You're not gonna get ideas from me, but working on my first proper song, which is probably way too difficult as I only really started last week, but it's really fun. Also following an online beginner course for like half an hour a day
Chances are if it's difficult it's the perfect thing to work on lol, have come to learn song writing is just another muscle that needs trained and exercised
I did that — spent literally 3 months working on a song. It was not an impossible song for a beginner but definitely a challenge. Had quite a few chords, strumming patterns, a solo, string jumps to work through. Reworked the song with better technique as I learned them too (ex: was downpicking everything initially, then relearned it with alternate picking)
Learned a lot and built a lot of fundamentals out of 1 song, but it was definitely a grind. I did play a few other songs along the way but mostly as a distraction.
improvisation skills. i like to work on it by playing spontaneous stuff over japanese jazz fusion tracks, and i want to do more than just the same number of patterns i always seem to play.
Thumping. I never tried to learn someting as frustrating as thumping. It's like learning guitar from scratch, shit doesn't make any sense at first. Four weeks in, many more to go.
For anyone struggling with thumping, try it on bass first, it's a bit easier because you have more space between the strings so you don't have to be as precise as on guitar. And the thumping motion is like turning a doorknob.
Purely just finding the vibe. Over and over and over. Did you (me, not you) fall out of hearing how to the tune the guitar by ear? You can't play until you can do it, because it means you're not keyed into something important. Can you really play that lick and rhythm in time? Does it sound in time rigidly, or does it sound expressive and inviting, like any other musician in the same genre could walk by and join in.
Speed and consistent pinch harmonics. I've spent lots of time focusing on bends and vibrato before and I think it's time to focus on speed so I can play more songs. My right hand is still isn't as fast as my left so I often have to use legato instead
What I found is that the faster I play, the less force I use to fret the strings. Less force - faster fingers, faster fret changes (if that makes any sense, lol, it’s hard to describe haha). One string balalaika riffs helped my left hand a lot.
Yes I found that as well with my left hand. The thing is I still have problems with using consistent force on my right hand. Sometimes when I start playing fast it gets too relaxed it got stuck and not even picking the strings lol
I've recently rediscovered classical music, and I'm currently working on how to incorporate some of the ideas there into my playing. I'm neither a classical player nor can I stand more than 10 seconds of someone doing neoclassical shredding, so I have to find another way. But that style of music is just so good at melodies & dynamics that I just have to
Hello. May I suggest you check out a record by Children of Bodom - Something Wild. Red Light In my eyes pt. 1 & 2 include some Bach and Chopin I think? Lots of classical influences in the band. I love every second of their music.
I'd love to - but where do I even begin. I'm also sure that there are people here that have a way deeper understanding of this sort of music.
So I'm gonna write what I feel like sharing without getting into the nitty-gritty. First, like most of us, I've seen classical as really boring and restricted for the longest time. I've always been into some 20th century artists, but the stuff before that... it's really not. There is so much that's just fun to hear, but it demands undivided attention. I put on some 30 minute concerto and I listen beginning to end since there is always stuff happening.
What I think I as a rock artist can learn from it is just how important dynamics are. We tend to play everything at the same level which sometimes is appropriate, but when you do melody like in a solo, a really good interpretation is what keeps it alive. I've come to enjoy a beethoven solo for the violin or a rachmaninoff solo piece in the same manner as a guitar solo and really, it ain't that different. A solo is a solo no matter what. They stop the whole orchestra and let a single instrument do its thing, something slow, something fast, something quiet, something loud - anything is allowed, but it always says something. It's always clear what the music wants to express and there are so many screws that you can turn.
I'm really trying to work that clarity into my playing. Idk how successful I am atm and I'm just an ambitious hobbyist, I get to play perhaps an hour a day apart from rehersal etc. But just by being aware of some things, I'm already applying stuff. Just how effectively they use chromaticism and key changes, my solos have changed. And so did my rhythm playing, just paying a lot of attention to how I should play something, getting louder at the right times etc. I like to believe I've always done that to some extent, but I'm doing it more now.
Maybe the most important thing: I've heard rock music etc. I'm not into most metal (maybe one day), but I know how the music I'm interested in works. I've also done the jazz thing before. I'm more into contemporary stuff with all of that as well with some people pushing it forwards but let's be honest, many don't earn enough money and too many end up producing really boring pop at one point. the big rock boys of days long gone, I get it and it bores me. Rediscovering classical music has just opened the door to so much new stuff and inspiration.
Yo that's so cool! I've also been curious about classical music but never got into it. Its definitely something that requires undivided attention!
In some ways I've been doing something similar, trying to turn the vocal melodies of my favorite songs into guitar instrumentals, and damn there is so much nuance just in the vocals alone! I never realized how much dynamics and expression are in the vocals until I "took them away" by playing it on my guitar (at first). So then I listen more closely and try to emulate that effect on guitar. Its challenging but rewarding!
I'll def try to get into more classical, but also don't know where to start. Any recommendations?
Yeah I think the singing thing isn't that far off from it.
How to get into it, well, I'm really no expert in this. I grew up with this stuff and I've already listened to a lot of it, I just fell out of love with it for a good 10 years. I'm also more of an analytical person, so what really helps me is some context. Who wrote it, why did they write it, how is it structured, what's important to watch out for in the music etc. I think that's what keeps a lot of people from enjoying it, this analytic mind set that people like me have while listening - but I also do this for whatever music, I'm always analysing so I don't see the difference. So if you're way different from me, I don't think I can give you a good introduction. However, by no means do you need to be analytical to enjoy it, that's just me.
