New player needs ADVICE!

bsterling9 · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:53 pm Post subject: New player needs ADVICE!

Hello, I am a wannabe guitar player and I need some advice from all of you seasoned guitar veterans. Last Christmas (2006), my wife bought me a Fender Squier Strat pack because I had told her that I always wanted to learn to play the guitar. I bought my son the exact same set for his Christmas present, so we could learn together. That means we have been playing for a little over a year now, but I am not really pleased with my progress. The Strat pack came with a tutorial DVD with Keith Wyatt doing the teaching and I love it! He is an excellent teacher. I have since passed my son in the lessons because he is 16 years old and his moods change with the tides. I have made it all the way into the movable chords and I am now practing the movable minor chords A, C, D, E, G. I am really struggling with the fingering on these chords and moving from one chord to the other in a timely fashion. I have been practicing these minor chords now for 2 months and I am getting a little impatient. I play along with the practice tracks, but I am not able to change chords in time with the practice track yet. I still miss about 3-4 beats when changing chords. My question: are these movable chords that difficult to learn or should I look at the possibility of me doing something wrong? The good news is that I am getting better, but VERY slowly. Any advice on how to approach these difficult chords? I aspire to play rock and/or Christian rock, so I would assume the movable chords would come in handy. So far, I have made it through the power chords and major chords, but these minor chords are killing me! I am 47 years old and I am trying to learn the guitar the CORRECT way to erase a regret I have about my life. When I was 17 years old, (a long time ago), I went out and bought a new Electra MPC Les Paul guitar and a Peavy amp and set out to learn the guitar. After 8 months and a few lessons, I realized that I was more into cars and girls than guitars and I sold it to a friend of mine. I really regret that now. If I had stuck to it, I would have 30 years experience! I am hoping my 16 year old son now does not repeat what I did. I am trying to encourage him to continue, but he seems to have little interest. Any advice for me would be greatly appreciated! May God Bless! Smile

Herb · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:46 pm Post subject:

You seem to be enjoying playing the guitar and learning very much. My best recommendation is to find a good teacher. Find one that is a good player and a reputable teacher, and not a hack. That will take you farther and faster than anything. It's also time to start exploring the world of barre chords. For the beginning of this all you will need to know is the basic shapes of the E and A major chords, and the e and a minor chords. You'll have to practice a lot to "muscle up" your index finger for barring; and you'll have to learn what frets are what notes to know where you are. You can do this on your own with books, but a good teacher can show you a whole lot faster.

PunkStar · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:10 pm Post subject:

Fast chord changes are more about muscle memory than anything else. You need to get your fingers used to moving to a new position, and that takes time. The best way to learn a new chord is to first get used to making the chord without playing along to music or a beat. Then, when the chord is well engraved in your memory, you practice switching to the chord from other chords. That won't take long. You'll probably be fast enough from there to switch to the new chord as you need it. But otherwise you can start playing a song that uses the chord slowly and work on getting the change evenly and smoothly. The best way to just to play with a metronome to keep the beat. It's also good to tap your foot to the beat to keep you on track, I also tend to count in my head as well.

markm2553 · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 1:00 pm Post subject:

First off, welcome to the forum!

Hope you find many great reasons to stay.

The teacher idea is good.

If you have been using the practice DVD for a year I think it is time to start playing some real music. Pick a song you like, download the chords and take off. I started with some Eagles tunes I knew real well.

Trying to play something you really want to is a great self motivation for practice...

Good luck.

George E · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 1:48 pm Post subject:

My own personal experience has been that learning the basics of chords and rhythm strumming can be easier if one sings and plays at the same time. I find that when I'm singing a song as I play the chords, it just comes a lot easier.

On the other hand, I can't sing and play anything tricky like lead guitar licks at the same time. That's too much like walking and chewing gum at the same time.

Your mileage may vary.

bsterling9 · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:25 pm Post subject: New player needs ADVICE!

I appreciate all of the great advice! Yes, I do love playing. Even if I stink, I have always loved the guitar and I know I will play very well if I keep trying. I plan on getting lessons very soon. I have had several people suggest that to me and I know that is good advice. I am going to buy one of those grip masters this week to build strength in my fingers. I will be traveling on business most of next week, so I will buy one to use while I am gone. I guess I should also invest in a metronome to help in my timing. Thanks again for all of your responses. I love this forum already!

