#16
|
|||
|
|||
I have played guitar in some capacity for about 20+ years and have recently gone back to basics and taken some online courses (justinguitar.com). Having developed bad playing habits over the years and almost having to re-learn a lot of the way have played in the past, I would say a foundation of strong fundamentals from the get go is very important. One thing that Justin preaches and I now whole-heartedly believe is "practice what you don't know not what you already know."
I have gotten more out of my practice/playing sessions since I bought my Taylor back in November than I feel I did for much of the previous years combined. I try to balance between exercises and playing songs. One thing I have made sure is to not avoid songs because of the difficulty factor (e.g. hard chords/chord transitions, tricky timing, multiple techniques, etc.) By playing songs that are more challenging, I have and will become a better guitar player. |
#17
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks, Larry. I'm hoping to incorporate more picking into my cowboy chording. And I think scales might be a good place to start.
__________________
Now Playing: -----Composite Acoustics Cargo Raw -----Journey OF420 -----Alvarez MF75S -----Guild F20SB |
#18
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
One principle that worked for me was having a kind of music that I really wanted to play. After giving up my teenage of dream of being the next Jimmy Page, I spent the next 6 years or so barely playing because I had no real idea of what I wanted to do with the guitar. When I heard fingerstyle ragtime and blues, a light bulb went on and I began practising a lot. I couldn't "just learn" all sorts of things - chord substitutions, scales, etc. - in a vacuum; they had to be part of a music I wanted to play. Otherwise, they were meaningless - a bit like learning a language for a country I knew nothing about. |
#19
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Amen to that! I think it's a great idea for people just starting out to take lessons. But, there has to be some element of "fun" in the process. Otherwise, sooner or later they are going to lose heart and walk away from it. Case in point: A guy about my age (50's) at work used to ask me a lot of questions about guitars. I could tell that he "had it bad". I hooked him up with a nice really clean Strat and an amp. He was really excited, started lessons, and practiced faithfully. About 18 months into the process, his teacher still had him working on scales (which are important to know). But, the guy's wife kept asking him "when are you going to play a song?). His teacher had not showed him anything to play -- even a simple 3 chord song -- just for fun. Sadly, he gave it up and walked away...
__________________
Will Last edited by Taylorplayer; 01-10-2012 at 08:56 AM. |
#20
|
|||
|
|||
By far the biggest mistake in my experience is repeating what you already know how to play well. It's like running in the sand. You got to learn and practice things you are uncomfortable with. Things that are unknown to you. Otherwise you can spend 40 years of "playing" and not move much.
__________________
My YouTube Channel Only a life lived for others is a life worth living." - Albert Einstein |
#21
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Scales are to music what the alphabet is to language. They are what we 'spell' chords with... |
#22
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|
#23
|
|||
|
|||
Biggest Mistake
Not getting in enough playing time. The more, the better.
|
#24
|
|||
|
|||
I was talking about us, mortals Big names and stars have their own niche and style and make living out of it, so perfecting what they already know might best for them. There are many exceptions of course (Tommy Emmanuel, Joe Satriani, Tony Rice etc...) Constantly practicing and learning new things. I think key word here is "learning". Isn't that what we all strive for?
__________________
My YouTube Channel Only a life lived for others is a life worth living." - Albert Einstein |
#25
|
||||
|
||||
As always, Larry has provided some very wise, helpful counsel. Thank you, sir, for adding so very much to the friendly, excellent information available here on the AGF!
I was going to say that one of my biggest mistakes in playing is when I forget to put strings on, but now I'm too embarrassed... cotten |
#26
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|
#27
|
|||
|
|||
Comparing oneself to others. It's fine and dandy to aspire to be a better player, even to reach the level of <insert your favorite guitarist here>. But understand that whoever it is you admire most at some point was no more skilled than you are now.
|
#28
|
||||
|
||||
Too much time spent talking ..not enough time spent playing.
|
#29
|
|||
|
|||
Don't know if this has been menioned yet or not, but I know several "guitarists" who can play HALF of a lot of songs. I don't know anybody who wants to hear HALF of a song.
If you're going to learn a new one, learn ALL of it....all the way through. The same holds true for the lyrics.....don't do the song if you don't know all the lyrics.....or at least enough of them to make it sound like a complete song.
__________________
Three Dreads - 2 Martins and 1 Yamaha |
#30
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|