A question thats been asked a thousand times

[Mr White]

Alright people.

Just wondering how to improve my playing. I play in a band with solos galore and in one or two songs me and the other guitarist trade off solos. Now mine are generally more written and melodic than his, his are more improvised and faster. And he shows off a lot too, plays with his hand over the fretboard. And after most shows people are always like "ooh hes such a good guitarist". I know that the drummer and bass player of the band prefer my solos and so do a few people in other bands cos they hit the spot but Im just wondering how to improve my playing. I dont really know where to start, Im self taught (been playing about 5 years) and he's been having lessons since he was 13. Now I dont want to be fantastically good Id just like to be better. And I know you get back what you put in, but what do I put in?!?!? [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I already use my pinky for riffs but I want to use it more. Ive tried going up the fretboard 1-2-3-4 one fret per finger and going up the strings but Im failing to see how this will help me in the near future. I dont use scales either and have very little musical knowledge, I just kinda 'know' what frets are right. I figured it out a few years back.

I know there'll be loads of stuff but Id appreciate the personal help.

And are guitar lessons really worth it?

Thanks

James

[DenimBrigade]

Re: A question thats been asked a thousand times

To strengthen my pinky, I do something similar to what you tried. I would hammer-on and pull-off for something like this...

5-6-5-7-5-8-5

And also this...

7-8-7-8-7-8

I keep my 3rd finger on 7 and use my pinky for the 8th.

Something else that helps me is just playing scales but only picking the first note per string and using hammer-ons and pull-offs for the rest. They wernt hard scales either, just basic ones like pentatonic, major and chromatic.

Im not a music teacher or anything, and I dont know if it will help you, but it helped me

[Mr White]

Re: A question thats been asked a thousand times

Thats pretty good mate Ill try it after work tomorrow. I got really disheartened learning scales cos to me they all sounded the same with one note different and it got on my nerves!!!

[jjw]

Re: A question thats been asked a thousand times

A good guitar teacher can realy improve your skills and give you a greater understanding on music.I can hear where your coming from with learning scales and the one note diference,you best bet is to record some modal tracks and get the feel for those coloured notes that create the moods.Then just jam over it till your happy and at ease hearing the notes.There are NO quick ways in music,it takes many hours/years to get to the point where you play what you feel.Next time that flash guitarist in your band plays fast and reverse handed,slap him [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Twisteramps]

Re: A question thats been asked a thousand times

I think I'd record THE SONGS MY BAND IS PLAYING and work on solos for those instead of going off on modal stuff, but that's just me. Finding a local teacher is a good way to improve yourself quickly. There's a lot you can learn 'on the web' but sitting down in front of someone else makes a huge difference.

One really good way to improve your speed/precision is to get rid of wasted motion in your pick and fretting hands.

It's funny, some of the stupidest tricks get the most audience kudos. I've grabbed guitars with floating floyds, hit a high harmonic and shook the guitar by the trem - and had people going crazy. Then I've also played a really nice melodic solo that made me grin from ear to ear - and the audience just sat there.

Pete

[Newc]

Re: A question thats been asked a thousand times

What Pete said - some folks get off watching someone ham it up, even if they suck doing it, but a solo done "right" with no flashy tricks usually goes over their head.

If you're really serious about expanding your musical knowledge, go for the lessons (just be careful they're not trying to turn you into "mini me" - you need to retain your identity above all else - see those GIT clones as an example - they have no identity).
If you're happy where you are musically but just want the flashy tricks, work the flashy tricks into your normal routine.

[Twisteramps]

Re: A question thats been asked a thousand times

A good teacher won't homogenize your playing. I used to structure my lessons around what the student wanted to learn - forcing people to play music they don't want makes for a really crappy experience. What would you practice more - a song that you really enjoy, or something a teacher thinks you need to know?

Pete

[atomic charvel guy]

Re: A question thats been asked a thousand times

take your pinky and bend notes at the first and second fret on all the strings and listen to jeff beck. you're probably fine as it is if you hit the spot, that's all i need to hear.

[Mr White]

Re: A question thats been asked a thousand times

Thanks guys. Ill look into lessons. I dont want to be a shredder but Id like to be a bit faster. I mean Im not a bad guitarist, and Im not that slow, its just I write my solos around the melody line of the rhythm guitars. My solos are more ear pleasing (my better ones) but his are more eye and textbook pleasing.

James

[Soap]

Re: A question thats been asked a thousand times

You've been good advice and suggesztions already.

Warm ups:
I'm not going to say much about a warm up routine that many swear by. For one, I don't do them much anymore and haven't in a very long time. I shook off the rigors of the warm up routine, I just pick it up and play. Although, I realize years ago warm ups were useful for me and needful, now I don't bother. I jusy play some classic VH and that warms and loosens me up. To each their own when dealing with warm ups.
I'm not bashing warm up exercises/routines. If doing the chromatic thingy works for you, wonderful. What works for one may not work for the other. Again, to each their own on this.

