Members saitama Posted February 16, 2007 Members Posted February 16, 2007 I've been playing guitar for four years and I just realized I suck. Not that self-depreciating "oh, I can't Yngwie it up, bawwwww!" kind of suck, I'm talking big time. I've seen people playing for six months who can top me. I still can't play an F chord.I don't know a single scale. I don't know how to hold the pick right still.I can't play a complete song other than "The Monster Mash." Why? I don't think, in all those four years, I ever once practiced. I don't think I ever sat down, got out a scale or chord book, and had at at. Okay, maybe once with a cheesy Fender DVD for an hour, but that was it. Why? Am I just lazy? Is it because I don't know any other musicians to jam with? Well, either way, I'm ending it now. Forget the GAS. Forget scouring the internet reading about how to play guitar instead of learning. What I need is to start over. Unlearn all the bad habits I've learned over the years. Put away all my crap, plug into an amp, get out a metronome, and practice. I'm 21 now, and I know the older you get the harder it is for you to learn, so I want to know, is it too late? I'm not trying to become SRV or Petrucci here. Not trying to learn shred, blues, jazz, just get a grounding and go from there. So, my big question, after all of this spiel, is: What is the single thing I should focus on to get a good, firm hold on guitar? Should I seek out a teacher? Know any good, concise books? I'm tired of scouring the internet; there's too many contradictions, too much information. I want to focus on ONE thing right now, then I will go onto the next. And one more thing to get me started, I need a good practice amp that will last. Has to be under $300. I would use my old practice amp, but... it kinda met with some water damage. Long story, bad apartment. Here's to it!
Members racerxwannabe Posted February 16, 2007 Members Posted February 16, 2007 take up the hurdy gurdy
Members LordCodeman Posted February 16, 2007 Members Posted February 16, 2007 saitma, you sound a lot like me a couple years ago. Go here,http://www.guitarprinciples.com/index.html, and get the book. It's the best thing I ever did for my own playing.
Members Bryan102552 Posted February 16, 2007 Members Posted February 16, 2007 Saitama, I was 11 when the Beatle bug hit in 1963/64. I knew how to sing their songs but not play them. So I bought a book that had all their songs (to that point) in about 1965, picked up a guitar and taught myself how they go. The book had chord diagrams (no TAB) but it certainly helped me out. If you can find a book -- or DVD in these advanced times -- of your favorite artist(s) songs, I'd suggest taking the same simplified approach and get the basics (timing, keys and what makes them, MEMORIZING chord changes and how the react with each other) down, and go from there. If all you want to do is learn to solo, you will be standing on the roof of a very rickety house. Foundation first --- always! I guess I should add that I DID have 6 years of earlier piano lessons under my belt, so I understood theory, but the guitar was STILL a strange instrument, with its own unique quirks.
Members astring Posted February 16, 2007 Members Posted February 16, 2007 if you enjoy it learn to play, if not than blow it off, it really is not difficult if you enjoy it
Members clickonce Posted February 16, 2007 Members Posted February 16, 2007 if you enjoy it learn to play, if not than blow it off, it really is not difficult if you enjoy it /agree astring.
Members Dubb Posted February 16, 2007 Members Posted February 16, 2007 Should I seek out a teacher?YES. That is, without a doubt, the best option. Look, if you went 4 years without learning an F chord, then I don't think that buying a book (even a good one) is going to motivate you enough to do much about your playing. What you need is someone busting your ass and making sure that you practice, someone who will show you what and how to practice, and introduce everything guitar in a structured, logical fashion. Check out this article: Choosing a Teacher, and then tommorow call some music stores and ask about finding a guitar teacher. You'll be glad you did.
Members Jawbreakerr Posted February 16, 2007 Members Posted February 16, 2007 get a great teacher! and dont just get the young guy that can teach yo songs you wanna learn.. find a teacher that will apply theory and plant the seeds for which your musical language will grow! TEACHER IS IMPORTANT! your teacher could then give you enough material to work on for the rest of your life, even if you only take lessons for a year.
Members Li Shenron Posted February 16, 2007 Members Posted February 16, 2007 You might have been seriously lacking motivation so far. Dedication and motivation help each other out all the time, so if you want to try and see once and for all if playing the guitar is a good thing for your life, try to boost a little bit both of them. But don't exaggerate, otherwise it might mock you down... Don't suddenly try to practice 4 hour every day, the abrupt change may result in you giving up again after a couple of days. Try otherwise to choose a small schedule, like 30 minutes every day, or choose 1 day per week when you sit and practice for 2 full hours. Hopefully, a little dedication will result in improvements, and improvements are the best source of motivation to keep going Seriously consider getting a teacher. If you're doubtful about this, don't go to lesson every week. Agree on 1 lesson every 2 weeks or even less, enough to have a reference and GOALS to reach, without feeling too much like a burden.
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