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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ What Was Your Main Goal When You Started Playing The Guitar?
Posted by: Jonas Tamas Feb 12 2013, 12:43 PM
Hi all,
I'm very curious, how did you start playing the guitar, and what were your goals back then. In the poll, I have listed several options. Please vote, and I'd be thankful if you could write a few sentences about your own story.
Even if you don't often actively post in the forum, and you are mostly in read-only mode, please vote now, and write a few words for us. It will be very useful for us all to know this.
There will be more polls soon!
Posted by: Dieterle Feb 12 2013, 01:33 PM
Hi Jonas !
Good Idea and made me think a bit about it 
My main reason to get into guitar i just love the way guitars bring over FEELING !
Sometimes it is difficult to say/ talk about Things , so others can hard understand what you mean
music and for me the voice of a guitar its like a angels voice who touch the soul and make Things visible from inside ,
it becomes a Universal Language .
My Problem right now 
some Mentors here on GMC know it 
to get into the right timing - rhythm ,
but once i managed it i hope people start to understand ME a bit better ! 
Dieter
Posted by: Jonas Tamas Feb 12 2013, 04:15 PM
Hi Dieterle, thanks a lot for your detailed answer!
Yes, I can relate to the things you've mentioned: you feel that you can express yourself with the guitar, and with the music in general. And I guess that you even feel that music is sometimes better than words. That's totally true. We can express ourselves a lot better with the guitar.
Let me ask you a question:
can you tell me a big moment of magic, when you heard a music, and understood all the feelings of the composer, maybe in your favorite songs? Or even better, was there a moment, when you played something, and the person who listened to it, understood you at once?
Posted by: sammetal92 Feb 12 2013, 04:56 PM
I chose guitar so I could play like Jason Becker and Dave Murray I know it sounds ridiculous but, honestly, that's why I picked up the guitar at age 14
Also I wanted to write my own songs and make an album and become famous Also, I think playing the guitar is a great thing to vent your emotion, even if you're really happy or really upset, it always helps even if no one else can notice it, I can notice my feelings being channeled through the sound of my guitar when I play it 
and the last reason is that it always seemed to me that playing an instrument is FUN! And I enjoy it when I play my guitar, I enjoy my practice 
These are still my goals, I've written down my goals on a page and it helps as a motivation tool
Posted by: Slavenko Erazer Feb 12 2013, 05:31 PM
One and Only REeason that Made me pick up guitar was one that's not listed here
METAL !!!
Posted by: mroberts70 Feb 12 2013, 05:44 PM
METAL !!!
LOL.... this is true. Metal should be in the list for sure or we leave our friend Slavenko out. That's the only reason he plays guitar plus it's the only instrument that can be referred to as an "AXE".
Posted by: WeePee Feb 12 2013, 06:25 PM
Posted by: klasaine Feb 12 2013, 07:23 PM
My father is a musician so we had a lot of instruments around the house and I tried them all - piano, flute, violin, clarinet, trumpet.
One spring a school asked my dad if he'd be willing to teach a beginning guitar group class over the the summer. Like any good musician he said "yes" ... even though he'd never played guitar before, lol! He did play upright bass though. He bought a cheap guitar, took a couple of months of lessons and learned fairly competently how to play open position (cowboy) chords and even an F barre chord (he knows music and how to teach, played a string instrument already so it wasn't really that grand of an undertaking). Anyway, watching him practice really basic stuff on the guitar fascinated and attracted me and that is what I picked. A possible rebellion/reaction against my dad and what he could already do well - ? I picked the one instrument he really couldn't play too well.
Then for many years it was absolutely about getting girls - and it worked really well.
Then the music took over again.
Posted by: Slavenko Erazer Feb 12 2013, 07:29 PM
Yeah, u're absolutely right friend !!
Posted by: Dieterle Feb 12 2013, 08:20 PM
Yes, I can relate to the things you've mentioned: you feel that you can express yourself with the guitar, and with the music in general. And I guess that you even feel that music is sometimes better than words. That's totally true. We can express ourselves a lot better with the guitar.
