Learning guitar: Advice/Tips. - Page 4 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Hack&Lube · 03-13-2012, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russic

Don't ever use the excuse that your fingers are too "fat" or "big" to play properly. I've had friends who quit because they realize their hand size won't change. Flexibility is the problem, not the fatness of the fingers.

I was going to mention this. My buddy brought it over the other day and we messed around with it. He claimed there was a little lag and that made it difficult... I didn't notice much lag at all, so there's a chance the lag he was experiencing was due to the fact he's a beginner.

I didn't find it fun at all, but I did find it useful. If you're just starting out I think it's a great resource.

Yeah, as a real guitarist there is a serious lack of fun until the very end because there's no way to skip the tedious repetition that it presents because it assumes you are a beginner and it works on the unlocking content model so you have to go through hours of beginner to intermediate stuff.

That said, I didn't know any of the songs on the game so it did present a challenge because I was playing them realtime on the fly and that was a fun challenge.

sclitheroe · 03-13-2012, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashartus

I've been using "Learn and Master Guitar" - while I used to mess around on the guitar this course has taught me the fundamentals and really improved my playing. There is a lot of emphasis right from the start on learning to read music and understand music theory, which was all new to me. The course seems to be quite well put together and well-taught - not as good as having real lessons from a good teacher, but better than having real lessons from a poor teacher and easier to fit into a busy schedule.

This is the course I recommend as well - if you don't cheat and move too quickly through it, it sets up fundamentals that are extremely solid.

blankall · 03-13-2012, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Yeah, as a real guitarist there is a serious lack of fun until the very end because there's no way to skip the tedious repetition that it presents because it assumes you are a beginner and it works on the unlocking content model so you have to go through hours of beginner to intermediate stuff.

That said, I didn't know any of the songs on the game so it did present a challenge because I was playing them realtime on the fly and that was a fun challenge.

I found the progression pretty quick. If you killed a few songs, it quickly moved you up. But yeah you would typically have to go through a song 3-4 times before it gave you the real thing, even if you were playing it near perfectly. But once you got 3-4 songs at the high level, it kept you there.

Anyways, Rocksmith is a great resource for the mechanics. My plan has been to read a lot of theory books while playing Rocksmith for the mechanics. I'm having trouble focussing on the theory books.

Maybe I'll try out those Gibson lesson sets though. Looks interesting.

Edit: Anyone know the difference between the expanded and regular editions of the Gibson set? You can buy the expanded on Gibson's site for $150 or the regular edition on Amazon.ca for $100. The expanded comes with 10 extra DVDs, but it doesn't say what's actually on those DVDs.

rd_aaron · 03-13-2012, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

I recommend lessons in addition to web-sites.

http://www.songsterr.com/

How to read tab and lessons:

http://guitar.about.com/od/tabchords...guitar_tab.htm

http://guitar.about.com/library/blgu...sonarchive.htm

I was self-taught with tabs for many years, but until I really started learning theory, I did not improve as quickly as I am now. Now, I like to tear a song apart, and understand why certain notes and chords are used. These books are excellent in that regard, for more advanced players:

http://www.amazon.ca/How-Write-Songs...1650164&sr=8-1

Thanks for the links. I am in the same situation you were in. I am self-taught, been playing for about 7 years, and can play a decent amount of songs with tabs but I don't know the theory at all. I think maybe I'll go through these lessons just to learn more of the theory, and then maybe take a look at that book.

rd_aaron · 03-13-2012, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lobotroth

Been playing off and on for the last few years, I would encourage everyone to learn some sort of instrument as music is a wonderful way to spend your spare time. I'm now trying to sing and play at the same time and it's not easy. I'll be strumming fine until I throw in my voice and it just goes to hell from there. Practice makes perfect!

I think every guitarist runs into this problem. Eventually one day it'll just click and you'll be able to sing along with just about every song you know. Once in awhile I still struggle with picking and singing but I'm getting better at that too.

troutman · 03-13-2012, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rd_aaron

I think every guitarist runs into this problem. Eventually one day it'll just click and you'll be able to sing along with just about every song you know. Once in awhile I still struggle with picking and singing but I'm getting better at that too.

It works better for me if I sing and let the guitar follow my singing. If I try to play the song perfectly, and sing over top, it seems much harder.

Azure · 03-13-2012, 10:47 AM

Lots of great advice. I'll look through this thread more closely when I get home from work.

Thanks!

Ashartus · 03-13-2012, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blankall

Edit: Anyone know the difference between the expanded and regular editions of the Gibson set? You can buy the expanded on Gibson's site for $150 or the regular edition on Amazon.ca for $100. The expanded comes with 10 extra DVDs, but it doesn't say what's actually on those DVDs.

