Are you an intermediate guitar player?

[sunjamr]

Here’s one guys opinion of what it takes to be called an intermediate guitar player. If he’s right, then I’d say about 90% (or more) of the AM members are already there.

Sunjamr Steve

Topic

[Richard G]

Given the criteria outlined in the video, I think you’re correct Steve, but it’s probably not surprising in that Brian gears his lessons to players that have generally progressed beyond the beginners stage.

Just out of interest, I’ve always felt that the benchmark of an intermediate player is someone who is not only familiar with the points outlined in the video but is also reasonably comfortable with sitting in and participating with other players in an impromptu session.

Richard

[sunjamr]

I was a rock bottom beginner when I first signed up for AM. I knew the basic 7 chords, and that was it. But I just jumped straight into a lesson that I liked and stuck with it until I had learned the fingering and the timing. It took me another year to get the bends and slides down, and learn the pentatonic scale positions and be able to move freely between them. So according to his criteria, it took me a year (maybe a little less) to go from total beginner to intermediate.

Sunjamr Steve

[charjo]

Pretty thorough list. Not so sure about reading music but I think a good understanding of timing within tab is important. I think Brian has consciously developed Active Melody with the intermediate guitar player in mind so I agree that’s the typical member. I still think there’s some resistance about anything beyond very basic music theory, however. Richard, I think sitting with other players in an impromtu session is getting more into the mid to advanced intermediate player.
John

[Billy]

Surely if you are always learning then you will always be a beginner?.

..Billy..

[sunjamr]

I just watched an interview with John Mayer where he said that on some aspects of guitar, he was still a beginner. I’m not sure what he was referring to. Maybe playing while holding the guitar behind your head, or picking strings with your teeth.

Sunjamr Steve

[Bob S]

A couple of thoughts on this. I guess I am an intermediate player, although I don’t really think about it much. Certainly by his criteria I am. But I am actually not sure about the criteria. Scales- I learned the minor pentatonic scale early on, but was only able to play a bunch of gibberish. Same could probably be said on the major and minor scales. I tend to think it should be based on performance metrics. Beginners should be able to play the following pieces, and intermediate other pieces.

The idea that Richard mentioned of being able to perform with others, is I think pretty tricky. Blues guitarists learn the I-IV-V shuffle and minor pentatonic scale and think they can jam. If there’s no vocalist in the mix, the blues gets old pretty quick and you’d have to be really creative to keep that interesting. If you get up on stage and need to play covers, you need to know those tunes. And even knowing the chords may not be enough. I had the opportunity to play with a couple of other people several months back. We were playing to an audience of friends between drinks and dinner. We had a vocalist, a keyboard player and me on guitar. We did a jazzy number which I identify with Michael Buble, Clapton’s unplugged version of Nobody Knows You, and a Beatles tune. Even though I played the tunes, and played Clapton’s solo, there is no way I could have done it without rehearsing. It is the first time I have ever rehearsed. I know the Clapton tune, but I never have thought about how many vocal choruses precede the solo, and let’s have a piano solo before going back to the vocals. So I guess the point is that guitar skills may not equate to the musical skills required to play in a band.

Bob

[Richard G]

Hi Bob, I totally agree with your point about ‘guitar skills’ being different to ‘band skills’
It does take a while to fit in with other players, as we know, you have to be conscious of their part in the group and play your part accordingly. Unfortunately I find playing on your own for a while encourages all sorts of bad habits.

Richard

[sunjamr]

I totally agree. If you always sit and play by yourself, you become good at sitting and playing by yourself. Bring in even one other person, and you’re back to ground zero.

Sunjamr Steve

[sunburst]

I’m a beginner and please don’t try to patronize me here ..been here long enough on AM

Sunburst John

[sunburst]

charjo wrote:

Pretty thorough list. Not so sure about reading music but I think a good understanding of timing within tab is important. I think Brian has consciously developed Active Melody with the intermediate guitar player in mind so I agree that’s the typical member. I still think there’s some resistance about anything beyond very basic music theory, however. Richard, I think sitting with other players in an impromtu session is getting more into the mid to advanced intermediate player.
John

your guitar sounds too good ..too perfect at times it makes me want to hurl John..I always will envy your prowess here on these forums!

Sunburst John

[sunburst]

sunjamr wrote:

Here’s one guys opinion of what it takes to be called an intermediate guitar player. If he’s right, then I’d say about 90% (or more) of the AM members are already there.

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i can’t watch, i’m afraid ,, but i’ll partisyouapate on these open forums as premium member in kind!

Sunburst John

[sunburst]

Seriously, I doubt very much it matters much to any what stage or skill level goals are so long as it is fun.. I’m like t think I’m come a long way in five years ..I feel pretty! lol

But I am with Richard , most here are on the downside slope.. sure that’s why I enjoy practicing here and not trying to test my patience jamming out.. just to much work and sometimes patience is required before having fun .. If I were to try jamming out, I would hope everyone was more experienced than me! I would rather try to keep up with a good band than a beginning band or have to help someone keep timing or find the key or progression etc.

Nothing wrong with it if having fun smiles between friends trying but it’s just jamming for fun..to classic progressions or some easy cover songs everybody can learn prior to sessions .. always best to first learn to make it sound decent…before trying to show each other the tunes

I wouldn’t care much or want to try improvisation solos over a cover tune solo ..

I would like to jam and take turns rhythm and soloing.. I would play bass if it was necessary

Sunburst John

[sunburst]

Billy wrote:

Surely if you are always learning then you will always be a beginner?.

No my dear Frodo lol beginners are those that say they can play and simply s-ck hahahaha

Sunburst John

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