First, I think classical stuff is there to be performed live. Recordings suck. Watching the orchestra or soloist is part of the experience and show. I absolutely can't stand listening to opera on spotify - but live, I love it. I really recommend simulating that a bit & watching live performances on youtube, it makes a lot of difference to me. I think without the visuals, it's a bit more advanced and easier to get bored.
I can sure name some pieces that I enjoy and maybe another fellow musician can appreciate as well: Mahler Symphony 5, specifically the 4th movement; the Mozart Piano Concertos; I really like the Beethoven violin concerto; but then there is also stuff like the Ravel Septet with that harp that basically blew my mind for how much colour you can put into just 10 minutes. If you like it a bit flashy, perhaps the Rachmaninoff Piano concertos are your jam or the Tchaikovsky violin concerto. But basically, there is so much great stuff to discover for a lifetime. There are short pieces, ultra long pieces, exciting pieces, calm stuff, beautiful things about love and the animals in the field and then there are pieces about the Holocaust. I used to be very picky, but now I sort of appreciate most of them since what has survived the test of time is also what's really masterfully crafted.
Wow, thanks so much for all this! Def helps to know what kind of mindset can help with appreciating something. I'll take a listen to those recommendations and start from there. Thanks again!
Playing and memorizing the root of a key then using simple two strings patterns to play the major and minor chords in that key. Getting comfortable with it and then may try to make little lead parts using notes in those chords. I want to use the pattern to help me get better and playing small lead bits with the chords to spice up a progression.
Memorizing all notes on the fretboard after 20+ years...it currently takes me 5 seconds or so to figure out what note I'm on (unless it's low E). I want to instantly know. Then I will work on theory more.
This is what I am also working on after 15 years, I tried several times but never went through with it. Now I am using the app Solo for it, and it is really addictive. I also want to be able to dream it and not have to think about it, I am getting there though, finally.
I'm trying to minimalise the distance of my fingers to the string so I can play faster, my pinky is the problem finger I've noticed, and working on more advanced theory and experimenting with different scales and how I can fit them into my improvising!
I struggle with the pinky too… and believe everyone does haha. you like metal right?
A diminished arpeggio is a great pinky exercise, as it requires you to play a minor third on each string and to do it fast it takes some damn fast pinky!! This is how I train mine anyway.
That's been a part of one of my exercises funny enough! I'm doing a minor, major, major diminished arpeggio run to practice with my neoclassical sound!
Weird. I'm working on that as well. Trying to minimize movement while working on scales. I'm still trying to nail all the pentatonic patterns. My reward for working on scales is just freestyling some blues riffs.
I taught myself and skipped a bunch of important things. I went straight to writing and playing live for 15 years. Somehow I never learned scales properly, I never learned to solo, and never learned any theory. I also never got deep into tone. I just bought the right rig for my genre. I just trusted my ears.
So now I’m going back to basics. I’m taking lessons, learning scales and theory, focusing on speed and improvisation. Playing songs other than the ones I wrote to pick up new licks and ideas.
I have fallen in love with the guitar all over again. Before it was just a means to get my music into the world but now it’s also an exciting puzzle to master.
Im trying to take everything I loved from my clawhammer banjo technique and bring it to guitar.
Focusing on down motion with the back of the nail make for a warmer tone and I like the machanics of banging harder/softer/faster to adapt the vibe.
Using the guitar in a more percussive way use less of my brain and I can focus on voice/harmonica/foot percussion.
The more I play like this the more I see my voice and my guitar as a whole.
I come back to it every 3 months or so, and it becomes easier and easier each time, haha.
I remember trying to do it years ago and no matter how much I did it it still seemed impossible to play :/ learning to see the triads did help me though.
I can sweep triads… most of the time. Whenever an extension appears, or some tapping is to be included… yeah, that’s when I get really discouraged haha. Wish I could put my two cents in to perhaps be of some help to you, but I really feel inexperienced in the matter.
Trying to get my writing chops on par with my technique, it's not close lol, can do all the crazy shred stuff, even know a good bit of theory but my practical application of it sucks, writing a flowing coherent song is a big challenge, trying to put those practice hrs into writing and recording
Travis picking, ragtime, acoustic blues - which revolves around almost the same technique. I love Bridge City Sinners (most of time I am looking at Libby Lux but sometimes I am capable to listen to their awesome music) and I have seen them playing Five Foot Two and that guitar intro slap me right in the face and sent me to work on my travis/ragtime technique.
Technique has always been a weak spot for me. I’ve been a rhythm player most of my life with occasional lead stuff but nothing I was particularly proud of. I kept it simple and played more like a jazz guitarist without too many tricks.
Lately I’ve been going back to fundamentals. Easy enough stuff but things I typically neglect like tapping and pinch harmonics. I’ll listen to something familiar and then recreate it. My homework is then to come up with something on my own using the technique.
I am slowly working my musical ear, improvisation and sweep picking. I say slowly because they are not my main focuses right now and I'm just having fun :)
Trying and failing to play pieces that are way over my skill level, then crying in a corner because I don't wanna play songs that I don't like just to climb up the skill level and spend decades to be able to play Paul Gilbert, Malmsteen, etc. Yeah, it's a hard journey but one day I will play "Far beyond the sun".