Let me ask you a question:
can you tell me a big moment of magic, when you heard a music, and understood all the feelings of the composer, maybe in your favorite songs? Or even better, was there a moment, when you played something, and the person who listened to it, understood you at once?
Hi Jonas ,
Epitaph King Krimson is one of the earlier ones , moment of open and wide horizon without fear .
I am a Beginner Guitarist and so my guitar playing
anyway i did 2 records right now for kind of family album (i hope it will become more )
and when i and my daughter been listening to the second and new one - both became shining eyes a moment of unity.
Dieter
Hey Slavenko keep staying here your Axe is needed and its the time for Wolves !
Posted by: DeGroot Feb 12 2013, 09:26 PM
I remember it all starting with wanting a guitar in my own hands. I didn't have much musical guidance or instruments around me when I was young. Just a bunch of classic rock LPs my Dad had around. It was a struggle to finally get a Harmony beginner acoustic guitar and begging to sign up with some acoustic group lessons at the youth center. So, it was strumming along to "House of the Rising Sun" kind of stuff. I remember how weak my hands were at the time and wondering how the instructor could grab an F chord with such ease. Really the only official lessons I had for the next 20 years.
Eventually it led me to get a bass so that I could get myself involved with a band and cover some Metallica songs. The fact that a kid my age at the time (14 years) could play lead lines from "From Whom the Bell Tolls" was mind blowing to me. I have never been a natural at learning guitar but it always felt like the best way to express myself so it has stuck with me.
Posted by: TeoWulf Feb 12 2013, 11:04 PM
I'm very curious, how did you start playing the guitar, and what were your goals back then. In the poll, I have listed several options. Please vote, and I'd be thankful if you could write a few sentences about your own story.
Even if you don't often actively post in the forum, and you are mostly in read-only mode, please vote now, and write a few words for us. It will be very useful for us all to know this.
There will be more polls soon!
There two main reasons are Blind Guardiand and Ritchie Blackmore. Really, after listening to music that good, I had tons of musical ideas in my head banging the walls and wanting out, so picking up a guitar seemed to be the only option.
Btw, it's funny how everyone thinks that your first name is Jonas.
Posted by: Jonas Tamas Feb 12 2013, 11:31 PM
I know it sounds ridiculous but, honestly, that's why I picked up the guitar at age 14 Also I wanted to write my own songs and make an album and become famous
Also, I think playing the guitar is a great thing to vent your emotion, even if you're really happy or really upset, it always helps even if no one else can notice it, I can notice my feelings being channeled through the sound of my guitar when I play it and the last reason is that it always seemed to me that playing an instrument is FUN! And I enjoy it when I play my guitar, I enjoy my practice These are still my goals, I've written down my goals on a page and it helps as a motivation tool
Written goals are almost always self-fulfilling, it's good idea to write, rewrite and review them regularly.
Jason Becker is one of my favorites, too!
Yes, music can have so much advantages, as you've mentioned it - chanelling of our emotions, having fun, being creative, following our inspirations, and giving a good experience to others. And most of the time, it's the talent's voice that has urged us to play.
Thanks for your answer, cool stuff!
METAL !!!
I've added that to the poll options!
Hi! That's a great way to start playing the guitar, too. Do you see it as a very good decision, looking back? I hope yes:)
One spring a school asked my dad if he'd be willing to teach a beginning guitar group class over the the summer. Like any good musician he said "yes" ... even though he'd never played guitar before, lol! He did play upright bass though. He bought a cheap guitar, took a couple of months of lessons and learned fairly competently how to play open position (cowboy) chords and even an F barre chord (he knows music and how to teach, played a string instrument already so it wasn't really that grand of an undertaking). Anyway, watching him practice really basic stuff on the guitar fascinated and attracted me and that is what I picked. A possible rebellion/reaction against my dad and what he could already do well - ? I picked the one instrument he really couldn't play too well.
