What makes you a better guitar player?

I think their are two kinds of guitar players. 1st, playing all the rock, metal, pop, classical, ect. music that you hear on the radio. 2nd, making up your own stuff. I have 2 different opinions on this. I think if you make up your stuff your doing great. Another, is if your playing all for example: AC/DC, Metallica, Led Zepplin, ect. their songs you could learn from that and become better as you go on. Please feel free to post any replys.

Words can't can't always describe how someone feels, or what inspires them to create music, its just something thats inside of you since day one, and throughout the years, (with all of the music that we are exposed to, we learn from others and we learn how to transport the sounds we hear in our heads on our instrument of choice.) There are alot of things that make me a better guitar player everyday, one those things is my disatifaction, because this definitely drives me to be better at everything I do, to say that there isn't any room for improvement is to say that you're on your way out. I think what makes a great guitar, is someone who is willing to listen and learn from others, especally those from a different genre, and those whom they are not familiar with. There are just so many hidden elements in our favorite songs, its up to us to find what works for us, and to add it into our own uniquely (developed style.)

[i]One more thing, I don't know if its my conscience talkking or hat, but If ever accidently create a certain melody that sounds too familiar from someone else, (for the most part I start over.) Although others might not notice, I would, and thats something that has been with me for a very long time. With my own material, Ive alkways tried to remain as orginal as possible, taking the hidden elements from others, to make my own natural abilities grow.

-Joseph

I totally agree that there are 2 kinds of guitarists. Personaly, I don't listen to the radio that much and I don't tend to try to play other ppl's stuff. I try to be orriginal.

When I hear other guitarists play a really cool sounding riff that came from some song they heard on the radio, I think that even though my stuff doesn't sound as good as theirs, It doesn't mean that he's a better guitarist than me. I think that if I found the tab to that riff or song... or if I took the time to figure it out I could play it too. The difference is just that I choose to come up with my own stuff.

Hey Joseph! i'm playing with a drummer who wont play a song we've written even if there are two chords that go too familiar to him...
but anyway i'm playing for almost 3 years, and can't play even 5 songs full from the begining till the end that other people wrote...
i have the skills to play about 60-70% of the music i like, but i dont like the proccess of learning per note..
so i think my progress comming from the 2-3 hours i spend every day , trying to improvise on different scales and the few weekly hours i'm spending while jamming with my band, or my friends...
i also think that half of the progress is from the music u are listening to... dont excpect to be a good blues guitar if you are listening to death metal or something like that all the day

There's two ways to look at this. You can learn others people music to get better playing skills, but use them to make your own music. You must first learn guitar to make music from the guitar is the way I look at. Yeah, I make my own music, but you learn other peoples music to get ideas and learn technique. See what I'm saying?

*NEVER stop routine practicing....DON'T let outside influences make you put your axe in the closet and only take it out evry 3 weeks or so.....ALSO, SET ASIDE an area of your house or where ever for your music and have a drum machine there to play along with.....BUY (minimum) a cheapo 4 track so that you can record stuff as you become inspired...this will give you constant inspiration to develop your own stuff.....Other than that, start a band and ROCK ON !!!!!! V :D

Originally posted by Zeppelin

i also think that half of the progress is from the music u are listening to... dont excpect to be a good blues guitar if you are listening to death metal or something like that all the day [/B]

I think for the most part, it all comes back to our childhood. I think the way we are as we get older is a result of what we knew as children, where those early learning years can shape your whole life, your whole being, what inspires you ad the personality you become. I was lucky to have been exposed to such great musicians at a very young age (due to my mothers record collection), it was great. As Ive gotten older, while creating music, there are just these certain feelings that can't be denied. When creating music, I tend to think back to certain key elrements that inspired me as a child, and to be able to put these past feelings into your creative work as you get older is such a wonderful experience.

-Joseph

I know right now I'm totall relying on other's music. I dont even have a clue how to begin to form a song. Other music, including the tricks at the site help me tremendously.

I have to disagree. Lots of people who play other people's music also play their own. Also, how do you count jazz players, who often don't write the songs, but take extended improvised solos over the chord progressions? I definitely learn music written by others note for note, i'm big into transcribing solos (transcribing = writing down, not just learning) and learning classical pieces. When playing jazz (or rock, or blues, or any other non classical style,) however, I improvise all my solos. I'm not sure where I'd fit....

My heart is with the 70s rock. I have been lucky enough to play In NW Arkansas at many jams. Most of them were older people. A lot of old country,gospel,& blue grass. These old folks sit in a circle & take turns leading a song. It has made me a well rounded player & I never lack for fun. Especially if i rip off Little Red Riding Hood or something like that. Now when I show up someone in the background almost always howles. Playin with the old folks.