Printable Version of Topic

Click here to view this topic in its original format

GMC Forum _ CHILL OUT _ Quitting My Job And Dedicating 8 Hours A Day For Practicing Guitar

Posted by: rhoads Nov 15 2010, 07:44 PM

Hi everybody,

This will be a long post so I put the idea in the title to get your attention because I really need your opinions and advice on this.

On short: I want to save some money, give up my daily job and practice about 7-8 hours a day for one year.

To me it's clear now, playing guitar is what I like to do the most and I never stopped dreaming that one day this is what I will do this for a living also. I know it is possible (even here in Eastern Europe) because I have lots of examples and I am willing to pay the price to get there, but for this, there is one essential condition: to be VERY GOOD at it. You don't need to be a guitar god but to be VERY GOOD at it. And here is the problem. I discovered this instrument (and all the related stuff) at 22 years old. Now I am 26.

It's been almost 3 years now since I have taken practice seriously which means that I invested 90% of my free time to this. I tried to get to a an average of 4 hours a day for practice but, unfortunately these are after about 6-8 hours of programming which is what I do for a living for 6 years now. All this is starting to be really toxic because a have very little time to spend with my family and fiends, read a book, watch a movie and the list can go on and beside this, I kinda feel that most of the time was just wasted because you cannot really assimilate much after working a day in front of a computer. As a result: my skills are still pretty low. (you can check out my REC takes if you like: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showuser=8284 or http://www.youtube.com/alexandrugeorgescu)

So, my plan is to save some money until around March next year that should last me for about 6 months, quit my job and start practicing 7-8 hours a day after a efficient agenda which I am sure I can find on GMC. Of course, to take some private lessons from a teacher in my town and there are some local bands which I can jam with. (I don't plan to practice alone for the whole time). So this will be the main activity of the day, just as I would have gone to a music school tongue.gif, and this way I will progress a lot better.

I know I said 1 year in the beginning but the 6 six months will be a milestone because my fear is that I still don't know if I have real talent at this. All I know I that I like it more than anything else and I want to do this for the rest of my life. I keep blaming it on the lack of time and on tiredness but I don't want to lie to myself and figure out some stuff about me. (I am not in high school anymore, not even college so I it is about time smile.gif. Anyway, if after 6 month of practicing like this I still feel that I am not too far from the level I am now, then.. maybe this isn't my thing after all, or maybe 22 years old it is just to late to start playing guitar. But if is the other way around then I will do anything I can to get another 4-6 month of practice like this. And maybe after one year I will have the necessary skills to join a let's say.. semi-professional band an develop from there on. And on. And oooooon, it's Heaven and Heeeell \m/ !!!. Ok, got a little carried away here smile.gif.

Anyway, rock and blues are the styles that I want to study. Would like jazz also but I haven't tried it before and I know that one year is not enough for this. I will approach it however.

So, please tell me, am I crazy ? is this a good idea ? do you think that one year is enough to get to a decent level ? (please check my REC takes also before answering to this one so you can have an idea of where I am now).

I know there are still lots to talk about, planing, etc but his was just the spark so.. please enlighten me smile.gif

Posted by: jstcrsn Nov 15 2010, 08:04 PM

QUOTE (rhoads @ Nov 15 2010, 07:44 PM) *
Hi everybody,

This will be a long post so I put the idea in the title to get your attention because I really need your opinions and advice on this.

On short: I want to save some money, give up my daily job and practice about 7-8 hours a day for one year.

To me it's clear now, playing guitar is what I like to do the most and I never stopped dreaming that one day this is what I will do this for a living also. I know it is possible (even here in Eastern Europe) because I have lots of examples and I am willing to pay the price to get there, but for this, there is one essential condition: to be VERY GOOD at it. You don't need to be a guitar god but to be VERY GOOD at it. And here is the problem. I discovered this instrument (and all the related stuff) at 22 years old. Now I am 26.

It's been almost 3 years now since I have taken practice seriously which means that I invested 90% of my free time to this. I tried to get to a an average of 4 hours a day for practice but, unfortunately these are after about 6-8 hours of programming which is what I do for a living for 6 years now. All this is starting to be really toxic because a have very little time to spend with my family and fiends, read a book, watch a movie and the list can go on and beside this, I kinda feel that most of the time was just wasted because you cannot really assimilate much after working a day in front of a computer. As a result: my skills are still pretty low. (you can check out my REC takes if you like: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showuser=8284 or http://www.youtube.com/alexandrugeorgescu)

So, my plan is to save some money until around March next year that should last me for about 6 months, quit my job and start practicing 7-8 hours a day after a efficient agenda which I am sure I can find on GMC. Of course, to take some private lessons from a teacher in my town and there are some local bands which I can jam with. (I don't plan to practice alone for the whole time). So this will be the main activity of the day, just as I would have gone to a music school tongue.gif, and this way I will progress a lot better.

I know I said 1 year in the beginning but the 6 six months will be a milestone because my fear is that I still don't know if I have real talent at this. All I know I that I like it more than anything else and I want to do this for the rest of my life. I keep blaming it on the lack of time and on tiredness but I don't want to lie to myself and figure out some stuff about me. (I am not in high school anymore, not even college so I it is about time smile.gif. Anyway, if after 6 month of practicing like this I still feel that I am not too far from the level I am now, then.. maybe this isn't my thing after all, or maybe 22 years old it is just to late to start playing guitar. But if is the other way around then I will do anything I can to get another 4-6 month of practice like this. And maybe after one year I will have the necessary skills to join a let's say.. semi-professional band an develop from there on. And on. And oooooon, it's Heaven and Heeeell \m/ !!!. Ok, got a little carried away here smile.gif.

Anyway, rock and blues are the styles that I want to study. Would like jazz also but I haven't tried it before and I know that one year is not enough for this. I will approach it however.

So, please tell me, am I crazy ? is this a good idea ? do you think that one year is enough to get to a decent level ? (please check my REC takes also before answering to this one so you can have an idea of where I am now).

I know there are still lots to talk about, planing, etc but his was just the spark so.. please enlighten me smile.gif

if you can afford this , and you don't hurt your family or give up who you are as a person , and if it does not work out will you be able to rejoin the work place
i say -- don't do any thing to quickly
if you want to go that route, proceed with caution

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 15 2010, 08:49 PM

QUOTE (jstcrsn @ Nov 15 2010, 07:04 PM) *
if you can afford this , and you don't hurt your family or give up who you are as a person , and if it does not work out will you be able to rejoin the work place
i say -- don't do any thing to quickly
if you want to go that route, proceed with caution


i agreed with jstcrsn don't rush in, think first wink.gif

Posted by: Marek Rojewski Nov 15 2010, 08:51 PM

I don't think that aiming at being "very good" in one year is a good idea. There is a limit of information that You can "digest" in a day/week/month. Also I would fear all those "guitar illnesses" that can develop with to much to hard practicing. Sure thing improving "a lot" in one year is possible, don't know if it is enough to be "very good". With good habits and fundamentals, You could start earning some money giving guitar lessons to beginners I suppose...

Posted by: Chris Evans Nov 15 2010, 08:52 PM

hmmm, a lot to think about there, as jstcrsn said, dont do anything too hasty, although obviously you have already given this much thought.

One thing you dont want to do is leave yourself vunerable later on.

personally I think the amount you already practice is enough, but I think you need to put some more efforts into joining a band and get gigging etc (if you havnt already) its great experience and I think it accelerated my learning no end when I joined a band.

Playing guitar for a living is certainly not a walk in the park, it may seem very attractive but I think the reality can at times be very different.

Posted by: rhoads Nov 15 2010, 09:17 PM

QUOTE (Marek Rojewski @ Nov 15 2010, 07:51 PM) *
I don't think that aiming at being "very good" in one year is a good idea. There is a limit of information that You can "digest" in a day/week/month. Also I would fear all those "guitar illnesses" that can develop with to much to hard practicing. Sure thing improving "a lot" in one year is possible, don't know if it is enough to be "very good". With good habits and fundamentals, You could start earning some money giving guitar lessons to beginners I suppose...


Yes I know exactly what you mean and I think I did not express myself well here. I know I cannot become "very good" in one year. I am not Chuck Norris unfortunately smile.gif). What I am trying to do is to get to a decent level where I can really say that.. you know.. I can play guitar.
I can jam along in a semi-pro or pro band.

I have quite a few relations in the music business here and I can get some leads but I know (and feel) that with my current skill level (to use a programmer's expression), it is pointless to resort to their help because.. I cannot really say that "I play guitar" at this point. If you know what I mean.

QUOTE (Chris Evans @ Nov 15 2010, 07:52 PM) *
hmmm, a lot to think about there, as jstcrsn said, dont do anything too hasty, although obviously you have already given this much thought.

One thing you dont want to do is leave yourself vunerable later on.

personally I think the amount you already practice is enough, but I think you need to put some more efforts into joining a band and get gigging etc (if you havnt already) its great experience and I think it accelerated my learning no end when I joined a band.

Playing guitar for a living is certainly not a walk in the park, it may seem very attractive but I think the reality can at times be very different.

And of course, I will join a band. There are actually some guys that are waiting for me. I played with them a year ago (had some small gigs) but things did not work out. My problem was that I was realizing, again, that my my level is too low to sound good and to really play (and write) decent music. Anyway this wasn't the reason why it did not work out, long story here and off topic but the idea is that even when I will join a band I will still need lots of time for individual practicing.

Posted by: MickeM Nov 15 2010, 09:48 PM

QUOTE (Chris Evans @ Nov 15 2010, 08:52 PM) *
I think it accelerated my learning no end when I joined a band.

I agree, playing in a band is very rewarding.

I think your idea is good. If you don't dare to try something it will never happen. The economics makes easy mathetatics. Save half of your money for one year and you can manage without work for one year, give or take.
I don't know what opportunities you've got but possibly you don't have to quit your job but rather take a 1 year leave. So incase things doesn't work out.

I know a good example of a guy (20 years ago) - a guitarist, who gave up everything, set his mind to be the best guitarist and practiced for a full year - or was it two? He became a teriffic guitarist and was well known locally. I think he dropped the career and started a record company instead.

So if I was your age and had my mind set to become a great guitarist I'd give it a shot.
The only thing I think you need to concider is what you want to become. There are about 1 million youtube shredders to compete with if you plan on playing fast. Being a good musician is something else. I'd bring that into my plan aswell, how to stick out like a sore thumb.

Good luck :-)

Posted by: rhoads Nov 15 2010, 10:05 PM

QUOTE (MickeM @ Nov 15 2010, 08:48 PM) *
I agree, playing in a band is very rewarding.

I think your idea is good. If you don't dare to try something it will never happen. The economics makes easy mathetatics. Save half of your money for one year and you can manage without work for one year, give or take.
I don't know what opportunities you've got but possibly you don't have to quit your job but rather take a 1 year leave. So incase things doesn't work out.

I know a good example of a guy (20 years ago) - a guitarist, who gave up everything, set his mind to be the best guitarist and practiced for a full year - or was it two? He became a teriffic guitarist and was well known locally. I think he dropped the career and started a record company instead.

So if I was your age and had my mind set to become a great guitarist I'd give it a shot.
The only thing I think you need to concider is what you want to become. There are about 1 million youtube shredders to compete with if you plan on playing fast. Being a good musician is something else. I'd bring that into my plan aswell, how to stick out like a sore thumb.

Good luck :-)


Thank you !

I know what you mean. Honestly, I really don't care so much about shredding. It is cool indeed, but music is an art not a sport and unfortunately, I see that few tend to remember that. Anyway, one of my main objectives is to focus on the special ingredient called feeling which I know I am missing smile.gif

Posted by: Mudbone Nov 15 2010, 10:11 PM

If you're already practicing up to four hours a day right now and not seeing any progress, I don't think practicing even more hours is the solution. It seems like you're not fully utilizing those four hours and/or are not practicing efficiently.

Do you have a practice log? Do you practice with a metronome and keep track of your progress? Do you plan out your practice for the week? Do you practice with a stop watch?

I used to "practice" up to five hours a day and not make any progress. But it was aimless practice, and I wasted a lot of time in front of the computer. I also was not consistent on a day to day basis with my practice. I think out of those five hours of practice, I probably only netted about 20 minutes of actual progress. Consistency and efficiency is the key to progress. I firmly believe that three hours of efficient practice is superior to eight hours of inefficient and inconsistent practice.

After three hours of efficient practicing you will be tired, as it can be draining. Another thing you have to worry about when you practice long hours is developing Carpel Tunnel Syndrome or tendinitis. That will put a real damper on your guitar playing, and you might have to put the guitar down for six months to a year even.

At the end of the day, guitar playing and song writing are two different things. Guitar playing is a motor skill, no different than being an athlete or a gymnast. Your fingers fretting the fingerboard is where the rubber meets the road so to speak, and this is a purely physical task. Of course there is a mental aspect to it, but if you don't master the physical aspect then you can forget about mastering the mental aspect.

So before you give up your job, try practicing efficiently for two hours a day, and I promise within six months you will definitely see tangible results.

