Home › Forums › Guitar Techniques and General Discussions › Do any of you get discouraged?
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November 20, 2019 at 11:58 am #150855Anonymous
I plug away, and I gotta say that I love the sound of any clear note I bring out of my guitar. However, my progress is terribly slow, and very frustrating. I get things. I study a bit of music theory and I get the fretboard just fine. It’s getting it from my brain into my fingers and out of the amp that’s the problem. I’m doing better and better, but man it’s slow.
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November 20, 2019 at 12:26 pm #150857
I never get discouraged. Just sitting and holding my guitar in my hands and admiring it keeps me from getting discouraged. If I have trouble learning a lesson, I just find something easier and work on that for a while, then return to the more difficult lesson when I’m ready. Sometimes I just mess around strumming some chords, trying different chord sequences, trying 6th, 7th, 9th, etc chords, trying to see how many places on the neck can I play every chord (like CAGED stuff). Sometimes I just pick one of Brian’s jamtracks and try to create something that sounds decent with it….even if it’s just playing one note at a time. And something I find quite important: Spend some time every day watching Youtube videos of musicians playing the music I like. Study how they hold their guitars, how they hold their picks, where on the neck they’re playing, what kinds of guitars they are using, etc etc.
Sunjamr Steve
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November 20, 2019 at 1:02 pm #150860
Sometimes I will go back into Brian’s earliest lessons or even to the pentatonic practices and then on to the newer lessons, to help with the feeling of discouragement.
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November 21, 2019 at 1:37 pm #150915
Yeh, I do that too. I go back and try to play some of the earliest lessons I ever learned. And what I find is that now – years later – I can easily add in some improv based on stuff I’ve learned from later lessons.
Sunjamr Steve
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November 20, 2019 at 1:06 pm #150862
You didn’t say at what point you are in your learning process but the way you feel right now is not unique to you. Every now and then, irrespective of what level we’re at, we can get discouraged at the speed or rate of progress we’re making. Perhaps in your case I would say, don’t lose heart, choose an easier piece to learn and take it slowly but make sure you concentrate on trying to play smoothly. ‘Slowly and Smoothly’ are the key points here. These two aspects not only give your fingers a chance but your brain as well.
There are quite a few lessons here at ActiveMelody that are easy to play and yet sound really good, these are perhaps the ones you might concentrate on which I believe could kick-start you into making progress that you’d be more satisfied with.
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November 20, 2019 at 3:19 pm #150866
Yes I think it is normal to get frustrated. I have been playing for a long long time and I can be very impatient with myself. I will say this and that is even on a bad day with my guitar(s), if nothing else, I love their looks, smell, sound etc. etc. Learning to play well takes a lot of work. For most of us, it doesn’t come easily. But, I think you have to love the work, sweat, and effort that you put in. You have to love the journey. That in itself will keep you positive when you experience frustration.
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November 20, 2019 at 5:27 pm #150867
Yes, I’ve rarely picked up a guitar this year at all. Have to say though that Dave K’s rendition of magnolia has perked my interest so I might try learn it over the next week or so..
..Billy..
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November 20, 2019 at 8:25 pm #150877
Billy, glad that I was able to perk your interest… I want to hear it man!
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November 21, 2019 at 2:10 pm #150920
I’m struggling with that little opening lick you play on acoustic Dave, I’ve substituted it with a middle finger hammer on with an added pinky going down next, it’s only my first few hours of practise though and I’ve still got the words to learn instead of humming the melody as I go along..hopefully have a basic acoustic version for next week…cough!..
..Billy..
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November 20, 2019 at 7:04 pm #150872
If you really feel like you are not progressing or having fun alone on the internet with literally thousands of free lessons.. couple tips 1) try to learn guitar basic theory 2) practice really slow 3) demonstrate some video recording for members here to maybe point out your obvious situation or find a friend online or friends to jam with live to play with so you can get some answers to your question.
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November 20, 2019 at 7:06 pm #150873
Yes, I’ve rarely picked up a guitar this year at all. Have to say though that Dave K’s rendition of magnolia has perked my interest so I might try learn it over the next week or so..
Billy you are a guitar player don’t lie! lolllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
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November 20, 2019 at 7:43 pm #150875
Everyone knows I only come on forum to ignore your showcases John. hahahaha
..Billy..
