volante5767
Strummer
Posts: 39
My main instrument is: Godin
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Post by volante5767 on Oct 1, 2014 5:59:12 GMT
Hi Guys, I'm new to the forum. Im 47 and been playing on and off for around 10 years or maybe more..lol. The problem is, i gave up through sheer frustration with no progression on various occasions, I have had about 7 guitars, the best being a £450 Tanglewood down to an old £100 washburn. I now have a Tanglewood Evolution paid £140 off ebay, action is not great but it sounds nice, maybe another fatal mistake? Should i have gone to a shop and paid more?
I have been going in circles for years but i just cant give up the Guitar for good as i believe its in my blood, i'll give up one year then get itchy a year or two later and buy another. At 47 i just want to stick at it this time, actually learn to play properly! Thing is do i just learn songs from Youtube, or go back to basic's and go with a real life Teacher? I just want to get it right......Fed up with my hand full of chords and silly/repetitive little riffs i've been playing for sooo long...lol.
Any info much appreciate Guys.
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Post by andyhowell on Oct 1, 2014 7:30:39 GMT
Tell us who you like listening to and who's style makes sense to you?
A good claw hammer technique is a good start. Using Dropped D tunings is usually the way into extending the range of the guitar and can be a first step into the world of open tunings.
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
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My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Oct 1, 2014 7:33:30 GMT
As he won't do it himself (God knows how he manages to feed Helen and the kids) can I suggest a message to jonnymosco might be in order? A brilliant guitarist in a number of different styles, an accredited guitar tutor ... and he offers Skype lessons so you can do it all in the comfort of your own home. Maybe an initial 'assessment' lesson would be worth it so that he can offer you pointers and, if you both get on, you can take it from there. You've nothing to lose... and potentially a great deal to gain.
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Post by vikingblues on Oct 1, 2014 7:55:21 GMT
It really is difficult knowing where to start! If it's any comfort it can be difficult to know where to continue further down the tracks too! I have a suspicion that your comment on your TW action not being too great might not help you get the most out of the guitar experience. However a good guitar shop should be able to do a better set up on it for you. If it's easier to play it should help maintain the enthusiasm levels. The fact that it "sounds nice" is positive - if it didn't a set up might not help as much. But I would guess in the longer run if you progress and enjoy playing you will start to GAS for something better. I know I do! I am only fairly new to playing acoustic - spent many years on electrics - but I feel that there is a huge benefit to trying before buying with the acoustic guitar. I bought a lot of electrics on line and that wasn't such a risk as the amp and guitar controls can modify tone and the electric guitars tend to be a built to a much more consistent level. With acoustics two of the exact same model can sound so very different - the variability in natural wood really plays it's part as so much of the sound of the acoustic is down to the wood. A real life teacher works great for some people, though you have to be (a) lucky with your choice and find a teacher that you can connect with and (b) be prepared to sever connections if it isn't working. Also it means you have to take lessons at a set arranged time of day regardless of how you're feeling - that was an enthusiasm killer for me. I have the impression that there are also a lot of teachers out there who just teach a succession of songs, one after another - might be good if that's what you're after, but might leave you feeling a lack of understanding about the music you're trying to play. The trouble with YouTube songs is that it is rather random and unstructured and it's also possible to learn a good number of bad habits. There are some free on line lessons and some are very good but it can be a bit unstructured. There is also a compromise between the two options of YouTube songs and a real life teacher that I have found to be beneficial. That is on line lessons from a properly structured teaching website. I'm thinking of JamPlay in particular ... not really that expensive at $20 a month, or $50 a quarter. There is an annual option of $140 which is reduced every so often on a special sale to $100. Over 20 teachers of acoustic and over 20 teachers of electric lessons in a wide range of styles / genres - currently over 4,000 hours of lessons available. As well as the video lessons (with slo-mo and looping options) there's supplementary material with each lesson (tab / notation / chords etc) plus the opportunity to ask questions. I have found it a very beneficial site - being able to take a lesson when I feel in the mood and not at a specific time of day has been great. Plus, where locally could I find for example a blues guitar teacher like Hawkeye Herman, who has learned their craft directly from players like Son House, Brownie McGhee, Bukka White, and Lightin' Hopkins. Also with such a large number of teachers it makes it much more likely to find one that you find you "click" with and really understand so much better due to their method of teaching. Anyway if you feel like you cannot give up guitar and it's in your blood it certainly makes sense to give it a real good go. ..... while you still have all your faculties and the fingers and joints are all in good order! Mark
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Oct 1, 2014 8:17:10 GMT
