Guitar is a pretty popular instrument, and I know some on TL play it. Over the months I've recieved PMs on and off about playing the guitar / the lifestyle, so I figure we can just do this publicly and everyone can benefit.
Ask any questions about playing, theory, or what it's like to be in my shoes and maybe I can shine a light.
I'll do my best to answer but answeres will only be so far reaching as I cant physically show you anything and (the big one!) we can't communicate through sound. So, I won't be able to give my best nuggets away, but I'll do my best through text.
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.
Hehe, I recently played live for the first time in quite a while, and the result was me getting laid by a foxy chick for the first time in quite a while. :D Being a kick-ass guitaritst is great. ^__^
On August 22 2010 00:51 Holgerius wrote: Hehe, I recently played live for the first time in quite a while, and the result was me getting laid by a foxy chick for the first time in quite a while. :D Being a kick-ass guitaritst is great. ^__^
That graph is surprisingly true... If I strum, girls are all happy. If I play an intricate fingerpicking piece, guys who play guitar are happy...
(However, electric is a bit different, since simply songs on electric are BORING, and no one likes them. It's like spamming power chords. No one in their right mind likes that.)
EDIT: I actually have a question. For electric guitars, how do you keep the intonation stable? A lot of times, I find that I physically can't get some strings intonated because the bridge won't move far enough in a direction.
Can you please explain in detail the fingerpicking position that I first read about? I got the impression that I'm only allowed to use my first, second, and third fingers to pick the strings and my thumb for the 6th string. I didn't really understand this and the tutorial I found on it didn't really get through to me unfortunately.
Here's a link for your pleasure to the lesson I'm talking about:
I have been playing guitar casually for about 2 1/2 years. I am wondering what the best way to learn to sort of decorate as a secondary acoustic. Say the main guitarist is playing chords, is there a preferred way to learning how to play fills or licks to complement the main guitarist? My first guess would be to learn scales (like where more improvising starts?), what do you think?
I'm playing in a band and it's getting more and more serious. I'm wondering if it ever gets really important to know the theory behind it all?
I've just learnt from playing tabs on the internet and youtube guides the last 9 years, which have given me quite a good understanding and music ear but whenever my band mate on the piano asks for a certain chord I don't understand what he talks about... So far it's been working out anyway through me experimenting til it works but is that gonna last forever? And how helpful is it to know music theory for playing the guitar and playing in a band?
I absolutely love listening to rock (classic, hard rock, and progressive rock) and some metal (like black sabbath and deep purple), so I'm really interested in starting to learn electric guitar. Is it too late to start tho? I wanna actually be good and play well. Right now I'm 18 and the only musical experience I have is being grade 8 in piano and 2 years of music theory.
It's always good to know theory. As for the thing Chromyne asked, you should learn theory relating to chords, particularly how Jazz musicians approach chords. You should always know the basic major and natural minor scales. If you play an instrument it should be implied that you at least know your scales.
Is there a best way to fix the intonation of a floyd rose guitar (which doesn't take like 2 hours)? I realized that the top few frets of my high e string are a little sharp.
On August 22 2010 01:15 Lexpar wrote: Noob question: How do I transfer from D to C without wanting to cut off my stupid sausage fingers for being to slow?
A key to chord changing is looking at your fingers and considering efficiency. (Assuming you're going xx0232 to x32010), look at your D. Your ring finger + middle finger pressing the high B + E are in the exact same position as they should be for the C, pressing the A + D. Just keep that exact same position, move upwards, while your index finger slides back one fret (on the same string). Eventually you'll get it. Practice!
I know I'm not actually the starter of this thread, but I found chord theory and scale theory has been extremely useful. I generally don't use many scales past major/minor/pentatonic (with the blues note). But honestly, an understanding of what it is (not how to play it) is very useful when experimenting. I.e. you don't have to know how to play a A Lydian scale, but you should be able to figure it out after looking at the scales a bit, and eventually play one.
As for chord theory, I think the whole diminished, suspended, dominant 7th stuff is all very useful when you are trying to figure out chords, or what they mean. Even in scales + soloing + melody. I'd suggest getting a book knowledge first. You can figure out the rest later. It's all really quite simple once you get the hang of it.
I have been playing guitar for 6 years and I feel like I hit a wall a while back and have been unable able to get over it despite 3 years of music theory class and, for the most part, consistent practice since I started playing. My wall is applying modes in composing and improvising. I understand how modes are constructed out of major scales and how they different patterns of whole and half steps create different sounds out of the modes but I feel like there is some key element that has just never "clicked" in my head when it comes to this stuff.
So if you can explain anything about modes that might help or even just suggest a book/website or anything that might help I would be grateful.
I feel like I've plateaued and I don't know where to turn to improve. I can play a lot of songs by seeing the chords and I've tried to learn about scales and how it all fits together. My main interest is in rhythm guitar, but I only have a rough idea of what to train. Is there some direction you can point me to, maybe some good acoustic songs with great rhythms? I've been playing as a hobby for 3 years
On August 22 2010 00:45 Bair wrote: Broad question I know, but what is the best place to start for someone just learning?
Well, depending on what sorts of music you're interested in, the E minor, G Major, and D Major chords are good starts for a foundation. Soon after, pick one scale (C major being the most likely candidate) , follow the fingerings and alternate pick that.
On August 22 2010 00:51 chrisSquire wrote: do you have any practice exercises for legato techniques?
OWNER OF A LONELLLLLLLLY HEART! (Fragile is their best album)
When doing these techniques, make your real goal to minimize movement and maximize effectiveness. Aim to be very accurate in the early stages, and don't lift your fingers up high for the hammers, or pull out far for the pulls. Be efficient. A real pull off pulls at about 30 degrees. Many guitarists pull up and that makes for a dull and un-articulated sound hidden by the volume of an amp. Don't do this.
In terms of what to play, for now just go through a scale you like, and be meditative about it. Slowly, and try and minimize movement while maximizing sound.
NO TENSION ALLOWED. Before the hammer, the finger is completely relaxed, and only at the precise moment you choose to send it is it energized. Same for the pull off. Relax, relax......then everything all at once for a split second.
I have an electric guitar at home, and I play for my church's praise team, but it's just basic chords. Asides from those chords and EXTREMELY basic strumming patterns, I don't really know how to play guitar. I only learned six months from a teacher and that was when I was younger.
I'm really looking to learning how to play guitar, because I don't want to have wasted my money on a good electric guitar for nothing. What's the best way for me to learn how to play guitar quickly online for free? Whenever I try to read tabs of my favorite songs, it seems like it would take forever to get the tabs down and I feel like I make no progress no matter how hard I practice :/.
Q: I've been playing seriously for like 2 weeks now, practicing chords (Open E, A, G, etc) Is there something I should be really focusing on? Things I really need to get good at? Or do I just start learning songs on my own?
EDIT: I actually have a question. For electric guitars, how do you keep the intonation stable? A lot of times, I find that I physically can't get some strings intonated because the bridge won't move far enough in a direction.
The most obvious answer is the truss rod. However, if it's a guitar you like I wouldn't reccomend learning how to adjust it. The neck may be bowed in a way that won't be remedied by bridge tweaking. Don't switch radically between string gauges, as obviously the heavier ones will need a different set up than the lighter ones.
A: truss rod
On August 22 2010 01:07 Galois wrote: Can you please explain in detail the fingerpicking position that I first read about? I got the impression that I'm only allowed to use my first, second, and third fingers to pick the strings and my thumb for the 6th string. I didn't really understand this and the tutorial I found on it didn't really get through to me unfortunately.
Here's a link for your pleasure to the lesson I'm talking about:
You will need to clean up your question a bit for me >_< , I'm not really sure what you are not getting. The finger movement? Where to put your fingers? The hand position?
I couldn't find any great right hand shots, but this is pretty good.
oh here too
That tutorial is an alright starting point, but know that both fingers and thumbs can go anywhere, their home position is like he says, but they don't live out their whole lives at home.
Do this - (no left hand ) Play the low E string with your thumb (the big string) , then, with your index, play the G string, the with your middle, the B string . There, you just fingerpicked with at least some sort of fluency. Did your hand move alot? Then, let's try and fix it this time. Pick again, try just from the fingers, the hand needn't move much at all. Relax , relax, try again.
Feel free to ask more questions on this subject...
On August 22 2010 01:09 Chromyne wrote: I have been playing guitar casually for about 2 1/2 years. I am wondering what the best way to learn to sort of decorate as a secondary acoustic. Say the main guitarist is playing chords, is there a preferred way to learning how to play fills or licks to complement the main guitarist? My first guess would be to learn scales (like where more improvising starts?), what do you think?
The most obvious way - arpeggiate the chord he is playing, sprinkles on the cupcake. Learn different voicings for each chord so you can twinkle on the high notes or add depth in a lower position.
After that, you are right about the scales thing. This is your next stop and what I would say is this. Begin to learn the notes on your neck, say the first 3 strings (the skinny ones ) up to the 3rd fret each. Then, with each chord change, simply play the root of each chord, no more. There, you are soloing and improvising and all that.
Only after you could feel comfortable with any chord change , try adding one other note per bar. Never worry about making the "wrong note" . There never is a wrong note, just a sound you aren't used to , or didn't expect. Slowly add more notes between chord changes, try for 3, always trying to land on the root of the next chord when he changes.
Other than that, I usually think texturally, in that most often when you are in key, it doesn't really matter what you play, but how much you play. Is it dense, or sparse? This is important to take note of as it has a lot of power to drive a song.
I like questions on improvising...
On August 22 2010 01:11 koreasilver wrote: The next girl that asks me to play "Wonderwall" when I have my guitar is going to get a solid slab of ash smashed into their solar plexus.
Hah, well we all have our coping mechanisms..... Maybe we can all trade some.
On August 22 2010 01:12 SirGlinG wrote: I'm playing in a band and it's getting more and more serious. I'm wondering if it ever gets really important to know the theory behind it all?
Great job for taking the next step. I absolutely and totally encourage you do pursue this. It will take some work, but it will be an absolute delight.
Right now, you are musically illiterate. You can speak the language (though I will say with a limited vocabulary) but can't communicate anything beyond common ideas.
