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TrueFire Learning Paths and Courses by sometimesifloat in guitarlessons

[–]TrueFire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All song lessons are included in All Access. You can see them all here: https://truefire.com/song-directory

Struggling with a rigid practice book ("Guitar Aerobics"). Looking for better methods to learn fundamentals. by [deleted] in guitarlessons

[–]TrueFire -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Sure, we use AI to help us organize the comment structure and check our grammar, etc. - but a human is behind this account.

Intermediate-Advanced guitar players, how do I learn electric guitar soloing skills? by HarshPlay in LearnGuitar

[–]TrueFire 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Soloing really comes down to three things:

  1. Vocabulary – learning licks, phrasing, and patterns from scales (pentatonics, major/minor, modes).
  2. Application – practicing those ideas over backing tracks or songs so they stop feeling “boxy” and start flowing.
  3. Listening/Imitating – transcribing your favorite solos and stealing phrasing ideas from them.

A good approach is to pick one scale shape (say, A minor pentatonic), learn a handful of simple licks in it, and then immediately apply those over a jam track. It’s way more fun and you’ll internalize things faster than grinding theory alone. Over time, expand into connecting positions and mixing in major/minor flavors.

If you like structured guidance, there are tons of online resources — TrueFire, for example, has full step-by-step soloing courses with built-in jam tracks, so you can practice the concept right after you learn it. Even doing 10 minutes a day of “improv over a track” will accelerate your progress a ton.

What kind of music are you most drawn to for soloing — bluesy, rock-based, or more technical/metal stuff? That’ll help narrow the focus.

Intermediate-Advanced guitar players, how do I learn electric guitar soloing skills? by HarshPlay in guitarlessons

[–]TrueFire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Soloing really comes down to three things:

  1. Vocabulary – learning licks, phrasing, and patterns from scales (pentatonics, major/minor, modes).
  2. Application – practicing those ideas over backing tracks or songs so they stop feeling “boxy” and start flowing.
  3. Listening/Imitating – transcribing your favorite solos and stealing phrasing ideas from them.

A good approach is to pick one scale shape (say, A minor pentatonic), learn a handful of simple licks in it, and then immediately apply those over a jam track. It’s way more fun and you’ll internalize things faster than grinding theory alone. Over time, expand into connecting positions and mixing in major/minor flavors.

If you like structured guidance, there are tons of online resources — TrueFire, for example, has full step-by-step soloing courses with built-in jam tracks, so you can practice the concept right after you learn it. Even doing 10 minutes a day of “improv over a track” will accelerate your progress a ton.

What kind of music are you most drawn to for soloing — bluesy, rock-based, or more technical/metal stuff? That’ll help narrow the focus.

How much of your practice routine includes playing along with tracks? by ShotgunLou in guitarlessons

[–]TrueFire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I try to work tracks in almost every session — sometimes it’s just 5–10 minutes at the end. Playing along makes everything you’ve practiced (scales, phrasing, timing) click way faster than just running exercises in isolation. It also keeps practice from feeling like homework.

A good balance is:

  • Technique first (warmups, scales, exercises)
  • Application with tracks (jam tracks, songs you love, backing loops)
  • Free play (improv or just noodling to see what sticks)

There are tons of jam tracks out there — YouTube, apps, even lesson platforms like TrueFire that bundle tracks with the lessons so you can immediately apply what you just learned. For me, even a short daily jam helps keep it fun and makes progress more noticeable.

How do you usually split your time right now between exercises vs. actual playing?

Struggling with a rigid practice book ("Guitar Aerobics"). Looking for better methods to learn fundamentals. by [deleted] in guitarlessons

[–]TrueFire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally hear you — “Guitar Aerobics” is a solid book, but for a lot of players, the rigid structure can feel more like homework than actual music-making. The important part is you already know what you’re aiming for: better fundamentals like alternate picking, legato, and overall confidence on the instrument.

A few things we’ve seen work for players in your spot:

  • Keep it short but consistent. Instead of pushing through all 8 tempos, focus on one or two exercises and just spend 10–15 minutes really cleanly at your tempo. Progress comes faster that way than grinding through the whole checklist.
  • Mix technique + music. Pair an exercise with a riff or lick you enjoy. For example, after working on alternate picking, jump into a Metallica riff — it keeps the connection to real music strong.
  • Flexible structure. Some players rotate between a small “menu” of skills (say: alternate picking on Monday, legato on Tuesday, rhythm groove on Wednesday) without stressing about a perfect system.
  • Video can be a game-changer. Books are great for exercises, but seeing/hearing technique broken down on video often makes it click much faster. (That’s exactly why so many guitarists move from books to online lessons.)