volante5767, first step is to sort out the action on your guitar, yes, it will cost you money, but it will save you pain and disappointment. You could easily learn how to do this via the internet if you want to save a few quid and are reqasonably handy. Next step, focus your mind to decide exactly what you want to be able to play (in style terms, with maybe an example or two)and find a teacher who will teach you exactly that. This may entail some seeming diversions to equip you with the right playing "tools", but shouldn't have to involve ages spending time learning stuff irrelevant to your goal. Once you find someone who will do this (not all teachers will) then have 6 or so lessons and review the situation - do you need any more, or have you now got the inspiration you need to carry on by yourself. Youtube videos won't correct your errors - a teacher will. Listen, listen, listen to lots and lots of the kind of thing you want to play - if the music isn't in you, it won't come out via your fingers when you play. Find other people to play with - you'll both learn from each other. Some excellent advice given by previous posters too! Good luck - let us know how you're getting on eh? Keith
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Post by creamburmese on Oct 1, 2014 14:31:53 GMT
I second (third)? the recommendations to get a teacher - whether in person or on Skype - especially if you've tried before and are not making progress. I tried several times in my life to learn guitar by myself, and in each case gave up after learning a few chords. When I started again 18 months ago my husband said - "if you want to do it properly, get a teacher." He could not have been more right (though it pains me to say it). Apart from giving you feedback on all the nitpicky ways (and they appear to be infinite) you can do it wrong and suggestions for how to achieve apparently impossible shifts etc, a teacher can guide you in what techniques you need to learn and the order you need to learn them as you build skills, can pick tunes that will challenge you but not make it impossible for you to succeed, and importantly, give you a reason to keep at it as you have a lesson coming up! However I started with - and left- 2 teachers before I found the one that works for me, and I had lots of self-doubt about leaving those teachers - wondering if I was just incapable - but now I have the right teacher I know they just weren't a good fit for me. So best of luck! And you will find the skilled players on this forum to be an incredibly amazingly supportive and encouraging group! Julie
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volante5767
Strummer
Posts: 39
My main instrument is: Godin
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Post by volante5767 on Oct 1, 2014 16:23:33 GMT
Hi Guys
Many Thanks for your comments,all very much appreciated.
James Taylor style and playing every time for me, just think the Guy is amazingly! Ive used plectrums on occasion but prefer finger picking, classical/ folk and love Flamenco! The Tanglewood ive got now is a nice Solid Cedar top with a sweet sound, so I will be getting it set up professionally, though I must admit that i have my eye on the Premier series as I can't afford the Sundance!..lol
There is a Guy called Gareth Evans on YouTube, his tuition is completely free and I will always keep an eye on him,he's very good! but I do have a local teacher that I will look into. Cheers Guys
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volante5767
Strummer
Posts: 39
My main instrument is: Godin
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Post by volante5767 on Oct 2, 2014 14:59:07 GMT
Hi Guys just an update of my thread. Went to an excellent Guitar store in Peterborough today, Peterborough Music. Really great welcome with friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable staff, especially Jake, BIG Thanks mate! I took my guitar to the store and Jake looked it over, i then tried about 7 different guitars, a few higher end Tanglewoods, a Segull, a Freshman and a Breedlove, all were amazing. It really goes to show you only get what you pay for! These Guitars were in an other league! The woods were better quality, sounds were incredible as was the ease of play and action. Ive narrowed my list right down to about 4 i really like, ALL things considered, but at the moment one stands out, the Freshman Apollo DC2, awesome in ever way....Many Thanks again Jake and to the good people on this great Forum!
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Post by vikingblues on Oct 2, 2014 18:47:23 GMT
Ahhhh .... the GAS begins! You do realise it could be a long and slippery slope you've ventured onto! Mark
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Akquarius
Cheerfully Optimistic
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My main instrument is: Towet Fingerpicker, Dreizehnter SJ15 "Akquarius"
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Post by Akquarius on Oct 3, 2014 18:41:29 GMT
Ahhhh .... the GAS begins! And once it's begun, it never ends. It only takes breaks...
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Post by sw1976 on Oct 20, 2014 22:16:54 GMT
Just a quick post on something I found useful. I was in a similar position...a bit fed up playing the same old stuff, but then I bought a little acoustic effects box. Just by adding a little reverb, chorus, delay, flange (!) etc etc makes everything sound so much more interesing and got me right back into playing again. You don't need an amp ... Just headphones .. But you would need a pickup.
Good luck!
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Post by sw1976 on Oct 20, 2014 22:19:16 GMT
Just looked at the freshman Apollo dc2 and it's got electrics already... Good start
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alig
C.O.G.
Posts: 1,059
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Post by alig on Oct 24, 2014 11:20:14 GMT
A little late in my replying but I'd suggest some songbooks of folk you like.
i think it's very important to learn stuff you want to play.
For myself I only started guitar because I couldn't play Neil Young on clarinet...
Alasdair.
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007
C.O.G.
Posts: 2,601
My main instrument is: 1965 Hagstrom H45E
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Post by 007 on Oct 24, 2014 12:24:57 GMT
I am trying to learn finger picking and have found this site which is very accessible www.justinguitar.comI think he has a good way with him and I find his lessons well signposted I am starting on the fingerppicking section but have worked through most of the Beginners lessons And its all free Say no more
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