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Guitar chord forum - chordie → Acoustic → Drummer gone to the Guitar
I have been messing around with the guitar for a couple of years on and off again and now want to get more serious about it.
I can play along with some simple songs but when I play with no background music my playing is not as crisp and recognizable
as is should be. It's like a am in a rut, not really improving any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Joe
Ji Joe and welcome to Chordie.
I am afraid there is no easy answer but first you need to stop 'messing around' and get down to some planned and structured practice.
Try a warm up by just practicing the chord changes in a song that you know and then play the song but without any backing as you neeed to hear what you are producing clearly. Using a metromome to keep time is a benefit. Initially keep to simple songs, there are many Public Songbooks on Chordie with songs especially for beginners so a visit there will be worth while.
All the time your chord changes and knowledge of chords will improve, but as has been said on here time after time, at the end of the day it is down to practice, practice and then even more practice.
Keep at it, it will be worth it in the end.
Roger
Joe,
Very good information from Roger, as always. Listen to this man, he's very wise and eager to help whenever he can.
With your drumming/percussion background you surely have a good sense of timing and dynamics. You're half-way there. The rest is mathmetics and soul. Get yourself a tuner to ensure you develope your ear properly. This is very important. Learn guitar speak; The thicker strings are the lower strings. When moving from the first fret to the fifth fret, you are moving UP the neck. It's all pitch related. Learn what the parts of the guitar are called in case you are in need of repair or replacement. Study chord charts over and over. Apply said chords, over and over. Don't get too far ahead of yourself. Many people try to play solos before they have the slightest idea where the solos come from. Heart and soul will only get you so far. You need a fundamental understanding of chords and scales. My first guitar instructor always stressed this sentiment; " Practice the fundamentals over and over until the fundamentals become instinctive." That stuck with me and is so very true. Best of luck to you and welcome to Chordie.
Peace and Guitars,
SouthPaw41L
Have you worked out Travis picking yet JM? This is the basis of so much in country, folk and rock. The basic clawhammer 4 note picking pattern should sound crisp (mine is going to pot while I play bass). Being a drummer you'll know what I mean when I say each of the notes should fall on the 1,2,3,4 not the 'ands'. Get a metronome, drum machine or loops and practice that pick with them trying to be perfectly paced. You should find crispness comes with practice...
Thanks for the help and sorry for the delay in getting back.
Joe
Ji Joe and welcome to Chordie.
I am afraid there is no easy answer but first you need to stop 'messing around' and get down to some planned and structured practice.
Try a warm up by just practicing the chord changes in a song that you know and then play the song but without any backing as you neeed to hear what you are producing clearly. Using a metromome to keep time is a benefit. Initially keep to simple songs, there are many Public Songbooks on Chordie with songs especially for beginners so a visit there will be worth while.
All the time your chord changes and knowledge of chords will improve, but as has been said on here time after time, at the end of the day it is down to practice, practice and then even more practice.
Keep at it, it will be worth it in the end.
Roger
All involved, Thank you for the help, I will take your advice and practice. I have fretboard logic and it makes a lot of sense.
again thanks for the help and I will let you know how it all works out.
Joe
Guitar chord forum - chordie → Acoustic → Drummer gone to the Guitar
