Tips for an old guy trying to learn guitar

[Ridire]

Update.

I was practicing today and thinking about how bad I am. Then I thought of the things I first posted here...and it made me feel better.

I'm 7 months into this, and still practice nearly every day. I am now capable of playing a few songs from beginning to end (not well). I'm spending a good deal of my practice now going through a rhythm portion of Patience by Guns n Roses.

I just talked to a young(er) guy I met through a friend who is a professional guitarist/uekele player/mandolin player, etc., who is going to give me lessons via Skype. I'm thinking his input will help a ton.

This guy travels around with a lot with Brian Vander Ark (the Verve Pipe) and plays as a duo with his wife...they have songs on some movie soundtracks, etc., and are just generally a very gifted group of people.

I'm still geeked about this.

 

[arturo7]

Don't try to be a guitar god. Learn to let the music flow through you.

Only one out of a thousand are allowed to get up on stage. However, being able to make music is a 50/50 proposition.

 

[Homercidal]

Good to see you are still practicing.

Me? I just lost my callus again, so I better get back at it. Wish I had a friend nearby to jam with and start writing songs. I think I'd be better collaborating on songs rather than just picking up the guitar and playing the same old songs for warmup.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

Just the other day I was actually just wondering about how you were coming along. This is good to hear!

I'm interested to hear how Skype works for lessons; I've heard of a number of people getting lessons via video conference, but I have not tried it. One thing worth mentioning is my dad has been hanging out at his local Guitar Center and got to know the guys pretty well. He started taking lessons from one of the guys there and has been video taping the lessons so he can go back and go over it throughout the week. This guy teaches quickly and the videos help my dad (and subsequently me, because I get to see the videos as well) make sure he catches everything over the course of a 30-60 min lesson.

Unfortunately, I took a 6 week hiatus from playing due to a vacation and then a dislocated finger. FORTUNATELY the dislocation was my pinkie on my strumming hand, so I was able to pick the guitar back up and play with the splint on. I'm going to play at an art festival called ArtPrize in Grand Rapids with my sister in a couple weeks so I'm trying to get back into playing shape for two full days of playing on the street.

 

[Homercidal]

Just the other day I was actually just wondering about how you were coming along. This is good to hear!

I'm interested to hear how Skype works for lessons; I've heard of a number of people getting lessons via video conference, but I have not tried it. One thing worth mentioning is my dad has been hanging out at his local Guitar Center and got to know the guys pretty well. He started taking lessons from one of the guys there and has been video taping the lessons so he can go back and go over it throughout the week. This guy teaches quickly and the videos help my dad (and subsequently me, because I get to see the videos as well) make sure he catches everything over the course of a 30-60 min lesson.

Unfortunately, I took a 6 week hiatus from playing due to a vacation and then a dislocated finger. FORTUNATELY the dislocation was my pinkie on my strumming hand, so I was able to pick the guitar back up and play with the splint on. I'm going to play at an art festival called ArtPrize in Grand Rapids with my sister in a couple weeks so I'm trying to get back into playing shape for two full days of playing on the street.

Cool! I'm going to see if I can make it down this year. I haven't been, but it looks pretty cool. It's a very popular festival.

 

[Ridire]

I am doing well when there are 2 full measures of one chord. I seem to initially get to the chord kind of sloppy but recovery ok, if I have time. If a song involves chord changes within a measure, I'm toast.

For example, in Patience, the verse is two full measures of C, two full measures of G, two full measures of A and two full measures of D. I can nail that and can even do it with various strumming patterns.

But the the chorus is one measure of C, one measure of G, one measure of C, one measure of Em, one measure of C, one measure of G and then to D for multiple measures. I just can't seem to get set on the C chords before my hand is moving to change chords again...gets very sloppy.

I have started doing a drill that I thought up myself. I play that chord progression with all down strokes, but I cut the measures in half (two beats per measure) and see how fast I can do it. Not sure if this will help, but it seems worth a shot.

