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Message
playing the guitar
Posted on 5/30/24 at 10:20 am
Posted on 5/30/24 at 10:20 am
hey guys. i'm a new guitar player. basically between Christmas and New Years last year i decided that 2024 was going to be the year that i finally commit to playing, and i have done a pretty good job so far. i pretty much decided that i would play a minimum of 20 minutes a day, every single day that i could. i've missed less than ten days since new years, and most days i play longer than 20 minutes. i know 20 minutes isnt much, but i needed a small goal to make myself commit. like i said, many days i play much longer, just depends on my schedule.
my question is this - what now? i've gotten decent enough at playing the basic chords and transitioning. i play mostly pretty simple country songs, and i use a basic strumming pattern. should i just keep doing this for now? i feel like i'm starting to need some direction with my practicing in order to get better. i would like to start learning some better strumming patterns and styles, etc. basically i dont know what i dont know, and i dont know what to do next. maybe i should take some formal lessons?
thoughts?
my question is this - what now? i've gotten decent enough at playing the basic chords and transitioning. i play mostly pretty simple country songs, and i use a basic strumming pattern. should i just keep doing this for now? i feel like i'm starting to need some direction with my practicing in order to get better. i would like to start learning some better strumming patterns and styles, etc. basically i dont know what i dont know, and i dont know what to do next. maybe i should take some formal lessons?
thoughts?
15
Posted on 5/30/24 at 10:33 am to Sam Quint
Take lessons. Start listening to really great guitar players and anyone else who is great on their instrument.
If you tell us what genre you like most and want to be able to play, you can get some good suggestions here probably.
My suggestions are Jerry Reed, Chet Atkins, Tony Rice, Mark Knopfler, Bela Fleck, Tony Joe White and a hundred others..
If you tell us what genre you like most and want to be able to play, you can get some good suggestions here probably.
My suggestions are Jerry Reed, Chet Atkins, Tony Rice, Mark Knopfler, Bela Fleck, Tony Joe White and a hundred others..
Posted on 5/30/24 at 10:50 am to Sam Quint
Pick a song with a simple verse and chorus, but with a bridge that changes things up a bit. Find the tablature on the web. Play along over and over for more than 20 minutes. Feel the rhythm. Get obsessed. Punish those around you with Kentucky Woman and Sweet Caroline.
Posted on 5/30/24 at 10:52 am to Sam Quint
Play some scales. Pentatonic, blues, major and minor. This will give you something to do.
Or buy a new guitar… lol
I took lessons this year and it helped a ton.
Or buy a new guitar… lol
I took lessons this year and it helped a ton.
Posted on 5/30/24 at 11:54 am to BogeyTX
quote:
Or buy a new guitar… lol
It definitely will make you play more for a while, then when you slow down, go buy another one
Posted on 5/30/24 at 12:28 pm to Sam Quint
Join a band. There is nothing better than on the job training. Playing with others with really improve your skills. Things you can’t get from playing along to a song.
And just keep playing and playing. Even the worst player will get better just by doing it every day.
And just keep playing and playing. Even the worst player will get better just by doing it every day.
Posted on 5/30/24 at 12:35 pm to Sam Quint
The hardest thing for me was learning how to sing and play at the same time. Keep practicing at that. Simple songs are fine.
Learn major and minor pentatonic scales. Once you get comfortable enough, put a song on, and play around with them.
Learn major and minor pentatonic scales. Once you get comfortable enough, put a song on, and play around with them.
Posted on 5/30/24 at 1:03 pm to Sam Quint
Assuming you know bar chords....Learn the minor Pentatonic scale (and then forget it). Then a major pentatonic... BUT...
What do you want to do? Lessons will scoot you along faster, but you may not develop your ear.
Try this... Have your guitar next to you while you are watching TV. When a commercial comes on, with music in the background, see if you can find the key, some chords, etc.. It happens fast. OR just listen to your favorite radio and try to learn songs as they come on..
