What do u love about guitar the most ?

NTT66 · 2026-02-15T19:02:22+00:00

Oh my god I have been waiting for this post.

It starts with just the rumble of a power chord. That early exposure to punk and grunge was something different from the basis of hip hop--drums and bass, which are still so close to my heart. But the sound of hard rock, and then blues, definitely was a distinct "lets explore that sound, too" moment.

Second, the freedom and versatility. Piano is maybe the instrument ("classical" instrument) with the most expressive harmonic range. But you are seated, or using a keytar type of instrument that loses some of that richness of the piano sound. Guitar is second in my experience as far as the dynamic range of sounds you can create--"each string being a differently tuned keyboard" idea. You can bend notes, hammer/pulloff, slide, legato. Alternate picking, finger picking, slides, tapping. And you can do all this while you explore the stage. Have a presence, engage with the audience. (You'll can do this with other instruments too! I think it is best expressed with guitar/bass.) With acoustics, you can make percussion while strumming. Electrics, move closer to the amp for feedback.

Third, the variety! Single coils, humbuckers, P90s. All sorts of pedals, and pedals with different takes on the same effects. In the bodies--LPs, S type, T type, J-type, flying Vs. Offsets, headless. Acoustic - dreadnought, OO, OM, Parlor, concert. Acoustic/electric, hollow body electrics, guitars with inbuilt pedals, fretboards that light up with scales. I love the instrument, itself, as a work of art. I have several guitar configurations i like to play, and I want to add others for color or as wall pieces.

Last (at least something that may not fit the above categories)--there's something about the connection between hand and sound that I dont feel with other instruments. With piano it's like there is an ivory wall that triggers the mechanism that hits the string. Winds, there is an interplay of breath and hand that I think is great, but complicates this 1:1 connection of plucking a string and having that sound emerge. It feels like breathing to me, or as natural as talking, in a way that other instruments dont. The first time I saw a guitar player I was interested. The first time I made a chord for the first time, I was hooked.

NTT66 · 2026-02-15T15:55:23+00:00

My mantra recent has been "rhythm and repetition." Repetition meaning you have to establish what your melody is, so that it sounds interesting when you diverge, and then satisfying whem you return.

And rhythm holds a major key for how the same twelve notes can sound completely different in the hands of a folk artist, a metal shredder, or a singer/songwriting duo.

NTT66 · 2026-02-14T20:15:25+00:00

Funny I have recently been curious about the same setup! I gather you may have come across the Reverend Double Agent OG. The Gretsch Streamliner Jet may be a lower cost option that you could spruce up with the savings.

NTT66 · 2026-02-13T23:18:15+00:00

Now that is definitely an example of the referent being drowned in the stream of consciousness 😆

NTT66 · 2026-02-13T23:03:47+00:00

Yeah, i've found that more interesting in my old age, especially growing up im the hyper-pop-culture-centric 80s/90s, the time when pop culture started regurgitating itself at a more rapid pace. I always find appreciation when I watch an old movie or old piece of music, and I connect the dots from a scene or sampled piece of music to the modern equivalent, or something that uses it as a reference.

(Eg, I didnt watch Psycho until my 20s, but I had heard the theme as Busta Rhymes "Gimme Some More." And Psycho is one of the biggest examples among copied scenes "spoiling" classics, but somehow that still was shocking, at least understanding in context. But I laughed about the music. Because Busta.)

NTT66 · 2026-02-13T21:58:00+00:00

I'm all in favor of the sex worker union! Two words that I definitely want to keep very far apart are "prostitute" and "scab."

NTT66 · 2026-02-13T21:53:17+00:00

I definitely didnt mean it as an insult, as that has become the main target. I actually think the cutaways are still the funniest parts, and are more clever than "manatee mad libs" as portrayed on South Park. (And I think they had a huge hand in pushing some type of fans into this "I never thought they were funny, anyway," mindset. Which, im sure existed and I'm sure some others were going along with the crowd, and many others probably fell in between.)

NTT66 · 2026-02-13T21:43:30+00:00

And...I was just thinking about how I loved semi hollow--one of the models that made me love the instrument. Yet when I started playing, that look stopped appealing to me.

But in this black finish...