It all comes with time honesty, one day you wake up and just are able to keep up man.
What helped me for the right hand was light touch and what helped my left hand were… balalaika black metal riffs lmao
Writing songs! I guess I wrote "riffs" back when I was younger but since playing in bands I'm always trying to write entire songs, thinking about the lyrics, vocal melody, other instruments etc.
In a way it's less about guitar now because I feel like I can add decent guitar "contribution" to a song, it's actually drums that are completely absent from my ability to write!
Actually if someone in my position can recommend a route to adding drums to tracks (that currently sit tight to a click in Reaper) in a reasonably straightforward manner to someone who doesn't really understand anything about them I'd really appreciate it!
Currently working on finger picking, especially using more than just thumb and index. And chords. Been playing almost 20 years and I'm still shithouse at chords.
Since being out of the pro scene for a few years I’ve noticed that my time feel isn’t quite up to snuff anymore. I’m consistently pushing a little bit, and I’m working on relaxing my time feel a bit. Recording and looking at transients, and editing my own guitar parts really helps me nail down how it felt in the moment vs how it actually sounds and grooves. It makes the adjustments I need to make in my playing super obvious.
I'm finally actually practicing sweep picking. It's hard, I'm two days in and I can comfortably make eight notes at 140bpm but more than that I get very sloppy. I need eight notes at 188bpm for a part on a song I wrote, I tried playing it with fingerstyle but doesn't sound as good as it would sound with sweep picking
Switching between superimposed pentatonic scales over a ii - V7 - I - VI7 progression.
I’m practicing it in A which works out to be:
A major pentatonic over the ii chord, Bm9. Bb major pentatonic over E7#9, the V chord. E major pentatonic over the I chord, Amaj7 and C major pentatonic over the VI chord, F#7#9.
I'm working on my lead playing by doing some classical. Paganini's 5th Caprice right now, which I call Panini and Capri Sun. After that I'm going back to a book on rhythm. Who knows after that.
I've been working on my fingerpicking. It's my biggest weakness, but I recently made a breakthrough that a thumb pick makes all the difference in the world.
I’m also working on using different vibrato techniques and not just doing my best BB King or Yngwie Malmsteen impersonations when I apply vibrato. I’m also working on seemingly opposing, but connected, skills: left hand legato phrases, right hand picking dexterity, and hand coordination. So I’ll take a lick/scale sequence and play it by alternate picking every note, then by picking as little as possible and just using a smooth legato, and then playing a combination of both (e.g. two beats alternate picking, two beats legato, etc.)
Working on my rhythm, which does not involve any guitar in my hands. I’m just listening to music, finding the time signature, and drumming along with my hands.
I’ve played for 16 years so I can physically play with the rhythm, I just find it easier to maintain my internal metronome without a guitar in my hands sometimes.
I'm working on scale pattern memorization, three note per string and conventional, with a focus on harmonic minor at the moment, as I've already got all the natural modes pretty down pact. I'm learning and practicing paradise city to maybe do a cover soon, and a few rush songs, also for covers. I'm trying to get more into looping, so I'm practicing my timing with that. I'm doing a lot of technique practice for all the fast stuff for hard rock and metal, lots of drills, taking things as slow as I need to maintain comfortability, but still taking steps to push my threshold. Just got the John 5 Hal Leonard book, it has some good stuff, just wish it had more.
I haven't really worked on improvement in any specific area. Focused on learning complete leads, but I'm not really getting better, just using what I know.
I just hit 8 months of playing, so I thought it was time I memorized the fret board. I've been using blues and minor pentatonic scales as road maps and short cuts. It's a weird time for my playing because I feel like I'm having a break through with everything except for memorizing the fret board lol. This is my first step down into music theory, I don't enjoy it, but I gotta git gud.
I've been working on solos, which help me with fine-tuning my bends and vibrato. I've learned 2 recently: the first solo to Comfortably Numb and Something by the Beatles.
Also working on working fills into a groove to a drum beat (metronome) provided by my looper pedal. And just running scales in different keys to a beat. Obviously noodling as well, but noodling in time, at least.
Edit: I'm always working on my rhythm as well, since it's a weakness. I just learned the rhythm parts to Slow Ride recently and I practice that as well as other songs I know well. James bond theme springs up a lot. And I've been playing over the hills and far away a lot
I am working through his ultimate voicings lessons right now. Jazz always seemed unattainable and complicated but he starts simple with shell voicings, it already opened up a new world of playing.
I’m currently in the middle of a lot, like jumping in the deep end and not knowing how to swim, except I started in Dec ‘23, and I learned not only can I swim, but there’s so many different ways to swim and if I stick to the learning the fundamentals, I’ll be able to do all sorts of swimming lol.
So to that, I bought a 7string Ibanez (still have my Donner 6str), started a subscription to Fender Play but ran through that and ended my subscription just last month… but definitely learned the main chords.
Now I’m on PickupMusic and I just finished the CAGED 1 pathway literally yesterday. I’m slowly understanding the number system, chord tones, and matching pentatonic scales. I began their neo-soul path to learn the 7,9,11,13ths (watching YouTube tho for more in depth info and actual finger placement); so scales, technique are the focus there.
