i cant play chords anymore!

ever since ive decided to work on lead and scales, and recently classical stuff, ive been doing alot of fingerpicking, alot of scale improvisation...then i decided to play some old songs...i realised how retarded myfret hand became...my chords are held weak, cant do barre chords as effectively as i used to, and when switching chords i miss strings.......my strumming is ok however...i lost dexterity and finger strength...lost stamina too..i used to be able to play around 5 songs continuously...now after 2 songs my hand gets all achy...this is on acoustic tho...why i am flabbergasted... :eek:

I kind of know what you mean. Ever since I stopped taking lessons, I haven't really been able to pick with much dexterity. Like, single notes and stuff are fine, but if I'm supposed to do something like fret a chord and only play a couple strings, I usually end up doing a full strum anyway. And also, I've noticed that I can't get into chords as fast as I used to. I used to be able to go from chord to chord pretty lightning-quick, but now I can not.

I guess we just have to keep at 'er, huh?

MY advice is that after your done your normal routine of scales and such that your doing now, play chords for another 20-30 minutes before you set your guitar down for the day/night.

thanks guys...i guess ill have to distribute the time evenly into practising the 2 techniques...before it gets bad and i just end up unable to play anything that sounds decent...i will be so flabbergasted...yep

(Please for give my spelling)

when i'm play fast licks and certain scales i can't help but to create string noise as my fingers lift fron the strings.

any technique recommendations?

Originally Posted by: elliotthp(Please for give my spelling)

when i'm play fast licks and certain scales i can't help but to create string noise as my fingers lift fron the strings.

any technique recommendations?

Slow down, get a metronome, get a scale or lick down flawlessly at one speed, increase the speed, continue with different scales and licks thrown in for variety.

Originally Posted by: jeffhxthanks guys...i guess ill have to distribute the time evenly into practising the 2 techniques...before it gets bad and i just end up unable to play anything that sounds decent...i will be so flabbergasted...yep

Yeah, just like you said balance the practice time.

Originally Posted by: elliotthp(Please for give my spelling)

when i'm play fast licks and certain scales i can't help but to create string noise as my fingers lift fron the strings.

any technique recommendations?

dunno if this helps but...

try and mute all strings below the one you are playing with your fretting hand by resting it on the strings. try to mute the strings above the one you are playing with the palm of the picking hand. as you move up or down strings, use the forearm to move the position of your palm and use the wrist to pick the string. i find this helpfull as only the string i am playing at any time can ring.

if ur already doin this, or trying to i can only recomend sloing down and practicin more.

Originally Posted by: elliotthp(Please for give my spelling)

when i'm play fast licks and certain scales i can't help but to create string noise as my fingers lift fron the strings.

any technique recommendations?

Maybe use a noisegate? :D