General Music Chat

I can't help with the sweeping or solo's.
The age old method (that a lot of people don't want to hear) to build speed..."slow down"...yep, you read right.

Slow down, most of what us fretboard users do comes from 'muscle memory'; you need to lock it into your fingers so they become automatic (useful for singing and playing at the same time also); then any new movements/passages become an extention of what you automatically know. It speeds up not only your fingering, but reduces learning time as you're not fumbling around on the strings...your technique has cleaned up in the process.
Listening should also be incorporated in this "slower is faster" process, listening to what the intervals sound like against each other.

I concur. Get a copy of The Amazing Slower Downer. It changes speed without changing pitch. You can also adjust pitch without changing speed!

I glance at the tab once in a while to get the general location and scale form, then I rely on the slow playback. It's great!

If you want to be able to play faster, you have to try to play slower, and try to play with perfect tempo and perfect rhythm.
.
"Yeah. yeah," you may say, "I've heard this all before . . ."
Yeah, but bear with and old wisp of methane here, for a minute, and follow this whole 'thought-thread' . . .

Use a metronome, or a cheap 'kiddy-keyboard' drum machine - I know you're on a budget, but they're cheap.
And, yeah, you've heard THAT before, too, I remember.
.
Learn do do what you already do, but with perfect tempo.
Not just GOOD tempo.
.
'Good" isn't good enough.
.
If you take a test in school, and get a 'B' - that's good.
If you get an 'A' that's real good.
If you get a 100% of everything right, that's an A+. Great.
So, do you sill want to be "good?'
.
Anyway . . .
Split those beats right down the middle, man . . .
Not many lead players can do that.
Practice that tempo, like a robot. Don't practice the rhythm, yet; just the tempo.
.
Ok, got the tempo down?
OK, NOW learn do what you already do with a better, more creative RHYTHM.
.
Confused?
I look at rhythm this way: SOME notes have to be right-on-the-money. The notes which have a different timing, HAVE that different timing because you CHOOSE to play those notes with a different timing: NOT by accident, or 'just because' . . .
.
John, for a good example of what I'm talking about, go to my profile and listen to "Jaunty Boy." LOTS of differnt rhythms in this song, lots and lots . . .BUT. they're all the same TEMPO.
(Or, well. NEARLY the same tempo. It's a pretty hard song to play. Hey, no one's perfect . . . ) Listen closely, and you can pick out a few tempo/rhythm mistakes I made in the song . . .
While listening, tap you hands against your thighs to keep time.
Tap twice with your left hand, then twice with your right hand, then twice with your left . . . Get a good tempo going, and listen to the RHYTHM of the song.
If you didn't know before, NOW you know the difference between tempo and rhythm . . . and - without theory . . .
.
Anyway, listen to "Jaunty Boy," Now, imagine if I tried to play that song, say, 25% faster.
The only way to play it faster would be to drop several hundred notes out of the song . . . otherwise you wouldn't be able to fit the song into the 25% faster tempo.
If I played it half speed, I could add a few hundred extra notes, but then it would sound too 'busy,' and ruin the song . . .
.
You've got to find the right balance. Play faster and with less notes, or slower with more notes. But ALWAYS play with a pretty decent tempo.
.
Learn to play slowly, with a great tempo, and real good rhythm.
.
Once you've gotten to that stage (still playing slowly), you'll find that there's a lot of places in the songs you are playing, which have . . . - well - no sound . . . .
.
And: "Silence speaks," guy . . .
Listen CAREFULLY to the silence, and it gets you thinking . . .
THAT is when the speed kicks in, my friend . . .
Your fingers will realize that here is an opportunity for a lot of other notes . . . you fill them in, and .
,
and
. . .
Even though you are 'kind-of' playing slower, overall, there are now lots of places where you are playing faster, by filling in. fast - slow -fast - slow.
.
but . . .
You are not playing faster in the SAME PLACES which you would have been playing faster if you were to ignore my words and just try to play faster and faster.
.
And - learn when to leave in a few blank spaces . . .
Let the silence talk to your audience . . .
.
Contrast.
A vase is empty, but it is it's emptiness of the vase that gives it value.
Without valleys, there would be no mountains.

When I first started playing in a band (I was a harmonica player at the time) our guitar player was a basket case. I mean this guy couldn't walk and chew gum at the same time. It was actually painful to play with him. I wasn't sure he would ever become a great guitarist. But one thing he had was determination. He was going to become a guitatist come hell or high water. Watching him was like watching someone run into a wall over and over and over again. Then one day he GOT IT. He kept doing it until he GOT IT. Guitaranatomy, you obviously have the determination. I believe you're going to GET IT. Then you can look back and feel proud that all that effort was well worth it. I believe desire is 99% of success. Some people may learn faster than others, but the ones who have the will to succeed are the ones that DO succeed. Keep at it and never give up. Later...

