https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:54:25 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/paged/2/#post-79091 Thu, 09 Dec 2004 21:08:58 +0000 And yeah, I had to do the same boring stuff you had to - scales, chords and all.

You should definitely know some basic chords by now, so go check out some songs online and see what you can play (and what you can't).

Then, after a period of time, return to what you can't play, but wanted to. You should be able to play a little more of it.

Case in point - When I started guitar, I really, REALLY, wanted to learn how to play some Metallica. (I also wanted to do killer solos, but one step at a time, man.) I looked through all the songs, and found a few riffs that I could do - Fade to Black's intro, Unforgiven's intro, One's intro. I went back 3 months later, after more lessons, and checked to see what I could play - more of Fade to Black, more of Unforgiven, not so much of One. Two weeks ago, after 8 months of lessons and practice, I went back, and can play about 60% of Fade to Black. (working on the verse part and the later solos are a bit out of reach now, but i'll keep working on it!)

Why?

Learning a song requires you to break it down into separate elements, same as writing a song. The intro is usually the easiest part of the song, and you can learn that first. The Verse or rhythm of the song, once you know the chords or can do them well, is next. The solos / filler, they come when you can do scales, and learn to recognize what scales they are done in, as well as the key of the scales relative to the key of the song.

Don't get PO'ed. It takes time to develop skill with an instrument. And in reference to "Sunshine of Your Love", it is in a particular key, and Eric switches things up a bit so it doesn't sound like he's playing the same riff in the same place all the time. Every good musician should figure out "their way" of playing a song, which makes sense to them, and learn from other people who do things "their way". If something makes more sense, steal it. If it doesn't, teach them what you do.

(I personally use barre chords to get that chordy sound in Sunshine, and continue to use barre chords for the chorus, out of sense of economy and preference for sound. You can play it a thousand different ways with different variations on the basic chords, because no "one way" is exactly right!)

Don't feel trapped by the "right way", but at the same time, don't give up on your teacher. He obviously has a plan, and you should definitely let him know what your interests are so he can cater his plan to you.]]> Guitar Players Discussion Rodya S. Thompson https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/paged/2/#post-79091 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/paged/2/#post-79065 Thu, 09 Dec 2004 18:42:24 +0000 So let's say I want to learn this or that scale (that's what I'm doing right now), I'll write it into my scheduler and it is part of my training. I'll write down tempo, how long I have played and how good (approximatley) I am in this speed. That gives me a reference for the future (normally next day).
Then I'll enter my aim for this scale-pattern, for example 160bpm.
I'll enter start time (when I first started this training)
and approximate end time (whne I want to get to this aim
and one part with another ovarall progressline to see hoiw far away I might be.

I'll do this with all my things, otherwise I would be completely lost (or i WAS completely lost)

You can enter whatever goal (technique, chords, songs, patterns) you want, but be precice so you stay focused.

there were a few articles which inspired me for doing this. I think it's the best to progress focused and fast AND you it's put RIGHT IN YOUR FACE if you are doing too much at a time (as I did).]]> Guitar Players Discussion m07zm4n https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/paged/2/#post-79065 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/paged/2/#post-78757 Tue, 07 Dec 2004 23:58:41 +0000
Staying motivated is the key to learning and learning well. If you aren't motivated, then something needs to change, whether that be your teacher, your goals, or even your attitude. Consider what's holding you back - what's making this not fun, and then change it.

Most of us play for the joy of music, and because it's fun. It will be difficult to get joyful about your playing quickly. One of the things that I like about the beginner lessons on this site is that they don't just teach you a song, they teach you something about technique or theory and then teach a song that showcases it. That is perfect. You build knowledge and technique and have fun playing a song at the same time.

I agree that your teacher needs to be told exactly what is going on. He needs to know what your exact goals are. But remember, he is a teacher and even if he's a bad one he knows more than you. Try to get "his plan" for you out in the open and see if you can see the logic and benefit to you of that plan. I would not be playing today if I started with intense excersises and theory. That stuff came later (or should I say is still coming :)) and only after I knew that my playing was not going to progress without it.

