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Post subject: Here goes!!!
Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 1:20 pm
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After ALL these years I've finally decided to give this electric guitar thing a twirl...it's something I should have done in my teenage years in the 70s...but alas I didn't have the brains to just lock myself up in my bedroom and practice until my fingers bled. The normal teenage things back then pulled me away. I was one of course like so many others in my generation that was amazed by The Beatles on Ed Sullivan and even The Monkees and countless other great groups of that era. I've always seemed to possess a natural rhythm...so now at 56 and disabled with rheumatoid arthritis it's time to give er a go. Ive a Fender Modern Player Telecaster in the honey oak finish...maple fretboard with jumbo frets...and 3 different pickups on it...I just got a Fender Mustang IV v.2 2x12 150W amp to go with it...more power than I need...but I'm sure I'll enjoy that extra ampage when I need it. Ive kinda tried the Jamplay thing with my acoustic/electric...but my Fender electric seems kinder to my fingers...question for you all...how did YOU learn how to play??? Was it lessons or self taught...and in addition to that///how long before the "muscle memory" thing happens??? Do you just wake up one day and your fingers magically KNOW where to go??? Thanks for your help.


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Post subject: Re: Here goes!!!
Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 3:36 pm
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I don't remember learning to walk but I am sure it took dedication, even though walking is a genetic "talent" we come with. Playing the guitar I think is similar. It helps to have a proclivity for it because then all the hard work seems more like play. Learn very basic songs. 2 or three chords. Songs you enjoy making the sounds of. There are hundreds to choose from. Try and practice where you are not heard if possible. It is amazing what some of the ignorant ones amongst us can say. "You're no EVH!" Really? :lol:

Some if us may have had it easier than others but.........practice, practice, practice until you can play with other people or make a joyful noise. Then, even sounding less than stellar is fun and inspirational.

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Post subject: Re: Here goes!!!
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 8:02 pm
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Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2010 8:54 am
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What he said.

Also, concentrate on the guitar. Practice where you cannot see or hear the TV. But don't overdo it. Be consistent. 30 minutes a day will do it. NOT 2 hours on the weekend.

Art


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Post subject: Re: Here goes!!!
Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 10:11 am
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I'm close to your age, I suppose, and played on and off since teen years.

If to give one advice, practice a lot to metronome or drummachine simple beats.

That does two things:

a) you learn to listen as you play, will be swell when playing with others
b) your brain syncronize your playing and you will be tight quicker

For single note playing - to syncronize left and right hand, there are simple chromatic patterns you can do while listening to metronome.

Start at maybe 80 bpm - and play quarter notes, one note each tick on metronome.
Then play 8th notes - double speed to the same bpm - tick every second note
Then play 16th notes the same way

When that runs you do the same increasing to 90, 100, 110, 120 bpm.

By going up in speed - you learn both to let your brain fix the timing in between metronome ticks and to do plectrum movement more efficient.

A simple pattern to start playing single notes - fret 5-8 on first and second string - nothing more. And use first finger to pinky doing that.

But most importantly - have fun - and as said, better often than long hours.


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