The extra 10 DVDs basically double the amount of lesson time on each topic. They have additional pointers, lots of extra drills and exercises (usually more challenging than the ones in the main lesson book), and usually some more songs. I would highly recommend the expanded version. You can buy just the bonus discs at a later stage directly from the Gibson site, but I think pretty much everyone on the course forum agrees that it's worth having them and it's probably cheaper to buy them at the same time as the rest of the course. You can also download the lesson book for the bonus DVDs for free, but I find it good to have the instruction and demonstrations of the lessons.

Matata · 03-13-2012, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

It works better for me if I sing and let the guitar follow my singing. If I try to play the song perfectly, and sing over top, it seems much harder.

Plus to your average joe, bad vocals = bad performance, but bad guitar playing is very forgivable if the singing is good.

troutman · 03-13-2012, 01:13 PM

CP's songs to learn and play (feel free to add to the thread):

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=76441

sclitheroe · 03-13-2012, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matata

Plus to your average joe, bad vocals = bad performance, but bad guitar playing is very forgivable if the singing is good.

This doesn't explain Dylan at all though

Traditional_Ale · 03-13-2012, 02:06 PM

If taking lessons at the Guitarworks on Macleod Trail is an option then book with Neil Gunhold.

blankall · 03-13-2012, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashartus

The extra 10 DVDs basically double the amount of lesson time on each topic. They have additional pointers, lots of extra drills and exercises (usually more challenging than the ones in the main lesson book), and usually some more songs. I would highly recommend the expanded version. You can buy just the bonus discs at a later stage directly from the Gibson site, but I think pretty much everyone on the course forum agrees that it's worth having them and it's probably cheaper to buy them at the same time as the rest of the course. You can also download the lesson book for the bonus DVDs for free, but I find it good to have the instruction and demonstrations of the lessons.

Would you recommend this for someone with desent guitar skills, but little theory skills. I can play relatively complicated songs off tablature but looking to basically gain the ability to pick up my guitar and jam with other musicians.

Traditional_Ale · 03-13-2012, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blankall

Would you recommend this for someone with desent guitar skills, but little theory skills. I can play relatively complicated songs off tablature but looking to basically gain the ability to pick up my guitar and jam with other musicians.

No book is going to help. Learn your Blues scales and chords and go out to jam sessions. There are TONNES of them in Calgary.

Delthefunky · 03-13-2012, 06:22 PM

I find blues fun and easy to learn (hard to master

), but you learn a few blues licks and you can play like 1000's of different songs. Most rock songs are the same 3 chords as old blues tunes. Do this and soon you'll be adding a few extra chords and then your playing!. Don't be afraid to go to some open mics and ask to play along with guys, just say your new. Jamming with a band is an amazing experience and it's amazing how much you learn.

Delthefunky · 03-13-2012, 06:23 PM

Hey Trad I got a chance to do a few open mics with Marvin the sax player from Gary Martin's band. Holy ####!!!. I think I remember you played with them in Edmonton a while ago.

3 Justin 3 · 03-13-2012, 06:29 PM

If I write a solo in GP5, other than actually playing it and then uploading on Youtube, how can I let others hear/see what I wrote. I wrote a little shred solo for an ending of a song and I want to get opinions. There is no way I can play it at the speed I want it.

Traditional_Ale · 03-13-2012, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delthefunky

Hey Trad I got a chance to do a few open mics with Marvin the sax player from Gary Martin's band. Holy ####!!!. I think I remember you played with them in Edmonton a while ago.

Marvin was just here. He's playing on my album and I play with him every Sunday at Hexter's. He kicks my ass.

Actually, Marvin just won "Canadian Sax Player Of The Year."

blankall · 03-13-2012, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

No book is going to help. Learn your Blues scales and chords and go out to jam sessions. There are TONNES of them in Calgary.

I think I'm going to need some kind of instruction and serious reading on chord progression, scales, etc... I'd like to get to the point where I actually understand the theory and physics behind what I'm playing as opposed to just hitting notes in a few commong scales.

Yes, however, I agree, nothing will probably beat applied experience.

Traditional_Ale · 03-13-2012, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blankall

I think I'm going to need some kind of instruction and serious reading on chord progression, scales, etc... I'd like to get to the point where I actually understand the theory and physics behind what I'm playing as opposed to just hitting notes in a few commong scales.

Yes, however, I agree, nothing will probably beat applied experience.

Sorry to sound arrogant, but music is not science. The only thing that will help you quickly learn what you're seeking is to throw yourself into the deep-end knowing full well that it is perfectly okay and let the more experienced musicians help you. Week after week I play with a grandmaster who kicks my ass even on his worst day, but he is the nicest guy ever and helps me. Jams are there for people just like you and I to go learn the craft.

Tell me and I may forget.
Show me and I may remember.
Involve me and I will understand.