Hi everyone, new user here, thought I should drop by and introduce myself.

I'm 55 years old, been playing guitar on and off as far back as I can remember. Probably started when I was around 12 or so. Even after all that time I'm still solidly in the beginner phase though, since I'd play for a year, then stop for 5 years, play for 6 months, stop for 10 years etc. etc. I'm now at a place where I want to pick it back up and stick with it this time.

I don't think I can even begin to list my favorite artists, but a real small sampling would be in the style of bands like Dream Theater, Fates Warning, King's X, Opeth, Queensryche, Porcupine Tree etc. Also all the classic 70's stuff that I grew up with, like Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, ELP, Yes, UFO, the list goes on and on. Back then we had to learn stuff by slowing the record player down to 16 speed, learning the licks, then transposing it up an octave. (playing at 16 lowered everything by exactly 1 octave). Wore out a lot of records moving the needle back and forth over and over again to the right section. Things are much, much easier now!

I think I have a pretty good feel for where my biggest weak spots are, like muting unwanted string noise, alternate picking and timing. After that it will probably learning how to get away from playing scales just for scales sake, to make something more musical out of them. I pretty
much know the major, minor and pentatonic scales but never learned how to use them. There's plenty more to learn too, those are just the areas I'm focusing on right now.

If anyone has any suggestions about lessons for any of the areas I'm working on right now, let me know. Actually, any suggestions are welcome! I'm looking forward to learning from a site as cool as GMC.

Thanks for listening

Tom (tomma)

Welcome to the site, Tom! I only recently came back here after years and years away.

Here's a lesson you might enjoy:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Dream_...-Overture_1928/

Thanks for the suggestion.

I remember learning some stuff off Images and Words when it first came out, I doubt I could play it now though, not well anyway. I'll take a look at this one, maybe I can play some of it at least!

Welcome tomma!

Hello Tom and Welcome! I also had my difficulties with the Alternate Picking and I think I have found something you might have been looking for. It's a great Workout that you can do at any speed. Remember that Canon Rock? Instructor Darius Wave made a pretty helpful Lesson/Workout that helped me a lot: If you like take a look at it:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Altern...king-Workout-1/

Have Fun and let me know If you agree.

Best Regards,

Steve (SteveGuitar)

Hi Tom and warm wellcome to GMC Very good inspirations You have there - mix of some classics and modern outstanding bands

There are tons of materials to work with, so You could improve Your playing. Friend above already found You a profiled lesson in DT style.

I can suggest You of of my workouts for alternate picking - it's more exercise than song-like composition but it was made the way, that will make Your practicing more pleasant than sitting with metronome.

If there would be some problem with final tempo of the lessons than still pracitcing at slower tempos would help You to improve at some level

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Altern...king-Workout-1/

Haha Darius ;D Had the same thing in Mind ;D

Images and Words is still one of my favorite albums. Not a single bad song on it! I just thought I'd share the link since you mentioned Dream Theater. There are lots of great lessons in the genres you mentioned

Hi Tom!! Welcome to the site! That's a really cool introduction. I have been a fan of many of those progressive metal bands, specially DT, Queensryche and Fates Warning. Have you heard Fates Warning new stuff? I heard some songs and I liked them.

I think that you could divide your diary routines in two: technique and theory. These are my suggestions for theory and scales concepts.

Theory & Improvisation:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/lessonser...tonic-Workshop/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/lessonser...nd-Minor-Boxes/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/lessonser...eggio-Workshop/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/lessonser...Modes-Workshop/

Regarding technique, it would be very important for us to see a video of you playing to give you feedback and suggest lessons.

You guys are awesome, thanks for all the welcomes.

Gabriel - Yeah, I've heard some of the new Fates stuff and like it. It's coming out at the end of this month, first one in 9 years. There's been a lot of other stuff in the meantime, like OSI and Arch/Matheos but I'm looking forward to the Fates stuff.

I like the idea of splitting things in 2 groups, theory and technique, makes sense. You probably hear this from other new users too, but man, with so many lessons and videos to go through it's really hard to pick an area or 2 and stick with it.

As far as the video, I am planning on doing one as soon as I get up the nerve to showcase my crappy playing. Any suggestions for what I should record, like going through some of the excersises here, or something else?

Hi mate, yeah, I heard those albums, (OSI an Arch/Matheos collab). You know, when I was 17 (14 years ago) I had a power/progressive metal band called Damnation inspired by that great song by fates.


I think that it would be ok if you choose one or two musical lesson that you find at your level and that includes this techniques:

1. Alternate Picking
2. Rhythm
3. Bending
4. Legato
5. Vibrato


Maybe something from here: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/search/n/n/3/6/n/23/n/t/f/

Hi Tomma, welcome to GMC See you around the forum.

Boy have you come to the right place I'm Todd and I teach our Saturday/Sunday Video chat sessions and we focus on many of the things, each weekend, that you have identified as bits that need some work. Beyond that, the forums, REC program, video lessons, mentoring program, etc. are all here for ya!

Todd

Hello Tomma!

Welcome to GMC and please take a look over these lessons which will most definitely help out in the following areas, to begin with:

- muting unwanted string noise - http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/misc-less...g-101-tutorial/
- alternate picking and timing - http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Hand-Basics/

For the applied theory thing, my first thoughts are these: learn a few simple solo based lessons here on GMC and analyze the theory behind them, note for note You will slowly but surely understand the relationship between chords and the notes being played against them.

There's always the possibility of working directly with one of us (Me, Gabriel or Darius) so, PM us if you wish to

Cosmin

Welcome to GMC man