One for the Guitarists...
Discussion
Interesting reading the survey in last months Guitarists mag.
They reckon at least 50% use online methods to learn and improve, and very closely similar to books/magazines with a small perectage using a tutor.
As Im not really feeling it with my current tutor, I wondered what you guys use/recommend to learn in general ?
People rave about Justin Sandercoe, but Im not convinced tbh.
I dont mind some of the stuff that Marty does,buts its never the whole song.
They reckon at least 50% use online methods to learn and improve, and very closely similar to books/magazines with a small perectage using a tutor.
As Im not really feeling it with my current tutor, I wondered what you guys use/recommend to learn in general ?
People rave about Justin Sandercoe, but Im not convinced tbh.
I dont mind some of the stuff that Marty does,buts its never the whole song.
otolith said:
My tutor used to make a lot of use of YouTube tutorials for his own lessons. Having someone pick up your mistakes, or improvise with you, is worth a lot.
My current tutor is very laid back, and I feel quite confident with him playing along, but he doesnt push me hard enough I dont think.I could never improv with my previous tutor as he intimidated me, but this is great at that.
Just a shame hes never heard of any of my influences...
Incidentally, if anyone is in the Cirencester area, John Parker is the guy I used - would recommend him.
http://cirencesterguitar.co.uk
http://cirencesterguitar.co.uk
Put on a song you like - anything. Work out what key it is in and just play along. I don't mean learn the song just play along - improvise a lead line.
I would suggest Let it Be as a good one to start with. Not too fast and there's a guitar solo in the middle. Just play your own solo over George's. Then pick a new song in a different key. If you want to be a lead guitarist it's a good way to start to work out intros, fills and so on.
I would suggest Let it Be as a good one to start with. Not too fast and there's a guitar solo in the middle. Just play your own solo over George's. Then pick a new song in a different key. If you want to be a lead guitarist it's a good way to start to work out intros, fills and so on.
I learnt before You tube existed. In my case, I drove my mum & dad mad repeating phrases over & over learning by rote until I worked out what was going on, then an inch at a time, starting to relate it to theory & scales & concepts and so on until the picture began to reveal itself.
You tube though is great, really good, provided you can discern the good stuff from the dross. Sandercoe doesn't really do it for me - too much yacking, not enough playing, but if you find a good player on there, it's really a great resource.
I'm another who tried night school, was ok, tutors, never really got on with that way of learning & so I taught myself & now I'm an idiot taught by a fool...
However, I have to say the one thing that transformed my levels & frequency of playing was the Boss E-Band. That thing is a great, great bit of kit & I wouldn't be without one now, but these things are always personal choices - what works for one guy is another's nightmare, you just have to find your path really.
You tube though is great, really good, provided you can discern the good stuff from the dross. Sandercoe doesn't really do it for me - too much yacking, not enough playing, but if you find a good player on there, it's really a great resource.
I'm another who tried night school, was ok, tutors, never really got on with that way of learning & so I taught myself & now I'm an idiot taught by a fool...
However, I have to say the one thing that transformed my levels & frequency of playing was the Boss E-Band. That thing is a great, great bit of kit & I wouldn't be without one now, but these things are always personal choices - what works for one guy is another's nightmare, you just have to find your path really.
Self-taught here, also; driven mainly by wanting to play the sort of stuff I was listening to at the time. I wanted to play Chicago Blues / Zep / Sabbath / Cream and such like. Luckily, the tabs in the guitar mags of the late 80's / early 90's contained a rich seam of tabs that talked to me.
From there, I moved on to the lessons in the mags that dealt with theory / scales / modes which I lapped up at the time, but have now - mostly - forgotten
I actually like Marty Schwartz, and watching his stuff on line has (yet again) taught me that learning the guitar is constant. It never ends. Watching a Marty vid some time ago taught me about "BB Boxes" for blues lead playing which I found massively useful.
