I used to play the guitar but it's been years since I picked one up. I didn't bother to learn scales or chords I just tried to play the songs I was listening to at the time (unfortunately I was mostly listening to nu-metal). I've been thinking about getting back into it. I want to learn to play blues/rock music, a bit like early White Stripes (De Stijl in particular). Where's a good place to start to learn to play that sort of music? I don't just want to learn WS tabs.
I want to start playing the guitar again, in need of some advice
- Thread starter jp_bl_68
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Soldato
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WS tabs?
I don't understand what you mean, but why don't you like tab? It's definitely the easiest/most efficient way to learn the instrument.
I would always recommend having lessons with a tutor. If you don't want to do this or read tab then your best bet is to probably check out some youtube instruction, decent instructors are few and far between and with most things internet related (lol) be prepared to find incorrect information.
WS - White Stripes, I was too lazy to type
Tabs are a great way to learn songs but I'd like to be able to do more than just play other people's songs. I'd like to be able to improvise and, eventually, create my own music.
I definitely can't afford a tutor.
Tabs are a great way to learn songs but I'd like to be able to do more than just play other people's songs. I'd like to be able to improvise and, eventually, create my own music.
I definitely can't afford a tutor.
Soldato
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Soldato
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Ah 
Oh, improvising and writing your own music, that's cool. Well as already mentioned there's definitely information on the net, an awful lot, so it's handy to know where to start. If you want to be able to improvise then the easiest way to begin is to learn your pentatonic scales, the pentatonic scale is a 5 note scale (fewer notes than the 'standard' 7 note major and minor scales) this means the shapes are a little easier to learn, it's also the rock/blues/metal scale as it's been used by guitarists for donkeys. I would look for information relating to these topics: minor and major pentatonics, solo sequences (simple ways to use the scale creatively), popular blues/rock licks (to learn the essential licks any good guitarist will at least be familiar with), melodic soloing (creating short themes/tunes to develop and embelish when appropriate). You need to learn your minor and major pentatonic in at least 1 position each, both scales are the same, there are 5 notes, so there are 5 positions on the neck, look up the CAGED system for more information on this, it's very simple if it's explained properly, again a tutor would be most help here.
You should then investigate the major and minor 7 note scales. if you wish to explore all options available to you for improvisation and also for composition then it would be beneficial to also research chord construction, chord progressions and cadences, (learn as many OPEN chords as you can, and again research the CAGED system) other topics such as key changes, instrumentation (how to write bass and drum parts) will only help to improve your abilities. This knowledge can make things easier when it comes to getting started writing your own music, however it's completely possible to write fantastic music without knowing a shred of music theory, although it helps.
There's a lot of information here, you could spend a year fully exploring how to solo using pentatonics and still only scratch the surface, self tutoring is rewarding as well as cheap obviously, but it can still be frustrating as there is such a wealth of information available to us now (with the internet, books) that things really aren't much simpler, you need to take your time and learn things slowly rather than try and do everything at once. I should also add that keep learning songs, playing the music you enjoy will keep you inspired, give you entertaining ways to work on your technique as apposed to playing exercises/studying the topics above and as your knowledge of improv/composition grows you'll recognise this theory being put into practise more and more.
EDIT:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/Andelusion/Suhr/Suhr7500009.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/Andelusion/Suhr/7500002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/Andelusion/Suhr/Suhr7500016.jpg
My preciouss...
Oh, improvising and writing your own music, that's cool. Well as already mentioned there's definitely information on the net, an awful lot, so it's handy to know where to start. If you want to be able to improvise then the easiest way to begin is to learn your pentatonic scales, the pentatonic scale is a 5 note scale (fewer notes than the 'standard' 7 note major and minor scales) this means the shapes are a little easier to learn, it's also the rock/blues/metal scale as it's been used by guitarists for donkeys. I would look for information relating to these topics: minor and major pentatonics, solo sequences (simple ways to use the scale creatively), popular blues/rock licks (to learn the essential licks any good guitarist will at least be familiar with), melodic soloing (creating short themes/tunes to develop and embelish when appropriate). You need to learn your minor and major pentatonic in at least 1 position each, both scales are the same, there are 5 notes, so there are 5 positions on the neck, look up the CAGED system for more information on this, it's very simple if it's explained properly, again a tutor would be most help here.
You should then investigate the major and minor 7 note scales. if you wish to explore all options available to you for improvisation and also for composition then it would be beneficial to also research chord construction, chord progressions and cadences, (learn as many OPEN chords as you can, and again research the CAGED system) other topics such as key changes, instrumentation (how to write bass and drum parts) will only help to improve your abilities. This knowledge can make things easier when it comes to getting started writing your own music, however it's completely possible to write fantastic music without knowing a shred of music theory, although it helps.
There's a lot of information here, you could spend a year fully exploring how to solo using pentatonics and still only scratch the surface, self tutoring is rewarding as well as cheap obviously, but it can still be frustrating as there is such a wealth of information available to us now (with the internet, books) that things really aren't much simpler, you need to take your time and learn things slowly rather than try and do everything at once. I should also add that keep learning songs, playing the music you enjoy will keep you inspired, give you entertaining ways to work on your technique as apposed to playing exercises/studying the topics above and as your knowledge of improv/composition grows you'll recognise this theory being put into practise more and more.
EDIT:
Off topic: dude, you have a Suhr? I'm so jealous. Got any pics?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/Andelusion/Suhr/Suhr7500009.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/Andelusion/Suhr/7500002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/Andelusion/Suhr/Suhr7500016.jpg
My preciouss...
Last edited:
Soldato
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Oh my word. Give me your address please. Don't worry I don't plan on stealing it.
He's scouse, don't trust him!
Soldato
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