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Beginner's Q&A Forum
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Topic starter
07/12/2004 5:02 pm
Ok...
Let me first say that I have two left feet. I have no rhythm (see I probably even spelled it wrong). I have been playing 1-2 years. I have recently, three months ago, acquired a teacher who has me on book on learning to read. I have no problem learning how to read since it will enable me to communicate with other musicians.
We did a CD today and here are some things that I came away with...
1) My timing was not as bad as I thought. I was able to somewhat tap my foot too. Definitely needs some more work though.
2) My right hand technique sucks. There is no accented first beat or third. It is monotone, fades in and out. There is no attack.
3) I get nervous when I know someone else is around or is listening, or recording.
4) I will never be a clapton or garcia.
So given these revelations, I am looking for some suggestions on how to improve. Where do I go from here? Thanks for helping :)
If the river was whiskey and I was a duck, I would swim to the bottom and never come up. (Traditional Lyric)
07/12/2004 7:32 pm
It appears you have already done what was needed.
Got a teacher.
Identified where you are weak.
Now all that is left to do is practice, practice and practice.
(work with a metronome if you aren't already)
07/12/2004 7:50 pm
Where do you want to go? Figure that out, set some goals with the help of your teacher and start working toward them.
Tim Madsen
Nobody cares how much you know,
until they know how much you care.
"What you keep to yourself you lose, what you give away you keep forever." -Axel Munthe
Topic starter
08/12/2004 1:31 am
Goals
1) Be able to play well enough that it sounds cool to me and others. At this point when I play it dont feel cool. At this point my sound makes me want to puke.
2) Learn to sing.
3) Make people feel good like many have done for me. (Garcia is my influence)
4) Be able to jam
If the river was whiskey and I was a duck, I would swim to the bottom and never come up. (Traditional Lyric)
08/12/2004 1:59 am
You know, I had a teacher once who told me the difference between practicing and playing.
When you practice you play what you suck at. If you are playing it well, you probably aren't practicing anymore, or you are practicing the wrong thing.
08/12/2004 3:33 pm
OCCredneck,
I dont know you but Id be willing to bet in some distant way we are related.
I understand being rhythmically challeged and playing for that length of time you expect some success,its just coming around for me after 18 months but I finally realized as a dad of three and a husband and all those things in 18months I have only practiced as much as someone the has been playing half my time.
good luck and stay with it, if you want some classic garcia, must have shows in my opinion, drop me a line at Glake71 @ hotmail.com and Ill send you a few greats.
peacetoya.
Greg
Topic starter
09/12/2004 12:14 am
Like hunter wrote and garcia said, "ain't got half of what I thought I had".
I guess that is how I feel. I thought I was making good progress. I go to the music store and meet this guy. He was a million times better sounding than me. He said he was only playing for a year. He was playing simple power chords with bends. He sounded good.
Sometimes I wonder if I wasn't meant to play. If I was just to be a participant by listening not playing...
If the river was whiskey and I was a duck, I would swim to the bottom and never come up. (Traditional Lyric)
09/12/2004 12:19 am
Don't forget it is very easy to learn a few tricks, turn on the distortion and impress people. Actually playing guitar is much harder.