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How to Improve Your Guitar Playing
By James Emery Vigh of profbruno.com
When trying to improve your skills as a guitarist, you may end up frustrated with your apparent lack of progress. If so, consider getting back to basics first. If you are dissatisfied with your progress, the first thing that you need to do is to identify just what the problem is. This may sound obvious, but sometimes the solution for many issues will not seem that way at first. And there are different types of issues. Some of these come from a simple lack of exposure to the experience of other guitarists. Many are technique issues, while others can be solved simply with more practice. So, the first thing that you need to do is identify which of these (or all of these) need to be addressed. LACK OF EXPOSURE TO OTHER GUITARISTS
You can’t live in a box all by yourself. You need to learn from as many sources as possible. One of the absolute best ways to learn to play well is to hang around good players and do what they do. “Steal” licks and ideas from them. Do this with as many good guitarists as possible. Also study the licks from famous guitarists by either buying books that contain guitar tabs for their songs, or go on-line to get them. Sometimes you will find demonstrations of how these tabs are actually played on-line. TECHNIQUE ISSUES
This is sometimes a tough one to figure out on your own. You may think that you are doing everything right as far as practicing is concerned. The underlying issue may involve something or some things that perhaps you didn’t either consider or pay much attention to. Examples of this could be: 1. The size or thickness of your pick. -- If you use a pick, remember that a pick that is too large or too small is harder to control. A thick pick has no “give” to it making it harder to play fast. Use standard size light picks of standard texture. Never mind how “cool” a pick may look – use the ones that allow you to play easier. 2. The string gauge. – If you want to be able to play lead on either an electric or acoustic guitar, don’t use heavy or medium gauge strings. You will not be able to bend them, plus they will tend to have a duller sound. Don’t buy strings that are too light either. If you happen to also play a lot of rhythm, you will break them more often. Plus, with super light gauge strings your left hand technique better be perfect or they will sound out of tune when you play chords. 3. How you hold your pick. – Are you squeezing it too tight? If so, you need to relax your grip. Hold it just tight enough to prevent the thing from flying off into space. Does your hand feel in control when trying to play lead? Many players anchor one or more of their fingers on the guitar body. This support gives them more control. 4. Acoustic vs Electric – You can “beat on” an acoustic, but usually with an electric this is not necessary. You need to be more subtle. If you have effects pedals, practice using them – don’t just use them while playing live. You will get more out of them this way. When you play chords make sure that you are using all of the proper economy of movement techniques. Keep you fingers close to the neck, and don’t move your fingers from the neck unless you have to. PRACTICE ISSUES
This is really a no-brainer. You will not get to where you want to go without spending the time practicing. If you have motivation issues then you need to think about what you want to be as a guitarist instead of thinking about how boring or hard practicing may be. Whatever it takes is whatever it takes -- so just do it. Consider these points. One or more of these may be the cause of your problems.
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Professor Bruno Noteworthy's Blog
| James Emery Vigh Personal Blog
Your average guitarist
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Thank you for sharing these tips on improving your guitar playing, James.
It's good to see you back writing!!
Keep up the good work.
Best wishes.
Frederick
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thanks Frederick! Good to be back.
***** stars! The photo is a riot! :) I especially liked the top one, copying other artists, listening to them over and over and the last point, the "no-brainer" approach to practice, practice, practice! Thanks teacher! :)
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thank you kindly, ma'am.
Hi James, Great Intel. I gave it 5 stars. If I was musically inclined, I would certainly take advantage of all the great teaching, tips and techniques you have provided in this and other Intels. Keep up the great work. Gilbert
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thanks Gilbert. ..Sorry I didn't reply sooner.
I always wanted to play the guitar.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Yeah... me too. Well... You know what I mean. There's nothing stopping you Sandy if that's what ya want. Go for it!
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