Track Rat
Just Your Average Sized Member
The neutron finger dance? LMFAO. Oh baby, that's funny!
Fmmahoganyrush
Pleads the 5th...
I PLAY, THEREFORE I AM!
Queue
Active member
I still think I win on the "no talent in the guitar arena"....
I suck so bad, I don't even have all the strings on the guitar!!!
How Queue gets by...
I do have a 4-string Bass with all 4 strings on it, though...
Sucking is ok, as long as you know it.
Slack, I've forgotten how to play my own songs, too. That's a classic example.
The best part is I'm having a ball.
Mebbe someday I'll learn to play right.........
6 strings and all, all the chords, scales, techniques, I'll even re-learn how to sight read...
NAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Queue
I suck so bad, I don't even have all the strings on the guitar!!!
How Queue gets by...
I do have a 4-string Bass with all 4 strings on it, though...
Sucking is ok, as long as you know it.
Slack, I've forgotten how to play my own songs, too. That's a classic example.
The best part is I'm having a ball.
Mebbe someday I'll learn to play right.........
6 strings and all, all the chords, scales, techniques, I'll even re-learn how to sight read...
NAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Queue
jimistone
long standing member
The hardest thing for me is fingerpicking a soft acoustical tune.
I know what y'all mean about some people getting it alot quicker than others. Alot of that comes from the genes. Im from a musical family....everyone in my family can either play the hell out of an instrument or sing very well. I have a friend that picked guitar up faster than anyone i've ever seem...in about a year he got good. Can do chordal fingerpicking pieces that blows my mind. He can play the ENTIRE "allman bros at fillmore east" album....note for note...dicky's part and duanes part! Can play the damn piano ride from the allman bros song "jessica" ON GUITAR! (that is really amazing to watch). He got bored with guitar and taught himself to play fiddle in less than a year, and then banjo is about 3 months (mastering it...not just getting by). Taught himself to play piano in less than a year...now he plays classical piano by ear.
He was offered a job by one of the casinos here as musical directer...i think he turned it down. People like that REALLY piss me off! hahaha
I know what y'all mean about some people getting it alot quicker than others. Alot of that comes from the genes. Im from a musical family....everyone in my family can either play the hell out of an instrument or sing very well. I have a friend that picked guitar up faster than anyone i've ever seem...in about a year he got good. Can do chordal fingerpicking pieces that blows my mind. He can play the ENTIRE "allman bros at fillmore east" album....note for note...dicky's part and duanes part! Can play the damn piano ride from the allman bros song "jessica" ON GUITAR! (that is really amazing to watch). He got bored with guitar and taught himself to play fiddle in less than a year, and then banjo is about 3 months (mastering it...not just getting by). Taught himself to play piano in less than a year...now he plays classical piano by ear.
He was offered a job by one of the casinos here as musical directer...i think he turned it down. People like that REALLY piss me off! hahaha
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
I'm just your basic, no frills, self taught, fly by the seat of your pants musician.
By standards of true greatness, as compared to serious pro talent or music legends, I'm a music hack.
By my own standards, and by the standards of garage rock and home recording, I'm average-to-good, but not great. No matter what instrument I play, there's at least 10 guys out there who can shred me, but that does not discourage me, I practice every day.
I know virtually no theory, but I can play by ear, and am pretty versed in chords and changes, on piano & guitar. Bass I can play, if I'm staying with the guitar riff, nothing fancy, and I'm okay playing basic drums. In fact, as with my latest recordings, I labored most over drums.
While I basically view my playing as average, on the other hand, I'm able to throw more or less average parts together on tape, and still come up with something thats 'pretty darn good', if I do say so myself.
Many people on this thread have heard my cds, and may agree or disagree with me, as to how good I am, or not. On these cds, for many of the productions, I played all the parts. On many other of the recordings, I played guitar & vocals only, live-in-studio. The recordings included cover almost 20 years of home recording, and of course, my most recent and newer recordings are better, as compared to the older ones.