Go up to my post for "chromyne" for a good starting point. Remember this : Theory is not a rule book, it's a timesaver for us to access sounds we like, and remember how we got there. So if in the future we want a similar sound that we had, we _know_ where it comes from. Better yet, if you want to know how to NOT get the same sound, you know where to break new ground.
10 minutes a day on this and in a year you will be miles ahead of your alternate reality self that didn't take the 10 minutes. Don't stress about it, it's a beautiful side of music that will help you grow.
do it, and ask more quesitons if you have any about it.
On August 22 2010 01:13 SubtleArt wrote: I absolutely love listening to rock (classic, hard rock, and progressive rock) and some metal (like black sabbath and deep purple), so I'm really interested in starting to learn electric guitar. Is it too late to start tho? I wanna actually be good and play well. Right now I'm 18 and the only musical experience I have is being grade 8 in piano and 2 years of music theory.
Listen, we get out what we put in. Many people have been playing for decades and aren't much farther ahead of where they started. No hatin, just sayin, you get what you put in.
Promise yourself you will try for 15 minutes a day, no more no less for a month. From there ask yourself again. By the time you finish university you could be much more abled than pretty much any of your rock heros in terms of technical skill (not to diminish them). That's just a few years, not counting how fun it is to nail riffs you've loved for so long, coming out of your hands.
On August 22 2010 01:15 Lexpar wrote: Noob question: How do I transfer from D to C without wanting to cut off my stupid sausage fingers for being to slow?
On August 22 2010 01:19 Archaic wrote: A key to chord changing is looking at your fingers and considering efficiency. (Assuming you're going xx0232 to x32010), look at your D. Your ring finger + middle finger pressing the high B + E are in the exact same position as they should be for the C, pressing the A + D. Just keep that exact same position, move upwards, while your index finger slides back one fret (on the same string). Eventually you'll get it. Practice!
I always say "plan your routes" in the starting phases. Take a second and see how each finger is going to get to where it is going.
Now Sexy Lexy, you are at the part in guitar playing , what I call the *first* wall. People tend to think that making a chord change on time is only for the select few, or rhythmically gifted or something. No, here's the problem....
Chord changing is made of two things , the chord, and the change - duh. The problem is most people only ever work on the chord, the clarity and accuracy. This is great! But that doesn't help the change.
So practise the change! Play the D, then count very slowly to 4, and by the time you get to 1 (1 comes after 4, hah) strum the C.
The catch - you have to strum NO MATTER WHAT YOUR LEFT HAND IS DOING. Don't worry if you get some chunky or crackly notes. We aren't practicing the accuracy right now, but the rhythm, so it's a success if you strum at the right time. Do this very slow. What we are doing is this.
Most people pause the right hand so the left hand can get where it wants to go. When we do this we train our brain to think that the left hand gets to have all the time we need. It's not our intention, but it's the reality.
So, with the rhythm practise we say "listen, we are going to make it to the party on time, so wether or not you want to get your make up in time or look like shit isn't my problem!" . Right hand is boss.
So, practice BOTH PARTS of _chord_ _changes_ and you will make it out alive as the two will slowly combine to make a smooth chord change.
Fewf, a workout !!
On August 22 2010 01:15 koreasilver wrote: If you play an instrument it should be implied that you at least know your scales.
Kissy kiss to you. Especially on the guitar where patterns have a way to rule supreme. When I speak to someone I assume they can read the language we are speaking. Yes there are cases when this isn't true, that should be the exception. Take your musical journey and learn all you can!
On August 22 2010 01:19 madnessman wrote: Is there a best way to fix the intonation of a floyd rose guitar (which doesn't take like 2 hours)? I realized that the top few frets of my high e string are a little sharp.
I talk a bit about intonation closer to the top, answered for archaic
Though I will say not every guitar is intoned as well as the next.Sometimes it WILL be impossible.
On August 22 2010 01:23 Azerbaijan wrote: My wall is applying modes in composing and improvising. I understand how modes are constructed out of major scales and how they different patterns of whole and half steps create different sounds out of the modes but I feel like there is some key element that has just never "clicked" in my head when it comes to this stuff.
So if you can explain anything about modes that might help or even just suggest a book/website or anything that might help I would be grateful.
Ahh I love talking about this stuff, my fingers are taking a shit kicking through this post though haha. ok.....
To truly uncover the sound of a mode, you don't just rip solos in the mode. You need to see the farther reaching consequences...
Take lydian for example, it is a major scale with a #4
Ok, so what?
Go through every chord in the scale and add that note and take note of what happens.
In standard C major, I can't have an F# in my tonic chord, but in C lydian , it's a defining trait. A very beautiful chord too, if you add in a B as well..
-0 -0 -0 -4 -3 -
What about the second chord, D minor ? Well, now it's a D major! Ok, so in C major we would have CM then Dm, but in C lydian we have C M then DM , That's unique.
Keep going. Ahh, E minor can become an Emin9! very pretty chord...
Now our IV chord has become wonked! I love it. instead of F major as our IV, we have F# half dim. INTERESTING.
Also G7 becomes GM7. A minor6 now has a major 6, which I think is a great great chord.
finally, Bdim becomes B- !! That's a fairly big deal , even if it doesn't sound like much.
So, we've uncovered the harmony so far. Go explore this yourself and find ways to play these chords. Do you see how much one note has changed our tonality so far? Go play these chords and get them in your ear, hear the lydianess of different progressions as opposed to just C major. Do this, come back when you need me.
On August 22 2010 01:26 Emon_ wrote: I feel like I've plateaued and I don't know where to turn to improve. I can play a lot of songs by seeing the chords and I've tried to learn about scales and how it all fits together. My main interest is in rhythm guitar, but I only have a rough idea of what to train. Is there some direction you can point me to, maybe some good acoustic songs with great rhythms? I've been playing as a hobby for 3 years
Is there a tuning similar to DADGAD that keeps a bluesly sound? Tried open em for a Robert Johnson song, but he switches his tuning close to every song.
On August 22 2010 02:04 Prozen wrote: I have an electric guitar at home, and I play for my church's praise team, but it's just basic chords. Asides from those chords and EXTREMELY basic strumming patterns, I don't really know how to play guitar. I only learned six months from a teacher and that was when I was younger.
I'm really looking to learning how to play guitar, because I don't want to have wasted my money on a good electric guitar for nothing. What's the best way for me to learn how to play guitar quickly online for free? Whenever I try to read tabs of my favorite songs, it seems like it would take forever to get the tabs down and I feel like I make no progress no matter how hard I practice :/.
When I started playing I would often get angry at myself for not progressing fast.
My attitude changed when I realized I don't _deserve_ guitar skill, I have to work for it. After some hard work, I realized it doesn't have to be hard work!
No matter what your level, while your larger goals should seem very difficult, you should always break them down into managable bites. I mean, Learning a whole solo or whatever in one go / day , is like trying to eat your hamburger in one bite. Just.. WHY?!
Listen, though I have been playing for many years longer than you, there is no single note that I can play that you cant. Cool eh? We are equals, I just have more experience.
So, find that riff or whatever you want to learn. Say it's 4 bars, or 30 notes or something all together. Say "today, I will learn the first 4 notes" . THATS IT! EASY! Can you not play 4 notes?! of course you can, you are Prozen and came out of your daddy's love for muckin pretty ladies.
After that, if you think you can handle more , take another 4 notes! Then after that, practice stringing them together. Keep doing this, 4 + 4 = 8, then string the 8s together. Soon you are riffin way too hard to handle !
Now, sometimes when we try to play something it actually seems like our fingers just CAN NOT do what's required, or the speed is so insane, or the right hand has to jump everywhere in ways we have never seen.
If this is the case, it is an issue of raw technical ability. Your left hand may be too sloppy to do the required motions, it might be wasting energy, inefficient. Your right hand might not be alternate picking, or maybe it is , but only sometimes. Slop! Trim the fat. The guitar journey is a sculpture we chip away to unveil the truth. Take the excess away.
If it a technical ability thing, you need to stop with the riff and pursue some very easy exercises so you can focus on the economy of motion.
On August 22 2010 02:09 DwmC_Foefen wrote: Q: I've been playing seriously for like 2 weeks now, practicing chords (Open E, A, G, etc) Is there something I should be really focusing on? Things I really need to get good at? Or do I just start learning songs on my own?
You are doing great! I have a post about chord switching up above that will defnitely help you for Lexpar.
Other than that, try alternate picking very slow on your low string, then after a while, switch stringer, repeat. Then, I would say start to learn just one scale, C major most likely. Observe proper left hand fingering, go VERY VERY slowly, and alternate pick. It will seem like ALOT to handle at first, but take it in say, a group of 3 notes, and try and nail those first 3 notes, then the next 3. Keep a nice relaxed left hand and alternating right hand.
Just throw that into your practice, say for 5 minutes, and the pay outs will be tremendous down the road. Other than that you are well are your way and doing everything right !
Let me know how it goes. You're welcome!
On August 22 2010 02:12 night terrors wrote: What kind of music do you play?
The real answer to this is probably the longest in the thread, because I am sometimes vain and like to explain my ideas fully.
But the short of it is that I have to be able to play every style with competency. Nowadays though, the money makers outside of teaching are jazz solo guitar or in small groups, or classical guitar at weddings and stuff. My practise usually focus on those two styles as well as technically and musically, they are among the most developed styles and have incredible depth. (not to diminish any other style, but these have been around for a very long time)
When I play for myself, it's usually exploratory with no wrong notes, and just a journey. Often I come up with ideas and flesh them out for many months until I feel they are in my trick bag. Right now I'm working on putting two, three, and four time signatures over each other, this is not common on guitar.
Just like a mention in other threads, at this point I realize I play for reasons I didn't think I would. It's for knowledge of self, to learn how far I can go, how I can focus my mind, to stretch my mental and physical, to learn what I really like, to learn patience, etc etc.
I don't typically play music made by other people unless to gain more skill, if it's extremely beautiful, or for money!
On August 22 2010 02:14 YoonHo wrote: Thank you for doing this. A question that I wanted to ask has already been used, so I'll just eagerly wait for your response ^^.
Let me know if it needs a follow up . All this typing is jellifying my hands hahaha.
