How to keep up with playing the guitar?
Ok heres the deal I got an old acoustic guitar as a gift in middle school and was supper excited because I thought it would the cool too learn. I played it for about 1 month on and off but all I did was practice chords. Then I stopped playing for about 5 years and got the urge again and picked up an electric guitar and played that one for maybe a month and a half. My question is how do I keep it entertaining and how do I know if I actually want to learn? I thought the electric guitar would be easier I even bought a video game to try to learn it but I stopped again like I said. So I need to know because obviously I've practice a little bit that I don't keep sticking with it so should I stop playing and Im not wanting to play enough or do I need to go about this a different way? I know this question is more about opinions but I would love the feedback and any tips you have about keeping it fun and easy and entertaining so I want to keep practicing. Otherwise I got two guitars for sale lol
My mouth keeps opening when I play guitar?
When you are playing guitar, and really getting into it, or concentrating hard, you go into what I call "The zone". There is nothing wrong with being in The Zone, but if it bothers you, hold a pick between your teeth or lips. Don't be surprised if it falls out while playing though. The great thing about playing an instrument is that you don't think about anything else while you are playing. You can play guitar and be depressed, angry, or afraid, if you are really focused. The whole world just disappears until you stop playing.
What motivates you to keep playing the guitar?
My mother saw something in me that I’m not aware of, because at a very young age she recommended I take guitar lessons (about 7 or 8). I think I must’ve really been into music in her eyes. I took lessons, but they said I was too young, then restarted again at about age 11 and loved it. From there it was a big passion of mine - after the 2nd lesson I literally played until my fingers bled (like the Bryan Adams song), and I was taught on an acoustic to an intermediate/ advanced level, for three years, learning to read music, and learning all chords including bar chords, scales, etc.Two friends and I won a talent show at the local level, then won the district level, and proceeded to the state level with our rendition of Stairway to Heaven at age 17. Things really got ‘cool’ once I got my first electric guitar as a teenager, and I continued learning on my own, eventually getting good enough to land lead guitar positions in cover bands consistently, including a Journey tribute band.It has been a lifelong learning experience for me ever since, and I continue to get better, but I will always think of and be thankful to my mother for seeing that potential in me at such a young age, and for starting me on a lifelong musical path that has rewarded me with so much joy and satisfaction for all these years.
Should I take breaks from playing the guitar?
It depends on why you're getting the pain. If we're talking arthritis or something, I'm not sure what to tell you. What I have seen, is that frequently pain when playing comes from playing incorrectly. Is your guitar set up properly, so that you don't have to kill yourself to play a barre chord? Are you fretting too aggressively? Are you holding the neck really tightly or with your hand wrapped around it too much, making it awkward to actually play (I see a LOT of players do this). You can actually damage yourself this way. I've seen Jack White bleeding all over his guitar.But if you're just getting pain because you're developing the strength to play for a sustained period of time (you may actually not be there yet depending on what you mean by "intermediate"), and you're otherwise sure you're technically correct, then try to play through it for a little while. Sort of like doing ten more crunches; yeah, your abs are on fire. That's good.More than once (not always fortunately), I've been running through a three hour session, like a gig, and by the last set my hands and/or wrists hurt. You just keep playing.
How do I play the guitar without looking at the pick?
Since it's only been 2 weeks, don't feel like you're really limiting yourself by looking only at your right hand. Playing guitar can be a really unusual thing for your body and mind, and it takes time to get used to it.While eventually you should begin focusing on the left hand making chords and pressing on the strings, it's okay to focus on your picking hand (right) right now. All you have to do is build confidence in your own picking. This can be done simply by continuing to play and can naturally work itself out and won't become a habit if you push yourself to look at both hands while playing. Of course you should keep playing, but specifically for your eyes you should do exercises that engage mostly your picking hand. Practice with a metronome and start out slowly picking the strings. Practice only strumming down in time with and without a single chord on the left hand. Practice picking one note down. Then practice the same note up, down, up, down: this is known as alternate picking and it's crucial to playing overall. Don't be afraid to have fun with this. It may be boring technical work that helps your playing, but that doesn't mean you can't find interesting ways to do it! Reward yourself, learn one of your favorite songs, just keep playing. Hope you can find this useful!
