The Musicians Thread

[Pred]

I'm glad I've been learning on an acoustic first as I've heard it's meant to hard to go from electric to acoustic.

I'll try not to abandon it but it'll be hard not to play my electric instead. I'll also not want to get used to the scale length either since the Jag's is a bit shorter.

[Green Gecko]

You should be able to switch between the two.

That's right that often people starting on electric complain about blisters etc on steel or nylon or the extra difficulty fretting a barre. Their fingers just aren't as strong and also you get away with more fret buzz etc as it is masked with distortion. To be honest a lot of amateur guitar players on electric that used loads of overdrive just sound terrible on acoustic because they can't get a good sound purely acoustically.

It still takes me a little while to pick up the electric and vice versa if I've been practising prominantly on one or the other for a while.

[Victor Mildew]

Just play what you want to play and don't turn it into work. Its all about having fun and enjoying it, so if you want to play electric, play electric! I don't think I had an acoustic guitar for 4 years after I started learning to play guitar.

Oh and one day you'll realise you can pick up a bass guitar and automatically play that (and annoy your bass playing friend whos been trying to learn it for years when you're better than him ).

[Pred]

I probably won't play the acoustic as much since it's not the easiest of guitars to play. A setup might help but it'd cost more than the thing's worth. Replacing it would be the better option.

A bass guitar is something else I'd like to get at some point as well. But I don't want to get ahead of myself. I just got an electric guitar!

On the other hand, there are some nice acoustics and basses at my local. Those 12-strings sound lovely.

[Igor]

I was just watching some videos from that Korean kid that plays guitar like a strawberry floating demon and started fantasizing in my head about what it'd be like if I could play like that. The other night, some shitty band were playing in this bar I was in with everyone from my course. At several points they invited people to come up on stage and join in/take over, whatever. Imagine the vag that'd present itself if you just casually walked on stage and then busted out some skills like that kid has.

I bought a guitar when I was 15. I'm now 23. I never played it.

strawberry float me, honestly. Such a twat. Is it too late for me to develop into something more than just 'average guy that plays guitar'? How do you even start? What's the curriculum?

Being able to play Hotel California would be an absolute dream of mine. So sick. And it'd get 'em wet as strawberry float.

[smurphy]

Think how good you'd be if you'd been practising since then.

The key to getting good at anything is having fun. If you're not enjoying it, give up forever. Or do it a way that is fun, is probably better advice.

Just choose songs you like that sound simple and look up some tabs. Once you can play them, pick harder songs. Always learn the whole song, even if there are bits that are hard for you. Just memorise the notes, then keep practising. Keep your playing varied too. So don't just play chords, or just play solos etc.

I've been playing about 3 years now, on and off, and I'd say I'm capable of impressing people with my skills. You can only get better.

[Pred]

I'd recommend http://www.justinguitar.com/

It's got a really good beginner's course. Give it a try and see how you get on.

[Green Gecko]

I was just watching some videos from that Korean kid that plays guitar like a strawberry floating demon and started fantasizing in my head about what it'd be like if I could play like that. The other night, some shitty band were playing in this bar I was in with everyone from my course. At several points they invited people to come up on stage and join in/take over, whatever. Imagine the vag that'd present itself if you just casually walked on stage and then busted out some skills like that kid has.

Honestly? Nothing. Absolutely strawberry float all. It just flips the other way around where the women are too shy to approach you and while you can see them glancing at you might get a compliment or two in you still have to put the work in as you just raise the bar even higher.

Pussy isn't just delivered into your face. You have to have the approachable and confident character to match or you just get sheepishly ignored as you're (a) suddenly the unobtainable one or (b) the secret musical genius that surely has something else wrong with them.

It works a lot better in small intimate scenarios like small parties or after taking a girl home. All the standard moves still apply.

Unless you're famous. Then it's just for the attention and the money.

Also you've got to be modest. I've never found that being a super cool dick works.

[Cal]

Think how good you'd be if you'd been practising since then.

I think talent might also come into the equation. I've been playing guitar since I was 12 - and still do. But I'll never be Dave Gilmour.