Anyway, in one line: I think my playing is good, not great, but still delivers in entertainment value, what it lacks in technical proficiency, and practice is important to me, in fact, I'm practicing now, as I compose this memo.
-3rd edition cds to ship, very soon.
By standards of true greatness, as compared to serious pro talent or music legends, I'm a music hack.
By my own standards, and by the standards of garage rock and home recording, I'm average-to-good, but not great. No matter what instrument I play, there's at least 10 guys out there who can shred me, but that does not discourage me, I practice every day.
I know virtually no theory, but I can play by ear, and am pretty versed in chords and changes, on piano & guitar. Bass I can play, if I'm staying with the guitar riff, nothing fancy, and I'm okay playing basic drums. In fact, as with my latest recordings, I labored most over drums.
While I basically view my playing as average, on the other hand, I'm able to throw more or less average parts together on tape, and still come up with something thats 'pretty darn good', if I do say so myself.
Many people on this thread have heard my cds, and may agree or disagree with me, as to how good I am, or not. On these cds, for many of the productions, I played all the parts. On many other of the recordings, I played guitar & vocals only, live-in-studio. The recordings included cover almost 20 years of home recording, and of course, my most recent and newer recordings are better, as compared to the older ones.
Anyway, in one line: I think my playing is good, not great, but still delivers in entertainment value, what it lacks in technical proficiency, and practice is important to me, in fact, I'm practicing now, as I compose this memo.
-3rd edition cds to ship, very soon.
Khompewtur
*Retired*
screw shredding...
If you had a choice between the Yngwie catalog and the Iommi catalog what would you take?
Btw, Iommi cut off the tips of one of his fingers and had to make do with the rest. He still managed to sound awesome.
I totally agree about the musicality coming first before the technique. I met shredders in college who will never finish a song of their own.
If you had a choice between the Yngwie catalog and the Iommi catalog what would you take?
Btw, Iommi cut off the tips of one of his fingers and had to make do with the rest. He still managed to sound awesome.
I totally agree about the musicality coming first before the technique. I met shredders in college who will never finish a song of their own.
A
amiableOne
New member
My dog howls when I play.
Unplugged.
My girlfriend left when I played.
Plugged.
My best friend isn't no more due to my playing.
I love guitar!
Unplugged.
My girlfriend left when I played.
Plugged.
My best friend isn't no more due to my playing.
I love guitar!
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
We had an old saying, in my old band:
-They don't pay us to play, they pay us to stop.
========
When we'd practice, we'd blast, and many times had cops at the door, telling us to knock it off. You just don't do that, over and over, without being dedicated. It was almost like the Black Flag story, all over again!
-They don't pay us to play, they pay us to stop.
========
When we'd practice, we'd blast, and many times had cops at the door, telling us to knock it off. You just don't do that, over and over, without being dedicated. It was almost like the Black Flag story, all over again!
Track Rat
Just Your Average Sized Member
Once I was at a band practice doing covers (about 25 years ago) and the cops came. It seems they sat out in front of the house for about 20 minutes listening before they came to the door. A young cop (about 25) says man, I like Jethro Tull as much as the next guy but you guys gotta turn down a little. A fan in blue.
A
axehead
New member
When it comes to guitar techniques, I'm a jack of all trades, but a master of none! I'm just starting to get out of my rut though by actually practicsing properly when i sit down instead of just noodling around!
G
gritzy
New member
I have this model in my head for how good I am...it's like this graph that has two general upward trends of skill over time on it. One is my actual skill and the other is my preceived skill. My actual skill has a smooth upward slope as I practice and learn and play with people, etc...ya know develop my ability, knowledge (both learned and intuitive), and overall experience.
And my preceived skill level oscillates around this slope, jumping up above it when I feel confident or get some positive feedback and dropping below it when I am playing like shit or watching Nick Schnebelen from K-Floor, feeling like maybe I shouldn't bother.
I guess it always comes back to rhythm for me...you are only as good as the rhythm you have. Like a band is only as good as their drummer.
