Anyone learning to play the guitar?
11-09-2018, 01:16 PM
This is a dormant thread but it's been on my mind since I encountered it months ago and read so many heavy handed instructions - almost warnings- to new players.
I wanted to weigh in with some thoughts as a pretty fair player who's played for over 20 years both acoustic, electric, solo and playing out, recording, teaching, learning, etc.
- The first thing is that learning guitar = or any instrument that keeps its own rhythm and melody- is that it's a lifelong journey you will never regret taking. Your guitar will be a constant companion and will make the good times better, and the bad ones less hurtful.
- learning guitar is like peeling an endless onion, there are layers upon layers of technique, theory, voicings, set-up, etc. The great thing is you can enjoy playing at each layer. Don't let anyone tell you you need to do a cram session of bleeding fingers before you can play to your enjoyment.
There's a slogan in country music - Just three chords and the truth! This points to the fact that many old country songs are pretty simple structurally but entire careers have been spun and many people made happy with these simple songs. This is also true of many folk n rock songs.
Why is that? The answers have little to do with playing. Sometimes the lyrics are just that good. Sometimes the vocals are that sincere or angry or.... Sometimes the internal beat of the song is that infectious. Etc. Sometimes 2 or 3 of those elements come together. Just one ex: The House of the Rising Son is old as the hills -even before the Animals did it. But it's 5 simple chords tell a powerful story that even now is gripping when you hear it.
- Your voice. If you have a naturally good voice you are up like 300 percent over someone who's a natural croaker. Btw, the voice is an instrument and like game, can be learned. Using a capo to find your range, learning to transpose keys for the same reason, and of course, increasing your range and bettering your voice is massively recommended. Go on youtube and see how many girls - many who have pleasing voices - do very sweet covers of songs. Their guitar skills are usually trivial.
- if you don't wish to sing or improve, the guitar is still your friend. You'll learn finger style guitar, flamenco, classical, instrumentals, etc. This will require more effort but it will be rewarded.
- the important thing is to get your hands on the instrument and learn some songs. Period. Everything else will come along. When I taught kids, I'd tune down a step, I'd get light gauge nylon strings, I'd have them make C maj with two fingers, etc.
No tab, no sheet music. Once they complete a cool progression or verse, they come back for more. Because music is joy; you are literally making beauty. Only an artist knows the feeling. Don't be denied.
- Funny to write that and then have to reveal that unfortunately, musicians as a group are terrible people. Sadly, some of the most talented are the biggest dicks.
There's a whole psychology for this I won;t get into. But just be aware that that energy is out there but there's also cool people who will want to help and or collaborate. As an example, God bless YouTube filled with awesome people who selflessly share their abilities...and for free.
I will defend good guitarists a little bit. Some musicians really paid or learned the hard way and are possessive of 'their' techniques. I remember a guy being all hush hush about showing how to make a Maj chord with a barre and the pinkie a few frets up on the E. It was a cool Form but he'd a sold it to me if he thought I'd buy. That's not the way but I get that he suffered for his artistry and came out joyless.
Another group is just naturals who really don't know how they do it and resent made to look like fools when asked details. Look up Slash talking about his playing - gibberish. Others just don't have the vocabulary of say tab or chords or theory so can't articulate it - though they might like to. As I've got better, I often find myself playing voicings that I don't know the name for. I could show someone but I can barely describe them.
All of this is part of the craft of guitar playing and growing as a player.
- avoid gearheads whenever possible. Gearheads are numbnuts who can go on and on about the details of guitars, amps, etc. and often do. Again, I don't understand all the psych behind it. Some of it is the Western obsession with stuff and in the US, with putting a price on everything. I mean long bull sessions like ' that sounds sweet on that D35, was that the 63 model with the boba neck that now is illegal to import or the the 64 made under license in Japan, etc. etc.'
Try to stay focused on the music.
For sure, if you're going to play plugged in, you will have to deal with tech issues on at least some level but keep it basic. So many dudes lost in trying to recreate a sound or finding the magic effect or pedal that will just change everything. Again, stick around and you'll learn more by osmosis than by diligence.
Want practical advice? Make sure the mic is on before you start singing.
-Timing. Timing is a funny thing. You need to be in time to play with others. The best way to learn to be in time is to play with others. Drummers and bassists should be your best friends. If you don't have em use backing tracks or metronomes.
That said, if you are playing solo or for yourself or a vocalist who can follow you, then F all that noise. Play as you like and enjoy every minute.
You will naturally come to value time if you start using a looper or band in a box type apps. You'll also come to appreciate how timing can really make a song sparkle. But don't kid yourself, playing in time is hard and with others, harder. When you hear really tight bands like Chicago playing live, you are watching a miracle in action that represents hours and hours of rehearsal, of playing together as a group, and having individually internalized the timing of each fill, solo, and even improv.
Those mothafuggas got skills.
- The important thing is to play. To reach out for that warm chord. To sing out.
On writing songs or playing covers: When I go to meetups, there's always a bunch of guys that want others to play their original songs with them. Usually these are terrible in different ways. Writing deft tunes is very difficult. Songs that are innovative and engaging and with good lyrics are a rarity.
Many studio musicians and players go their whole lives without writing an original song. And there's nothing wrong with that. It's just a whole other craft than being a journeyman player. And yet.... there's nothing quite so satisfying than having someone request to hear one of your own originals.
-In closing, I'd be as encouraging as possible and don't let them see that Cheshire cat grin when they tell you 'Shut up and play your guitar'.