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The most valuable lesson you have ever learnt on Guitar

ren
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ren
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06/29/2006 7:56 am
Simple. What do you think is the single most valuable lesson you have learnt in your efforts to improve on guitar?

Mine would probably be years ago - finally being told to play on my finger tips instead of the sides of my fingers - man that made it easier to play fast! And my right elbow stopped hurting almost immediately :eek:

Check out my music, video, lessons & backing tracks here![br]https://www.renhimself.com

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# 1
Andrew Sa
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Andrew Sa
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06/29/2006 8:25 am
hmmm, maybe alternate picking? yeah I'd say that is probably it
[FONT=Century Gothic]Hope is when we feel the pain that makes us try again[/FONT]
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# 2
suicidalmoose
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suicidalmoose
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06/29/2006 9:33 am
most valuable lesson was bar chords, i was playing so many metallica and soad and did noe anything about how nice a guitar can sound. Taught me that even tho some chords look impossible, they're really just barred. That said i still play more metallica and soad then chili peppers, have to kick my ass a bit more.
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# 3
pure
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pure
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06/29/2006 2:08 pm
don't smash it when things aren't going your way.
Originally Posted by: schmangeugly fat chicks
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# 4
Kevin Taylor
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Kevin Taylor
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06/29/2006 2:15 pm
Play cleanly and never make any sound on the guitar that you didn't intend to make.
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# 5
jimmy_kwtx
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jimmy_kwtx
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06/29/2006 2:40 pm
The best advice or lesson I learned was from an instructor at Berklee.

He told me that I needed to get out and play with other musicians.

Woodshedding is good for technique but to become a better musician you should learn to adapt and be able to mesh with other players and other styles.
[FONT=Comic Sans MS]I reject your reality and substitue my own[/FONT]

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# 6
Hammurabi
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Hammurabi
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06/29/2006 3:21 pm
I was once told by a very skilled guitarist that I should stop picking like a p*ssy. It turns out he was right that learning to pick solidly greatly helps with speed and articulation.
"If one has realized a truth, that truth is valueless so long as there is lacking the indomitable will to turn this realization into action!"
-A.H.
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# 7
ren
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ren
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06/29/2006 3:24 pm
Originally Posted by: HammurabiI was once told by a very skilled guitarist that I should stop picking like a p*ssy. It turns out he was right that learning to pick solidly greatly helps with speed and articulation.


Crazy how people phrase their advice.... when I'm playing too agressively, the producer I most often work for shouts 'fairy cakes' at me... meaning I should loosen up.... he he :D

Check out my music, video, lessons & backing tracks here![br]https://www.renhimself.com

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# 8
Jolly McJollyson
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Jolly McJollyson
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06/29/2006 4:03 pm
Originally Posted by: HammurabiI was once told by a very skilled guitarist that I should stop picking like a p*ssy.

That's a pretty colorful way to say it, but yeah. When your pick attack is aggressive like that, fast runs are much more pronounced and easily played.
I want the bomb
I want the P-funk!

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# 9
jiujitsu_jesus
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jiujitsu_jesus
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06/29/2006 9:11 pm
"The final test of any music begins with the ear."
"It's all folk music... I ain't never heard no horse sing!"
- Attributed variously to Leadbelly and Louis Armstrong

If at first you don't succeed, you are obviously not Chuck Norris.

l337iZmz r@wk o.K!!!??>
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# 10
HDJ
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HDJ
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06/29/2006 9:12 pm
Originally Posted by: AkiraPlaying guitar is 25% physical, 75% mental.


+1.

And the proof are these quotes I've heard I don't know how many times...

"When I get on stage, I can't remember what to play"
"When I try to play a guitar in a music store, I forget everything I know"
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Havoc Din
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# 11
earthman buck
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earthman buck
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06/29/2006 9:31 pm
Ooooo, good thread.

That "don't pick like a p*ssy" stuff is good advice, which I myself have received. I can't help it though, I'm just such a gentle soul.

I guess the best advice I ever got (and actually used) is if you're having trouble playing something and practice isn't improving it, have a sit down and carefully examine what you're doing. If you're having that much trouble with it, you're probably doing it in an unnecessarily difficult way. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have tried to do some crazy 7-fret stretch, only to be told that the same note can be played on the string above with minimal effort.
Can't a Captain look at a Queen?
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# 12
guitarfreak141
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guitarfreak141
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06/30/2006 5:28 am
definetely alternate picking and the fingertip playing thing
If there's one thing I've learned, it's that life is one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead.

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# 13
jeffhx
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jeffhx
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06/30/2006 6:01 am
alternate picking and scales
[FONT=Impact]grooviest tunes ever [/FONT]
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# 14
rockonn91
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rockonn91
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06/30/2006 2:56 pm
Originally Posted by: earthman buck...tried to do some crazy 7-fret stretch, only to be told that the same note can be played on the string above with minimal effort.


but it doesnt look as cool! :p

uh, I dont really know. I'd say learning all my techniques on acoustic, but thats not really a lesson.
JK :cool:

-Agile Guitars Enthusiast
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# 15
Hellsentme
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Hellsentme
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06/30/2006 5:32 pm
Similar to Pure's reply, guitars dont bounce very well when thing bugger up or get frustrating
People laugh because I'm different, I laugh at them because their all the same. :D
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# 16
Hellsentme
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Hellsentme
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06/30/2006 5:42 pm
Originally Posted by: AkiraPlaying guitar is 25% physical, 75% mental.


Being mental helps playing because if it sounds crap its ok because your mad you get away with it, but if it sounds great then its because your mad and its genius, people have stated over the years that the difference between the madman and the genius is very little indeed.
People laugh because I'm different, I laugh at them because their all the same. :D
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# 17
Hellsentme
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Hellsentme
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06/30/2006 5:58 pm
I know but thats the beauty of being mad I see many things and hear many voices and dont always get things right.
On a seriouse note your right and I know what your saying,
People laugh because I'm different, I laugh at them because their all the same. :D
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# 18
jeffhx
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jeffhx
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06/30/2006 6:03 pm
i strum harder when im mad
[FONT=Impact]grooviest tunes ever [/FONT]
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# 19
pure
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pure
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06/30/2006 7:20 pm
Originally Posted by: HellsentmeI know but thats the beauty of being mad I see many things and hear many voices and dont always get things right.
On a seriouse note your right and I know what your saying,

are you a madman?
Originally Posted by: schmangeugly fat chicks
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# 20

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