Originally posted by Fly Boy
Is it wise to just learn pieces out of books and mags and create a large catalogue of obscure pieces that nobody has ever heard of or if you are presented with a guitar a a party everyone asks for songs to sing-a-long to and what you play is the bouree by bach.

I have been accused of just wanting to play cool tunes but not learn to play the guitar. The pieces I like to play tend to be things that sound like I have made an achievement when I can eventually play it flawlessly.

Should people throw themselves straight into music theory and learn all kinds of boring things, or does this just put most people off playing quicker. I think when we all started to play the guitar there was always something weve heard and said to ourselves WOW this is really cool must learn this now.

FLY..... be free

I think its ok to learn your favorite pieces.
i did when i started out but later on down the road,
when i started doing alot of club work plus teaching guitar,
i had to play alot of stuff or other styles of guitar,
that i really did/nt like but i/m glad i did because,
now i work alot more in my Band plus other Bands.
Back when i started what really got me was to hear a,
guitar player play a piece that i did/nt know how to play.
That would really send me to the wood-shed !
What i mean is i would stay up all nite or untill i got,
the song or lick down.I don't think you should force your,
self into music theory,but you should try learning some,
music theory but take your time.Its not so boreing once,
you get into it.I forgot to mention i also alwasy tried,
to hang around the best guitar players from my area,
plus out of the area.Then learn all i could from them or steal.If you know alittle music theory it can help you in a,
conversation with other guitar players to learn more stuff ,
from them.What i like about being able to play other styles,
is mabee one night we might have to play all blues,or the,
next nite all Rock or Country,Rockabilly, Jazz,pop or mix it up ect.
I think it gives you a break from the same old groove.
About the partys at a friends house or ect ,its alot,
more fun if you know aleast a few of thier tunes they want,
to sing ect,more than likely they will listen to your stuff,afterwards.
The main thing is have fun .
Mark