How to approach electric guitar?

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by AX17609

…I have no idea how to teach electric guitar. IMHO it's an entirely different animal than acoustic.

I think you need to have a pretty good idea of what you want to play (tunes, style) or who you want to emulate, and then you have to find a teacher who can guide you.

Hi AX…
I disagree that learning via Internet cannot replace instruction in person from 'specialists'. It's a classical, and outdated model for learning many forms of contemporary music.

Outside of Classical and Jazz communities, many amazing players have never taken formal lessons, nor will they (and music lessons are offered even in the smallest of communities around the world). And in many cultures, 'monkey-see-monkey-do' is still the quickest and most often employed method of teaching/learning.

The role of Internet is replacing the dropping-the-needle-on-a-platter-halfway-through-a-song-repeatedly and then digging out the 'notes' on one's own.

YouTube video adds the visual, with the tools to auto-repeat passaged and even slow them down (or transpose them). Even without those extra tools (because most learners don't use them), humans are great at imitating!

As to how one learns, it depends on whether the learner is a 'show me that again' learner versus 'explain that to me again' learner.

As one who taught intermediate and advanced fingerstyle for 40 years (for $$), the 'show me that again' is the preferred version people want these days. I have a formal college degree in elementary and secondary instrumental and vocal music, with a minor in music theory and 18 years of involvement with the classical community.

When I taught, I did it without scores or TAB, and people learned very well.

[Paleolith54]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi AX…
I disagree that learning via Internet cannot replace instruction in person from 'specialists'. It's a classical, and outdated model for learning many forms of contemporary music.

Outside of Classical and Jazz communities, many amazing players have never taken formal lessons, nor will they (and music lessons are offered even in the smallest of communities around the world). And in many cultures, 'monkey-see-monkey-do' is still the quickest and most often employed method of teaching/learning.

The role of Internet is replacing the dropping-the-needle-on-a-platter-halfway-through-a-song-repeatedly and then digging out the 'notes' on one's own.

YouTube video adds the visual, with the tools to auto-repeat passaged and even slow them down (or transpose them). Even without those extra tools (because most learners don't use them), humans are great at imitating!

As to how one learns, it depends on whether the learner is a 'show me that again' learner versus 'explain that to me again' learner.

As one who taught intermediate and advanced fingerstyle for 40 years (for $$), the 'show me that again' is the preferred version people want these days. I have a formal college degree in elementary and secondary instrumental and vocal music, with a minor in music theory and 18 years of involvement with the classical community.

When I taught, I did it without scores or TAB, and people learned very well.

I'm definitely in this camp too, though I recognize that some people just learn better with a teacher. And that ANY approach involves trade-offs.

[AX17609]

...........

[Paleolith54]

Originally Posted by AX17609

It's fine to disagree. Just don't saddle me with a position I never took. Though I have to say that it's refreshing to hear a former teacher downplay the role of personal instruction.

I never said nor implied that the Internet was not valuable. I'm currently enrolled in Tim Pierce's online Masterclass, so I'm pretty close to the last person who would have made such a statement. I also routinely download tunes and run them thru The Amazing Slowdowner, which is the modern version of slowing down a turntable.

However, my involvement in these activities has made me aware that I have some significant holes in my electric guitar education. These might have been addressed early on with a little personal instruction, which I arrogantly eschewed.

I think of instructors not as teachers, but as guides. I think of them as being like a thesis advisor who points you in the right direction when needed and lets you know when you've got educational blinders on.

JustinGuitar can't tell you that your vibrato stinks. That famous guy on Trufire can't tell you that you're not muting your strings properly. John Nathan Cordy can't tell if your amp is tuned optimally. Not even my own guy, Tim Pierce, can tell me when I've got a particular piece of music theory all twisted up. And none of them can hear me play.

You can learn a lot by yourself, but you also need someone in the room with you.

Continuing this in the spirit of discussion, I'd just say that no you do not "need" someone in the room with you. I can hear and correct problems with my vibrato, my muting, or the EQ of my amp just fine without paying someone to be there with me. And again, I stress that I am not saying some people, maybe even most, don't learn best this way but to say it's "needed" is just not correct.

