Guitar Thread

[Shantz My Pants]

My brother taught me basics then i learned from tabs. I used to come home every day sophomore year of high school and play First Date by Blink 182 for about 2 hours straight. Very fun to jam out to.

We must have been born around the same music era as Blink 182, Sum 41, Green Day, Fall Out Boy were all my basic go to's as I knew most of the songs very well. About a year or two later I started playing a little less main stream bands such as Alkaline Trio, Saves the Day, Cursive...


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[DaaBears]

Parents bought me a toy guitar when I was 5, and I within a couple of days I was playing Beatles songs, I have no idea why. I basically could figure out any song immediately. In 2nd grade I won a talent contest playing the guitar, harmonica and organ at the same time to Red River Valley, the organ with my toes. I took lessons for a few years. Played at weddings all through college for extra cash, at many gigs I did not even know one person in the band until I got there, just autiomatically could play every song any band played. I also gave guitar lessons for a couple of years in my late teens, to individuals and classes.

I have basically wasted this ability for a long time now. However, probably 20 times a year, I play and everybody sings when we are drunk all night till the sun comes up to classic rock. Last year I played a few gigs, and when eventually I retire, I plan to make this something to do. You just can't do this shit for the money, you have to do this for the fun of it. And when you work in NYC all week, who wants to be dragging equipment out to a club to play.

Someday I would love to get together with you guys and play, seems like a lot of you do.

 

[Tater]

I started in high school and played in a band called Burnt Toast for many years (90's). We played bars all over the city and burbs, at Arlington Park between races and on Wrigley Field after batting practice before the games.
Made some decent money, bought a Corvette with it, then later sold it for a down payment on a townhouse.
Pretty much quit playing after that but I still have the guitars and bass.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Parents bought me a toy guitar when I was 5, and I within a couple of days I was playing Beatles songs, I have no idea why. I basically could figure out any song immediately. In 2nd grade I won a talent contest playing the guitar, harmonica and organ at the same time to Red River Valley, the organ with my toes. I took lessons for a few years. Played at weddings all through college for extra cash, at many gigs I did not even know one person in the band until I got there, just autiomatically could play every song any band played. I also gave guitar lessons for a couple of years in my late teens, to individuals and classes.

I have basically wasted this ability for a long time now. However, probably 20 times a year, I play and everybody sings when we are drunk all night till the sun comes up to classic rock. Last year I played a few gigs, and when eventually I retire, I plan to make this something to do. You just can't do this shit for the money, you have to do this for the fun of it. And when you work in NYC all week, who wants to be dragging equipment out to a club to play.

Someday I would love to get together with you guys and play, seems like a lot of you do.

I bet despbros dad is AT LEAST 2x better than you even with one arm tied behind his back.

 

[DaaBears]

I bet despbros dad is AT LEAST 2x better than you even with one arm tied behind his back.

LOL. Despbro said that next time comes to NY he is going to contact me and he wants to come over for one of the all night singalongs.

 

[LordKOTL]

So I guess the next logical movement of this discussion is how did you guys learn to play guitar?

I would consider myself right at an intermediate player, as I started seriously playing when I was 19 (6 years ago) by looking up taps online for some of my favorite songs. I ended up learning a lot of just basic chords and power chords, but picked up on some riffs and plucking parts as well (Thanks Alkaline Trio). I went from beginner to intermediate when I joined an existing band as their rhythm guitarist. I pretty much knew all their songs as I've been buddies with them since I was 17, and they wanted to expand the sound of the music. Essentially I was shown what to play and just went from there even adding my own twists to certain parents. Now, I switch between rhythm and lead on different songs as the time has gone on and I've learned more and practiced more.


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Me, I bought a cheapo Peavey Raptor I and a Rage 158 amp as a set back as in high school, then just learned the basics through tabs. Right now I have a black Ibanez RG-570, and a Line 6 Spyder II modeling head connected to an old amp that died (just using the speaker). It's basically if I'm like, "Hey, I'd like to learn that" I just find a tab and try to play...usually not very well.

