Dewey Posted September 27, 2021 Share Posted September 27, 2021 (edited) I've only been playing for approximately 1 year. I was wondering from those who have more experience, what are things you know now that you wish you would have learned or practiced more as a beginner? Edited September 27, 2021 by Dewey 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 Great topic, following this as well. 🤘 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgechargerfan Posted September 29, 2021 Share Posted September 29, 2021 A few things pop into my head right away. Play with other people. You will learn from them, You will hear what you need to work on. Always play, but don't always practice. Still practice your lessons, learn songs, etc., but sometimes, just play. Play whatever you want wherever you want on the fret board. Even if it doesn't sound good. Knowing what doesn't work is almost as important as knowing what does work. Your mechanics will improve and you'll find notes that "work" in other areas of the neck. I find that inspirational and often stumble across something cool and then chase it until I expand it as much as I can while still having fun. 1 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Withrow Posted September 30, 2021 Share Posted September 30, 2021 The biggest thing for me: Finding the RIGHT things to practice for YOUR desired result. So many times, guitar players get into routines of doing things they think are "required" for everyone. Sure, certain things need to be done, but they can be done according to the style, feel, and connection that you personally want with the guitar. Also, setting yourself up with a proper schedule will be HUGE! Lastly, never forget why you picked that sucker up in the first place. If it never becomes "work" to do, you'll do wonders on that thing! 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Gay Posted October 2, 2021 Share Posted October 2, 2021 Welcome aboard @Dewey. I have played guitar a long time, BUT, only by ear. After deciding to learn what it was I was doing, I can honestly say in my opinion, the number one thing to remember, forget the myths of practice. You Never have to practice for hours a day to get better. What matters most, is what you practice. Even if you find you only have 10 or 15 minutes....pick up your guitar and practice something that will help you improve. One of the Best things I know of, are the exercises. Go into the "Unlimited Dexterity Course" There are exercises for many different needs. Strength, dexterity, muscle memory, speed, hammer ons, pull - offs etc - etc. I would advise you to go into that course and watch the video where Jonathan shows how to perform the warm - up. Just that one exercise for now. Every time you pick up your guitar to practice, do that warm up. It only takes 3 - 5 minutes or less once you get used to it, BUT, it gets your fingers warmed up and ready for whatever you are planning on practicing. If you can't practice today because you have no time, pick up your guitar and just do the warm up. This will keep your fingers building muscle memory, it will strengthen them, and pretty soon, they will be doing exactly what you want them to do, without even thinking about it. The biggest thing to remember is have fun. Both @Ryan Withrow and @dodgechargerfan mentioned this above. If your practice is always fun, you will Never get tired of doing it. Then you will easily see your progress, and this is one of the BIGGEST motivators there is. Seeing your own progress. I always spend 15 to 20 minutes after every practice session improvising to different backing tracks. You will be amazed at how quickly you start to create your own style, and it is so much fun being able to. Sorry for the long - winded reply - I hope this helps Glenn 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Soukup Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 I practice everyday, but one of the things I learned early on was to play with someone who was better than me. I was able to pick up on what they were doing and learned quickly. Even today I still look to people who play much better than me. It has helped me overcome some obstacles but at the same time I look at the lessons in the courses as playing. I do not think of them as practice. That way I enjoy them more and find that I actually relax and become more at ease and functional on the fret board. as I relearn how to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Alou Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 You can learn a lot by listening to songs, and developing your ear. To find the key of a song, play up the frets on the low E string, starting with the Open E, then 1st fret, second fret, and so on, until you find a note that sounds “right” with the song. And….Congrats!: you have then found the key of the song! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike M Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 Keep your practice time structured. Aim to add bits of new things to what you already know. I’ve wasted years noodling and jumping around on useless info. Remember that this is fun. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Soukup Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 2 minutes ago, Mike M said: Keep your practice time structured. Aim to add bits of new things to what you already know. I’ve wasted years noodling and jumping around on useless info. Remember that this is fun. Exactly right! If you follow the courses available in this program and do the exercises and practice them until you are comfortable with them before you move on you will be amazed at how fast, you will progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Gay Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 Don't forget @Fred Soukup - yes you can pick up a lot by playing with guitarists better than you, BUT, those that me be less experienced than you are probably thinking or saying the same thing. No matter what level you are at - you always have something to share 🤘🤘 Glenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Soukup Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 Amen to that and I always take time to learn from whom ever I can. Because you never know who has an idea that will turn on the light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Long Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 Advice from an old man: Buy a good pro quality guitar and equipment that inspires you to play. Learn to do your own set-ups, adjustments and string changes. Don't be lazy. Work two jobs if you have to. Always set clear goals in writing and be determined in all you do. Take breaks and circle back to the difficult things. The Beatles became the best band in the world by hard work, unrelenting determination, and pro management (Brian Epstein). Consult with good mentors and advisors (e.g guitar breakthrough training). Have fun on your journey and be kind. Make time for friends, family and fans. Time for his fans was a hallmark of Garth Brooks' successful career. When success comes your way and you are performing - dress according to where you want to be. Give a lot of thought to your image/band's image. As a performer, it is always better to be overdressed and over-deliver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yves Cadieux Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 John, Great advice.....Just love this last post of yours, full of wit and wisdom. I am getting to be an old man too and sometimes I need to kick myself in the ass......but can't reach anymore!😜 What I understand from your advice is that you got to believe in yourself first...otherwise nothing will happen! Give the best of you, you might not get as far as you want to, but you will move forward for sure! Thanks John, that was very motivating! YC🎸 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Long Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 Thanks Ives! I wish I had known this at age 19. I might be living on royalties instead of social security. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightfoot Posted February 9, 2022 Share Posted February 9, 2022 I was back stage in the 80's at a Ted Nugent concert and another follower asked him about learning guitar and guitar techniques. Ted replied, " Does practice make perfect?" The folllower says "yeah". Ted says, " NO..............perfect practice makes perfect. Just practice for a minimum of 30 minutes of perfect practice. " I tried that technique. It works. Start slow and work it up. Pretty simple. Another time, at a Scorpions concert back stage, I heard a young man ask Rudolph Schenker how come the Scorpions didn't play "thrash metal" He simply replied with his German accent, " I don't want to be known as the world's fastest musician; I want to be know as a composer! " I was floored. He was right also. I have written a few songs.. ................so yeah. GB fine tuned my 50 plus years of playing. And still learning ! Keep on playing " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Soukup Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 @Lightfoottwo very good and accurate quotes from Two very fine musicians 🎸 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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