Veteran guitar player trying to relearn need advice

Ok so I started playing guitar when i was about 15 years old (24 now). I usually just dicked around and played blackmetal which didnt need to be super acurrate. Now I am getting into acoustic and learning how to sing, I want to do the singer/songwriter thing.

Problem is, I realized that over the years i've learned a lot of bad habits and my "foundation" of playing is really sloppy and weak, especially rhythm wise. I'm just learning how to sing really, I just signed up for lessons so im looking forward to that.

But would it be wise, to stop writing songs and go back to the basics? I feel like prior this my practice is getting NOWHERE. Just a few days ago though, I started playing chords with a metronome just simple patterns.

Anyone have advice how to tackle my goals? Should I start playing simple patterns with a metronome to fix my rhythm and learn to sing as well with my teacher on a different level? Then once those two are solid then begin trying to combine them together?

I feel like im a good player and I understand music its just my technical skills have a bad foundation. Any advice is appreciated. Especially with effective practice. A lot of my practice turns into just long jam sessions where I get no real improvement from. Thanks!

I can really relate to a lot of the stuff you're saying, especially the stuff about practice time turning into long jam sessions where you don't really improve. It sounds like you're got a good leg up in that you're recognizing what your weaknesses are, and you've got the desire to improve. As someone else once said, if you want things to change, you need to do something different.

-First things first, you don't need to stop song writing. However, you do need to acknowledge (which you already have) that song writing is not an excuse for sloppy playing and poor rhythm. The trick is to stay within your ability at all times. No one is going to fault you for playing a simple guitar bit if its played really well, with consistent tempo & controlled rhythm. However, a poorly played guitar bit isn't going to win over an audience no matter how complicated it is. No one is going to say "wow, that really sounded like crap, but hey, it was a tricky thing to play, so he's actually really good".

-Set clear specific short, medium and long range goals for your practice time. What do you want to accomplish or work on for your next practice session? What song or skill would you like to learn or master in the next month? Where would you like your guitar playing to be in a year from now? Ask yourself these questions, set goals, and WRITE THEM DOWN! This will really help you focus.

-Separate your practice time from playing. When you're learning a new skill, it takes time for it to sink in. You could try to master some chord changes by practicing 6 hours straight, and still not get it. You could practice 15 minutes a day, and find that within a week, you have it down pat. Don't burn yourself out with practice. Use a metronome; but before you even pick up the guitar know exactly what it is you're going to work on, and how that skill fits in to your big plan for your long range goals. Keep your practice sessions short, and fun. When you feel yourself getting frustrated or bored, maybe starting to drift away from what it was you were going to work on, put the guitar down for a bit. Its often better to have a bunch of short practice stints through the day than one long one.

-Give yourself time to play... time to experiment with the new skills you've practiced, BUT don't let that become a time to start reverting to bad habits that you're trying to cure. Again, play within your ability.

There's lots of good acoustic lessons on this site. Lisa McCormick's lessons are great, and she starts off at a very basic level. Even though I am a pretty proficient guitar player, I'm still working through all her beginner lessons for the very reason you site, to ensure I'm not incorporating bad habits that will hold me back and limit my growth.

Definitely go back to the basics and fix what you feel or know is wrong with your guitar playing. I've had to do that myself, so head's up... it can feel very awkward or darn near impossible to break some bad habits and adopt a new technique. However, the good news is that you really do "break" the habit... at some point, and it won't take long, things will just click and you'll get it... just don't let the initial awkwardness throw you.

Stay positive.. visualize your success and playing well, and sooner than you think you'll be there... and set those goals!! You can't arrive at your destination if you don't know where you're going.

Good Luck!

Originally Posted by: Nauthiz616Should I start playing simple patterns with a metronome to fix my rhythm

In my opinion, you already started doing the most important thing by using the metronome. You're using your thinking cap. :D

Originally Posted by: Slipin LizardI can really relate to a lot of the stuff you're saying, especially the stuff about practice time turning into long jam sessions where you don't really improve. It sounds like you're got a good leg up in that you're recognizing what your weaknesses are, and you've got the desire to improve. As someone else once said, if you want things to change, you need to do something different.

-First things first, you don't need to stop song writing. However, you do need to acknowledge (which you already have) that song writing is not an excuse for sloppy playing and poor rhythm. The trick is to stay within your ability at all times. No one is going to fault you for playing a simple guitar bit if its played really well, with consistent tempo & controlled rhythm. However, a poorly played guitar bit isn't going to win over an audience no matter how complicated it is. No one is going to say "wow, that really sounded like crap, but hey, it was a tricky thing to play, so he's actually really good".

