Giving Up... |
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Giving Up... |
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Nov 18 2013, 12:38 AM |
I can empathize for you man. I am the same way. I think I came to the realization myself that I will never be the speed or improvisation guitarist I hoped to be when I started many, many years ago. As far as theory goes, I think there may need to be a healthy dose of left brain analytics involved, but I don't think the left side of my brain works.
Anyway, so yes, there is frustration for me in that regard, but, I also realized that you don't have to be a shredder to write good songs. So, I enjoy writing tunes and learning the desktop recording software (Logic and various plug-ins). Writing a new song makes me feel driven. Unfortunately this past year I have had sever problems with my neck and shoulder, just had a spinal fusion on 3 vertebra in my neck and looking at one more surgery in December - so my guitar playing the past few months has been very little, but that is okay, because playing guitar is a hobby. It sounds like it is simply a hobby for you as well, so, there is no deadline to have a new lick down. And, you will continue to get better, even though you are at a wall right now - those chops come with repetition; play something over and over for days and then don't play it for a week, when you come back to it, I bet your fingers will much more naturally go to the right place. I know that works for me. If I think about what I am doing, I will screw it up - it comes down to finger memorization. I think about where to slide my index finger on the neck, but if I think about the individual notes, I'll screw it up, over-thinking it. Anyway, cheer up man, it will come, and there's no hurry to get there. Also, writing music may surprise you, you may find it very rewarding to show your friends melodies you came up with. This is the latest one I am writing, still in the early phase, and I don't think I'm even going to put a solo in it, there is no place to put a solo to be honest. It's sloppy, because this is the first recording I did of it, and I was writing the parts at the same time - but I am much smoother with it now. https://soundcloud.com/lllspocklll/in-the-worx This post has been edited by Spock: Nov 18 2013, 12:49 AM |
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Nov 18 2013, 07:40 AM |
A little bit of encouragement for you which is I'm going to guess your technique and speed is far better than mine and I've been playing for 31 years.
That said I know my music theory pretty well, ear training is good (I can usually accompany a pop/rocksong I've never heard before by guessing where the melody is going etc), I can create my own parts for songs. I've played in front of people either solo or in a band since I was 12. You say you aren't interested in doing anything else but playing covers but... You also seem to have reached a point where working towards this isn't giving you satisfaction. I think broadening your horizons and becoming a musician rather than just being able to copy note for note what another guitarist has written (and don't get me wrong, I'm not belittling your skills and abilities saying that, as it sounds like they far out weigh mine in these aspects) might give you some unexpected enjoyment, motivation, some enlightenment and will help you with your technique indirectly. Oh yes and the big piece of advice, Join a band! -------------------- My SoundCloud
Gear Tyler Burning Water 2K Burny RLG90 with BK Emeralds Fender US Tele with BK Piledrivers Epiphone 335 with Suhr Thornbuckers PRS SE Custom 24-08 Ax8 Fessenden SD10 PSG Quilter TT15 |
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Nov 20 2013, 12:40 PM |
Hey mate I think that everyone posting here, has added a bit of their strength and experience to yours - you should read carefully and think well. I for one will continue on Todd's trail and ask you if you would like to work with me, in respect to overcoming the obstacles in an organized way Check this out and let me know what you think -> https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_fo...t=0&start=0
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Nov 20 2013, 07:42 PM |
I don't see how quitting doing what you like will be satisfying.
Are you playing in a band? I find that playing in a band replaces the need to be a super hero guitar player. You know, tons of people love all sorts of easy-progression songs - you don't have to be Yngvie to have fun on stage and entertain people. In fact, there is a direct correlation between speed / technical ability, and number of people who actually want to hear you play. People are into the lyrical/easy to understand progressions. The technical/Speed playing audience are primarily other artists. The Grunge movement is a case in point. No guitarists go to see them because of technical ability. They go because of the overall sound. As for theory - I've said this in previous threads, and still entertain it as my view. Theory is good for noting what happene, and a reason to explore sounds I otherwise would never have ever dreampt up myself. It is also good for studio musicians who are handed a song sheet to play, especially if they have never heard the song before. It's a nerd activity, dedicated to the studious, and intended as a language and theoretical white board to settle one's curiosity of why some progression works. Most of what you hear and come to love on the radio is a result of mood added to basic chord progressions and soulful playing. It is no the product of theory - it is the product of practice. What really should happen is you hear a chord progression, and let your passion take your fingers to the notes you want to hear, and how you want to hear them. That is the purpose of practicing - teaching your fingers, through experience, trial and error, to reach the notes you want to hear, when and how you want to hear them. To ward off people I may have disgruntled in saying this, my disclaimer is that theory is good to study because it introduces you to new sounds and artists you may never have actually ever heard before, and in so doing, open you up to new ideas / sounds. It is also good for conveying your compositions to others, if they can't hear it, or if your transposing a piece, or explaining what is going to someone on another instrument. But I venture to say an artist is not using theory to play a soulful solo. By the time the artist hits the stage or recording studio, the piece is written and practiced, and muscle memory is the primary driver. It's like learning to speak. As you grow, the less you pay attention to how you speak. Your vocal chords do what they do as you think what you think. You want your fingers to be like your vocal chords - you think a sound, your fingers create the sound. Don't give up. Just take it less seriously and practice. Forget where you think you should be regardless of how many years you have been playing. That's a self defeater, because everyone wants to be better than they are, regardless of where they are. Keep on keepin on! Chris This post has been edited by SirJamsalot: Nov 20 2013, 07:45 PM -------------------- The more I practice, the more I wish I had time to practice!
My Band Forum: http://passionfly.site/chat |
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Nov 21 2013, 09:08 AM |
So, glad you wrote in the practice schedule thread mate! Yer plan for the next week is ready and waiting for ya! Go check it out!
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_fo...st&p=666253 |
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Nov 21 2013, 12:45 PM |
Great advice in this thread
I just want to add that your latest REC take was really inspiring. Well played, and it's not me saying this, it's our instructors. Maybe you should not think in terms of "lesson level", GMC lessons can sometimes be hard even at level 3, because they deal with different techniques that might be easy for some, and hard for others. Your work on that latest take was nice to hear, enjoy your playing, and it shall "increase speed" with time. Again, sometimes most beautiful sounds are slow. -------------------- Guitars:
Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster, Ibanez RG2570MZ, Epiphone SG G-400 Amp: Vox AC4TVH head + V112TV cab Effects: Vox Satchurator, Vox Time Machine, Dunlop CryBaby, Boss MT-2, Boss CE-5, Boss TU-2, Boss ME-70 Recording: Line-6 POD X3 + FBV-Express, Pandora PX5D GMC wants YOU to take part in our Guitar-Wikipedia! Have a good time reading great articles and writing your own with us in our GUITAR WIKI! Share your playing and get Pro-advice from our Instructors: Join REC |
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