On August 22 2010 02:32 Sky wrote: Is there a tuning similar to DADGAD that keeps a bluesly sound? Tried open em for a Robert Johnson song, but he switches his tuning close to every song.
Well, there are loads, but really just keen your ear to what makes the blues sound bluesy. Any tuning works as well as another. Use the blues scale with proper inflections and your pretty much there. Since blues isn't a sound that needs to have droning strings, you don't really need an open tuning for blues except for ease of use , which is exemplified by Johnson switching all the time. You could look to the pedal steel players for tunings though..
Was Chet Atkins really a God of Guitar disguised as a human`?
On August 22 2010 01:13 SubtleArt wrote: I absolutely love listening to rock (classic, hard rock, and progressive rock) and some metal (like black sabbath and deep purple), so I'm really interested in starting to learn electric guitar. Is it too late to start tho? I wanna actually be good and play well. Right now I'm 18 and the only musical experience I have is being grade 8 in piano and 2 years of music theory.
On August 22 2010 02:55 HwangjaeTerran wrote: Was Chet Atkins really a God of Guitar disguised as a human`?
Nah. One of his best quotes
"A lot of you came here tonight to hear the notes I'm going to play, I hope you aren't disappointed. A lot of you came here tonight to hear the notes I'm going to mess up, well , I know you aren't going to be disappointed."
A cute jab at how far away from the truth audiences get sometimes.
Don't really recognize some things you're talking about but I'll look them up :p Thanks for the answer.
BTW, cool thread man
No problem. I was hoping to spark you onto some things you didn't know about . That's where there is truth in learning. Let me know if you need clarification or anything.
You know, i've always wondered but been too lazy to find out - does having higher string action make fast alternate picking easier? I'm just in mid process of revamping my picking technique (after 4 1/2 years of not the best) so i'm running into issues of maintaining good picking technique and making myself as clean as i can. Also - you're pictures are 100% true. Maybe i should have stopped playing guitar after learning about power chords or stairway to heaven.
Ahh I love talking about this stuff, my fingers are taking a shit kicking through this post though haha. ok.....
To truly uncover the sound of a mode, you don't just rip solos in the mode. You need to see the farther reaching consequences...
Take lydian for example, it is a major scale with a #4
Ok, so what?
Go through every chord in the scale and add that note and take note of what happens.
In standard C major, I can't have an F# in my tonic chord, but in C lydian , it's a defining trait. A very beautiful chord too, if you add in a B as well..
-0 -0 -0 -4 -3 -
What about the second chord, D minor ? Well, now it's a D major! Ok, so in C major we would have CM then Dm, but in C lydian we have C M then DM , That's unique.
Keep going. Ahh, E minor can become an Emin9! very pretty chord...
Now our IV chord has become wonked! I love it. instead of F major as our IV, we have F# half dim. INTERESTING.
Also G7 becomes GM7. A minor6 now has a major 6, which I think is a great great chord.
finally, Bdim becomes B- !! That's a fairly big deal , even if it doesn't sound like much.
So, we've uncovered the harmony so far. Go explore this yourself and find ways to play these chords. Do you see how much one note has changed our tonality so far? Go play these chords and get them in your ear, hear the lydianess of different progressions as opposed to just C major. Do this, come back when you need me.
Wow thanks so much. My mind has been blown; I got so excited messing around with this stuff that I broke my high E string lol. Off to guitar center! Thanks again
hey ella, i'm a fellow guitar player, and each summer, i try to learn new, but somewhat challenging, songs (I mainly learn songs that require finger picking, I'm not very good with using a pick =\). I was wondering if you knew any guitar songs that would be cool to learn. Thanks ^^
Sometimes, when I try to play with my teeth, it gets hooked on to a jagged part and it doesn't play the note how I want it to be played. Is there a good technique that can be used to play with your teeth and avoid the problem I am having?
so I'm at the point where I want to get better at lead guitar (I'm pretty comfortable already with rhythm guitar). What are some good exercises to build up speed? What are the steps I should take to be able to play lead guitar well? My long term goal is to be able to shred but that is very far away from what I'm able to do now :D
On August 22 2010 04:00 blahman3344 wrote: hey ella, i'm a fellow guitar player, and each summer, i try to learn new, but somewhat challenging, songs (I mainly learn songs that require finger picking, I'm not very good with using a pick =\). I was wondering if you knew any guitar songs that would be cool to learn. Thanks ^^
Oh hey! You found me in another thread too. You seem neat.
Unfortunately, I'm a logistical nightmare and have stuff EVERYWHERE. I'll grab a few different things for fun though since I'm sure everyone wants to know if I can actually play.
Here's a jazz jam with some guys I had just met there. Yes, that's a fish costume. I can't explain it, but it really brings a group together if one is a fish. This a bit sketchy for a bit then cleans up a bit . Don't ask my about the cool guy at the end other than he is cool.
more fish, same deal. Superstition by stevie wonder, slow and gets jammin
Here's some higher production value , some instrumental stuff. Was a challenge to myself a few years ago to see if I could make a 4 measure progression at all interesting.
Here's an instrumental thing I wrote for Nada and played at a recital, solo guitar
I think you've inspired me to get my shit together all on one spot though. I'll need to get a website up since I have videos, recordings, sheet music etc. All media. Any ideas?
Thanks for your interest too.
>_< also that's not my real name in the youtube videos unfortunately. The guy taking them must have fucked up, as he just emailed the youtube link after he met us on the street.
On August 22 2010 04:16 squaremanhole wrote: Rec some good songs to learn!
Ohhhhh come on, I go through all this trouble and you one line me?! How can I possibly help you?
On August 22 2010 04:23 Dance. wrote: Sometimes, when I try to play with my teeth, it gets hooked on to a jagged part and it doesn't play the note how I want it to be played. Is there a good technique that can be used to play with your teeth and avoid the problem I am having?
I've dropped the teeth thing in recent times, it's just too unpredictable. It's a lot easier to just go behind the head, and people can get down with that more. If you are sure about the teeth thing, I have slightly protruded .... what are the fangy ones? Canines? You know the ones, I didnt use my front . Also, use the neck, not the jaw. Slower, but more reliable.
Any tips on playing with other people? I don't play guitar much anymore now because I've become much more interested in theology and philosophy than music, and also because I don't have much time to spare in university now. I've always loved playing by myself and I've always wanted to play with others but I just couldn't make things work out.
Instead of just strumming chords, how do I become good at individual string picking like you see the electric guitarists play? I'm like Prozen too..I played guitar for my church but they are all just basic chords like G,C,D,Am,Em,A,F and I never got to learn scales and all that. Like to play "One" by metallica the entire song is almost "picking each string really fast"(I don't know correct guitar terminology for this)and I want to be good at that. HOw would I start? Learning scales? What do I do after that to eventually become good at it? Thanks.
I've been casually playing guitar for about 4years now or so, I've become decent at most of the barre shapes and left hand work ingeneral while my string picking and righthand skills are lacking I guess, but my question to you is for someone like me, who has little to no knowledge of music theory and has mostly taught himself chord shapes and what not, what should I do to get into music theory.
I'll always found music theory fascinating even on a scientific level but I just don't know how to approach it, is there a specific book I should read or a chapter I should start with, I guess I'm asking for advice on how to get into theory and then maybe it will go by itself from there.
On August 22 2010 05:46 MaRiNe23 wrote: Instead of just strumming chords, how do I become good at individual string picking like you see the electric guitarists play? I'm like Prozen too..I played guitar for my church but they are all just basic chords like G,C,D,Am,Em,A,F and I never got to learn scales and all that. Like to play "One" by metallica the entire song is almost "picking each string really fast"(I don't know correct guitar terminology for this)and I want to be good at that. HOw would I start? Learning scales? What do I do after that to eventually become good at it? Thanks.
You really just have to practice and practice and practice. Especially string skipping. At the beginning it's frustrating and you just have to do it repetitively so that your hand experiences and memorizes movements so that later your picking hand will move intuitively without you having to consciously think about it.
Hello. Great blog. I have a degree in music and the guitar is my instrument of choice. How did you go about making money from playing initially? I'm quite capable but the idea of learning long sets of classical pieces is very daunting. What style of music do you think would be best to play to earn money? Suggesting composers would be great. How long a set did you have when you starting performing for money?
Any advice regarding this is most welcome!! Thanks for your help!
On August 22 2010 03:19 Comeh wrote: You know, i've always wondered but been too lazy to find out - does having higher string action make fast alternate picking easier? I'm just in mid process of revamping my picking technique (after 4 1/2 years of not the best) so i'm running into issues of maintaining good picking technique and making myself as clean as i can. Also - you're pictures are 100% true. Maybe i should have stopped playing guitar after learning about power chords or stairway to heaven.
I have to admit I'm a bit confused. Why would higher string action change anything about the right hand? Maybe if you reword it I could shine on it, otherwise right now I'm in wonderland about the whole thing.
On August 22 2010 05:04 blabber wrote: so I'm at the point where I want to get better at lead guitar (I'm pretty comfortable already with rhythm guitar). What are some good exercises to build up speed? What are the steps I should take to be able to play lead guitar well? My long term goal is to be able to shred but that is very far away from what I'm able to do now :D
Ok, from now on we will have a sacred pact between us -
Whenever you go to play guitar, you will relax. Drop your shoulders, let them sink, relax, your arms and fingers are elegant noodle like philanges.
Ok now that that is done first start with a scale, for you, do A natural minor. Now, with your relaxtion, play through the scale REALLY slow. You are programming the instructions into your hands. Alternate pick. Up. Down. Up. Down. Forever. Your left hand should look as though it's crushing a can, nice curved fingers, using the tips, not the pads to fret the string.
To play fast is to be able to play slowly, perfectly, with perfect technique, because playing fast is just like pressing the speed up button on your VCR (90s!!) , the exact same thing should be happening, only quicker. If you can't play slow perfectly and relaxed, you go no where.
So for now, you play a scale 20 times a day, very slowly, dropped shoulders, curved fingers, relaxed everything. In one week come back and tell me how it's going. Let me know if you have questions.
Speed = Accuracy = Slow and Perfect Practice
On August 22 2010 05:30 koreasilver wrote: Any tips on playing with other people? I don't play guitar much anymore now because I've become much more interested in theology and philosophy than music, and also because I don't have much time to spare in university now. I've always loved playing by myself and I've always wanted to play with others but I just couldn't make things work out.
