General Music Chat

Who can give me advice on getting better at lead guitar. I know the obvious like practicing scales (which i do) but does anybody know of anything else? I've only been playing guitar for around 11 months, so I am very new to lead guitar. Thanks in advance

Start taking on some of the easier songs that you like. Hunt and peck your way through the melody or grab a few of the easier chops that you like. Play along with recordings (Although to a hack like me, that is discouraging in itself) But playing along with recordings may make it easier to play with other musicians.
Try to find some musicians at the same stage as you are to learn a few songs or make a few up.

Good luck. The more you learn the less you know.

Slacker just covered it well. Play along to songs you know. Don't get stuck in scales.

11 months... Josh the fastest way to open the door to great melodic playing is extreme proficiency in timing. Forget scales as the most important tool.
I see young players struggling to keep good time.
Even just playing simple bar chords for hours in a rehearsal situation will push you further ahead than spending all your time learning complicated scales.
I LOVE playing rhythm guitar more than playing "lead". Split those quarter notes into triplets or just plain straighten them out. Great timing is the initial key to being a good player is timing and creativity with timing.
What makes some of the greatest solo players (not just guitar) is their timing and understanding that timing.
Get that down and you will have advanced tremendously. That means hours and hours of just playing chords. It locks in your two hands.

Get this down and next year I'll tell you about another over looked secret.

I don't spend ALL of my time doing scales ha. But, I'll be sure to take your guys' advice. I dont play along with recordings as much as I probably should, and when i do my timing is terrible ha. So that's something to work on!! Thanks a lot!

I don't spend ALL of my time doing scales ha. But, I'll be sure to take your guys' advice. I dont play along with recordings as much as I probably should, and when i do my timing is terrible ha. So that's something to work on!! Thanks a lot!

Just watch your favorite players on youtube and steal their best riffs. Once you develop a vocabulary you can pull from it to craft your own solos... and what Slacker and Glenn said.

Josh,,, are you 17 or 26? Your profile says 2 different things.
After that last wise ass comment of yours and NNNNOOOOO audio posted,,,,

Just disappear! I don't Know who you think you are, but you just blew all your credibility with that crap.

I'm 17, and I think I'm free to ask any question that I want. Dont get involved or help me if you dont want to. Simple as that. But no, im not going to disappear, this is my 4th or 5th day here. Deal with me.

lol That's it, piss them off.

Then they will all be forced to help you..

Is that you, Glambert?

You get more with honey than you do with vinegar, you douche.

I'm 17, and I think I'm free to ask any question that I want. Dont get involved or help me if you dont want to. Simple as that. But no, im not going to disappear, this is my 4th or 5th day here. Deal with me.

Not if you are going to get so pissy about everything.
You just stepped into a big pile and you don't even know how to clean your boots.

I would like to tell you to run back home and have your mommy teach how to wipe your nose. I'm not going too. Watch your comments! You have NOTHING TO BACK THEM UP.

I suggest you post on Life in United States if you are just looking for musical help.
I guess we will see.

Nothing I post is an opinion, they are facts. How should I back them up? I am not forcing ANYBODY to help if they dont want to. I am assuming you're much older than me, so why don't you try to act your age. Right now, I am acting much older than you. Drop it and move on.

Nothing I post is an opinion, they are facts. How should I back them up? I am not forcing ANYBODY to help if they dont want to. I am assuming you're much older than me, so why don't you try to act your age. Right now, I am acting much older than you. Drop it and move on.

There you go insulting me because I am not acting my age.
Son I am not your mom and I am definitely a heartless bastard.
Why don't you drop it and move on. Just remember there are pooper scooper laws almost everywhere now.

Whatever you say. Just stay out of my way for now on and I'll stay out of yours.

Whatever you say. Just stay out of my way for now on and I'll stay out of yours.

That should be "...out of my way FROM now on"

You little twit.

Thanks, internet policeman.