[themick]

I'm always looking for things to help push me to the next level as a guitarist, and was wondering what you have found helpful?

Lately I've been watching YouTube videos and trying to get pieces here and there to add to the mix.

[beep.click]

Right songs. Then record and arrange them.

Lather; rinse; repeat. I don't know of any way to get better faster.

[ampe]

new gear!

[sligo ray]

Go and see Tommy Emmanuel play live.

For the first ten minutes I thought I might never pick up a guitar again. But what remained was the grace, humanity, and inspiration of what he said between songs.

Seriously. The man is the Dalai Lama of guitar players.

[themick]

Originally Posted by sligo ray

Go and see Tommy Emmanuel play live.

For the first ten minutes I thought I might never pick up a guitar again. But what remained was the grace, humanity, and inspiration of what he said between songs.

Seriously. The man is the Dalai Lama of guitar players.

It's crazy how other can either make us feel worthless as a player on inspire us to get better.

[MBERTHOLD]

Originally Posted by ampe

new gear!

Yes thats it Does that mean I gotta get a new guitar? JIPPI

[ampe]

Originally Posted by MBERTHOLD

Yes thats it Does that mean I gotta get a new guitar? JIPPI

for starters, yes
if that doesn't work you should get a second one, or a new amp or pedal

[Lizardkinged]

Learn someone else's or write new songs to play. Key's your not familiar with.

[MBERTHOLD]

Originally Posted by ampe

for starters, yes
if that doesn't work you should get a second one, or a new amp or pedal

Just another excuse of buyng a new one ampe.., hope my girlfriend isnt watching my gretsch talk comments too....you know..

[ampe]

i fear for the day that our women find out new gear isn't a matter of life and death

[Synchro]

Technique and theory are important and if you have not done some serious wood-shedding to perfect technique it will haunt you. Also, if you're not in a band join one. Learn some serious covers of common tunes and don't stop until you get them down pat.

[stevo]

I saw a Youtube video of Audley Freed once where he said that gigging and touring really sharpened his technique. Kind of like Synchro's comment above.

However, I often try not to learn something note-for-note/bend-for-bend, being convinced that changing it up a bit contributes to a personal style as it were.

I think it was also mentioned to use YouTube - there are hundreds of great players on there that you can emulate as well as free lessons. No matter how good you are, you can always benefit from some training in another style than you're used to.

Also - you should have a running dialogue with some scale books and/or theory lessons. I don't spend a lot of time in theory, but I do keep a couple of books handy to just run through and review.

[Lizardkinged]

Originally Posted by ampe

i fear for the day that our women find out new gear isn't a matter of life and death

Thats just where you re-think your priorities and just find a new woman to lead on in the department of new gear needs and not needs.

[ampe]

now i really hope our girlfriends don't look at this forum

[fletch]

In my observations, there are both benefits and disadvantages to tab sites and yuotube videos for young players. I'm seeing young guitarists who can rip off solos and complicated pieces of business that impress the hell out of me. Then i ask them to play the song... and they can't. Maybe it's an indication of the instant gratification syndrome that says - 'I only want to play the interesting bits.'

The best way to become a good all round player is to play with others. Whether it's a weekend jam with your mates or joining a band and looking for gigs, you need to be able to craft a song from beginning to end, and have others rely on your competence.

And you SHOULD learn some songs note-for-note, if for no other reason than to see how the original interpreter of the song went about the job. Beatles and Buddy Holly, Neil Diamond, Neil Young, Chuck Berry. It's part of our combined history to learn from these guys. Once we've done that, we can go our own way with knowledge rather than ignorance.
Mind you, listening to good musicians from the '50s trying to figure out how to play rock n roll by drawing from a mixture of country, bluegrass, blues, jazz and pop is an absolute inspiration!

[freddyfingers]

Originally Posted by themick

It's crazy how other can either make us feel worthless as a player on inspire us to get better.

I went home and stuck my head in the oven. Fortunatley it was electric, and the power was cut. He is that good.

[freddyfingers]

Go out and watch, or better yet, PLAY with people that you think are better than you. You have two choices, continue to be mediocre or you will rise to the occasion. I practice quite a bit. Theres a strat on my lap right now, but i stopped to right these most important words of wisdom. Even though I am taking some online jazz class's, and that motivates me, and I am learning things that are new to me, I don't make leeps and bounds unless I am actually playing with others. It raises the bar. Do or die! So, turn off the computer, and go to some bar that has bands, find one you like, and join them! OR start one yourself.

[bobkat]

This guy makes me want to play bettah!

[bobkat]

I jess love this un!!

[NeilSt]

1. Play all the time.
2. Play with musicians who are better than you, know more than you, have more experience than you do.
3. Practice.
4. Play in a band that challenges you.
5. Write songs that are difficult to play, then teach them to other musicians.
6. Practice.
7. Play live often. Play in jam sessions often.
8. Marry a musical person.
9. Practice.