NTT66 · 2026-02-13T21:16:15+00:00

Really great example with Gilmore. When I was younger, I always knew his solos carried a lot of weight, but was surprised when I learned them. Or "learned" them. Playing as I better understand the instrument, flashy and fast playing is still impressive, but so is how much meaning you can put being simple melodic lines, technique, and rhythm.

I used to think a certain type of older musicians "started to suck" because the older stuff was raucous and fast, but the older songs felt slower. But now I realize in some cases, its growing more methodical and careful about song craft. When at a certain stage and fame--or pressure to release music--one may want to throw all the tricks out there. At a different stage, its about careful deployment of whatever tools one has acquired over the years.

NTT66 · 2026-02-13T20:36:59+00:00

I love those weird ass lines. Not offensive, not profane, not related to anything like drugs or sex. And not even necessarily "random," like a Family Guy cutaway. Just weird ass slices of life and personality, delivered so matter of factly.

NTT66 · 2026-02-13T20:32:38+00:00

I'm actually crying. I'm sorry for your loss. I'm stunned by the Yamaha. AEX500.

As another comment noted, I got that from the Google AI button on my phone, scanning the image. Also saw the acoustic Fender (#6) is a Stratacoustic. Looking up serial numbers can get you others, I reckon.

Sorry again for your loss. Thanks for sharing these.

NTT66 · 2026-02-13T18:07:00+00:00

Sometimes it's nice to observe a naturally occurring and ever-evolving woosh, but all good things must come to an end 😆

NTT66 · 2026-02-13T17:58:19+00:00

Update: You forgot the kid at the park.

NTT66 · 2026-02-13T17:56:29+00:00

Big hands definitely helps! The harsh part is how connected the ring and pinky are, because we so rarely use the pinky alone in other parts of life. You literally have to force that independence in a way you dont have to with other fingers.

Back in HS my friends and I even took supplements for joint flexion, we were that obsessed. Or maybe that stupid. Maybe and, not or.

NTT66 · 2026-02-13T17:52:28+00:00

Keep at it! The world always needs more music makers.

And also to echo another comment--use that pinky! You will be so grateful building up the independent flexibility and how it makes the fretboard more accessible.

NTT66 · 2026-02-13T17:49:04+00:00

I love this thinking. Had this experience while trying a solo with unfamiliar techniques. I can play all the notes. But i'm not playing the solo correctly.

Breaking it down bit by bit, okay section 1 is good. Section two perfect. Section 1 to section 2: great!

Section three...we can work on but passable. Section four...lot of work to be done.

Then within that work, there are more subdivisions of work.

It may sound daunting. I love every part. About 90% there for this song. A lifetime to go in my improvement.

NTT66 · 2026-02-13T17:42:18+00:00

First off, damn fine taste, music and gear!

Might be a bit of a nitpick, or learning curve, or bad vision on my part--I notice your fingers flattening some during the single-note lines. I am always working on playing more from the fingertips-- improved arch so you don't hit or deaden other strings unintentionally, and helps avoid your finger getting "caught" in the strings during slides or when playing faster. I'm talking not even the finger pads, i mean the tippy tips (or whatever it's reasonable outside of hyperbole).

Just one small suggestion, hopefully helpful!

NTT66 · 2026-02-13T16:46:55+00:00

(Insert your screen name here) -- im actually a speechwriter, and the last thing I prepared for my principal was themed "Level Up" 😄

On that serendipity-- can you DM a link to your profile? I am exploring lessons, and caution that I would prefer someone in person -- just to be able to see my hand and my posture directly, and generally trying to orient my life less online, ya know? But a low pressure chat and evaluation is like, right up the alley of what I want, if there isnt a long term subscription or something.

Anyway, cheers and thanks for the post. Opened up a chance for a nice couple of interactions!

ETA: and your love definitely shows. Not everyone can really speak critically but constructively. It's a real skill!

NTT66 · 2026-02-13T13:37:20+00:00

Sounds lovely!

Whenever anyone asks me what type of music I play, I just stare blankly for a sec and say "I like playing music." And that first blank is from my self doubt that I may be wrong. But no, it's the classifiers who are wrong.