Not sure if you are just plugging your stuff, if so that's fine, but if you have a question I'm not really sure what it is. To play with people, get in the same room and probably play in the same tempo, often in the same key. I can help the more detailed a question is
On August 22 2010 05:46 MaRiNe23 wrote: Instead of just strumming chords, how do I become good at individual string picking like you see the electric guitarists play? I'm like Prozen too..I played guitar for my church but they are all just basic chords like G,C,D,Am,Em,A,F and I never got to learn scales and all that. Like to play "One" by metallica the entire song is almost "picking each string really fast"(I don't know correct guitar terminology for this)and I want to be good at that. HOw would I start? Learning scales? What do I do after that to eventually become good at it? Thanks.
Your answer is pretty much two above. But even before that you alternate pick 8 times on a string, then switch to the next one, in tempo. Then 4 times each. D U D U switch D U D U all through the strings and back. I'll explain my metronome method in a later post which is ABSOLUTELY essential to this style of playing.
On August 22 2010 05:49 bN` wrote: I've been casually playing guitar for about 4years now or so, I've become decent at most of the barre shapes and left hand work ingeneral while my string picking and righthand skills are lacking I guess, but my question to you is for someone like me, who has little to no knowledge of music theory and has mostly taught himself chord shapes and what not, what should I do to get into music theory.
I'll always found music theory fascinating even on a scientific level but I just don't know how to approach it, is there a specific book I should read or a chapter I should start with, I guess I'm asking for advice on how to get into theory and then maybe it will go by itself from there.
Oh I like this topic!! Ask any questions you have.
There is so many tendrils on this ROCKTOPUS . It doesn't REALLY matter where you start as they all lead back to the brains and back out, but here is where I would start.
Learn the C major scale. Learn the notes across all strings up to the 5th fret. This should take no more than 2 weeks with any consistent effort. Seriously, go through them, quizz yourself on the notes of the fretboard, maybe the first 2 string for aboue 2 and half minutes. Done. then once before bed. Tomorrow is those two strings and then 2 more, etc etc. You will have it down pat in under 2 weeks.
From there, now think of the notes in the C major scale.
C D E F G A B C
Ok , so what?
From here, you ought to learn chord construction. Major and Minor triads. Then Major 7 , Minor 7, Dom7 , dim7 . Learn ways to play them BY YOURSELF, using your knowledge
Then you could get into modes, or more chord ideas, or voice leading, or rhythms, modulations etc. But really I think you should get the basics of notes and chord construction then from their you can really get moving into the juice. You're right, it will fuel itself.
On August 22 2010 06:08 Atom Cannister wrote: Hello. Great blog. I have a degree in music and the guitar is my instrument of choice. How did you go about making money from playing initially? I'm quite capable but the idea of learning long sets of classical pieces is very daunting. What style of music do you think would be best to play to earn money? Suggesting composers would be great. How long a set did you have when you starting performing for money?
Any advice regarding this is most welcome!! Thanks for your help!
Hey my brother in arms! Thanks for reading and you're welcome.
This is a great subject because it's precisely what we are told is going to end our lives if we pursue a musical education. For most, they quite simply dont have the balls to go represent themselves and trust their skills, so it's true, a ' career ' (it's not a career it's a lifestyle choice) in music isn't for many.
Ok for you , get a jazz fakebook, I think it's Hal Leonard that publishes the standard one, and learn many popular tunes. Autumn leaves, girl from ipanema, etc, whatever you like. Jazz is great because you can just KEEP PLAYING it. I've played 45 minute sets on not 5 songs, not 4, but 3 songs. Restaurant gigs are the ultimate playground because no one is _really_ listening, so you can really test your shit out. For classical, pick stuff WAY below your skill level and bust your chops on sight reading. If it's pretty , it sells. If it's spanish sounding it sells, if it has impressive guitar playing for much longer than a couple measures, it's bad.
Be ballsy man. Go to a restaurant say you'd like to play a little demo for them , a preview for their lunchtimes on an off day or whatever. TRUST YOUR SKILLS. You are the musician, not them. Seriously, aim to do this about 10 times over a couple days or something, just hit any restaurant that could even be remotely interested. If you have any singing skills , sold. Print some chords and profit off the Lennons and Dylans and all that.
Weddings is a different beast. Fernando Sor, Giuliani, familar Bach pieces, obvious canon in D, the wedding march etc. They make you a lot more money and are typically a bit more stressful but can be loads of fun depending. With the classical stuff, don't be afraid to improvise or repeat sections many times etc. People want the idea of music, not so much the music itself.
Play ANY GIG YOU CAN GET to start. For me, 2 hours of work with a break in the middle at a restaurant is typically 50 bucks a main course meal and a beer or two.
Please feel free to get more into this, it's a really important subject and I'd like to help out any I can.
all the best!
On August 22 2010 07:10 News wrote: wowww those are some amazing videos, is your trio actually a band? you guys have a name?
cant believe all the bastards were just walking by without even stopping for a minute
Thank you , for real. Words fall short of my thanks. That was a pick up group, I had just met them in the market that day. The sax player was quite the motherfuck on his instrument, since then we've done quite well together and made decent dough.
The thing I learned about the bastards though....
It's like panning for gold, lots of dirt, but it's so worth it when the nugget comes. I don't mean the money, lots of people give money, some in generous amounts, but I mean the kind spirit who stops by and you know that they have something going on, that they a real person. I am so thankful to meet these people, as most people have jobs that don't allow this sort of genuine interaction.
I know you aren't asking but I'm in pedagogue mode and I can't be stopped.
Fingers 3 and 2 in the D chord stay in the same _relative position_ in the C chord. That is your guide. They sit in a little L shape. So, SLOWLY practice moving them together, they land first. Then, finger 1 just lands onto the first fret. Over and over, slowly, focussed. You will get it.
Well, the issue is that whenever I try to play with other people we have a hard time trying to find something cohesive to go with. I guess the issue is that I have no idea how to really work with other people when it comes to music. Like, how do you decide what exactly to do? I've always failed this so all that happened is me just playing, writing, and recording by myself because by myself I can figure out what I want to do without having to trying to round up the whole group to work cohesively. I guess the question is how do you exactly go around making multiple individuals work together as a single entity.
Ahh I love talking about this stuff, my fingers are taking a shit kicking through this post though haha. ok.....
To truly uncover the sound of a mode, you don't just rip solos in the mode. You need to see the farther reaching consequences...
Take lydian for example, it is a major scale with a #4
Ok, so what?
Go through every chord in the scale and add that note and take note of what happens.
In standard C major, I can't have an F# in my tonic chord, but in C lydian , it's a defining trait. A very beautiful chord too, if you add in a B as well..
-0 -0 -0 -4 -3 -
What about the second chord, D minor ? Well, now it's a D major! Ok, so in C major we would have CM then Dm, but in C lydian we have C M then DM , That's unique.
Keep going. Ahh, E minor can become an Emin9! very pretty chord...
Now our IV chord has become wonked! I love it. instead of F major as our IV, we have F# half dim. INTERESTING.
Also G7 becomes GM7. A minor6 now has a major 6, which I think is a great great chord.
finally, Bdim becomes B- !! That's a fairly big deal , even if it doesn't sound like much.
So, we've uncovered the harmony so far. Go explore this yourself and find ways to play these chords. Do you see how much one note has changed our tonality so far? Go play these chords and get them in your ear, hear the lydianess of different progressions as opposed to just C major. Do this, come back when you need me.
Wow thanks so much. My mind has been blown; I got so excited messing around with this stuff that I broke my high E string lol. Off to guitar center! Thanks again
I think you left out an important principle of modal theory and application. Unless the person understands the importance of resolution and dissonance and applies it correctly to highlight the modal significance in your following example they are just going to be playing tonally in GMajor and mistaking this as playing modal.
Ahh I love talking about this stuff, my fingers are taking a shit kicking through this post though haha. ok.....
To truly uncover the sound of a mode, you don't just rip solos in the mode. You need to see the farther reaching consequences...
Take lydian for example, it is a major scale with a #4
Ok, so what?
Go through every chord in the scale and add that note and take note of what happens.
In standard C major, I can't have an F# in my tonic chord, but in C lydian , it's a defining trait. A very beautiful chord too, if you add in a B as well..
-0 -0 -0 -4 -3 -
What about the second chord, D minor ? Well, now it's a D major! Ok, so in C major we would have CM then Dm, but in C lydian we have C M then DM , That's unique.
Keep going. Ahh, E minor can become an Emin9! very pretty chord...
Now our IV chord has become wonked! I love it. instead of F major as our IV, we have F# half dim. INTERESTING.
Also G7 becomes GM7. A minor6 now has a major 6, which I think is a great great chord.
finally, Bdim becomes B- !! That's a fairly big deal , even if it doesn't sound like much.
So, we've uncovered the harmony so far. Go explore this yourself and find ways to play these chords. Do you see how much one note has changed our tonality so far? Go play these chords and get them in your ear, hear the lydianess of different progressions as opposed to just C major. Do this, come back when you need me.
Wow thanks so much. My mind has been blown; I got so excited messing around with this stuff that I broke my high E string lol. Off to guitar center! Thanks again
I think you left out an important principle of modal theory and application. Unless the person understands the importance of resolution and dissonance and applies it correctly to highlight the modal significance in your following example they are just going to be playing tonally in GMajor and mistaking this as playing modal.
One step at a time. His reaction is one that leads me to believe he will continue to experiment. To experiment is to question, and he will seek more "answers" (questions). We don't read a book for the ending.
On August 22 2010 09:06 koreasilver wrote: Well, the issue is that whenever I try to play with other people we have a hard time trying to find something cohesive to go with. I guess the issue is that I have no idea how to really work with other people when it comes to music. Like, how do you decide what exactly to do? I've always failed this so all that happened is me just playing, writing, and recording by myself because by myself I can figure out what I want to do without having to trying to round up the whole group to work cohesively. I guess the question is how do you exactly go around making multiple individuals work together as a single entity.
