Originally Posted by: weskoon My Barre chords are fairly clean
"Fairly"? NAIL 'em down. Can you transition from one chord to another easily, and without looking at your guitar?
As far as tuning my guitar, I can't do it without a tuner, however with a tuner, I dont have any problems at all.
What if the battery died? I keep a tuning fork nearby, just in case, or when I can't find my fork, I play a tune I know on my iPod, and use that as a point of reference to tune up. I wanted to use tuning as a thread starter, because many players don't know how to tune w/out an electronic tuner. This will also help in your ear-training, and hopefully, you'll learn how to really
listenI can play things like the intro to Stairway to Heaven
You can play the single notes on the intro but not the rest (not talking about the lead part.)? Why not? The chords are fairly easy.
I cannot read music, and thats definetly something I need to do.
Definitely learn how to read
some music!
But what does this site have to offer me besides, licks, etc.
I can't give you a map, as I've just become a full access member myself. You said you became a full member only yesterday. Take another look at what Segovia, and Broken said.
I'm sure there are thousands of guitarist's that have been, or are in my shoes right now, and just dont know how to proceed further.
You're right. I just turned 50. I started playing when I was 12- do the math. I've come back to playing after a very long layoff, have a pretty good foundation, but still have a lot to learn. I'm a Berklee College of Music Performance Major dropout- my biggest beef with Berklee was they forced me to change how I picked. But I wish now I had retained all the music theory, ear-training, modes. My point? After all these years of playing, I know I still sound like crap. That's why I said to be honest with yourself. That's why
I'm getting back to basics. The path to learning never ends...unless you're happy just playing power chord, then all the power to ya.
How can I take advantage of this site, to make me the player I know I can be?
You're already doing so by posting. As to the tutorials, look around. I'm still going through them myself.
Thanks again everyone
Hope we were of some help. I hope you don't think I was being too harsh on you. Believe me, I'm sure most of the players here have felt your frustration. But you're going to have to hunker down and practice, practice, practice. I don't know if you're in school or what your daily responsibilities are, but many of us here work full time, have kids, have to worry about bills, etc. I'm separated, but have my kids every other week, for a full week at a time. So it's tough for me to find time to really practice. But thanks to Guitar Hero, I'm teaching my son Iron Man :)
I want to see you work on Stairway FOR A FULL WEEK, then post your progress. But do stop to take some time with the tutorials. "Kinda getting it" isn't good enough. If you hit a wall or get bored, take a break, then go at it again. From the time I first started playing, until I dropped out of Berklee, I managed to practice an average of...I'd say a minimum of 3 hrs. a day, and I'm low-balling that average. While at Berklee, it was more like 10 hrs./day; and yeah, I was able to fit in girls and other activities ;)
If you want it bad enough, you'll get it. The information is out there to get. It's up to you to retrieve it, and make of it what you wish.
Looking forward to your progress. And don't be shy about asking questions. As you can see, the members here are very helpful. Take advantage of that.
Silimtao-The Way of the Little Idea
I want to die peacefully like my grandfather. Unlike the other passengers in the car, screaming and crying. (unknown)
