need some style advice


ridefree72
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Joined: 03/24/17
Posts: 4
ridefree72
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Joined: 03/24/17
Posts: 4
04/11/2017 2:04 am

I have returned more determined then ever to learn guitar seriously and have a question, I enjoy metal, rock, and blues all equally, should I focus on one style in the learning process outlined here on GT or will it be ok to bounce around between the 3 based on my "mood of the day"

Thanks for any suggestions and advice :)


Ibanez RC330T

Blackstar ID Core 10

# 1
Meridirh
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Meridirh
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04/11/2017 11:59 am

Hey

I can only tell you what I've done to overcome this issue :D

I'm also interested in way too many styles: Classica, Flamenco/Latin, Blues, Jazz and Folk

In the beginning I had tried out several ways of managing all those styles. I varied and rotated each week, every second week and even once per month but this never really worked out well since I was forced to rethink and change regularly.

After Christopher Schlegel, my favourite Instructor here on GuitarTricks.com, told me that he would rather stick to one style at a time I tried it out and it was really the best decision I've made (despite starting with the guitar, of course).

Now that I'm purely focusing on Classical Guitar, it became so much easier to memorize the material, to understand and analyze the stuff that I do since I don't have the pressure anymore of another style already waiting at the end of the week.

Since then I've improved way quicker and I already see regular improvement. I hope this helps you out. My advice would be to really stick to one genre/style, even though you may neglect the others. However, don't forget that focusing on one style does not mean ignoring the rest. You may still learn pieces from other styles but the stuff you really STUDY should be the one style that you've chosen for yourself.

Hope this helps you out,

if you've got any questions, just leave a note

Best,

Lukas


Limits are selfmade. Break beyond them!

www.meridirhproductions.com | Too old to learn multiple instruments? Let's put it to a test...

Guitar: Started January 2016

Styles/Genres I am currently studying:

- Classical Guitar

- Latin Style (Flamenco, Soleares)

- Folk Style (Pop, Celtic, Irish, Gypsi)

- (Fingerstyle) Blues

- (Fingerstyle) Jazz

# 2
peterjams
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peterjams
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04/12/2017 6:45 am

I think most people have various genres of music that they enjoy.

For me, I am most interested in learning rock and jazz. So actually, I am starting with blues, since it could be considered foundational for both of those genres. I loaded my iphone playlist with Jimi and Clapton, plus a few classic Blues guys like Robert Johnson, BB King, and the Allman Brothers.

I plan to hit the rock section after completing Blues 1 & 2.

I've got to think the best choice is whatever keeps you wanting to come back for more.


# 3
maggior
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maggior
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04/12/2017 12:57 pm

Something I think may of us guitarists suffer from is wanting to learn everything...and learn it now!! With technology today and sites like Guitar Tricks, you have instant access to all of the lessons. Yet it's like drinking from a fire hose.

I think it's best to focus on one area and perhaps dabble in another. Maybe you can find ways to blend the two styles together...some great music has been made that way along with blazing new trails. You have guys like Malmsteen and Blackmore bringing classical elements into rock. DiMeola brings latin, jazz, and rock together. The sourthern rock guys..Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker, etc. brought rock and country together.

Whatever you do, take those first steps in whatever direction seems right for you and move forward. You may change your direction, but just keep moving forward toward what inspires you to play.


# 4
ridefree72
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ridefree72
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04/12/2017 10:42 pm

thank you everyone, certainly would be alot to take on everything, But you are right that blues leaves a very solid foundation for everything else so I think thats what Im going to do :)


Ibanez RC330T

Blackstar ID Core 10

# 5
JeffS65
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JeffS65
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04/13/2017 5:53 pm
Originally Posted by: ridefree72

thank you everyone, certainly would be alot to take on everything, But you are right that blues leaves a very solid foundation for everything else so I think thats what Im going to do :)

Blues in general undergirds most popular music. Knowing blues scales, licks and overall general vocabulary puts a lot of the baseline work out of the way particularly for rock and metal. With that said, you don't have to exclusely focus on blues so much as be sure that what you are incorporating has a good blues basis. And, if you hear that artist X likes Elmore James, check out Elmore...that kind of thing.

Lots to learn but don't overthink it. Think in terms of discovery. One thing leads to another and so on. The key is not to exactly just focus on blues but to be sure that you understand what role blues played in a song and go back and learn where that lick or riff came from originally.

I've said many times here that blues has a vocabulary. Learn it and it opens up a lot of avenues for you in terms of what you can play and seeing those licks and patterns throughout music.


# 6

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