RhythmMan, thanks a lot for that advice, it is great. I started using a metronome the second I read it. I think it is helpful, you are right. I will continue doing that and following the rest of your advice. I am very greatful.

When I first started playing in a band (I was a harmonica player at the time) our guitar player was a basket case. I mean this guy couldn't walk and chew gum at the same time. It was actually painful to play with him. I wasn't sure he would ever become a great guitarist. But one thing he had was determination. He was going to become a guitatist come hell or high water. Watching him was like watching someone run into a wall over and over and over again. Then one day he GOT IT. He kept doing it until he GOT IT. Guitaranatomy, you obviously have the determination. I believe you're going to GET IT. Then you can look back and feel proud that all that effort was well worth it. I believe desire is 99% of success. Some people may learn faster than others, but the ones who have the will to succeed are the ones that DO succeed. Keep at it and never give up. Later...

Fisherman Bob, that was a very inspirational little story. Now I feel a bit better about not being so good so fast, makes me realize if I keep pushing I will get there. Thanks.

Peace out to all, GuitarAnatomy.

By the way, Rhythm Man gave some GREAT advice. You've GOT to learn how to play with perfect tempo, so starting slow is truly great advice. Playing with a metronome is very important. Once you get perfect timing you can gradually increase your tempo. Also every guitar player wants to be a killer lead guitarist. In my opinion there's not that many great rhythm guitarists. As you're learning how to play lead DON'T IGNORE RHYTHM AND CHORDS. One of the great things about the early Fabulous Thunderbirds was the phenomenal rhythm of Jimmy Vaughan. I think rhythm guitar is almost a lost art. I've played with so many lead players who disappeared when their solos were over. When you start playing with people try and get a drummer with metronomic timing. You don't have to have a drummer with huge technical prowess (although it doesn't hurt). I'd rather have a simple drumbeat in perfect timing than something flashy and complicated that loses the timing. Anyway your musical journey is just beginning at age 19. I understand you want to be way ahead of where you're at now, but don't worry, you'll GET THERE. Later...

You've GOT to learn how to play with perfect tempo, so starting slow is truly great advice. I'd rather have a simple drumbeat in perfect timing than something flashy and complicated that loses the timing.

Yes and YES!!

By the way, Rhythm Man gave some GREAT advice. You've GOT to learn how to play with perfect tempo, so starting slow is truly great advice. Playing with a metronome is very important. Once you get perfect timing you can gradually increase your tempo. Also every guitar player wants to be a killer lead guitarist. In my opinion there's not that many great rhythm guitarists. As you're learning how to play lead DON'T IGNORE RHYTHM AND CHORDS. One of the great things about the early Fabulous Thunderbirds was the phenomenal rhythm of Jimmy Vaughan. I think rhythm guitar is almost a lost art. I've played with so many lead players who disappeared when their solos were over. When you start playing with people try and get a drummer with metronomic timing. You don't have to have a drummer with huge technical prowess (although it doesn't hurt). I'd rather have a simple drumbeat in perfect timing than something flashy and complicated that loses the timing. Anyway your musical journey is just beginning at age 19. I understand you want to be way ahead of where you're at now, but don't worry, you'll GET THERE. Later...

Thanks Fisherman Bob. I agree with everything you said. I will focus more on rhythm for now, or do a bit of both, like a 50/50. I am going to hook up the metronome in a bit.

Peace out, GuitarAnatomy.

I wholeheartedly agree with developing "good timing", (especially for a bassist and drummer)!
I'm not so sure about "perfect tempo" . I've done extensive drum programing on my Yamaha SY-55 when I was half of a keyboard-sax duo,"The Brass Keys". I "quantized" everything. I much prefer playing with a GOOD live drummer . Few live players have "perfect time", (although some come close). It could be argued that perfect time makes some music sound "sterile".
In any event, In my opinion, practice with a metronome is very good advice.

Okay, even though I have been practicing with the metronome, I think I am doing it wrong. So, someone explain to me (If you do not mind) how to properly use the darn thing, and um, try and make it in simple terms, lol - the music theory explanation tends to confuse me.

Just when you think you know something, you realize you do not, lol. The other day I realized I did not know my bends all that well, now I think I got that down. Nothing like being a beginner.

Peace out, GuitarAnatomy.

I have played along with a metronome occasionally. It does help somewhat with timing. Actually I listen to all different genres of music and count. I don't play along with them. I listen and count and make mental notes of the chord changes. Get in the habit of listening to music and counting. The more you do this the better your timing will get. I find that the really great bands and musicians have geat timing. I really don't know much about music theory, but I do know what sounds good. There's a definite correlation between what sounds good and what has great timing. The more you listen and count while NOT playing and the more you count while playing, the better your timing will get. If the music (and timing) is in your head, it will be easier to play it right. Good luck...

