improvement in playing SOS

blahblah · 02-17-2005, 10:54 AM

ok basically i've heard almost everybody say "practice hard" to improve your playing, but the problem for yours truly is: what exactly do u mean by practice hard? i'm really confused when people say this, i've been basically stuck with practising the usual like chromatics and stuff like that but it dosen't really help a lot. my fingers still arent very strong and nimble so i'd like some experienced advice on what exactly to work on in order for noobs like me to improve in guitar playing. i know there's like probably tons of tips and advice out there but its really confusing to judge which one really works and such so i'm really looking for proven playing improvement methods.

P.J. · 02-17-2005, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blahblah

ok basically i've heard almost everybody say "practice hard" to improve your playing, but the problem for yours truly is: what exactly do u mean by practice hard? i'm really confused when people say this, i've been basically stuck with practising the usual like chromatics and stuff like that but it dosen't really help a lot. my fingers still arent very strong and nimble so i'd like some experienced advice on what exactly to work on in order for noobs like me to improve in guitar playing. i know there's like probably tons of tips and advice out there but its really confusing to judge which one really works and such so i'm really looking for proven playing improvement methods.

Practice hard means to me, practice for longer than say a half hour. Put your back into it and don't whimp out on not doing the work. Set a goal of say 1 hour every other day when you will play guitar for that whole hour. Play what you say? Play to your favorite CD - or MP3s. Play right along with AC/DC and do all the leads too. What ever band you like, jam along with them. Playing scales all day can get boring to anyone. You must make it fun!

The best way to practice in my mind is to jam with a band, or jam with some friends - or even just one other person. They can motovate you in ways being by yourself can't.

Buying a new piece of equipment can make you wanna play more. Like a new effects box, stomp box or the like. If you have some money - buy a cheap but good mixer and setup a good jam with it. The GNX effects processors all have a "Jam a Long" input where you can jam along with MP3s and CDs - it's fun.

I know when I got my Tascam 4 tracker - I must have jammed on it for a week straight - morning noon and night.

The main thing is, if your practice sessions are fun - you'll be more excited to do them. And don't make things so strict on yourself.

nandk · 02-18-2005, 08:58 AM

PJ makes some great points about having fun with new fx, that definatly has inspired my creativity in the past. I would like to add that all people have different learning curves, I have a friend who was kickin a$$ on guitar in a year with only books and the time he put in to practicing within that year, I however take any lesson I can and buy all the books and vids, I have been doing this for many many years and am happy with the results, athough not near finshed learning! my point is.... if there is a scale or lick that you cant play the way a pro plays it, dont give up, it will happen for you. spend 10-20 on it then practice a bunch of other things you want to master, like the modes and arpeggios ect.. This works for me and I hope it helps you... everyday, the structures that I have on my practice list become easier and soon get replaced with new challanging licks. The size of your practice list can depend on your learning curve and the time you have to play. OOhhh Yeah, and by the time I am done with my lesson plans I am warmed up enough to play all the past stuff I haved learned and I write songs or just jam a little longer.

P.J. · 02-18-2005, 03:04 PM

PJ makes some great points about having fun with new fx, that definatly has inspired my creativity in the past.

Thanks! It's true isin't it. . . .

I would like to add that all people have different learning curves, I have a friend who was kickin a$$ on guitar in a year with only books and the time he put in to practicing within that year, I however take any lesson I can and buy all the books and vids, I have been doing this for many many years and am happy with the results, athough not near finshed learning! my point is....

if there is a scale or lick that you cant play the way a pro plays it, dont give up, it will happen for you.

I have even figured out chords without my guitar in hand - by just thinking about whats going on in the song first. That damn G/D chord in Page's "Emerald Eyes" hung me up for a day or two wondering what chord that was. But NanDK is right, you'll get it one way or another..

spend 10-20 on it then practice a bunch of other things you want to master, like the modes and arpeggios ect.. This works for me and I hope it helps you... everyday, the structures that I have on my practice list become easier and soon get replaced with new challanging licks. The size of your practice list can depend on your learning curve and the time you have to play. OOhhh Yeah, and by the time I am done with my lesson plans I am warmed up enough to play all the past stuff I haved learned and I write songs or just jam a little longer.

**buckkillr8** · 02-18-2005, 05:43 PM

You should get yourself a little timer, like a kitchen timer. That way if you set it for 45 minutes you know to keep playing and practicing until that timer goes off! Helps me out!

**Freeze** · 02-18-2005, 10:46 PM

BlahBlah,

What's been working for me is following a structured practice. By that i mean pick a program from the 1000's out there that seems interesting to you, and follow it to completion. Then move on to the next one.
I've been using Troy Stetina's Learning Methods, and like it a lot. He devides the learning in jams. You practice the exercices you'll need to play a song, and when you got them down, you get to jam with the band (cd of course). Then you move on to the next set of exercises, and move on to jam #2, and so on.
I've noticed 100% improvement on my playing.
You can check it out here: http://www.stetina.com/lessons.html
I chose the Metal pack, and i'm having a blast with it.
Good luck.

I agree with PJ,