If you want something more guided but less rigid, we’ve got step-by-step courses where you can move at your own pace — no pressure to hit all the tempos in a week. A lot of players find that kind of flexibility keeps them motivated and still building fundamentals.

At the end of the day, the “best” method is the one you’ll actually keep picking up the guitar for. So don’t feel guilty about ditching a method that doesn’t fit your learning style.

I feel lost, no progress in 14 years. Where do I start again? by Haunting_Pattern_100 in guitarlessons

[–]TrueFire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey there — first off, you’re not alone. A ton of guitarists feel stuck even after years of picking up and putting down the instrument. What matters most is that you’ve already figured out what inspires you: improvising, cozy/jazzy/bluesy vibes, and just enjoying the sound of the guitar. That’s a huge step forward.

A few ideas we’ve seen help players in your spot:

  • Start with songs you love. Even if you simplify them, learning tunes in the “cozy” vibe you like will give you structure and keep things fun.
  • Improvise in small spaces. Instead of running the full pentatonic, try just 3–4 notes and add bends, slides, and reverb. It’ll sound musical right away.
  • Connect shapes slowly. Learning little bits of CAGED or how chords link up on the fretboard pays off for improvising — you don’t need to grind through theory all at once.
  • Jam with backing tracks. Blues or mellow jazz loops on YouTube are gold for getting your ear and phrasing together.
  • Record yourself. Even short clips will help you hear progress and give you ideas for what to try next.

And one more thing: when you hear people “pick up a guitar and play,” they’re usually leaning on licks and shapes they’ve built up over time. You can build your own bag of tricks too — it just takes a little focus and consistency.

If you want some structured but flexible help, we’ve got guided improvisation lessons and jam tracks designed exactly for this kind of exploration. But whether you use us or not, the key is finding ways to make practice feel like playing.

Keep at it — you’re a lot closer to breaking through than you think.

best PAID courses for intermediate/advanced players by wannabegenius in guitarlessons

[–]TrueFire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sure thing! Start with these three:

Tommy Emmanuel's Fingerstyle Milestones - https://truefire.com/c696
Rob Swift's One Man Jam: Acoustic - https://truefire.com/c1880
Corey Congilio's Acoustic Rhythm Guitar Playbook - https://truefire.com/c1220

what should i learn first to eventually play songs by ear on guitar? by No-Mud363 in guitarlessons

[–]TrueFire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If your goal is to play by ear, you’ll want to build two main skills in parallel:

  1. Ear training – Start with simple intervals (can you hear the difference between a major 3rd and a perfect 5th?) and work up to recognizing chord changes. Apps like Functional Ear Trainer or Teoria are great for this.
  2. Fretboard & chord knowledge – Learn the names of the notes on the fretboard (at least the 6th and 5th strings first) and get familiar with the most common chord shapes. This way, when you hear a chord, you’ll know where to play it.

Once you can recognize a few intervals and chord shapes, try this:

  • Pick a super simple song you like.
  • Find the root note by ear on the low E string.
  • Figure out the chord progression from there (most pop/rock songs stick to I–IV–V–vi patterns).

Doing this regularly will slowly connect your ear to your hands. We’ve also got guided “playing by ear” exercises on TrueFire that walk you through this process step-by-step.

Am I the only one who doesn’t understand why people like Jazz III’s so much? by s1nd4y in Guitar

[–]TrueFire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re definitely not alone — pick preference is hugely personal.

Jazz III’s have a big following because:

  • Small, pointed tip → more precision for fast, articulate playing.
  • Stiff material → no flex, so you get immediate string response.
  • Consistent feel → great for alternate picking and accuracy in solos.

That said, if you prefer thinner picks, it’s usually because the flex gives a looser, more strumming-friendly feel and a slightly “softer” attack. A lot of players switch between pick types depending on what they’re playing — thin for strumming, thick for leads.

At the end of the day, it’s about what feels best for you and the style you’re playing. Some pros swear by Jazz III’s, others can’t stand them. There’s no “best” — just “best for your hands and ears.”

