Author Topic: I'm stuck in a rut.... (Read 2476 times)

horsehead · « **on:** March 20, 2007, 06:56:05 AM »

I'm playing the same old, same old all the time. Any hints for this old guy?

38thBeatle · « **Reply #1 on:** March 20, 2007, 07:25:23 AM »

I know what you mean.I have always suggested listening to something a bit different or trying something you may not have done-for example, I had a go at slide a while back and it was something I had only dabbled in previously.I am no expert but I can get away with it now and I found myself listening to stuff I would not have done otherwise and loved it.Obviously it has to be music you like otherwise the enthusiasm for learning just aint there. I am no lover of country music but I "discovered" Danny Gatton years ago as a result of looking at it objectively.Some of the country players give shredders a run for their money. No help, of course, if you have tried those types of music but you get the idea.

99_not_out · « **Reply #2 on:** March 20, 2007, 09:39:06 AM »

There were some good suggestions from the good folk on this forum in this thread:

http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6965

Me, I'm trying to learn some accoustic stuff that requires finger picking. Its good as putting the pick to one side stops me from going back to the usual riffs I always play (well, a bit anyway).

I also tried learning slide guitar a while ago. Kind of gave up becasue I only have 1 guitar you really need a different tuning for slide ... but if you have >1 guitar then that might be cool. I like the slide sound. I saw a guy once who plays a mean slide with only three strings on his guitar. Low-E, D and G were missing. A was a super heavy gauge string (60+) and B and high-E were as usual. He played that through a Vox on full overdrive, and it was superb. Something different to try anyway!

38thBeatle · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2007, 07:51:21 PM »

I know what you mean Mr 99 regarding slide and open tuning however I did stumble upon a great slide book recently by Warren Haynes and it is slide for standard tuning ( Warren Haynes guide to Slide Guitar). I found it very handy because, as you quite rightly said, not everyone has the luxury of having more than one guitar-although I do, I like them in standard tuning as I use them live.

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #4 on:** March 20, 2007, 10:04:48 PM »

A good guitar teacher is KEY to breaking out of ruts!

If that's not possible, try some instructional videos!

horsehead · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2007, 08:25:54 AM »

Thanks for the tips guys, re the instructional videos, anyone any suggestions?

Muzzzz · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2007, 09:32:25 AM »

Listen to some jazz! :D

Ratrod · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2007, 01:16:50 PM »

Well I just picked up a slide. Screwing around a bit with it now.

Sometimes I just look around on myspace or youtube and find something interesting.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2007, 10:38:15 PM »

do you listen to any music that you wouldn't usually play on the guitar? I dug out some soul albums recently and jammed to them, really makes you play differently.

Otis Blue is a great one to play along to as is Aretha's Lady Soul lp.

Learning some old blues in open G (Robert Johnson) or open D (Elmore James) opens you up to lots of ideas. Muddy used open E and open A depending on the tune from what I can remember and didn't stick to one tuning.

I've also (attemped) some fingerstyle folk stuff - 1952 Vincent Black Lightening by Richard Thompson. It's VERY difficult on a technical level but it's totally different to what most people would ever play. RT is just a god!!!

:twisted:

Author Topic: I'm stuck in a rut.... (Read 2476 times)

TwilightOdyssey