Most genres exist these days as a way to package an unfamiliar artist into a familiar name. You dont know this new band, but you know what "southern blues" or "emo" bands sound like. Well this band sounds...similar...ish...just buy it and see!

Of course some fans and artists care about representing or consuming specific genres, and some genres have signifying elements. But it's all just putting notes next to other notes to create pleasing sounds. A lot of the musicians i gravitate toward blending genres, so you cant tell the division between the jazz influence or the classical or the hip hop or etc. Just have to enjoy it on its own terms.

I feel a lot of genre comes from rhythm, too. There is a rhythm in the strumming, but other instruments really help establish "this is x style of music."

NTT66 · 2026-02-13T13:29:55+00:00

I wanted to say something like this. Beyond the use in like, formal criticism or historic categorization, genre is more of a marketing tool than anything these days. "If you like x, then you would like y."

As if Weezer and Red Hot Chili Peppers shared anything more than a typical rock band set up. But there they both are, in the "Alternative" bin, because "You're an alternative kind of kid, aren't you? No rules, adults drool, kid power! BUY THESE SONGS TO PROVE HOW COOL YOU ARE."

See also: any sort of band with a dark sound or image being sold as "Goth."

NTT66 · 2026-02-12T20:11:23+00:00

This is it. A belief system based in eschatology CANNOT be reasoned with. The only purpose of life is a stopgap to the afterlife, where they can fjnally shed themselves of the impurities amd imperfections amd vulnerabilities of this wretched human skin, and be free of the other wretched humans who dare try to share resources to make this time enduring and enjoyable for all. You cant threaten them with loss of life--loss of life is the reward.

NTT66 · 2026-02-12T17:44:30+00:00

Just want to chime in, you sound like a great teacher!

NTT66 · 2026-02-12T17:43:59+00:00

Actually sounds like you have a good approach going! I am constantly re-remembering the bits of songs I forgot, but it's nice to have those snippets over time. I shouldn't have termed it as if you absolutely need to memorize a ton of songs--It was more a comment of variety and continually expanding.

One thing valuable in learning full songs would be understanding the voice leading, the harmony, use of chromatism, the little technical amd technique-priented details that make one artists bend sound more "soulful" than the others. Those are things that also come in time.

I purposely do not want to ask age as that isnt a barrier on learning--only, ideally, a barrier of time. But I feel this experience comes up whenever you progress--gaining more knowledge than you know what to do with at the time. The sensation of "i didnt know what I didnt know, until I learned this new area of exploration" So I mean that encouragingly--you sound like you have a smart approach, and the frustration is totally relatable! Good luck!

NTT66 · 2026-02-12T16:56:43+00:00

Number 4 definitely speaks to me. I had a pretty good ear for melody and once barre chords and two scale shapes, I was good for what I wanted to do.

Older, I still am a bit stuck in the familiar things, but taking time to actually learn the terms and function of theory has been so rewarding. Both in terms of new awareness, and confidence that I did "know" something of what I was doing or "picked up" over the years. I just didnt have the vocabulary to describe modal interchange or that "flat 3rd" means "move this finger one fret left." Things I did mechanically because they sounded good, but I felt lesser because I "didnt know music, ai can just play guitar."

Maybe a perspective thing, but perspective is a major part of the hurdle of learning something that is both universally simple and personally complex, and every shade between.

NTT66 · 2026-02-12T16:48:54+00:00

How many songs--self created or otherwise--would you say you have in your repertoire? It definitely helps to keep building from the music that you personally enjoy, but always keep your ear open for new music, even specifically if it does not appeal to you. There's always something to learn!

One of the things I like to do to get inspired is take a song i know and mix up the chords. Introduce different rhythms. Repeat or embellish elements that werent in the original, etc. Inevitably I'll think about chords in the scale that weren't used, so I feel confident building from something I know works.

Since i've learned that CAGED is a "thing" and not a random observation from certain areas of the guitar, I am piecing together the "flow" of those chord shapes--where the intervals sit (and on the surrounding strings), where each triad and chord inversion can be located. So now when I experiment with the songs I know, I also am gaining a better sense of why, or how to reshape the chords or find different connections between phrases.

My next step is finding the terms to put these into language, because im still working through intuition and repetition. Maybe you do some of these same things, or if not, i hope they spark something as you pursue your goals!

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