Posted by: rhoads Nov 15 2010, 10:38 PM

QUOTE (Mudbone @ Nov 15 2010, 09:11 PM) *
If you're already practicing up to four hours a day right now and not seeing any progress, I don't think practicing even more hours is the solution. It seems like you're not fully utilizing those four hours and/or are not practicing efficiently.

Do you have a practice log? Do you practice with a metronome and keep track of your progress? Do you plan out your practice for the week? Do you practice with a stop watch?

I used to "practice" up to five hours a day and not make any progress. But it was aimless practice, and I wasted a lot of time in front of the computer. I also was not consistent on a day to day basis with my practice. I think out of those five hours of practice, I probably only netted about 20 minutes of actual progress. Consistency and efficiency is the key to progress. I firmly believe that three hours of efficient practice is superior to eight hours of inefficient and inconsistent practice.

After three hours of efficient practicing you will be tired, as it can be draining. Another thing you have to worry about when you practice long hours is developing Carpel Tunnel Syndrome or tendinitis. That will put a real damper on your guitar playing, and you might have to put the guitar down for six months to a year even.

At the end of the day, guitar playing and song writing are two different things. Guitar playing is a motor skill, no different than being an athlete or a gymnast. Your fingers fretting the fingerboard is where the rubber meets the road so to speak, and this is a purely physical task. Of course there is a mental aspect to it, but if you don't master the physical aspect then you can forget about mastering the mental aspect.

So before you give up your job, try practicing efficiently for two hours a day, and I promise within six months you will definitely see tangible results.


Thanks for your input.

The truth is that I do not have a practice log but I do practice with a metronome.
Not with a stop watch but I plan my practice, half an hour for scales, half for a REC take, half for some licks and all that theory.

I gave up planning he week because I cannot really respect the plan because of the work.
In the initial post I said that I tried to get to a average of 4 hours a day but.. the truth is that it was probably 3. And it was something like 5 hours today, 1 tomorrow and so on. Not to mention all the times that I am stressed out from work and the the practice session is just a waste of time.

And again, by 8 hours of practice a day I do not mean that I will do technique stuff 8 hours in row. I know I won't last a month.
It will be probably up to 4 hours of planned (efficient) practicing and then focus on song writing, some music theory, studying different guitarists, jam session with the band, tone and recording related stuff and so on. Of and of course some vocals which I am in desperate need smile.gif). I was afraid that if I write all this down in the first post, then nobody will take the time to read it all smile.gif but that is the general idea. To become good enough in a wider area of guitar playing and music in general.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Nov 15 2010, 10:59 PM

I LOVE the way you think. I have news for you - You ARE crazy, and yes, it's a GREAT idea! biggrin.gif I have lots of respect for you in deciding this, it's always a big decision.

I once read long time ago (and it turned out to be true), that all you need is around 5 years of dedicated work on the instrument in order to start playing professionally. If you spend those 5 years wisely, only practicing and practicing, you're on your way to become great player.

However, you never know how it's going to turn out, because life is very strange. But if you have iron will (and you will need it if you decide to play rock, blues and jazz), you can live your life they way you like. I must say that playing guitar very good is only part of the puzzle. You should focus on developing your own unique style of playing, be famous at it, and compose lots of songs. Good songs are your ticket to go into a good band and eventually become famous.

Also, working on your image and style as a guitar player is very important too. All these things will come in time, and you should definitely look and act as a guitar player. This way, people in the business will take you seriously. Acting as a professional, playing as one, and looking as one will get you there. So what are you waiting for, guitar in hands, and pursue yuor dreams! smile.gif






Posted by: rhoads Nov 15 2010, 11:11 PM

QUOTE (Ivan Milenkovic @ Nov 15 2010, 09:59 PM) *
I LOVE the way you think. I have news for you - You ARE crazy, and yes, it's a GREAT idea! biggrin.gif I have lots of respect for you in deciding this, it's always a big decision.

I once read long time ago (and it turned out to be true), that all you need is around 5 years of dedicated work on the instrument in order to start playing professionally. If you spend those 5 years wisely, only practicing and practicing, you're on your way to become great player.

However, you never know how it's going to turn out, because life is very strange. But if you have iron will (and you will need it if you decide to play rock, blues and jazz), you can live your life they way you like. I must say that playing guitar very good is only part of the puzzle. You should focus on developing your own unique style of playing, be famous at it, and compose lots of songs. Good songs are your ticket to go into a good band and eventually become famous.

Also, working on your image and style as a guitar player is very important too. All these things will come in time, and you should definitely look and act as a guitar player. This way, people in the business will take you seriously. Acting as a professional, playing as one, and looking as one will get you there. So what are you waiting for, guitar in hands, and pursue yuor dreams! smile.gif


Thank you Ivan !

I was waiting your reply and was a bit afraid of it. But this really means a lot. Thanks smile.gif

Ok, now I can go to sleep tongue.gif.

Posted by: The Uncreator Nov 15 2010, 11:12 PM

Hard to say without knowing how the situation where you live is. If you were in America I would suggest not quitting your job, But if your current situation allows it to no damage to yourself or your family and their living conditions, I suppose it would be safe. It's a bold decision and (of course) don't take it lightly. I would personally suggest keep your job and gig on the sides, a lot of my family does it with their bands and whatnot with some pretty good success.

Being a musician can mean being very rich, or being very poor, or somewhere comfortably in between. But either way, It's tough, but it seems like you got the determination to do it.

Posted by: ztevie Nov 15 2010, 11:54 PM

Isn't there a possibility to take some time off from work and come back later?
Like here in Sweden, you have the possibility to be free from work up to one year(without pay of course) while the company hire a substitute, and then come back to work as normal... This is of course if you have a steady job now.
Many people use this opportunity to travel or try other jobs.

Anyway, you can look at guys like Yngwie who basically gave up school and everything to pursue his dream. Well, imagine how many others that did the same thing but we never heard of, because they never got famous... Maybe there are a thousand "nobodys" for one Yngwie?

But you seem to have a healthy approach to it all, when planning to save money and all that, so I'd also say you should do it. If you don't, you'll probably regret that later in life. Just remember, see this as time spent to get BETTER, not finished... You'll need a lot more time for that, even if you practice 20 hours a day.
Also practicing too hard might endanger your health, such as pain in hands and arms that can become a permanent condition...

Posted by: Sollesnes Nov 16 2010, 01:26 AM

Might be nice to start the project with a band to focus on. More motivation to write songs and get out to play live smile.gif Hopefully youre bandmates will be as serious as you.
A lot of people save up money and go travel, playing guitar is a good substitute smile.gif If you have a wife and family, its good to watch your steps though of course tongue.gif

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 16 2010, 02:13 AM

QUOTE (Marek Rojewski @ Nov 15 2010, 03:51 PM) *
I don't think that aiming at being "very good" in one year is a good idea. There is a limit of information that You can "digest" in a day/wee...


Marek has some GREAT points here. It is very admirable of you to want to focus so intently on your craft. However, as Marek points out, playing 8 hours a day can lead to problems like Repetitive Stress Injury (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome), loss of health insurance and income (from not working), and isolation from family/friends (depending on which 8 hours of the day you play).

Not to mention his other great point that you can only absorb so much at a time. Becoming a "good" player takes YEARS of steady work. In my experience, it's persistence that makes a good even great player, not binge practicing. So consider if it would be possible to play at least 2 or 3 hours a day and still keep working, keep paying your health insurance (if you don't have any get a minimal plan to cover costs if you get hit by a truck), keep moving forward in terms of career/income level, etc. For example, wake up early every day and put in an hour before work. Then after you come home and get a bite to eat, put in another hour or even two. Then on the weekends, put in up to 8 per day but space it out over the day. Not all at once. Your brain needs to process all this as you go. In short, it's the old "Slow and Steady Wins the Race" approach. If you adopted a practice schedule like this, I think you'd see HUGE progress in a year and not have to quite your job to do it.

We have 10 percent unemployment here in the states, so giving up a Job now seems iffy at best. If you have a job of any kind, your in a lot better shape than a lot of folks. I hear horror stories of people who've been out of work for almost a year.

In the end it is your call. But as the guys are saying, consider all the angles first.

Todd

Posted by: Gus Nov 16 2010, 02:29 AM

I admire your courage. Pursuing your dream is much easier if you have a safety net (like the spare money you want to get). So, at least, you are approaching it on the right way.
I may be overlooking something, but it seems your whole problem is stress. So, I´d guess you only need to slow down your rhythm.
What about working part time? If you work 4 hours a day + play guitar 4 more hours you still have a lot of time to rest and assimilate all you need.
Saving money for 1 year and then stopping for 1 year, should be equal in terms of money to work 2 years part time. And I guess you would be better at guitar if you do part time (4 hours for 2 years) than stress routine now + 8 hours next year , because a lot of things in guitar takes a loooong time to assimilate.
On top of that, you keep acquiring experience on programming, which will help you in case you decide to come back to it full time.

Posted by: Gary Nov 16 2010, 07:26 AM

QUOTE (Mudbone @ Nov 15 2010, 10:11 PM) *
If you're already practicing up to four hours a day right now and not seeing any progress, I don't think practicing even more hours is the solution. It seems like you're not fully utilizing those four hours and/or are not practicing efficiently.

Do you have a practice log? Do you practice with a metronome and keep track of your progress? Do you plan out your practice for the week? Do you practice with a stop watch?

I used to "practice" up to five hours a day and not make any progress. But it was aimless practice, and I wasted a lot of time in front of the computer. I also was not consistent on a day to day basis with my practice. I think out of those five hours of practice, I probably only netted about 20 minutes of actual progress. Consistency and efficiency is the key to progress. I firmly believe that three hours of efficient practice is superior to eight hours of inefficient and inconsistent practice.

After three hours of efficient practicing you will be tired, as it can be draining. Another thing you have to worry about when you practice long hours is developing Carpel Tunnel Syndrome or tendinitis. That will put a real damper on your guitar playing, and you might have to put the guitar down for six months to a year even.

At the end of the day, guitar playing and song writing are two different things. Guitar playing is a motor skill, no different than being an athlete or a gymnast. Your fingers fretting the fingerboard is where the rubber meets the road so to speak, and this is a purely physical task. Of course there is a mental aspect to it, but if you don't master the physical aspect then you can forget about mastering the mental aspect.

So before you give up your job, try practicing efficiently for two hours a day, and I promise within six months you will definitely see tangible results.



+1 on this advice. Its a bit tough because you never want to disuade someone from following their dreams but you are at an age that is also critical for developing your career. I have found the better programmers most often have music in their background - practice efficiently and do both if you can. You may also want to consider cutting back your work hours as opposed to just bailing out. Good luck whatever you choose.

Posted by: maharzan Nov 16 2010, 09:48 AM

I love your spirit man. Go for it. At last the only thing that makes any difference you can make with the crowd out there is doing just what you love to best. If you try to balance and make everyone happy you will just end up like an average joe whom nobody remembers. I have learnt that lesson from my life and while I worked my ass off after college 24/7 as a designer, now I work less hours to do things I love to do and you probably have seen my progress too within the last year or so. I mean I have improved my technics quite a bit which I thought I could never achieve in my life but one year is definitely very very short time to learn all the theory and become 'very good' at it but I am sure if you have already done it for 3 years, things might come easy and the more you practice the more you will understand.

Do remember that 'frustration' and 'demotivation' kind of comes every now and then and you just have to get past the fears of these things. You will become good. I am sure starting your work at 27 isn't too late. I just restarted at 30 after 6 years of intense work. smile.gif

Also note that you will have to constantly practice and work on your guitar skills. THIS IS A MUST. If you think you cannot dedicate much time and you have more excuses for this period, don't go for it. You will have to forget everything and just do guitars for a year. smile.gif

And the other alternative is to join a guitar university or something for 2 years. I am sure you will learn all the theory in there plus you will get to know more professional people. smile.gif

Posted by: Fran Nov 16 2010, 12:29 PM

Interesting.

Pursuing your goals and what you love in life is important. Having said that, eating is important too.

I'd make sure you can earn a living as a musician in your hometown/country, or if you will be willing to move somewhere else. I'd check with the people you know that are doing it, and think hard if what they do for a living is what you'd like for yourself. If you already have friends who earn a living as musicians maybe they can help you out in the future too, which would be a plus.

I'd also think about the possibilities of finding a new job, or getting the same one you have now, if things go wrong. If it's easy for you to find a new job like the one you have now, then the risk is inexistent, because you can always end up the way you are now. If finding a job in the future is hard, then your risk is high, and that's something you should certainly think about.


Posted by: rhoads Nov 16 2010, 11:42 PM

QUOTE (maharzan @ Nov 16 2010, 08:48 AM) *
I love your spirit man. Go for it. At last the only thing that makes any difference you can make with the crowd out there is doing just what you love to best. If you try to balance and make everyone happy you will just end up like an average joe whom nobody remembers. I have learnt that lesson from my life and while I worked my ass off after college 24/7 as a designer, now I work less hours to do things I love to do and you probably have seen my progress too within the last year or so. I mean I have improved my technics quite a bit which I thought I could never achieve in my life but one year is definitely very very short time to learn all the theory and become 'very good' at it but I am sure if you have already done it for 3 years, things might come easy and the more you practice the more you will understand.

