I think I had my first breakthrough

[Nick Costello]

Hey everyone,

I've finally understood why I'm not making progress, why BTG hasn't worked for me yet. It's because it's not fun. This first hit me when I came across Module 4 of Ultimate Guitar Grid Mastery, which involves connecting Major Scale Patterns 1-3, and in the description for one of the videos, it reads, "NOTE** It’s PERFECTLY FINE if this takes time – a few days or even a few weeks is OKAY." I don't want to spend weeks playing scales. That's just not fun enough for me to be consistent. 

Last November, I asked which module will help me the most where I am now. Well, today, I'm revising that question: which module will be the most fun? The more fun something is, the easier it is to keep at it. That's been what's holding me back: I'm not having enough fun.

Now, a slight predicament: I'm having the most fun when I'm learning some of my favorite songs via YouTube videos. However, I just saw a BTG advertisement that claimed watching Marty Music to learn the "Whole Lotta Love" solo would not help me become a better guitarist, despite it being fun. Instead, I should look at the Song Learning Shortcut. Can someone give me more information about that?

I truly think realizing this will change things. I've heard soloing is fun, but I'm nowhere close to that level. If you want to here my soloing skill level, listen to Solo 1 below, and to be honest, soloing isn't at the top of my list of skills to learn.

Any tips or insights anyone has would be greatly appreciated as I begin a new journey on guitar.

~Nick

Edited February 10, 2022 by Nick Costello

[Fred Soukup]

@Nick CostelloLearning fun stuff, you like to play is good too. I still play songs I learned 45-50 years ago, but I still go through each of the courses and even go back over the modules to see what I may have missed. I am learning to play those songs even better and even how to play songs by ear.

Edited February 10, 2022 by Fred Soukup

[emoshurchak]

"I'm having the most fun when I'm learning some of my favorite songs via YouTube videos. However, I just saw a BTG advertisement that claimed watching Marty Music to learn the "Whole Lotta Love" solo would not help me become a better guitarist, despite it being fun. Instead, I should look at the Song Learning Shortcut. Can someone give me more information about that?"

Not sure I agree with BTG here.  Don't underestimate the implicit learning that occurs when you learn to play songs. 

 

[gaz]

I agree with all of you.  I can honestly say I’ve been going through at my slow pace, only finishing module 8 now putting time in memorizing 1-7 in different keys, and this is month 4 for me.  Am I too slow ?  I’m been playing scales for 4 months, and At times I get itchy and revert back to what I played in the 70’s.  But I will say, I never played the whole keyboard like I am today, which makes me feel like I’m progressing.  I’m interested to hear from anyone, how much really depends on my memory going forward.  I’m anxious to learn and have fun at the same time.  Need some encouragement too ! 

[Yves Cadieux]

Hi gaz!

Don't give up! It is true that finally understanding the fretboard is great and very valuable. No matter our individual learning pace, we know we're going somewhere and that is also great! Practicing scale patterns is a must although it is not exactly playing music. I don't know how much playing over backing tracks you are doing, but I did a lot and that kept me motivated. There are a lot of great backing tracks available via YouTube and I use them almost daily.

I must admit that when I added the Pentatonic scale patterns to my arsenal motivation went way up because I started sounding a bit like the music I like and that kept me improvising over backing tracks even more! I find the patterns sinking in more when playing using them even though it is not always sounding good or how I would like to.

Playing more and thinking less is my objective and I progress slowly, but I do improve and I often say to myself what I said to you......"don't give up" and "keep playing"!

It is an enjoyable journey, So have fun!

YC🎸

[gaz]

I agree with all of you.  I can honestly say I’ve been going through at my slow pace, only finishing module 8 now putting time in memorizing 1-7 in different keys, and this is month 4 for me.  Am I too slow ?  I’m been playing scales for 4 months, and At times I get itchy and revert back to what I played in the 70’s.  But I will say, I never played the whole keyboard like I am today, which makes me feel like I’m progressing.  I’m interested to hear from anyone, how much really depends on my memory going forward.  I’m anxious to learn and have fun at the same time.  Need some encouragement too ! 

[gaz]

Thanks YC. I’m determined to move forward, I’m sure there’s that light bulb at the end of this journey. 

[Fred Soukup]

I progressed at a slow pace and took a while to get through the first course. Sometimes I still have to go through things a few times before I start to get it "down". I still play music I learned back when I first started playing and I am amazed at how much better I play them now. Keep at it and keep having fun!

Fred 🎸

[Total Disorder]

 

[Total Disorder]

[Yves Cadieux]

2 hours ago, Total Disorder said:

Hi Total Disorder!

I really liked what I have heard! In both recordings it is clear that you are listening to the music being played and that you are in the mood of the song during your improv and that makes it interesting to listen to.

In the second one, did you create the chords loop over which you were soloing? If yes, would it be possible for you to post that loop (a few minutes), I would certainly try and enjoy playing over it myself!

Great work! Keep on rockin' 😃

YC🎸

[Total Disorder]

yes i created the loop in the second one. let me look for the just loop rhythm track .

[DeafBlind Renee]

@Total Disorder

Those were really good. I especially got  a lot of emotion from the second one. I listened the whole way through and would have listened to it if it continued longer. Great job on both! 

[Vance gillespie Kuntry Boy]

The I just saw a video today on here it was in I can't remember if it was on the excercice for your fingers and hands or email it said don't look at the whole song to practice just 1 note that you can play with out making buzzing sounds and dead strings to play it until all that disappears and then move to the next chord  and so on etc.and have them memorized. But I'll tell you one thing I am know where near that . I had a heck of a time trying to get that dang ol g chord that pinky kept messing up on me . I kinda wished I would've took the beginner courses first instead of the lead guitar but I'm starting to get I'm going to play about 4 hrs tomorrow going to study them patterns and then some chord work . Didn't play today so I got to get caught up . Later.