Again, my bro's the musician in the family. Whatever I learn to play via tab he learns to play completely by ear in a matter of minutes.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

I think joining a band/jamming with buddies really helped increase my development in learning to play.

We've played a few places around Illinois: Penny road pub (lame), Sub T, Elbo Room, Livewire, Ottos Night Club in dekalb and they played house of blues before I joined. Haven't played in almost a year since we don't have a practice pad anymore.


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[clonetrooper264]

Parents bought me a toy guitar when I was 5, and I within a couple of days I was playing Beatles songs, I have no idea why. I basically could figure out any song immediately. In 2nd grade I won a talent contest playing the guitar, harmonica and organ at the same time to Red River Valley, the organ with my toes. I took lessons for a few years. Played at weddings all through college for extra cash, at many gigs I did not even know one person in the band until I got there, just autiomatically could play every song any band played. I also gave guitar lessons for a couple of years in my late teens, to individuals and classes.

I have basically wasted this ability for a long time now. However, probably 20 times a year, I play and everybody sings when we are drunk all night till the sun comes up to classic rock. Last year I played a few gigs, and when eventually I retire, I plan to make this something to do. You just can't do this shit for the money, you have to do this for the fun of it. And when you work in NYC all week, who wants to be dragging equipment out to a club to play.

Someday I would love to get together with you guys and play, seems like a lot of you do.

Sounds like you have perfect pitch or at least very good relative pitch. Those that do usually are able to learn music by ear very quickly.

 

[Nail Polish]

I think joining a band/jamming with buddies really helped increase my development in learning to play.

We've played a few places around Illinois: Penny road pub (lame), Sub T, Elbo Room, Livewire, Ottos Night Club in dekalb and they played house of blues before I joined. Haven't played in almost a year since we don't have a practice pad anymore.


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I learned more from actually playing and especially from watching other guys play than all the lessons and books/charts combined

lessons/books are great for getting you the basics, but they cant teach you the subtleties one needs to actually gig. That only comes from being in the the mix. Every time I see some elite guy play, I learn something

 

[Shantz My Pants]

I learned more from actually playing and especially from watching other guys play than all the lessons and books/charts combined

lessons/books are great for getting you the basics, but they cant teach you the subtleties one needs to actually gig. That only comes from being in the the mix. Every time I see some elite guy play, I learn something

I watched a lot of my favorite bands play live gigs on YouTube just to pick up some of their on stage mannerisms and body posture as when we played live, all I'd do is stand in one spot like a statue hahaha...


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[Nail Polish]

I watched a lot of my favorite bands play live gigs on YouTube just to pick up some of their on stage mannerisms and body posture as when we played live, all I'd do is stand in one spot like a statue hahaha...


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You tube is a wealth of knowledge and know how..Whenever I get stuck on some guys lick or riff, I hit you tube and there it is

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

You tube is a wealth of knowledge and know how..Whenever I get stuck on some guys lick or riff, I hit you tube and there it is

You should start a YouTube channel. I would subscribe.

 

[FatBabiesHaveNoPride]

We must have been born around the same music era as Blink 182, Sum 41, Green Day, Fall Out Boy were all my basic go to's as I knew most of the songs very well. About a year or two later I started playing a little less main stream bands such as Alkaline Trio, Saves the Day, Cursive...


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Your guitar would cry if you played any of the dreck on it.

 

[FatBabiesHaveNoPride]

I learned more from actually playing and especially from watching other guys play than all the lessons and books/charts combined

lessons/books are great for getting you the basics, but they cant teach you the subtleties one needs to actually gig. That only comes from being in the the mix. Every time I see some elite guy play, I learn something

As a drummer for over 40 years, I say YES!

Here's the analogy. Playing by yourself is shooting free throws in your driveway. Playing with a band in a practice space is practicing with your team.

Playing live gigs is playing in a game against a real team.

One prepares you for the other, but you'll learn 800x more doing the gig than you will in the basement. Same goes for a basketball game.