Then for many years it was absolutely about getting girls - and it worked really well.
Then the music took over again.
That's a very inspiring story, Ken! (Including the many years detour in Chickville, too
) Thanks for sharing. It must have been great to grow up with so many instruments around. In my case, noone in my family ever played an instrument, so I was the first 'brave' kid to do that.Did your father become your first guitar teacher back then?
Epitaph King Krimson is one of the earlier ones , moment of open and wide horizon without fear .
I am a Beginner Guitarist and so my guitar playing
anyway i did 2 records right now for kind of family album (i hope it will become more )
and when i and my daughter been listening to the second and new one - both became shining eyes a moment of unity.
Dieter
I love your last sentence, where you and your daughter are listening to your own music, and enjoying it! This is whene the magic happens. I'm glad you wrote your story, it will be an inspiration to every GMC member who reads it. Thank you sir!
Eventually it led me to get a bass so that I could get myself involved with a band and cover some Metallica songs. The fact that a kid my age at the time (14 years) could play lead lines from "From Whom the Bell Tolls" was mind blowing to me. I have never been a natural at learning guitar but it always felt like the best way to express myself so it has stuck with me.
Thanks a lot for sharing your story with us! The beginning phase resembles to mine - I even remember trying to play the song "House of the Rising Sun", and having trouble with the F chord!
Btw, it's funny how everyone thinks that your first name is Jonas.
Yes, we are both from Hungary, so we know about the name swapping. I've decided long ago to use my last name as my "international" first name, so I like it! Then it must be really cool for you to be here at GMC where Marcus Siepen from Blind Guardian is an instructor. Were you able to speak with him?
Posted by: thefireball Feb 12 2013, 11:33 PM
Simply to play this song. I wanted to play like this too.
Posted by: Jonas Tamas Feb 12 2013, 11:36 PM
Pachelbel's Canon can be a great rock tune, Funtwo has made it famous.
Have you already fulfilled this dream of yours?
Posted by: klasaine Feb 12 2013, 11:51 PM
) Thanks for sharing. It must have been great to grow up with so many instruments around. In my case, noone in my family ever played an instrument, so I was the first 'brave' kid to do that.Did your father become your first guitar teacher back then?
No. Dad knew enough about the 'process' to not be my guitar teacher. He did show the 5 chords he knew and how to tune the thing but that was it. He did say, and I honestly don't remember any of this, that I learned to tune and play those 5 chords immediately so he knew that this was going to be 'my' instrument. But he ultimately got me a proper teacher. Not a good guitar though. A Sears 'silvertone' - $35.00 at a department store. And it was piece of you know what. And I'm pretty sure he did that on purpose to see if I 'really' had a interest in playing music - as in will I overcome a crappy instrument.
My dad did expose me to a ton of music and as my brother also played trumpet, we'd have 'jam' sessions at home constantly. Pops would play piano or stand up bass, me on guitar and my bro on trumpet. That really started me early on learning how to deal with other musicians and playing in 'bands'. I then immediately started to jam with kids in the neighborhood as well as playing in school (that's when and where I realized girls liked guitar players
) For me it's still all about playing with others. If I don't projects or gigs coming up where I have to learn something I may not practice at all.
Posted by: TeoWulf Feb 12 2013, 11:54 PM
Yes, we are both from Hungary, so we know about the name swapping. I've decided long ago to use my last name as my "international" first name, so I like it! Then it must be really cool for you to be here at GMC where Marcus Siepen from Blind Guardian is an instructor. Were you able to speak with him?
Yeah, I kind of drowned him in mails
You know the fanboy stuff He helped me a lot with actual playing also, so it's really cool. I have always wanted to introduce some of those "medieval" qualities to my playing, and his lessons have it all.
Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Feb 13 2013, 12:03 AM
Now that i think about it, i didn't have an actual goal.
