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Dan Snitter K
GMC:er
54 years old
Male
Maryland
Born Aug-23-1969
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Joined: 16-February 12
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Last Seen: 6th March 2018 - 04:02 AM
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Dan Snitter K

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22 Feb 2012
Hey, GMC.

My name is Dan, I live in the Maryland suburbs just north of Washington, DC. Thanks to Ben Higgins for the welcome email and the suggestion to post an intro. As an absolute newbie, I feel odd talking about influences, but my top three would be Rik Emmett, David Gilmour, Jimi Hendrix.

I'm brand new to guitar--I just got an Epiphone Les Paul Ultra for Xmas--and have taken 4 lessons so far. I tried to learn once before at the age of 17. My uncle is a semi-pro, he suggested to my parents that I start with accoustic; he gave me one lesson a couple books and said "go to it." I quit in frustration a month later. I've always PLANNED to get back into it, but...life happens.

So now I'm 42 and thinking if not now, never. Trying to do it right with lessons this time (and plenty of Internet research, which led me here, specifically to Bear Rose's videos -- thanks Bear). I've got a full-time job, a two hour round trip commute, two kids, and a third on the way. Which leads me to my philosophical question:

How much do I really need to learn?

Let me explain a bit more. My goal is to be able to play my favorite music (Rik Emmett is number one--both old Triumph stuff, but also some of his more recent Blues/Rock), by myself, in my basement office. I'd LIKE to be able to have enough skill to be able to learn songs if I can get hold of the tabs (for example, I know it isn't cool to like Nickelback, but hey, I'm 42 years old, I stopped worrying about cool years ago, and I like "How You Remind Me"). But since I won't be jamming, touring, or doing studio sessions, and don't think I'd ever need to play any song I don't already know (from listening to it), I'm operating on the assumption that learning to read music (nevermind sight read) is not a good use of my limited time (I've got 45 minutes or so to practice every night after the kids go to bed and maybe an hour on each weekend day).

The question really came to a head for me this week. My instructor is using Brown Eyed Girl as my learning aid (so cliche, but hey, I'm a sponge right now just trying to soak up whatever I can). So I can learn the rhythm one of two ways: the pendulum/metronome arm method where I keep my arm moving in time to the beat, but only hit the strings on the proper pass (D-D-U-U-D-U); or the much easier play it as I hear it (still DDUUDU, but only moving my arm when I'm actually strumming). Seems method one is much better longterm, but since, realistically, keeping in mind my ultimate goal, I'm never going to be playing steady rhythm stuff, is it really a good use of my limited practice time to learn a skill I'm never going to use? I've have never once said "wow, listen to that rhthym guitar in the background of Brown Eyed Girl; I wish I could play that!" I'll be playing leads and power chord dominated rhythm stuff that doesn't require the pendulum arm method (again, think How you Remind Me).

I balance this common sense thinking with the desire not to be "THAT GUY" -- you know, the one who SAYS he can play guitar, but really only knows how to play Smoke on the Water. I'd like to learn to actually PLAY guitar.

So, should I focus on learning what I need know to achieve my goals or bite the bullet and go the longer, harder route (and risk never getting there). Thanks for your thoughts.

---Dan
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25 Nov 2012 - 9:18


28 Sep 2012 - 11:37


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