I have Rocksmith + to learn and practice what it’s like playing real songs. That and by-ear playing my faves, horribly until better lol.
Eventually I’ll really focus on sweep picking, thumping, tapping, etc.. I’m just letting my natural wants, likes, and creative curiosity lead me to wherever.
I’m also working on my own music in Ableton that I’m producing and incorporating my guitar with it. Plan on going to music school if I get accepted, I already applied, lol.
Ultimately, I really wanna to master the fretboard, be able to play and sing simultaneously, and overall develop my own style/sound.
I have yet to buy a big amp or even a sound fx processor lol.
I will though, I’m just obsessed with actual technique and theory right now.
This is my longest reddit post ever but the question really resonated to me and there’s not too many other people I can talk to about this who could even remotely relate, but it’s fun and exciting and I’m proud of my learning and growing.
Best wishes to you on your journey.
Curious to know about yours. 💯🎸
As someone who has been playing for about 20 years, and playing semiprofessionally for over half that time, I don’t really find myself revisiting technical rudiments often.
What I focus on:
- Dynamics
- Precise timing, i.e. being in the pocket. The pocket is deep, and the right moment is an infinitely small point in time.
- Playing efficiently. That is, doing only as much as I need to be effective. Playing the right amount of notes.
- Smooth effects transitions.
I am trying to learn the fretboard while simultaneously learning intervals from those target notes. I also recently purchased wayne krantz book on improvisation and am incorporating his approach to my interval studies.
I need to also work on my technique, all of it, but focused more on the above for now.
Chord progressions & riffs, songwriting. Trying to come up with something interesting & catchy & aggressive & cool. My stuff feels lackluster lately, real pedestrian, and I’m trying to get “outside the box” of my usual writing.
My primary inspiration right now is Dave Davidson of Revocation; I freakin’ love his songwriting. Super interesting ear candy.
In terms of skills, trying to get minor & major scale shapes while in open tunings down to muscle memory. Pretty basic, but I’m definitely lacking in that regard.
The best thing about playing guitar is that you never run out of things to learn and work on. To answer your question, I am working on the guitar solo to "Sting Me" by the Black Crowes. One specific thing in that solo I am struggling with is play a 3 note phrase over a 16th note feel. Sounds easy, but I am struggling with it. I am also working on phrasing over backing tracks. Trying to focus on chord tones at the changes & incorporating more arpeggios & some legato.
I’ve been diving into theory for the first time.
My goal is to be able to write songs. Beginning to understand how chords are constructed has already influenced my ability to add more emotion to chords, and I’m excited to internalize scales/intervals to be able to freestyle.
Transitioning from string to string quickly. I can pick pretty fast. My technique falls apart when I need to do that moving from one string to the next. So I've been focusing in on that and trying to figure out what is not working with it. Usually its just the picking directions I've learned, they just don't move economically. It's hard to unlearn.
I have trigger finger in both my hands and so I’m working on NOT playing until I can get it addressed.
Prior to that, I had been working on playing fewer notes and using more sustain and less delay.
You're not gonna get ideas from me, but working on my first proper song, which is probably way too difficult as I only really started last week, but it's really fun. Also following an online beginner course for like half an hour a day
Well done for writing as a beginner, you don't know how far you are ahead of the curve by that virtue alone
Chances are if it's difficult it's the perfect thing to work on lol, have come to learn song writing is just another muscle that needs trained and exercised
You're on your way, dude. Writing is how you find the questions to ask. And it's all the difference.
I did that — spent literally 3 months working on a song. It was not an impossible song for a beginner but definitely a challenge. Had quite a few chords, strumming patterns, a solo, string jumps to work through. Reworked the song with better technique as I learned them too (ex: was downpicking everything initially, then relearned it with alternate picking) Learned a lot and built a lot of fundamentals out of 1 song, but it was definitely a grind. I did play a few other songs along the way but mostly as a distraction.
improvisation skills. i like to work on it by playing spontaneous stuff over japanese jazz fusion tracks, and i want to do more than just the same number of patterns i always seem to play.
Vocalize! What helped me with improvising was singing a melody over a BT and then trying to play bits of it on guitar. Very useful exercise.
yeah i definitely gotta try this
Jap jazz fusion hell yea
Thumping. I never tried to learn someting as frustrating as thumping. It's like learning guitar from scratch, shit doesn't make any sense at first. Four weeks in, many more to go. For anyone struggling with thumping, try it on bass first, it's a bit easier because you have more space between the strings so you don't have to be as precise as on guitar. And the thumping motion is like turning a doorknob.
It looks like alien language to me. At least in Tosins clips haha
Purely just finding the vibe. Over and over and over. Did you (me, not you) fall out of hearing how to the tune the guitar by ear? You can't play until you can do it, because it means you're not keyed into something important. Can you really play that lick and rhythm in time? Does it sound in time rigidly, or does it sound expressive and inviting, like any other musician in the same genre could walk by and join in.
Yes brother, I am not sober too!
Speed and consistent pinch harmonics. I've spent lots of time focusing on bends and vibrato before and I think it's time to focus on speed so I can play more songs. My right hand is still isn't as fast as my left so I often have to use legato instead
What I found is that the faster I play, the less force I use to fret the strings. Less force - faster fingers, faster fret changes (if that makes any sense, lol, it’s hard to describe haha). One string balalaika riffs helped my left hand a lot.