Rhythmman I tried the jaunty boy thing Guess im dumb I dont get it.
What if I just break the chord progression out of a tune and play a single strum for each cord, utilising my metranome, and then slowly increase the rate. I feel this would help speed and accurise my changes but what about tempo. Will a simple drill like this help?

sanshouheil, GA,
Sometimes with a metronome, you will have to make it slightly faster.
.
BUT . . .
OTHER times, - you will need to cut the time down SLOWER, by nearly HALF.
In other words - play the metronome at half-speed, but continue playing the guitar at the same speed.
.
Remember, at this stage you are NOT trying to just play the song. Instead, you are doing something that most guitarists never do: you are practicing.
Many guitarists play the songs they already know (or are trying to learn), and call it practice.
Just because one is playing a song does not mean it's practice. One can be repeating well-learned mistakes . . . .
When one practices, one learns.
.
Anyway; try slowing the metronome down; get a click on every OTHER beat, or every 4th beat.
.
And, sure, depending on the song, and its speed, one chord per beat is fine.
For the next step, try playing each chord twice per beat; you might have to slow the metronome down a tad (or not, depending).
.
Then try 4 strokes per beat.
I say '4 strokes,' instead of '4 chords,' because you should be trying this:

Play the chord once, pause (or 'fret the strings (click)' once, and then hit the chord 3 more times, for a total of 4 strokes.
There are several ways to practice, here:
> Chord, fret, chord, chord
> Chord, chord, fret, chord
> fret, fret, chord, chord
> Chord, pause, fret, chord
> and so forth and so on. There are quite a few possible combinations . . .
.
FIND them.
.
And, remember, everything is not necessarily on the DOWNstroke.
.
You should practice an ocassional upstroke chord, or an upstroke fretting . . . .
Again - remember, it doesn't matter if the song soulds like crap at this stage.
You are NOT just trying to play a song . . . you are trying to learn something.
THIS is what practice is: learning.
Find what works.
.
Explore.
Find out for yourself. Someone telling you 100 things means less than your finding 2 - 3 things all by yourself.
.
And, also, find out what you think doesn't work. ANd - be sure to practice what does NOT work, also . . .
"Huh? Why?" you may ask.
Because what does not work for this song may work terrifically in another song.
.
Use this method on several songs. (varying chord - fret - upstrokes - downstrokes . . . etc.
.
There are other things you can do with rhythm, too, but you don't need to learn everything at once.
(for example: you can picking a single string, then strum the chord(s) , or thump your wrist on the guitar, to make a sound like a bass-drum, or. . . or . . . )
.
But - 1 step at a time, eh?
Remember, you may have to slow the metronome way, way down, instead of speeding it up.
Also - think towards getting away from a metronome, eventually.
Buy a cheapo-kiddie-keyboard, if need be,with the built-in rhythms.
Make sure you can play the rhythm all by itself, and make sure you can vary the tempo.

.
One more thing.
It helps to have a good, solid beat in your subconscious mind.
And, so it helps a LOT to put down the damned guitar, occassionaly.
And just LISTEN.
Listen to the metronome all by itself, until you're SICK of it.
It does NOT matter if 'you' understand it.
Make sure your subconsciousness understands it, too . . .
.
'You' learn by logic.
Your subconsciousness learns by repetition.
Let the metronome play all by itself.
Let the perfect tempo work it's way into your subconsciousness a bit, before you go mucking it up . .
.
OK, boys, this took me a long time, and I got carried away.
You can see I'm really into this subject (hey, I'm "The Rhythm Man," after all), but I'm working for free here, and this took a long time . . .
.

Thanks for taking the time to write all of that, RhythmMan. It is very helpful, I am going to go over it thoroughly and use the metronome in a bit.

That advice is great, by the way, I strum my chords with up and down strokes, and now I alternative pick single notes (I finally got into the habit of it).

Peace out, GuitarAnatomy.

Yes, Thanks I do a lot of variation of up and down and different attacks with my chord work and running scales ad nausium. Also dida bunch of rhythm work on and off beat as well as between beats as a fighter. that all makes perfect sense. as in adopting the opponents rhythm and then breaking it, beating it to the punch. I appreciate the pointers. Back to Practice.

I can never get too much practice . . . if I get burned out in one area, I work on something else.
I only 'just play' - about 1 out of 5 times that I pick up my guitar.
.
I'm not kidding myself - I know that I, too, have a lot to learn . . .
.
And, I've learned that just 'understanding' - does not equal learning.
But practice WILL lead to learning . . . whether it be good habits, or bad habits . . .
.
One should choose very carefully WHAT they will be learning, eh?