Musicians

Last edited Wed Mar 20, 2013, 10:44 AM - Edit history (3)

with trying to learn it all at once. First try and enjoy it and learn some songs, then learn the important stuff/scales and such that relate to the type of genre you like to play.

For example, "blues" is the easiest to play when it comes to soloing so instead of focusing on your major scale focus on your blues scale. Folk/Bluegrass/old fiddle tunes likes to add in the blues scale also but you see the major scale pop up a lot also. Jazz or Gypsy Jazz is all over the place with 7th's, and to me can play about any notes over that. So what type of genre are you into? Practice that fo rnow and learn your chords, once you get your head wrapped around that genre. learn scales that compliment it then you can easily learn new stuff once you get the basics and understanding of theory.

Also if you are gonna be a lead guitar player really concentrate on that right hand (picking hand) and how you hold the pick and if you are gonna play with an open hand with a planted pinky or with closed hand. Going back and learning the proper technique with the picking hand is tough once you get into bad habits.

Recording yourself:

Free software on line is "Audacity"..search it and download it, You will need a set of headphones (decent set $100 used) and you can simply set up your tempo for the beat (generate a click track), toss on your headphones, hit record and play your rhythm over and over. You can then select an option to record another track with this track, so you have your rhythm track so you select to add another track while playing this track through your headphones and you can record your lead over it. If you do not have a decent USB mic then you can get a Blue Yeti Pro ($175.00) or the Audi -Technica AT2020 ($130.00) and these are just about good enough to do recordings on a studio level.

I used to play Rock/Blues then got really bored with it, even the shredding guys are not making much music. Now my style leans more towards "Hippie Grass" and old fiddle tunes. Give me Grateful Dead, Byrds, and anything Tony Rice and I am as happy as a pig in shit! I love flat picking at 240 bpm.

Also if you check out "tabledit"- http://www.tabledit.com/tefview/index.shtml This is a great way to learn to play lead...it's basically tab that you can play, hear, and slow down, speed up, highlight sections and there is a free basic version that will really help you.


EDIT:

I wanted to mention that when you play for a few years you will build up some pretty tough finger tips. Sometimes in the winter months I can get out of bed, grab my guitar at 8:00 in the morning and not quit til maybe 12:00 at night or later. I hate taking a 5-7 days without playing the guitar as I know that my fingers tips will soften up and it takes a good week to get them back to being as hard as rocks! For the most part I can play without ever experiencing any pain for 8-10 hrs although my hand does like to fall asleep from time to time, but i just shale it out and drive on.

Here is the style of music I like/play, its gets pretty good so listen to the entire song/the guitar work.