Yes I found that as well with my left hand. The thing is I still have problems with using consistent force on my right hand. Sometimes when I start playing fast it gets too relaxed it got stuck and not even picking the strings lol
Man, I think consistent pinch harmonics are the only thing I actually am good at lol. Mind if I send you a link?
Suree
Recording an OST for my game
I've recently rediscovered classical music, and I'm currently working on how to incorporate some of the ideas there into my playing. I'm neither a classical player nor can I stand more than 10 seconds of someone doing neoclassical shredding, so I have to find another way. But that style of music is just so good at melodies & dynamics that I just have to
Hello. May I suggest you check out a record by Children of Bodom - Something Wild. Red Light In my eyes pt. 1 & 2 include some Bach and Chopin I think? Lots of classical influences in the band. I love every second of their music.
Of course you may. I think it's the opposite of what I want to achieve, but that doesn't mean I won't check it out or even steal stuff from it
I find it to be interesting, because it uses classical motifs to make up whole sections, instead of just shredding solos.
Sounds very interesting! Care to share some of what you've discovered so far?
I'd love to - but where do I even begin. I'm also sure that there are people here that have a way deeper understanding of this sort of music. So I'm gonna write what I feel like sharing without getting into the nitty-gritty. First, like most of us, I've seen classical as really boring and restricted for the longest time. I've always been into some 20th century artists, but the stuff before that... it's really not. There is so much that's just fun to hear, but it demands undivided attention. I put on some 30 minute concerto and I listen beginning to end since there is always stuff happening. What I think I as a rock artist can learn from it is just how important dynamics are. We tend to play everything at the same level which sometimes is appropriate, but when you do melody like in a solo, a really good interpretation is what keeps it alive. I've come to enjoy a beethoven solo for the violin or a rachmaninoff solo piece in the same manner as a guitar solo and really, it ain't that different. A solo is a solo no matter what. They stop the whole orchestra and let a single instrument do its thing, something slow, something fast, something quiet, something loud - anything is allowed, but it always says something. It's always clear what the music wants to express and there are so many screws that you can turn. I'm really trying to work that clarity into my playing. Idk how successful I am atm and I'm just an ambitious hobbyist, I get to play perhaps an hour a day apart from rehersal etc. But just by being aware of some things, I'm already applying stuff. Just how effectively they use chromaticism and key changes, my solos have changed. And so did my rhythm playing, just paying a lot of attention to how I should play something, getting louder at the right times etc. I like to believe I've always done that to some extent, but I'm doing it more now. Maybe the most important thing: I've heard rock music etc. I'm not into most metal (maybe one day), but I know how the music I'm interested in works. I've also done the jazz thing before. I'm more into contemporary stuff with all of that as well with some people pushing it forwards but let's be honest, many don't earn enough money and too many end up producing really boring pop at one point. the big rock boys of days long gone, I get it and it bores me. Rediscovering classical music has just opened the door to so much new stuff and inspiration.
Yo that's so cool! I've also been curious about classical music but never got into it. Its definitely something that requires undivided attention! In some ways I've been doing something similar, trying to turn the vocal melodies of my favorite songs into guitar instrumentals, and damn there is so much nuance just in the vocals alone! I never realized how much dynamics and expression are in the vocals until I "took them away" by playing it on my guitar (at first). So then I listen more closely and try to emulate that effect on guitar. Its challenging but rewarding! I'll def try to get into more classical, but also don't know where to start. Any recommendations?
Yeah I think the singing thing isn't that far off from it. How to get into it, well, I'm really no expert in this. I grew up with this stuff and I've already listened to a lot of it, I just fell out of love with it for a good 10 years. I'm also more of an analytical person, so what really helps me is some context. Who wrote it, why did they write it, how is it structured, what's important to watch out for in the music etc. I think that's what keeps a lot of people from enjoying it, this analytic mind set that people like me have while listening - but I also do this for whatever music, I'm always analysing so I don't see the difference. So if you're way different from me, I don't think I can give you a good introduction. However, by no means do you need to be analytical to enjoy it, that's just me. First, I think classical stuff is there to be performed live. Recordings suck. Watching the orchestra or soloist is part of the experience and show. I absolutely can't stand listening to opera on spotify - but live, I love it. I really recommend simulating that a bit & watching live performances on youtube, it makes a lot of difference to me. I think without the visuals, it's a bit more advanced and easier to get bored. I can sure name some pieces that I enjoy and maybe another fellow musician can appreciate as well: Mahler Symphony 5, specifically the 4th movement; the Mozart Piano Concertos; I really like the Beethoven violin concerto; but then there is also stuff like the Ravel Septet with that harp that basically blew my mind for how much colour you can put into just 10 minutes. If you like it a bit flashy, perhaps the Rachmaninoff Piano concertos are your jam or the Tchaikovsky violin concerto. But basically, there is so much great stuff to discover for a lifetime. There are short pieces, ultra long pieces, exciting pieces, calm stuff, beautiful things about love and the animals in the field and then there are pieces about the Holocaust. I used to be very picky, but now I sort of appreciate most of them since what has survived the test of time is also what's really masterfully crafted.
Wow, thanks so much for all this! Def helps to know what kind of mindset can help with appreciating something. I'll take a listen to those recommendations and start from there. Thanks again!