I guess it's that weird balance between what you say and how you say it (the former kind of relating to melody and the latter to rhythm), as it goes with most forms of communication.
And my preceived skill level oscillates around this slope, jumping up above it when I feel confident or get some positive feedback and dropping below it when I am playing like shit or watching Nick Schnebelen from K-Floor, feeling like maybe I shouldn't bother.
I guess it always comes back to rhythm for me...you are only as good as the rhythm you have. Like a band is only as good as their drummer.
I guess it's that weird balance between what you say and how you say it (the former kind of relating to melody and the latter to rhythm), as it goes with most forms of communication.
DaveO
New member
axehead said:
I'm more a jack of some trades, master of none.
I all but stopped playing for about 10 years and finally started getting back into it again about 2 years ago. When I do get to practice or play regularly I do OK, but a general lack of time always sends me back a few steps. It's kind of frustrating that when I had the time years ago I lost interest and now that I have a real interest again I don't have the time.
I tried pissing and moaning about it for a while but that didn't help at all. I became much happier when I decided to simply put into it whatever I can and enjoy whatever I can get out of it. It's kind of funny but as I was getting into my funk I watched my son do the same thing. He asked to stop his piano lessons and rather than force him at this age (he'll be five in April) we let him make the choice. When I finally lightened up and started enjoying it again he asked to start again because he missed it. Now he's enjoying it and doing very well. He even practices all on his own, which is something he didn't do before. I hope we both can keep it up.
tvaillan
New member
hey i'm sort of a wannabe satriani, petrucci, gilbert. They've done marvels for the hard rock and progressive scene. By being a wannabe, i simply want my technique to have flavor .. that's all.
The pinky is in the mix!
However, for the longest time my scale runs usually involved only 3 consecutive notes on the same string. I've only recently adopted the 4 note per string speed picking and scale run techniques so I kind of blow in that respect.
My acoustic fingerstyle technique leaves much to be desired .. i have little problem with chords however. the arpegioes are ok.
I'm actually comfortable with my playing and am contiunally discovering my own style... and as such don't claim to be better than the next guy. I just hope to musically offer something that's all my own.
I've only been practicing about 5 hours a week however and need to increase that to at least 10 hours.
Hoping that once I purchase my bass at the local pawn shop, and practice, that my fingerstyle technique will take off.
The pinky is in the mix!
However, for the longest time my scale runs usually involved only 3 consecutive notes on the same string. I've only recently adopted the 4 note per string speed picking and scale run techniques so I kind of blow in that respect.
My acoustic fingerstyle technique leaves much to be desired .. i have little problem with chords however. the arpegioes are ok.
I'm actually comfortable with my playing and am contiunally discovering my own style... and as such don't claim to be better than the next guy. I just hope to musically offer something that's all my own.
I've only been practicing about 5 hours a week however and need to increase that to at least 10 hours.
Hoping that once I purchase my bass at the local pawn shop, and practice, that my fingerstyle technique will take off.
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
I don't concentrate on finger-picking style guitar much,...
except once in a while. I guess sometimes I can't find a pick, I am too lazy to get up & get one, or I just want to do something a little different, once in a while.
In fact, I've got limited mobility on my right hand pinky finger, from a HS football injury, so picking with the right hand, using my pinky, is out. I can move my right pinky finger fine, for most purposes, but that fully curved-in position is where my injury affects mobility. I can do it, but it hurts. -R-Pinky finger only, thank god.
-Hey, I can still type with all 10 fingers.
I practice, [mostly guitar], every chance I get, even when I'm in front of the computer.
except once in a while. I guess sometimes I can't find a pick, I am too lazy to get up & get one, or I just want to do something a little different, once in a while.
In fact, I've got limited mobility on my right hand pinky finger, from a HS football injury, so picking with the right hand, using my pinky, is out. I can move my right pinky finger fine, for most purposes, but that fully curved-in position is where my injury affects mobility. I can do it, but it hurts. -R-Pinky finger only, thank god.
