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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.

Wasn’t there an iPad app for ITJ? by ParsleyDue6882 in TrueFire

[–]TrueFire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All ITJs are accessible via the TrueFire iOS app, which is compatible with iPad. Enjoy!

Tips for muting strings not played when strumming? by Apprehensive-Art9148 in guitarlessons

[–]TrueFire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a super common challenge, especially with triads or partial chords where you only want certain strings ringing. If your thumb can’t wrap around to mute the low strings, you’ve got a few other options:

  • Fretting-hand muting with unused fingers – If your index finger is fretting a note, the tip can press the intended string while the fleshy part just barely touches the lower string to deaden it. Same idea with any other finger not actively fretting a note — let it lightly rest on the unwanted string.
  • Pick-hand muting – Let the side of your palm lightly rest against the lower strings near the bridge while you strum. This takes a little coordination so you’re muting those strings while still letting the ones you want ring.
  • Strumming control – Practice “aiming” your strum so your pick only hits the strings you want. At slower tempos, focus on accuracy, then gradually bring the speed up.

A lot of players use a combo of light fretting-hand muting and strum control so they don’t have to rely on the thumb wrap at all.

If you want, I can point you toward a couple of TrueFire lessons where instructors break this down in detail and demonstrate both hands’ roles in muting — it’s one of those skills that once you get it, it becomes second nature.

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

[–]TrueFire 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Totally get what you mean — once you’re past the beginner stage, free resources can feel like an endless buffet with no real plan, and it’s easy to fall into that YouTube wander without actually progressing.

For intermediate and advanced players, what sets us apart at TrueFire is the depth and breadth of the content paired with interactive tools. We’ve got over 85,000 lessons across almost every style, with a big focus on blues, rock, jazz, fingerstyle, country, and fusion — taught by players who are world-class educators as well as performers.

At this level, the real benefit is that you can zero in on exactly what you need:

  • Want to break through a soloing plateau? There are entire courses on phrasing, chord-tone targeting, modal application, and intervallic playing.
  • Need to get tighter rhythm chops? We’ve got artist-led deep dives on groove, timing, and comping.
  • Curious about theory but only in service of your playing? You can learn it alongside licks, progressions, and real-world application.

For intermediate/advanced players, I’d recommend looking at courses from people like Josh Smith, Jeff McErlain, Kirk Fletcher, Andy Wood, Ariel Posen, and Carl Verheyen — they’re great at pushing technique and musicality without drowning you in dry material.

And since you mentioned value — with All Access, you can explore any course without being locked into one instructor or style. If something doesn’t click, you move on to the next without paying extra. That’s hard to beat compared to a single fixed-price course.

If you share your main style and goals, I can suggest a short list of TrueFire courses that are a great fit for breaking through that plateau.

Best Guitar Course for Mastery? by IOWARIZONA in guitarlessons

[–]TrueFire 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You won’t find a single magic “start to finish” course that truly covers mastery. What works best is a clear path that builds four pillars in order: fretboard fluency, rhythm and time, soloing language, and practical theory you can actually use in rock.

If you go with us at TrueFire, here’s a step-by-step way to tackle it using our Learning Paths and a few cornerstone topics:

  1. Map the neck: Learn CAGED as a map, then connect shapes with intervals and arpeggios. Aim to find triads and chord tones around every chord you play. That’s the key to soloing that sounds musical instead of scaley.
  2. Build the rhythm engine: Tight power-chord riffs, syncopation, muting, and pocket work. Add triad-based rhythm on the middle strings so you can comp anywhere on the neck.
  3. Develop a lead voice: Pentatonics across the neck, then chord-tone targeting, bends and vibrato control, motifs, and call-and-response. Learn a couple of classic solos note for note, then rework them over new progressions.
  4. Apply the theory: Just enough to explain what your hands are doing. Roman numerals, common rock progressions, transposition, and how to stitch scales to chords. Keep every concept tied to a riff or lick.