Do remember that 'frustration' and 'demotivation' kind of comes every now and then and you just have to get past the fears of these things. You will become good. I am sure starting your work at 27 isn't too late. I just restarted at 30 after 6 years of intense work. smile.gif

Also note that you will have to constantly practice and work on your guitar skills. THIS IS A MUST. If you think you cannot dedicate much time and you have more excuses for this period, don't go for it. You will have to forget everything and just do guitars for a year. smile.gif

And the other alternative is to join a guitar university or something for 2 years. I am sure you will learn all the theory in there plus you will get to know more professional people. smile.gif


Thanks man !
It's funny that I was about to mention you in my initial post as a good example of progress. You and emirb whom I also watch on the REC takes.

Yes I also thought of an guitar university and I would like that but I cannot afford it. Unfortunately, here in Romania there is only one "rock school" but it is nothing compared to the ones in the vest which I don't afford and nobody offers scholarships for a 26 years old beginner guitarist smile.gif

As I said in the initial post, I plan to start only from around March next year. Until then I cannot dedicate enough time and I am tired of doing things only half way.

QUOTE (Gus @ Nov 16 2010, 01:29 AM) *
I admire your courage. Pursuing your dream is much easier if you have a safety net (like the spare money you want to get). So, at least, you are approaching it on the right way.
I may be overlooking something, but it seems your whole problem is stress. So, I´d guess you only need to slow down your rhythm.
What about working part time? If you work 4 hours a day + play guitar 4 more hours you still have a lot of time to rest and assimilate all you need.
Saving money for 1 year and then stopping for 1 year, should be equal in terms of money to work 2 years part time. And I guess you would be better at guitar if you do part time (4 hours for 2 years) than stress routine now + 8 hours next year , because a lot of things in guitar takes a loooong time to assimilate.
On top of that, you keep acquiring experience on programming, which will help you in case you decide to come back to it full time.



Thanks man, I know what you mean with the part time job and you are right but I tried that also. Not 4 hours a day but 5-6 for a period of time. I was the best deal I could get with the company I am working for. I think I can get also a deal for 4 hours a day but still, I feel it won't be enough time (as I said I don't plan do to technique 8 hours a day in a row, but half of the time to do focus on song writing, tone and recording stuff, practicing with the band etc). And I am also tired of doing things half way. So at least for the first 6 month I want to concentrate full time on this if you know what I mean.

Thanks again and thank you all for you opinions, advices and concern. It really means a lot. The risk of not getting a job back in case things go wrong it is not that big as probably the topic title makes it look because it is programming, and things are very flexible here. Anyway, it is risk I am willing to take. I have lots of quotes about this aspect but I guess you all know what I mean smile.gif

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Nov 17 2010, 01:26 AM

If you can afford it financially and would say go for it!
Its your dream and why not invest 1 year trying to achieve it. In things like this you only need determination and strong will in order to achieve your goals. Why not take a change now? Maybe you won't have it in the future.

But I'm saying this ONLY if you can afford not having a job for a period of time.

Posted by: maharzan Nov 17 2010, 03:03 AM

This might inspire you. smile.gif


Posted by: rhoads Nov 17 2010, 08:27 AM

I am seeing him live in 3 weeks biggrin.gif in Bucharest.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Nov 21 2010, 04:06 PM

I would say that you should check with a cold approach what are the possible revenues you may have as a guitarist, some may be: teaching, playing live, selling music

Now inside those 3 there's room for so many things to do. But the idea is to have that clear RIGHT NOW before jumping into quitting everything,


Posted by: maharzan Nov 23 2010, 05:10 AM

On the contrary, Daniel, that is a classic way of thinking which isn't bad at all and may be valid for 99% of the people. I would think if you are so good at anything, you can create opportunities for yourself, the paths opens up itself. I saw somewhere when Satriani was out there roaming with his instrumental rock album, nobody was really into it. But then he changed the way people took music. Its just not words. This is what is important. But if you don't have the confidence then you can go with the crowd, see the scope and then follow the path which is probably the safest path. I am not advocating this is true or this works for all. For example, I never went into guitars at first place (well I thought I could never progress or play like I can now back then). But from my life, I have a really good example which I can share although there are a lot of success stories out there on how people sacrificed and starved for years before they reached the success level!

There was a computer boom back in late 90s when I was about to join college. I wanted to study architecture (as I liked art/design) but then I failed the exam because of other subjects like chemistry/physics which I still don't understand why they are needed. Then next year, I joined computer science instead thinking working on computers and programming was growing. Thankfully after much study, I passed that year.. LoL.

As soon as I joined college, I hated it and didn't know why I joined at first place. We still had to study chemistry, physics and all those irrelevant subjects instead of just computers. We only had 1 computer subject in 2 years.. F*%#!

So, after like 2-3 months in college, I virtually gave up studies and went to library to study some web designing. We hardly had internet back then but still whenever possible I went and downloaded photoshop tutorials and saved in a floppy disk to take home and study. This was totally out of what coursework was. As a result I failed 4 times in 8 of the final exams. My focus was elsewhere and I didn't know what I will be doing since I won't have a degree and I won't be able to work on a prestigious institution for sure. But designing was what I liked. I still remember a teacher asking me why I was there when I wasn't being able to answer the 'course questions'. I remember saying - ' because my dad sent me.' It was an awkward situation. Everyone laughed of course.

Anyway, luckily I graduated. But before I graduated, I did start working on few projects here and there. A senior friend of mine was looking to work on design projects and as soon as he knew about my skills, he started a design company and I started working with him. I didn't care about what I would do or where I would be in next 5 years. I just kept working and working 24/7/365 days because that was what I enjoyed. It was fun. Of course, I starved. In fact, I moved from a 2 month high paying intern job to a low paying more enjoyable job. haha! I was crazy. But even at this level, I did save little by little for 6 months to buy my first guitar (Music was always what I did when I had some free time). Anyway, then started blooming the 'outsourcing' thing. It was a blessing but hard as well since trust was really hard to build. We won many projects only because of our work rather than 'low price' that usually dominates the outsourcing world. I worked full time / overtime (usually stayed in office 90% of 24/7/365) for 6 years. Of course we had plans and we imagined to really become a huge company. We started 2 and we reached upto 40 people at one time.

Finally, since I loved to work rather than become the boss to manage senseless people (again the thing I don't like) I had to depart from the company to seek peace rather than trying to fix everyones problems. But the best thing was I gathered so much experience all these years that I can now work less and earn more. I have known what works on the market and what doesn't. I can really create my own opportunities! I have learnt what college courses or any degree could never offer.

So, in summary, despite knowing what will work or what the market was into, I just wanted to work on what I liked the most and what made learning mysterious and fun. Staying in lectures were really boring and many time sleepy! I don't claim to have been successful yet but I am pretty happy with where I am right now rather than where I could have been if I followed the path others took, take degrees, go abroad and work like a horse and trying to save my job because of some depression. I now stay at home not worrying about office time and still manage to earn so I can focus on my next most liked hobby, i.e music! smile.gif I am actually encouraged with my own experience to now focus on learning guitar and was the primary reason I wanted to improve my playing since last 1.5 years. biggrin.gif

Posted by: rhoads Nov 23 2010, 11:43 PM

QUOTE (Daniel Realpe @ Nov 21 2010, 03:06 PM) *
I would say that you should check with a cold approach what are the possible revenues you may have as a guitarist, some may be: teaching, playing live, selling music

Now inside those 3 there's room for so many things to do. But the idea is to have that clear RIGHT NOW before jumping into quitting everything,


Well I know I is not going to be selling music smile.gif

I plan on a combination of the other 2. I have lots of examples that do the same.
Also like transcribing music but I guess I will keep that just as a personal hobby. I think this is from the programmer side of me that really likes how music looks on paper. Was really enthusiastic when I saw in that interview that Steve Vai said the same words tongue.gif. But lets get back to reality.

For now, I just know that this is the right way and it has to lead somewhere decent. Or at least it is going to answer me a lots of questions. There were a few times when I thought of quitting the whole guitar stuff and just go the safe road but, to be honest, the most important thing that is holding be back is the fact that I haven't even come to a point where I can see at least half o the big picture in the music business. Not because I cannot read about it on the internet or ask lots of people but because of my current skill level. First you have to be able to really play the guitar before you can worry about the other aspects. If I don't do it then I will not even have time to see why the whole guitar/music stuff could not work. What I am most afraid of is the fact that I started playing guitar a quite late. At least I will know that and I can make peace with myself.

My story is somehow similar to what maharzan said in the last post (I hear you man smile.gif ) just that I am in the programming business not design. I like that also but it is nothing compared to music and I cannot imagine myself working in front of a computer from 8hrs a day for the rest of my life. As I wrote on a previous post, in this business things are quite flexible. What I mean is that in the worst case scenario if I cannot get my old job back I can start doing projects taken from the internet. The whole outsourcing stuff. Of course I will starve for a while because the prices are pretty low but I will get back on track at some point.

I can't believe I am saying this, but fortunately I don't live in the vest and here you are not so screwed if you are jobless for a while (from rent, health insurance, social security point of view and all that but I don't want to get in detail here).

Posted by: vampire18 Nov 24 2010, 09:04 PM

you dont have to be that good, if you can play perfectly your favorite songs than you can perform with them that means your good enough, in adition there are ways like gabriel where you can work in guitar and guitar related areas. many people get caught up in mastering crazy solos, which is fun and self improving but its a very niche crowd whos even that interested. try to look back when you didnt play guitar if the solos were even interesting, better yet, let a non guitarist friend hear a 2 minute solo, he will die of boredem usually.
oh and try to ask a random friend from facebook who are the following- steve vai, paul gilbert, yngwi, michael angelo or satriani. best case scenario they know satch from guitar hero.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Nov 28 2010, 06:32 PM

I was in the similar place as you some years ago. I was deciding wetter I would work for IT company (and one of the best here in the country), as a coder, or to play guitar. Everybody thought I was crazy for choosing guitar, but I'm so glad I'm doing something I love smile.gif

Posted by: rhoads Nov 28 2010, 07:13 PM

Good choice biggrin.gif

Posted by: maharzan Nov 29 2010, 05:17 AM

Thumbs up Ivan. Is it just coincidence that most guitar players are computer savvy? smile.gif

Posted by: audiopaal Dec 2 2010, 09:37 AM

I wish I could afford quitting my job, and fully concentrate on music smile.gif

If you have the drive, and you can afford to do it you should at least seriously consider it.
BUT do think it through before you make the step, it's a big sacrifice smile.gif

Posted by: Kael Dec 5 2010, 04:09 AM

If you can afford it and you feel confident that you will be able to dedicate that much time to your playing each day, then i say go for it.
Life is too short to not take chances, especially when it comes to your dreams.
Best of luck mate! smile.gif

Posted by: rhoads Dec 5 2010, 01:53 PM

QUOTE (Kael @ Dec 5 2010, 03:09 AM) *
If you can afford it and you feel confident that you will be able to dedicate that much time to your playing each day, then i say go for it.
Life is too short to not take chances, especially when it comes to your dreams.
Best of luck mate! smile.gif



Thanks man !

Posted by: rhoads Jan 2 2011, 08:45 PM

Happy New Year everybody !

Just want to bring an update to the whole story if you're interested. So, as it was probably obvious that the decision was pretty much taken before I even started the thread, I just want to tell you all that I started implementing it.

So, I talked to the management and told them what are my plans. I will stop working from April and start my journey from then. You may find this funny, (considering also the GMC Funny that I got) but I work for them for 6 years now and we know each other well enough to talk freely about this stuff. They know about this "hobby" of mine because it is not the first time we discussed about future plans, commitment to the IT business etc etc. Anyway, this time they actually encouraged me saying that it is the right decision and they are happy that I finally made up my mind and stopped lying to myself. Didn't see this coming to be honest, but it all good.

So.. Alea iacta est I guess. If nothing (too) unexpected happens, the financial aspects will be covered until April (as presented in the whole thread) and I can start.

Wish me good luck and thanks again for all your advices and encouragements.

Posted by: Marek Rojewski Jan 2 2011, 08:58 PM

Bring the thunder!;)

Posted by: Gitarrero Jan 2 2011, 09:20 PM

All the best, man! And please keep us updated once you start your journey, I'm sure it will be inspiring to read about it.

Posted by: Kristian Hyvarinen Jan 3 2011, 08:46 AM

Hard work will always pay off, man!

Posted by: maharzan Jan 3 2011, 08:55 AM

Yep.. hard work will pay off.. but you will have to go through a LOT of obstacles and hardship. Don't give up. yeah, would love to know how its going...

Posted by: Rik Veldhuizen Jan 3 2011, 08:56 AM

good luck! Enjoy the last few months of working at the job smile.gif

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Jan 4 2011, 05:51 PM

QUOTE (rhoads @ Jan 2 2011, 09:45 PM) *
Happy New Year everybody !

Just want to bring an update to the whole story if you're interested. So, as it was probably obvious that the decision was pretty much taken before I even started the thread, I just want to tell you all that I started implementing it.