-Hey, I can still type with all 10 fingers.
I practice, [mostly guitar], every chance I get, even when I'm in front of the computer.
badgas
New member
Since I don't play in a band anymore, my speed has plummeted to a slugs pace. It has taken nine months for me to achieve this manor of current playing.
My own songs are slow to medium (I'm assuming old age has something to do with this phenomina) and I seem to be in a rut.
I seem to be more interested in writing lyrics and recording than playing anymore.
I still play for hours each day, but mostly just horsing around. I just can't find the 'serious' mode anymore.
I guess I'm bored, lacking ideas from other players, knowing I don't have to work on a particular song cuz we'll be playing it this weekend, or something.
I gotta shake this feeling before I take up knitting.
Songs I've played for years with bands I now stumble on. Not that I forgot the pattern, I get finger tied, or what ever the term is.
And to top that off, I seem not to really care.
I'm ashamed to admit this. Really.
My own songs are slow to medium (I'm assuming old age has something to do with this phenomina) and I seem to be in a rut.
I seem to be more interested in writing lyrics and recording than playing anymore.
I still play for hours each day, but mostly just horsing around. I just can't find the 'serious' mode anymore.
I guess I'm bored, lacking ideas from other players, knowing I don't have to work on a particular song cuz we'll be playing it this weekend, or something.
I gotta shake this feeling before I take up knitting.
Songs I've played for years with bands I now stumble on. Not that I forgot the pattern, I get finger tied, or what ever the term is.
And to top that off, I seem not to really care.
I'm ashamed to admit this. Really.
H
Henri Devill
New member
I'm more of a songwriter's guitarist..I can fumble thru most rock/blues styles..acoustic , passable flat picker I guess..I dont really practice much anymore
..But I can get the job done if I have too..If I measure myself against one of my heros like Jeff Beck hes a 10 I'm about a 1 or a 2..LOL..
Don
..But I can get the job done if I have too..If I measure myself against one of my heros like Jeff Beck hes a 10 I'm about a 1 or a 2..LOL.. Don
R
Randall_74
New member
On bass I can play several different styles ranging from blues to punk rock. I dropped the pick about three months into learning bass when I discovered my idol, at the age of 16 (Cliff Burton), played with his fingers.
It took a while to grow accustom to this change, but this turned out to work really well for me; as an IT rep and webpage designer, it has increased my typing speed tremendously. Just kidding.
Anyway, I have always played by ear and any song I couldn't get down, I had to find the tabs for it.
The fret-hand pinky thing took a while to get down... I'm still learning scales.
My timing has it days, so to speak. I'm definitely no metronome, but if I have a solid drummer, it really brings forth my style.
At 27, I have wowed some of the new school metal and punk kids with the finger picking and fretting speed but, like someone else mentoined earlier, age is probably catching up with me. I imagine it won't be too much longer before I have to start slowing down.
As far as guitar is concerned, I sucketh royally. I can not change chords to save my life and attempts to solo make the strongest stomachs turn.
Peace,
Randall
It took a while to grow accustom to this change, but this turned out to work really well for me; as an IT rep and webpage designer, it has increased my typing speed tremendously. Just kidding.
Anyway, I have always played by ear and any song I couldn't get down, I had to find the tabs for it.
The fret-hand pinky thing took a while to get down... I'm still learning scales.
My timing has it days, so to speak. I'm definitely no metronome, but if I have a solid drummer, it really brings forth my style.
At 27, I have wowed some of the new school metal and punk kids with the finger picking and fretting speed but, like someone else mentoined earlier, age is probably catching up with me. I imagine it won't be too much longer before I have to start slowing down.
As far as guitar is concerned, I sucketh royally. I can not change chords to save my life and attempts to solo make the strongest stomachs turn.
Peace,
Randall
V
VirtualSamana
New member
Kurt Cobain pretty much sucked as a guitarist (as far as technique is concerned) but kicked ass creatively. Lennon wasn't amazing either but I'd listen to the Beatles over Eddie Van Halen any day.
