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Question regarding Instructional Approach & Materials


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Posted

Guitar gurus,

 

Hello. I am hoping that maybe some of the experienced guitar players out there maybe able to help me. I am a newbie to guitar and would like to know if you can recommend a good guitar learning program/ course. My area of interest is rock guitar. I am aware that the best method of learning is to find a competent teacher, but I am unable to afford one at this time. Perhaps you could recommend a good video instuction series? I have been "playing"(if you can call it that) for about 2 months and I feel like I am not progressing. Half of the problem is that I don't know what I should be practicing. I feel that if I had a structured learning approach, progressing only after mastery of techniques/concepts, I could start making noticeable progress. I noticed that GuitarSchool.net has a progressive course on guitar. Has anyone tried this? I feel that with video "a picture is worth a thousand words". Since I will be learning without the aid of an experienced teacher I want to be able to see the proper techniques and thus prevent the development of "bad habits", something that learning from a book makes much more difficult. I purchased a series called Fretboard Logic (books & video) which has gotten great reviews, but I feel that I am not skilled or ready enough to effectively utilize the course. I want to achieve a solid foundation before I progress onto more technical aspects. Any information/suggestions you could provide is greatly appreciated.

 

Equipment:

Guitar: Yamaha EG112

Amp: CRATE GX15

Metronome

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Posted

If you are more specific than "rock", I can give you some other examples. But a fun method is Troy Stetina's "Total Rock Guitar."
It teaches you with progressively more difficult songs. The CD has backing tracks to play along with...and the more difficult parts are played slowly. The first couple of songs are very easy, but some of the later ones take a bit of skill.

But, whatever method you choose...if it's a book, make sure it has a CD for examples--otherwise, you won't know what things are supposed to sound like.

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Posted

Sorry, just noticed that you want a video series. I think that troy Stetina also has a couple of videos, but I haven't seen them.

But, i wouldn't be afraid of learning with books/CDs.....after all, most of the best rock musicians are self taught ( they play by ear.)

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Posted

http://marcseal.com/product.asp?intProdID=17

 

With this you get like 30 hours of video lessons (on cd-roms) by a great teacher and player. He's the same guy who does the rock lessons at Guitarschool.net but IMO this is a way better deal because you get 30 hours compared to about 30 minutes for the same price. Watching these videos won't just teach you stuff but it WILL inspire you to practice and play more. You can find out more what's included by going here

http://marcseal.com/productsByCategory.asp?intCatalogID=10004&strCatalog_NAME=Guitar+Mania

look at the bottom 5 products and that's what's included in the bundle along with his latest instrumental rock cd. GREAT DEAL! If you don't have that much money to spend then I would suggest buying his theory one and the technique one.

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Posted

Awesome! Just want to thank you all again for taking the time to make the suggestions, I really do appreciate it.

I am not sure how I can be more specific about the style of guitar I am trying to learn. :confused: As far as my musical tastes go, I like Pink Floyd, Tool, Cake, The Doors, Alice in Chains, Audioslave. So I guess the style of rock I am interested in learning is modern/hard???

I do already have the Beginning Rock Guitar by Paul Lidel DVD. The DVD is OK and he teaches you some riffs, so you can play something that is fairly easy and recognizable, but as far as instruction on chord progressions, scales, and theory: it is very limited in its scope.

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Posted

That's what I mean by being more specific...."rock" music could be anything from 80's stuff like The Police, to things like Alice In Chains.

Ok, here are my suggestions for you. Most of troy Stetina's stuff would be a good choice. He is a good teacher & player and has videos and book/ cd's. His stuff is widely available, but for the best selection...go to his website www.stetina.com

Also, I'm a big believer in learning songs---after all, that's the reason you want to play guitar. I'd suggest that you choose a "signature series" / "in the method of" type of book/cd or video....it will break down the songs and techniques used by a certain band, and really give you a jump start. Also, I'd suggest a "play-along" book/cd....it'll have songs tabbed, and backing tracks to practice to. I know that Pink Floyd is available in backing track, and maybe the signature series too. Alice in Chains might be too. I'm not sure about the others.

So, if you are on a budget, I'd suggest 1 general "rock guitar method" book or video, and 1 band specific book/ video to start with. Here are two reputable places that I've ordered from(both have huge selections)---

www.modrock.com

www.chordmelody.com

I hope that helped you.

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Posted

I see what you mean now about the different styles. I checked the website that you suggested and I admit I'm fairly impressed (seems like a great instructional series) but also a little confused. If I were to chose a specific system, say the "Metal" course, how exactly would that differ from the "Rock"? I apologize, you have to forgive me for my ignorance. I think I have been brain washed by the Dummies books I have been using. So am I correct in assuming that no matter which style I chose I will still learn the basics of guitar itself? I will still start with the basic chord forms (CAGED) and progress from there? It is hard to ask a definitive question as I have no knowledge base to feed from. I seriously appreciate your efforts. It is great to be able to receive feedback/guidance on these issues. I will definitely pick up one of the "Guitar in the Style of ******" you suggested.

I have one more question/concern that you may be able to answer. I have been practicing the CAGED sequence for several weeks now and I am still experiencing difficulties with transitions between chords. I know that it takes a certain amount of repitition to program the "muscle memory", but I wonder if you could tell me how long it took you or should take me to become proficent at these basic forms. I practice religiously for at least 2 hours a day, I warm up, practice the chromatic scale and alternate picking, then proceed to practicing transitions between the chord forms. It is frustrating because I know that I can't advance until I master these forms. I know that some people are more dexterious and it takes time for your muscles and coordination to develop, I just want to know if this difficulty is normal or if I am doing something wrong? :( Thanks again.

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Posted

It is frustrating because I know that I can't advance until I master these forms.

 

 

You can certainly advance without mastering first position chords. I mean, keep working on them, but don't let them stand in your way of exploring other things.

 

It's like, why deprive yourself of practicing other things until you've mastered those chords, when you'll still be practicing those chords even as you work on new things? The things you learn and dexterity you'll gain from other stuff will help you a lot with your chord playing.

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Posted

Slindsey,

I took your advice and after reading some of reviews and teaching/playing philosophy on Stetina.com, I purchased the Metal Starter Pack. Should be an enjoyable program and will keep me busy for the next 4-6 months.:D Thanks again to you and everyone who replied for your input and suggestions.

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Posted

Glad I could help Tool _fan. You will definitely progress with Stetina's method. I'd been playing guitar for many years when I found his Metal Lead series. It really helped me with some of my weak areas....and my wife noticed the difference in my playing within a couple of months.

The difference between "metal" and "rock" styles sometimes isn't that much. But in general, "metal" uses more power chord/ interval playing for rhythm, and the lead/solos are technically more challenging.

As far as changing open position chords, it took a couple of months before I could transition from chord to chord. Here are a couple of tips to help you......

(1) Practice simple rhythms with a metronome. Try switching back and forth between two chords, lets say D and G. Strum the D chord on every click for 4 clicks, and on the 5th click switch to a G. Just start with the metronome speed very slow...say 80 BPM. Once you can do this, move to step 2.

(2) Figure out the rhythm of an easy song, first with just the root note of the chords. When you have the rhythm down with the single notes, try it with chords. An example would be AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long." It uses G,C, and D.

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Posted

Holy {censored}, I think I'm going to have to order some of Stetina's Metal books. I'm a theory newbie, but have a decent amount of technical skills (alt picking, palm muting, trem picking etc.) so I'm definately going to check these out.

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