The Guitarist Thread

[uchiha_itachi]

Hey guys! I just thought it would be cool to have a thread devoted to the guitar. discussing new practice techniques, new/old guitars, new/old amps, what songs your learning even post videos of you playing and general tips for us guitarists!

Now I personally wouldn't say I'm a beginner. atm though I'm looking to Vastly improve my Legato skills. Any Tips?

Lets get this Rollin'!!

 

[Go Web Go!]

I've been playing on and off since I was in middle school. Took lessons at first, dropped it completely, then picked it up again within the last year or 2. I'm not great, but I manage to pick up certain songs if I'm inerested enough in learning how to play them.

 

[ChickenScratch]

I've been playing almost all my life and work for a guitar related magazine. I've got a pretty decent collection that includes 3 custom build Carvins and 2 Jacksons. I play mostly metal and neo-classical and for work purposes I have to learn and play a lot of other stuff.

 

[darkseid26]

I've been playing seriously for three years now, still got a lot to go.

I play heavy\classic rock\blues\prog\experimental\jazz stuff.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

Picked up a guitar for the first time in about 15 years about 3 weeks ago. Came across a beautiful Martin DX1 and had to buy it. I'm awful at it now but getting better. Just need my calluses to build up again because my fingers hurt like all holy hell right now LOL I also lack the ability to play barre chords anymore apparently. I need a lot of practice.

Do you guys play off sheet music or guitar tabs? I hate reading sheet music.

 

[darkseid26]

I use guitar tabs and my ear to learn songs. At least I try to use my ear.

 

[Go Web Go!]

I use guitar tabs and my ear to learn songs. At least I try to use my ear.

Same here. I'm self taught for the most part. The lessons I took as a teenager didn't teach me anything I didn't already know. Nothing stuck with me.

 

[The ?ion]

I am a self taught guitarist. I utilize chord charts, instructional videos, playing by ear, and trial and error. I have been playing fairly consistently, for about three years now.

My original guitar was a Yamaha F335 acoustic guitar. It was a hand me down from a friend, who decided to help me get my start with guitar playing. The spruce top began separating from the ribs, so I had to trash the guitar (didn't want to bother with paying a luthier to fix it).

My current guitar is an Ibanez Talmon TCY10. It is an electric acoustic. It isn't as nice as a Fender, but it works well. I love the fact that the body and neck are thin. It is almost like playing on a solid body rather than a hollow body. I have a Roland Cube 15X amp. Nothing too special. No point in having costly equipment when I am only an amateur.

Here is an original song I made for the video game Melty Blood. It isn't an official track, just something I made for fun. If you want to skip to the guitar playing, just skip ahead to 0:57. Rock on folks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpdzmYoRKLI

 

[The ?ion]

Picked up a guitar for the first time in about 15 years about 3 weeks ago. Came across a beautiful Martin DX1 and had to buy it. I'm awful at it now but getting better. Just need my calluses to build up again because my fingers hurt like all holy hell right now LOL I also lack the ability to play barre chords anymore apparently. I need a lot of practice.

Do you guys play off sheet music or guitar tabs? I hate reading sheet music.

I can read the grand staff, but I am far too slow at reading to play and read simultaneously. I have to transcode notes into their corresponding chord name and play that way. I use tabs for songs I can't figure out on my own, but usually, I play by ear by using chords I have learned on chord charts.

 

[RavenLF]

I've been playing for a long time, I just don't have that natural feel to it yet. then again last few years I've only played around with it a few times. I need to get back on it and really start playing.

 

[The ?ion]

I've been playing for a long time, I just don't have that natural feel to it yet. then again last few years I've only played around with it a few times. I need to get back on it and really start playing.

Stick with it. It takes a lot of practice in order to get good at the guitar. Little else is as disappointing as a person who says they can play the guitar, and they are only good for playing "Smells Like Teen Spirit." If you keep with it, you will be well on your way to playing things that don't just involve power chords. Good luck with your efforts.

