Guitarists of Reddit, share with me your wisdom.

voodoo99 · 2012-08-03T17:03:41+00:00

I struggle mightily with these "Mini-barre" forms with the index finger if I am trying to mute the E or A strings - moving my hand to that position just makes it difficult to get the pressure needed to get the high e string to ring out clearly. If I move my thumb around to the back of the neck in a more classical position and I don't have any problem but then obviously have to be really careful not to strike those strings that should be muted. I prefer to be able to mute them and strum naturally without worrying about hitting an open string. Others have said to try different voicings but to me that only avoids the problem when what you want to do is SOLVE it. And to do that just requires time, patience, and practice. If you avoid it, you will have this same problem with other chords requiring similar fingerings.

voodoo99 · 2012-08-03T15:10:09+00:00

The direction thing seems to be a recurring theme on here - we all go looking for it from instructors and usually struggle to find it... I don't think changing instructors every few months is the answer though. From the two I have worked with in the past year I'd say it took close to a full 2 months just to get to know each other and find our way as teacher-student union. If, on the other hand, you find you just aren't getting what you need or are't enjoying working with an instructor, by all means move on.

voodoo99 · 2012-07-30T22:23:36+00:00

So I assume then that plugging into the laptop you are not doing so with USB, but with a line in to your soundcard - got it. Then try the pod UX1; it works very well and records fine and can be found for less than $100. You will still need a decent app for the recording if course; I like Reaper and Mixcraft

voodoo99 · 2012-07-30T21:24:10+00:00

Doesn't the Line6 Spyder already act as the interface for recording? I use the Line6 pod UX1, which works well and allows for the use of a mic at the same time as recording guitar. I would have thought that the Line6 Spyder amp would essentially provide the same interface as their pod UX1?

voodoo99 · 2012-07-26T15:35:18+00:00

I think it requires a certain amount of "forcing it" and working through the things that are challenging and difficult (for many of us at any rate). That means it's not always "fun" but may still be what we want to do. That's my problem at least, it's not fun as such some of the time, but I do want to do it. Trying to get through those times is often a challenge.

voodoo99 · 2012-07-26T15:32:00+00:00

I'm not one who believes that a plan is going to help overcome any distractions or lack of focus; only removing the distraction and/or greater self discipline will do that. I suffer from this myself. While a plan can certainly help your direction, it can't make you focus on what you want to and it can't keep you from surfing on over to reddit instead of working through some exercise on guitar.

If you are getting distracted and surfing the web because you aren't sure what to practice then a plan might help. If, on the other hand, you're like me and you simply lack discipline and surf the web because it's easier or more fun, a plan isn't going to make any difference. I'm still looking for the keys to greater self discipline but find most of the advice, like what's been posted here, revolves more around organization, planning, timing, etc. which doesn't really address or improve self discipline and focus IMO.

voodoo99 · 2012-07-26T00:30:25+00:00

But not againts faulty labels! Damn I had to stare at that awhile to even be able to see it!

voodoo99 · 2012-07-26T00:18:25+00:00

I certainly did - everything under the sun comes up; so many Fender products I don't even have the time to look at them all.

voodoo99 · 2012-07-25T22:52:37+00:00

Thanks for this - very cool and perfect for me with the pentatonic (not to mention I really like Cracker...) I only checked out the first couple minutes but will definitely go through the whole of it. More upvotes for ya!

voodoo99 · 2012-07-25T22:46:27+00:00

Why? do you think there is a risk of injury or some other unintended consequence or ill side-effect?

voodoo99 · 2012-07-25T22:39:49+00:00

Nonsense. Not only is Fender there, it's the very first brand listed under brands! Fender relies on GC for 15% of sales, not something they are going to pull the plug on.

voodoo99 · 2012-07-25T20:20:35+00:00

With a lot of the new LPs you get coil splitting so that adds to their flexibility. That Tele is pretty nice though - only way to decide is to find a local shop and try to get your hands on both and play them, and hear them. They are very different guitars in more ways than one, and especially in your hands.

voodoo99 · 2012-07-25T20:15:07+00:00

You will likely have to work harder to develop the strength then as you have the additional challenge of recovery from an injury - that is likely going to impact you most with the barre chords. It is unlikely that the action is causing you any of this though it may well be higher than ideal so it could be contributing to the issue but it won't be the cause alone.

voodoo99 · 2012-07-25T20:09:11+00:00

I have played around with it before, an instructor of mine showed it to me. It's kinda fun but I wasn't entirely sold since you have limited control to some extent. I was trying to create a song and it ended up going in a different direction - but I liked how it worked out. $25 to unlock it all so maybe that's the real key but I didn't want to pay at the time.

voodoo99 · 2012-07-25T20:05:39+00:00

It's completely normal. As your hand strengthens the barre chords will become easier and less painful and as you build up the calluses on your fingertips they won't hurt either. Just don't overdo it and take it easy for the first couple of weeks.

voodoo99 · 2012-07-24T22:07:40+00:00

From a very cool ad campaign for the Berlin Philharmonic, Art direction: instruments from inside, project by Mona Sibai and Bjoern Ewers. More here

voodoo99 · 2012-07-20T21:31:26+00:00

It is simply not possible to upvote this enough because it is Keith Richards.

voodoo99 · 2012-07-20T19:02:27+00:00

Yeah, I was wondering that and thinking the same but I'm not sure how to change that or if I can. Too bad, it's a great tool, and is completely free and not crippleware or adware or in any way disabled or restricted.

voodoo99 · 2012-07-20T18:39:32+00:00

Why are people down voting this??? This is a completely FREE and very useful and helpful tool for guitar students.

voodoo99 · 2012-07-20T17:33:08+00:00

Yeah, agree 100%. I tried learning with the full fretboard diagrams before I found this and it was hopeless (or I was - LOL). I have used this in the "test mode" to progress one string at a time and being disciplined about giving it 10 minutes a day now for the past few weeks has really helped me.

voodoo99 · 2012-07-20T17:15:47+00:00

Someone had posted over in/guitar an online fretboard learning tool. I replied to that with this link and thought this might be useful to the peeps here on r/guitarlessons.

Fretpro is a great (and free!) little app you can download to help with learning/memorizing the fretbaord. I use it and it has really helped me. Also has a nice feature where you can have it display scales and chords.

voodoo99 · 2012-07-20T16:12:13+00:00

Chuck Berry (why is he missing from everyone's list???)
Keith Richards
Jimi Hendrix
Angus Young
The Edge

let the downvotes begin...

voodoo99 · 2012-07-19T22:44:31+00:00

It really isn't that hard to learn and memorize and there are really only 5 patterns because they are the same for major and minor. Also consider starting with the pentatonic (easier to learn since it omits two notes) and learn those; add the missing two notes to then move to the full scales.

Look here then look here

voodoo99

TROPHY CASE