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November 20, 2019 at 8:05 pm #150876
haha..hit that like button thumbs up hahaha like on youtube we could have 1 to 5 rating stars here for anonymous like them talent shows on tv lol anyway, back to lessons ep170 and 171..you should check them two are awesome!
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November 20, 2019 at 8:35 pm #150878
I get frustrated all the time, but I think Its sometimes a good thing, because it gives me that extra drive to push through what is frustrating me. I also get discouraged and often feel like I have hit a wall in my playing ability, but you have to just keep pushing through. Keep playing no matter how discouraged you get because eventually you will crack through and overcome!
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November 20, 2019 at 9:27 pm #150880
I remember getting frustrated still do ..listen like the saying there will always be lesser and greater in our lives.. what is cool is sharing here what we care to share..I enjoy sharing.. I Remember feeling the same.. it really depends but knowing your question,.. back a few years ago I asked similar questions as a newbie here!
I could play guitar way back when but wanted to do things i never learned on guitar .. mainly a rhythm player ,only knew few chords by name major minor but didn’t understand the basic theory.. it took a few seasons to learn generally basic theory .. and I no need to ask much about general theory ..but depending on your experience , it does take as much time as developing strength and coordination as with training the ear distinguishing names of chords scales key signature timing site reading tabliture so much more.. it’s too broad a question, to get good idea, someone needs to watch you play something to help point out what you are asking.
I rush a lot of lessons, i’m not expecting to perfect them as much as to learn from them and especially be observant to what is played.. ep 170 and ep 171 two great lessons watch listen and practice..they are in my November favs,,think I will do those for this early December for the november entry.. but there are so many i might decide on yet between now and dec.
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November 21, 2019 at 10:22 am #150899
Yes, often! I think if you are interested in developing & getting better – I think this is natural. Being frustrated that you cant yet do what you’d like to helps create the motivation to keep at it. I think though that a balance needs to be struck between this and just remembering to do something you enjoy on the guitar – or even walk away from it for a while. I often find that if I leave things for a few days, I’m much happier with what I can do when I go back to it.
Best wishes
GaryGary
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November 21, 2019 at 11:10 am #150905
Hey Robert,
To be honest, I often get discouraged. Every time I see that other members have learned a lesson in a short time and I have still not reached their level after two or more weeks. That’s absolutely frustrating.
Be peatient with yourself.Blue
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November 21, 2019 at 5:02 pm #150940Anonymous
Thanks Blue. That’s pretty much my frustration. I intend on keeping on. Discouraged does not equal quitting.
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November 21, 2019 at 5:14 pm #150942
Thats been a bugbear of mine for sometime now, when lesson after lesson gets showcased a day or so after Brian has posted it, it’s demoralizing at best.
That’s why I tend now not to open any showcases of new lessons, but in saying that there are so many isperational guitarists on AM who’s showcases are a breath of fresh air....Billy..
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November 21, 2019 at 5:16 pm #150944
YES, very much so. I look at my guitar and I really feel sorry for it. Poor thing suffers.
The melody of the notes is what expresses the art of music . 🙂 6stringerPete
It really is all about ”melody”. The melody comes from a language from our heart. Our heart is the muscle in music harmony. The melody is the sweetness that it pumps into our musical thoughts on the fretboard. 🙂 6 stringer Pete
Pete
Active Melody
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November 21, 2019 at 7:57 pm #150962
I can say this from comments here.. it takes whatever time you put into learning what you want to learn .. it’s suppose to be fun though,, you can’t set goals to high if you are not ready.. it has to all fall in together ..meanwhile yes.. learn the fret board and general theory.. the rest is going to come around/fall into place on the fret board naturally..
I know when I practice anything regardless if I make mistakes ,I am learning new techniques and take away riffs/licks.. when you say forget after doing something,, (oh man I use to know that entire solo but forgot it cause it’s been so long since I played it)
this says you don’t know music theory (not just guitar theory but music theory) or the fretboard
I like taking it slow,, that means i can have fun.. learning it slow..if you try learning too fast..you miss the point..it is suppose to be fun and laughs..anyone here should know they are way over the hill trying to compete with all the kids that can play circles around us..
