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Posted by: Unleash-The-Shred Feb 13 2009, 03:00 AM

I'm stuck in a rut at the moment and I have no clue where to start practicing. I was thinking about starting over on beginner stuff and going through that. Anyone have any suggestions here? It would be greatly appreciated. I'd say I'm pretty much intermediate but I can't really play anything difficult. I have lots of time right now for practice right now so I have the time. I'm just sick of being stuck, it makes me loose motivation. But this is something I love to do so I'd like to get better.

Edit: I forgot to mention, I'm into all kinds of music except country pretty much.

Posted by: bluezman Feb 13 2009, 03:50 AM

It is always good to get back to the basics. Even if you know them, refreshing them in your mind could spark an idea.

Posted by: Ramiro Delforte Feb 13 2009, 03:53 AM

I think the best way to know what to practice is to list all your goals. For example: "I want to learn how to sweep really really well so I can play the Sweeping Etude lesson by Muris". So now you'll have to search for lessons about sweeping. Once you have listed every technique that you want to improve then concentrate in the songs you'd like to learn. I used to play lots of Michael Romeo's solos from Symphony X for example. But I also liked to sing some Incubus "acoustic" songs like Drive, so you'll cover your technical habilities and then the same thing but with songs you like.
Also if you think you need some theory you can search in the Theory Board and post any questions you have so we can help you.
And of course improvisation is another topic you might want to dive into. For that matter you'll need a little technique, a little theory and some backing tracks. Here in GMC we have lost of jazz lessons and the backings where you can practice over.

I'll hope this will help you. If you have any more questions be free to ask or send me a PM.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Feb 13 2009, 03:56 AM

In general its very good to go back to basics and relearn things in new ways. Again, what are basics - its individual for everybody I think.
I can give you a list and then see what you can do - and this I suggest anybody who wants to become complete musician.


- Repertoire (songs)
- Technique study (legato, alternate, sweep, tapping, pinched harmonics, fingerstyle , hybrid picking, economy picking etc)
- Jamming (backing tracks, playing in a band, live shows, jam nights in bars etc)
- Improvising
- Composing
- Ear Training
- Harmony and Theory
- Arranging
- Transcribing
- Recording
- Teaching

Thats my 3:58 am list for you

Tomorrow I can give you some tips for lessons at GMC that could be useful to work on

Posted by: Unleash-The-Shred Feb 13 2009, 04:01 AM

Okay thanks guys. I'll get to work asap! Any other tips or anything would be appreciated also Pedja if you would like to help me out, or to anyone else who is willing.

Thanks again!

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Feb 13 2009, 04:14 AM

I will send you PM tomorrow when I get up with some suggestions , how is that ?

Posted by: Unleash-The-Shred Feb 13 2009, 04:18 AM

Sounds great man, thanks a lot!

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Feb 13 2009, 04:21 AM

Its a pleasure man, thank you

Posted by: Emir Hot Feb 13 2009, 04:38 AM

Wow Pedja that's a great list. I would recomend that to everybody, even to experienced players. You put it together very well man.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Feb 13 2009, 04:41 AM

Thanks Emir that means a lot man
Its just something I came up with over long period of time using different practice routines. There are some great books on that as well but more about that on some other occasion