Tulsa_S-13 wrote:The key is practice, practice, practice, practice, practice.When I first started I used to practice for hours a day. HOURS!
Tulsa_S-13 wrote:The key is practice, practice, practice, practice, practice.When I first started I used to practice for hours a day. HOURS!
Tulsa_S-13 wrote:The key is practice, practice, practice, practice, practice.When I first started I used to practice for hours a day. HOURS!
Sorry to take that a little overboard, but if there is any one secret to becoming a decent guitarist, its PRACTICE. I have never had a formal guitar lesson, all I have been taught is the occasional tip from another guitarist and what I have taught myself through research and experimenting. The best thing you can do is play and play. After that, guess what!...play more. Once you start to get a feel for the fretboard things will start to get easier. The ONLY way you will get good is if you play!
- Try just playing single notes at first. Make sure each note rings out fine (i.e. is not muffled). Try playing a simple 3 note riff slowly, (i.e. 1-3-4 on low E, or just make one up) Again, make sure each note rings fine and make sure you are your pluck is on time with you pressing the fret. Just start it slowly and you will eventually be able to speed up AFTER you can easily replicate a smooth and accurate sound (accurate meaning your timing with both hands)
- Then try playing power chords. Power chords are the easiest chords to play. Put your index finger on any fret, and your ring finger on the next string down, 2 frets ahead of that (i.e. 5 on low E and 7 on A) and strum both strings in one swoop. It creates a thicker sound than just playing one note. Try moving the power chord up and down the neck, and switching it up with some individually picked notes.
I wish I had another person here to operate a camera so I could show you what im talking about lol. It would be a lot easier to show you.
As for tips...- NEVER try to rush yourself. Only play as fast as your ability will let you. Who cares if you can play fast if you're picking too early or late and the notes are inconsistent. Once you can play a section cleanly and accurately, consistently, then move up the tempo if you wish.
- DONT FORGET YOUR PINKY! You have 5 fingers for a reason...so you can use 4 to play guitar! (you can even use your thumb too, but im not going to get into that) I see a lot of guys avoid using their pinky like its the plague...all because thats just how they got used to playing. There is a lot of speed and dexterity to be gained if you develop your pinky...just because its your weakest finger now doesnt mean you cant make it stronger.
- Get used to alternate picking now, so you dont have to later. Every note, no matter which string or fret it is, should be picked in an alternating up-down-up motion. Even if you just downpicked and you have to skip down 3 strings. I dont care. You're up picking that next note. You will thank me later.
I know I will think of more later, and I will update. Its practice time now.