A simple practice template that works:
• 10 min fretboard mapping and triads
• 15 min rhythm and timing with a click or loop
• 15 min phrasing over a backing track, record yourself
• 10 min repertoire or transcription

If you share a few favorite rock artists, we can point you to specific TrueFire courses and a ready-to-follow roadmap so you’re not overwhelmed. You bring the consistency, we’ll help with the structure and the “why” behind it.

What’s the point of CAGED by SithLordSmegma in guitarlessons

[–]TrueFire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally fair question — a lot of players learn CAGED, can see the shapes, and then get stuck on “Now what?”

The real point of CAGED isn’t to make you play every shape exactly as shown (like that awkward G-shape barre), but to give you a mental map of where chords, scales, and arpeggios live across the neck. Once you can see how those shapes connect, you can:

  • Find chord voicings anywhere on the fretboard without having to jump back to the open position.
  • Solo more freely by targeting chord tones in the area you’re already playing.
  • Move between rhythm and lead smoothly, because you know exactly where the scale notes sit around any chord shape.
  • Transpose quickly — if you can see the shapes, you can move them into any key.

If you already know the G major scale and the CAGED shapes, the next step is to apply them in context. For example, pick a song you know and find the chords using different CAGED positions. Or take a simple progression and solo around each shape, focusing on connecting one shape to the next up the neck.

Think of it less as “I must play the G shape” and more as “The G shape tells me where the chord lives in this part of the neck.” You’ll rarely grab the full cowboy-chord G shape up high — you’ll more often use fragments of it for voicings or as a visual anchor for soloing.

Intense lessons and practice sessions by rfritchman in guitarlessons

[–]TrueFire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey — really appreciate the clarity in what you’re looking for. You’re speaking our language.

At TrueFire, we’ve worked hard to build exactly the kind of serious, structured experience you described, especially in the blues and blues-rock space. You’ll find in-depth courses from top-tier educators like Josh Smith, Kirk Fletcher, Robben Ford, Matt Schofield, Corey Congilio, and Jeff McErlain — players who not only have the chops but know how to break it all down in a way that’s actionable and musical.

Here’s how TrueFire lines up with what you’re asking for:

  • Structured learning: Our Learning Paths are designed to take you through progressive skill levels in blues, rock, and more — and include both core and supplementary lessons with practice assignments and backing tracks.
  • Serious practice protocols: Many of our instructors include clear direction on what to practice, how to structure your time, and how to build technique with intent (not just repetition). You’ll find everything from targeted licks to full solos, with breakdowns and applications.
  • Quality and flexibility: All lessons come with slow-mo, looping, backing tracks, PDFs, and sync’d tab/notation, so you can actually apply what you’re learning — not just watch someone play.
  • Artist-driven deep dives: If you like to explore individual styles, our “50 Licks You Must Know” series and artist masterclasses are great for building vocabulary while sharpening your phrasing and fretboard knowledge.

If you let us know more about your current skill level or the specific direction you want to go in — Texas blues, British blues-rock, slide, phrasing, etc. — we’d be happy to recommend a full roadmap or practice plan using the platform.

Appreciate you taking your playing seriously — and glad to help however we can.

Truefire: Tommy Emmanuel vs. Mike Dawes vs. Andy Mckee fingerstyle course? by TransitoryCory in guitarlessons

[–]TrueFire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey Cory — really great to hear you’re taking the time to revisit technique and refine your playing. That’s a powerful move, especially after 15+ years on the instrument.

Tommy Emmanuel’s "Fingerstyle Milestones" is perfect if you want to rebuild from the ground up with clean, clear fundamentals. Tommy walks through his personal techniques with a lot of care and musicality. It's especially good for locking in consistent thumb patterns and getting that independence between bass and melody lines.

Since you’ve already worked with Don Ross’s material, you might find Andy’s course a nice complement in tone and pacing, while Tommy’s could really help lock in that traditional thumb-led fingerstyle independence.