Ii do remember that on the first day that i got my hand on my SG, i spend like the whole day trying to learn Sweet child'o mine, but i end up with a broken string (high E), i was so ashamed of myself that i couldn't even tell my parents
Posted by: Jonas Tamas Feb 13 2013, 12:26 AM
My dad did expose me to a ton of music and as my brother also played trumpet, we'd have 'jam' sessions at home constantly. Pops would play piano or stand up bass, me on guitar and my bro on trumpet. That really started me early on learning how to deal with other musicians and playing in 'bands'. I then immediately started to jam with kids in the neighborhood as well as playing in school (that's when and where I realized girls liked guitar players
) For me it's still all about playing with others. If I don't projects or gigs coming up where I have to learn something I may not practice at all.Those family jam sessions must have been a wonderful experience. And yes, it definitely contributed to the fact that for you it's all about playing with others. As mentioned, in my family there were no musicians before I've picked up the guitar, and therefore I was always in a 'lone warrior' practice mode instead of jamming with fellow musicians. So although I love playing with different musicians, and I've been doing it a lot, I still immensely enjoy practicing alone, when there is no jam opportunity or rehearsal for that day.
Ii do remember that on the first day that i got my hand on my SG, i spend like the whole day trying to learn Sweet child'o mine, but i end up with a broken string (high E), i was so ashamed of myself that i couldn't even tell my parents
You must have been bending really hard on the first day already! I guess there were at least .10 or .11 strings on that SG!:)
You know the fanboy stuff He helped me a lot with actual playing also, so it's really cool. I have always wanted to introduce some of those "medieval" qualities to my playing, and his lessons have it all.
Sounds cool, Marcus is an awesome guy!Speaking of "medieval" stuff, what is your opinion about Yngwie Malmsteen's music?
Posted by: jstcrsn Feb 13 2013, 12:46 AM
got my first guitar in second grade , took lessons from my uncle until he moved and could not afford a teacher. Later that same year I broke my arm and the doctor set it wrong to where I could not turn my left wrist to the point where I could play chords, flash forward to my ninth grade year when I heard blizzard of Oz , I was hooked but could still not bend my wrist , so 2 years later when my family moved to California and I heard Rainbow in the Dark and Run to the Hills( D D D D Dang). Now I could not shake the bug. Got a Sears Harmony flying V flipped it over left handed.
So I just started cause I loved somethin about it
Posted by: Jonas Tamas Feb 13 2013, 09:01 AM
So I just started cause I loved somethin about it
Hey, thanks so much for sharing your own story! Yes, there are certain songs which "call" us to become guitar players. For me it was "On The Turning Away" by Pink Floyd and "The Loner" by Gary Moore.
How can you use and move your left wrist now, during guitar playing?
Posted by: Slavenko Erazer Feb 13 2013, 09:59 AM
Yes, we are both from Hungary, so we know about the name swapping. I've decided long ago to use my last name as my "international" first name, so I like it! Is it Juhász , Jon ?
Thanks for adding Metal to the poll
In fact the thing that made me pick up guitar, was that impression that i could produce demonic sounds while playing power chords (on just one string) with TONS of Gain which could take me to another dimension
Posted by: TeoWulf Feb 13 2013, 12:10 PM
Thanks for adding Metal to the poll
In fact the thing that made me pick up guitar, was that impression that i could produce demonic sounds while playing power chords (on just one string) with TONS of Gain which could take me to another dimension
His real name is Jónás Tamás.
If you really want, you can translate it to Tom Jones, but that could lead to some serious misunderstanding
Posted by: Jonas Tamas Feb 13 2013, 01:56 PM
If you really want, you can translate it to Tom Jones, but that could lead to some serious misunderstanding
Yes, in Hungarian there are some magical characters like "ó" and "á", but on international fields I don't use them, and replace these with "o" and "a":)
Posted by: Slavenko Erazer Feb 13 2013, 02:30 PM
Yes, offcourse, u can't find such on every keyboard.
