Funnily enough I taught myself from age 8 onwards and I don’t suck. I now teach, all I can say is it would have saved me some time to have a teacher. But…many teachers are crap and waste your time and money so be aware !
Go for the Fender. I have a 92 American Precision bass and a 73 Telecaster bass. And get yourself an instructor to break you out of your current block. But then, what do I know… I’m just the bass player.
[quote]Yo Momma wrote:
Go for the Fender. I have a 92 American Precision bass and a 73 Telecaster bass. And get yourself an instructor to break you out of your current block. But then, what do I know… I’m just the bass player.[/quote]
Yeah anyone can play bass, right? lol
[quote]BIGRAGOO wrote:
Yo Momma wrote:
Go for the Fender. I have a 92 American Precision bass and a 73 Telecaster bass. And get yourself an instructor to break you out of your current block. But then, what do I know… I’m just the bass player.
Yeah anyone can play bass, right? lol[/quote]
Try it with flat wound strings.
[quote]Yo Momma wrote:
But then, what do I know… I’m just the bass player.[/quote]
Well at least you’re not the drummer, where EVERYTHING is your fault! Note to bandleaders: I cannot control whether or not the trombones are in tune. Thanks.
Turn the radio on and play along. Some basic knowledge of music theory helps.
Guitar is designed to make it easy to play without really knowing what you are doing. That is how people learn all those open string chords and use a capo when they need to play in a different key instead of actually knowing what makes up the different chords and then move them to the key you want.
So I would first recommend that you learn theory if you haven’t already done so. If you know how to construct all major chords, minor chords, Maj7b chords, and even 7b 9# chords (and what these numbers mean) anywhere on the fretboard, then it is just practice and learning different styles.
Playing lead is like playing the bass, you are playing a melodic line that moves with the chord progression and the harmonic bass line. So the melody or lead line fits with the chord progression and bass lines. If you don’t understand how those fit together you will never be a good lead guitarist. And just learning someone else’s song just teaches you that song, but not why it works and how to create great lead yourself.
So if you really want to be good, learn music theory first.
Then I would make up some of your own guitar chord progressions, record it. Then with what you know of theory, practice developing lead line over that. So what sounds good and what not.
I’m an active musician and can tell you that when you gig or do studio work you don’t have time to listen and figure out what works and what not. You need to know what may work based on the chord progression (this is where the theory comes in) and then lay it down. This is also how great players are just able to, on the fly, come up with an improvised solo; because they know the theory of what will work with the chords and bass line.
[quote]Fonebone wrote:
Yo Momma wrote:
But then, what do I know… I’m just the bass player.
Well at least you’re not the drummer, where EVERYTHING is your fault! Note to bandleaders: I cannot control whether or not the trombones are in tune. Thanks. [/quote]
Drummers…Good drummers are harder to find than good women…I don’t count the bass players out either…Actually good singers are invaluable too. Can you tell I’m a guitarist who can’t sing? Sigh…
[quote]BIGRAGOO wrote:
Yo Momma wrote:
Go for the Fender. I have a 92 American Precision bass and a 73 Telecaster bass. And get yourself an instructor to break you out of your current block. But then, what do I know… I’m just the bass player.
Yeah anyone can play bass, right? lol[/quote]
That just shows you don’t know anything about bass playing.
HOw about a classical guitar?? I love that sound! Is it the same as flemenco guitar?? Thanks. And do they cost more?? OH! And how hard is it to pick up?
Use to play a little & want to get back into it.
[quote]Lorisco wrote:
BIGRAGOO wrote:
Yo Momma wrote:
Go for the Fender. I have a 92 American Precision bass and a 73 Telecaster bass. And get yourself an instructor to break you out of your current block. But then, what do I know… I’m just the bass player.
Yeah anyone can play bass, right? lol
That just shows you don’t know anything about bass playing.
[/quote]
As Robert Deniro said in Taxi driver… You talking to me??? I may not be the best bass player in the world, nor does the knowledge I have gained from playing this instrument for the past 32 years make me an expert either. But I can assure you that I do know SOMETHING about bass playing. Or maybe I’m just an old broad slinging a kickass guitar.
Momma
[quote]Lorisco wrote:
BIGRAGOO wrote:
Yo Momma wrote:
Go for the Fender. I have a 92 American Precision bass and a 73 Telecaster bass. And get yourself an instructor to break you out of your current block. But then, what do I know… I’m just the bass player.
Yeah anyone can play bass, right? lol
That just shows you don’t know anything about bass playing.
[/quote]
No, it shows I was being a smart ass. Come on, is it that hard to pick up on sarcasm?
Plus it was a joke on how bassists are usually the most underrated part of a band.
[quote]BIGRAGOO wrote:
Lorisco wrote:
BIGRAGOO wrote:
Yo Momma wrote:
Go for the Fender. I have a 92 American Precision bass and a 73 Telecaster bass. And get yourself an instructor to break you out of your current block. But then, what do I know… I’m just the bass player.
Yeah anyone can play bass, right? lol
That just shows you don’t know anything about bass playing.
No, it shows I was being a smart ass. Come on, is it that hard to pick up on sarcasm?
Plus it was a joke on how bassists are usually the most underrated part of a band.
[/quote]
Sorry bro, I didn’t pick up on the sarcasm.
[quote]Lorisco wrote:
Sorry bro, I didn’t pick up on the sarcasm.
