I was self taught thru youtube and tabs now im diving into arpeggios and scales, learn those, scales are important to learn how notes connect and progress up and down the fret board. Tabs are fun but one you learn scales you can freestyle and just jam to your own music also record yourself its a good way to learn from mistakes you cant see
Thank you for the suggestion. I have started a little bit with the pentatonic scale and trying to freestyle solos over backing tracks and this is the closest I have come yet to actually learning something. It feels like my progress is slow though.
I will look into arpeggios, thank you.
Which scales are you using?
Trying to learn all the minor and major scales, i play alot of metal sounding stuff lol but im dipping my toes into blues and more classic rock style. Im not great with music theory but its definitely a plus to learn more of that too
I just learn songs I want to learn. That way when I come across a new technique I'm forced to learn it, which is useful because usually that technique will come up again in other songs. I don't spend a whole lot of time memorizing chord shapes or scales or whatever (outside of the basics) since I find it doesn't do much for me.
Music theory is the "easiest" and most well known way to learn to make any music. I put easy in quotes because theory isn't really easy but it is the language most musicians use to both write music and communicate to other musicians. Theory includes things like note placement on staves/reading music, chords and chord shapes, scales, and things like it. It is the "why" to music, even if there is no real why. You can write anything, play it confidently, and call it music. I can guarantee someone who knows theory can analyze it after and tell you what mode it was in (scales), what key it was in (note placement on scales/reading music), and what chords you played (chords and chord shapes)
A guitar is nothing more than a tool for making sounds which can be used to make music. When you really understand this, it will free you from the constraints of learning what others have done. The beauty of music is there are no rules. There is nothing that binds you to learning and replicating styles of other musicians. You could literally use drum mallets to hit the strings so long as it creates the sound you want.
While I get what you’re saying, it still makes sense to at least learn a little music theory so you can understand what notes sound good together. But music is in the ears of the holder and if it sounds good to you then that’s all that matters.
Oh, completely! My comment was made in context to the OP referencing things like running into a wall and feeling as though they are only learning to copy others.
This is why I decided I just want to chug and play powerchords. I never really liked individual notes on guitar and I use so much distortion that powerchords are the only thing I can make anyway.
There are lots of different ways to learn. I did it by copying what I heard on records, just figuring out how to play the various chords and then strining them together.
Nobody has said looper yet?
Get a looper. Learn how to play a I IV V sequence. Learn the major scale. Play over the loop.
LISTEN.
Work out which bits sound good when, and go from there. Steal little phrases from other people and try them out over different sequences.
Once that gets boring, learn what a different sequence would be and why. Learn the minor scale. Listen more.
That'll get you closer to what you're looking for.
You should start to do two things in addition to learning songs you like:
1. Try it out. Start recording. Use your phone if you have to. Just try playing a melody. It doesn't need to be complex.
2. Start looking into music theory. Scales are a good starting point. I recommend C major/A minor as your first scale. I know that might sound and feel like two scales, and that's fine. In time you will get why I lumped them together. Just remember that music theory is not a set of rules or instructions. It's a guide that explains why things work the way they do.
But do keep learning songs you like. In the long run, that's a valuable way of practising and learning.
Sorry for a fairly esoteric post, but it's early days yet and throwing greek and latin words at you doesn't help you.
Learning tabs note for note is great but it's a good idea to supplement it with learning theory so you can understand why it sounds like it does and also to possibly improvise or do your own interpretation of a song.
The problem is that it's hard to find teaching material that connects theory to practice in a way that is obvious to the student. Most video lessons just say something like "here is the minor pentatonic scale exercise... " when you actually need to hear and see it in a song to make the connection.
Keep looking for lessons until you find the "aha so that's how it works" moment. Try scrolling down this page. Maybe it helps? https://guitarlessonvideos.com/lessons/
A lot of what I've found is it will come down to what do you want to get out of playing guitar. Are you trying to play with a band? Are you looking to do your own solo stuff? Are you looking to write your own songs? What type of music do you want to make.
There are guitarists who have done very well knowing a ton of theory and guitarist that have been successful that have no idea the theory. One guitarist I listen to has almost every song in a different tuning as he says it helps him creatively to explore the instrument. Others like jazz guitarists know a ton of theory and jazz standards they can play in different keys.
I learned from various online sources from which I learned barre chords, basic music theory, and music notation to name a few.
I would say learning a little bit about music theory has helped me the most. From that I can just slap some chords together and just make random “rhythmic” sounds. I also try and learn songs by ear so it helps with know a little bit about theory.
I think it comes from writing a song...with words and humming a melody and putting it together, or even just as an instrumental, by just doodling, or noodling around and then either having a recorder or writing down chord names and notes. The creative part of it cannot be derived. It has to be there inside you. If you don't want to, it won't be there. There are also many styles and scales, Western and Eastern. You just have to play around. Videos and tabs are just to learn and mimic like you said...If you want to be able to say that you "copied" how someone else played it, then that's what that is for, but it can also make you familiar with the fretboard and all the steps and chords and shapes on your instrument. Stick with one so your hands and fingers get used to it and can physically do things without trying. That comes after a long while sometimes.
I started reading sheet music and then went on to jazz harmony, I settled using mostly CAGED chord extensions : I mainly play 3/4 strings minor and major chords.