Will my fingers become numb from playing guitar? Will the numbness go away if I stop playing?
Beginning to play guitar comes with several rites of passage. You get calluses (a badge of honor), the calluses evolve into a texture that resembles a cats paw (not a bad thing), your fingers do get numb but the numbness fades away with time. When you practice you should take short breaks. You are strengthening and conditioning your hands in many ways. You are stretching, pressing strings, finger and flat picking through the stages of guitar power. Take the time and experience the task at hand. When I was learning, one trick I used was to reach beyond the threshold of pain (I don’t mean real agony, I refer to the aches that come with practice). When my fingers got sore, I would keep playing for a few minutes longer. Each practice session gave me more strength, clarity, and endurance. Don’t just run through the routines. You want to gain tone, timing, strength, accuracy, and confidence. Somewhere within this experience, real music will come forward. Give it your best shot and keep on playing. Good luck!
Does playing the guitar damage your fingers?
I cannot imagine that if guitar playing was that hazardous, that we would have any guitar players... The strings WILL cause callouses on your finger tips (which is a protective thing and completely natural.) Will people "notice right away"? Probably not. Does it damage your fingers? Not any more than any other activity that uses the finger tips. As for the pick, you use that with the other hand, so it doesn't count. The only detriments would be some very minor aches and pains as your hands get used to being in the awkward position required and the pushing on the strings. (Yes, that will hurt a bit at first, but the callouses will form to protect your finger tips from damage and will make it more comfortable to play.) If you take up the guitar and decide that it is not for you, the callouses will eventually go away and your hands will be back to their 'pre guitar' state.
Why do my fingers keep getting stuck while playing guitar?
You may be experiencing a temporary arthritic condition with that finger that prevents it from joining the other fingers in smooth chord transitioning. If it continues, see a doctor. Otherwise, continue to practice diligently your chords and build up speed in their changing. There had been times that I would play an extremely fast riff several times in a song ("Waiting for the Times to Get Better") and several of my fingers would freeze up because of the constant repetition of the movement. I could chalk that up to age since I've been playing for over 56 years, but I don't want to accept it that way. Bear in mind your fingers are doing alien work when it comes to playing the guitar. They are simply rebelling because it goes against nature to play certain chord shapes. The only thing you can do is to persevere and continue your practicing regimen.
Should you stop playing on the guitar if your fingers become sore ?
Your fingers are toughening up. They will start to callus and peel for a while. After some time you will notice that the skin on you tips will harden. After a while you will no longer notice any pain. Keep playing if you can. If it hurts to much take a break.
I have just started playing guitar, but I am feeling like giving up.. How should I keep me motivated to continue and learn to the fullest.?
A2AThere are two types of people who wants to learn Guitar1) The people who wants to show off: These type of people easily end up giving up on Guitar.2) The people who are passionate about music: These people stick to it no matter how hard it is to learn guitar and successfully learn to play guitar.Even if you are passionate about music, there comes a time when you feel like giving up, and that's the time when you really have to work hard.But why you feel like giving up ? There are many reasons for that, may be your tutor is not teaching you well and hence you have lost your interest. If this is the case then talk to your tutor, ask him/her all questions you have. OR May be you are not able to play anything correctly, then practice more.ORMay be toy are thinking like ' im learning from long time and still got nothing'. Hold on, have a patience and don't count your learning time by days, count it by hours.Now im going to tell you an easy way to get motivated. Listen to your favourite song for 4-5 times, then go to the YouTube and search guitar lesson for the same song, then try to learn that lesson and try to play that on your guitar. In first attempt you will feel like its impossible, but believe in yourself and practice it again and again. Trust me, you will love that feeling when you'll play that song correctly by yourself. And now you will feel like 'yeah, its not impossible, I can play guitar'. Now you are ready to go back on track.To become a Good Guitarist, you need:1) Patience.2) Passion.3) Time.4) Practice5) Practice Practice Practice Practice Practice.....Believe in yourself and don't stop until you reach your destination. All the best.Still have any doubts ? Feel free to drop a comment.Happy playing.