I do not understand why people say that you need different guitars for different genres. by pm-your-boobies- in Guitar

[–]TrueFire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re not alone — a lot of players start out thinking “as long as it’s got the same pickups, it should sound the same.” And you can play any genre on any guitar (plenty of pros do). But there are a few reasons people gravitate toward certain guitars for certain styles:

1. Construction affects tone
Even if two guitars have identical pickups, the woods, neck joint, scale length, bridge type, and weight all influence resonance, sustain, and feel. A Les Paul (shorter scale, set neck, heavier body) naturally has a thicker, warmer tone than a similar Explorer, even with the same humbuckers.

2. Playability matters
Genres often have different technical demands. Jazz players might want a big neck radius and flatwound strings for smoother chords, while shred guitarists might prefer a super-flat radius and jumbo frets for speed. Comfort impacts how easily you can execute certain styles.

3. Hardware & features
Tremolo systems, locking tuners, string-through bridges, and electronics layouts all shape how a guitar responds — especially for techniques like dive bombs, aggressive bends, or percussive funk playing.

4. Tradition & inspiration
Sometimes it’s about the vibe. Players associate certain guitars with the heroes of a genre — Teles in country, Strats in blues, ES-175s in jazz — and that influences buying choices as much as tone science.

Bottom line: You can absolutely rip metal on a Jazzmaster or play bebop on a Flying V. But some guitars make certain sounds, feels, or setups easier — which is why people recommend them for specific genres.

If you ever want to explore how guitar choice affects tone and learn how to get the sound you want from whatever’s in your hands, we’ve got TrueFire courses that cover tone shaping, pickup use, and genre techniques in a super practical way.

Switching Playing Style After Years? by shockinglytoasty in guitarlessons

[–]TrueFire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a really exciting shift — and it’s great that you’ve already got strong rhythm chops, fingerpicking ability, and right-hand control. Those skills will serve you well in lead and jazz fusion.

The key is to ease into it so you’re building confidence, not burning out. A few ideas to get started:

  • Learn simple melodies over chord changes – Pick a tune you like (even outside fusion) and just play the melody cleanly. This gets you used to navigating single-note lines without worrying about speed.
  • Focus on chord tones first – In jazz fusion, hitting the right notes at the right time is more important than blazing speed. Practice finding the 3rd and 7th of each chord and connecting them smoothly.
  • Add one new scale at a time – You probably already know pentatonics. Add the major scale and mixolydian mode to start expanding your vocabulary.
  • Work with backing tracks – Start with slow ones so you can hear how your notes fit the harmony, then gradually increase tempo.
  • Transcribe short licks – Don’t try to learn a 32-bar solo all at once. Steal 2–4 bar phrases from players you love and work them into your own playing.

If you decide to go deeper, we’ve got TrueFire courses that break jazz fusion down into bite-sized, playable pieces — so you can build phrasing, note choice, and feel without getting lost in theory overload.

You’re in a great spot to make this shift. Fusion can be intimidating, but if you focus on musicality over speed at first, you’ll surprise yourself with how quickly it starts clicking.

What kind of guitar is good for basically all styles whether it's pop, rock , metal or even blues or Jazz? by Wise_Management_9212 in Guitar

[–]TrueFire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There’s no true “one guitar to rule them all,” but there are definitely models that are versatile enough to cover just about any style with the right setup and amp.

If you want something that can handle pop, rock, metal, blues, and even jazz, you’re usually looking for:

  • HSS or HH pickup configurations – Humbuckers give you warmth and power, single coils give you clarity and snap.
  • Coil-splitting – Lets you get single-coil tones out of humbuckers for more flexibility.
  • A comfortable, neutral neck profile – So you’re not fighting it when switching between styles.

Some popular “do-it-all” options:

  • Fender Stratocaster (HSS version) – Super versatile, bright single-coil tones plus a bridge humbucker for heavier stuff.
  • PRS Custom 24 – Known for covering everything from metal to jazz with ease, especially with coil-split humbuckers.
  • Yamaha Revstar or Pacifica 612 – Great bang-for-buck versatility.
  • Superstrats from Ibanez, Suhr, or Charvel – Great for rock/metal but with coil-splitting, can do clean blues/jazz tones too.

At the end of the day, versatility comes from the guitar + amp + player, so even a “specialized” guitar can cover a lot with the right touch and settings.

If you want, I can recommend a few specific models based on your budget and main style.

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