where next....? (Page 1 of 2)

It's easy to get into this position. The way out is to set yourself a (new) goal. After I had been learning for a similar time I got to the stage of "now what?". It really depends on why you wanted to learn in the first place and what your goal is or was. For me, the next step was to get together with others who play and make some music together. That doesn't necessarily mean a band, although that could be fun. It also meant, for me, playing some songs at a local folk club.
Although I accept that for many people, learning and playing "at home" just for their own enjoyment is their goal, for me that rather misses the point of making music. It should be shared with others. (In my humble opinion of course)

Hi Russ. I havn't really 'composed'.. but have made up a few lil ditties of my own that i play when i cant think of anything else...    So ok, i'll work some more on that & see where i go....

Fingerpicking.  I can play a few songs finger style... Wonderful Tonight,  The Boxer, Hallelujuh are some..  but they never sound 'like the song' unless i sing as i play. I dont think there is one song i can play, that you could 'guess the tune' if you heard no lyrics.

Hi Stonebridge. Thats a nice idea. I do have a few friends that play guitar (MUCH better than me though, lol)  I have played (or does 'jammed' sound better...?!?!?) with someone else a few times and it is fun.  I do love to share my music. I dont suffer 'stage fright' and get all embarrassed when someone listens. As you say, would really kind of defeat the object..!!!

Hi Ark.  I'll definately look more into the fingerpicking. I seem to have gotten myself into the habit of just using my thumb and forefinger to pick with, and rest the other fingers on the guitar under the high e string. So i s'pose, it's the age old adage of Practice, Practice, Practice..!   

Thanks for your input, guys xxxx

Rachael xxxx

Hi Radchel, sorry to hear you are in a "rut"...

   I think that happens to all of us at some time or another.... the hitting a wall where moving onward seems directionless.  Take a look at your music book, is it all pretty much in the same genre?  Mine was for awhile, and then I discovered Chordie and started especially looking at the 100 most popular tunes section.  Playing through the ones I was familiar with and trying to get a handle on at least a couple new tunes (outside of my comfort zone) every time I visited. 

  That was a few years ago, and my music book is a few hundred pages thick now, and all over the planet so far as style goes.  Rock, Pop, Jazz, Country, R&B, Classical, New Age, Metal, Mouldy Oldie Goldies, etc.  I try to get together at least a couple weekends a month with friends to jam and mix it up a lot with music that they are particularly interested in.  That seems to keep things fresh and challenging.

  Lots of good advise here so don't lose heart... keep on rockin' in the free world!

Take Care;
Doug

RAdchael,

See your list of songs they seem to me to be quite easy ones, not that there is anything wrong with that but maybe you should go for something a bit harder, something that will make you sit down and try to work out how to change from one chord to another that ye find hard just now?

Or do what I do,lo,l, just learn even more easy songs.

or take a few of your songs and try changing it from the way the original artist does it, try singing it different meaning you might have to change a chord or two.

Ken

Hi Radchael,
Learn as much as you can while you can when your in your rut.Your bound to snap out of it when the time is right.Play with as many people as you can(I believe that is where you will learn more and pick up little tricks to advance your talents).
In the mean time may I suggest "Nights in White Satin".A great song that will fit your repatoire nicely.

Hope this helps

Kenny

You mention that other people might not recognise the song if you just played the chords. Russell has a point here. One of the simplest ways to spice up your playing is to add single note runs into your play.

Most songs will have a recognisable intro which you can play on single notes and then launch into a strum when you happen upon a longer note. Keep your fingers in the chord shape as best you can when playing the single notes. You can then add other arpeggio's as you move through the song.

It's a bit like learning a different strum pattern.

Hiya Kenny..   I'm keeping at it, there's NO way i'd ever give up, i'm much too stubborn, lol...!  So, as you say.. i'll keep digesting new information, keep working at descyphering the tabs, and trying to get together with some fellow players. I'm thiking of putting an ad in a shop window asking if there's anyone else around who wants to come jam with me..?  Anyone think that's a good idea.?

Nights in White Satin.. yes, that's a lovely song, one i learned in the early days of my playing. Maybe i'll go back to it and see if i can improve how i play it..?

Hi Tuba.  I've got a folder full of tabs (mostly chord tabs) that i printed out when i first started learning. There's quite a few in there i passed over because they were way way out of my league. I'll take a look back through that file and see what i find, that a few months seemed impossible, might now be within my limits..

Hi Alan.. That sounds great.. but how do i know which notes to pick individually to fit the songs...?  EEeeeek... now we're getting into the complicated sounding stuff,  but exactly what i'd love to be able to do. Arpeggio's.. is that where ya kinda 'wiggle' the string.. to give it that little bendy effect..? As for strumming patterns, i struggle with them too..!  LOL.. ok ok.. i'm seeing whole new areas that i can work on now..........

Hi evsynator...  I'll sure woek hard on getting 'something' constructive done... and maybe do a recording.. so keep your eyes peeled for sumthing from me..!

Thanks again people 4 ur help...

Rachael

Also just re - read your post at the top ... 100 songs from memory and playing for only 7- 8 months ... I been strumming away and played in pub duos on and off for thirty years with different guys ( though the total playng time when added up will be about 3 years ) ... I can still only ever rememember 5 or 6 songs properly ... the rest I just fool around a few chords and a verse or two when we are having a few beers or a barbi etc ... it seems to pass the night ok and they still think I can play .... if they only knew the bluff ...lol...

Yup.. you all have indeed got my positive side going again..

You're right.. i am VERY lucky to have my gear.   I've had it all brand new, except the Digitech pedal ,which my brother gave to me.  He's got a real Fender Strat, which he can't play....!!!  Makes me wanna cry when i see that thing sittin in its box gathering dust in his spare room.  None of my gear was very expensive, the acoustic was £99....  the electric and amp together were £120. But yes, as u say, i know there's a lot of people would love to have such nice instruments. I've got pics of my gear, but they're on another profile on a different forum.

x

Well your half way there ... just got to convince him to give you the "useless strat that he dont need " ... looking forward to hearing your first recording of whatever ... especialy in that norfolk accent ... and thats me who lives in Devon and everyone thinks we talk and all sing pirate songs ..... ( though I did learn one the other day - "eddystone lighthouse " ...which me and my son just happened to get rescued by 4 years ago after a stupid fishing boat I bought conked out ) ... we live and learn ....

Try playing some banjo or fiddle or piano music on your guitar.  Also, try converting from one style to another.  I don't know if it'll break you out of your rut, but it's fun. 

I've been working on putting Wild Rose of the Mountain - a traditional fiddle tune - to work on guitar.  Also a lullaby done by the original artist on hammered dulcimer on guitar.  Finally, I've been working on Crocodile Rock, a piano rock song, to be a fingerpick bluegrass guitar song.  It's fun. 

- Zurf