The fret hand:
The fret hand can be problematic at times. Why is that, did you ever ask yourself that? It still behaves lathargic and unresponsive like it shouldn't even after a warm up. What can I do, you ask? Get ready, this isn't rocket science........................keep playing it will work most of itself out. I use warm to slighty hot water, running it over my hands really welland rubbing my hands and fingers well. This has done me more help than an actual warm up routine. It works.

Strengthen and loosening the fret hand fingers:
"atomic" gave you very good advice. Bending a note/string closer to the nut will always strengthen and loosen the fingers up quicker. A trill of a hammer ons and pull offs, will serve you well in strengthening and loosening up your fingers also. Again, I just get to cracking on some older VH stuff. It works for me.

The "guitar" itself:
As you have already noticed this forum is full of threads about "my favorite guitar, magic neck, plays effortlessly and etc". All at some point mention specfics about the guitar itself and how it can play itself nearly effortlessly. When you get a good guitar, quality crafmanship, it can make alot things easier. In other words, a good guitar with that magical feeling neck and etc makes it easier to be ready, as well as to learn other musical styles. When you land that magical neck or guitar, treasure her and keep her. She will please you by making it easier for you. Personally, I prefer ebony fret boards. My playing come easier with a ebony fret board. I don't like a very thin neck(to flat)profile, AND, I don't like a boat profile either, my hand cramps up. Learn what works best for you and these do make a difference.

Old school = PRACTICE:
Practice, no matter what style or techg your learning.
Some players catch on alittle quicker than others, still the value of practice can't emphasied enough. The magic guitar fairy isn't gonna sweep down bestowe you with skills overnight. Practice my friend practice is what it takes.

Will I every reach a point in my playing when I don't have to practice much and things will come easier, you ask? Yep, and the answer depends on the player. The more you learn and practice the quicker you will get there. You will reach a point where you realize what type of player you are and your comfortable with it, and you'll just pick it and play. I'll clarify this, even once that point is reached, you will still find yourself occassinally practing to keep yourself fresh and polished as a player, just not nearly as often as you use too. You will just pick it up and play.

[shredmonster]

Re: A question thats been asked a thousand times

[ QUOTE ]
One really good way to improve your speed/precision is to get rid of wasted motion in your pick and fretting hands.


[/ QUOTE ]

Ahhh.......Bingo! Exactly. And the way to do it is to practice your ass off - and it takes years to get up to speed and develop tone and vibrato.

If I were you I would do a couple things. Visit sites on the net for exercises. Getting good is like weightlifting - you have to develop your picking and fret hands.

Second, an option different than a teacher would be to find a jamming partner - someone who is a good shredder who can teach you how to do arpeggios, scale runs, ways of picking and getting tone from your fingers. Nothing like seeing it done right in front of you and hearing the tone. Get a guy who knows how to get tone from his fingers not stacks of equipment and effects.

Third I would get a book - a great one is The Complete Guitarist - learn your basic scales and chords in each scale.

Then get a warmup and practice regimen going every day. Warm up, work on stuff you already know to develop articulation and speed and then work on new stuff - every day.

Sounds like a lot of work?? - it is! But if you want to be good thats what it takes.

Its nothing more than motivation really. Anyone can get reasonably very good with time and practice.

[RR05xx]

Re: A question thats been asked a thousand times

Good suggestions all around. Let me add this. Sometimes what it comes down to is forcing yourself to do things that you cannot. For me its the only way to get better. For example, I have recenty gone and forced myself to (re)learn some RR and learn some Marty Friedman licks. I read and intersting statement Friedman where he answered a fans question regarding what is his favorite scale so he could sound like him and Marty said its not about scales, its about "phasing". I understood this be learning different ways of doing things and applying them all over the fret board.

First, you need the basics. Scales, arpeggios, inversions etc. Then I have personally found that if you choose several solos that you like from different players and commit to learing them (the net is full of tab), you will improve. It think the trick is to not get facinated by one guy as you are not trying to be him, but just to get your self motivated.

Oh yeah, practice is unfortuantly really important. I saw Zakk Wylde on his first tour with Ozzy back on the 80s and I was totallly blown away! At 17 he was better then I ever could be. Later I read an intervieew in GW and he said that while his friends were playing sports etc. in HS (like me) he was practicing 6 hrs every single night. Makes you think.

[Mr White]

Re: A question thats been asked a thousand times

Thanks guys im taking all this in - just got no time to do it!!!

James

[khabibissell]

Re: A question thats been asked a thousand times

From what you've said already, I think you are already on the right track. Being melodic and playing stuff that fits the mood of the song should be the point of every solo... don't worry about showing off. Ultimately people will appreciate it more.

I'm not really a "fast" player, but when I can't think of what to play what do I do? Play fast! It's easier, I don't care what anyone says. Coming up with licks that are melodic and fit is a tough thing to do, and as others above have stated, takes alot of practice. Not just playing, but practicing... listen to what you are doing... make a statement with your playing!

[Brick]

Re: A question thats been asked a thousand times

Resently I've adopted the metronome practicing routine. Its good i've only done it for a week and my picking is way better. Also the metronome gives you away of measuring your progress as well as improving ur timing. basically for my warm up i do all the modes alternate picking to different speeds on the metronome and every day i try and beat the fastest of what i did the day before. its intense and you have do it alot.