I have hit the wall!

I am an executive coach who can't help himself regarding the guitar. I am a young 67 and revisiting my passion from University when I was a good folksinger and basic guitar player. I latched on to Guitar Tricks, did the core sessions revisited some songs I used to do and looked into new ones. I have a teacher who says you got it and just play, but I can't just free wheel it.

Theory overwhelms me and I can't connect the dots. Frustrated!

Jim

I'm kind of in the same boat. My technique is now up to par, but I've been putting off stuff like improvising and music theory. I always figured it would be best to wait to learn music theory until I had some technique. That way I could apply the music theory to some interesting licks, rather than just one slow note at a time, haha.

So I'm just beginning my music theory journey. I'm starting out by learning more chords, all my scales (major and minor for now), and the fretboard. There's actually a really good app (I think Guitar Tricks has their own version too) that teaches you the fretboard. I have one for my iPad that works really well called Fret Tester.

~Rusty

Theory is important and helpful, but don't let it get in the way of learning songs and enjoying playing the guitar.

Think of theory as another tool, like knowing scales is a tool, and knowing a strumming pattern is a tool. Until you have a *need* for the tool (theory), getting bogged down in understanding it will not help you.

My approach has been to work on all of these things in parallell. I'll work on new songs and solos as my main focus for a while (a few months). Then I'll go back to focusing more on learning the notes on the fretboard, understanding scales, etc.

Also, you need to decide what your goals are. Do you want to expand your repertiore of songs? Do you want to write your own songs? Do you want to add embelishments to songs you know? Improvise solos? Answering these questions (and others you can think of) will help you determine what you should focus on and get out of your rut.

Good advice

I was paraphrasing what one of the instructors here (Christopher Schlagel) said in another thread:

"Don't worry about getting too far into theory concepts that you can't apply. Until you have a use for them, or can put them into practice it's just getting ahead of yourself. Worse it can be a frustrating waste of precious time."

Carlisle,

So what are you up to?

Are you writing new music?

Are you learning for your enjoyment?

Are you just trying to archive something you feel you never completed in your youth and learning the theory will fix some hole?

Sounds like you’re using your lack of theory as an excuse not to free wheel it. What skill level do you need to archive before “You” will feel “You” are ready to free wheel it.

Some things in life do not need best laded plans or pre-thought put into them. Some things just need to be released as they move through you.

Let go of control, pick up your guitar, close your eyes and start to play, see what comes out. If you find yourself playing someone else's music, you still need to let go of control. Let what is in you come out.

Originally Posted by: haghj500Sounds like you’re using your lack of theory as an excuse not to free wheel it. What skill level do you need to archive before “You” will feel “You” are ready to free wheel it.

Some things in life do not need best laded plans or pre-thought put into them. Some things just need to be released as they move through you.

Let go of control, pick up your guitar, close your eyes and start to play, see what comes out. If you find yourself playing someone else's music, you still need to let go of control. Let what is in you come out.

Very well put.

I came to guitar tricks one and a half years ago looking to learn theory and technique and all sorts of stuff to fill in the gaps and bring my playing a whole new level!

In the forums here people were trying to come up with ways of keeping up their motivation and holding themselves accountable. People started to post recordings of things they were working on. I jumped on the bandwagon and made a recording of myself improvising over a blues backing track I found on the Internet. This turned into a major turning point for me. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It was a surreal moment...I listened to it back and seriously thought to myself "Did I just play that!?!?!? I did that!?!?!?!" Since then I've made more recordings and am involved with starting a cover band.

The point is that aside from all of the theory and "connecting of the dots", there is likely music within you waiting to come out and your skills may be beyond what you perceive. Recording yourself and playing it back gives you a different perspective than you have "in the moment" while you are playing. Time and time again, whether it be recording something in my basement or improvising a solo with the band, I'll think in the moment "ugh, this is really horrible, I need to figure out something better". Upon listening to the playback, more often than not I'll think "that was really good, what was I thinking!".

Sure, I'm still working on theory and technique to improve. There's always room to improve. And I have to practice...everybody has to practice! But, I've learned to enjoy the skills that I have at the moment to make what I think is some pretty cool music!

I'm no SRV, Van Halen, Satriani, Clapon and will probably never will be. There will always be players far better than I, BUT I can still make some pretty cool sounding noise with my guitar!

Go here to check out some of my playing
Go here to check out some of my duo's work

Permalink

Playing guitar is an artistic method of self expression. Don't over think it.

Put on a beat you like and start experimenting. Let it out. It wants to be free.

Record it. Then lay something on top of it.

Hit rewind, pour your favorite beverage and enjoy the sound of your soul :)