[/quote]
Come on man, wake up. Haha.
As far as guitars go, I think everyone has hit the nail on the head. You can’t really go wrong with Gibson, Fender or Ibanez. I personally play Ibanez guitars but will be getting a Gibson Les Paul in the near future.
You should consider the style of music you want to play as some guitars are better suited to different musical styles. As far as learning scales and chords you should think about getting a good teacher. If that is not an option at this point, there are tons of books and tablature you can learn from as well as DVD instructional videos. You should start out learning the basic chords and trying to play songs that you know. Try playing in half hour blocks like 2 to 3 times a day. It’s easier to absorb the information in smaller sessions than playing for hours on end.
You should also expand your musical tastes and listen to different guitarists and their styles.
Here is alist of guitarists you should be listening to to get a pretty diverse taste of styles:
Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robert Cray, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Gilbert, Michal Angelo Batio, Zakk Wylde, John Petrucci, Uli Roth, Eric Johnson to name a few.
I’d just like to re-iterate, since everyone is still saying to buy a Fender/Gibson etc, if money is an issue, don’t buy a guitar over 200 dollars until you’re sure you’ll stick with it. You can’t go wrong with a Fender, of course not, but you sure as hell can go wrong by buying one and quitting in a month. I’ve heard good players make “crappy” guitars sound amazing.
Anyways, to whoever asked it, no, classical and flamenco are not the same, although they are both played on a classical guitar, or a nylon-stringed acoustic. Good classical guitars are almost always hand-made, the best of which are not hand-made in bulk and can cost you many thousands of dollars (this is one of the few artisan crafts that is still practiced with relative success). You almost certainly cannot teach yourself classical guitar playing–like all classical music, a teacher is necessary.
Classical guitars are like acoustics, but as I said, they have nylon strings, and have a thicker and wider neck than normal acoustics. Flamenco, y ou could argue, is a type of classical guitar playing. It’s really badass, so if you want to learn it, go for it, but DEFINITELY get a teacher. Sure, with rock you can get away by teaching yourself (and taking a long time to do so) but with classical music you’re just shooting yourself in the foot.
Oh, and chicks dig flamenco guitar.
[quote]tommyboy wrote:
Here is alist of guitarists you should be listening to to get a pretty diverse taste of styles:
Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robert Cray, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Gilbert, Michal Angelo Batio, Zakk Wylde, John Petrucci, Uli Roth, Eric Johnson to name a few. [/quote]
I’d add quite a few more:
Neo-classical metal (I only named the “best” three since they all sound the fucking same):
Yngwie Malmsteem
Joe Satriani
Steve Vai
Blues:
B.B. King
Muddy Waters
Eric Johnson
Blues/Rock:
Eric Clapton (imo Cream is his best work, also check him in the Bluesbreakers with John Mayall, Blind Faith, Derek & the Dominoes, and his solo work)
Jimmy Page (worship him like you worship a nice piece of ass)
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Jeff Beck
Metal:
Mikael Akerfeldt (from Opeth, less well-known but very amazing)
Kirk Hammett + Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath)
Dimebag Darrell (Pantera)
Randy Rhoads (first Ozzy guitarist)
Zakk Wylde (he sort of copied Rhoads, but then again, Rhoads was a pioneer in his field, and will probably never be matched)
Van Halen
Fusion/Jazz/etc:
Santana (buy his first three CDs)
Pat Methany (Weather Report)
Jimi Hendrix (along with Page, worship this guy)
Robert Fripp (King Crimson)
Wes Montgomery (one of the best jazz guitarists)
[quote]danmaftei wrote:
tommyboy wrote:
Here is alist of guitarists you should be listening to to get a pretty diverse taste of styles:
Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robert Cray, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Gilbert, Michal Angelo Batio, Zakk Wylde, John Petrucci, Uli Roth, Eric Johnson to name a few.
I’d add quite a few more:
Neo-classical metal (I only named the “best” three since they all sound the fucking same):
Yngwie Malmsteem
Joe Satriani
Steve Vai
Blues:
B.B. King
Muddy Waters
Eric Johnson
Blues/Rock:
Eric Clapton (imo Cream is his best work, also check him in the Bluesbreakers with John Mayall, Blind Faith, Derek & the Dominoes, and his solo work)
Jimmy Page (worship him like you worship a nice piece of ass)
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Jeff Beck
Metal:
Mikael Akerfeldt (from Opeth, less well-known but very amazing)
Kirk Hammett + Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath)
Dimebag Darrell (Pantera)
Randy Rhoads (first Ozzy guitarist)
Zakk Wylde (he sort of copied Rhoads, but then again, Rhoads was a pioneer in his field, and will probably never be matched)
Van Halen
Fusion/Jazz/etc:
Santana (buy his first three CDs)
Pat Methany (Weather Report)
Jimi Hendrix (along with Page, worship this guy)
Robert Fripp (King Crimson)
Wes Montgomery (one of the best jazz guitarists)
[/quote]
Dan and Tommy, yall have just described my catalog of music. Fucking A
Then it’s time to move into Frank Zappa, Tom Waits, Mr. Bungle, and all their bastard indie offspring. 
I know what you mean about a program or periodized training for guitar program, but I found that an hour a day goes a long way. (for those who don’t have all day)
Get the book FRETBOARD LOGIC VOL 1.
It is hands down the best book and it really does teach you the guitar not just chords or notes.
Fender '57 Reissue (11 years now)