I have a long ways to go before I am satisfied. I pretty much suck as well. My first year or so I saw a lot of improvement as the months progressed. Now I am seeing less and less improvement and I am having a hard time disciplining myself.
I have been playing guitar seriously for more than three years. Yet the other day I was hanging out at a friends house getting stoned when my friend pulls out this sweet archtop that a friend lent him. He asked me doe eyed to teach him something specifically a song, any song. To my astonishment, I totally fucking blanked out I couldn't think of a single song to teach him. I have played many covers on my own and know enough chords to play along with the radio but to my astonishment I couldn't pull a single song out of my head. Granted I was stoned but it still felt weird getting a brain freezing case of "performance anxiety" after three years of playing.
I am taking lessons and when I hear my guitar teacher play it depresses me a bit since he is so good. Do you guys think that some people are just borne with it? Or is it a matter of practice makes perfect?
I have a long ways to go before I am satisfied. I pretty much suck as well. My first year or so I saw a lot of improvement as the months progressed. Now I am seeing less and less improvement and I am having a hard time disciplining myself.
I have been playing guitar seriously for more than three years. Yet the other day I was hanging out at a friends house getting stoned when my friend pulls out this sweet archtop that a friend lent him. He asked me doe eyed to teach him something specifically a song, any song. To my astonishment, I totally fucking blanked out I couldn't think of a single song to teach him. I have played many covers on my own and know enough chords to play along with the radio but to my astonishment I couldn't pull a single song out of my head. Granted I was stoned but it still felt weird getting a brain freezing case of "performance anxiety" after three years of playing.
I am taking lessons and when I hear my guitar teacher play it depresses me a bit since he is so good. Do you guys think that some people are just borne with it? Or is it a matter of practice makes perfect?
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O
OrangeGangster
Banned
[Granted I was stoned but it still felt weird getting a brain freezing case of "performance anxiety" after three years of playing.
I am taking lessons and when I hear my guitar teacher play it depresses me a bit since he is so good. Do you guys think that some people are just borne with it? Or is it a matter of practice makes perfect? [/B][/QUOTE]
That´s because you are insecure about your playing,as an advice,take it or not,play regulary even if its just 30 minutes a day,slowly and with your amp turned off,(yes...,)AND REPETE in your head what you are doing with your fingers,think about all the motions needed to do so in advance before you play them with your hands...your brain,once its programmed for the techniqs,will never forget the task and then you will be at ease with itself....
as for felling depressed about the level you feel your teather are ,compared to you,think about it,he must have been there as well dont you think,what separates you from that is not "born-bound" but rather dedication and sacrifice to give work before collect,all right...?
XEERRS,I teached guitar with some serious results,any help or doubts,feel free to ask or talk about my friend...
I am taking lessons and when I hear my guitar teacher play it depresses me a bit since he is so good. Do you guys think that some people are just borne with it? Or is it a matter of practice makes perfect? [/B][/QUOTE]
That´s because you are insecure about your playing,as an advice,take it or not,play regulary even if its just 30 minutes a day,slowly and with your amp turned off,(yes...,)AND REPETE in your head what you are doing with your fingers,think about all the motions needed to do so in advance before you play them with your hands...your brain,once its programmed for the techniqs,will never forget the task and then you will be at ease with itself....
as for felling depressed about the level you feel your teather are ,compared to you,think about it,he must have been there as well dont you think,what separates you from that is not "born-bound" but rather dedication and sacrifice to give work before collect,all right...?
XEERRS,I teached guitar with some serious results,any help or doubts,feel free to ask or talk about my friend...
A Reel Person
It's Too Funky in Here!!!
I think you're born with inherent unique talents,...
and learn the rest. I think it's a bit of both, for most of us, average people.
I think the truly great, extraordinary talents out there, were born with it.
and learn the rest. I think it's a bit of both, for most of us, average people.
I think the truly great, extraordinary talents out there, were born with it.