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Post subject: help in advancing
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 9:54 am
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so lately i have felt as if i haven't been advancing in my playing as i should or at all really although i know i still have a lot to get better at
in other words i am stuck in a rut

and i was wondering if anyone had any tips that could help break the monotony and help me find ways to practice because i feel like i don't know how

so please just any tips will help


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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:10 am
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A couple things come to mind:

1. Find others to play with, be it another guitarist or a bass player or drummer. Covers, originals, or open jams. IMO playing with others is extremely beneficial.
2. Try a different genre of music. Open yourself up to something different. If you are mainly a rock player, try some blues or vice-versa.
3. Buy an effects pedal. Don't know if you have any right now, but try out something that will spark your interest.
4. Experiment. Techniques, styles, etc.

Hope this can help you.


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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:13 am
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thanks i havent really thought of some of those i think i look into different genres


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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:24 am
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Definately find some others to play with. Put up an ad on Craigslist or wherever and find some others near you to play with. Other people will have different musical tastes/styles and you can learn from them and they can learn from you. Don't know how long you have been playing, but don't let your experience level hold you back. Just do it and have fun.


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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:32 am
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yeah i guess i just get nervous playing around other people but i look for people to play with then


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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:37 am
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Over the years I have met several other players at the the muisic shops open mic night. While there will will see a lot people who are just like you and developing there own style.

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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:39 am
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Apocolypsis wrote:
yeah i guess i just get nervous playing around other people ......

We all were there once. Don't worry about it.


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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:41 am
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If you are an active member in your church, and your church has a praise band, then that is a great place to start to ease up around playing around people! :)

Other than that, playing outside of your comfort zone, trying something that's harder than usual, can also get you used to playing harder things.

Hope that helps. :)


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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 12:50 pm
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I find that with guy's in your situation, I think you should go with what was mentioned above and see if you can sit in with a band.
I personally would suggest one that already has a lead guitarist and you drop in on 2nd guitar ( or rhythm, some say ) learn from his licks.
After a while you can start to insert some of your own short riffs, when the gaps and situation permits, you can then play kind of counterpoint, return backtalk and work out harmonies etc. imagination as no limits.
You will begin to enjoy it more and learn at the same time.
Good luck, have fun.


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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 12:56 pm
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Man, this is why I love this forum. That's the perfect advice that I need to follow too. I'm at a point in my learning that I will still keep on with theory and progressions, etc. but I really really need to do some real world stuff soon if I'm going to advance. But, even at 37, nervous about "hangin' it out there" in front of better musicians and wonder if they'd even give me the time of day! I try to hang out at my music store and have met a few guys that buy from there as well that come up on saturdays. The guys that own/work there enjoy our company and I'm learning alot listening to their stories. When I was younger, it was easier coz we were all learning and, well, we sucked, so no pressure. I was in a few bands from 15-20 but life took over...

Needless to say, its great advice to get with other musicians, how to go about getting over the fear... i'm still pondering!


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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 1:29 pm
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pontmercy wrote:
Man, this is why I love this forum. That's the perfect advice that I need to follow too. I'm at a point in my learning that I will still keep on with theory and progressions, etc. but I really really need to do some real world stuff soon if I'm going to advance. But, even at 37, nervous about "hangin' it out there" in front of better musicians and wonder if they'd even give me the time of day! I try to hang out at my music store and have met a few guys that buy from there as well that come up on saturdays. The guys that own/work there enjoy our company and I'm learning alot listening to their stories. When I was younger, it was easier coz we were all learning and, well, we sucked, so no pressure. I was in a few bands from 15-20 but life took over...

Needless to say, its great advice to get with other musicians, how to go about getting over the fear... i'm still pondering!



There are times when you just have to push yourself. Yeah, ok it's scarey but when you start a new job, that's a nervous time as well but once you settle in, things get easier. So it is with bands. We've all been scared.
Next time you are in the company of musicians, force yourself to ask if you can hang in their band awhile, you don't have to talk money or anything heavy like that....just fun and don't be afraid to explain your feelings to them.
Ok I know we live in the real world and not everyone is sympathetic.
But some are, remember that...........some are.
Good luck, we all had to search. Sometimes in our soul.


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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 5:41 pm
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i think time is a realy good thing to get good. you could practice 8hours a day but you'd be going over that same stuff over and over but over time you think of new things to practice and you get ideas from other people (like this forum) or get inspired by something. if it interests you you will do it without thinking about it and over time you will get better and better. also everyone sucks at some point in time and the only way to get better is to just 'do it' in some form or another. (excuse the crap nike add copy)
also i think forceing it doesn't work for learning it, i dont know why, it just feels worng and unenjoyable.

anyway those are my methods of madness, i dunno if they will fit for you tho.

take it easy, jo

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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 5:56 pm
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Depending on how far along you are on the guitar, like if you're intemidiate or better, I'd say take up another instrument on the side, like Mandolin or Keyboard, or even just altrnate guitar tunings and slide techniques. It will improve your guitar playing in ways you never would have imagined.

Music theory makes sence on a Keyboard, less so on a guitar. And mandolin forces you to pick more accuratley and no bending to speak of, so you have to fret more accuratley as well. But chord and scale shapes are way easier on Mando.

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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:11 am
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"Shut up and play your guitar." (Frank Zappa)

"Shut up and play your guitar some more." (Frank Zappa)


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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:05 pm
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FirstMeasure wrote:
Depending on how far along you are on the guitar, like if you're intemidiate or better, I'd say take up another instrument on the side, like Mandolin or Keyboard, or even just altrnate guitar tunings and slide techniques. It will improve your guitar playing in ways you never would have imagined.

Music theory makes sence on a Keyboard, less so on a guitar. And mandolin forces you to pick more accuratley and no bending to speak of, so you have to fret more accuratley as well. But chord and scale shapes are way easier on Mando.


Actually, it was picking up a well made ukulele (oscar schmidt) on vacation this summer that got me back to playing my guitar....it's like the uke was a "gateway drug" ha ha


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