 

[Homercidal]

I feel ya. It's much more difficult for an old dog to learn them new tricks. Just keep practicing. Maybe just practice changing between two chords for a while, then try another two chords. I think that approach works better then trying to practice a whole song filled with different chord changes.

 

[GrogNerd]

my fingers are too fat to make a good C chord in the first position, so I cheat. Especially if a G chord is anywhere near it

 

[Ridire]

I feel ya. It's much more difficult for an old dog to learn them new tricks. Just keep practicing. Maybe just practice changing between two chords for a while, then try another two chords. I think that approach works better then trying to practice a whole song filled with different chord changes.

I do that, too.

My routine is to spend 5 minutes just going through the chords I know. Most of them, I will strum once, pick each string once, and hear that it is clean. The remainder of the 5 minutes is repeatedly forming the chords that were not initially clean and working on getting them clean.

After that, I spend about 5 minutes doing "one minute chord changes". I set the timer for one minute, pick two chords (if I am working on a specific song at that time, I pick chords that are next to each other in that song) and see how many times I can change from one to the other in one minute.

After that, I do "free for all". This is usually working on full songs, or at least segments of songs. This is also where I'll do my "half measure" exercise I explained above.

I make sure that at least some of my free-for-all time is spent doing portions of songs that require string picking instead of strumming (like House of the Rising Sun).

Of course, if I start taking lessons from this guy, this will probably all get scrapped.

 

[Ridire]

And whenever I start to get discouraged, I remember that 5 weeks ago, changing from any chord to the C was "impossible". Now I do it routinely...but not quite as clean as I'd like.

 

[Homercidal]

I do that, too.

My routine is to spend 5 minutes just going through the chords I know. Most of them, I will strum once, pick each string once, and hear that it is clean. The remainder of the 5 minutes is repeatedly forming the chords that were not initially clean and working on getting them clean.

After that, I spend about 5 minutes doing "one minute chord changes". I set the timer for one minute, pick two chords (if I am working on a specific song at that time, I pick chords that are next to each other in that song) and see how many times I can change from one to the other in one minute.

After that, I do "free for all". This is usually working on full songs, or at least segments of songs. This is also where I'll do my "half measure" exercise I explained above.

I make sure that at least some of my free-for-all time is spent doing portions of songs that require string picking instead of strumming (like House of the Rising Sun).

Of course, if I start taking lessons from this guy, this will probably all get scrapped.

He will have his own method, but I think you are probably doing things the way I would.

The nice thing about lessons is a good teacher can spot arm, hand, and finger positions that might make playing easier or cleaner. That is one reason I still think about getting lessons. If I had someone local I really thought could teach me a variety of styles, music theory, and help me with cleaning up my sound too, I'd pay for lessons again.

My probably is I keep changing what I want to do. I *should* get some fingering advice on certain scales and work on them like you do. Over and over for several minutes until they feel natural and clean. Then other times I want to look at music theory and how keys relate and basic song structure. Other times it's just jamming and trying to get that SOUND to fit the mood.

Probably anything that can get my pinky some workout would be helpful.

Did that sound dirty to anyone else, or is it just me?

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

Did that sound dirty to anyone else, or is it just me?

Incredibly. And I liked it.

The nice thing about lessons is a good teacher can spot arm, hand, and finger positions that might make playing easier or cleaner. That is one reason I still think about getting lessons. If I had someone local I really thought could teach me a variety of styles, music theory, and help me with cleaning up my sound too, I'd pay for lessons again.

That's really true. I watch a ton of guitar videos and everyone does things just a tad bit different. There are so many ways to play this instrument, it's just crazy.