Alright, so I've been playing for like what, 2 years now? I don't really remember. The thing with me is, when I pick up my guitar, I just end up noodling for hours, but it tends to really repetitive these days. It seems like I've hit a wall. I don't learn anything new and my improvisation sounds dull and boring after a while. I'm really bad at phrasing, I just tend to keep playing and playing. Is this cause I'm playing according to scales / modes, not by phrasing different licks or is it just cause I'm not followng the beat? I started playing using down picks only, so now my alternate picking is really bad aswell.. Anyway, as I said, I've hit a wall. I haven't learned anything new in ages. I can play the open chords and barre chords and transition between them, but my rhytm is bad. I've focused on lead guitar mostly. I don't actually know any songs in their entirety.. I always learn just a bit, like the intro or something, and then move on to something else. :| Besides some solos I've learned from tabs, I know the guitar fretboard pretty well from all the noodling I've done, I know the notes on the E and A strings, and I'm trying to learn the other notes aswell. I also know all the positions of minor pentatonic / blues scale, dorian mode and some of the positions of aeolian mode. I've somehow totally gone past the major scale, so I guess I should learn that. But I don't understand the theory behind the modes / scales, is there maybe an easier way of going about them than just playing them over and over again? I've got a thousand other problems and questions, but this text is already pretty messy so for now, what do I do next?
edit: also I really wanna play jazz, the chords are so beautiful.. preferably something where i could supplement my playing on my own, as in playing chords and then playing some soloy stuff between them and such.. like Larry Carlton. no idea what to start with though, jazz seems so complicated edit2: watching your videos right now, the first video gets pretty sick half way through, pretty inspiring. edit3: oh yeah i really fucking love the sound of bass and the whole idea of playing bass, but my current guitar and amp are pretty shitty and i really want to upgrade, but i'm pretty poor and electronics / guitar stuff is really expensive here, like twice the prices of america or more, at the same time our average pay is smaller aswell. let's just say the minimum wage here is 300$ a month and a boss gt-10 costs 900$. fucking hate this shit. now i'm just ranting though. :/ so basically i've got to choose: upgrade to decent guitar + decent amp or buy a cheap bass + bass amp along with my current cheap guitar gear
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.
Yeah....I know. I thought first year of University with a guitar in hand was going to be epic.
It was epic, but the guitar in hand wasn't a huge aid.
(Also to the guy who was looking for a hard finger picking piece, definitely try Classical Gas...amazing piece) Or Babe I'm Going to Leave You by Led Zeppelin if you want something easier that sounds amazing. I taught a lot of my kids that one shortly after they learned how to finger pick.
On August 22 2010 09:06 koreasilver wrote: Well, the issue is that whenever I try to play with other people we have a hard time trying to find something cohesive to go with. I guess the issue is that I have no idea how to really work with other people when it comes to music. Like, how do you decide what exactly to do? I've always failed this so all that happened is me just playing, writing, and recording by myself because by myself I can figure out what I want to do without having to trying to round up the whole group to work cohesively. I guess the question is how do you exactly go around making multiple individuals work together as a single entity.
edit: Outside of jazz.
What sort of style ? Rock, indie , folk, etc?
For band stuff I've always wanted to play math rock.
hey man great stuff. you look like you have a hell of a time while busking.
i got really into bass this summer. i try to play 4 hours a day. mostly started just earing out songs because my ear was so weak. I had never played an instrument before i got my bass that is why i think.
anyways my ear is much stronger now and i have been learning major scales. and arpeggios of major chords. what else should i practice? i want to be good . when you are playing with bass players what do you find makes them stand out? why would you prefer one bassist to another? thanks
Ahh I love talking about this stuff, my fingers are taking a shit kicking through this post though haha. ok.....
To truly uncover the sound of a mode, you don't just rip solos in the mode. You need to see the farther reaching consequences...
Take lydian for example, it is a major scale with a #4
Ok, so what?
Go through every chord in the scale and add that note and take note of what happens.
In standard C major, I can't have an F# in my tonic chord, but in C lydian , it's a defining trait. A very beautiful chord too, if you add in a B as well..
-0 -0 -0 -4 -3 -
What about the second chord, D minor ? Well, now it's a D major! Ok, so in C major we would have CM then Dm, but in C lydian we have C M then DM , That's unique.
Keep going. Ahh, E minor can become an Emin9! very pretty chord...
Now our IV chord has become wonked! I love it. instead of F major as our IV, we have F# half dim. INTERESTING.
Also G7 becomes GM7. A minor6 now has a major 6, which I think is a great great chord.
finally, Bdim becomes B- !! That's a fairly big deal , even if it doesn't sound like much.
So, we've uncovered the harmony so far. Go explore this yourself and find ways to play these chords. Do you see how much one note has changed our tonality so far? Go play these chords and get them in your ear, hear the lydianess of different progressions as opposed to just C major. Do this, come back when you need me.
Wow thanks so much. My mind has been blown; I got so excited messing around with this stuff that I broke my high E string lol. Off to guitar center! Thanks again
I think you left out an important principle of modal theory and application. Unless the person understands the importance of resolution and dissonance and applies it correctly to highlight the modal significance in your following example they are just going to be playing tonally in GMajor and mistaking this as playing modal.
One step at a time. His reaction is one that leads me to believe he will continue to experiment. To experiment is to question, and he will seek more "answers" (questions). We don't read a book for the ending.
i understand i just think its important he understands that he is at step 1 and there are many more factors that constitute proper modal composition beyond this.
Btw i like this blog post alot and i am happy to see you have a solid understanding of musical theory to go along with your advice.
On August 22 2010 10:55 fredd wrote: Alright, so I've been playing for like what, 2 years now? I don't really remember. The thing with me is, when I pick up my guitar, I just end up noodling for hours, but it tends to really repetitive these days. It seems like I've hit a wall. I don't learn anything new and my improvisation sounds dull and boring after a while. I'm really bad at phrasing, I just tend to keep playing and playing. Is this cause I'm playing according to scales / modes, not by phrasing different licks or is it just cause I'm not followng the beat? I started playing using down picks only, so now my alternate picking is really bad aswell.. Anyway, as I said, I've hit a wall. I haven't learned anything new in ages. I can play the open chords and barre chords and transition between them, but my rhytm is bad. I've focused on lead guitar mostly. I don't actually know any songs in their entirety.. I always learn just a bit, like the intro or something, and then move on to something else. :| Besides some solos I've learned from tabs, I know the guitar fretboard pretty well from all the noodling I've done, I know the notes on the E and A strings, and I'm trying to learn the other notes aswell. I also know all the positions of minor pentatonic / blues scale, dorian mode and some of the positions of aeolian mode. I've somehow totally gone past the major scale, so I guess I should learn that. But I don't understand the theory behind the modes / scales, is there maybe an easier way of going about them than just playing them over and over again? I've got a thousand other problems and questions, but this text is already pretty messy so for now, what do I do next?
edit: also I really wanna play jazz, the chords are so beautiful.. preferably something where i could supplement my playing on my own, as in playing chords and then playing some soloy stuff between them and such.. like Larry Carlton. no idea what to start with though, jazz seems so complicated edit2: watching your videos right now, the first video gets pretty sick half way through, pretty inspiring. edit3: oh yeah i really fucking love the sound of bass and the whole idea of playing bass, but my current guitar and amp are pretty shitty and i really want to upgrade, but i'm pretty poor and electronics / guitar stuff is really expensive here, like twice the prices of america or more, at the same time our average pay is smaller aswell. let's just say the minimum wage here is 300$ a month and a boss gt-10 costs 900$. fucking hate this shit. now i'm just ranting though. :/ so basically i've got to choose: upgrade to decent guitar + decent amp or buy a cheap bass + bass amp along with my current cheap guitar gear
you need to learn the Major scale. More importantly you need to learn the intervals of the major scale and there tonal significance. The major scale is the first thing you should ever learn. Every other scale / chord / mode is built off of the intervals of the major scale. it is the single most important scale in music.
Disregard anything that you might think you know about modes until you have a solid understanding of the major scale.
I want to try learning how to play (acoustic) guitar. I love their sound and I'd love to be able to play. However, I have pretty much zero guitar knowledge. I've played violin for a good bit and have only a mediocre grasp of violin ability and music theory. I have an old Yamaha guitar but the strings are rusted as fuck; guess I'll have to replace them.
Anyway, how do you think I should go about starting?
As a contribution to the thread, here is the first classical piece that I learned how to play in the guitar. I wrote the entire thing myself after translating from the original sheet music for piano. Its very easy.
Here's the piano version of the song so that you can get the hang of how it is supposed to hear:
This song is a minuet, so play each section twice in a row!
THERE IS ALWAYS ONE NOTE TO BE PLAYED AT A TIME - the font for this site makes the thing look a bit fucked up, unfortunately... so always just play the one that looks further on the left
Time: 3/4 Standard tuning
You'll have to listen to the song itself to get the tune. The only one I could find on Youtube is here:
have you ever had a student that was more technically advanced than you, but completely clueless as to how to go around making music with it? say, some guy who'd practiced PG exercises for 10 years but couldn't play over a backing track to save his life. how would you go around helping him to develop his ear and improvisation?
Oh god, you're right. There is some shcmuck named Emon making ridiculous music. Its the name of a high priest in a game, thats why I took it. Now I might need to reconsider. . .
The music I'm into is mostly rock. I don't play the most complex songs, but I do my best with the easier ones that sound good on an acoustic guitar. I do like folk music as well. As you said, I would like to know how do make the chords sound more alive. Something like what this guy is doing:
I have a question for you! I am mostly self taught so I don't have the brain to pick of an experienced player. I have kind of hit a plateau playing because I have can do finger-picking, barre cords and open chords but the internet doesn't offer much else in the way of instruction (that's readily available) besides "PLAY THIS BASIC SONG TO GET LAID!!!11!!!1."
Are there any books you recommend or a direction I should head in to continue to grow? Thanks for the help!
I've always been interested in learning how to play jazz. I've kinda learned the general chords, progressions, etc. but I simply can't wrap my head around what makes a melody sound like it's jazz... It's so complicated. I just don't get it. Are there any special attributes, or is it just feeling that you acquire over the years? As an example of what I'm talking about, to get that "bluesy" feel, you can use minor pentatonic with blues notes to hit it pretty well (not saying the melody is particularly clever, just saying it sounds bluesy).