[Abs]

just thought i'd spam this bitch up a bit, my debut ep came out yesterday.

available on 12" and digital

if you're rich and can afford to blow £5.99 on a ltd edition vinyl then go get it.

http://boomkat.com/vinyl/553622-riffs-pots-n-pans-ep

http://soundcloud.com/jigsoreriffs

[Squinty]

Think how good you'd be if you'd been practising since then.

I think talent might also come into the equation. I've been playing guitar since I was 12 - and still do. But I'll never be Dave Gilmour.

Think I have been playing since 2004. I am still terrible, so yes, some people have an aptitude for this. I get by with what I have, but I will never be OMG good.

I sat down and tried to the solo in Stairway to Heaven yesterday. I got bored. I'd rather just learn the noticeable parts and do my own spin on the rest. For better for worse!

[Green Gecko]

There's also "I've been playing since" and "I've played a variety of progressively more challenging music every days for an hour or more since".

Thus doesn't really mean much if we're honest. I play several hours every few days, whereas I used to practice less but more often when I was younger. I have more hobbies and less time these days, but I could probably be beat by someone playing for half as long.

To be fair though I've only met about 3 people in 16 years that can play the same or some of the same stuff though and guitar comes into conversation on a pretty much daily basis, so it's not like I've not looked.

It's pretty rubbish really as there's only a limited number of people who I can bounce off and make music with without it turning into a spotlight and that's just boring.

[Squinty]

Your first line rings true. There's playing, and there's practicing. I've never stuck to any practice regime and it shows. I kinda wish I'd done that when I was younger and had more time and energy. I have a lot of fun with sticking on a CD and playing along but that only improves certain aspects of playing (endurance, hearing). I need to get some half an hour blocks in where I'm pushing myself hard.

[Green Gecko]

Well that would be studying a few consistently challenging pieces for me. There are a few instrumental prices that are around grade 8 that it's taken me years to even begin to play consistently. I can pull them off occasionally (almost flawlessly) but a lot of the time I'm stopping and starting, false fretting, hitting bum or double notes etc.

It seems to become an issue of confidence, a focused state of mind, hand stance, breathing technique, pacing, and very strategic fingering; these things become so important above and beyond simply fretting and plucking the right strings to the right rhythm. It requires intense focus, determination and relaxation at the same time.

I really think mastering an instrument is possibly the highest and most holistic art.

[TornadoShaun]

Just bought a sweet new guitar off eBay. Cost me a lot of cash to put down but I've been really keen to get hold of one of these for years and they are pretty hard to come by so I jumped at the chance when I saw it, I had been sporadically checking for this guitar for a long time and these rare guitars often hold their value or even incase in value with time. Apparently only 36 in existence worldwide. It's an Ibanez J Custom S9870 JCS-1. The most gorgeous piece of kit I've ever clapped eyes on. Like a fine woman, it's easy on the eye with curves in all the right places

[Pontius Pilate]

A beauty!

[Hawky]

Looks very nice, how much did it set you back then?

[Squinty]

That is a nice guitar. I would kill a man to have it

I've been wanting a new piece of music kit. It's been so long since I bought anything music related (amp in 2010 was the last I think). I was thinking a cheap Ibanez Bass to get me started or a cheap effects doohickey. Guitar effects seem to have come along way since the Pod V2 I previously owned.

[TornadoShaun]

Looks very nice, how much did it set you back then?

A pretty penny (just shy of £1500 including shipping from Germany).

Worth it in my eyes though. It's a rare collector's piece as well as a fine instrument. I would have been happy to have gone a bit more than that on the bidding too. As you can see it had a new pickup installed but it came with the original one as well as all the accessories and certificate of authenticity and hardcase. The previous owner kept it in fantastic condition for a decade old used guitar too. I'm happy to report it plays nice

[Pontius Pilate]

I'm thinking of getting a new guitar in a few months. I'm thinking about a Charvel San Dimas. Or an EVH Wolfgang Special.



I have a thing for non recessed/top mounted floyd roses on guitars.