need some direction

[bigdaddy496]

i really really want to play some serious guitar. i suck. all i know is rhythm power chords, two finger stylee. but any chump with power chords and a distortion pedal can sound half decent. i was watching a video of some british dood on youtube explaining pinch harmonics and i couldnt do crap at all. i couldnt even do regular harmonics.


my point is i wanna be good, but i need some direction. i cant do leads. at all.


what can i do to get started building a solid foundation and getting better and better?

what lessons, what videos, what?

help a brother out

[VictorLazarus]

If you like metal I'd suggest learning Metallica's Master of Puppets - its a great song to learn all kinds of things needed for metal like speed picking.

But yeah, I'd probably suggest learning some covers (you can find tabs at ultimate-guitar.com) cos the more u play the more u can pick up and apply to your own music. Also playing a song you like helps motivate you.

MVL.

[BlackCat]

Oh so much to look at.

Scales, modes, picking techniques, speed and accuracy exercises, music theory. They all help a lot.

Or, you can just "force" it by ear.

[harleymike55]

Try stepping out side your own box.I like the blues, but to get the juices flowing when I stall out,I'll go to YOU TUBE or a guitar tab site and learn something like ZAKK WYLDE,or go to other end spectrum to JAMES TAYLOR.Try not to get stuck on one style.ROCK ON!

[lp_junkie]

work on being a great rhythm player, I played rhythm guitar for 15 years before I started on lead work I have to say even as the lead guitar player in all the bands I have been in since the early 90's I still play rhythm parts 90% of the time.

To get better start jamming with all different styles and learn to keep good time and get smooth on your chord changes, then learn your scales and modes. It will just develop if you don't force it.

[Jeryk17]

What got me over that gap from rhythm to lead was learning other people's songs. I would start out learning a Green Day song, then take it a tiny step higher with something that has mostly power chords, but also one other thing I hadn't learned yet, like an arpeggio or a really simple solo (Nirvana's "Heart-Shaped Box" was on my head as I typed that).

Just don't get ahead of yourself. Don't expect to pick up on anything quickly. For the most part, guitar playing is something that takes a long time to learn, but once you learn it, you'll be shocked at how easy and natural it all becomes.

Also, have a hard song in the back of your head, and try to play it every now and then (for me, this was Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train"). As you learn more, you'll notice the hard song becoming easier and easier, and this should give you the motivation to keep playing until you have everything down.

And as Harley Mike side, don't be afraid to experiment with other genres. It's an excellent way to be a well-rounded guitarist.

And the most important thing -- just keep playing. Guitar is one of those things that if you don't practice regularly, it'll come back and slap you in the face for it later.

Hope that helped. I hope all goes well with your efforts.

[st.bede]

get a good guitar teacher....at least for a few lessons...h/she should be able to take a look at your technique and give you some input...also ther are some basics of music that I belive everyone should learn from the begaining...IMHO solfegio is one of those basics

and as always the more regular time spent praticing and playing the better you will become sooner....

I think to become really good, a person has to at one point really live music...proably not emotinally or spirtualy healthy but, that type of obssision really pays of....if that is your road you will go throw it when you are ready...at least that is what I think...

[JasonC]

Hey BD, I'm in somewhat of a rut myself after spending the last couple of years barely playing at all.

I see you have a lot of effects gear... I'd recommend working more on playing without all that stuff. Especially when you're working on improving your technique/speed/etc. Incorporate that attitude into your playing in general... try to do more with less. Don't worry about trying to memorize scales and shit as fast as you can, work with the less is more principle there as well. Your music is going to be a lot more interesting, and you'll have to be more creative if you know less... if you dig what I'm saying.

If you're feeling like you're not getting anywhere, try to learn a song you like. Anything really, don't worry if it's not complex or anything.. you'll learn shit from every new thing you try. Just have fun with it and let it come to you, if you force it you could end up like one of those robotronic elitist players, just playing scales/modes as fast as humanly possible... and I'm assuming you don't think that's what music should be about!

[brianbzed]

If it's an option, try playing with guys who are a little bit better than you. I learned a TON watching and playing with more experienced players. Hope that helps!