So, I talked to the management and told them what are my plans. I will stop working from April and start my journey from then. You may find this funny, (considering also the GMC Funny that I got) but I work for them for 6 years now and we know each other well enough to talk freely about this stuff. They know about this "hobby" of mine because it is not the first time we discussed about future plans, commitment to the IT business etc etc. Anyway, this time they actually encouraged me saying that it is the right decision and they are happy that I finally made up my mind and stopped lying to myself. Didn't see this coming to be honest, but it all good.

So.. Alea iacta est I guess. If nothing (too) unexpected happens, the financial aspects will be covered until April (as presented in the whole thread) and I can start.

Wish me good luck and thanks again for all your advices and encouragements.

I'm glad you've taken a decision that convinces you! You know we are here to help you in anything.





Posted by: rhoads Jan 11 2011, 07:49 PM

Hi again,

Does anybody know what happens if I cancel my subscription for a period and then start again. Will I still be able to have back my forum user and everything that I gathered ? Especially the REC status.

The thing is that for the following 3 month that are left I literary won't have any time for GMC activities other that just visiting the website.
I tried to do another REC the last month but did not succeed and I know it will be the same for the next three month.
So.. no point of wasting 90 bucks. In April I am thinking of purchasing a 12 month subscription to save some money. I know I'll need it, both the money and the subscription smile.gif

Anyways I want to know If I don't loose the forum user and everything.

Also I thing is the right thing to write this down in case anybody posts anything here. So he/she will know why I don't respond anymore. (Until April).

Thanks,

Posted by: Gitarrero Jan 11 2011, 08:08 PM

As far as I know, you don't lose your forum profile, as you can always enter the forum or register for it without having an active membership.
I don't have a clue about Rec, though...

Posted by: dark dude Jan 11 2011, 08:39 PM

You definately don't lose your forum access, but I can't be 100% sure on REC.

Posted by: Kristian Hyvarinen Jan 11 2011, 10:25 PM

My subscription was cancelled since I didn't have any money for a while. However, I still had access to the forum and even to the tabulatures in the videos (couldn't download GP files tho, which I found quite silly). And I got my old user back with no problems at all, so I think you'll be fine too. smile.gif

Posted by: rhoads Jan 11 2011, 10:36 PM

Good news in this case smile.gif

Posted by: rhoads Mar 4 2011, 05:40 PM

One more month to go biggrin.gif

Posted by: Michael AC Mar 15 2011, 01:51 AM

I am a programmer here in the states. Have you considered going down to a 3 or 4 day work week? I try to get in an hour a day during the week then several hours over the weekends. It was harder when I was in a band, but it broke up so I have more time to dedicate becoming a musician and not just a guitar player.

I would love do the same as what you are thinking about. Mudbone made good points about efficiency of your practicing. Sometimes I think that my routine is tight, but you can always get into a rut that slows progress. (GMC is awesome for breaking that)

If you can financially do it and still take care of yourself and family, it would be worth a shot. It will take me longer, I have 4 kids to support so I can not financially take the risk.

Keep us posted on what you decide! Wish you well! Do we get discounts on your CD's when they come out? LOL!

Posted by: rhoads Mar 15 2011, 06:54 PM

I tried that, for almost three years. I worked only 6 hours a day and the rest of the day for practicing. The conclusion is that you just exhaust yourself and loose all your social connections smile.gif. The weekend or the the evening/night is not meant for practicing. Well it can be and it was for me but if you want to go pro (or have any change of becoming a pro, and this is what I want) you need to go all the way. All great guitar players did that.

If you practice guitar after 6-8 hours of work you don't assimilate much and it is just frustrating because there is always small things to do after work that will just reduce your practice time.

Of course I will practice in the weekends also but what I was trying to say is that you cannot base on those.

I know the feeling of being in a band and not having time to practice for yourself and feeling that you still have lots to learn individually before you can really play in a band. The truth is that you need both. You need (A LOT) of individual practicing but also a band who you can jam play with. Also it is good to go two workshops or whatever is available near you so you can interact with real people.

I am single and don't have much obligations and of course this is one of the reasons I afford it smile.gif

If I will release a record I will make a discount for GMC members smile.gif.

P.S. Two more weeks to go smile.gif

Posted by: Nava Mar 15 2011, 07:35 PM

Wish you best of luck cool.gif
Great to see so dedicated players!

Posted by: rhoads Mar 15 2011, 10:23 PM

QUOTE (Nava @ Mar 15 2011, 06:35 PM) *
Wish you best of luck cool.gif
Great to see so dedicated players!


Thank you !

Posted by: rhoads Apr 8 2011, 09:45 AM

Hi everybody !

This Monday was my last day of work and on Wednesday I renewed my GMC subscription. I guess it like when Caesar crossed the Rubicon river: Alea iacta est !

I started easy because my hands are still a little stiff but hopefully everything will go ok. I'll keep you posted with my progress and everything.

Rock on everybody !

Posted by: Marek Rojewski Apr 8 2011, 10:00 AM

Wicked:)

Posted by: dark dude Apr 8 2011, 12:57 PM

QUOTE (rhoads @ Apr 8 2011, 09:45 AM) *
Hi everybody !

This Monday was my last day of work and on Wednesday I renewed my GMC subscription. I guess it like when Caesar crossed the Rubicon river: Alea iacta est !

I started easy because my hands are still a little stiff but hopefully everything will go ok. I'll keep you posted with my progress and everything.

Rock on everybody !

You've inspired me, Sir.

A good way of keeping you motivated/us posted, would be to regularly record short clips and throw them onto youtube.

Posted by: Fran Apr 8 2011, 03:34 PM

QUOTE (rhoads @ Apr 8 2011, 10:45 AM) *
Hi everybody !

This Monday was my last day of work and on Wednesday I renewed my GMC subscription. I guess it like when Caesar crossed the Rubicon river: Alea iacta est !

I started easy because my hands are still a little stiff but hopefully everything will go ok. I'll keep you posted with my progress and everything.

Rock on everybody !



Best of luck man! wink.gif

Posted by: rhoads Apr 8 2011, 06:14 PM

QUOTE (dark dude @ Apr 8 2011, 11:57 AM) *
You've inspired me, Sir.

A good way of keeping you motivated/us posted, would be to regularly record short clips and throw them onto youtube.


No need to call me "Sir", it makes me feel old smile.gif

And yes, I plan to do a lot of REC takes so you'll be hearing of me a lot.

QUOTE (Fran @ Apr 8 2011, 02:34 PM) *
Best of luck man! wink.gif


Thanks a lot !

Posted by: rhoads Sep 26 2011, 10:11 PM

Hi everybody !

Sorry for not posting anything here for so long. It was because I didn't really know what to write. Now I need all the help I can get smile.gif

Let me tell you first what I did so far.

I felt that it was most important for me (when I started ) to work on my technique. Was an easy deduction: there was no point hoping to do all that I planned in this thread, until I am not able to do level at least level 4 RECs. It was simple as that.

So I picked lessons that contained techniques elements that I wasn't able to do and studied them intensively. I don't know what to say.. I see that I have progressed since I started but I feel that it should have been a lot more. Maybe I was overestimated my self at the beginning..

Please tell me what do you think.. honestly smile.gif (this question is addressed to the instructors mainly ( which saw may progress in the REC takes smile.gif

Also in the last three months I invested about 2 hours a day in acoustic guitar playing along with vocal training. Was also an easy deduction: there is no point of talking about being a guitarist/musician if you cannot pick up an acoustic guitar and play some Credence, or some Beatles, or something like that smile.gif.
Maybe this was a wrong deduction.. I don't know but this is what I felt and what a lot of musicians told me.

Well.. I'm far from liking how my voice sounds (although I can pretty much hear when I am out of tune and I can correct myself) and regarding the acoustic playing, I plan to record some covers that I like and post them in the practice room so you can give me some feedback. (Just acoustic with no vocals for the moment )

What do you think of this ?

I am trying to create a repertoire that I can do when, you know, somebody tells you to just pick up the guitar and play something.
I am trying to do some Beatles songs, Hendrix, Credence, some romanian bands etc, but since I am alone and cannot do vocals.. it's driving me crazy. To be honest I have became obsessed with this.. Anyway, regarding this, I will start some vocal training with a vocal coach, in the "traditional" way because I just don't have enough energy to do it with online lessons.

Please tell me your thoughts on this too smile.gif

Regarding the "band" aspect.. well things where are pretty bad. The guys that I was supposed to sing with where not serious at all and it turned out to be just a waste of time so I dropped it.
Actually, trying to form a band here were I live is just a waste of time. First of all there are no drummers in the house (there are a few but not available due to reasons that are not the subject of this post)
and beside that there are not enough serious people.. well there are a couple of bands that the are professionals and, you know, I can just watch. What I mean is that there aren't any individuals (of a close age to mine) that are willing to do be involved in something like this so we can grow together and learn from each other.

I did some jam sessions with some of the "pro" guys, that there were very helpful but there are something like once a month or so..

Don't know what to say about this..

Now I want to write down what I plan to do for the next period:

- continue with the REC takes, there are enough technical aspects that I need to fix.
- learn a lot of licks (and also create my own) for my improvisation
- start composing some riffs, rhythm, you know, something that I can call my own stuff
- start vocal training with a coach - so I can hopefully sing the songs that I like
- join some collaborations I think.

Regarding the financial aspects things are OK. If nothing goes majorly wrong, I will be able to continue like this for another year starting from now... but don't wanna talk about this, just keeping my fingers crossed smile.gif

So, PLEAASSEE ! give me some advice.. sometimes I am really scared that I don't know what I am doing, or just wasting the time, and I cannot afford to screw all this up !

I hope I was coherent enough because it is late and my stomach hurts from my friends wedding yesterday tongue.gif

Posted by: SirJamsalot Sep 27 2011, 01:35 AM

I've read this thread in its entirety. I'm still unclear on what the end-goal is? Just to be a better player? Do you want to become a studio recording artist? Become a rock-star? I get the gist that you want to be a musician for a living, but that's a pretty huge playing field. You won't make money performing until you can either draw a crowd big enough to make you a commodity at venues or take up teaching/bar tending on the side smile.gif

You say your area is dry in terms of musicians. Then you need to relocate. No sense in living on Gilligan's island if your only audience are trees and only band-member options are monkeys. Start making connections online. Research music hot spots and go there. You say you can't sing - you're gonna need singer, so find one, which will likely necessitate your moving if hooking up with local music stores and instructors can't lead you to someone who sings. Same goes for the rest of the band.

Without stated goals, it's hard to make recommendations on this type of thing. If you don't have any concrete goals for you, then it's difficult to prepare a regimen to meet that goal.

If all your asking at this point is what should your practice regimen be, then I'd say grab a pen and paper, write down those basic things you need to do daily, add to that regimen a chunk of time devoted to improvising over different kinds of backing tracks, and time devoted to music composition / decomposition. Composition meaning writing songs, and decomposition meaning studying songs that have been written - what makes them cool, what makes them popular, etc., and of course learn to play them.

If I had 8 hours a day, I would be in a music school learning to read and write music. I'm not a huge music theory buff, but I see the importance of being able to read and write music. But my goal is pretty straight forward - become a gigging studio musician. Money and fame are not my goals - I treat it all as a personal goal to see how good I can become at something I love. It's the challenge that pumps my nads biggrin.gif

So what's your end game?


QUOTE (rhoads @ Sep 26 2011, 02:11 PM) *
Hi everybody !

Sorry for not posting anything here for so long. It was because I didn't really know what to write. Now I need all the help I can get smile.gif

Let me tell you first what I did so far.

I felt that it was most important for me (when I started ) to work on my technique. Was an easy deduction: there was no point hoping to do all that I planned in this thread, until I am not able to do level at least level 4 RECs. It was simple as that.

So I picked lessons that contained techniques elements that I wasn't able to do and studied them intensively. I don't know what to say.. I see that I have progressed since I started but I feel that it should have been a lot more. Maybe I was overestimated my self at the beginning..

Please tell me what do you think.. honestly smile.gif (this question is addressed to the instructors mainly ( which saw may progress in the REC takes smile.gif

Also in the last three months I invested about 2 hours a day in acoustic guitar playing along with vocal training. Was also an easy deduction: there is no point of talking about being a guitarist/musician if you cannot pick up an acoustic guitar and play some Credence, or some Beatles, or something like that smile.gif.
Maybe this was a wrong deduction.. I don't know but this is what I felt and what a lot of musicians told me.

Well.. I'm far from liking how my voice sounds (although I can pretty much hear when I am out of tune and I can correct myself) and regarding the acoustic playing, I plan to record some covers that I like and post them in the practice room so you can give me some feedback. (Just acoustic with no vocals for the moment )

What do you think of this ?

I am trying to create a repertoire that I can do when, you know, somebody tells you to just pick up the guitar and play something.
I am trying to do some Beatles songs, Hendrix, Credence, some romanian bands etc, but since I am alone and cannot do vocals.. it's driving me crazy. To be honest I have became obsessed with this.. Anyway, regarding this, I will start some vocal training with a vocal coach, in the "traditional" way because I just don't have enough energy to do it with online lessons.

Please tell me your thoughts on this too smile.gif

Regarding the "band" aspect.. well things where are pretty bad. The guys that I was supposed to sing with where not serious at all and it turned out to be just a waste of time so I dropped it.
Actually, trying to form a band here were I live is just a waste of time. First of all there are no drummers in the house (there are a few but not available due to reasons that are not the subject of this post)
and beside that there are not enough serious people.. well there are a couple of bands that the are professionals and, you know, I can just watch. What I mean is that there aren't any individuals (of a close age to mine) that are willing to do be involved in something like this so we can grow together and learn from each other.

