Learning A New Style

Hey I have been playing rock/metal guitar for about 5 years and I kinda want to learn a completely new style like reggae, country, or classical but I don't know where to start. I have a hard time finding music in these styles, but when I do I like it a lot. That is not really my problem though because Google will help with that. I was wondering how I can learn and become efficient in a style out of my comfort zone. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

Same way you learned guitar in the first place. Just start learning new material. Not sure exactly what you are asking. Have you decided on a certain style yet? If you go classical, you'll need a classical guitar.

I think I want to learn to play classical. I have a classical guitar. So all i have to do is learn to play songs? And to clarify my question I"ll give an example. Right now I can write, improvise, and play quality material in metal. How do I go about becoming that good in another style? Your answer sounds like it will work great.


Thanks

Just start with the basics. I'd recommend this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Solo-Guitar-Playing-Book-Classical/dp/0825694000

I have the 4th edition. Not sure if there is a newer one.

Ok Thanks!!! :)

There is also a book range "Classical Guitar for dummies" without notes so you learn to develop correct hand position and posture for classical guitar, paly along with exercices and pieces: The book has 338 pages , so you will busy for a while !!
Cheers

I too find learning new styles challenging. It helps a lot to really be into the new styles as much as your original styles. Having your gear set up to accommodate these new styles is another step forward. For example, I've been learning more finger style techniques, and using an acoustic guitar makes it easier to focus on this style, but if I use my electric I'm usually more tempted to switch on the overdrive and practice more rock/metal ideas.

Originally Posted by: shahnenHey I have been playing rock/metal guitar for about 5 years and I kinda want to learn a completely new style like reggae, country, or classical but I don't know where to start. I have a hard time finding music in these styles, but when I do I like it a lot. That is not really my problem though because Google will help with that. I was wondering how I can learn and become efficient in a style out of my comfort zone. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

Pat Martino states that styles are like dialects and music is the language. So the way you start speaking a different dialect, is that you immerse yourself in that dialect. If you wanted to learn to speak the "style" of the English language known as the Irish brogue, you would move to Ireland and talk with those who speak it. So if you want to learn a new style, it helps to jam with those who speak it: listening to that music, jamming with those musicians, hanging out with those who like that music, and jamming along with the records. It all uses the same 12 notes, but it is how they use them that makes the style, but to understand that as Pat Martino suggests it is more than just learning the quirks with head-knowledge by reading an article or two, but getting used to "speaking the lingo."

Hope that helps,
James Erickson
www.jamesericksonmusic.com