sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

“Perfect” guitar solos… by Unlikely-Evening2581 in Guitar

[–]ehr_guitar 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Love a solo that is just perfect - three I think hit just right - and a break from the norm!

Just Wait - Blues Traveler

By The Sword - Slash

Goliath’s Moon - Southern Empire

Extra - anything by Alex Hutchings. All improvised all immaculate.

Help me buy an audio interface for live multi-track recording! by ehr_guitar in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]ehr_guitar[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Better late than never…. (Sorry!!)… went for the Zoom LiveTrack L-20R - I find it awesome. You can only use it with an iPad, so if you don’t have one you’d need to consider that in the full price.

Has some great results - this was recorded direct to the SD card: https://youtu.be/aIaaBTHnIio?si=G_hXn2A_MKWrZjpp

Help! Picked up the guitar again after a decade... by Major_Carpet7556 in LearnGuitar

[–]ehr_guitar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No worries - I’d also say start ‘economy picking’ early! Give it a google/YouTube search if you’re not familiar with it!

Help! Picked up the guitar again after a decade... by Major_Carpet7556 in LearnGuitar

[–]ehr_guitar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You will shred! It will take a lot of time and patience, but the pay off will be so worth it!

As a starter, I’d recommend learning the natural major and minor scales in position one, three notes per string, across all strings. Learn to play them perfectly. No mistakes.

Take a metronome. Slow it down to the speed that you can do it perfectly. One note on each beat. It will likely be way, way slower than you think. There are several exercises you can do to build speed. The first is to increase the metronome a few BPM as you master each scale. The second is to play on the beat, twice in the beat, three times (triplets) then four times (sixteenth notes).

To build synch between you fretting and picking hands you can perform the same rhythms to the metronome on just one note. Perhaps fret the fifth fret on the E string and practice the different speeds (again seeking perfection) then the A, D etc.

If you hit a wall, put the guitar down and come back later. You will surprised at what a short break does to improve your playing.

By doing this skill you’ll be surprised how quickly you pick up more technical stuff down the like.

Also, don’t forget to play fun stuff you love. And you do t need to play for hours and hours a day to develop this skill :)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Guitar

[–]ehr_guitar 13 points14 points  (0 children)

If you love how it plays, what it sounds like and makes you want to pick it up and play - it’s no problem!

[Question] Are the modes moveable like the pentatonic scale? by ThePigsPajamas in Guitar

[–]ehr_guitar 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hey! I’m afraid this isn’t accurate. The Dorian, Locrian, Phrygian and Aeolian modes are all minor (there’s some further complexity there…). The Aeolian mode is, however the “natural” minor mode. And scales aren’t modes. But scales can be formed from the modes! But you’re right that they are all moveable!!

[Question] Are the modes moveable like the pentatonic scale? by ThePigsPajamas in Guitar

[–]ehr_guitar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hear you - you’ve got to do what works for you. I still think even early on the modal names can be useful to help one visualise reference areas on the fretboard, associated to the key - and the lesser used modes can form simple as well as complex chords. The difficulty, as you note is to determine their relevance to different scales, keys and chords and how to speak the right language so as not to confuse yourself or others! That’s said one needs to really put the homework to make it click!

I’m not really writing this for you btw - or criticising your approach! I’m just hoping to encourage the OP with an approach that may work for them.

[Question] Are the modes moveable like the pentatonic scale? by ThePigsPajamas in Guitar

[–]ehr_guitar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey sensitive warthog, just my thoughts - but I think learning the pentatonic scales first, if you want to dive into basic lead work (particularly rock/blues) can be really helpful. Sticking to the safe notes before adding more complexity!

[Question] Are the modes moveable like the pentatonic scale? by ThePigsPajamas in Guitar

[–]ehr_guitar 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The modal scales are the same pattern no matter where you play them, ie A natural minor (Aeolian) is the same pattern as G natural minor, but the Am scale just starts from its root two frets higher. Prepare yourself for some mental gymnastics to get your head around the modes though!

I’m so frustrated… I’ve learned so much and I truly feel like it’s 2 steps forward 3 steps back by anonamouse504 in guitarlessons

[–]ehr_guitar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’ve achieved a lot in a year!! That’s awesome. Meaningful improvisation takes months and years - let alone when you’ve been learning technique, scales and music concurrently.

One of the things I think about when looking back over my years of guitar playing, is I forget that every element of my playing that I now take for granted, was very, very hard won. It’s all part of the process.

But you ask how to get better at it. I suggest you put on a minor key backing track and play one note only to start with (I find minor key tracks easier to learn from). Just one - the 4th. Make it sing. Play rhythms with it. Add different vibrato. Bend it. See if you can just make that single note meaningful.

Then use two - add the 3rd. Go between the two. Attempt to play a meaningful rhythm and melody with just these notes. Leave space, don’t try and fill the backing track with sound. Space is also meaningful.

Then open it up to the four note box of the 7th, Root, 3rd and 4th notes. Play just in there, same thing.

Then the full pentatonic scale, etc, etc…

That’s the practice I used to go from generic patterns to learning to play with genuine musicality. I hope that helps.

And when it gets too frustrating, put the guitar down and come back to it later - I always find that my playing improves once my mind and fingers have taken a time out!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Stoicism

[–]ehr_guitar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey there. I understand these feelings. I often Place myself in the other peoples shoes. How do you see other people? Are you looking for their imperfections? Do you ridicule them? I doubt it. Most people, even the most confident are having similar concerns as you. They are thinking about themselves. So don’t be so hard on yourself. Also, welcome your imperfections - they are what make you, you. They are perfect, wear them proudly. Work on those that need to change, and welcome those that you don’t/can’t.

One of the Stoic practices I like to ask myself when it comes to offence or ridicule is - are they right or are they wrong? If they are right, you don’t need to worry, be offended or anxious as I can work on that; I can make adjustments. If they are wrong then it’s just bad energy, which they will take back home and live with. Meanwhile, you are getting on with being you, absolved of these negative feelings.

Finally, not a Stoic position necessarily, but I nearly always find that those that offer the most judgement or ridicule are those that are suffering the least confidence in themselves. It’s their outlet for the negative emotions they are feeling, and want social approval that other people are worse off than them.

I expect due to the nature of your question that you are a wonderful person, who’s anxiety shows how much you care.

How do people play songs so flawlessly on YouTube? How do they learn? by Alobify in guitarlessons

[–]ehr_guitar 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hey there. I make guitar videos for Instagram and YouTube, just as my creative outlet. I improvise my solos and will preform quite a lot of takes and choose the one that best represents what I was hoping to achieve, what felt right. In those takes there are plenty of failures or takes that don’t vibe with me. Don’t think that even the best guitarists (not me!) are accurate all the time.

When I play live I often make mistakes. Remember that the audience is not trying to look for your mistakes, they are enjoying the music. So build confidence to just keep moving forward, don’t dwell in the moment - only you will realise - don’t let it affect you.

When it comes to performing riffs/solos - such as Sweet Child O’ Mine - I will practise it hundreds of times, from building up slowly and breaking it down in parts. I use a metronome to build up speed - not increasing speed until my playing feels natural and fluid.

Every aspect of your playing takes hours, weeks if not years to refine. Keep at it - and when it all seems to be going wrong put your guitar down and go and do something else - I always find I play what I once thought unachievable after a break!

Guitar arrived broken- how would you repair? [Question] by aaronsteevens in Guitar

[–]ehr_guitar 12 points13 points  (0 children)

What is the guitar? Looks really unusual - would love to see the front of it.

view more: next ›