From there, I moved on to the lessons in the mags that dealt with theory / scales / modes which I lapped up at the time, but have now - mostly - forgotten
I actually like Marty Schwartz, and watching his stuff on line has (yet again) taught me that learning the guitar is constant. It never ends. Watching a Marty vid some time ago taught me about "BB Boxes" for blues lead playing which I found massively useful.
lockhart flawse said:
Put on a song you like - anything. Work out what key it is in and just play along. I don't mean learn the song just play along - improvise a lead line.
I would suggest Let it Be as a good one to start with. Not too fast and there's a guitar solo in the middle. Just play your own solo over George's. Then pick a new song in a different key. If you want to be a lead guitarist it's a good way to start to work out intros, fills and so on.
Good advice there, my Dad taught me the basics and I went away and played along to ever singe AC/DC song I could find. Something nice about working out the rhythm parts yourself and being able to come up with a lead part. It helped that I really like their music so I had great fun doing it - still do! I would suggest Let it Be as a good one to start with. Not too fast and there's a guitar solo in the middle. Just play your own solo over George's. Then pick a new song in a different key. If you want to be a lead guitarist it's a good way to start to work out intros, fills and so on.
Now that I have been playing a bit longer I do the same, but just for different bands to try and push myself a bit.
I wouldn't get bogged down in theory. BB King never bothered with any of that. We are talking about making music and that comes from the bit between the ears. There is no right or wrong way (although there are better and worse ways). You have to listen and respond to what you hear; music is supposed to be a creative process not a prescriptive one. I have grade 8 and it is zippo use for playing rock guitar.
davidd said:
Self taught and not to a very high level either. Always found that the best way for me to improve was to be in a band.
Would really like to get to grips with theory but every time I sit down to try I find I get distracted.
Totally agree - playing in a band will, hopefully, push you to new levels. You can always tell the bedroom jammer versus someone who plays with others mainly because the person who jams in a group tends not to stop when they fluff it up.Would really like to get to grips with theory but every time I sit down to try I find I get distracted.
I'd recommend the OP to get onto a band finder site and look out for jam nights or even bands looking for someone - find out what level they're at and what they expect. If you're honest about your ability it'll be easy to find like-minded and ability people.
I found a group of guys jamming locally to me on joinmyband.co.uk and it helped me get back in to playing, now I'm in a decent covers band and having a lot of fun. there's no substitute for getting yourself out there.
Some interesting responses .
Sadly,I'm really at the point of being able to jam along quite yet.
One of the things I like about having a tutor is that it forces me to practise ,so I don't look like a hopeless case at the next lesson!
I know I'm not practising enough currently, but I have other things that I need/like to do as well.and working full time as well leaves leisure time in short supply.
It doesn't come naturally to me yet,although I'm progressing on that front,and I certainly don't have any real talent.
But by god I enjoy making some noise with the thing...
Sadly,I'm really at the point of being able to jam along quite yet.
One of the things I like about having a tutor is that it forces me to practise ,so I don't look like a hopeless case at the next lesson!
I know I'm not practising enough currently, but I have other things that I need/like to do as well.and working full time as well leaves leisure time in short supply.
It doesn't come naturally to me yet,although I'm progressing on that front,and I certainly don't have any real talent.
But by god I enjoy making some noise with the thing...
I have been learning to play the guitar for around 10 months with the help of a tutor . I get on pretty well with the tutor and he has helped me weed out any bad habits, which I suppose is easier for him as I have never played before. The lessons are structured so there will always be 'homework' each week. I have been using Youtube quite a lot recently to help with my chord progression, having a few chords under my belt means I can try and learn a few songs. I reckon the most important thing is practice, I have put a lot more practice in recently which has really helped my progression over the last few months.
Justin Cyder said:
Practice is THE secret to learning guitar. There is no song, riff or move in existence you can't improve by playing it again, again & again.
I know that, and fully understand it. I just always seem to have so little spare time.Does that doubt my commitment ? Possibly, but Im in no hurry, and I enjoy what I do. I think I spend more time practising in the winter than summer tho.
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