Btw. with such first name u can be motivated for playing drums too
Posted by: Jonas Tamas Feb 13 2013, 02:35 PM
Thanks for adding Metal to the poll
In fact the thing that made me pick up guitar, was that impression that i could produce demonic sounds while playing power chords (on just one string) with TONS of Gain which could take me to another dimension
Wow, I'm glad you know Hungarian names, Slavenko! Juhász is a frequent name here in my country.
Oh yes, metal riffage can bring us to another dimensions, I totally agree!! It seems that we played some riffs for 5 minutes and then we check the time and one hour and a half has gone!
Btw. with such first name u can be motivated for playing drums too
Exactly
And in fact, I do love playing drums!
Posted by: Slavenko Erazer Feb 13 2013, 02:45 PM
Oh yes, metal riffage can bring us to another dimensions, I totally agree!! It seems that we played some riffs for 5 minutes and then we check the time and one hour and a half has gone!
Exactly
And in fact, I do love playing drums!Offcourse i know Hungarian names, i lived near Hungarian border for 5 years, where 1/2 of citizens are Hungarians. I also know a few other things to say in Hungarian except names, don't ask me which ones
I also like Hungarian metal bands - Pokolgep
Posted by: Jonas Tamas Feb 13 2013, 03:03 PM
I also like Hungarian metal bands - Pokolgep
I can guess those words:))Yes, Pokolgep are a great metal band, I actually happen to know one of their guitar players!
Posted by: Slavenko Erazer Feb 13 2013, 09:04 PM
I can guess those words:))Yes, Pokolgep are a great metal band, I actually happen to know one of their guitar players!
Yeah, i kinda dig them , not because of their music, but because of their persistance on the scene..u kinda had to have balls to play metal in such time, and in such politic's regime , and they were the first, among with Moby dick...The simmilar situation was here in Serbia,while communism was the boss.
Posted by: superize Feb 13 2013, 09:41 PM
For me it was learning my favorite songs and post them on youtube. I reached that goal a long time ago. Now i want to become a better guitarist so that if i one day decides to try and become a professional muscisian i have the tools to succed
Posted by: Jonas Tamas Feb 13 2013, 10:40 PM
Do you happen to know the band called "Lord"? They are a hard rock/metal band from south of Hungary, and they are active since the seventies.
What is the biggest old-school metal band in your country?
Congrats for reaching your YouTube posting goal, I know how good the feeling can be when we reach a big goal!
Regarding your actual goal (to become a better guitarist) - it is one of the best goals, but I think it is not specific enough. Of course it can be a motivation for you in this form too, but if you set more measurable goals, with deadlines, then it sky-rockets your personal development on the instrument. For example, you could choose 5 songs, which seem too hard right now, and set a goal to learn them until August 2013. And for the creativity/songwriting part, you could set a goal, that you write, record, and mix 3 new own songs until September. These goals are like magic, trust me!
Posted by: Slavenko Erazer Feb 14 2013, 10:06 AM
What is the biggest old-school metal band in your country?
Nope, but i know Omega?
Biggest old-school metal band in my country?!? That's funny cos most of the old-metal bands of the 80's haven't survived the war in 90's...
In my city, Ujvidek, it's Annathema , cos they had a lot of breaks, but still managed to survive , and released new album in december
Posted by: Jonas Tamas Feb 14 2013, 10:23 AM
Biggest old-school metal band in my country?!? That's funny cos most of the old-metal bands of the 80's haven't survived the war in 90's...
In my city, Ujvidek, it's Annathema , cos they had a lot of breaks, but still managed to survive , and released new album in december
Thanks for showing me Annathema's music! This song has a lot of energy, cool! Btw, I love the album cover, it is a very creative idea.
Posted by: Slavenko Erazer Feb 14 2013, 01:37 PM
No problem mate, i you can find whole album uploaded on youtube !! Annathema's first album's important because it's first speed/thrash metal record from this part of the Europe!
