Great post!Originally Posted by ICBM
Maybe you just haven't found the right type of playing yet.
It took me many years - although admittedly I didn't have lessons - to realise that I'm not really a "guitarist". I do play the guitar, and it's my main instrument, but I'm actually a songwriter who can't sing. After that I started forgetting about learning the "technique" bits of guitar playing and learned how to fit simple parts to lyrics in a way that works and communicates what I'm feeling. I hope I'm not totally talentless
, but I'm certainly sloppy, and it no longer bothers me at all - in fact it's a big part of how I approach playing now. I rarely if ever play the same thing exactly the same way twice, and when I play live I'm almost constantly changing the precise detail even in learned songs.
Luckily, I've found a singer, who is really a lead guitarist who can't play, to work with.
And what others have said. Take a break, do something else for a bit and I bet you'll be itching to play again in a while. When you're ready to start again, remember to ENJOY YOURSELF!
It is the most shattering experience of a young man's life, when one morning he awakes, and quite reasonably says to himself: "I will never play the Dane"
I find the best lessons are free. Obviously it helps having 22+ years under your belt, but I think I have got where I want to be in life with the guitar and life in general. Basically ok with room for improvement.
Youtube is great for looking up new music and old gigs and getting inspiration, but for me some nights I am EVH, other night I am Warren Demartini, other nights I am Jake E Lee, other nights I am playing for early Alice Cooper and 70's Blues rock other night I am Randy Rhoads It all works out well on a random rotation and keeps me happy. I still do the old SRV stuff occasionally, but I find that tone and listening to stuff to keep my ideas of tone and rhythm fresh in my head is what inspires me and keeps me going. It's all or nothing, when your guitar sounds flat and dead I feel the same, when it sounds really full and juicy I go on for hours.
One thing I have learned to do a lot better is play rhythms and leads and fills all night to myself to the beat of my foot, like I am the only guitarist, that in itself takes you to places you just haven't been before and improves your discipline, technique and skills.
You can't play for technicality, whatever your level, it is souless and soul destroying, you have to find inspiration in tone, sweetness and groove or songs if you like singing. Man, I have always been unable to go and see bands I like because I wanted to run outto there and play my guitar. Its the same with CD's or youtube, about 10 seconds in, I have it, full of ideas and tonal possibilities and I'm running off and cranking the amp.
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.
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..
Define 'sloppy'.
My limitations on the guitar are huge. If I tried to play Jazz or Metal it would be a disaster. But I'm not planning on being a session musician any time soon so it's all good. I just keep telling myself I'll get better. (40th birthday fast approaching)
Imagine being Satriani, or Steve Vai? Nowhere to go on the axe, pretty much mastered every mode, scale and lick known to man. These guys can't even enjoy listening to other players - constantly mapping out what mode the guitarist is employing, etc. (and I've read them talking about that).
Embrace the sloppy. Cherish it.
Furthermore:
J Mascis is one of my favourite LOUD guitarists and he's all over the show in a live situation, but he likes it that way. Hendrix could be sloppy - live - for exactly the same reasons; you can't break on through by playing it safe.
Robert Johnson's style was chaotic - but he's one of the most respected players of all time.
Who would you rather be: Eric Johnson?? All due respect to the softly spoken one, I think Robert would be most people's pick.
[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.
Learn the blues, play with heart!
Im a pretty sloppy guitarist, but I love anyone with the balls to get up and play an instrument, find your niche' exploit it!
Embrace how you play and learn things around that, id rather see a sloppy player giving it everything than a someone with articulation which sounds boring with no balls.
it's all about balls for me
I play like shit and I gig all the time, I found what I play well and made sure I can play that tight, I know me some scales - I can't tell you how many times ive fucked a solo up on stage or forgotten where I'm going or accidently playing minors instead of majors etc
I consider Johnny cash, Jack white (in his earlier days) Richards (who's sloppy now, he plays some right clangers) and of the old delta blues musicians - not virtuoso's but they play with gusto!
look at Dillion, he made a career out of cowboy chords.
edit: just read above, I would recommend going to some jam nights or playing with other guitarists, I love picking up little hints and techniques, If someones playing something I like, I nag the shit out of them to show me... and it helps.
..don't give up, but for now to stop the frustration play what you know and get tighter at it, then look to expand again ?
Last edited by zenzeypher; 10th October 2012 at 06:41 PM.
i think its because you are maybe playing things up above your comfort zone so you feel you are going backwards.....in reality i think the stuff learned will come out at a later date...this is what happens to me a lot ...it might be a good idea to take a break from lessons and go over what you have learned again..maybe use bits of it for a spark for your own ideas..i think when you work things out for yourself you have a deeper understanding and it seems to come out in you playing a lot easier...or even as you said take a break from the guitar for a week/month /couple of months and come back with a fresh open mind...i definitly wouldnt pack in though...another thing is whatever you learn put it into use as soon as possible, use the ideas ect in your playing... after all we dont lern how to talk by reciting the alphabet...
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