I did some jam sessions with some of the "pro" guys, that there were very helpful but there are something like once a month or so..

Don't know what to say about this..

Now I want to write down what I plan to do for the next period:

- continue with the REC takes, there are enough technical aspects that I need to fix.
- learn a lot of licks (and also create my own) for my improvisation
- start composing some riffs, rhythm, you know, something that I can call my own stuff
- start vocal training with a coach - so I can hopefully sing the songs that I like
- join some collaborations I think.

Regarding the financial aspects things are OK. If nothing goes majorly wrong, I will be able to continue like this for another year starting from now... but don't wanna talk about this, just keeping my fingers crossed smile.gif

So, PLEAASSEE ! give me some advice.. sometimes I am really scared that I don't know what I am doing, or just wasting the time, and I cannot afford to screw all this up !

I hope I was coherent enough because it is late and my stomach hurts from my friends wedding yesterday tongue.gif


Posted by: rhoads Sep 27 2011, 08:15 AM

Thanks for reading it all SirJamalot smile.gif

After I went to bed I realized that I haven't written this down, although it is starting to be pretty clear in my head.

So for starters, I don't wanna become a rock star. I would like it but it is not going to happen.

The overall goal is to become good enough so I can do the following:

- teach, in the traditional and/or online. I like it and have absolutely no problem doing it
- get in professional band. You know a band that has a regular gig in a bar and plays to different events (covers and or own material).
- and yes, I also thought of being a studio musician but.. I don't know so far if this will be achievable.. but I would really like it.
- other music/guitar related activities that I haven't found out yet smile.gif (but I know that they exist)

and of course write my own material, but I placed it at the end because I know I won't be making any money from it smile.gif

I know I have to leave this place (I will gladly do it) and I am making all sorts of connections but I still feel that my level is far from where it must be so I can start making use of them.

Unfortunately I cannot afford a music school, I would like it but..

So my main problem now is that I am still far from where I am supposed to be (technically, musically, guitar-isticaly, you name it) in order to start doing any of the above. And I want to be sure that what I am planning to do for the next period (what I wrote in the previous post) is a good plan.

Posted by: SirJamsalot Sep 27 2011, 09:17 AM

Well let's clear away the negative dross first. There's no reason why you can't be a rockstar, just like there's no reason you can't be rich. Self imposed limitations and small thinking will defeat you at the outset. Don't listen to people who view these things as pipe-dreams - they're the ones who are small minded. cool.gif Position yourself in the best places where opportunity knocks the most and you'll be more likely to have it knock on your door.

You apparently have a confidence problem - low self esteem. You think you're not good enough. So how can we jump this hurdle? Learn 10 cover songs. Learn to sing and play them. Start simple - everyone loves CCR - Proud Mary for the win. Go to an open mic, and sign up then play one or two of them. Perhaps there will be someone there who would like to sing on your behalf. Regardless. If you can play a cover, then you're good enough to start playing. The more you play at live venues, the faster you'll learn what that's all about and your confidence will grow. The sooner you get in front of people, the sooner you'll have objective feedback. RECS are great, but they're not live. You need face time to hone your skills in a live setting.

You also have an income issue which may prevent you from moving to where opportunity knocks. So create opportunity where you are. Let's invent one right now. You want vocal lessons right? You're going to pay someone to coach you. Open up the phone book (I'm dating myself here.. 42 .. they used to have big books, yellow ones, that had phone numbers in them when I was a kid ). Call every vocal, guitar and drum instructor in your area and say "I want lessons - but I don't want them by myself. Can I work with you to combine some of your students into a band - I'll pay for my lesson, but I want my lesson in the form of a band - and I want to learn cover songs with other students." Now you can put your learning into a live setting, and who knows, maybe the instructor will want to partner with you to start something if you present a good story - which I think this is - who can deny that playing with others is superior to locking yourself in a room for hours on end?

Anyone can come up with all sorts of great ideas to learn AND make money. But it's not the ideas that make money. It's doing the footwork to make those ideas happen. Even a bad idea can become a good idea in practice with persistence.

Make sure that the ideas you have, put you in direct contact with people who have connections, facilities, equipment, instructors, kids' parents, venues. You don't have be a guitar god. You just have to be better than those you instruct and mucho enthusiasm.

Food for thought.



QUOTE (rhoads @ Sep 27 2011, 12:15 AM) *
Thanks for reading it all SirJamalot smile.gif

After I went to bed I realized that I haven't written this down, although it is starting to be pretty clear in my head.

So for starters, I don't wanna become a rock star. I would like it but it is not going to happen.

The overall goal is to become good enough so I can do the following:

- teach, in the traditional and/or online. I like it and have absolutely no problem doing it
- get in professional band. You know a band that has a regular gig in a bar and plays to different events (covers and or own material).
- and yes, I also thought of being a studio musician but.. I don't know so far if this will be achievable.. but I would really like it.
- other music/guitar related activities that I haven't found out yet smile.gif (but I know that they exist)

and of course write my own material, but I placed it at the end because I know I won't be making any money from it smile.gif

I know I have to leave this place (I will gladly do it) and I am making all sorts of connections but I still feel that my level is far from where it must be so I can start making use of them.

Unfortunately I cannot afford a music school, I would like it but..

So my main problem now is that I am still far from where I am supposed to be (technically, musically, guitar-isticaly, you name it) in order to start doing any of the above. And I want to be sure that what I am planning to do for the next period (what I wrote in the previous post) is a good plan.


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 27 2011, 09:39 AM

Hey Alex!

I will write this here so that everyone may be able to share opinions and thoughts on your questions.

A guitarplayer is usually a selfmade man, a musical entrepreneur if you would like to call it like that smile.gif you earn your living based on a combination of instrument skill, talent, hard work, luck, personality, entertaining skills, composing skills, professionalism and I could make a VERY LONG list. Most of these come with experience - hard earned on stage and in the studio, but mostly ON STAGE. I have learned that no matter how much time you dedicate to studying, when you get on stage, you will be able to perform at about 30% of your full potential, so what really drives performers on top, is a combination of balanced studying routine and LIVE performances, backed by learning what being a pro really means, onstage and offstage.

You can do other things aside music, and honestly, I recommend that, as you learn from everywhere! Being one track minded is good, but make sure your track has side roads smile.gif Rhoads biggrin.gif

DO NOT frustrate yourself with not being at the level you wish you would be. There are super successful artists out there who can't play even half as good as you do. They became successful because they only focused on one thing - TRANSMITTING THEIR HEARTFELT GENUINE, HONEST MESSAGE towards the world. Once you get to that point and you manage to leave aside the techniques, the challenges and everything, you are one step closer to achieving 2 things: peace with yourself, which will offer good self esteem, focus power and an easy way to channel your ideas into finely honed practice and when that is done, you have all the chances of being noticed, in the good way.

The only limits are imposed by ourselves, or 'The only opponent is within!' as Ben taught me smile.gif

Don't impose limits, just practice, focused and create as much as possible, record and show the world your ideas. Critique will come, good, bad, it doesn't matter as long as it's coming and you are able to filter the constructive advice to your advantage - it's the way in which you can grow and develop yourself!

I hope I was helpful enough and didn't confuse you smile.gif waiting on your input so we can take this discussion further on!

cheers

Cosmin

Posted by: Marek Rojewski Sep 27 2011, 10:12 AM

Please don't see this advice as any kind of mockery, but I strongly advice You to search for ways of improving Your self esteem. As SirJamsalot wrote some esteem problems are really noticeable, for me they are very clear because I have those myself sleep.gif Improving Your self esteem by "one inch" will improve almost "all aspects of everything" by that inch... I was proved time and time again that I can do better than I think of myself, the hardest thing it letting oneself try.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 27 2011, 10:38 AM

QUOTE (Marek Rojewski @ Sep 27 2011, 09:12 AM) *
Please don't see this advice as any kind of mockery, but I strongly advice You to search for ways of improving Your self esteem. As SirJamsalot wrote some esteem problems are really noticeable, for me they are very clear because I have those myself sleep.gif Improving Your self esteem by "one inch" will improve almost "all aspects of everything" by that inch... I was proved time and time again that I can do better than I think of myself, the hardest thing it letting oneself try.


Very wise words Marek!

Posted by: rhoads Sep 27 2011, 01:35 PM

First of all thanks for all your thoughts. Ok, lets take it one by one smile.gif

The self esteem issue. Don't worry I don't see it as a mockery, I know I have this problem. Actually was the one thing I didn't see coming when I started all this in April.

You know.. before I was a programmer I had a pretty well paid job, I had something that I was a professional at. And now I gave that up. Of course I can start again if it is absolutely necessary but I really let it go from the inside and only now realize how wrong I was in pursuing this job all this time. Now I can't say that I have the guitar as my thing because I am not satisfied with how I play and.. you know, when somebody asks you what you do.. well I'm 27 years old, i live with my parents and I practice guitar.. cool you must be real good, play us something.. well you see.. not really..

This I didn't see coming. But at least I know what the problem is, and I accepted it so the first step for fixing it is done smile.gif I hope so at least.
This is why I am determined to start vocal training. I figured that if I will be able to just pick up the guitar and sing some simple songs (and sound good) this will be e big step for me. I don't want to have to find somebody who knows the lyrics etc etc.
Also, to be honest I am not even that attracted to solo guitar anymore. I mean, i like to be able to improvise but, honestly, what I would REALY like to do is play rhythm and vocals. At least in this period of time I see it as the best thing.

The voice is the most direct and unobstructed way to your heard and soul. Solo guitar is also very cool but you've got the bones, the muscles the tip of your fingers which is very thick, but with vocals you just have to open your mouth.smile.gif I am exaggerating of course you but you get the picture.
The idea is that I feel like I should be doing that and this is also a source of confusion.. hopefully some things will straight out after some time.

Regarding the ON STAGE playing. There is a bar here (kind of an open mic) where you can go on an play what you want. This is why
i started to do a repertoire. But while doing it, I really became obsessed with the vocal part. You know, I just wanted to go there myself and sing and not have to find a vocalist because.. well it's pretty hard to find but also because I am a bit of an individualist I just wanted to do it myself...

There is a band there that sings every time and then anybody can get on the stage. I guess I should just learn some of the songs they do and just go and play with them because they allow it.

Regarding what you said SirJamsalot, with training along with a band, I will try it again (because I tried it before and was almost impossible to find people).

And about everything else that you said Cosmin, there is nothing confusing.. it just that I had my mind set on learning to play well and then I will see about the message tongue.gif (If you understand what I mean). What I kept saying, what is the point of trying to write your own material if you cannot pick up the guitar and sing Proud Mary. And here, the vocal aspect comes into play and there is a vicious circle that I cannot get out.

I don't know what else to write so far.. I guess I should just relax a bit, watch a movie, Transformers or something that doesn't required any cerebral activity smile.gif

Thanks again for all your thoughts.







Posted by: dark dude Sep 27 2011, 05:45 PM

Vocal training will allow you to connect with the music more, yes. As you said, you'll be able to hear when something's out of tune - which you need to be very actively aware of when playing anything. Try singing scales as you play them, or sing the notes you're playing, your musical ear will improve. This'll make a whole host of other areas easier to master.

I watched your REC submissions and you need to work on getting your bends to be in tune every single time, really try to knuckle down and actively focus on that.

The other apparent weakness was your vibrato. Listen to your favourite players and try to emulate their vibrato. Focus on the speed, how wide the vibrato is, and make sure it stays in tune. From what I can remember, the rest of your playing wasn't bad at all, nice work, man.

--

Spend a bit of time making a small list of songs you'd like to be able to play. Work from the ground up, choose the easiest and really nail it. If a guitarist can play a Blink 182 song perfectly, I'd rather listen to that than some shred piece done at a low standard, just focus on making it sound amazing, no matter how simple it is.

Lastly, learn to find the trouble spots in your playing. If you constantly mess one bit up, post on the forum for some help, or analyze it yourself. Slow it down, take some guesses: is it the inside picking I'm not used to? is it this fast downpicking? are the pinch harmonics too weak?

Once you've figured out your weak-spots, you can design exercises that focus on the problem. Short exercises are a very efficient way of overcoming gaps in your technique. Anybody can do it with regular practice. Also, record yourself as often as possible, you'll hear more than you do when playing, and you'll find your weak-spots a lot quicker.

--

Whenever you're in doubt, even in the slightest, just post something here stating what the problem is. It'll get sorted much faster that way. Keep us updated!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Sep 27 2011, 07:25 PM

The guys bring up some great points smile.gif Also, it's CRITICAL to distinguish between "Good" and "Pro". Sometimes, they have seem to have less than you would think in common. Prime example. Keith Richards is a MILLIONAIRE and a Legend. Some would say he is a 'Great" player, and while this might be true, he is arguably not a "good" player. I can be in "great" pain and not be in "good" pain. He is rich, and has greatness, people know his style/his tunes/his look etc. And he tunes his guitar to an OPEN CHORD! Never heard him really play anything to crazy. Not to take away from his millions or his HUGE fan base or his legend, just to point out he doesn't beat himself up because he can't play fast.