On August 23 2010 10:22 Archaic wrote: I've always been interested in learning how to play jazz. I've kinda learned the general chords, progressions, etc. but I simply can't wrap my head around what makes a melody sound like it's jazz... It's so complicated. I just don't get it. Are there any special attributes, or is it just feeling that you acquire over the years? As an example of what I'm talking about, to get that "bluesy" feel, you can use minor pentatonic with blues notes to hit it pretty well (not saying the melody is particularly clever, just saying it sounds bluesy).
use alot of chromatic runs and chord extensions to build dissonance also a solid understanding of phrasing helps
Ok, another day more questions, glad to be helping you guys however I can.
On August 22 2010 10:55 fredd wrote: Alright, so I've been playing for like what, 2 years now? I don't really remember. The thing with me is, when I pick up my guitar, I just end up noodling for hours, but it tends to really repetitive these days. It seems like I've hit a wall. I don't learn anything new and my improvisation sounds dull and boring after a while. I'm really bad at phrasing, I just tend to keep playing and playing. Is this cause I'm playing according to scales / modes, not by phrasing different licks or is it just cause I'm not followng the beat? I started playing using down picks only, so now my alternate picking is really bad aswell.. Anyway, as I said, I've hit a wall. I haven't learned anything new in ages. I can play the open chords and barre chords and transition between them, but my rhytm is bad. I've focused on lead guitar mostly. I don't actually know any songs in their entirety.. I always learn just a bit, like the intro or something, and then move on to something else. :| Besides some solos I've learned from tabs, I know the guitar fretboard pretty well from all the noodling I've done, I know the notes on the E and A strings, and I'm trying to learn the other notes aswell. I also know all the positions of minor pentatonic / blues scale, dorian mode and some of the positions of aeolian mode. I've somehow totally gone past the major scale, so I guess I should learn that. But I don't understand the theory behind the modes / scales, is there maybe an easier way of going about them than just playing them over and over again? I've got a thousand other problems and questions, but this text is already pretty messy so for now, what do I do next?
edit: also I really wanna play jazz, the chords are so beautiful.. preferably something where i could supplement my playing on my own, as in playing chords and then playing some soloy stuff between them and such.. like Larry Carlton. no idea what to start with though, jazz seems so complicated edit2: watching your videos right now, the first video gets pretty sick half way through, pretty inspiring. edit3: oh yeah i really fucking love the sound of bass and the whole idea of playing bass, but my current guitar and amp are pretty shitty and i really want to upgrade, but i'm pretty poor and electronics / guitar stuff is really expensive here, like twice the prices of america or more, at the same time our average pay is smaller aswell. let's just say the minimum wage here is 300$ a month and a boss gt-10 costs 900$. fucking hate this shit. now i'm just ranting though. :/ so basically i've got to choose: upgrade to decent guitar + decent amp or buy a cheap bass + bass amp along with my current cheap guitar gear
Haha ok, you've definitely obscured your question alot. Let me know if I miss anything you are asking haha.
Ok, down the rabbit hole Alice. Make yourself get better. For me, it's often a question of coming up with some idea, like , Could I play only chord tones if I wanted? Can I play only the 7ths and 9ths if I wanted? What about keeping things interesting while playing steady 8th notes? Only harmonics ? etc. This encourages new musical ideas as well as breeds technical problems that need to be solved.
Now you meanted you're really bad at phrasing. What sort of music are you playing? When you play, you should always be hoping to create not a musical experience, but an experience that is musical . Consider the difference. If playing for an audience, perhaps leave so much space between your first few notes that it's actually _awkward_ , let them get aroused for the next notes. Don't give it all away on the first date, type of thing. Do not put your ego in the music.
If you are playing for yourself, you should really intentionally try and do things different. Think of the next note you are going to play, then play a different one. Remember, no wrong notes, just sounds undiscovered. Never be afraid of your own music, try everything.
Also, you really really should at the major scale. It doesn't have to be your favourite scale, but everything is talked about in relation to that scale. When you learn about chords, they relate to the major scale, intervals, different modulations, pretty much everything comes back to it.
For jazz, the past things I talked of are going to be a huge headstart. If you can play the changes (playing chord tones as they switch) you will begin to have beautiful solos that sound fluid. Can you play the chords of jazz?
edit 1 Learn to play those chords. Tomorrow, you will learn just up until the first ending. Go slow, be patient, take your time. Absord the sounds as you play them. Think of the notes in the chord as you play them. What's the 5th of the first chord? what about the 7th of the 5th chord? etc. Good luck, this is a great branch to be on. Tomorrow you will also learn the major scale in 1 octave. Dont worry TOO much about what's what, just learn how to play it, probs in C major.
edit 2 thank you , thank you for watching and listening!
edit 3 To me, as long as your guitar is playable, a better amp will do LOADS more for your sound then a good guitar through a bad amp. If you get a decent size one, say 50 watts, and keep it on a lower volume, the bass amp wont hurt it. You could play through headphones. So I say if your guitar is at all playable, keep it, get a good guitar amp, and a cheap bass. For amps dont get anything bigger than say about 80 watts, and even that is a pretty big over kill. 30-50 is big enough for pretty much any gig, especially your bedroom.
If you have more questions maybe try for bullet points or something hahaha >___^
On August 22 2010 11:02 koreasilver wrote:
For band stuff I've always wanted to play math rock.
Ahh, this can be tough. It's very hard to find a group of people. Unless they are very much at your level, I would assume a leadership role, a sort of communal one. For something complex like that, start just by bringing in a few sheets (can you reed sheet, or at least rhythm?!) of a few changing time signatures, then try playing them together. If you get the hang of it together, then you can embellish, and everyone can flesh out there own parts. I think it's alot better to come with a plan as opposed to a finished product if you want the band to be a real sort of band, and not just _your_ creative outlet (not that that is bad) . So come up with an idea, like, two measures of 5, then one of 3 then one of 4 and 2 of 6, then try and play through that, just on one note. From there, ideas will probably come. "Hey, maybe you could play a 3rd up? Oh, actually I like the augmented fifth.... oh ok cool go for it!! Then maybe for a new section we could just break it down into a smooth 4/4.....ye thats cool but then Glenn on the drums could slip in a 3/4 underneath? Yes. Got it? Not really, ok, glgogogogo!!"
Is this the sort of thing you are looking for?
Basically, come with a real idea, be flexible, but rigid enough to be able to guide others.
On August 22 2010 11:06 ulszz wrote: hey man great stuff. you look like you have a hell of a time while busking.
i got really into bass this summer. i try to play 4 hours a day. mostly started just earing out songs because my ear was so weak. I had never played an instrument before i got my bass that is why i think.
anyways my ear is much stronger now and i have been learning major scales. and arpeggios of major chords. what else should i practice? i want to be good . when you are playing with bass players what do you find makes them stand out? why would you prefer one bassist to another? thanks
Haha yea it's a really great life out there. Sometimes it's hot and you make little money , but sometimes the ladies are kind to me and the paper is plenty. Often, it is responsible for almost half my income, and even more if you count indirectly (offers from people meeting me there etc)
Great initiative on the practise thing. Make sure to set serious time aside for different things (more on this) as well as just jamming noodly time, that way you can always be sure to progress but still have loads of fun without taking away from the other.
Well, I will answer your last question first which will lead me to the answer of your first question...
BE FUCKING MUSICAL. Jesus. Bass players , while some are tremendously solid, they get WAY too into the idea of just holdin it down. I mean yes, please, hold it down, but you can hold it down without being a pre recorded loop. Be dynamic! You have so much potential to influence a song. Play a constant groove, then break it down to a sparse texture. Influence the harmony, guide MY ear (the soloist) to new possibilities. Be fearless! Be able to solo, and accompany both very well. Understand the language of music, but more importantly be able to back it up in your playing. If a half diminished arpeggio of the ii chord, I want you to know what I'm saying and be able to do it. : )
If you can, you can join a group with me, haha.
What style are you hoping to be good at ? You sound ambitious!
So, heavy some very steady rhythm. You should be able to play all the chords in your upper register if you need to. Understand the roman numberal system of changes, I vi, ii, V, etc. Be a groove machine. Learn what it is to Bossa Nova, Samba, Slap, funk like Jaco Pastorious (Listen to his work on Kuru! Or anything off his first album) Blues in minor or major, walking basslines, basslines in 3/4 , etc. Being able to solo is a whole question into itself, but through your bass playing you will learn to play with changes and all that , so soloing will come easier.
Ask more if you need to. The more guided your questions are the more I can guide you. It's difficult when it is vague because of how many branches there are. You are doing well though.
On August 22 2010 12:17 MaRiNe23 wrote: Hey ella. This is the song that I want tabbed if you can. It's way too fast for me to follow past the beginning few plucks.
I could do this, I will wait and see maybe others would enjoy the task. Can you read sheet music? That would be a lot faster and easier for me.... I might be able to get to it before school starts. Unfortunately tabbing things is incredibly labourious and I'm not exactly turned on at the idea haha, that and I have heard that song many times and it is tired of my ears haha.
On August 22 2010 12:39 Wineandbread wrote: Cool thread! I'd like to ask a question as well:
I want to try learning how to play (acoustic) guitar. I love their sound and I'd love to be able to play. However, I have pretty much zero guitar knowledge. I've played violin for a good bit and have only a mediocre grasp of violin ability and music theory. I have an old Yamaha guitar but the strings are rusted as fuck; guess I'll have to replace them.
Anyway, how do you think I should go about starting?
Ok great! The love of sounds in general, the the desire to grow is all you need. Don't lose these things.
Your very first task? Learn these chords
G Major, A minor, D major, E minor, C Major.
Let me know when you start to get a bit of a grip on them . Promise me to play 15 minutes a day, and we will progress together.
On August 22 2010 15:10 Galois wrote: As a contribution to the thread, here is the first classical piece that I learned how to play in the guitar. I wrote the entire thing myself after translating from the original sheet music for piano. Its very easy.