About lessons, I think my dad has taken maybe 5 lessons (in consecutive weeks) and he had to stop. He learned so much he was just having a hard time keeping up with it (even after practicing 1+ hr a day) and needed to take time to catch up with the lessons. So, at about $20/lesson it's really not a bad way to greatly advance your abilities if you can find a good instructor. My dad, for instance, has learned more than just chord positions - he has also learned about how to use pedals in different ways, loopers, etc etc. Honestly, it's been a great investment for him and videotaping them has been super beneficial.

All that said, I guess I'm just saying it could be a great way to advance your abilities quickly. It sounds like you are putting in some really great practice.

My personal dilemma: I go through different phases. I've been on a Clapton kick for a couple months on my acoustic. Yesterday I watched some Foo Fighters concerts and crap...now I want to get my electric out and mess around with that stuff.

Not enough time to do it all.

 

[Homercidal]

Yesterday I watched some Foo Fighters concerts and crap...now I want to get my electric out and mess around with that stuff.

Not enough time to do it all.

Bah. Just play them Foos on acoustic. They make mostly chord songs anyway.

Me? I need more riffs and licks. I'm a child of the 80s! :rockin:

 

[nutty_gnome]

20 bucks a lesson is an amazing deal! I'm paying a buck a minute for my son. Its worth it though!

 

[Devon]

Lately I've been using RiffStation. It reads chords from youtube videos through some sort of voodoo and witchcraft. Works for me when I just want to have a couple bevs and bash away for a bit. I can't say how accurate they are, but it passes the time.

 

[Ridire]

Lately I've been using RiffStation. It reads chords from youtube videos through some sort of voodoo and witchcraft. Works for me when I just want to have a couple bevs and bash away for a bit. I can't say how accurate they are, but it passes the time.

That is awesome...

 

[Homercidal]

Lately I've been using RiffStation. It reads chords from youtube videos through some sort of voodoo and witchcraft. Works for me when I just want to have a couple bevs and bash away for a bit. I can't say how accurate they are, but it passes the time.

Interesting. It didnt' quite work for me when I tried Jungle Love by Steve Miller. I know they use an Open tuning for that song.

Also, I'd have to sit down and compare, but their chords on Blue on Black by Kenny Wayne Sheppard is slightly different from what I picked out a while back.

I'll remember this site when I get the urge to practice a new song, though. I'm sure it will help at least get the basic chord progression even if they don't show any embellishments.

 

[slym2none]

IDK if I posted here or not already, but if not, here:

I suck at playing guitar. I have been trying for 20+ years, and have barely gotten better.

I will always suck at playing guitar.

Thenkyew.

 

[estricklin]

He will have his own method, but I think you are probably doing things the way I would.

The nice thing about lessons is a good teacher can spot arm, hand, and finger positions that might make playing easier or cleaner. That is one reason I still think about getting lessons. If I had someone local I really thought could teach me a variety of styles, music theory, and help me with cleaning up my sound too, I'd pay for lessons again.

My probably is I keep changing what I want to do. I *should* get some fingering advice on certain scales and work on them like you do. Over and over for several minutes until they feel natural and clean. Then other times I want to look at music theory and how keys relate and basic song structure. Other times it's just jamming and trying to get that SOUND to fit the mood.

Probably anything that can get my pinky some workout would be helpful.

Did that sound dirty to anyone else, or is it just me?

Absolutely. I've broken my share of G strings while fingering A minor too so your not alone.

I've been fiddling around lately way too much, the more you learn the lazier you get sometimes. I'm gonna plug my axe in and buckle down on my next days off though and learn some Dire Straits. Reading this thread somehow keeps me motivated.

Was thinking about making some really informal video lessons if anyone is interested. Making not on single songs but more techniques??

 

[Homercidal]

I'd be down to check them out. I played enough over a couple of days to toughen my fingers up again.

I'm planning on having a friend over to join me. He just moved back from Indiana and I've given him some time to get the house back in order and some family time, but now I think we need to schedule regular get-togethers to write music and play some guitar.

 

[estricklin]

I'd be down to check them out. I played enough over a couple of days to toughen my fingers up again.