Everyone is different in approach both with regards to teaching and learning. Find what works for you!]]> Guitar Players Discussion Scrogdog https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/paged/2/#post-78757 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/paged/2/#post-78125 Fri, 03 Dec 2004 02:13:03 +0000
If you want to lay the foundation for good techniques down the line, then work on your scales and repetitive exercises now (knowing the fretboard, strumming with a metronome, etc.). It WILL pay off.

It is important, I believe, to have something that you can relate your exercises to, meaning some song that you enjoy. Once you see how your practicing can help you with learning some simple starting songs (Knocking on Heaven's Door, Eight Days a Week for example), it really starts to get exciting. But don't get too far ahead of yourself yet.

I found that it is better to pick up the git at least once a day and sit with it for a while...doesn't always have to be hard-core practicing, but sometimes just simple strumming for the pleasure of hearing the music. Better 15 minutes each day than 1 hour once a week, comprende? Keeps your music muscles ready.

Also, I think it is good to either find a new place to practice (if practical) or time to practice. I have had some wonderful practice time early in the morning or out on my front step or in my backyard...shake it up. I still have a desire to climb a mountain and play...

Well, that's all

most of all...have fun...there is not time table fore these things!

:)]]> Guitar Players Discussion geetar66 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/paged/2/#post-78125 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/paged/2/#post-77789 Tue, 30 Nov 2004 23:32:22 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion blutic1 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/paged/2/#post-77789 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/#post-77715 Tue, 30 Nov 2004 16:32:21 +0000 From the point of view of motivation and enthusiasm, not just getting the most enjoyment out of it, learning actual songs that you like is the key: and if the teacher knows what he/she is doing, then you'll also be learning about the notes, how to do hammer-on, bending etc. as well as a gaining a basic understanding of chords and fingering.
I learned piano as a kid the 'old' way - scales, arpeggios, only reading music, rather than ever learning to listen to a song and reproduce what I heard. With the guitar, I'm now trying to approach the process a little more evenly - using tabs or sheet music is just the start to learning a tune, your ears and heart should guide you ultimately.
:P]]> Guitar Players Discussion rowmarcus https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/#post-77715 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/#post-77667 Tue, 30 Nov 2004 06:59:12 +0000
You need to do what you want to do - if that is just strumming along to a couple of songs over a camp fire - that is fine. If you want to become a concert guitarist then your approach is different.

Once you get hooked you will want to learn more - and there is plenty to learn.

You should be able to learn easy songs with three easy chords - it still takes time to master the chord changes - in my case almost three months..

No, generating and maintaining enthusiasm at the start is the most important.]]> Guitar Players Discussion jimscafe https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/#post-77667 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/#post-77647 Tue, 30 Nov 2004 02:42:12 +0000
He should be able to think of it as a reward for your work, rather than a distraction from it.]]> Guitar Players Discussion undercat https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/#post-77647 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/#post-77645 Tue, 30 Nov 2004 02:29:40 +0000 I dunno... I learned it as E, E, D, E... For that one - I think.
but after you posted that, it sounds like the guy's a little
condescending...
Hmmm... you may want to check out another teacher IF that's the case.
most of the condescending ego types are really just a couple a notches better than their students - I don't care how long he's played...
you get in a rut, you can go on forever and not get anywhere.
A ego-type gets complacent, and gets the same results as the guy
in a rut does.

But you only been at it for 8 weeks, maybe he gots a plan he goes by and what you're wanting conflicts with the agenda...even though you were able
to make a pretty good guess at the chords of that God Forsaken Cream
song.

Uhh as far as that song goes, I think it's in "e" but I really just don't remember]]> Guitar Players Discussion Racer Y https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/#post-77645 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/#post-77584 Mon, 29 Nov 2004 19:55:58 +0000
That said, I often dislike this idea that there is a "right" or "wrong" way to play anything, mainly because I don't like the idea of having to copy somebody else with no room for creativity.

Eg. The version Hendrix did of Sunshine of Your Love when Cream split.]]> Guitar Players Discussion Full Fathom Five https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/starting-to-lose-interest-help/#post-77584