-Set clear specific short, medium and long range goals for your practice time. What do you want to accomplish or work on for your next practice session? What song or skill would you like to learn or master in the next month? Where would you like your guitar playing to be in a year from now? Ask yourself these questions, set goals, and WRITE THEM DOWN! This will really help you focus.

-Separate your practice time from playing. When you're learning a new skill, it takes time for it to sink in. You could try to master some chord changes by practicing 6 hours straight, and still not get it. You could practice 15 minutes a day, and find that within a week, you have it down pat. Don't burn yourself out with practice. Use a metronome; but before you even pick up the guitar know exactly what it is you're going to work on, and how that skill fits in to your big plan for your long range goals. Keep your practice sessions short, and fun. When you feel yourself getting frustrated or bored, maybe starting to drift away from what it was you were going to work on, put the guitar down for a bit. Its often better to have a bunch of short practice stints through the day than one long one.

-Give yourself time to play... time to experiment with the new skills you've practiced, BUT don't let that become a time to start reverting to bad habits that you're trying to cure. Again, play within your ability.

There's lots of good acoustic lessons on this site. Lisa McCormick's lessons are great, and she starts off at a very basic level. Even though I am a pretty proficient guitar player, I'm still working through all her beginner lessons for the very reason you site, to ensure I'm not incorporating bad habits that will hold me back and limit my growth.

Definitely go back to the basics and fix what you feel or know is wrong with your guitar playing. I've had to do that myself, so head's up... it can feel very awkward or darn near impossible to break some bad habits and adopt a new technique. However, the good news is that you really do "break" the habit... at some point, and it won't take long, things will just click and you'll get it... just don't let the initial awkwardness throw you.

Stay positive.. visualize your success and playing well, and sooner than you think you'll be there... and set those goals!! You can't arrive at your destination if you don't know where you're going.

Good Luck!

Hey man really helpful post thanks!

Glad to help, and keep letting us know how you're doing, what's working, what's not. Totally off topic, but I just bought a Planet Waves capo... never used a capo before, but they are really cool! Might be good to consider if you're doing the acoustic guitarist/singer/songwriter thing, as it allows you to change the keys of songs really easily on the guitar.

Originally Posted by: Nauthiz616Ok so I started playing guitar when i was about 15 years old (24 now). I usually just dicked around and played blackmetal which didnt need to be super acurrate. Now I am getting into acoustic and learning how to sing, I want to do the singer/songwriter thing.

Problem is, I realized that over the years i've learned a lot of bad habits and my "foundation" of playing is really sloppy and weak, especially rhythm wise. I'm just learning how to sing really, I just signed up for lessons so im looking forward to that.

But would it be wise, to stop writing songs and go back to the basics? I feel like prior this my practice is getting NOWHERE. Just a few days ago though, I started playing chords with a metronome just simple patterns.

Anyone have advice how to tackle my goals? Should I start playing simple patterns with a metronome to fix my rhythm and learn to sing as well with my teacher on a different level? Then once those two are solid then begin trying to combine them together?

I feel like im a good player and I understand music its just my technical skills have a bad foundation. Any advice is appreciated. Especially with effective practice. A lot of my practice turns into just long jam sessions where I get no real improvement from. Thanks!

You also might try learning new chords... not in a practice way, but in a "play" way. Stretch yourself. Learn a new genre. Go online to the tabs and check out some of the old standards, Sinatra kind of stuff. They have really cool jazz chords that you can later bring back into your own writing. But don't just practice. That's boring and not all that productive. Play. Experiment with different rthymns. Don't try to do it the original way. Do it your way. Take chords and find out how many different ways you can play them and then use them all as you play until you find the mix you like. Introduce lead walks into your next chord change. Most of all have fun and PLAY.

Metronome or drum machine or other means to improve your timing is a must, so you are on the right track.

Timing is the most important aspect of music. Without timing there is no music, there is only sound. I'd rather play with a beginner with good timing than a virtuoso who doesn't.

Metronome, drum machine, all good. I've recently purchased PC Drummer (About $40), which is software I can write drum tracks with. Since you are writing, you might want to consider something like that to help both your songs and your timing.

Hi there, there are a couple of goodish free drum machines available on the net too, so maybe try one out before buying, save sum bucks, just a thought...

I have a Dr. Rhythm DR880 which I use tons. You can see my review here:
http://www.myguitarjournal.com/2010/01/28/boss-dr-880-dr-rhythm/

Its not cheap, somewhere just under $500, but I feel its a great value for practice & improvement. I've also tried GuitarPort, which is only $99, and works off my Mac, but its not as instantaneous as the DR-880. However, there are free jam tracks out there that you can use with GuitarPort, if you search around enough on-line, and some are very good. Just a few options.