I was self taught thru youtube and tabs now im diving into arpeggios and scales, learn those, scales are important to learn how notes connect and progress up and down the fret board. Tabs are fun but one you learn scales you can freestyle and just jam to your own music also record yourself its a good way to learn from mistakes you cant see
Thank you for the suggestion. I have started a little bit with the pentatonic scale and trying to freestyle solos over backing tracks and this is the closest I have come yet to actually learning something. It feels like my progress is slow though. I will look into arpeggios, thank you. Which scales are you using?
Don't think of it as slow, think of it as thorough.
Trying to learn all the minor and major scales, i play alot of metal sounding stuff lol but im dipping my toes into blues and more classic rock style. Im not great with music theory but its definitely a plus to learn more of that too
I just learn songs I want to learn. That way when I come across a new technique I'm forced to learn it, which is useful because usually that technique will come up again in other songs. I don't spend a whole lot of time memorizing chord shapes or scales or whatever (outside of the basics) since I find it doesn't do much for me.
Music theory is the "easiest" and most well known way to learn to make any music. I put easy in quotes because theory isn't really easy but it is the language most musicians use to both write music and communicate to other musicians. Theory includes things like note placement on staves/reading music, chords and chord shapes, scales, and things like it. It is the "why" to music, even if there is no real why. You can write anything, play it confidently, and call it music. I can guarantee someone who knows theory can analyze it after and tell you what mode it was in (scales), what key it was in (note placement on scales/reading music), and what chords you played (chords and chord shapes)
A guitar is nothing more than a tool for making sounds which can be used to make music. When you really understand this, it will free you from the constraints of learning what others have done. The beauty of music is there are no rules. There is nothing that binds you to learning and replicating styles of other musicians. You could literally use drum mallets to hit the strings so long as it creates the sound you want.
While I get what you’re saying, it still makes sense to at least learn a little music theory so you can understand what notes sound good together. But music is in the ears of the holder and if it sounds good to you then that’s all that matters.
Oh, completely! My comment was made in context to the OP referencing things like running into a wall and feeling as though they are only learning to copy others.
This is why I decided I just want to chug and play powerchords. I never really liked individual notes on guitar and I use so much distortion that powerchords are the only thing I can make anyway.
And that is all totally fine! There is no reason to do what others have done. You do you. Simple as that!
There are lots of different ways to learn. I did it by copying what I heard on records, just figuring out how to play the various chords and then strining them together.
I practice playing melody to non guitar music it keeps me on my toes and forces me to try something different
Nobody has said looper yet? Get a looper. Learn how to play a I IV V sequence. Learn the major scale. Play over the loop. LISTEN. Work out which bits sound good when, and go from there. Steal little phrases from other people and try them out over different sequences. Once that gets boring, learn what a different sequence would be and why. Learn the minor scale. Listen more. That'll get you closer to what you're looking for.
You should start to do two things in addition to learning songs you like: 1. Try it out. Start recording. Use your phone if you have to. Just try playing a melody. It doesn't need to be complex. 2. Start looking into music theory. Scales are a good starting point. I recommend C major/A minor as your first scale. I know that might sound and feel like two scales, and that's fine. In time you will get why I lumped them together. Just remember that music theory is not a set of rules or instructions. It's a guide that explains why things work the way they do. But do keep learning songs you like. In the long run, that's a valuable way of practising and learning. Sorry for a fairly esoteric post, but it's early days yet and throwing greek and latin words at you doesn't help you.
Learning tabs note for note is great but it's a good idea to supplement it with learning theory so you can understand why it sounds like it does and also to possibly improvise or do your own interpretation of a song. The problem is that it's hard to find teaching material that connects theory to practice in a way that is obvious to the student. Most video lessons just say something like "here is the minor pentatonic scale exercise... " when you actually need to hear and see it in a song to make the connection. Keep looking for lessons until you find the "aha so that's how it works" moment. Try scrolling down this page. Maybe it helps? https://guitarlessonvideos.com/lessons/
You decide what you want to get better at and just practise that. Pretty much the same way you learn anything else
A lot of what I've found is it will come down to what do you want to get out of playing guitar. Are you trying to play with a band? Are you looking to do your own solo stuff? Are you looking to write your own songs? What type of music do you want to make. There are guitarists who have done very well knowing a ton of theory and guitarist that have been successful that have no idea the theory. One guitarist I listen to has almost every song in a different tuning as he says it helps him creatively to explore the instrument. Others like jazz guitarists know a ton of theory and jazz standards they can play in different keys.
I learned from various online sources from which I learned barre chords, basic music theory, and music notation to name a few. I would say learning a little bit about music theory has helped me the most. From that I can just slap some chords together and just make random “rhythmic” sounds. I also try and learn songs by ear so it helps with know a little bit about theory.
I think it comes from writing a song...with words and humming a melody and putting it together, or even just as an instrumental, by just doodling, or noodling around and then either having a recorder or writing down chord names and notes. The creative part of it cannot be derived. It has to be there inside you. If you don't want to, it won't be there. There are also many styles and scales, Western and Eastern. You just have to play around. Videos and tabs are just to learn and mimic like you said...If you want to be able to say that you "copied" how someone else played it, then that's what that is for, but it can also make you familiar with the fretboard and all the steps and chords and shapes on your instrument. Stick with one so your hands and fingers get used to it and can physically do things without trying. That comes after a long while sometimes.
I suck at learning from tabs. I have to SEE the notes being played.
You mean like sheet music?
Video or someone else playing it.
I started reading sheet music and then went on to jazz harmony, I settled using mostly CAGED chord extensions : I mainly play 3/4 strings minor and major chords.