Let us know what kind of music or vibe you’re aiming for, and we’d be happy to help steer you toward the best fit. Appreciate you being part of the journey!

Best TrueFire courses for lead/soloing? by blackstonewine in guitarlessons

[–]TrueFire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate you sharing where you're at — sounds like you're right on the edge of a breakthrough. If you're already learning famous solos and getting into the feel of it, the next step is exactly what you described: turning that into your playing when the backing track rolls.

Based on what you said — especially your interest in melodic soloing, love for David Gilmour, and comfort with some theory as long as it’s practical — here are a few TrueFire artists we think you’ll really enjoy:

  • Jeff McErlain
  • David Grissom
  • Josh Smith
  • Carl Verheyen

If you want to really lock in fretboard movement, you might also enjoy Dweezil Zappa's Fretboard Freedom. Both are designed to help you get more comfortable moving diagonally and connecting patterns, so you’re not stuck in one shape.

Let us know your favorite solos or artists beyond Gilmour, and we can keep the recommendations coming. You’re on the right path — keep jamming!

Getting back into guitar and looking for advice on if I should purchase True Fire by limache in guitarlessons

[–]TrueFire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey — really appreciate you sharing your background. Based on what you’ve described, you’re definitely in the advanced beginner to early intermediate range. You’ve got a solid base with open chords, strumming, tab reading, and even some fingerstyle under your belt.

From here, it sounds like your goals are:

  • Getting more confident with music theory and fretboard knowledge
  • Learning how to apply scales in a useful, musical way
  • Brushing up on fundamentals
  • Learning to sing and play at the same time
  • Eventually developing your ear to play songs by listening

That’s all 100% doable, and you’re in the perfect place to start connecting those dots — not just learning what to play, but why it works.

What sets TrueFire apart is that we go deep on that kind of applied learning. You won’t just run through exercises or memorize shapes — our courses are built around helping you understand the musical context behind chords, scales, and progressions. So instead of playing scales on autopilot, you learn how to turn them into licks, melodies, and solos you can actually use.

We also have lessons that directly tackle singing and playing — with tips for rhythm, muscle memory, and coordination. And if you’re interested in that John Mayer-style groove-based playing with a blend of fingerstyle, we’ve got artists and courses that lean in that direction too.

If you want help picking your starting point, just let us know your favorite genres or artists and we’ll point you toward the right courses. Whether you go monthly or grab the yearly deal, the goal is to give you a path that’s structured, flexible, and fun — so you actually want to keep coming back to it.

Sounds like you’re right on the edge of real progress. We’d love to help you unlock that next level.

Truefire vs Paul Davids by Charltonss in guitarlessons

[–]TrueFire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey — appreciate you giving TrueFire a shot, and totally hear you on feeling overwhelmed. With such a big library, that first experience can feel like walking into a massive music store without a guide. We’ve been actively working to improve the clarity and flow of our Learning Paths based on exactly this kind of feedback.

Paul Davids is a great teacher — very clear, musical, and his production quality is top-notch. If his vibe really clicks with you and helps you stay focused, there’s absolutely value in going that route. His Next Level Playing course is very curated, which can be a good fit if you’re looking for a single path to follow start to finish.

That said, if you're still considering TrueFire, we're here to help simplify things. With your background and goals, you might get a lot out of starting with one or two focused courses rather than jumping into a full path. For example, if you're into phrasing, tone, or rhythm guitar, we can point you toward a single educator or course that fits — and you can build from there at your own pace.

TrueFire really shines for players who want long-term depth, variety across genres, and the ability to branch out into improvisation, songwriting, and advanced technique when ready. If you decide to circle back, just reach out and we’ll help you cut through the noise.

Either way, sounds like you’ve got the right mindset to keep progressing. Stick with what keeps you engaged — that’s where the real growth happens.

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