#1
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Revelation
I've been attempting to learn and play guitar for many years. I feel like I never made the kind of progress I had hoped for in terms of musicality. Sure I can remember chords, scales, songs, but I am just painting by numbers and not all that musical when doing so. In the back of my mind, I knew somehow that something was always missing but I could not figure out what my roadblock was.
After so many years, I think I just now have realized my problem. I never learned how to really listen. I mean REALLY listen. Have you ever been there? |
#2
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Quote:
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2015 Martin D-18 1982 Martin HD-28 2013 Taylor 314ce 2004 Fender Telecaster MIM 2010 Martin DCX1RE 1984 Sigma DM3 Fender Mustang III v2 |
#3
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I'm not very musical, and it takes me a long time to learn anything. I only really started listening closely when it became possible to use a sound editor as an aid, and having Youtube to listen to alternative versions also made a difference. My biggest failing, which came as a genuine revelation just a few months ago, after about 55 years of playing, is that I haven't been paying enough attention to good string damping technique. I was listening to Ry Cooder's original video version of "Get Rhythm" at the time.
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Tony D http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...?bandID=784456 http://www.flickr.com/photos/done_family/ |
#4
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My dad said I never listened. Does that count?
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#5
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If you mean listen to yourself as you play, you’re on to something. Really, all you need to do is play in a band. If you don’t listen to yourself and the other band members..... well, they’ll let you know soon enough.
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"The guitar is the perfect drug because when you play it you're in no pain, and when you put it down, there's no hangover." Paul Reed Smith 2018 Taylor 812ce 12-fret DLX 2016 Taylor GS Mini-e Koa |
#6
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The other day I was wanting to learn to play a song by Neil Young, and first thing I had to do was to listen to the song repeatedly until I know the song - the melody, rhythm, chords and the lyrics, before I can even try playing it. And I want to learn some Blues songs, but because I don't know many blues songs in heart, I cannot play them. Only thing I can do is just play some blues scales. Last edited by Theleman; 01-11-2018 at 05:45 PM. |
#7
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You have to play a gazillion times to get rid of that "paint by numbers" feeling. I've been working on a tune since 12/26/17 and it might be ready for public display 12/26/18. Then again, maybe not lol.
Sometimes it's better to pick a few tunes below your "pay grade" just to be able to play something musically.
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Barry Sad Moments {Marianne Vedral cover}: My SoundCloud page Some steel strings, some nylon. |
#8
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I think you are right!
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Waterloo WL-S, K & K mini Waterloo WL-S Deluxe, K & K mini Iris OG, 12 fret, slot head, K & K mini Follow The Yellow Brick Road |
#9
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Quote:
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#10
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Took me a little while to train my ear but now I just take it for granted.
I can tell if something is major or minor straight away, but I can't tell the key of the tune/song unless I have a guitar with me to work out in an instant. (Educated guess otherwise). One of the great things I've learnt on my guitar learning journey. |
#11
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There have been times that I did not care how I or others play, and there are other times that I analyze everything. It all depends on mood and what illegal substances were consumed.
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SCGC Custom OM Mars spruce/cocobolo |
#12
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I think there is something to be said for learning young with a pro teacher.
My first instrument was piano, and althought I havent played it with intent or regularity for 30 years, when I do, I get comments on my nice touch and presentation. I am generally satisfied when I hear recordings of my piano work. That was 10 years of professional guidance and technique. i have played guitar since I quit formal piano and when I hear recordings of my playing I am not satisfied with my presentation. I am good enough to get gigs and band invites but I know that I have a lot of listening and tweaking to do to perfect my guitar performance. I am self taught. I have 3x more of my life invested in guitar than piano. Excellent thread... Makes a person think... Last edited by Tommy_G; 01-12-2018 at 12:55 AM. |
#13
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A vast topic for sure. If I simplify the context to say, creating one simple melody line.
I could just start plucking notes out of scales or chords or what not and maybe that simple melody line might sound good (be interesting and musical?) or not. But for me, that simple exercise would have been all physical...fingers to fretboard first, and then hoping that somehow the after effect sounded ok. But I don't/can't hear in my head the melody line first. Why not? Why can't I "think" a simple interesting melody line? For me, I think it is because I never learned how to REALLY listen so as to really understand these notes in all their glory. |