So, I picked up the guitar about six years ago with the idea that I wanted to learn a few chords so I could strum a few basic songs and play a little in a church praise band or around a camp fire. It seemed to come fairly easy to me (for my age) and I really enjoy it but have not really done much with it beyond that. I now find myself learning and wanting to learn more lead type play and more music theory to be able to jam and lead. Where do I go from here? Its difficult to take lessons because I would have to drive about an hour to do that. Maybe its worth the time invested? I have played a few little gigs here and there and have started to build up a little bit of equipment and would love to take it further. Do you recommend any of the "youtube" lesson guys? Any helpful advice is much appreciated!! By the way, I love classic rock but also enjoy all types of music. I have wondered if a good foundation in the blues would be a good start?
I was in the same situation as you a few years ago. Ive been taking lessons the next town over from me for a little over a year now, but i started online. The site i started with is justinguitar.com. Also, next time you have free time available, stop by your nearest guitar center and ask the employees which of the books they recommend. I use the "Hal Leonard Guitar Method" series, but there are millions of them out there. Be sure to get one that has a c.d. along with it so you can compare your playing to the "experts" on the c.d.
I am no one .. musically but my two cents.. if you have an ear for music and feel it in your soul it will all come together. I think some of the best are able to feel the music that flows through them. Learning how to relate it into the cords and through your fingers may take some practice. If you enjoy it and play a lot any song or you tube video may provoke the music within you. Good Luck, keep at it.
SPOTnSTALK makes a good point as well. at some point, lessons aren't going to give you any more. Quite a few of the greats never took lessons period. it all depends on how you take to it. make sure you have equipment that is going to fit you and the music you like, though. you don't want a Gibson Hummingbird if you are going to be playing Death Metal. In the same token, you don't want an Ibanez MTM if you are going to play Bluegrass. You can make either one work, but you are going to have more fun in the learning process if you get more appropriate equipment to start.
I guess I thought a little music theory on the fretboard would be helpful before I close my eyes. Thanks for the input so far guys.
Google guitar tabs.and find any song you want played ten different ways on youtube. You can get any sound/tone you want with a tele and a line 6 pod. Hope this helps
You can mimic any sound, but modeling amps like that can't fully capture the signature sounds of, say, '70s-'80s Marshall amps with your choice of stomp boxes.
I mainly play on my Taylor T5 and run it through a Crate acoustic amp. I do have a Boss loop station now and a Digitech Vocalist harmonizer that is fun to play around with. But, I really don't know what the heck I am doing. lol I definitely can make a lot of noise.
I have been playing guitar for 20 years, and everyone hits the same plateau, even the greats. The way I broke through it was getting out of my comfort zone and playing around with a different style. And you have to start learning things you think are too advanced for you to play. Just pick a couple of songs you really like and learn to play the lead by ear. That will teach you your way around the fretboard after a while. A good theory book will be better for you after you mess around trying to learn on your own for a while. Its like messing around with a piece of electronic equipment and then reading the instruction manual. It makes more sense to read after you have messed around a little bit. Another thing I like to do is record yourself playing now and then. Then go back and listen to it after a couple of months and you will realize you really are getting a lot better. Its a good boost for your morale. Just my two cents. Good luck.
Thanks. I can pretty much figure out most songs by ear now, but want to learn how to solo in each key and maybe how to apply the modes etc. Is that best accomplished through lessons? books? online?
I have tons of equipment, but the pod processor was what I was talking about. I have a couple fender tube amps and a line 6 flex tone amp and there not night and day between them.but I will say the fenders brake down a lot over the years so did my old Marshall tube amp. If your going to gig with a tube amp you should bring a spare amp with you.
