• Josh J
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  • From: Tampa FL
  • Registered: 2010-07-21
  • Posts: 53

Topic: Can AnyBody Give Me Some Advise

Hello all
Fist would like to state that im new to playing guitar (about 2 years) and i'm all self taught thru websites and youtube videos, and i think i'm stuck can't seem to move forward right now. Due to my budget i can't afford to pay for lesson (which i think i need). So can anybody advise me to books or dvd's or anything to help me move a little more forward in my playing. I play the Acoustic Guitar, know about two dozen chords a few songs (not the whole songs but the rhythm parts), a few minor scales (A and G), and i'm kinded of working right now on some slap tap harmonic style of playing that i read about on  the web. any advise or suggestion are welcome,

  • From: Ireland
  • Registered: 2010-10-25
  • Posts: 57

Re: Can AnyBody Give Me Some Advise

You could buy a tab book of your favourite band or Guitar Techniques magazine release new dedicated magazines on certain topics such as acoustic rhythm, blues lead etc. each month which are quite good.  You might also want to start playing a new genre as this will improve your creativity and playing.

Guitars: Epiphone JBLP, Epiphone Les Paul Custom
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  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Can AnyBody Give Me Some Advise

http://www.wholenote.com/Default.asp

and play along with the radio... learn bar chords and figure out how to play songs by ear. That's what most people in your situation do and get good.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
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  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Can AnyBody Give Me Some Advise

Even if you aren't an Eric Johnson fan, I highly recommend you pick up his "Total Electric Guitar" and "Fine Art of Guitar" instructional DVDs.  They changed my playing dramatically.  The DVDs show you how to develope your own style, your tone, improve your rhythm and lead chops, and offer slow motion replay/loop of the lessons.  Eric covers some really unique techniques like slap harmonics, harp/false harmonics, and a Koto technique.

Also, just for personal practice I recommend taking the chords you already know and try voicing them differently or changing the roots to create totally new chords.  I usually move stuff around from a standard chord to create stuff that's a little more removed than a standard "C" or "G" chord without really having to learn the names.

Lastly, try to listen to as many monster guitar players as you can.  As Derek Trucks once said in an interview, he does not listen to music that has great musical content it "rubs off" in his playing.  So basically listen to a lot of great players and something will rub off whether you know it or not.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

5 Reply by t92780 (edited by t92780 2011-01-05 19:42:25)

  • Registered: 2009-10-27
  • Posts: 250

Re: Can AnyBody Give Me Some Advise

Music Tab Books!!! Don't rely on internet tab sites, books are more accurate in most cases and or show you each of the multiple guitar parts being played.  If playing accoustic, I would look at John Mayer tab books, as it offers some pretty catchy chord use on accoustic for you to learn from and steal.  Some of his stuff will offer small challenge and others a big challenge, which is what you're looking for. Go spend $15-20 on book and use Youtube to hear cd version so you can listen while looking and playing along.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e1FHJkVoFE

Above offers little issues, more about technique with percussive slap he adds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RR7e6Ax … re=related

A lot to learn from above song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPvkSo1i … re=related

  • From: Chesapeake, VA
  • Registered: 2010-12-05
  • Posts: 76

Re: Can AnyBody Give Me Some Advise

They're a little cheesy, but the Rockhouse method books are really good.  I learned a lot from them.  Just Google "Rockhouse Method".

2011 Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Studio Gold Top, 2010 Epi Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Gold Top, 2010 Epi Les Paul Standard '57 Gold Top, 2010 Epi Les Paul Standard Honey Burst (autographed by Joe Bonamassa), 2006 Epi Les Paul Classic Quilt top, 2004 Eric Clapton Strat, 1989 First wife
  • Indy
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  • From: Philly
  • Registered: 2011-01-04
  • Posts: 269

Re: Can AnyBody Give Me Some Advise

Josh,
The Lick Library dvd's are very well done and they are inexpensive, but many of them are PAL formatted (NTSC format are read on American dvd players) which can not be played on your home dvd player however, you can play them on your computer.  They will teach you full songs and you can also purchase lesson dvd's as well.  Another good site is Vanderbilly which has song videos and lessons.

Remember you'll develop your Blues chops one lick at a time so be patience.  I remember years ago seeing an interview with Glen Campbell (maybe before your time, but a very good guitar player) and he mentioned that it took him nearly three month to get a specific riff right so he could record it and play it live.

And remember, practicing scales is like eating vegetables you may not like them, but they're good for you.

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
  • Registered: 2010-07-09
  • Posts: 122

Re: Can AnyBody Give Me Some Advise

Not sure where you are located, but if you are in the US and belong to Netflix or Blockbuster, you can rent instructional videos.  Also, check with your local library (US only?); they might also loan them out.

Guitars: '79 LP Custom, '01 Dickey Betts Goldie - 80 of 114, '00 Chandler Lectraslide
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  • Registered: 2010-12-06
  • Posts: 122

Re: Can AnyBody Give Me Some Advise

Find a friend to play with.   It's easier to to teach each other stuff you have picked up, than books, DVDs or the internet.  It's usaully easier for two people to figure something out than for one.  It's also cheaper to share resources, ie. books, DVDs. 

It's more fun than playing alone.

  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Re: Can AnyBody Give Me Some Advise

Put it down for a few days and do something dif, fresh mind = fresh ideas. That's wat I do when I hit a wall.2 years is actually quite a long time why don't you look for a band? It's THE best way to learn / motivate ur self scary at first but well worth it, open Mic nights are another idea. Basically anything with other musicians your forced to listen and learn just to keep up.

  • Registered: 2010-05-21
  • Posts: 121

Re: Can AnyBody Give Me Some Advise

The worst mistakes I did the first years, was playing the same thing over and over. I topped that with only learning the intro of many songs and didn't struggle through the whole song. That was a few years wasted I'm afraid. Many good advises from the other posters, and mine (except from please learn from my mistake) is to learn full songs of your favourite guitarist, and practice scales and technique on a regular basis. Don't speed up before you play it very clean (both riffs and chords). Of course you can try to speed up every now and then, but keep focus on technique and timing. A structured plan is nice and the metronome is a must.

Good luck with your progress and keep loving music:-)

André

  • Josh J
  • Silver Member
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  • From: Tampa FL
  • Registered: 2010-07-21
  • Posts: 53

Re: Can AnyBody Give Me Some Advise

Hi all
Thanks for all the great post on this thread, i taking some from all, i think based on everything i read  and with my level i'm going to start over with three thing to start, i going to break it down to electric, acoustic, and scales.
last night i played for 3 hours first hour or so was nothing but A Minor Pentatonic scale, then the rest i worked on AC/DC hell anit a bad place to be. tonight will be th same scales then switch to my acoustic and work on Bob Seger's night moves. But this time liked posted on here i going to stick with both songs for start to finsh instead of just bits and pieces, i think both songs are do able for me, both have some areas that will be tough but areas that i know i need to work at, Night moves has the F chord That i can play just can't make the switch very quickly and clean, Hell an'it a bad place to be is not to bad so far for the intro and rhythm parts, so far i'm just going very slow and making sure that want i learned last night rings out very clear and my chord changes are smooth. All though my electric guitar does not sound very good playing this song, (a cheap entry level Fender somebody gave me) but you have to start somewhere.

if anybody sees something else to include or remove from my plan please feel free to chime in and say hey not a bad plan or your screwed  smile . also sorry for the typos and grammar not very good with typing and forums and all thing computers.

One more thing i could replace night moves with Joe Bonamassa's Cover of Seagull, but i'm having a very hard time trying to figure this on out. If anybody knows these one and can help out please drop me a line.