On the other hand there are wads of players who are quite adept at playing and who are still not pro or even semi pro but just good guitar players. So it's important to recognize priorities. If you want go "pro" focus on bits that pay. But don't convince yourself that if you get "good enough" that PRO will just happen by itself. It won't, it's a separate skill. Both are noble goals but are arguably separate goals.


Posted by: Shuma13 Sep 27 2011, 09:32 PM

"Regarding what you said SirJamsalot, with training along with a band, I will try it again (because I tried it before and was almost impossible to find people). "

I found locally (California) a great program that does this. www.bandworks.com

I have been doing this for about a year now, and have improved greatly. Still a long way from where I want to be, but 1 hour playing with others has been better than 4 hours practicing alone for me.

If you can't find one, try to start one.

Posted by: SirJamsalot Sep 28 2011, 12:43 AM

QUOTE (Shuma13 @ Sep 27 2011, 01:32 PM) *
"Regarding what you said SirJamsalot, with training along with a band, I will try it again (because I tried it before and was almost impossible to find people). "

I found locally (California) a great program that does this. www.bandworks.com

I have been doing this for about a year now, and have improved greatly. Still a long way from where I want to be, but 1 hour playing with others has been better than 4 hours practicing alone for me.

If you can't find one, try to start one.


It's awesome isn't it? Not only does playing with others improve you as an overall player, it also inspires you to practice because you have others depending on you to know the materials! Having people depend on you doing your part is great motivation in every way.

Posted by: Mudbone Sep 28 2011, 01:03 AM

This turned out to be a great post, as there is a lot to learn from everybody's valuable input. I would like to add my two cents as well biggrin.gif The way I see the arts, be it playing music, painting, etc, is that there is no final destination. The journey itself is the reward. I have stopped looking at guitar playing as a ladder I must climb, with the hopes of reaching the top. Instead, I see my playing talent as a sphere that grows day by day, week by week, and year by year. A sphere grows three-dimensionally, it is not a linear process. Different aspects of my playing are different components of that sphere, and I'll tackle each one as it arrives. For now, I can only focus on what I'm doing at the moment.

Also, try practicing things very slow. If it sounds like music, then you're playing it too fast. This really helps you isolate and tune in to what your hands are doing. There is no shame in playing slow. If you can't play it good very slow, then chances are you won't play it that good fast.

Finally, be realistic with your goals. It takes years and thousands of hours of practice to be a great player. Set yourself realistic goals. If you're 27 now, expect to be very good around the time you're 32, and excellent by the time you're 37. Keep in mind that because you're no longer a teenager, you won't be able to learn as fast as someone of that age or younger. This isn't to say that you can't do it, you can. It will just take you a little longer and you must be very methodical and diligent with your practice, which is easier to be when you're older, so thats one advantage you have over those young whippersnappers tongue.gif

You are what you think you are, so think positive biggrin.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 28 2011, 07:17 AM

QUOTE (Mudbone @ Sep 28 2011, 12:03 AM) *
This turned out to be a great post, as there is a lot to learn from everybody's valuable input. I would like to add my two cents as well biggrin.gif The way I see the arts, be it playing music, painting, etc, is that there is no final destination. The journey itself is the reward. I have stopped looking at guitar playing as a ladder I must climb, with the hopes of reaching the top. Instead, I see my playing talent as a sphere that grows day by day, week by week, and year by year. A sphere grows three-dimensionally, it is not a linear process. Different aspects of my playing are different components of that sphere, and I'll tackle each one as it arrives. For now, I can only focus on what I'm doing at the moment.

Also, try practicing things very slow. If it sounds like music, then you're playing it too fast. This really helps you isolate and tune in to what your hands are doing. There is no shame in playing slow. If you can't play it good very slow, then chances are you won't play it that good fast.

Finally, be realistic with your goals. It takes years and thousands of hours of practice to be a great player. Set yourself realistic goals. If you're 27 now, expect to be very good around the time you're 32, and excellent by the time you're 37. Keep in mind that because you're no longer a teenager, you won't be able to learn as fast as someone of that age or younger. This isn't to say that you can't do it, you can. It will just take you a little longer and you must be very methodical and diligent with your practice, which is easier to be when you're older, so thats one advantage you have over those young whippersnappers tongue.gif

You are what you think you are, so think positive biggrin.gif


Great advice Mudbone! wink.gif The thing with the snowball/ sphere, is completely true and as long as you don't see yourself in a competition, things will come naturally!

Posted by: SirJamsalot Sep 28 2011, 09:09 PM

QUOTE (Mudbone @ Sep 27 2011, 05:03 PM) *
You are what you think you are, so think positive biggrin.gif


I AM RICH.
I AM RICH.
I AM RICH.
I AM FILTHY RICH

I AM HOT
I AM HOT
I AM HOT
I AM IRRESISTIBLY HOT
biggrin.gif


Posted by: Frederik Sep 28 2011, 11:06 PM

QUOTE (SirJamsalot @ Sep 28 2011, 10:09 PM) *
I AM RICH.
I AM RICH.
I AM RICH.
I AM FILTHY RICH

I AM HOT
I AM HOT
I AM HOT
I AM IRRESISTIBLY HOT
biggrin.gif


Ditto

Posted by: rhoads Sep 29 2011, 07:10 AM

QUOTE (SirJamsalot @ Sep 28 2011, 08:09 PM) *
I AM RICH.
I AM RICH.
I AM RICH.
I AM FILTHY RICH

I AM HOT
I AM HOT
I AM HOT
I AM IRRESISTIBLY HOT
biggrin.gif


I AM BATMAN smile.gif))
Never loose your sense of humor smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 29 2011, 07:27 AM

I can turn anything into gold just by thinking about it biggrin.gif wouldn't that be interesting...at least? laugh.gif

Posted by: tonymiro Sep 29 2011, 10:10 AM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Sep 27 2011, 07:25 PM) *
... Also, it's CRITICAL to distinguish between "Good" and "Pro". ...


Absolutely 100% this.

Whilst there are a few musicians, recording engineers, producers etc who have made it in the industry who do not behave professionally they are very much the exception.

The vast majority of professionals in the industry behave professionally and expect anyone else that they work with/for, or who work for them, to do the same.Being a pro isn't just about having the experience to do the work well it's also about how you behave. There are far more people who end up failing in this industry because they did not behave professionally than because they were not good.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Sep 29 2011, 11:05 AM

QUOTE (tonymiro @ Sep 29 2011, 05:10 AM) *
Absolutely 100% this.

Whilst there are a few musicians, recording engineers, producers etc who have made it in the industry who do not behave professionally they are very much the exception.

The vast majority of professionals in the industry behave professionally and expect anyone else that they work with/for, or who work for them, to do the same.Being a pro isn't just about having the experience to do the work well it's also about how you behave. There are far more people who end up failing in this industry because they did not behave professionally than because they were not good.


Well said smile.gif

QUOTE (Mudbone @ Sep 27 2011, 08:03 PM) *
Finally, be realistic with your goals. It takes years and thousands of hours of practice to be a great player. Set yourself realistic goals. If you're 27 now, expect to be very good around the time you're 32, and excellent by the time you're 37. Keep in mind that because you're no longer a teenager, you won't be able to learn as fast as someone of that age or younger. This isn't to say that you can't do it, you can. It will just take you a little longer and you must be very methodical and diligent with your practice, which is easier to be when you're older, so thats one advantage you have over those young whippersnappers tongue.gif

You are what you think you are, so think positive biggrin.gif


Some very sage advice here. Time is something we just can't avoid. So it's important to consider.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 29 2011, 11:46 AM

Time is what we make of it smile.gif

If we choose to rush into things and become obsessed with arriving somewhere, most probably, we won't EVER enjoy the journey - and I think that that's the most important thing. Savor every little bump in the road smile.gif you may never know how it'll shift your direction - as long as you are steering. And for a little inspiration:



These guys have put it into lyrics in a very good way wink.gif

Posted by: rhoads Sep 29 2011, 11:51 AM

smile.gif I was playing this song with some guys, a few month ago. We tried to make a band but it didn't work you.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 29 2011, 12:42 PM

QUOTE (rhoads @ Sep 29 2011, 10:51 AM) *
smile.gif I was playing this song with some guys, a few month ago. We tried to make a band but it didn't work you.


It's a beautiful song! Don't worry, you'll find people to play it with! A good challenge would be to learn how to play the guitar parts and sing the vocal lines as well!

Posted by: rhoads Apr 13 2012, 11:53 AM

Hi everybody !

I've been away from this website for some time now. There have been a lot going on and I should have kept this thread up to date. Sorry for not doing so and I will try to make up with this long post smile.gif.

Last time I wrote something on this forum I just got in a band. It was a cover band for starting and we planed to write our own stuff. We had a quite a few gigs and also plenty of rehearsals where I really got to feel the difference between playing alone at home and playing live. Now, don't get me wrong, I played live a few times before by but this is the first time I got do play with real professionals (this guys are the best here) and to play in front of audiences that really knew what music is about and which could give you real feedback. We played blues, funk and some rock'n roll.

This difference struck me like a train and I decided to stop any technique practice that I was doing, including RECs and just focus on the songs that we had to play, improvising, listening to a lot of music and many rehearsals. The last one wasn't in my control, unfortunately.

I was very very lucky that these guys took me with them because this was the only chance for me to have live band experiences here in Sibiu.

I can say that I've learned a lot but I've come to a point that I feel I cannot pass no matter how hard I practice. The bass player gave me a kind of comforting explanation. He said that I play perfect, but that is the actual problem. The singer told me that it is just about relaxing and feeling the music. Not to be an excuse, but I have to mention that the atmosphere inside the band was never to relaxed because there wasn't any real chemistry between us. We had quite different opinions about many things and I never felt to conformable (don't want to go in details about this). Maybe it was also because they were a lot better (much experience and everything) and I had a complex of inferiority.

Anyway, the actual problem is that the band kind of broke up. What I mean is that we meet if there are any payed gigs and play the songs that we know but there are no constant rehearsals and this is not up to me. (no details about this either, but I cannot change this).

So, again, I am in the position of not having anybody to play with. And the sad thing is that there really isn't anybody else here who is available. It's a small town and I know them all smile.gif

It's been almost a month now that I haven't done anything productive, just thinking and reflecting. I has pretty depressed because at one point (after the last gig, where I got a LOT of bad critic), I told them (just to hear their honest opinion) that maybe it would be better for me to quit. Not completely, but to keep music just as a hobby and forget about becoming a pro because it isn't going to happen for me. And the sad thing is that they let me understand that it is true. I felt that they wanted to tell me this before but didn't know how because of my enthusiasm. After that I decided to take a break form practicing and playing and just relax, read, watch movies and think.

Given the current situation, (not having anybody to play with and learn from) I think that is best to take their advice for as period of time.
I should start working again to gather some money again and see what happens in the future. The money that I still have would last me for a couple of month and I could invest the whole day into practicing (as I did so far), but I just feel that at this point I would be wasting the time to practice alone that much. I need a band and there isn't one.

As a parenthesis, I earned a considerable amount of money from the gigs that we had. These guys earn their living from this and have lots of connections so there were payed gigs. I remember that I celebrated the New Year's Eve on the car between to towns here because we had a gig in one of them before 12 o'clock and another one after 1 o'clock in another. Closing the parenthesis.

So, I am stuck now and the only option that I see is the start working again and save up money, but also I am planning to leave this place.
It's a small town and I feel very constrained here. I need something fresh. I left this town once and it was very good, but I returned so I could afford this year of practicing. I can say that things went according the initial plan. Get to the level where I can play in a professional band. And it happened. But since I don't see another available pro band here in the near future and I don't have enough experience and everything to start my own one.. I think is time to go away.

Beside that fact that "I play perfect, but that is the problem" the bass player also told me that it's a matter of finding my inner peace so I can sing from the heart. Actually he pointed to the stomach and he is very right smile.gif. Now, from the many many times that I got this advice,(including from you guys) I have to say that this was the first time that I REALLY felt it. This year (and the time before) of intense practicing, and focusing on nothing but music and being good enough, kind of got to me. It's time to start living again. I've come to a point that I don't really care anymore about technique and all that rigorous stuff. Just want to express something. Anything. Also, I've changed a bit, in the sense that I don't really care how I earn my living. I mean, I think that I won't regret if I have to start programming again and focus on MY OWN music in the free time, instead of living from playing in a cover band and stuff like that. I am not sure about this, I am just thinking. Ideally would be the second option, but if the guys were about quitting... Also no chance of doing this here in Sibiu in the near future. I don't know... As a guy said in one of my favorite movies: "Life is complex and has many aspects". I think Cosmin will get this if he reads smile.gif.

Ok, it took me some time to write all this, but also cleared my mind a lot. There are other things that I would say but I think this post is long enough. We'll continue in others if you find it interesting.