I'm planning on having a friend over to join me. He just moved back from Indiana and I've given him some time to get the house back in order and some family time, but now I think we need to schedule regular get-togethers to write music and play some guitar.

I certainly hope alcohol will be involved? Personally, I sound way better when everyone listening has been drinking.

 

[Homercidal]

I certainly hope alcohol will be involved? Personally, I sound way better when everyone listening has been drinking.

Well, one of us will be drinking!

Honestly, he doesn't drink much at all. He's just never had a taste for beer or wine.

It will probably just be a good way to catch up with each other. Maybe record a few chord progressions and see if we can come up with a theme for a song or something. If we can get a common recording format down we can probably collaborate via Internet easily.

Just need a decent-sounding drum program that he can use. (I can't seem to get anywhere with those things. I'm not a percussionist!)

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

A bit of a long story but it's about guitars:

I was playing rhythm guitar this weekend at church, along with a piano. Honestly, when the piano is involved the guitar gets lost in it so I figured I'd just kind of strum along and figure out the chords as I went - I didn't even know two of the songs.

Well, Sunday morning rolls around and 50 mins before church the piano player emails me that she can't make it. So guess who is leading all the church music all of a sudden? The music he doesn't know, and doesn't have chords for half the songs. (it's me).

(Also of note, especially for HBT, the previous night I went to a friend's house to help her clear out a bunch of older beer - mostly stouts and barrel aged stuff - so she had room for new stuff. Between the 8 of us there, we finished off at least 20 bombers of 10%+ beers. So, Sunday morning I was pretty much dragging).

So there I am, 30 mins before church frantically running through songs figuring out the chords. There was a guy on congas playing with me, and he's like, "hey why don't you play us some pre-service music?"

Oh, yeah, no big deal normally but I hadn't really thought this one out. So, my choice? Neil Young's Harvest Moon. I just learned it a couple days ago and it's a nice easy going song, so I figured it would be a nice one and no one would probably recognize it. A couple guys in the church were bobbing their heads with it, getting kind of into it. Not often is one going to play Neil Young at a church.... Well, my Pastor is well versed with music and he definitely recognized it.

So the service rolls around and to be honest, it went unbelievably well. Actually, normally when I play with other guitar players or a piano nobody says anything afterwards about it but this week I had a bunch of people come to me after the service and tell me how great it sounded. Nice little boost of confidence! Fun morning and a good story.

 

[estricklin]

Doing a little guitar picking while waiting for my potatoes to cook; camping here in the Ozarks, might even have a home brew later. Hope everyone is well!

 

[estricklin]

Another photo.

 

[Ridire]

Doing a little guitar picking while waiting for my potatoes to cook; camping here in the Ozarks, might even have a home brew later. Hope everyone is well!

Next summer I plan to take my guitar camping with me...also with my Jeep.

 

[grimzella]

So, Rising Sun is a good song to learn out of the gate?

And is it foolish to actually work on a song while also doing the very beginner lessons? I have pretty much figured out how to read the chord tabs. I understand the finger positions and the strumming patters of the chords. I just physically am not able to really do it, yet. The concept is there...the execution is going to take some practice.

Smoke on the Water.. always an easy starter jam.

 

[grimzella]

Even if I never learn a song, my real goal here is to keep my kid interested long enough for him to realize that he will regret not following through with this if he stops lessons.

I would consider Dust in the Wind to be a challenging song to learn.

 

[grimzella]

Actually it's better to have the action set up for the particular string gauge you intend to play with, as switching to a higher or lower can change the neck tension and thus change the action height. So have the 11s on when you take it in. This might also be a good time to buy a string winder (with a cutter on the end) and some extra strings. Breaking strings is a right of passage!

Very true.. you can also get some string rattle if the action is not set correctly for your gage of strings.

 

[grimzella]

Usually when you start you will pick a song with like 3 chords and practice changing between them.