MOSTLY....HAVE FUN...
What do you want to do? Lessons will scoot you along faster, but you may not develop your ear.
Try this... Have your guitar next to you while you are watching TV. When a commercial comes on, with music in the background, see if you can find the key, some chords, etc.. It happens fast. OR just listen to your favorite radio and try to learn songs as they come on..
MOSTLY....HAVE FUN...
Posted on 5/30/24 at 2:06 pm to BogeyTX
quote:
Or buy a new guitar…
Posted on 5/30/24 at 3:12 pm to Sam Quint
Now... guitar tapping! 
Posted on 5/30/24 at 3:52 pm to Sam Quint
Have fun.
Develop your picking hand more by learning economy picking.
Develop your fretting hand more with legato exercises.
Buy a metronome if you don't already have one.
Learn to read music and/or tablature.
Lessons.
Develop your picking hand more by learning economy picking.
Develop your fretting hand more with legato exercises.
Buy a metronome if you don't already have one.
Learn to read music and/or tablature.
Lessons.
Posted on 5/30/24 at 4:43 pm to Sam Quint
It’s been said but, if you don’t want to commit to taking lessons, I’d pick some a scale to learn in a certain key. Think country if that’s what you enjoy playing. Find a song you enjoy and the key it’s in and find some runs with a scale for it.
If that’s a little too much, maybe learn to walk up and down into chords.
These are ways I learned and still learn. Just have fun with it and start a molly hatchet cover band in a year or so.
If that’s a little too much, maybe learn to walk up and down into chords.
These are ways I learned and still learn. Just have fun with it and start a molly hatchet cover band in a year or so.
Posted on 5/30/24 at 8:50 pm to MontanaMax
If I start lessons, how much / often is necessary for improvement? Once a week?
Posted on 5/30/24 at 8:52 pm to Back to Scat
quote:
Assuming you know bar chords
Thats a big assumption. I can't even get F down smoothly. Makes me want to rage some nights. (Most nights)
Posted on 5/30/24 at 8:54 pm to Sam Quint
quote:
If I start lessons, how much / often is necessary for improvement? Once a week?
My friend does 45 minute lessons once per week. I think he charges $30 per lesson.
Posted on 5/30/24 at 9:19 pm to Sam Quint
Justin Guitar on You Tube is a good place to start.
Posted on 5/30/24 at 10:21 pm to Sam Quint
practice scales to a metronome, learn box technique, start learning modes, finger picking, hybrid picking, sweep picking, economy picking, music theory, go down the pedals rabbit hole....
Posted on 5/31/24 at 1:31 am to Sam Quint
quote:Last time it was twice a month and a 45 minute drive.
If I start lessons, how much / often is necessary for improvement? Once a week?
Was heading here to say, lessons even if just temporal, there's just too much going on to see. And this knowledge base comes with an extra pair of eyes and ears.
Posted on 5/31/24 at 1:40 am to Sam Quint
if you have open chords down then work on some melodic lines. learn the g run and a couple fiddle tunes. salt creek/ old man at the mill are good starters. youll find yourself adding more complexities and variations as you get it down and boom, now youre playing lead
Posted on 5/31/24 at 2:35 am to geauxjuice
quote:
if you have open chords down then work on some melodic lines. learn the g run and a couple fiddle tunes. salt creek/ old man at the mill are good starters. youll find yourself adding more complexities and variations as you get it down and boom, now youre playing lead
This is the way.
I took lessons when I was 9 or so and basically just retained open chords and 2 or 3 picking tunes.
I didn't play guitar consistently again until I was in my 20's and it's amazing how much I improved just building from that base.
And I'm not someone who has a great ear or a lot of natural musical talent.
For reference, I mostly play traditional country and bluegrass so results may vary if you play other styles. I'm not Billy Strings or anything but have played some small gigs, weddings, etc
This post was edited on 5/31/24 at 2:41 am
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