Getting over the hump...

[Aphex Kid]

I've been playing guitar for almost seven years now. The other night, while listening to some stuff I recorded almost four years ago, I came to the realization that I haven't really improved in quite some time.

 

Part of that, I'm sure, stems from the fact that I basically use the guitar for rhythm purposes and don't pay all that much attention to licks or solos. But then I listen to the work of somebody like Elliott Smith (who's sort of in the same realm, guitar-wise, as I'm what aspiring to), and I hear a complexity and sophistication in his playing which mine certainly doesn't have.

 

I suspect part of it comes from Smith's incredible fingerpicking, and his ability to simultaneously play different parts (at different tempos, etc) on the upper and lower strings. Although I'm completely self-taught, when I listen to some stuff that he's done in that vein, sadly, I've no idea how to advance towards it.

 

I suppose my greatest fear is that my bad habits are far too engrained in my playing style for me to effectively 'undo', and that I'm therefore doomed to a long lifetime of relative mediocrity. Does anybody have any suggestions for experienced players like me who want to advance their playing (or learn more sophisticated techniques/philosophies) without resorting to lessons?

 

Thanks,

 

AK

[Gabriel E.]

One of the best things I did to get out of the rut I was in a while back was to learn a new form of music. I have been learning how to play country recently. For xmas, my wife bought me Flamenco lessons. I was neither a country fan nor a Flamenco fan but now I like both styles of music and my playing has vastly improved. Flamenco is HARD!

 

So you might try studying a different form of music.

[stanner]

Originally posted by Aphex Kid:

[QB]I've been playing guitar for almost seven years now. the same realm, guitar-wise, as I'm what aspiring to),Although I'm completely self-taught, when I listen to some stuff that he's done in that vein, sadly, I've no idea how to advance towards it.

 

I suppose my greatest fear is that my bad habits are far too engrained in my playing style for me to effectively 'undo', and that I'm therefore doomed to a long lifetime of relative mediocrity.

Thanks

 

i say stick w/ wot yer doin-if yer in a rut-drive it into the ground! work w/ wot you have-*dont* change the music you like or like to play-keep goin.if yer gonna be mediocre, make that work for ya.and what you think is mediocre may not be to anyone else anyway...

s

 

"not enough":gettin there

"too much": not enough

"way too much":still not

"ok, thats over the top": a start

[Skip_dup1]

Aphex Kid\

Why are you averse to lessons? that`s the most direct way to inject new directions into what you`re doing. Pick someone who`s good at something you`d like to do and go for it! I saw an ad from someone like that recently, the only problem here is my budget and they`re kinda far away.

[DC]

I'd say your best bet is to get a tape deck that'll run half speed or one of the new computer programs or boxes that slow music down and keep it the same pitch. Take a piece you want to learn and slow it down and learn it one small bit at a time. Put it all together and you'll surprize yourself.

[TurboDog]

The obvious answer is....Take some lessons!

 

But if you want another route, try playing with some other players who play in the style you like and learn some tips and tricks from them.

 

When I find myself getting into a rut, I will try to learn a number of songs from a guitarist that I like/respect. I've gone thru Jimi, SRV, EVH, Jimmy Page, etc. phases. When you learn several songs from one player, you get a good sense of their style and can add to your own style of playing.

[Rim]

AK,

 

If you want to sound more like Elliot Smith (who I'm not familiar with at all) then work towards it. You said you basically play guitar for rhythm. Does this mean you strum and flat pick? If so, then learn to fingerpick. Start with some easier fingerpicking styles and work your way up to that of E. Smith's.

 

I'm in a cover band and a big plus to learning other people's songs is it forces you to stretch yourself. There are a lot of players out there that are pretty innovative or at least plays stuff differently than you would think of playing. By copying what they do, you increase your "portfolio" of guitar knowledge. As Gabriel E. suggested, learning a whole new music form would be a huge immersion of new things to learn. OTOH, if you feel that's too drastic, it's understandable and you don't have to pick up a new style of music.

[Aphex Kid]

Makes sense. I suppose then, as a corollary question:

 

Is anybody able to recommend resources or a good starting point for somebody looking to learn various vafingerpicking techniques?

[Skip_dup1]

If you don`t have one, get yerself a nylon string guitar.

[Rim]

Originally posted by Aphex Kid:

Makes sense. I suppose then, as a corollary question:

 

Is anybody able to recommend resources or a good starting point for somebody looking to learn various vafingerpicking techniques?

I remember a thread on this forum about this. Try searching.

 

Personally, I started learning songs by Simon & Garfunkel and James Taylor. I remember getting a book "Guitar Styles of ..." (or something like that) that had guitar tab of their fingerpicking technique. Both are based on Travis picking - a very common fingerpicking pattern and a good one to start on. And then there's Segovia.

[Jim Soloway]

I certainly wouldn't recommend a new guitar, nylon string or otherwise. You need to change your playing, not your instrument. Depending on your level of self-discipline, you may not need lessons either. What you do need is a change in approach, an open mind and some source of input. There are lots of fine books that can help. There are also videos and now a lot of very good web sites. All of those things can help you over the hump...provided that you're willing to put in some serious effort and that you don't just fall back into the same routines. Just remember one thing: if you keep taking the same actions then you will probably keep getting the same results.

[Aphex Kid]

Makes sense to me, Jim.

 

Any good websites to recommend?

[Jim Soloway]

Originally posted by Aphex Kid:

Makes sense to me, Jim.

 

Any good websites to recommend?

Let's start with this. E-mail me at jim@jimsoloway.com and I'll send you some written material that I've been working on and I'll check on some websites for you in the interim.

 

BTW, where in Toronto do you live? I lived there from 72-88.

[Dave da Dude]

Here's a basic Folk finger-picking sequence that I learned (by face to face copy cat method) thirty years ago.

 

If you number the strings (from high to low) as 1 (high E), 2, 3, 4, 5 (don't use low E), this is the easiest way for me to describe it; you pick in this sequence;

 

4 - 1 - 3 - 2 (as sequence 'A')

 

5 - 1 - 3 - 2 (as sequence 'B')

 

I rest my little and ring fingers on the top of the guitar for stability and use the thumb for strings 5, 4 and 3 and the middle finger for string 1 and the index finger for string 2.

 

I think this is right, but I don't have my guitar in my lap right now and I'm waiting for my friends and relatives (they were due fifteen minutes ago) to arrive and unload the 26 ft. U-Haul truck int the our new house (this is truly in the middle of a move).

 

You can pick this sequence off of ANY chord and any chord sequence in a rolling type of rythm or a little choppier like in "House of the Rising Sun" by the Animals. I even used to do "Alice's Restaruant" by Arlo Guthrie with it.

 

I'll try to come back in a couple of days and confirm this.

[Dave da Dude]

Oh yeah, to your first question (how to get over the hump), just keep trying new stuff, find what you like and practice it until you're perfect.

 

Easy, isn't it? Give me a call back in the new millenium when you've finished this first step.

 

Seriously, this is how I'm trying to get back into playing and how I used to develop something new. I must have practiced that Folk sequence for hundreds of hours.

 

Good luck, Dave

[Jedi]

Play live as much as you can. For me, nothing motivates me more to improve my playing than a room full of people that think I suck.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Jedi

[Dak Lander]

Originally posted by dblackjedi:

Play live as much as you can. For me, nothing motivates me more to improve my playing than a room full of people that think I suck.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Jedi

I agree Jedi, but if anyone in the room thinks you suck they don't have a clue.