[abn556]

Not to discount the availability of online teaching tutorials and “how to play” vidoes, BUT - I learned the most from playing with other people. I can still remember being a teenager and watching an older buddy tear through the Alvin Lee’s I’m Going Home live version from Woodstock. Right after that he went through the Ritchie Blackmore intro and leads from Lazy. Then he blew me way with the funky ZZTOP live version of Thunderbird off the Fandango album. All this played on a ‘64 small block 335. He then switched to a Firebird V with a Maestro and gave us a feedback and harmonics laden interpretation of a Segovia classical piece he had been working on. I learned more about playing that day just watching him warm up and go through those songs than I ever learned since in a single setting. I worked on what he showed me about pick attack, emphatic vibrato, sweeping bends, controlling feedback and harmonics, power chords, and riff playing for years.

+

[Don W]

Originally Posted by K20C

I think of it this way. I play mostly fingerstyle acoustic where the objective is to fill the spaces between the melody notes. On electric lead, it’s the empty spaces between the notes that make it work.

Absolutely yes!! Great point.

[EZYPIKINS]

When I first started gigging in the 70's. Electronics in acoustic guitars was in its infancy.

So, I played all my acoustic parts on my electrics.

Indecently, back then I was playing .008-.038's. So I learned to play with a very light touch, and attack.

I also would drop my picks, allot. So, I would finish song many times, playing with my fingers.

Now, close to 50 years later, I play my acoustics, with that same light touch. And mostly fingerstyle.

I still play electrics in the studio mostly. Both with a pick as well as with fingers.

Use mostly .010-.042's But still with very light touch.

[tinnitus]

While countless electric lead guitarists have the skills to play blindingly fast solos, too many IMHO tend to vomit torrents of notes ad nauseum. Often no real beginning, middle or end. And sometimes far faster and more technical than I can even think!

A good musical-sounding solo test for me: Is it something you can whistle or hum? Further, does it tell a story or convey any truthful statement beyond "see how fast I am?"

One source that has always provided me with plenty of inspiration has been playing along with Beatles records. George Harrison had a wonderfully simple method of playing gorgeous solos without any blinding "super-hands acrobatics." He was a master of single notes, double-stops, intervals, arpeggios, etc., quite often right there within the simple chord positions. John and Paul were pretty good with that too. Countless YouTube tutorials out there will help solve those gem-like puzzles (without having to learn and internalize a whole new song too).

Not a bad way to develop some varied, uncomplicated and pleasing techniques - while you refine the different tonal characteristics of electric vs. acoustic.

[GoPappy]

Originally Posted by tinnitus

While countless electric lead guitarists have the skills to play blindingly fast solos, too many IMHO tend to vomit torrents of notes ad nauseum. Often no real beginning, middle or end. And sometimes far faster and more technical than I can even think!

A good musical-sounding solo test for me: Is it something you can whistle or hum? Further, does it tell a story or convey any truthful statement beyond "see how fast I am?"

One source that has always provided me with plenty of inspiration has been playing along with Beatles records. George Harrison had a wonderfully simple method of playing gorgeous solos without any blinding "super-hands acrobatics." He was a master of single notes, double-stops, intervals, arpeggios, etc., quite often right there within the simple chord positions. John and Paul were pretty good with that too. Countless YouTube tutorials out there will help solve those gem-like puzzles (without having to learn and internalize a whole new song too).

Not a bad way to develop some varied, uncomplicated and pleasing techniques - while you refine the different tonal characteristics of electric vs. acoustic.

+1 to all that. Another great example is Leslie West. You can go back and listen to the guitar fills and solos on "For Yasgur's Farm" and "Theme From an Imaginary Western" as perfect examples of a guy who knew a little something about melody and allowing space in the song. There are no blistering solos; just simple but incredibly melodic music full of emotion. A person could learn something about soloing from just listening to the last 3 minutes of "Theme From an Imaginary Western." Leslie could sure make that Les Paul Junior cry.