It feels good to be back here smile.gif

Posted by: maharzan Apr 13 2012, 12:06 PM

Great to see updates rhoads. Its always great when you are into music than hardcore technique stuff that I am into right now. smile.gif Make some music. I am sure you can find some people over the internet who have similar interests and you can relocate in future. There are other ways to earn making music too, even if you just have to stay at home. smile.gif

Posted by: Ben Higgins Apr 13 2012, 12:07 PM

Welcome back Rhoads. It sounds like you had a lot of really valuable experience and learned things about music/band chemistry and yourself that couldn't be learned any other way.

Instead of seeing the band break up as a negative, you can look back at what you did and realised that you did successfully achieve what you set out to do which was dedicate your time to guitar, play in a band with people who were at a higher level than you and get experience. You were a success.

The situation now isn't a setback, it's an open door and the keys to the next chapter smile.gif I think you've already recognised as well that to realise your ambitions you're going to have to find the means to look beyond Sibiu and you will do what you need to make that happen.

Come along and look at our Arnold thread ! This is just perfect right now biggrin.gif

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=43912&pid=579257&st=0&#entry579257

Posted by: dark dude Apr 13 2012, 04:20 PM

Great to hear that you kept your promise and practiced a lot! I find that most (if not all) guitarists have to go through a phase of cleaning up their technique before they can really begin to shine. Having practiced technique, you have solid ground to continue working off.

Look at players such as Richie Kotzen, in his younger years, he simply showcased his technique, but no matter how perfectly he played, it wasn't all quite there. These days, Richie isn't into the shred so much, but his writing and soulful playing has improved so much that he's great to listen to (my opinion, of course).

If you feel that you've reached a technical level that suits what you'd like to play, then that's great! Start writing music more and jamming, improvising, developing your musical side rather than technical. A guitarist requires some technique, as well as a musical side - you've done well smile.gif Learning guitar is a lifelong task, though. The greats that we all know and love say this frequently, they keep on learning new things to help their music - enjoy the journey.

If you can't find any bands locally, try some virtual bands, or collabs with people over YouTube. Such is the technology these days that these things are possible - make use of the technology. If you can't find a band, join in with all the collabs on GMC that you can, get a mentor to help you feel the music more.

Posted by: SirJamsalot Apr 13 2012, 06:31 PM

QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Apr 13 2012, 04:07 AM) *
Come along and look at our Arnold thread ! This is just perfect right now biggrin.gif

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=43912&pid=579257&st=0&#entry579257


You stole my words! mad.gif mad.gif

Posted by: SirJamsalot Apr 13 2012, 07:16 PM

Rhoads ~ as you've experienced, playing live is nothing short of completely different in almost every way, than sitting in a chair and practicing for REC takes. Congratulations!

Some observations I'm sure you've come away with will include the fact that learning a song does not happen over night. In fact, even after memorizing the parts, if you find yourself fast-forwarding in your mind to the next part because you want to make sure that you don't miss it, means you haven't really learned the song, even though you can play the parts.

There comes a point in the process of learning a song where the music you're playing causes the words you need to sing or the part you need to play, to make itself apparent at that moment, and it will come out because it's supposed to. It's a little odd, but true. When you don't have to fast forward in your mind to the next verse before singing/playing it, then you've arrived at "knowing" that song.

There's a saying I've heard ~ "you have to own the music you're playing", which means, it needs to come from you, and if you have to think about what needs to come out before singing/playing it, then it's not owned by you ~ you're borrowing it.

In a live setting, you're dealing with a lot of variables, nerves being chief among them. It is difficult to enjoy the music you're playing when you're nervous or apprehensive. If you can't enjoy the music you're playing/singing, then you won't be able to focus on the music, which is what you have to do on stage. It's like forgetting the audience is there, and all that exists on stage is you listening to your music and playing along with it. If you can get to the point where your focus is entirely on the music, then the songs that you "know" (see above) will come out naturally and with personality. You'll enjoy the music, and the audience will respond in much the same way people respond when you smile at them ~ they'll smile back.

The only way you can get comfortable on stage, is "knowing" the songs and getting used to the stage. You need at least 100 live gigs under your belt (everyone's different, but I think that's a realistic numberr) for you to really get the experience and confidence going. Every show, open mic, etc., you should remind yourself to listen to and focus on, the music. If that means closing your eyes for the first few shows, then do it ~ let the music drive you, and then you'll be able to express yourself, instead of just hitting the right notes at the right time.

Welcome back ~ don't give up. You've only just started!










Posted by: Alex Feather Apr 14 2012, 09:24 AM

Wow I read your post from the beginning and I must give you a lot of respect! You are a very brave person!
Turning music into a full time job is one of the hardest things to do! I have been trying to do so for many years and still have a lot of things to work on smile.gif
I have a few suggestions that might help you out!
first of all you have to decide what type of musician you want to be?
There is a few categories and of course you will have to combine them all in order to get somewhere, but you have to have a main goal in front of you!
My first advice will be go to school and get an education! It will help you move out from your town, you will learn music and will become a better player and if things will get tough you can always start teaching!
I have been through all this stuff for many years I moved from my town and had to start over in a new country!
Let me know if you need help or advice I will be more than happy to help you out!

Posted by: Slavenko Erazer Apr 14 2012, 11:22 AM

You should take it as is - at least you have kept your job RRhoads ,I'm sure in the future you'll gain more experience by learning new songs or your meet some gang that you'll work with wink.gif

Posted by: JaxN4 Apr 14 2012, 11:38 AM

Hey Mate welcome back, I remember when you first posted this thread.

The main theme i got from your thread was, That you have learnt and expieranced alot off things that you wouldn't have if you didn't take a chance or risk. Your a better player for it and a wiser person it.

All the best

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 14 2012, 11:52 AM

Hey Alex! The romanian Alex I mean biggrin.gif but hello to Alex Feather as well tongue.gif

I am glad you are active in here again man! Unfortunately, the music school in romania is a dead end and the people coming out of there are mostly brainwashed unfortunately.

Practicing and making music on your own, or better yet, with people who inspire you is what you should aim for and GMC will most likely be a place where you can hone these skills up to a certain point. Playing live and with other people is a different experience which you have most definitely improved during all this time.

I say, keep up the good work man! It's not easy to make it in this world and a lot of the big guys in the field in Romania are not faring so well financially so, for some time it may be a better idea to work hard and prepare yourself while also gaining money from another source smile.gif

You are a programmer out of what I know - how about some freelancing? Take projects on which you can work from home, make money out of that and practice on the guitar till you're able to rip it apart! biggrin.gif

Cosmin

Posted by: rhoads Apr 14 2012, 02:43 PM

Thank you guys,

QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Apr 13 2012, 11:07 AM) *
Instead of seeing the band break up as a negative, you can look back at what you did and realised that you did successfully achieve what you set out to do which was dedicate your time to guitar, play in a band with people who were at a higher level than you and get experience. You were a success.

Yeah, I am looking at it the same way, otherwise.. smile.gif

QUOTE (dark dude @ Apr 13 2012, 03:20 PM) *
If you feel that you've reached a technical level that suits what you'd like to play, then that's great! Start writing music more and jamming, improvising, developing your musical side rather than technical. A guitarist requires some technique, as well as a musical side - you've done well smile.gif Learning guitar is a lifelong task, though. The greats that we all know and love say this frequently, they keep on learning new things to help their music - enjoy the journey.

I keep telling me the same thing smile.gif

QUOTE (SirJamsalot @ Apr 13 2012, 06:16 PM) *
Some observations I'm sure you've come away with will include the fact that learning a song does not happen over night. In fact, even after memorizing the parts, if you find yourself fast-forwarding in your mind to the next part because you want to make sure that you don't miss it, means you haven't really learned the song, even though you can play the parts.

There comes a point in the process of learning a song where the music you're playing causes the words you need to sing or the part you need to play, to make itself apparent at that moment, and it will come out because it's supposed to. It's a little odd, but true. When you don't have to fast forward in your mind to the next verse before singing/playing it, then you've arrived at "knowing" that song.

There's a saying I've heard ~ "you have to own the music you're playing", which means, it needs to come from you, and if you have to think about what needs to come out before singing/playing it, then it's not owned by you ~ you're borrowing it.

After all this experience I know exactly what you mean. And this is what I am struggling with.

QUOTE (Alex Feather @ Apr 14 2012, 08:24 AM) *
Wow I read your post from the beginning and I must give you a lot of respect! You are a very brave person!
Turning music into a full time job is one of the hardest things to do! I have been trying to do so for many years and still have a lot of things to work on smile.gif
I have a few suggestions that might help you out!
first of all you have to decide what type of musician you want to be?
There is a few categories and of course you will have to combine them all in order to get somewhere, but you have to have a main goal in front of you!
My first advice will be go to school and get an education! It will help you move out from your town, you will learn music and will become a better player and if things will get tough you can always start teaching!
I have been through all this stuff for many years I moved from my town and had to start over in a new country!
Let me know if you need help or advice I will be more than happy to help you out!

Thank you Alex. As Cosmin said, music schools in Romania wouldn't help me in any way. I cannot afford a foreign one and to be honest I am not sure if I would like to. Maybe if I was 19-20 years old, but now.. maybe its just a bit to late for such and endeavor.
Anyway, I am proud to say that I already have to students biggrin.gif. They are beginners and I teach them chords and you know, the beginner stuff.

QUOTE (JaxN4 @ Apr 14 2012, 10:38 AM) *
Hey Mate welcome back, I remember when you first posted this thread.

The main theme i got from your thread was, That you have learnt and expieranced alot off things that you wouldn't have if you didn't take a chance or risk. Your a better player for it and a wiser person it.

All the best

Yes, I also re-read the whole thread and it was very interesting to see some differences in my way of thinking between now and a year ago smile.gif

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Apr 14 2012, 10:52 AM) *
Hey Alex! The romanian Alex I mean biggrin.gif but hello to Alex Feather as well tongue.gif

I am glad you are active in here again man! Unfortunately, the music school in romania is a dead end and the people coming out of there are mostly brainwashed unfortunately.

Practicing and making music on your own, or better yet, with people who inspire you is what you should aim for and GMC will most likely be a place where you can hone these skills up to a certain point. Playing live and with other people is a different experience which you have most definitely improved during all this time.

I say, keep up the good work man! It's not easy to make it in this world and a lot of the big guys in the field in Romania are not faring so well financially so, for some time it may be a better idea to work hard and prepare yourself while also gaining money from another source smile.gif

You are a programmer out of what I know - how about some freelancing? Take projects on which you can work from home, make money out of that and practice on the guitar till you're able to rip it apart! biggrin.gif

Cosmin

Thanks man, that is exactly what I am going to do. I worked from home before and it works. Luckily I can take advantage of this. I started to dig up all the contacts that I have made during the years I worked and see what projects are available. smile.gif And in the free time, write something on my own and collaborate online. Also I feel like doing a couple of RECs smile.gif


Posted by: rhoads Apr 29 2012, 11:19 AM

Hi all,

This was my first week of working again smile.gif Somebody up there must really love me because I got some consistent projects from one of the contacts I had before. Surprisingly, I haven't forgot much and it looks like I will be able to do my job without problems. I can work from home, but I think I will go to an office at some friends of mine because I don't think I can do this anymore. I have to leave home when I get up in the morning smile.gif

I will wait a month or so to see that it goes well and then I want to leave Sibiu. Hopefully in maximum three month I'll be out of this place smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 29 2012, 11:39 AM

Heading my way, man? smile.gif If you want, I can try to hook you up on things if I hear about some band needing a guitarist.

Posted by: rhoads Apr 29 2012, 11:53 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Apr 29 2012, 10:39 AM) *
Heading my way, man? smile.gif If you want, I can try to hook you up on things if I hear about some band needing a guitarist.


Yep smile.gif. I was also considering Cluj, but I've pretty much made up my mind for Bucharest. Hopefully I'll be living there until the RHCP concert.

And YES PLEASE. You would have been the first one to ask for help anyway smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 29 2012, 05:15 PM

Alright mate biggrin.gif well, if I hear about something I will let you know wink.gif if you are into coverbands, let me know so I can ask around and see what spots are available, k?

Posted by: rhoads Apr 29 2012, 07:36 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Apr 29 2012, 04:15 PM) *
Alright mate biggrin.gif well, if I hear about something I will let you know wink.gif if you are into coverbands, let me know so I can ask around and see what spots are available, k?


Am not only into coverbands, but I don't mind earning some money from that so sure, whatever is available. As I said, hopefully in three months I will be there if nothing major comes up and it's good to know something in advance.

Thanks a lot Cosmin ! As I said, you would have been the first to ask for help. Can't wait to grab a beer together smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 29 2012, 08:18 PM

QUOTE (rhoads @ Apr 29 2012, 06:36 PM) *
Am not only into coverbands, but I don't mind earning some money from that so sure, whatever is available. As I said, hopefully in three months I will be there if nothing major comes up and it's good to know something in advance.

Thanks a lot Cosmin ! As I said, you would have been the first to ask for help. Can't wait to grab a beer together smile.gif


I'm here mate wink.gif let me know when you arrive biggrin.gif

Posted by: graymic Apr 30 2012, 09:44 AM

QUOTE (rhoads @ Nov 15 2010, 07:44 PM) *
Hi everybody,

This will be a long post so I put the idea in the title to get your attention because I really need your opinions and advice on this.