God Bless

music wasn't part of me · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:43 am Post subject: Hi There

Hi tHere , sorry for the late reply , but anyway welcome to the forum and yup it's great being here

first of all, i really admire your spirit to learn guitar at your age, there aren't many like you! You already rock i'd say Cool

about learning the chords, definitely BARRE are the worst for me but mastering them would give you a lot of benefit and you could really feel you have achieved something instead of just going for the easy ones.

from my personal learning experience, when i was trying to practice the chords , i avoided singing. esp bec your type is rock. I listened to the recording and really focusing on trying to hit a clear ringing chord at the right time . you get 4 skills from doing that, rhytm, strength, practice your chord memory and memorizing the song . no need for the grip exercise i think, why go for just one while you can get 4 at the same time? it'll just wear you out, trust me, bec there's no music in it. bring your guitar with you if .....if it's possible . i do that all the time when i'm traveling

my tip is if you really wanna stick to the rock , then mastering basic open chords and power chords are essential. few barre chords will be required like F#m , Bm, G#m. the rest probably just use the open chords as a start.

Most important, PRAY to GOD , thats how i get my lessons , I asked God to enable me to sing and play ,He's the only reason , you start your guitar journey with God and you'll get a whole lot more than just music.

what rock music do you listen to ? maybe we share something in common , i used to play rock

glad to have you with us here , post often ok. God Bless You

ATatum · Tadpole Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 24

bsterling9 I see you live in NC if you are ever in the fayetteville or lumberton area I would be glad to get together.I have been playing for a lil while over a year myself.I have progressed pretty good.The biggest help to me was when I started playing with other people.I play with the choir at church and with a newly formed christian rock band.I also have a 16 year old son that has been playing since last christmas.He is doing pretty good.My email is in my profile shoot me an email and I'll help what lil I can.

bsterling9 · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:20 pm Post subject: New player needs ADVICE!

Hey, "Music wasn't part of me", thanks for the advice. I have learned a few of the barre chords and oddly enough, I didn't struggle with those the way I have with the movable minors. I know another one of my problems is not enough time to play. I have a very hectic and demanding job and when I get home at night, it is hard for me to get motivated to do anything. I am going to dedicate at least 4-5 days per week of playing from now on, because I know that is the only way to get where I want to be. I like mainly classic rock from the 60's and 70's and some 80's. I love Boston, Pink Floyd, Doobie Brothers, Eagles and others. When it comes to the blues, I like Stevie Ray Vaughn. That guy could play a Strat! I noticed you are in Indonesia. I deal with a software company in Madras India on a daily basis. In fact, I may be going to pay them a visit this year. It would be my first time in that region. Thanks for reminding me to tap into God's strength. Sometimes I get so busy, I forget to rely on Him the way I should. God Bless. Smile

bsterling9 · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:28 pm Post subject: New player needs ADVICE!

Hello, "ATatum"
Thanks for the encouragement. It would be nice to get together and play with somebody else. We are about 1 1/2 hours from Lumberton, so we might be able to get together sometime. We are in the process of joining a new church in our community (our old church split up) and there are a few guitarists there as well. I might try your advice and play with them and see if it helps. I am usually not good with an audience. I guess I feel pressured to be perfect. The only success I have had with an audience is my dog and she shows her appreciation by howling. Let's stay in touch. God Bless.

music wasn't part of me · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:33 pm Post subject: Re: New player needs ADVICE!

bsterling9 · Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:44 pm Post subject: Re: Hi There

Hello, To clarify, the chords I am struggling with now ARE barre chords. I still have not learned the proper terminoligies for the chords, but when I read this again, I realized these are the same chords I am studying now. Actually this DVD has me learning the A, C, D, E and G and playing them along with practice tracks. The A minor barre chord I am playing has fingers 3 and 4 on the A and D strings in the 7th fret and I am barring all strings with my 1st finger in the 5th fret. Sorry, I have yet to learn the proper chord references. Since I leave for Chicago on Monday, I got a lot of practice done today and I did a lot better, thanks to all of the advice I am getting here! I will practice again tomorrow before I leave. The hotel I usually stay in is close to a music shop. Maybe I could convince them to let me play a loaner guitar in their shop? Doubtful. I am starting to get these chords to really ring out and I would hate to lose almost a week of practice.

music wasn't part of me · Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:16 am Post subject: