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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Your Skills After 1, 2 And 3 Years Playin Guitar:)

Posted by: fire Sep 13 2008, 03:35 PM

hey guys

well, im interested in your skills in the first 3years of your guitar playing.

Do you remember what was the "best", "fastest" or "most difficult" song, solo, riff, scale, lick, what ever:-P after 1 year, than after 2 years and finally after 3 years?

i think it would be quite interesting to see - just write your "memories" laugh.gif


cheers

Posted by: fatb0t Sep 13 2008, 11:18 PM

Three years of consistant playing WITHOUT GMC, I was pretty pathetic. I'd imagine three years with GMC you could be substantially better than most. Some people practice for 1 year and get more done in that one year than some people do in three years.

Posted by: sigma7 Sep 13 2008, 11:36 PM

ive only been playing for a year but i guess the hardest songs ive learned was Eruption or some suoer advanced lessons on GMC hehe wheee

Posted by: IDontWantMyUsername Sep 14 2008, 12:18 AM

After one year I was probably able to do the intermediate neoclassical solo of Marcus Lavendell at my hardest.
Now I can do maybe Nocturnal Vision if I try hard, and I have played for a little more than one and a half year.

Posted by: Emir Hot Sep 14 2008, 12:21 AM

I could play accurately Sweet Home Alabama after a year and half, I was self taught at that time

Posted by: ZakkWylde Sep 14 2008, 12:33 AM

After one year I could play Master of Puppets and after two I can play the solo too...

Posted by: Ramiro Delforte Sep 14 2008, 12:39 AM

I agree with ZakkWylde, Kirk Hammet solos are difficult for a beginner but after one year or two they are playable. I remember playing the solo of Master of Puppets as well after one year and a half or something like that.

Posted by: RIP Dime Sep 14 2008, 06:16 AM

Well lets see, first year I was able to play Curious Coincidence almost up to speed, witch was a big thing for me, I think my first year I was focusing on getting my chops up to shape.

Second year was even more woodsheding it, trying to get myself to a point where I'd have to technical skill to play anything I wanted. I think somewhere in my second year I learned theory to a point where I could analyze and understand rock and pop music, and where I could understand what's basically going on in most other types of music. This year is also when I first started really jamming with a band, and writing my own songs.

The third year, well this is where I am now, and it's been almost 2 years with GMC. I think my basic guitar playing chops are at a good level, I've stopped obsessing about playing fast lead stuff at this point. I still love the wailing lead guitar style, but I've realized that I want to be a musician, and the essential skill for that is songwriting, so I've been learning songs(mostly by ear now) by bands that I love. And while learning them I not only learn some cool licks here and there, I also try to analyze what makes the songs so good, catchy, and musically interesting. I also study the structure of the songs, and since I really love prog, sometimes the anti-structure of the songs. Basically I try to break down the thought process of making awesome music, and this has improved my songwriting very much. I also run into challenging riffs and licks in the songs I try to learn all the time, and practicing those has sort of become my technique practice now. So the short version of my 3rd year is that it been mainly focused on songwriting.

This was a good idea Fire, looking back on what I've done the past 3 years I have really learned a lot about my self. smile.gif I think I should also add that the only instruction I've had is from GMC instructors.


Posted by: Smells Sep 14 2008, 08:37 AM

honestly cant remember sad.gif too long ago now laugh.gif

I joined a band after playing for 18 months, mainly original songs but we did do a few covers, the ones I remember us doing , holydiver-Dio, Rain-the cult, after I`d been playing for around 2 1/2 - 3 years I joined another band that did a lot of covers, doing things like "Girls Girls Girls" - Motley Crue, Phantom of the opera - Maiden and that kind of thing, apart from that I dont remember a great deal about what I could play at those points

Posted by: Muris Varajic Sep 14 2008, 12:50 PM

Never thought of that huh.gif

Probably some Metallica,Maiden stuff, I was pure metalhead at that time biggrin.gif

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Sep 14 2008, 07:26 PM

After 2 years I could play and sing Stairway to Heaven, without the solo. Now I can't do any smile.gif

Posted by: Canis Sep 14 2008, 11:08 PM

Well, I've been playing acoustic for three years before I started with electric... But on those three years, I learned absolutely nothing since I was self tought with nothing to learn anything from tongue.gif
Since I joined GMC though (about a year ago), and got an electric guitar (about 9 months ago), I've just began to learn Marcus Lavendell's first Neoclassical Etude, and trying to master tapping ^^

Posted by: mattacuk Sep 15 2008, 08:25 AM

I have been playing 2 years now, for which those two years I have spent entirley practicing GMC lessons! So the trickyest thing i can play is Muris's Neoclassical picking etude at 110bpm, that is some workout smile.gif

I wouldnt class skill purley on how technical a peice is though, if you can phrase well and use good vibrato I think that equally if not more important smile.gif

Posted by: rokchik Sep 16 2008, 01:50 PM

Well I had my 3 year guitar playing anniversary on July 1st and well I have come a long way.

Year 1 - No GMC, self taught on my acoustic so I just knew basic chords. I could play stuff like Tom Petty, Johnny Cash etc but basically only strumming not very good with picking. My big achievement was learning Wonderwall by Oasis and playing it all the way through. No clue about scales, alternate picking, bare chords or anything technical smile.gif

Year 2 - had been on GMC for about 4 months on my two year anniversary... very eye opening. Learning alternate picking, barre chords, scales and theory, was working through the beginner course and also doing a couple of Gabriels lessons. ( I think it was his first John Frusciante lesson and also a blues lesson but can't remember which one) My pinky and I were at odds if I remember correct and I was pretty slow moving around the fret board.

Year 3 - 1 yr and 4 months on GMC. Been very sporadic with my playing due mostly to work and well life wink.gif But still made big improvements. Could navigate the fret board and pick out notes pretty much without really thinking about it. Being able to play level 4 and 5 lessons pretty consistantly. Barre Chords, which I was having major issues with are now consistant. Also my pinky and I are seeing eye to eye and can stretch across four frets now. In terms of songs I guess my biggest accomplishment is Blind Guardians Harvest of Sorrow.

One thing that has fascinated me since I picked up the guitar is how my taste in music has changed. A few yrs ago I would never have listend to Children of Bodom, Opeth or even Blind Guardian. Now it dominates my iPod. I'm still not much for the growling but I pay more attention to the guitar. Thanks to GMC I have learned so much about music in general as well as guitar and I am forever in dept to all here for introducing me to some great stuff. Looking forward to many more years of learning.

Posted by: Gus Sep 16 2008, 06:16 PM

I have an odd story with guitar tongue.gif

Started at 8. From 8-11 I played classical pieces. 1st year I can remember playing "Romance de amor", second year "green sleeves", 3rd Bach's BoureƩ

From 11-15 I played no guitar and forgot everything I knew tongue.gif

From 16- 23 I learned playing chords in acoustic guitar and rhtyhm and played just that. Maybe hardest thing I played was "Fade to black" rhythm parts.

At 23 I started over electric guitar.
1 year - easy short solos. much more advanced rhythm stuff
2 years - sultans of swing (16th notes 2-string arpeggio at 145 bpm)
3 years (now) - from day to night I just learn to tap the beginning of Metallica's "one" solo. I am starting to compose my own stuff and trying to learn "The fire and the fury" (16th notes, alternate picking, at 170 bpm. just insane...)

Posted by: Chokehold Sep 16 2008, 06:26 PM

My first year i didn't play alot of guitar, and had an electric guitar but no amp. but i could play Mirror Mirror at the time i got my amp as i remember smile.gif now i have played for about 2 years and i have no idea what i can play as i mainly practise exercises. Learned Born In A Mourning Hall a couple of days ago and i thought it was quite easy so that's where i am or something tongue.gif

Posted by: Capt.Z Sep 16 2008, 06:34 PM

I've been playing 5MONTHS And I can play The "Malezas" Solo by Gabriel
(A difficulty 7) smile.gif

Oh, And I've mastered tapping!

I wonder how good I'll be in 3 years!! ohmy.gif

Posted by: Bedlam Sep 16 2008, 06:41 PM

15-18: Self-taught, learned by playing easier Metallica, but Never really advanced past the easier solos. I joined a band and played mainly radio-friendly rock (Soundgarden, RHCP, etc.) and never bothered with theory.
-1 year - Metallica - Call of Kutulu (minus fast solo parts)
-2 years - Little wing - SRV version (some of it anyway)
-3 years - Satch Boogie - a little off on timing and the massive tapping solo at the end

More info:
18-22: College - No time for guitar, forgot most I knew
23-24: Lots of overtime at work, no modivation to play, and forgot even more
25: Picked up the guitar again and tried to relearn all I once new
26a: Joined GMC, started learning theory and new techniques
26b: Injured hand, sat out for a long time, forgot lots
27: See 26a biggrin.gif

Posted by: kaznie_NL Sep 16 2008, 06:53 PM

QUOTE (Ivan Milenkovic @ Sep 14 2008, 08:26 PM) *
After 2 years I could play and sing Stairway to Heaven, without the solo. Now I can't do any smile.gif

Haha

QUOTE (Capt.Z @ Sep 16 2008, 07:34 PM) *
I've been playing 5MONTHS And I can play The "Malezas" Solo by Gabriel
(A difficulty 7) smile.gif

Oh, And I've mastered tapping!

I wonder how good I'll be in 3 years!! ohmy.gif

wow...

Posted by: CompleteNewbie Sep 17 2008, 12:18 PM

I think I have some way to go yet!!!!!!!!

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Sep 17 2008, 12:29 PM

1st year I could play nothing
2nd year I could play nothing
3rd year I could play nothing
4th year I could play nothing
5th year I could play nothing
Current year - I can play nothing

I gave up anyway recently. I just stick around here because I enjoy it here. I don't practice any lessons ever. I haven't played guitar in 2 months.

Posted by: Canis Sep 17 2008, 12:33 PM

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Sep 17 2008, 01:29 PM) *
1st year I could play nothing
2nd year I could play nothing
3rd year I could play nothing
4th year I could play nothing
5th year I could play nothing
Current year - I can play nothing

I gave up anyway recently. I just stick around here because I enjoy it here. I don't practice any lessons ever. I haven't played guitar in 2 months.

Well, good to have you here anyway ^^

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Sep 17 2008, 12:49 PM

QUOTE (Canis @ Sep 17 2008, 12:33 PM) *
Well, good to have you here anyway ^^

Thank you smile.gif

Posted by: fire Sep 17 2008, 07:33 PM

@organised confusion

is there anything we could do to encourage you to take up the guitar again?
let me know!!!


cheers

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Sep 17 2008, 08:03 PM

QUOTE (fire @ Sep 17 2008, 07:33 PM) *
@organised confusion

is there anything we could do to encourage you to take up the guitar again?
let me know!!!


cheers

Not really. It is my own journey I guess. I am trying to get back into it all the time. Just need some motivation and I'm hoping it will come back sometime.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Sep 17 2008, 09:40 PM

After a year - Anything from GNR, Santana and some Metallica.
After two years - Satriani songs (was obsessed with Satch for years after that

Posted by: sigma7 Sep 17 2008, 09:55 PM

now at a year by myself i could play mad lead, i even gave arpeggios from and try and was able to play the main lick and six months with gmc, i can play fast chords...like panama, and all ac/dc stuff. My sweeping has developed and can play thunderhorse with 100% accuracy and am currently learning the Symphony of Destruction solo, pretty easy. this is a year and a half folks and 8 months if you count serious playing wheee

my progression of songs solos and all

1)T.N.T AC/DC
2)Eruption-Eddie Van Halen
3)Can't Stop-Red Hot Chilli Peppers
4)Greensleeves
5)Aint Talking Bout Love-Van Halen
6)Arpeggios from Hell-Yngwie Malmsteen
7) Crazy Train-Ozzy
8)Bat Country-Avenged Sevenfold
9)Beast and the Harlot-Avenged Sevenfold
10)Thunderhorse-Dethklok
11)Poison-Alice Cooper
12)Panama-VH
13)Wanted Dead or Alive-Bon Jovi
14)Symphony of Destruction-Megadeth

Posted by: sigma7 Sep 17 2008, 09:55 PM

a year folks, im a loser

Posted by: sigma7 Sep 17 2008, 09:55 PM

spend to much time on guitar

Posted by: fire Sep 19 2008, 04:26 PM

nothing bad about it biggrin.gif

Posted by: GuitarsANDtattoos Sep 24 2008, 02:40 AM

I think joining GMC sort of reset what I thought I knew about the guitar, so in a way I'm a beginner all over again as far as many techniques go. Practicing had to be redefined, what to practice was a bunch of digging in itself, figuring out what would benefit my style more...I'm still sifting through my mind about what to do next.

I'm currently working on, Finger Speed, Tapping, Rock n' Roll Licks, and cover stuff. Check my practice agenda for a look at my first attempt at organizing what I want to learn. Please critique it if you have a min too! Thanks!

Posted by: besip Sep 24 2008, 08:42 PM

I'm here around 1 years
before i'm come here i'm wasn't play nothing
right now i'm play almost clear on fuul speed Pavel Heavy metal 3
i'm also working hard on A-minor penta lesson{David lesson}

i'm also able play on 70% the pavel Heavy metal 1
and now after 3 days of learning i'm almost made easy and good sounding Liam Slayer Lesson cool.gif

Posted by: superize Sep 24 2008, 08:46 PM

I have been playing for about 1.5 years and 1 year i have been on GMC and on that year alone i have gone from knowing nothing to be able to play some of my favorite songs........ I am still learning lead but my rythm is very good and definently my strong side.......

Posted by: David Berntsen Sep 24 2008, 09:01 PM

I've been playing for about a year, I discovered this site 4 mounths ago. But i don't got any electric guitar so my solo techniques aren't very good. I can play

Blues licks 1 Gabriel Leopardi

Southern Rock Style David Williman

Open Rock chords solo Gabriel Leopardi

And i'm curently working on Modern Blues soloing Muris

and Zakk wylde style Gabriel Leopardi. but i've only praticed these lessons on an acoustic guitar, so i hope i'll improve when i get an electric guitar.

Posted by: Punx85 Apr 18 2010, 01:51 AM

well ive only been playing a year and about 3 months but the hardest thing i can play currently is the sympohny of destruction solo right now and the disposable heroes solo by metallica. self taught but all ive done is solos ive probably spend about 5 mins a day playing rythym...

hey Organised what interested me in guitar is when i could play a solo along with my ipod... i dunno if u you like metal but metallica has all sorts of difficulties of solos... id suggest learning the first solo in master of puppets or the intro one to fade to black just play it to the song over and over and eventually itll match up... you'll only get out what you put in i believe even it means reading a tab over and over and over and over. doesnt have to be metal though just cause metallica has such a variety of difficulties just start simple

Posted by: Santiago Diaz Garces Apr 18 2010, 03:06 AM

I see that all had some great improves, every one of you in their own area. That's great folks!! I really like to see you improving!!. All this says that all the work that the GMC crew and all the guys involved in the site are doing the things right wink.gif

Posted by: intemperateControl Apr 18 2010, 04:21 AM

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Sep 17 2008, 06:29 AM) *
1st year I could play nothing
2nd year I could play nothing
3rd year I could play nothing
4th year I could play nothing
5th year I could play nothing
Current year - I can play nothing

I gave up anyway recently. I just stick around here because I enjoy it here. I don't practice any lessons ever. I haven't played guitar in 2 months.


Hey, I see that others here have been talking about how well they progressed and that's
good for them, but since you say you have not progressed it must be a bummer for you.
I can tell you that when I began I thought I could learn to play anything, and I can
(so can you) but it takes some real time and the ability to assess self judgment along
with hard work. Yea, we all do at times act like everything we play was just so easy to
learn - we play it like it was nothing, and we're all so great. Pride. Let me tell you
something, the easier it looks the longer it took to perfect that technique - that's
why it looks easy, because I've done it like a million times. The reason all the great
musicians here are so well esteemed is not because just any idiot can learn it all in
a short time, but because it's a very difficult instrument to master. Yea, once you
get a few years in you can learn how to fake it a little, too. keep going, because
maybe you're on the right track. For instance, it takes many years to become a real
martial artist, but in the army they can train you to kill the average opponent in
a few weeks time. Pit one against the other after only a few weeks training and
the army guy may win, but a really well trained martial artist will kick all their
asses (define ass: donkey). Okay then. My only advise is, learn some easy rhythm
guitar like "smoke on the water" or "iron man" and practice scales (this will
train your fingers to go any which way and give you coordination). Learn all
the techniques, hone your skills, and don't forget to master the theories.
Do this, and you will suck for ten years (give or take), but then you will
be among the best for the rest of your life, if you do it right and work
hard enough. Take it from a guy who has made all the mistakes imaginable.
If you love making music don't give up. Go for it! cool.gif

Posted by: maharzan Apr 18 2010, 05:25 AM

oh this is an old thread.. but guess its still relevent? What about after 16 years? biggrin.gif I can share that. smile.gif

In the 1st month, I knew all the basic chords, Major and Minor. I think in the first year or so, I was most comfortable with Em Pentatonic scale and relative chords. I remember In the 3rd year, I so wanted to learn Nothing Else Matters and Hotel California and thought, if I could do these, I can do any other songs. smile.gif Once I finished that, then there were many others. smile.gif I composed an instrumental song after being inspired by Joe Satriani when I first listened to him in the 3rd / 4th year. I always wished to learn Always with you Always with me. I think I was able to nail most parts of it only after 15 years. biggrin.gif still not perfect.

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