Here's the piano version of the song so that you can get the hang of how it is supposed to hear:
THERE IS ALWAYS ONE NOTE TO BE PLAYED AT A TIME - the font for this site makes the thing look a bit fucked up, unfortunately... so always just play the one that looks further on the left
Time: 3/4 Standard tuning
You'll have to listen to the song itself to get the tune. The only one I could find on Youtube is here:
Thanks a lot for adding to the thread! this might turn people on to different kinds of music, and I love the classical style very much. Thank you for this sharing. If I can ever help you learn more, let me know.
putting the tab in [code] /code] will fix it, or at least in quote.
On August 22 2010 15:59 rauk wrote: have you ever had a student that was more technically advanced than you, but completely clueless as to how to go around making music with it? say, some guy who'd practiced PG exercises for 10 years but couldn't play over a backing track to save his life. how would you go around helping him to develop his ear and improvisation?
No , never. However, I see what you are getting at...
Singing.
Every musician MUST take it upon themselves to sing a little every day, 5 minutes. With their instrument is fine! I would say , here are 2 chords mister PG, play no more than 2 notes per measure, and sing every note. This style of playing lets you absorb how notes affect a harmony, and vice versa. Playing many notes will trick you into thinking you did everything well. Through singing, our true selves come out. Drop the ego. You can play guitar, but you can't make music. Through singing, we find what we truly want to express. For myself, I often don't play lines that are very complex, but I have a much better sense of harmonies and how to make myself feel deep emotions. If I can do this, then there is a chance I can do it for others. If not, then never beyond a superficial level.
Be able to identify all intervals upon hearing. Be able to sing any interval without having instrument in hand, this means you are internalizing the sounds.
As I mentioned, be able to play the changes. Most solos that are great tend to function in such a way that even if the whole band disappeared we'd still have an impression of what chords were being played. It doesn't have to be downright arpeggios, but guide is through chord changes. From there, you can choose to deviate , trick , or make love to us.
there is lots to say about this so feel free for more
On August 22 2010 18:17 Emon_ wrote: Oh god, you're right. There is some shcmuck named Emon making ridiculous music. Its the name of a high priest in a game, thats why I took it. Now I might need to reconsider. . .
The music I'm into is mostly rock. I don't play the most complex songs, but I do my best with the easier ones that sound good on an acoustic guitar. I do like folk music as well. As you said, I would like to know how do make the chords sound more alive. Something like what this guy is doing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y63RJiPLLKo
The cure! Very nice. Arpeggiate! If you pick, pick up and down the strings, find patterns by google or experimentation. I think the fingers are much better for this style. Learn what alternate bass or "travis picking" is . It gives you a much nicer sound first off. Learn to make all your chords either Major Min, or dom seven chords. This will allow for a more beautiful texture when you choose instead of the plain jane chords. Learn how to walk a bassline from one chord to the next, simple, effective. This video you show me the player is doing most of the things I'm talking about , as well as adding little extensions onto the chords. Doing suspensions and Adds . Learn what these are and use them in fleeting moment. You are close to your goal, just missing certain sprinkles. Take a simple 3 chord song or something, slow it way the hell down , and think "What can I do to make this more interesting?!" The answer is often in the techniques I've mentioned.
I can help explain any of these processes if google is lacking.
On August 23 2010 09:11 Impervious wrote: What do you think of popular music after watching this:
OH !!! YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU. This video really had me at the end, lolololol.
Ahh, maybe I will do the BW thing, it seems very casual and I still play. Thanks for the heads. I dont play SC2 though.
With pop music and musicians, it kind of goes like this
Play music > Hate on mainstream music for being "the man" or something > play music more > realize who cares at all?
Mainstream music is designed to be applicable to the greatest (lowest? ) common denominator. It's more a fault of the general music listening audience for not really caring, but hey, I don't really care about the layout of my city , though I'm sure some city planners are dieing for a chance to try something more interesting than grid format.
In my music listening, I really like things that challenge me as a listener. Like movies, music is either pop, with clear good and bad guys and expected endings, while some are interpretive, like a Lynch film or something where you hear it and say "did I like that? I will have to listen again... Ok I dont like it but I cant stop listening omg I need more and all of this artists influences and what did he name his son etc etc"
On August 23 2010 10:14 imPERSONater wrote: I have a question for you! I am mostly self taught so I don't have the brain to pick of an experienced player. I have kind of hit a plateau playing because I have can do finger-picking, barre cords and open chords but the internet doesn't offer much else in the way of instruction (that's readily available) besides "PLAY THIS BASIC SONG TO GET LAID!!!11!!!1."
Are there any books you recommend or a direction I should head in to continue to grow? Thanks for the help!
Hey my man! You commented on my youtube, thanks my bro haha.
It really depends on the styles you want to play well.... I mean, it is true. Some styles have a cap on how difficult they can be, because they aren't about the instruments as they are the song.
Chord Chemistry by Ted Greene is pretty nice in that it's more about him trying to help you find your own way as opposed to "Follow these steps, they are the one way" . It is jazz oriented, though. It's 'available' online
If you give me some more specifics I can help you a lot better. Do you want solo mastery in every style? Just rock? metal? do you want to be able to write music , or just play certain tunes?
On August 23 2010 10:22 Archaic wrote: I've always been interested in learning how to play jazz. I've kinda learned the general chords, progressions, etc. but I simply can't wrap my head around what makes a melody sound like it's jazz... It's so complicated. I just don't get it. Are there any special attributes, or is it just feeling that you acquire over the years? As an example of what I'm talking about, to get that "bluesy" feel, you can use minor pentatonic with blues notes to hit it pretty well (not saying the melody is particularly clever, just saying it sounds bluesy).
A very big subject here. Well, they typically follow the changes, as jazz progressions are full of mini-modulations, not many other styles (maybe just classical? Some metal?) do the soloists really pay attention to changes. Lots of embellishing (read: chromatics ). Can you read sheet? I might have a book of some interest.... Oh, and if you can, just look in the fake book! You will learn alot. Play the melodies by themselves, then play the chords and hear them together. The harmonies can have a huge impact on the melody. Sometimes the melodies themselves sound completely folky, and simple , but the rich harmonies put them in a different context.
If you look to my other post about singing, this helps you very much with phrasing. Pretty much every jazz musician breathes and paces himself, even the guitarist. They typically (though VERY subtly often) start their phrase softer and end soft, with the middle bubbling up a bit. Again, it's subtle, and hard to do properly. Syncopations should be under your fingers too. If doing runs of 16ths, you should be able to pop out any of them, not just the down and off beats, but the 2nd and 4th 16th notes as well. You hear this often.
Oh , also look up Chord Chemistry by Ted Greene. It talks lots about voice leading of chords and how to deal with notes. It talks primarily in harmony, but that is easily easily applied to solo sense. It is 'online'.
Ask more about this, but refine your question, especially if you explore the fakebook first.
Golly that sure took a long time. I hope you guys are getting stuff out of this. Maybe I'll post some of the ideas that keep me going on this journey in a new post sometime to possibly fuel your fires....
On August 23 2010 13:42 ella_guru wrote: (Archaic made a couple changes to what I said, just in case you missed it.)
I only just got around to it. You mentioned reading sheet. Yes, I technically can read sheet, but my sight-reading abilities are severely limited. I learned it playing piano, and as a result, chords were a lot simpler to play. Do you feel it's worth pursuing to become good at sight-reading complex sheet music for guitar? anyways, I'll give that book a try. You mention the Ted Green book, and another earlier, or are they the same book?
Ahh you don't really need to be REALLY good at it, though for jazz it can help alot. Though the player Lenny Breau who was super influential called sheet music "Just little black dots on a page". Then again, who could also read it very well when he wanted haha.
There is another book that is much more raw that helps you with melodic/soloing ideas from the very far out to the tonal. It's pretty heavy and requires at least a decent amount of effort in. Ted Greene book is going to at least have something in there right away that gets you inspired, I'd say.
thank you very much for your response. it is inspiring.
i want to be good at the genre of music . mostly i want to be able to play anything with anyone always. i really connected with what you said about pushing yourself mentally and physically to see how far you can go. although i'm a nooblet i'm in deep training. i find once i pick up my bass i can't seem to put it down and the longer i play the harder it is. just gotta go through those scales one more time or play this song again haha. then i'm always excited to when i wake up to see how much better i am even if it is only marginally.
after listening to your busking i think i'm going to try and learn what jazz is all about. i'm always hearing about it but have never really listened to it or understand it. plus i've always liked the idea of being a cat. what is some fundamental jazz to listen to?
once again thanks, and i'll probably have more questions in the future .
edit 3 To me, as long as your guitar is playable, a better amp will do LOADS more for your sound then a good guitar through a bad amp. If you get a decent size one, say 50 watts, and keep it on a lower volume, the bass amp wont hurt it. You could play through headphones. So I say if your guitar is at all playable, keep it, get a good guitar amp, and a cheap bass. For amps dont get anything bigger than say about 80 watts, and even that is a pretty big over kill. 30-50 is big enough for pretty much any gig, especially your bedroom.
If you have more questions maybe try for bullet points or something hahaha >___^
So you're saying I could play bass through my guitar amp through headphones? As bass guitars are known to damage the speakers in guitar amps cause of the low frequencies, wouldn't headphones be the same? I have a Roland Cube 20x right now and I kinda regret buying it. I mean, I guess it's kinda good cause it's pretty portable, but otherwise, I don't really enjoy the sounds I get out of it and it hisses a lot. That might just be my guitar though, as all the reviews I see for the amp are good. I haven't tried any other single coil guitars with it. I was thinking, maybe It'd be smart to upgrade my electronics on my current guitar instead of buying a brand new one? Apparently the body and neck are made out of expensive maple from some piano factory [it's handmade], but the electronics were supposed to be pretty bad, so maybe it'd serve as a good base? I feel kinda bad selling it, I got it for really cheap. There are other problems with it aswell.. like the action on the lower frets is REALLY low and gets higher as the frets get higher, the 3rd string kept hitting the fret at some points and I got a lot of string buzz, so I put on some thicker strings to counter it [from 9s to 10s] and now the intonation is pretty fucked [can't really fix it from the bridge, i tried]. Any idea what I can do about that? I guess evening out the action is the best thing I could do, no idea how that works though.
Oh yeah, about a bigger amp.. I can't even turn my 20w cube more than 1/4 up cause of my shitty neighbours and seemingly paper thin walls. Would getting a bigger one even be reasonable?
this one is what I mean by groove machine, be like him in this way!!
NHOP is one nasty cat ; ) , this stuff is 'Bop' which basically means it's pretty demanding to both play and listen to, but once you get the taste it is hard to stop. CATCH THAT BASS SOLO!!!!
Brubeck (piano) has a very different style than most , but this composition by sax player Paul Desmond is so fucking slick it makes me lose traction. The group is known for grooving in strange time signatures. This tune is called take five.
One more so I dont flood you. Davis' playing is like.... I think EVERYONE has a special connection to this song. I dont want to intellectualize it too much, but his phrasing .....!!
Listen to these many times and hear the layers and nuances that go on. These guys spent their life on their craft, and it is reflected.
Jazz is a great genre to bust your chops on as it is basically infinitely difficult, as hard as you want to make it. There is lots of room to grow. Jaco is a good guy to look up to, his first album especially. They say there was electric bass before Jaco, and electric bass after Jaco, that's how important he was. He can groove, solo with fire, make it moan, accompany, do chords, anything....
I think you have a great attitude so I want to encourage you very much! Let me know if I can ever help your journey along.
edit 3 To me, as long as your guitar is playable, a better amp will do LOADS more for your sound then a good guitar through a bad amp. If you get a decent size one, say 50 watts, and keep it on a lower volume, the bass amp wont hurt it. You could play through headphones. So I say if your guitar is at all playable, keep it, get a good guitar amp, and a cheap bass. For amps dont get anything bigger than say about 80 watts, and even that is a pretty big over kill. 30-50 is big enough for pretty much any gig, especially your bedroom.
If you have more questions maybe try for bullet points or something hahaha >___^
So you're saying I could play bass through my guitar amp through headphones? As bass guitars are known to damage the speakers in guitar amps cause of the low frequencies, wouldn't headphones be the same? I have a Roland Cube 20x right now and I kinda regret buying it. I mean, I guess it's kinda good cause it's pretty portable, but otherwise, I don't really enjoy the sounds I get out of it and it hisses a lot. That might just be my guitar though, as all the reviews I see for the amp are good. I haven't tried any other single coil guitars with it. I was thinking, maybe It'd be smart to upgrade my electronics on my current guitar instead of buying a brand new one? Apparently the body and neck are made out of expensive maple from some piano factory [it's handmade], but the electronics were supposed to be pretty bad, so maybe it'd serve as a good base? I feel kinda bad selling it, I got it for really cheap. There are other problems with it aswell.. like the action on the lower frets is REALLY low and gets higher as the frets get higher, the 3rd string kept hitting the fret at some points and I got a lot of string buzz, so I put on some thicker strings to counter it [from 9s to 10s] and now the intonation is pretty fucked [can't really fix it from the bridge, i tried]. Any idea what I can do about that? I guess evening out the action is the best thing I could do, no idea how that works though.
Oh yeah, about a bigger amp.. I can't even turn my 20w cube more than 1/4 up cause of my shitty neighbours and seemingly paper thin walls. Would getting a bigger one even be reasonable?
Let me know how your progress goes on these things, I'm sure you will encounter some struggles.
The guitar amp can handle the bass at low volumes, dont try and gig or anything but it will do fine for your practicing. I wouldnt lead you to danger!
You'll have to make the choice on your guitar plight I guess, in my experiences it's not usually the amps that hiss, its the patch cord or pickups. You could get your guitar set up nice at a store, shouldn't cost much but you do say funds are a big problem where you are from hmm.... Also your idea of new pickups is another good one, they always make a huge difference in sound.
Ahh perhaps you don't need a bigger amp then! hah, unfortunate.
I need help with developing my finger picking technique. Basically I've been playing guitar since I was 12 and I think I'm ready for some more advanced pieces. I want to try and master this person's rendition of radical dreamers from the game Chrono Cross.
The problem I have is, I have a tendency to cheat with my fingers and only use my thumb, first finger, and pinky when I should be using designated fingers for certain strings. Instead of using the middle finger and ring finger on certain strings, I cross over and use my first finger or my pinky finger. This really slows me down on parts where I need all 5 fingers to achieve the speed necessary to play the piece at 100% speed. What I need are some moderate finger picking pieces that can help bridge this talent gap, so I can gradually improve on my finger picking style. Do you have any suggestions on something to learn that's maybe a step down in difficulty from this piece? Any tips on learning radical dreamers in specific so that I can train my middle finger and ring finger to play the notes that they should be playing instead of using my other fingers to "cheat"?
Edit: Of course I mean improving the picking hand not the fret hand
Crap is it possible to get carpal tunnel from playing guitar? My wrist has been hurting a bit recently. I don't think it's computer related since I only get it in my left wrist. What should I do?
Is it worth it to swap my stock capacitors for those orange capacitors? I keep on hearing they make a pretty big difference in tone and it's a pretty cheap mod. I'll have to borrow a soldering iron and learn how to solder but it should be pretty easy. I'm thinking about saving up for a nice Fender American and swapping out the pickups for some nice custom ones. I'm still using one of those H-S-H super strats which I bought when I first started learning guitar. It sounds great on distortion but I think my cleans are a little to dark and muddy compared to strats.
If you want to learn jazz I really recommend you pick up a couple of jazz books. You should buy a book about jazz music theory and buy a fakebook. Those song books with backing tracks are pretty fun for just endless jamming and practicing. I also recommend um... I forgot the name of the book since it's at my other apartment but it's basically filled with licks which you practice in all 12 keys to build your internal music library. Ugh... That's a bad explanation. You know what I'm talking about ella_guru? I think that's pretty good advice for budding jazz musicians.
EDIT: just read through the thread... thanks for taking the time to do this! and i love take 5. i actually performed it (i play jazz sax) before I started concentrating more on the guitar rather than the sax.
i just realized your name is a beefheart reference. dude i am so deep in the zappa discography these last two years. i went to from listening to fripp, howe, and hackett to ZAPPA... never went back.
I assume you are into zappa if you like beefheart. fucking zappa is the most important composer of the 21st century...hands down.
im a sucker for "oldies" (e.g. doo-wop) and also his more avant shit like uncle meat.. goddamn good to meet a zappa friend in a guitar thread no less. people talk about clapton and hendrix like bobble-head puppets. Zappa played with and was better than them all..
he also discovered the likes of: adrian belew terry bozzio george duke vinnie colaiuta and many more
This is a brilliant thread. Thanks for posting this. I just got my guitar and I am starting with the chord exercise you mentioned. Are there any other things youd advise to do for beginners?
I learned the first four villa-lobos preludes this year. I'm afraid I might be past the peak in your graph. please elaborate on where the peak is, thanks ^^
On August 30 2010 10:56 palanq wrote: I learned the first four villa-lobos preludes this year. I'm afraid I might be past the peak in your graph. please elaborate on where the peak is, thanks ^^
You're past the peak. I was playing his preludes etudes and sonatas and never even got flashed. Sorry bro looks like your stuck in my world now =D
hey ella_guru hope all is well. thank you for your last response.
a little update: i'm still playing a lot, or as much as possible. school started so i'm more busy which sucks. i'm really wishing i had never entered college and just played music lol. even if i'd be poor my whole life i don't care all i need is food and a positive attitude haha.
thank you for getting me into jaco! i'd heard of him but never actually payed any attention. DAMN that guy can play! i've been watching everything of his on youtube and listing to it all. plus i've added some mingus and coltrane for jazz also just random pandora/grooveshark jazz sampling. man jazz is so good. i feel like i've been in this musical bubble of basically rock and its counterparts. listing to jazz for me is just refreshing so many different ideas and sounds that i'd never really heard before and its all so fun. jazz has really opened me up now i'm trying to listen to everything. i've been searching like chinese music arabic haha i really don't know just trying to sample every cultures musical style.
i've been poundin the theory and trying to master the major scale through major chord arpeggios and just running through the scale. soon i'll be adding the minor maybe i should be adding it sooner but i think it will be a quick transition. just flat the third sixth and seventh XD.
i don't really know why i made this post just for fun i guess. any musical suggestions? any new stuff you've been diggin? samples? haha hope all is well later!
Any tips on learning strumming patterns. I often read up chords then try to play them, but its really difficult to play it the way it sounds in the actual song.
I've been playing for like 15 hours in the past two days and my fingers are turning blackish-purple and they hurt in a sort of numb-ish kind of way. Should I stop? Or should i rub some ice on my fingertips and trudge along?
Hello ella_guru. Thank you for offering your services. I have a couple of questions I hope you could answer. 1. How many half-steps are in a full bend? The tab does a bend sign and it says full, so not sure how much steps higher it is. 2. What does the x stand for? Is it a deadnote?
3. What is that note thing that Jack does at 0:38s? [It is the note he plays right before it turns 0:39s] And how does one execute it?
Anyways those are my questions. If you could answer them, then thank you very much.
1. two half-steps, so two frets up. a full bend is 1 step 2. the x stands for muted string 3. that's like a palm-muted staccato note? cant tell right now it's too late, someone else can further explain or correct me, hard to describe, its just done with feeling
When should I use an A shaped barre chord over a C shaped barre chord? I know that it would make sense to use A shaped for Bb and B, but besides those I feel like you can either play a chord with its root on the fifth string in either position. The only explanation I can think of is having the chord sound fuller with all five strings, rather than muting the first string, which usually happens when I try to hit three frets with my ring finger. Should I use C shaped for Major chords and Am and A7 for minor and Seventh chords?
Can someone please give me advice on 12 string guitars? What are the best brands? I am intending to buy one, for performance and recording. Also, are Ovation guitars good? I saw a 12 string Ovation. They have a plastic back. The guy at the music store told me they're not worse than wooden back guitars they just sound different. Of course he isn't going to give me an honest opinion as he's trying to sell it but do they sound worse or is it true they have a unique sound?
Hi, I have played guitar for the last 4 years and enjoy it very much, I am quite good but seemed to have reached a plateau in my playing so to speak. Do you have any advice for an intermediate/advanced player to improve their playing after they have hit a wall in their skill? I suppose just to practice practice practice but maybe there is something I am not getting.