Stalling Out in Practice

[devideva]

I've only played guitar for 2 years. Acoustic and electric.

I did the Hal Leonard Guitar Method 1-3
I have books of scales, chords, theory.

I am getting Guy's Grids today to get my mind more familiar with chords up the neck
I have been playing pentatonic in Em, and Blues in E up the neck, as well as C Maj

I play tabbed stuff from the net


I want to learn how to read music better (is there a book for that?)

I did start doing some Riff Interactive stuff. It's pretty good.
I know I'm getting better but 2 years and I can't really play a decent song yet.
I suck.

[unownunown]

big fan of using alternate playing methods to get through stuff like that. try an open tuning or prepared guitar or buy a new pedal! new toanz are inspiring.

[smile_man]

ASSUME (CORRECTLY) THAT THERE IS NO PROPER WAY 2 PLAY THE GUITAR

[devideva]

good advices so far thanks

[zRobertez]

Join a jazz band. I did in high school my senior year. It wasn't bad. But I wouldn't do it again But there's a lotta music reading in there.

[Doctor X]

its not so much number of years on the calendar, as number of actual playing hours

to get the muscles and motor skills in your conscious and unconscious brain.

stringed instruments are hard because its very obvious how much you suck

try and play with others (at your level or a bit above) if you can, so you can enjoy the repetition and get swept along by the groove.

you will get better by doing it, just keep doing it

[snipelfritz]

What are you considering a decent song?

Pick an example of a decent song, learn to play it slowed down at first, bit-by-bit. Practice it until you can play it acceptably. Bam! Now you can play a decent song.

If you want to work on playing with music, play with music a bunch until you get good at it.

But really, the best thing to do at your level (what I'm assuming you're probably at) is to just play along with a bunch of songs you like. Make it less about practice and more about playing and absorbing style/techniques.

[ThePastRecedes]

Try using guitar pro. Slows down tracks then gradually build up to speed

[jfrey]

ASSUME (CORRECTLY) THAT THERE IS NO PROPER WAY 2 PLAY THE GUITAR

Following this, realize you were in fact wrong.

To rehash an old argument, while there may not be one best way of playing the guitar for everything, that does not mean that there aren't better ways of playing the guitar. There may be many good, perhaps equivalent ways of playing the guitar. That it may be impossible to decide what way is best, or what way will be best for the greatest number of people, or for every style, does not make the question of how to play well empty. Resisting the idea that there are correct, or better, ways of doing things will only hold you back.

In just my experience, people that learn the classical form and style tend to become better and more versatile players more often than not, so I always recommend that - the playing form if nothing else.

[01010111]

ASSUME (CORRECTLY) THAT THERE IS NO PROPER WAY 2 PLAY THE GUITAR

THIS

What I do when I'm trying to improve my playing is learn songs that are on the edge of being too hard for me to play. For example, when I was having trouble with barre chords I learned how to play and sing Happy to Dance With You.

[skullservant]

Can I just confess that I've not actually tried to learn a song before this Iron Fuzz competition?

Honestly when I get stumped, I listen to a completely different type of music (right now it's trill hip hop) that completely clears my mind before I pick up an instrument and try to play it. Don't know how helpful it is, and I'm not a great player at all, but it might help?

[smile_man]

Following this, realize you were in fact wrong.

To rehash an old argument, while there may not be one best way of playing the guitar for everything, that does not mean that there aren't better ways of playing the guitar. There may be many good, perhaps equivalent ways of playing the guitar. That it may be impossible to decide what way is best, or what way will be best for the greatest number of people, or for every style, does not make the question of how to play well empty. Resisting the idea that there are correct, or better, ways of doing things will only hold you back.

In just my experience, people that learn the classical form and style tend to become better and more versatile players more often than not, so I always recommend that - the playing form if nothing else.

lame.

i wasn't talking about RESISTING anything.

i was trying to suggest that op ASSUME that there are MANY ways in which to do THINGS.

gawd.

i guess i can see what you mean about classical players being more 'versatile' or whatever nbut that whole sentiment of virtuosity makes me want to vomit

[zRobertez]

Can I just confess that I've not actually tried to learn a song before this Iron Fuzz competition?

Honestly when I get stumped, I listen to a completely different type of music (right now it's trill hip hop) that completely clears my mind before I pick up an instrument and try to play it. Don't know how helpful it is, and I'm not a great player at all, but it might help?

Dude do we have to learn a song for that? I thought it was just post something with chorus in it. I'm so confuzed

[lapsteel]

Play with anyone you can in any style.... just jam. Choose a key and just play even if it sounds rough....get creative. Balance this kind of play with some theory and structured practice from your books. However, don' t stress about the technical aspects of guitar, it is after all about fun so don' t be ashamed to make noise. Try not to feel stifflelled by your skill level cause the more you enjoy yourself the faster your skills will come. Tabs are great for learning specific songs, but don' t feel like you have to play a song perfectly lick for lick everytime. Mess around with chord progressions and scales featured in your favorite songs....unless you are planning on making some cash in a cover band don't restrict yourself.

When I actually sit down to practice I take out my notebook (where I tabbed my scales out and take notes on which chords sound good with which scales) pick a key play it up and down the neck a few times and then try to create a melody. I rarely play along with cd's and tabs....it just feels less restrictive and when I go to jam. It is easier to find an original groove or a melody.

So many people pick up guitar buy tons of gear and then give up after a few years and sell it all on ebay.... don't be that guy, don't get frustrated..... find whoever to jam with and be loud and creative. Fuck it and play, and practice, and listen, and jam....remember sucking is just a phase and it to will pass...

[devideva]

cool, i feel like what i know is the bottom of the wheel of knowledge which is where it contacts the ground, but the hugest amount of the guitar is up above me, and the bit i know keeps changing while the major portion remains above

i want an electroacoustic 12 string
not that that will make me feel more together, prolly less

those guy's grid books are great