GnR Knocking on Heavens Door

 

[Ridire]

GnR Knocking on Heavens Door

Right now, the songs being worked on are Patience (GNR), Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison), and Take it Easy (Eagles). Take it Easy is tough for me because it has half measures (if I'm using that term correctly - two chords in one bar). It is tough for me to make the chord changes in two beats, and hard for me to maintain an irregular strumming pattern when I'm not playing the same pattern for each chord.

 

[grimzella]

knocking on heavens door was one of my first complete songs I learned. even got the solo down. Its a pretty easy jam tho.

 

[estricklin]

Next summer I plan to take my guitar camping with me...also with my Jeep.

Right now, the songs being worked on are Patience (GNR), Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison), and Take it Easy (Eagles). Take it Easy is tough for me because it has half measures (if I'm using that term correctly - two chords in one bar). It is tough for me to make the chord changes in two beats, and hard for me to maintain an irregular strumming pattern when I'm not playing the same pattern for each chord.

The Jeep and Guitar make one hell of a combo!

Brown Eyed Girl is cool, especially if you can get the hang of the intro. The song has some "chopping" in it, a nice little technique that eluded me to no end at one time in my life. If you can ever master that technique, it goes a longgggggggggggg way to improving your rhythm. Take It Easy has a lot of chord changes in it, no getting around it.

Smoke on the water is a good song because a person can start learning power chords.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

If you want to be inspired, or possibly a little pissed off because he's so good, check this video out.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENJuNCkPfx0&feature=em-share_video_user[/ame]

It's pretty interesting stuff, and something I think is underutilized in the guitar world - using the guitar as a multi-tooled instrument. As a Ben Folds fan, I'm used to seeing him play the piano and microphone in many...unconventional ways, but I've always been surprised at how many people (almost everyone?) simply strum or pick the guitar.

Anyways, this is some cool stuff and a nice alternative perspective on playing an instrument.

 

[Kee]

I found this thread about 3 weeks ago and it inspired me to pick up my wife's guitar and start learning. Thanks to everyone, there is a lot of good advice here.

 

[DrunkleJon]

I was trying to teach myself about the time that this thread started. I will admit I got lazy and quit. Well, my fingers started hurting and I did not continue. Recently, one of my roommates helped me adjust the neck of my inherited guitar (left by former roommate) and replace the stings. Oh god, so much better. I have since started back to plinking around on it and hopefully will be semi competent eventually.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

I've been working on "Oh Darling" by the Beatles, and am planning to work on it with my dad one of these days. It's a good one for an acoustic rhythm guitar and an electric doing a couple arpeggios in the chorus and some quick strums throughout the rest. If I get around to recording it over Thanksgiving I'll post it.

And a Lesson Learned this morning: When you are in the car and decide to randomly sing "I Want You" by the Beatles, give it some preface and don't start with the part that goes, "She's so....heavy". Because apparently the wife will think you're talking about her...

 

[estricklin]

If you want to be inspired, or possibly a little pissed off because he's so good, check this video out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENJuNCkPfx0&feature=em-share_video_user

It's pretty interesting stuff, and something I think is underutilized in the guitar world - using the guitar as a multi-tooled instrument. As a Ben Folds fan, I'm used to seeing him play the piano and microphone in many...unconventional ways, but I've always been surprised at how many people (almost everyone?) simply strum or pick the guitar.

Anyways, this is some cool stuff and a nice alternative perspective on playing an instrument.

Screw this **** I ******* quit! <--- Throws guitar down.

Haha, seriously that guy is on another level!

I thought I would share, my wife said she would not wear panties for 3 days if I learned a particular song last week, less laundry woo hoo!

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

I thought I would share, my wife said she would not wear panties for 3 days if I learned a particular song last week, less laundry woo hoo!

Well aren't you going to tell us the song?!?!

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

After careful consideration I take it back, I don't think we need to know the song