[darylcrisp]

i personally learn best when i have a "path" to follow. i like to take courses that build in small steps and see real progress as i move along.

i can highly suggest Paul Davids courses(i've taken his acoustic courses and they are excellent).

https://learnpracticeplay.com/electr...rgreen-signup/


he has an excellent youtube channel also and its a lot of fun to spend time there
https://www.youtube.com/@PaulDavids

[Guitarplayer_PR]

Originally Posted by waterboy

Following on from the interesting post about what equipment, I have a possibly more fundamental question.
Having come to acoustic guitar from classical, I find I have almost no idea how to approach electric guitar. I especially have no clue how to approach single line lead.
Just now I play mostly fingerstyle, with some strumming and a little chord-melody on acoustic. Just wanted a little help scratching up the corner of electric playing so I can get a start.
I have an electric that I got about 10 years ago when I restarted playing, but I played it more like a fingerstyle guitar and then put it away to get on with acoustics. I think it is time to get it out again.
In case it helps I have a VOX SSC33 and a little Orange CR20 amp.
Thanks for any advice!

There are many electric guitar players who play fingerstyle and incorporate classical guitar or acoustic guitar techniques, so start with that

[LezPall]

Originally Posted by waterboy

Following on from the interesting post about what equipment, I have a possibly more fundamental question.
Having come to acoustic guitar from classical, I find I have almost no idea how to approach electric guitar. I especially have no clue how to approach single line lead.
Just now I play mostly fingerstyle, with some strumming and a little chord-melody on acoustic. Just wanted a little help scratching up the corner of electric playing so I can get a start.
I have an electric that I got about 10 years ago when I restarted playing, but I played it more like a fingerstyle guitar and then put it away to get on with acoustics. I think it is time to get it out again.
In case it helps I have a VOX SSC33 and a little Orange CR20 amp.
Thanks for any advice!

It’s kind of a vague question-the electric guitar is just a guitar. However I assume you meant cliche styles like rock solos blues and jazz leads since you mentioned the single line stuff is difficult for you. So by that token, it sounds like you’re really asking how to approach those styles. My answer: the same way you approached finger style.

Learn the ingredients you’ll need (scales, licks, trills, etc) which it sounds like you probably know

Practice either plectrum or finger style single line runs with a metronome

Learn some classic solos or songs that you like to keep it fun and understand the vocabulary.

If you really are just asking about electric guitar, then just play the guitar. Personally, I too started and mostly just play finger style, but really enjoy the electric guitar for finger style jazz with lush chords. I’m learning single line soloing as well since it’s necessary for jazz, but it’s not my end goal.

Look into Ted Greene-my favorite use of electric guitar fingerstyle, besides Chet Atkins of course, but he relies less on the “electric” aspect and you can really do that on any acoustic guitar.

Also I’ll add for advice on single line soloing since I came from the same place as you and also found single line soloing to leave me bewildered, the best strategy to learn is this (besides get a teacher):

Stick to one position of the major scale

Learn ingredients to make solos in that one position (for jazz this is stuff like arpeggios, enclosures, intervals that pair nicely, target notes, etc)

Practice trying to write interesting licks and lines

Transcribe AND ANALYZE phrases from your favorite players, to understand how the language is built.

Solo-as you practice the above, the lines will just start coming out in your playing. You’re improvising!

Once you can solo and have it sound good in one position only, move on to the next. The first position will take months to become acceptable, then the next maybe only one month, then the next merely weeks, etc.

[waterboy]

I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this, it’s been phenomenally useful!
Having read all the suggestions, I went back to basics and decided this was a good time to get my pick work sorted out. I also got a copy of “blues you can use” (many thanks to the member who suggested this in a series of PM’s), which starts off at the very beginning ([emoji444]a very good place to start [emoji445] -sorry, I couldn’t resist). Then it was following the book, listening, practicing and woodshedding.
Still got years to go, but it was the “first scratching up of the corner” I needed to get me started.
Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it!

[rule18]

Since there have been so many informative/insightful responses here, I'll just add this. Approach electric guitar carefully, they're dangerous. Touching them often leads to jazz and rock & roll.

On a more serious note (yeah, I know), good solos are as much about the space between the notes as the notes themselves.

[rule18]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

Soloing? I wrote a philosophical paper on that which you can find, HERE. It might just be useful...

Bob

Bob, that's a good break down of a deep subject. Great story too! Most of my best musical occurrences (both instrumentally and vocally) have happened live on stage. Thanks for posting that link.