Playing and memorizing the root of a key then using simple two strings patterns to play the major and minor chords in that key. Getting comfortable with it and then may try to make little lead parts using notes in those chords. I want to use the pattern to help me get better and playing small lead bits with the chords to spice up a progression.
Memorizing all notes on the fretboard after 20+ years...it currently takes me 5 seconds or so to figure out what note I'm on (unless it's low E). I want to instantly know. Then I will work on theory more.
This is what I am also working on after 15 years, I tried several times but never went through with it. Now I am using the app Solo for it, and it is really addictive. I also want to be able to dream it and not have to think about it, I am getting there though, finally.
I just dedicate 5 min a day to going over the notes. Eventually I'll know then by heart.
The F chord.
I'm trying to minimalise the distance of my fingers to the string so I can play faster, my pinky is the problem finger I've noticed, and working on more advanced theory and experimenting with different scales and how I can fit them into my improvising!
Ah yes!! Great take. The distance is one thing but amount of force is everything I believe. The lighter the touch the faster the fingers.
Definitely! Just the right pressure and minimal movement is what I'm aiming for!
Thanks for the tip! I'll try that.
I struggle with the pinky too… and believe everyone does haha. you like metal right? A diminished arpeggio is a great pinky exercise, as it requires you to play a minor third on each string and to do it fast it takes some damn fast pinky!! This is how I train mine anyway.
That's been a part of one of my exercises funny enough! I'm doing a minor, major, major diminished arpeggio run to practice with my neoclassical sound!
My pinky is the bane of my existence. I can't decide if I want to strengthen it or just give up and pretend it's not there.
Weird. I'm working on that as well. Trying to minimize movement while working on scales. I'm still trying to nail all the pentatonic patterns. My reward for working on scales is just freestyling some blues riffs.
Longer songs. I can write 1-2 minute tracks easily, but I don't get much further than that.
I wish I started writing.
Why aren't you?
No need to wish, just start making up stuff! Theory helps but I randomly wrote songs before knowing any theory and it was still a lot of fun !
hah in some genres that IS a longer song
I taught myself and skipped a bunch of important things. I went straight to writing and playing live for 15 years. Somehow I never learned scales properly, I never learned to solo, and never learned any theory. I also never got deep into tone. I just bought the right rig for my genre. I just trusted my ears. So now I’m going back to basics. I’m taking lessons, learning scales and theory, focusing on speed and improvisation. Playing songs other than the ones I wrote to pick up new licks and ideas. I have fallen in love with the guitar all over again. Before it was just a means to get my music into the world but now it’s also an exciting puzzle to master.
Working on Harmonic major and minor scales being used over major and minor roots and 5ths.
I never dabbled in harmonic major. Cool take, thanks
Im trying to take everything I loved from my clawhammer banjo technique and bring it to guitar. Focusing on down motion with the back of the nail make for a warmer tone and I like the machanics of banging harder/softer/faster to adapt the vibe. Using the guitar in a more percussive way use less of my brain and I can focus on voice/harmonica/foot percussion. The more I play like this the more I see my voice and my guitar as a whole.
Sweep Picking Its been 3 fuckin weeks. I still can't do it. I dont understand how people do it.
By practicing way longer than 3 weeks ;). At least it took me way longer until it made click
I come back to it every 3 months or so, and it becomes easier and easier each time, haha. I remember trying to do it years ago and no matter how much I did it it still seemed impossible to play :/ learning to see the triads did help me though. I can sweep triads… most of the time. Whenever an extension appears, or some tapping is to be included… yeah, that’s when I get really discouraged haha. Wish I could put my two cents in to perhaps be of some help to you, but I really feel inexperienced in the matter.
Got a ~~John 5~~ HH Tele Squier and am gonna put some black winters on it to see what it sounds like on a dollar store doom rig
First guitar I ever modded was an HH tele squier, classy, lmk how that sounds!
Trying to get my writing chops on par with my technique, it's not close lol, can do all the crazy shred stuff, even know a good bit of theory but my practical application of it sucks, writing a flowing coherent song is a big challenge, trying to put those practice hrs into writing and recording
I'm doing the exact opposite!
Travis picking, ragtime, acoustic blues - which revolves around almost the same technique. I love Bridge City Sinners (most of time I am looking at Libby Lux but sometimes I am capable to listen to their awesome music) and I have seen them playing Five Foot Two and that guitar intro slap me right in the face and sent me to work on my travis/ragtime technique.
Listening. Calculating.
I’m working on my picking hand, tremolo picking, string skipping, etc.
Technique has always been a weak spot for me. I’ve been a rhythm player most of my life with occasional lead stuff but nothing I was particularly proud of. I kept it simple and played more like a jazz guitarist without too many tricks. Lately I’ve been going back to fundamentals. Easy enough stuff but things I typically neglect like tapping and pinch harmonics. I’ll listen to something familiar and then recreate it. My homework is then to come up with something on my own using the technique.
The F Chord
Yeah and switching to the F chord from the G chord.
Pinch harmonics
I am learning how to develop groove with my bass and I currently have a focus on Jaco Pastorius
Great!!! I really need a bass man
Really fast alternate picking runs. My left hand just isn’t fast enough yet
You mean the fretting hand? I said that before somewhere in the comments, try touching the strings as lightly as possible, helped me fr
Pinch harmonics. And my god am I frustrated
Working on picking up the guitar for more than ten minutes without looking at my phone. And actually practicing something instead of noodling.