the point i’m making is this.. i could unsubscribe renew or say thisa will be my last anual subscription here because I want to try a site with dozens of Brians with dozens of different genres etc.. but the truth is..i like a slow learning pace.. i know what level i’m at but enjoy it here for now at least till next September! lol
learn basic theory..as you practice.. develop with what you came here to learn and practice,, it doesn’t need to be perfected before showcasing..that’s bs , showplay and expect honest critique ,, that’s what I want from sharing,,honesty..not lies to set me back,, i rather have a someone tell me my faults and stumbles than someone saying its excellent or perfect etc.. although i certainly don’t mind those comments either lol it’s maybe like the old show kung fu.. “snatch the pebble from my hand. it is time for you to leave”
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November 21, 2019 at 8:07 pm #150963
Thats been a bugbear of mine for sometime now, when lesson after lesson gets showcased a day or so after Brian has posted it, it’s demoralizing at best.
That’s why I tend now not to open any showcases of new lessons, but in saying that there are so many isperational guitarists on AM who’s showcases are a breath of fresh air..did you ever have them dreams when you were just wearing your underwear in a crowd,, and wake up and think about it?. ,i have sometime ago.. not what dreams like that mean..i’ll have to look that tonight on youtube lol
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November 22, 2019 at 5:12 pm #151009
Billy keep the faith lol
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November 23, 2019 at 4:19 pm #151037
I get also for some periods discoureged, theres so many things, specially this year in my life what keeps my head occupied..and i think the mainreason is than i totally lost concentration.
In that cases, and when i am not out on sea, i simply took a break from all that probs around me, switch off the CP and let the world do whatever it wants and i go out for any chance to forgot things, take a big walk threw the forest, go out to find, see and listen and feel real hand made music.
Gary mentioned Chickenbone John, so that was my last chance i had to get a real great inspiration..
here is one video what they had made during a Cigarbox workshop in a town about 50km away from my village for example..i drove that way 3 days just to find inspiration full of music and people with same feelings and ideas.. in the end it is also a reason why we all meet here in this place from all over around the world
The other thing i always do is i have my guitar always ready beside of me..i can pick it up any moment to noodle around with nothing specific..and of course i opened AM and let me inspire by any kind of music posts of our members..also our blues roots and of course by Brains guitar lessons..i like to listen his piece by piece explanations and it start to took my attention and brings me back my concentration…
to learn guitar for me it is also very hard work..it comes not to me with, like we say here..with mothers milk..
but i never will stop doing it..i love guitars..the smell for example when you open a Gibson case, the wood..the sound ..and to put my hands on it in any way..also to adjust or repair it myself..Learn it slowly, start peace by piece..dont look for tooo high targets..and never give up..like me when i was a young teenager going out to the sea..i touched for more than 20 years no guitar..but i never forget the feelings from it..so at least i pick it up very lately again..i know i lost the big chances and i never will become a great professional player anymore..but the inspiration was and is always somewhere out there.. music is for everyone..it is the biggest thing in this world for everybody..and it is made to share it with people, its not for the bedroom..like we learned earlier..
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November 23, 2019 at 6:00 pm #151039
you reminded me i need to lemon oil my gibson lespaul.. i can tell when it needs an oil rub.. i also have to remind myself to get some lemon scent pledge furniture spray.. for all my guitars..i dont treat the maple necks.. just the rose and or ebony woods.. yes I run a tight ship for my guitars cause they are my joy for the most part after family.
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November 24, 2019 at 5:58 am #151057
I am thinking about hooking up with Cindy and maybe I can get a job working for the naked Robert cowboy
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November 27, 2019 at 4:54 am #151267
No, I am enjoying the journey, the brilliant thing about Active Melody there is a myraid vidoes to help you, right now I am working on Hybrid Picking but again it’s fun learning.
The main thing picking up a guitar latter in my life is just to have fun, today, I am going to a Guitar group which will be my first real time outside of the house, it would be a jam session so I am looking forward to that.
Never give up just have fun, and it all honesty this is one the best online learning sites, I have been on a few but I have learnt so much.
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November 28, 2019 at 8:48 pm #151373
Set small, achievable goals for yourself. I try to have a goal every time I sit down to practice. I also set weekly, and sometimes monthly, goals. I progress best when I make a practice sessions goal as small as possible (e.g. get this bend in tune, or work on vibrato on this note).
Also, learn a song or some songs that you like that you can play through completely. When you want to relax and simply play for the fun of it, go back to these songs and enjoy them, without any expectations. Helps with this if you are willing to sing or hum along.
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