 

[RavenLF]

Stick with it. It takes a lot of practice in order to get good at the guitar. Little else is as disappointing as a person who says they can play the guitar, and they are only good for playing "Smells Like Teen Spirit." If you keep with it, you will be well on your way to playing things that don't just involve power chords. Good luck with your efforts.

Hey thanks, I want to just got to find the time.

 

[thorandsurfer]

JOE BONAMASSA

Joe Bonamassa is quite possibly the best guitarist today (and personally maybe ever) and checking out these 4 videos shows you why. Enjoy.........

1) You Upset Me Baby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T8xOoPJyZk

2) Blues Deluxe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUyA1_NGNI4

3) Further On Up The Road (duet with none other than Eric Clapton)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEEfDdJyxPY

4) ? (with Hubert Sumlin and several other great guitarists)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=engHOvkXYbQ

 

[Karelia]

I took lessons for guitar when I was about 7 or 8, then my teacher left so I didn't take lessons after that. Stopped playing guitar for about 5 years, started playing again but didn't remember anything I learned when I was younger. I guess I can play decent. I've found myself more interested in playing drums though.

 

[Spider-Who?]

JOE BONAMASSA

Joe Bonamassa is quite possibly the best guitarist today (and personally maybe ever) and checking out these 4 videos shows you why. Enjoy.........

1) You Upset Me Baby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T8xOoPJyZk

i really dig what he does round 2:00 and 4:00. so simple, but awesome all the same.

 

[thorandsurfer]

i really dig what he does round 2:00 and 4:00. so simple, but awesome all the same.

I agree, that's probably my single favorite guitar sound, too.

I also like between 3:31-4:35. Probably pretty hard to get that perfect sound/tone. Really superb although the whole solo from about 1:20 to 7:28 is awesome. Some really great guitar parts late in the solo as well.

 

[Spider-Who?]

yeah, when you said he was possibly the best guitarist ever, i groaned. No offense, but usually its some punk kid who thinks their power chord chugging idol is god.

Then I watched the video.

I won't say that I think he's the best ever, mostly because as much as I love the blues, nearly every trick has been done to death, but I WILL say that he IS a phenomenal player, and easily better than most of what you hear on the radio these days.

Thanks for the link, I've got a new guy to listen to now.

 

[thorandsurfer]

yeah, when you said he was possibly the best guitarist ever, i groaned. No offense, but usually its some punk kid who thinks their power chord chugging idol is god.

Then I watched the video.

I won't say that I think he's the best ever, mostly because as much as I love the blues, nearly every trick has been done to death, but I WILL say that he IS a phenomenal player, and easily better than most of what you hear on the radio these days.

Thanks for the link, I've got a new guy to listen to now.

LOL! I was very careful to make sure I said 'possibly' the best guitar player since I really don't actually know who is the best but when you look through the history of great guitarists (ex. SRV, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, etc...), I don't think we'll ever really know who the 'greatest' really is. But Joe Bonamassa is for sure up there with the best of them.

In the last decade (since his career got going), he's won the best guitarist award at least twice. I can't remember exactly where he won it at the moment (such as best blues guitarist, best electric guitarist, or just best guitarist) but I know he's won a pretty big award for his guitar playing at least twice.

If you are going to get any of his cd's, make sure you start with Blues Deluxe if possible. That has the song, You Upset Me Baby, that you commented on initially and is also his blusiest and personally, best. I'd also highly recommend You And Me (which has Jon Bonham as the drummer on the whole cd - it's awesome), A New Day Yesterday, Sloe Gin, and his newest, Black Rock. But any cd by him is most recommended. He also has a couple of DVD's out which are fantastic.

For more guitar awesomeness, try:

TAKIN THE HIT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvrNG8nmdrI&feature=related

And you gotta check his acoustic performance out with the song:
WOKE UP DREAMING
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry4NCejMZ7E
This is the best acoustic performance I have ever seen.

 

[rodhulk]

KID RAMOS

Here's another guitarist that is clearly one of the best guitarists ever. This is Kid Ramos playing with the Fabulous Thunderbirds. The song is a medley of: "Look Watcha Done/Wrap It Up". Maybe the best solo you'll ever see in the song "Look Watcha Done."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntfdmMgLa3k