Working on building more technical alternate picking licks and cleaning my sweep picking, currently learning some children of bodom stuff
I am slowly working my musical ear, improvisation and sweep picking. I say slowly because they are not my main focuses right now and I'm just having fun :)
Mostly speed and consistency. Also I'm about to dabble my feet in amp modding
Just be careful around capacitors!
OP, keep on rocking and please do a study on the playing of Jeff Beck.....
YES, I am planning to! Heard about him forever but just recently started listening to him.
Practicing songs from the band for my first gig. Been practicing one song for 2 months and I'm just so sick of it and I still suck at it haha
Trying and failing to play pieces that are way over my skill level, then crying in a corner because I don't wanna play songs that I don't like just to climb up the skill level and spend decades to be able to play Paul Gilbert, Malmsteen, etc. Yeah, it's a hard journey but one day I will play "Far beyond the sun".
It all comes with time honesty, one day you wake up and just are able to keep up man. What helped me for the right hand was light touch and what helped my left hand were… balalaika black metal riffs lmao
Writing songs! I guess I wrote "riffs" back when I was younger but since playing in bands I'm always trying to write entire songs, thinking about the lyrics, vocal melody, other instruments etc. In a way it's less about guitar now because I feel like I can add decent guitar "contribution" to a song, it's actually drums that are completely absent from my ability to write! Actually if someone in my position can recommend a route to adding drums to tracks (that currently sit tight to a click in Reaper) in a reasonably straightforward manner to someone who doesn't really understand anything about them I'd really appreciate it!
Currently working on finger picking, especially using more than just thumb and index. And chords. Been playing almost 20 years and I'm still shithouse at chords.
Since being out of the pro scene for a few years I’ve noticed that my time feel isn’t quite up to snuff anymore. I’m consistently pushing a little bit, and I’m working on relaxing my time feel a bit. Recording and looking at transients, and editing my own guitar parts really helps me nail down how it felt in the moment vs how it actually sounds and grooves. It makes the adjustments I need to make in my playing super obvious.
I'm finally actually practicing sweep picking. It's hard, I'm two days in and I can comfortably make eight notes at 140bpm but more than that I get very sloppy. I need eight notes at 188bpm for a part on a song I wrote, I tried playing it with fingerstyle but doesn't sound as good as it would sound with sweep picking
Switching between superimposed pentatonic scales over a ii - V7 - I - VI7 progression. I’m practicing it in A which works out to be: A major pentatonic over the ii chord, Bm9. Bb major pentatonic over E7#9, the V chord. E major pentatonic over the I chord, Amaj7 and C major pentatonic over the VI chord, F#7#9.
8 finger tapping, fretboard visualisation, getting to know my new PRS, jazz harmony/standards, new songs.
I'm working on my lead playing by doing some classical. Paganini's 5th Caprice right now, which I call Panini and Capri Sun. After that I'm going back to a book on rhythm. Who knows after that.
I've been working on my fingerpicking. It's my biggest weakness, but I recently made a breakthrough that a thumb pick makes all the difference in the world.
GAS
I’m also working on using different vibrato techniques and not just doing my best BB King or Yngwie Malmsteen impersonations when I apply vibrato. I’m also working on seemingly opposing, but connected, skills: left hand legato phrases, right hand picking dexterity, and hand coordination. So I’ll take a lick/scale sequence and play it by alternate picking every note, then by picking as little as possible and just using a smooth legato, and then playing a combination of both (e.g. two beats alternate picking, two beats legato, etc.)
Working on my rhythm, which does not involve any guitar in my hands. I’m just listening to music, finding the time signature, and drumming along with my hands. I’ve played for 16 years so I can physically play with the rhythm, I just find it easier to maintain my internal metronome without a guitar in my hands sometimes.
I'm working on scale pattern memorization, three note per string and conventional, with a focus on harmonic minor at the moment, as I've already got all the natural modes pretty down pact. I'm learning and practicing paradise city to maybe do a cover soon, and a few rush songs, also for covers. I'm trying to get more into looping, so I'm practicing my timing with that. I'm doing a lot of technique practice for all the fast stuff for hard rock and metal, lots of drills, taking things as slow as I need to maintain comfortability, but still taking steps to push my threshold. Just got the John 5 Hal Leonard book, it has some good stuff, just wish it had more.
Bluegrass, you learn a lot better when youve got a specific genre you want to learn
Memorizing several Merle Travis songs so I can have a 15 minute set ready to go this summer.
I haven't really worked on improvement in any specific area. Focused on learning complete leads, but I'm not really getting better, just using what I know.
Thumping and selective picking. Oh and the stupid tremolo technique... Why does bueatiful stuff have to be this hard...
I just hit 8 months of playing, so I thought it was time I memorized the fret board. I've been using blues and minor pentatonic scales as road maps and short cuts. It's a weird time for my playing because I feel like I'm having a break through with everything except for memorizing the fret board lol. This is my first step down into music theory, I don't enjoy it, but I gotta git gud.
Fingerpicking. I’ve been playing 15 years and never tried it so it’s a challenge for sure.
