One of the biggest ways I've gotten better is by becoming a Jazz nerd. Buy a Real Book and a looper and you'll have no free time for 6 months. Pick out a tune, learn the changes and the melody, and then lay down one and play the other over it, and gradually work up to soloing on top as well. This can be done with almost anything, mind you, and is also the best way to write new, interesting guitar parts by writing some simple changes and laying down a rhythm part, and noodling about the top of it to add layers and harmony.
But, as Mike said, no amount of time spent with a 'nome can improve your timing like 30 minutes in a room jamming can. Join a band, get experience, and you will get better. Its the circle of life....
Arranging is a good technique to practice as well. Pick a song, especially if it's in a style you're not used to, and try to write an arrangement that conveys the rhythm, melody, and feel of the original. It help you learn to see chords, notes, and phrases all over the neck and keeps you out of patterns.
1. Learn lots of different songs. The more you learn, the better your overall guitar knowledge gets. Learn different genres.
2. Play with a metronome. Do technique building exercises
3. Play with a band. Keeps your standards and consistancy up.
4. Learn to play another instrument. Just a bit of keyboard or piano knowledge will be good to take back to playing guitar
5. Learn basic classical music theory. Major and minor scales are REALLY worth just learning. Then apply them
It might also do good to play another instrument for fun like the drums. I did this and it gave me a better grasp on timing and feel and rhythm and what not. Also I would find that when I would play drums I would hear the music for the guitar I thought of in my head and then would later try to translate it to the guitar. Plus playing both instruments keeps both of them fresh and fun.
I agree, I have alot of fun when i get to play drums and also believe that i can learn alot from playing drums. Wish i had money and space for a full sized kit. Been looking at the yamaha dd65 as they look like fun. Anyone have one??
Well i agree with learning riffs and just playing by ear. Its the best way to learn. Learn as many things as you can. I see learning scales helpful in the sense that you relate them to music you like or play. Just the basics. They really help me out.
But you dont want to end up like alot of metallers just wanking out really fast up and down the fretboard.
Don't learn scales. Seriously, how rock & roll is Do-Re-fucking Mi? Just cop riffs instead.
How to become a very one dimensional rock guitarist, at least.
Learning scales doesn't mean you have to use them all the time. I never write solos or parts based around music theory- but knowing certain scales means you've got a "box of tricks" you can apply to certain situations.
Doog wrote:How to become a very one dimensional rock guitarist, at least.
Learning scales doesn't mean you have to use them all the time. I never write solos or parts based around music theory- but knowing certain scales means you've got a "box of tricks" you can apply to certain situations.
I am not interested in cookie cutter solutions, for any discipline. Besides, those other dimensions make my head swim.
How to become a very one dimensional rock guitarist, at least.
Learning scales doesn't mean you have to use them all the time. I never write solos or parts based around music theory- but knowing certain scales means you've got a "box of tricks" you can apply to certain situations.
True.
Alot of guitarists that i know have no idea of even basic musical musical theory and they do seem a bit one dimensional in a sense. Even if they are technically rather good. They just dont want to know... Its really simple and REALLY worth just learning the basics. It can't hurt and can only make you better.
