Ten Years On.......
...... and several tutors later, I have decided to pack in with lessons, I am so hacked off with my sloppy and talentless efforts.
It's just money down the pan..... anyway I am f*****d off wothit all, I think I'll take up DIY and get some of them little jobs done I keep putting off.
Sorry about the whingy rant but I feel somehow cleansed now.
Cheers
bluemonst
That's a shame - anything specific that's pissed you off about your playing? Not enough time to practise?
It depends on your learning style, but in the past I've found having continuous, regular lessons can be quite counterproductive - my playing got worse. But I think this was because I never fully internalised what I was being taught before going on to the next lesson.
After stopping lessons, I gradually improved, as over time I gradually absorbed all the stuff I'd been taught years before by practising it and learning it in my own way.
So in a roundabout way, I'm suggesting that perhaps your time and money having lessons was probably not wasted.
Try learning another instrument like bass/keys/drums.
I've found when I get stuck on guitar focussing on music of another kind unlocks my playing.
Play with others. Even if you end up bashing out open chords, doing it with someone else will be inspiring and uplifting.
I had about 12 months of lessons a while ago, and I've had a break for the last few months. I'm finding now, that I'm starting to use what I was learning, and work out how to make it work for me. When I was going every other week, I was trying to practice, and not really playing all that much. Spent a while recently just playing, now I'm starting to do a bit of both.
Don't get disheartened, just enjoy what you do.
Where are you based? My teacher in Manchester is awesome....really really good
I find when I get stuck, putting the guitar to one side and doing something else, and totally putting out of my mind the problem part(s), when I come back to them they're (at least seem) easier.
I also find when I start and finish my playing session, playing something I know well puts my mind in the right place (Ie I can do this)
like Kirk Hammett, but more talent and less guitars
Nothing wrong with taking a sabbatical. I always found the problem with ongoing lessons was I never got the chance to put the lessons into practice before the next one was due. In fact there was times when I really didn't want to go to lessons because the stress of expectancy I placed upon my self go too much.Originally Posted by bluemonst
If you feel like that just step back, take a break and just have fun. Play with backing tracks, do some recording (you really are not as bad as you believe you are), get out and play with other like minded guys and gals and believe me they are out there. In short, stop learning, start playing. It's a bit of a cliché but it's true nevertheless, sometimes you have to go back to go forwards and if that's going back to doing what you did when you last had fun, so be it.
dilbert.
I really hate to hear things like this.
Something to consider is it is never a problem with talent but rather the approach/method.
If you want PM me and I'll give you some advice about what it takes to get your playing together.
You can do this- provided you have the right approach and are willing to put in the work.
It can be boring but if you want it then you will find a way to do it.
I felt like this 3-4 years ago, best thing I ever did was join a band. Doesn't matter how good or bad you think you are, there are others on a similar level, playing in a band situation gives you confidence in your abilities and just gives you the enthusiasm back.
Not sure exactly your situation but I found playing on a bedroom to backing tracks and doing exercises boring as hell and personally I don't feel I learnt much.
You also need to think about that you want to get out of it.. I'm never going to be a great player, I'm never going to be shredding Steve Vai licks, but I'm happy where I am playing in a band to a handful of people on a Friday/Saturday night in a pub. If you want to shred Vai tracks then that's great, as long as you know that's your target..
[QUOTE=dilbert;1354465
get out and play with other like minded guys and gals and believe me they are out there.
[/QUOTE] ururururu!!! said Jimmy to Gary. Soz Dilbert couldnt resist.
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