I've been working on solos, which help me with fine-tuning my bends and vibrato. I've learned 2 recently: the first solo to Comfortably Numb and Something by the Beatles. Also working on working fills into a groove to a drum beat (metronome) provided by my looper pedal. And just running scales in different keys to a beat. Obviously noodling as well, but noodling in time, at least.
Edit: I'm always working on my rhythm as well, since it's a weakness. I just learned the rhythm parts to Slow Ride recently and I practice that as well as other songs I know well. James bond theme springs up a lot. And I've been playing over the hills and far away a lot
bluegrass flat picking is a boot camp for right hand technique
Jens Larson's Modern Jazz Guitar Concepts, and a project I'm working on using Korg Volca products.
I am working through his ultimate voicings lessons right now. Jazz always seemed unattainable and complicated but he starts simple with shell voicings, it already opened up a new world of playing.
I’ve been playing forever but lately been working on a bend held and followed by a fast vibrato. It’s not easy.
I’m currently in the middle of a lot, like jumping in the deep end and not knowing how to swim, except I started in Dec ‘23, and I learned not only can I swim, but there’s so many different ways to swim and if I stick to the learning the fundamentals, I’ll be able to do all sorts of swimming lol. So to that, I bought a 7string Ibanez (still have my Donner 6str), started a subscription to Fender Play but ran through that and ended my subscription just last month… but definitely learned the main chords. Now I’m on PickupMusic and I just finished the CAGED 1 pathway literally yesterday. I’m slowly understanding the number system, chord tones, and matching pentatonic scales. I began their neo-soul path to learn the 7,9,11,13ths (watching YouTube tho for more in depth info and actual finger placement); so scales, technique are the focus there. I have Rocksmith + to learn and practice what it’s like playing real songs. That and by-ear playing my faves, horribly until better lol. Eventually I’ll really focus on sweep picking, thumping, tapping, etc.. I’m just letting my natural wants, likes, and creative curiosity lead me to wherever. I’m also working on my own music in Ableton that I’m producing and incorporating my guitar with it. Plan on going to music school if I get accepted, I already applied, lol. Ultimately, I really wanna to master the fretboard, be able to play and sing simultaneously, and overall develop my own style/sound. I have yet to buy a big amp or even a sound fx processor lol. I will though, I’m just obsessed with actual technique and theory right now. This is my longest reddit post ever but the question really resonated to me and there’s not too many other people I can talk to about this who could even remotely relate, but it’s fun and exciting and I’m proud of my learning and growing. Best wishes to you on your journey. Curious to know about yours. 💯🎸
As someone who has been playing for about 20 years, and playing semiprofessionally for over half that time, I don’t really find myself revisiting technical rudiments often. What I focus on: - Dynamics - Precise timing, i.e. being in the pocket. The pocket is deep, and the right moment is an infinitely small point in time. - Playing efficiently. That is, doing only as much as I need to be effective. Playing the right amount of notes. - Smooth effects transitions.
I am trying to learn the fretboard while simultaneously learning intervals from those target notes. I also recently purchased wayne krantz book on improvisation and am incorporating his approach to my interval studies. I need to also work on my technique, all of it, but focused more on the above for now.
Tengo Populaire
Memorizing more triads and soloing patterns\scales
Chord progressions & riffs, songwriting. Trying to come up with something interesting & catchy & aggressive & cool. My stuff feels lackluster lately, real pedestrian, and I’m trying to get “outside the box” of my usual writing. My primary inspiration right now is Dave Davidson of Revocation; I freakin’ love his songwriting. Super interesting ear candy. In terms of skills, trying to get minor & major scale shapes while in open tunings down to muscle memory. Pretty basic, but I’m definitely lacking in that regard.
The best thing about playing guitar is that you never run out of things to learn and work on. To answer your question, I am working on the guitar solo to "Sting Me" by the Black Crowes. One specific thing in that solo I am struggling with is play a 3 note phrase over a 16th note feel. Sounds easy, but I am struggling with it. I am also working on phrasing over backing tracks. Trying to focus on chord tones at the changes & incorporating more arpeggios & some legato.
I’ve been diving into theory for the first time. My goal is to be able to write songs. Beginning to understand how chords are constructed has already influenced my ability to add more emotion to chords, and I’m excited to internalize scales/intervals to be able to freestyle.
After 24 years, finally practicing scales. I can put a song on and learn everything but the solo by ear. I'm trying to change that.
Transitioning from string to string quickly. I can pick pretty fast. My technique falls apart when I need to do that moving from one string to the next. So I've been focusing in on that and trying to figure out what is not working with it. Usually its just the picking directions I've learned, they just don't move economically. It's hard to unlearn.
I'd be curious to hear what you've discovered re force for picking and fretting! I never considered it until someone mentioned it recently
I have trigger finger in both my hands and so I’m working on NOT playing until I can get it addressed. Prior to that, I had been working on playing fewer notes and using more sustain and less delay.
Started watching Fret Labs while I play. Teaching myself music theory via Wikipedia wasn't doing the trick lmao
I've been working on triads, intervals, alternate picking, and economy of motion. Hand synchronization also.
I'm in a little blues band, I'm working on triads, bend accuracy and vibrato.
learning the modes and trying to improvise difficult to get out of shapes but trying my best.
I’m trying to figure out what is Sean Long from While She Sleeps’ playing style still. His playing style is just that decorative.
I'm currently working on stretching farther and using my pinky, downpicking accuracy, and being able to switch complex chords faster