On short: I want to save some money, give up my daily job and practice about 7-8 hours a day for one year.

To me it's clear now, playing guitar is what I like to do the most and I never stopped dreaming that one day this is what I will do this for a living also. I know it is possible (even here in Eastern Europe) because I have lots of examples and I am willing to pay the price to get there, but for this, there is one essential condition: to be VERY GOOD at it. You don't need to be a guitar god but to be VERY GOOD at it. And here is the problem. I discovered this instrument (and all the related stuff) at 22 years old. Now I am 26.

It's been almost 3 years now since I have taken practice seriously which means that I invested 90% of my free time to this. I tried to get to a an average of 4 hours a day for practice but, unfortunately these are after about 6-8 hours of programming which is what I do for a living for 6 years now. All this is starting to be really toxic because a have very little time to spend with my family and fiends, read a book, watch a movie and the list can go on and beside this, I kinda feel that most of the time was just wasted because you cannot really assimilate much after working a day in front of a computer. As a result: my skills are still pretty low. (you can check out my REC takes if you like: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showuser=8284 or http://www.youtube.com/alexandrugeorgescu)

So, my plan is to save some money until around March next year that should last me for about 6 months, quit my job and start practicing 7-8 hours a day after a efficient agenda which I am sure I can find on GMC. Of course, to take some private lessons from a teacher in my town and there are some local bands which I can jam with. (I don't plan to practice alone for the whole time). So this will be the main activity of the day, just as I would have gone to a music school tongue.gif, and this way I will progress a lot better.

I know I said 1 year in the beginning but the 6 six months will be a milestone because my fear is that I still don't know if I have real talent at this. All I know I that I like it more than anything else and I want to do this for the rest of my life. I keep blaming it on the lack of time and on tiredness but I don't want to lie to myself and figure out some stuff about me. (I am not in high school anymore, not even college so I it is about time smile.gif. Anyway, if after 6 month of practicing like this I still feel that I am not too far from the level I am now, then.. maybe this isn't my thing after all, or maybe 22 years old it is just to late to start playing guitar. But if is the other way around then I will do anything I can to get another 4-6 month of practice like this. And maybe after one year I will have the necessary skills to join a let's say.. semi-professional band an develop from there on. And on. And oooooon, it's Heaven and Heeeell \m/ !!!. Ok, got a little carried away here smile.gif.

Anyway, rock and blues are the styles that I want to study. Would like jazz also but I haven't tried it before and I know that one year is not enough for this. I will approach it however.

So, please tell me, am I crazy ? is this a good idea ? do you think that one year is enough to get to a decent level ? (please check my REC takes also before answering to this one so you can have an idea of where I am now).

I know there are still lots to talk about, planing, etc but his was just the spark so.. please enlighten me smile.gif



Think very carefully about what you're about to do. The idea of becoming great at guitar is really something quite like nothing else.

However, you say you do a programming career and you have no time for family? Maybe it's the way you are approaching life. I work as a developer (Java & PHP). working 35.5 hours a week, naturally a light/middleweight developer this has a lot of priorities within the work place and often I am tired when I get home at approximately 7pm.

That being said - after a while of working I assessed how much free time I actually had. Considering that going to bed at 12 was really just an average time (unless of course I've had a very stressful day in which case I'd go at like 10 / 11) for people I had about 30 minutes for supper and the remaining evening was spent with a few hours with the family and a few hours on the guitar.

The weekends I would alternate, one weekend at the gym for a few hours the other weekend flying my plane (no, nothing special just a pitts aircraft). There was still LOADS of hours I had in between for guitar. Now, I'm not amazing at all, nothing like the chaps here. But when I was in a band we did accrue some cash from gigs and got some recognition in the few towns with a thousand or so follows on our facebook page. This is with a little dedication and thought to lifestyle.

I'm sure this could be argued in your case that with more time you will be 'great'. But I don't think it's really something one should rush into thinking it will lead somewhere - I think things like this should be weaned into before actions such as this are taken.

Either way, if you can afford it and it won't impede your future career in programming should this route fail, then go for it. But a year out of the technology field is quite risky as there will be people who can attain a lot of knowledge in a year and then be the top of their field making it very difficult to get back into.

Mike

Posted by: PosterBoy May 2 2012, 06:46 AM

Gray!

It was a little too late for your advice lol

Check the date of the first post, he's already had his year off work!

Posted by: rhoads May 2 2012, 07:49 AM

Yes Mike. It's a bit to late. The year has passed I already started to work again, but I can say now without any doubt that it was the best decision I could ever take.
If I think about it, it is not so much for what I have learned on guitar, but for what I learned about myself. I had time to experience lots of stuff from the social and emotional point of view. I couldn't do that if I wasn't free so to say smile.gif. 90% of what I learned was in the second half of the year when I got in that band. And I think I could have done that by working 4-5 hours a day, but I wanted to disconnect myself completely (luckily I afforded that).
The greatest achievement is the fact that now I don't care anymore about my technique and all that rigid stuff. I just want to express something and I really feel it. Live my life and sing about what I feel and think of this world. This is actually the main reason that I decided that is no use to continue practicing 8 hours a day, because I could have afforded it for another 3-4 month. There wasn't any point to that at least for the next period. Well that, and the fact that I need money to move out of this place and I will need money where I will go until my future band will be no1 in the charts tongue.gif.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 2 2012, 01:47 PM

Well, Mr rhoads smile.gif if you wish that, no, let me rephrase, if you truly wish that, chances are you will put in a lot of work, get trampled by all sorts of unworthy people, BUT at one point you will succeed! I strongly believe in hard working people more than anything smile.gif You know, they say talent means about 20% and the rest is work biggrin.gif

Posted by: rhoads May 2 2012, 03:09 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ May 2 2012, 12:47 PM) *
Well, Mr rhoads smile.gif if you wish that, no, let me rephrase, if you truly wish that, chances are you will put in a lot of work, get trampled by all sorts of unworthy people, BUT at one point you will succeed! I strongly believe in hard working people more than anything smile.gif You know, they say talent means about 20% and the rest is work biggrin.gif


I was just being a little sarcastic there smile.gif. I don't really wish that. Especially for the romanian charts. I wouldn't mind, but since rock music is so much listened to in Romania... let's be serious smile.gif)

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 2 2012, 03:17 PM

QUOTE (rhoads @ May 2 2012, 02:09 PM) *
I was just being a little sarcastic there smile.gif. I don't really wish that. Especially for the romanian charts. I wouldn't mind, but since rock music is so much listened to in Romania... let's be serious smile.gif)


Indeed, let's be serious...Why think of Romania only? wink.gif

Posted by: rhoads May 2 2012, 03:22 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ May 2 2012, 02:17 PM) *
Indeed, let's be serious...Why think of Romania only? wink.gif


Jack White, here I come !! cool.gif

Posted by: rhoads Sep 28 2013, 04:49 PM

Hello everybody,

I can't believe how many views this thread has got ! I received some requests (on youtube actually) to update it. Really didn't expect this, but I am honored to see that it still causes some interest. Don't even know where to start.. it's been a long time and so many things happened.

I live in Bucharest for a year now (I moved in September last year) and I love it. Sometimes I regret not doing it sooner. Looking back to my life, I can't believe how much I have changed in so many ways. From the way I dress, to the way I talk, to the way I think, to the way I react in situations to everything smile.gif I can't believe how little I knew and it has been just a year.

The thread title doesn't suite anymore my current situation because I have been working all this time, but as a freelancer from home which gave me enough time to practice. It could have been more, but I got pretty tired "of living in the cave" and I invested more time social activities. Well, there is really a lot to do here than back in Sibiu so without going in details let's just say I enjoyed everything as much as I could. smile.gif

Now regarding guitar.
As said above, I had enough time for practicing and I continued to do it, but changed completely the approach. I was sick and tired of technique and dropped it for other things like:
- studying songs
- studying solos and trying to understand where the go
- ear training, I can finally tune the guitar without a tuner no matter how out of tune it is smile.gif
- vocal training (quite a lot)
- gear (finally own an American Strat and Les Paul)
- harmony and modulations, understanding all kind of chord changes and how they fit and also how solos fit over different progressions, especially in blues
- and LOTS and LOTS of improvisation (using a looper, which I recommend everybody to do, it helped me improve more that anything)
- the only technique I have been practicing was using the slide because I want to play Death Letter from White Stripes (actually from Son House), but I still suck at it smile.gif)

But my greatest achievement in this year was playing at jam sessions. Going to pretty much all the places I could find in Bucharest (every week and sometimes alone) and taking the courage to go on stage and play. Sometimes it sounded bad, but most of the time I could not believe the feedback I got. The authentic applause, the ones that start before you finish playing or while you are still playing not the mechanical ones that start when it gets silent (because I had those too smile.gif). Not to mention encores. I played with musicians that I knew and admired before coming here and their feedback was also pretty good.
It was a kind of self challenge, to go on stage without having any idea what I/we are going to play and see what happens, try to follow the rest of the band, listen to them and also make yourself heard in the band. It is amazing what can come out.

The only thing I regret is that, since these kind of gigs are somehow spontaneous, I don't have any recordings. Just some photos.

I also tried out 2-3 bands, but didn't get along well with the other members and after some time of practicing together with each of then I quit. Still looking though.

Now I feel like I am at a turning point. It's been exactly one year now of messing around I can say. Because I didn't have a solid plan, just wanted to taste life in the big city and well... improvise. I did if and it was pretty good now I want to do something more concrete. Don't know.. First of all I want to record something, anything, covers, RECs, me with the acoustic guitar and voice.. something to sound good and that I can show.

I also am held back now because I had a surgery on my right knee last week and I'm still recovering. Have to walk with crutches for the next 2 weeks and can't really focus on anything well enough. Its an injury I had years ago and couldn't wait any longer. But I should be back on my feed again by the middle of October.

As a start, I'll try to keep this thread alive. First of all because its kind of a responsibility to do, since it causes interest. I am really honored to be an inspiration for somebody, no matter how far he/she is (thanks J Tom from youtube, I don't know what is your GMC username smile.gif. Also I think this will also help me figure out sooner what I want to do.

Anyway, looking forward for you comments and hopefully we'll make this even more interesting. It's good to be back here smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 29 2013, 12:33 PM

Hey bro! Welcome back! biggrin.gif

It's good seeing you here, as well as our short encounters at various gigs!

Your story is very inspiring and I think it's a great idea to keep this thread alive smile.gif I started singing and playing the acoustic guitar early this year and it payed off immensely - I urge you to do the same - we can share experiences and thoughts on the idea, if you wish, so keep me posted mate!

Posted by: rhoads Oct 1 2013, 12:44 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Sep 29 2013, 11:33 AM) *
Hey bro! Welcome back! biggrin.gif

It's good seeing you here, as well as our short encounters at various gigs!

Your story is very inspiring and I think it's a great idea to keep this thread alive smile.gif I started singing and playing the acoustic guitar early this year and it payed off immensely - I urge you to do the same - we can share experiences and thoughts on the idea, if you wish, so keep me posted mate!


Of course, maybe this time we'll get together more often smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 2 2013, 11:15 AM

Sure thing mate smile.gif Mira is coming over this weekend to teach some singing classes - maybe we can meet up and have a beer or something?

Posted by: Ulrik Oct 2 2013, 08:19 PM

QUOTE (rhoads @ Sep 28 2013, 05:49 PM) *
Hello everybody,

I can't believe how many views this thread has got !


Because we want you to succeed, and maybe a part of us would like to do/have done something similar.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 3 2013, 11:33 AM

Well, in Romania this sort of quest would still be a difficult one to achieve, but out of what I know from last year - our friend has made a very important change and he is working from home. Has that helped or not? Is it enough of a change to give you let's say - 4 solid hours of practice/ day?

Posted by: rhoads Oct 6 2013, 09:48 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Oct 3 2013, 10:33 AM) *
Well, in Romania this sort of quest would still be a difficult one to achieve, but out of what I know from last year - our friend has made a very important change and he is working from home. Has that helped or not? Is it enough of a change to give you let's say - 4 solid hours of practice/ day?


Well there are days when I can practice 4-5 hours, but there are days when I is just 1-2 hours, and days when I can barely pick up the guitar. I think the average is almost 3 hours.

Posted by: PosterBoy Oct 6 2013, 10:09 AM

I read this topic with a curious interest. I didn't see it being a worthwhile endeavour without a really solid plan.
Quitting work to go to a music school for a year like GIT, or Berklee, I could understand but to do self study (even with weekly guitar lessons or GMC) I just saw enthusiasm.
This was all coming from my own perspective and knowing what I'm like. I spent 15 months unemployed a few years back and in hindsight I could have used the time to practice, learn and record an album, but I didn't. I did practice a fair bit and was in the gym everyday.

So I'm glad to see a more balanced approach to the year came, with the working from home.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 6 2013, 03:28 PM

I think that in my country, in these times, pursuing a musical career ONLY, is a very risky thing as you never know what tomorrow brings smile.gif But working from home project based or in some way in which you can make the necessary money to sustain yourself and have enough time to dedicate to music so that you may do it as a pro, that's my game as well and I encourage it. There's nothing like being able to focus on the music you like doing, without feeling like you will starve if you do it.

Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)