Particularly as a guitar player playing with a rhythm section. As a drummer and guy who used to teach, it was all about meter. Don't be a 'Russian Dragon' - you're either rushin' or you're draggin'. We've all seen many a band's sound ruined because of terrible meter. As a guitar player you'll learn to adapt to that. Add the adrenaline of a live gig and a few beers, and the drummer, who normally plays the song at 89 BPM, counts it off at 112bpm and fluctuates between 80-115bpm before you even hit the first chorus.

That's why playing to a click is SO critical. It sucks. It's not organic and it doesn't feel 'lo fi', but it's so critical for playing tight. I would advise ANY musician to practice to a metronome and all bands to use a click in both their live shows and their practices. You may THINK you are on time, but hell, most musicians are off the click by the 2nd measure. And that's just playing in 4/4. Start adding in odd time signatures - even a bar of 2/4 in a 4/4 song and it all goes to hell. Shit, most drummers suck at properly counting off a song in 6/8.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

Your guitar would cry if you played any of the dreck on it.

Yeah, my musical taste has broaden and I don't play that stuff too much, though I still listen as its music I grew up listening to.


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[Nail Polish]

As a drummer for over 40 years, I say YES!

Here's the analogy. Playing by yourself is shooting free throws in your driveway. Playing with a band in a practice space is practicing with your team.

Playing live gigs is playing in a game against a real team.

One prepares you for the other, but you'll learn 800x more doing the gig than you will in the basement. Same goes for a basketball game.

Particularly as a guitar player playing with a rhythm section. As a drummer and guy who used to teach, it was all about meter. Don't be a 'Russian Dragon' - you're either rushin' or you're draggin'. We've all seen many a band's sound ruined because of terrible meter. As a guitar player you'll learn to adapt to that. Add the adrenaline of a live gig and a few beers, and the drummer, who normally plays the song at 89 BPM, counts it off at 112bpm and fluctuates between 80-115bpm before you even hit the first chorus.

That's why playing to a click is SO critical. It sucks. It's not organic and it doesn't feel 'lo fi', but it's so critical for playing tight. I would advise ANY musician to practice to a metronome and all bands to use a click in both their live shows and their practices. You may THINK you are on time, but hell, most musicians are off the click by the 2nd measure. And that's just playing in 4/4. Start adding in odd time signatures - even a bar of 2/4 in a 4/4 song and it all goes to hell. Shit, most drummers suck at properly counting off a song in 6/8.

Here is another trick I learned...When you're rehearsing, record the band..Even if its a shit recording, you can hear who isn't in time..Many times I would listen to a band practice recording and say to myself.."Damn,, Your rhythm part isn't in sync with the drummer or bass etc"..especially when playing funky rhythms. What you hear in your head sometimes isn't what your playing.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

Here is another trick I learned...When you're rehearsing, record the band..Even if its a shit recording, you can hear who isn't in time..Many times I would listen to a band practice recording and say to myself.."Damn,, Your rhythm part isn't in sync with the drummer or bass etc"..especially when playing funky rhythms. What you hear in your head sometimes isn't what your playing.

We would do this every so often, especially when playing newer songs. We'd even use our iPhones that were in a decent spot to pick up the new song so we'd all have a live copy to practice on our own with or listen to for ideas.


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[HeHateMe]

You should start a YouTube channel. I would subscribe.

How the heck would he have time for that with all of the posting, disliking and reporting users activity he needs to accomplish everyday on CCS?


FYI, I would subscribe too...

 

[Mitchapalooza]

We must have been born around the same music era as Blink 182, Sum 41, Green Day, Fall Out Boy were all my basic go to's as I knew most of the songs very well. About a year or two later I started playing a little less main stream bands such as Alkaline Trio, Saves the Day, Cursive...


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Yeah im 22. all those bands you named were the bands i learned from cause they had really easy stuff to play. Radio by alkaline trio is always fun to play. My brother made a metal version of it. Sped up and shit haha didn't sound bad either

 

[Shantz My Pants]

Yeah im 22. all those bands you named were the bands i learned from cause they had really easy stuff to play. Radio by alkaline trio is always fun to play. My brother made a metal version of it. Sped up and shit haha didn't sound bad either

That was actually the 1st song I ever learned to play. I saw Matt Skiba play a live version where he sped it up a bit and have been playing it that way for a while.


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