfortable with these few chords, just practice re applying the chords.
**When you do, pluck out each string SLOWLY AND ASSESS THE SOUND YOU ARE MAKING. Can you hear each string clearly? Success! If not , one of two things are happening - You arent fretting correctly, or your finger is muting the string beside it due to sloppy positioning. Aim to press right behind the metal bit (fret) and with a decent amount of force. More on this later
WHEN you can make those chords CLEANLY (not at any speed, just comfortable) you should go ahead with more
At the same time we will develop scale playing
learn the pentatonic scale in one octave, open position
Applying the same left hand principles, you will slowly apply alternate picking. More on this later.
Let me know how this goes we can talk more
On April 12 2011 00:17 sMi.EternaL wrote:
Without having lessons and without having a practice partner to bounce ideas off and jam with, is there anything you could recommend that might help me shatter that barrier?
Id love to help! I need a BIT of an idea of where you are at, and what you are seeking to acheive! If you have at least a vague idea of where you wanna go I can help you shape that shit out and get there. More clarity and we can get this shit goin!!
On April 12 2011 01:09 caruso wrote:
So is this supposed to be about teaching guitar?
If so, could you just write down or give a link to an overview of how chords are structured? No specific chords, but the intervals in relation to their root note?
I can work that out for the generic chords, but not for the more advanced ones.
?? Let me know if thats what yo uare looking for and we can talk about it. You should know the above before proceeding though
On April 12 2011 01:14 d3_crescentia wrote: How's living in a guitar house working for you? How much would you say you've personally improved since the last time we saw you?
That doesnt start until Jan , I have to finish school, then moving to Toronto to start that adventure. There will be some way that I'll set up so you can follow us along in our struggles. In terms of personal growth, I'm on my grind on the guitar as an instrument, but have had some very potent creative outputs. Im working on getting a website where you can listen to ALL my music I've ever done. expect it in 2 months. Expect the practice house in Jan.
Thanks for paying attention, I hope we can both learn something.
On April 12 2011 01:35 night terrors wrote: Woah. Havent seen you around TL in forever.
Im trying to mess around with tunings now. I use stantard and DADGAD. I like the dark, folksy sound of the latter, can you recommend any other tunings that are in the vein of DADGAD?. I really like the sixth string to be low because, as I play songs on my own (i mean, no other instruments), it gives the music a nice percussive, rythmical, bassy spine on which higher notes can rely.
Tunings are where you should learn about yourself. Think of a chord you like, then put your guitar in that open tuning. Then maybe the same notes but in a different voicing. Try a few open tunings like that. Then go for something more unorthodox. What's a Koto, how is it tuned? Tune your guitar for a whole tone scale. Alt tunings can make you return to the beginners mind attitude since you have all the creative force youve gained, but your muscle memory is no longer useful, it makes you listen.
so
-Try your own open chords. -Tune unorthodox , like a Koto would, like a whole tone scale, maybe with lots of repeats for a droning effect -You DONT have to tune lowest to high. Then your arpeggios can become very fresh if your strings arranged in a new pitch series.
This is your world to discover, you can learn so much here.
Hey, I've been trying to play for about 3-4 years now, but I think I lack a proper practice structure, which then leads to boredom cause I cant get better..and lets to me dropping off the instrument..only to come back to it 4 months later. I started playing songs..I could play a few songs nearly completely save for the faster solo bits ( got to half the first solo and half the second solo on iron man). Should I work on pure exercises , or just continue to play the solos slower till I get better, or is there something else I should do to improve? I've been thinking about dividing my time out, for example out of two hours, half an hour of stretches ,then some scales, and some exercises and then finally play a song. Would that be good?
Okay I think there are a lot of questions in here, but would like get a guitar teachers perspective on things.
Id love to help! I need a BIT of an idea of where you are at, and what you are seeking to acheive! If you have at least a vague idea of where you wanna go I can help you shape that shit out and get there. More clarity and we can get this shit goin!!
I guess I should have clarified that I play acoustic! My bad lol
My largest inspirations I'd say are Dave Matthews and almost any of the CandyRat guys. I love the originality and crazy chords/progressions that DMB brings and the CandyRat guys are just amazing at acoustic guitar in every way.
Currently I'd say I'm probably ... average? I honestly wouldn't know but I'm definitely not good. I know the pentatonic scales and I can kinda solo over songs but I have no idea how they go together over different chords. My general chord knowledge is "ok" but definitely lacking beyond the basic abcdefg positions.
My mechanics need work but are passable (unless i need to do bar chord from like a regular chord position, end up having a few mute strings) but that's just a practice thing I'm sure.
I guess overall i'm lacking pretty seriously in the music department. i have no idea about music theory, how chord progressions work, how to read music etc. I just play by ear currently which is tedious when trying to figure out a new song. (I know barely any songs, just a lot of small parts in a lot of diff songs.)
I think a goal of mine would be to be able to go into a jam, sit down and be able to follow along when people are like "Ok this one is in C and goes 1 5 3 2b then switches to X after X time and does XXXX" I see you guys talking about the numbers but I only have a very vague idea of what that is (it's chord progressions with 1 being the base key and then moving up?)
Hope the wall of text isn't too bad, thanks again!
I've been playing my classical a lot lately. I'm getting into playing without a pick, just fingerstyle. Do you have any good drills to do? How freaking hard is flamenco to learn?
Hey i read the blog on the first go around and loved it. I'm a bit further along on guitar playing now (been playing for 9 months). I was wondering if there was anything you could tell me that could help me improve my strumming and rhythm. I can do basic strums when listening, watching people do it and practicing for a bit, but is there anything in general i should be doing? As for rhythm is there anything I can do to practice that will help me?
EPT![[image loading]](http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj79/n8ve_girl_32/comics/funny-7.jpg)
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