Posted by: Vulpine Feb 14 2013, 01:51 PM
Great stuff guys Is interesting to hear peoples inspirations
My main goal was Wanting to Express myself
one of my big inspiration back then and still is today is Buckethead Loved his style He was very expressive whether Emotionally ,hyped, or strange bizzarre sounding he knew how to articulate emotion on the guitar it was so unique before I even picked up a guitar I was inspired I'd Imagine This character on stage (Me lol in my head) playing solo's expressive the way he plays nottingham lace or padmasana lol and its been fun learning the guitar and still is fun to play and I never regret buying a guitar I enjoyed everyminute of it . I've been playing guitar for going on 3 years now and although im still learning its been a fun ride
= ) so thats mine in a nutshell
Posted by: Jonas Tamas Feb 14 2013, 11:02 PM
My main goal was Wanting to Express myself
one of my big inspiration back then and still is today is Buckethead Loved his style He was very expressive whether Emotionally ,hyped, or strange bizzarre sounding he knew how to articulate emotion on the guitar it was so unique before I even picked up a guitar I was inspired I'd Imagine This character on stage (Me lol in my head) playing solo's expressive the way he plays nottingham lace or padmasana lol and its been fun learning the guitar and still is fun to play and I never regret buying a guitar I enjoyed everyminute of it . I've been playing guitar for going on 3 years now and although im still learning its been a fun ride
= ) so thats mine in a nutshell
Buckethead has a great charisma, and he also has a unique playing style. He is one of a kind, for sure!
Your song "The Cry Of Loneliness" shows that already after 3 years of playing, you are able to express yourself very well with your guitar!
Posted by: Vulpine Feb 15 2013, 05:22 AM
Your song "The Cry Of Loneliness" shows that already after 3 years of playing, you are able to express yourself very well with your guitar!
Heh Thanks I had my doupts in the beginning ... picking up a guitar at 19 years old but am glad I kept playing... I appreciate the compliment ... I listened to your Riff /solo in the practice thread ... ur solo was "face melting" vibe, killer tone and ur playing sounded almost effortless
Posted by: Jonas Tamas Feb 15 2013, 02:25 PM
I know some great players who have started around 20, so it is definitely not a problem. Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits is a famous example for this 'late' beginning.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked the riff and the solo! I've posted 2 new ones, check them out if you have some time:
Creating riffs with all the 12 tones - http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=47910
A mixolydian riff - http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=47900
Both exercises come with downloadable mp3 and TAB.
Posted by: thefireball Feb 15 2013, 03:00 PM
Have you already fulfilled this dream of yours?
Yes sir. Though I never did perfect the song, I made several versions throughout the years and my most recent one is this.
haha, I remember using that song in a competition here at GMC. Crappy playing, but surprisingly I won. It was an http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=38366, not about the performance. What you see is really me when I get hyper and feel like going crazy.
Since all of this, my YouTube channel has no longer been my main outlet. I am working on forming a band called Analyzed Within. I am composing a Progressive Metal EP. My cousin is doing most of the writing for his vocal talent. So now I have the artist channel, facebook, and twitter.
Brandon
Posted by: Vulpine Feb 15 2013, 03:58 PM
Great stuff you got there .... Cannon Rock is always a treasure and im sure is very fun to play
btw Is that an RG 350dx ibanez I see .... I just brought that guitar well the Rg351dx (same thing with out the tremelo) you havent by any chance did a rg 350dx demo have you ?
Posted by: Jonas Tamas Feb 18 2013, 03:40 PM
haha, I remember using that song in a competition here at GMC. Crappy playing, but surprisingly I won. It was an http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=38366, not about the performance. What you see is really me when I get hyper and feel like going crazy.
Since all of this, my YouTube channel has no longer been my main outlet. I am working on forming a band called Analyzed Within. I am composing a Progressive Metal EP. My cousin is doing most of the writing for his vocal talent. So now I have the artist channel, facebook, and twitter.
Hi Brandon, your 2011 version of Canon Rock is very good, a big thumbs up!
All the best for your new EP! Have you already started the recording sessions?
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