Like...the more you learn...the less you know? You take a big step in the right direction but it only shows you how much you didn't know before...when you thought you knew a decent amount. When answers only create more questions. When a very cool step forward forces you to go back and evaluate that step and it makes you wonder where to go from there or how it changes your playing. When we feel comfortable in our knowledge...only to realize our knowledge now means much less and there is so much more to learn. I don't think there is a correct approach to this but you have to approach it. What is your approach or mind-set?
I'm a little buzzed tonight but dammit....my recent playing makes me feel kind of stupid about my previous approach. I shouldn't feel that way because you just have to turn your corner when you get to it but still....part of me feel like I must have been screwing around for too long because I should have already got to this most recent level. Not that I'm at any awesome level or anything...
It's not about levels and comparisons. If it was we would all watch Vai or Satch, pack up and go home. Find your own ability and move forward from there. It's art... not science. If it were all about levels, then frankly I totally suck... But it's still art and within there I've got something to say.
I dont try to break my brain when playing. if it comes to me it comes. never took a true lesson in my life, cant really read music with speed, but can figure it out give me a second. I may do some tab/ chord search and build on that. If you had some pro tech designing your tones, dial up and play, but when you are picking out your tones yourself. it becomes time consuming and distracting. usually lock in a tone and keep it for a while, right now my metal tones are pretty powerful so Im keeping that for now. dont take me much to become tone deaf after playing a little while. time for intermission. I learn better when I put the guitar down for days at a time. Began playing at 11yr old but couldnt play all the time , even dropped the guitar for years while doing army stuff, however I had a guitar in my personal property, one went to Iraq from Sam Ash. Id like to play and sing full time for at least an established band. I just fluctuate to much from my likes, I could be playing the Dead one minute and all the sudden I slip back into a Floyd session .. todays practice was Megadeath/Wake Up Dead. < see the dead still in there somewhere lol, Dokken, alone again/ The Clash Rock the Casbah, Bon Jovi dead or alive < been playing that since it was released and still cant get the opening right JC!! but mid soloing is pretty spot on. stevie ray vaughan said to "play what you feel inside", and he only took a single one hour lesson ..
I might have to revisit this song today. I learned it a long time ago and the intro isn't too bad but it's played on a 12 string. I bought an old, shitty 12 string for maybe $40 at a garage sale and I was determined to learn that song once I got it. I never felt like I played it right until I played it on a 12er. I still have that guitar upstairs but I haven't played it for years. I bet it still has the same strings on it from when I bought it. But...as shown by this thread....I suck at music theory and posting while intoxicated.
Just revisited that song and saw two ways to play it. One way isn't too bad but the other way is harder because you slide the fourth note of each position down. I probably learned the easier way to play it back then. I don't remember but now I have that song stuck in my head.
This reminds me of some advice I once got from one of my musical mentors. I had just got done playing a set and this person and I were backstage listening to the next band play. The guitarist, Bill, is a great player and someone I've always admired. I said "Man...I'd like to sit down with Bill and learn a few tricks from him". He said "You don't need to learn any tricks from Bill. You already have your own tricks. Even if he did show you some things, you would still end up playing them the way that YOU think sounds good. You just have to be your own genuine self on stage".
one thing I always admired about the Grateful Dead.. you mess up, ya just keep on trucking on.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIKuA1Kc-fU
Always keep in mind, there's a 10 year old out there in his/her bedroom somewhere that can play as well as Satch, Yngwie, Vaughn, Eddie, you name it... lol
yeah, but only talentless hacks earn a living in the USA ... just to name a few. http://unewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/taylor-guitar.jpg
GF put this up on her FB.. FB friend said "wow you look like a rock star, how long have you been playing?" Gf said "5minutes.. hahaha..
Yeah. I keep grasping for more, too - I try busting my brain as much as my chops, because I can. As disturbing a concept as it is, it's also very comforting to be constantly aware of, because there are endless possibilities, the only limit being the amount of practice/dedication you put in. Therefore, you can't get bored.
