Conference napalm::guitar

               
                      
    It sounds to me that the guys is going way too fast for you. After
    a month of playing I was just looking in books and learning about
    open/barre chords and playing along to records and didn't even know 
    what a scale was! (except its a funny thing on a fish).      
                       
    However, If you really want to get to theory, inversions and triads
    are as good a point to start as any (although personally, my first
    theory objective was to learn all the notes on the guitar from one
    end of the neck to the other - I find other theory principles were
    MUCH easier to apply, now I do know the notes).                    
                                          
    Teaching methods are pretty subjective, what works for one student
    may not work for another. I've recently started coaching a couple
    of begineers (I don't call it 'teaching' because I don't consider
    myself good enough to be 'a teacher') and I've started off showing
    the common major/minor open chords, moveable barre chords and I've 
    asked them to come back to me, having memorised all the 6 string 
    names (not to just remember 'EADGBE' in parrot fashion, but to know 
    the names of them all, so if I point to a string then can tell me 
    what it is straight away) and all notes on the low E string up to 
    the 12th fret.                                             
                                                               
    This may seem a bit slow in comparason to your technical lessons
    but I want these people to enjoy their playing, as well as learn
    some of the basic theory.                                       
         
    Thats my opinion anyway!!
         
    Cheers,
    -Tony 

    
    You should explain to your instructor you feel you are going too
    quickly.  Make sure you make it clear to him what you don't
    understand so he can go over it again with you, perhaps from a
    different angle.  A good instructor will tailor the material to the
    student's desires and abilities.
    
    You mentioned you wanted to learn theory and it seems that's what he's
    doing.  Construction of chords on guitar is a lengthy study (maybe even
    a lifetime study!) so don't feel discouraged.  I've been playing bass
    over ten years but still go through scale practice, etc. because it's
    not the sort of thing you just do when you're "beginning" then stop
    doing.  Of course I use more complex exercises now than I did then.
    
    In other words, learning how to play the scales in multiple positions
    is not a prerequisite to learning how to construct and play chords. 
    Whatever you do, don't take a break!  I've done that in the past (a few
    times) and I feel now it was a mistake.  When I stopped taking the
    lessons I stopped making any progress.
    
    							Brian

    Re: .0
    
    I've been taking lessons off and on for about a year and you are
    covering subjects (in a few lessons) that I haven't been formally 
    introduced to!  I think you're going to fast also, it can get
    overwhelming.  Some advice:
    
>    Can you experienced players give me some advice?: should I take
>    a break from my lessons until I get caught up?  
    
    I tried that and ended up taking too many breaks.  Best thing to do is
    not to stop, but tell your teacher to slow down.
    
>   What can you do if you can't find more time to practice?  
    
    Make Time!!!  I've sacrificed some things in order to reach my musical
    goals.  For example, why watch TV when you could be practicing?
    
    > How do you keep from getting discouraged?
    
    I have a visual goal of what kind of player I want to be someday. 
    Sometimes to keep that visual goal alive and well, I'll listen to a
    favorite tape/song that I'd like to be able to play along with someday,
    go to a concert, watch some videos, etc.  It motivates me!  There are
    about 4 main guitarists or influences that keep me inspired.
    
    Mike

    All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!
    
    I say take a break from the lessons, learn to the "T" what they've
    already taught you, but most of all, have some FUN with the guitar!
    Put aside all that theory stuff, and just sit there and try to play
    some interesting alternatives to the "strict style" of which taking 
    lessons tend to administer.  That should help in keeping you from
    getting discouraged/bored.
    
    FWIW,
    
    Mike

	Re: .7,

	> ... but most of all, have some FUN with the guitar!

	I couldn't have said it better myself.  You're learning to play
	the guitar because you enjoy music and want to enjoy making your
	own.  So, take a deep breath, buy your favorite artist's songbook
	(for Easy Guitar), and strum a few chords while singing the song.

	Go as slow as you want - don't worry about memorizing finger
	placements at first.  You'll be surprised how quickly you'll be
	able to pick this up.  For starters, look at songbooks for
	the Beatles, Simon & Garf and the Eagles.  Many of their songs
	have simple chords like C, Am, F, G, Em, Dm.  Just remember to
	get the books for Easy Guitar (they say so on the cover) - they
	have chord diagrams for every chord used in the song.

	I think you'll pick up stuff faster when you have a reward ahead
	of you, namely, being able to play a familiar song (or part of
	one) by yourself.  It's a great feeling!  Keep at it!

	/ravi

    Re: last few
    
    I know you guys mean well, but I gotta say it's not good advice to tell
    someone who has stated that they *want* to be able to read and
    understand theory, and has already gone to the trouble of starting
    lessons, to simply stop the lessons and try to teach themselves...
    
    I had two bad experiences in the past taking lessons, two years of
    clarinetin grade school and six months of organ in high school.  In
    both cases I was taught what the instructor thought I needed.  The
    organ guy was showing me "Born Free" and I wanted to play "Highway
    Star', etc.
    
    My three bass teachers were much better in that respect.  Once I told
    them what I wanted to learn they mapped out a course to get there,and
    it was effective.  While I continue to study on my own, the lessons I
    took were invaluable.  I would be the last person to discourage someone
    from taking lessons.
    
    I am not flaming people who are self-taught, but lessons do not
    preclude fun. 
    
    							Brian

    re: .6
    
    I didn't say "quit" the lessons; just take a break from them. 
    Obviously, the guy is being OVERWHELMED to the point of possible
    discouragement, otherwise he would be able to cope with it and
    not enter in this topic note.
    
