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After 20 years of playing, I would have expected to be quite good (or at least ‘above average’), however I’m really decidedly average (if that), and I’m trying now to rectify that by expanding my base of techniques, learning some new scales and broadening my musical horizons in general.
One of the big problems I have – apart from my alternate picking speed/consistency, my little finger strength, not knowing enough scales, or notes, or chords, or any theory – is that I’m quite a sloppy player.
I mainly play covers in a band and so I know what I need to play and when to play it – however when I listen back to recordings, I hear accidental open strings, fluffed notes, missed notes, over-bends, phrasing that’s all over the place. I’ve no idea how to fix this as when I’m playing I’m just not aware that I’m about to accidentally hit 2 strings instead of one, or that my finger is about to half fret the note on the wire rather than on the wood.
I’m honestly at a loss where to begin. I’m entirely self taught, but even so, surely by now I should be better than just mediocre.
My home practice sessions are now just an old routine which I’m struggling to feign interest in these days – jamming along to the same backing tracks, or playing the same pentatonic shape over a blues rock backing track. Rehearsal with the band is as fun as it’s always been but that’s only once a month.
I’m primarily a singer, so I comfort myself by thinking I’m at least a far better singer than I am a guitarist, and that’s what counts - but even that justification is starting to wear a little thin.
The older I get the more down I begin feeling about it all. Throwing money at the problem in the form of new gear masks the feeling temporarily but it eventually comes back.
At 38 I'm thinking I'm probably too old to start lessons now, and I'm sure I'd probably be laughed at anyway!
Does anyone else ever feel like this? What's the answer (if any)?
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Comments
A good teacher will be able to spot why you're making the mistakes you are, and give you simple exercises to sort out the cause.
I’m much quicker now at learning new things etc and it’s obvious that a lot of my technique has improved, but I still can’t get over that sloppiness even with very familiar things.
The other obvious answer would be to get a tutor, playing with other people helps you improve and you get instant feedback. I don't know where you're based but I am a private tutor, I do lessons via Skype too. Just sayin'
I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.
Seriously, go have some lessons and work hard.
That is all a music teacher asks.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
@delorean If you would like help just bung me a PM and we'll see what we can sort out
As for "when am I ready?" You'll never be ready. It works in reverse, you become ready by doing it. - pmbomb
If I practice unplugged, I find sloppy picking habits creep in and my right hand muting (esp. with gain) gets lazy.
Also, getting a tutor, and taking lessons is good. I've only ever had one lesson on electric, but when I took classical lessons, I made so much more progress in a short time than I'd ever have made on my own. Just having a disinterested, but sympathetic and knowledgeable, third party look at your playing is super useful. The focus that comes from having to prep for lessons is also good.
Sounds like a few lessons are probably the way forward from here - @Clarky / @Lestratcaster I'll drop you guys a line
...it’s for a friend... ahem...
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
His ElectricCampfire site is very good, if you have the time to do the stuff.