    Also, if you dedicate yourself TOO much to musical theory, and not
    enough time for personal improvising and enjoyment, you end up
    to "mechanical".  (i.e., I can ALWAYS tell when a guitarist has
    studied at Berkley!)  :^)
    
    Have Fun,
    
    cheers/mike

I'm with Brian.  You already decided that taking lessons was a good idea,
you just need to come to an understanding with your instructor about the
pace that you can handle.  Any teacher worth his/her salt will try to pace
things to suit you.  Maybe you only need biweekly lessons.  Work out 
something.  

Bob

    re 0:
    
    since you decided to go the path of lessons 
    do whatever the guy tells you practise it nothing else
    get from him a scedual of what to practise and howa long
    sor #11  30 min
    	#10  20
    mixlydian scales in f# in the second position 
    		10 minutes
    Gosh i bet buck could do that i'd haveto look it up and edit it
    that;s what u get from lessons.
    
    Be glad this guys' not holding you back it must be a compliment.

Hi

I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in.  I've been playing guitar on and off for
quite a few years mostly for fun.  I've tried the self taught route and am
now taking lessons.  I must say that I did get a lot of pleasure in
learning very simplle versions of songs from "Easy Guitar Books".  It helps
to have some friends to jam.  It's easier to find someone to jam with if
you play the easy stuff.  I usually played with someone more proficient
than I was and learned a lot of fun stuff.

I found however that I reached a pateau which I couldn't overcome.  I could
chord real well but couldn't learn to do single string riff's.  I tried to
get over this hurdle by myself several times.  I even put my guitar down
for a year.  Now I'm taking lessons and feel like I'm starting to improve
again.  That feels real good.  The most important thing is to keep it
interesting.  If you don't feel like you are making progress then you are
in danger of loosing interest.  At least that is my experience.

The bottom line for me is "KEEP PLAYING REGULARLY".  Do whatever it takes
to keep playing.  Usually this involves including something new in addition
to practicing what you already know.  You won't improve very fast if you
never break new ground.  For me it is always painful (not physically) when
I try something new but ends up being very rewarding.

Another thought that comes to mind is that there are a lot of things that
must be learned in order to play an instrument well. There are physical
motor skills that can only be learned by repetitive practice.  I think that
these are the most important to start with.  Even if you know the theory it
will be difficult to apply it until you can coordinate your motions on the
instrument.  Knowing how to read music is very important as well.  I'm not
sure how much it matters if you read tabulature or notes at first.  There
is plenty of time to try both of them and choose the one you like the best.
I don't think that it hurts to know both.  Either one of the notations will
open up a large body of material to you.  You can learn from all kinds of
teachers then.

Playing scales can teach both the motor skills and some theory at the same
time.  If you read while you play the scales you will be learning how to
read as well.  It has been a very good exercise for me.

As far as practice time goes I find this difficult.  I just leave the axe
on a stand and pick it up whenever I get a few minutes.  I also reserve
time for longer sessions.  For me the important thing is to keep my life
balanced enough so that I keep playing.  If I don't practise for a few days
I don't get down on myself for it but start in again even if I'm afraid I
lost ground.  This depends on what your goals are.  If you want to be the
next Mark Knopfler then you will need to devote your life to it. You can
continue to improve and enjoy playing even if your goal is a bit lower than
becoming a virtuoso.

Don't take a break try to slow your teacher down a little.  You may even
learn faster if the pace of your lessons slows down.  This has happened to
me.  Learn by taking little sure footed steps instead of a giant leap into
unknown territory

Hope this helps
Warren

    
    	Re. 7
    	
    	Do you really mean Berkley, or Berklee?
    
    
    	Guy (Former BerZERklee student)
    
    

    Thanks for the good advice.  I've decided to take lessons every
    other week instead of weekly.  This will give me an extra week to
    practice and also my instructor won't have to slow down and go back
    over material he's already taught me.  It may take a little longer,
    but I'll learn the stuff better and enjoy it more, which is what
    it's all about.  
    Thanks again!
    Alan

    
    Alan,I can identify with you,mine is about the same way(i'm not dissing
    him),but at some point you get **swaped** you know learn these 5
    scales,6 cords,etc,etc foe next week,I think that may be my problem,
    that so much is being dumped on me that I don't know were to begin.
    maybe I'll try going to biwekly and see what happens....
    
                           Thanx for the info,
    
                                Kevin

    When I studied classical, I started with a method and some repetiore
    and the sor 20 studies.  I was with this teacher for about 9 months,
    went to berzerklee, and took lessons at NewEngland conservatory,
    studied a different method, more rep, and the 20 studies.
     Took a summer worth of lessons, had to do a method, same rep, 
    and the 20 studies. Every teacher started on study#1, thru the 20.
    Gak, I haven't looked at the music for a long time, and still can play
    most of them from memory. Useful for learning how to edit, and all,
    but still kind drove me bugs-bunny. 
     The 2 week solution is a great idea.
    

     The best advice I can give you is to learn some songs that you
    like. While your at it, learn to read music. The rest will come
    in time...I've been at it for 25+ years, every day..day in, day
    out. The only way to maintain a good attitude about is to do it
    because you like it. Try to remember the song that made you want
    to play, and learn it.

    Blues Saracen can't read or write music.
    You can learn to play and not, and be serious, wuth our technology
    it seems possible written music may someday go the way of the  lost.
    
    Know that classical guitar music is written edited totally differently
    than others. You can read notes, then you have to learn to read edits.
    Then there are the chord abbreviations used in jazz, also rock.
    Then there's tablature wich is little pictures of where you put your
    fingers.
    I would suggest You play guitar without the guitar music at first, just
    to see if you like the physical sensation, and learm Music Theory 
    like harmony and sight signing in such a way as to be able to apply it
    to other instruments. Piano, tuba, bass.
    Then there's drums :)