Practicing and learning instruments

[Marty_1994]

I know there are some people here playing instruments and very interested to hear how you learned you instrument and how often you practice etc.?

Did/do you go to a certain school? have a teacher? self-tought? the internet?

And how often/much do you practice? is it very formal and stricted or playing around once and a while for fun?

And last - ambitions?

Personally I've pratciced guitar now for more or less 2 years. I've learnt from various sites around the internet but kind of feel like I'm stuck. I've learned the most basic stuff like the basic chords + sus+ barre chords + power chords. And up to 16th note strumming patterns and fingerstyle patterns. I know a bit of theory(I can read notes and know the notes on the guitar and a little bit more). I know the major scale + minor pentatonic, but can't really use them. I know some 12 bar blues and some songs and maybe something I forgot to mention.

My problem is, I suppose, that I've learnt the basic but not really sure how to advance or where to go next.



I didn't create this just to help me. I'm really interested in hearing what you have to say, so please share your thoughts. I'm eager to listen:Smokin:!

 

[Yain]

I used to play the keyboards sometimes. Im completely amateur, and I have very little experience. I am self-taught basically, although I didnt learn much either, but I could play some nice stuff

I watched video lessons on websites and that helped me get better, but I have recently lost motivation to continue playing because it seems to me like Im not getting anywhere with it. I wanted to get better at it and be much more experienced and be able to play and even compose stuff, but none of those things worked for me. Its probably the keyboards that arent for me, or playing any instruments isnt for me because

I remember trying to play guitar a while back as well, and I couldnt do it. It felt so difficult and annoying to even get the notes right, so I gave up on that as well. Overall I'd say playing any musical instrument is not for me. Maybe non-metal instruments could work, uh for example a trumpet or a flute you know. Just for the fun. But Ive never tried so I dont know

Marty, do you feel like you are making progress in playing your guitar? Or are you really that stuck?

 

[1928]

First instrument I really learned how to play was flute - started in fifth grade band, played all the way up to last semester in college, but I'm no pro at it. Never really practiced it, don't like playing wind instruments. It was definitely where most of my music theory knowledge came from - that was the stepping stone to other instruments.

Went to college for piano, that's my main instrument. Self-taught up until college, and I'm pretty darn good these days although I have tendonitis which makes playing a remarkable pain - what a curse.

Guitar I play strictly on my own terms and don't take lessons, so I'm nowhere near as good as I could be but I can play a few things that make me happy like Opeth's Patterns in the Ivy. I'm really trying to get good at fingerpicking so I can play more pieces like that. Still an amateur with a loooong way to go.

 

[Yain]

First instrument I really learned how to play was flute - started in fifth grade band, played all the way up to last semester in college, but I'm no pro at it. Never really practiced it, don't like playing wind instruments. It was definitely where most of my music theory knowledge came from - that was the stepping stone to other instruments.

I never really played a flute much before, just wondering, why did you start to learn playing it in the first place if you dont like wind instruments? Personally I love the sound that flutes produce, but it wouldnt make any sense if I'd start playing an instrument that I dont even like

 

[1928]

I liked it at first, no longer do

 

[Marty_1994]

I watched video lessons on websites and that helped me get better, but I have recently lost motivation to continue playing because it seems to me like Im not getting anywhere with it. I wanted to get better at it and be much more experienced and be able to play and even compose stuff, but none of those things worked for me. Its probably the keyboards that arent for me, or playing any instruments isnt for me because

I remember trying to play guitar a while back as well, and I couldnt do it. It felt so difficult and annoying to even get the notes right, so I gave up on that as well. Overall I'd say playing any musical instrument is not for me. Maybe non-metal instruments could work, uh for example a trumpet or a flute you know. Just for the fun. But Ive never tried so I dont know

Marty, do you feel like you are making progress in playing your guitar? Or are you really that stuck?

I get what you're saying with loss of motivation. But I do believe that with someone to guide you(insert Children of the Dream lyrics here!) it'll go better since that person/teacher will know where to go next with your playing. A friend of a relative is going to give me lessons in the near future so I'm hoping that'll help me some. Perhaps that would be good for you as well? Don't stop now that you've started learning, you'll regret it in the future.

As for non-metal instruments I do think you should give it a go. I play Ocarina which is fun, partly because I like it from the zelda games, and partly because it's easy to learn and make it sound good. Try it out, much easier than a more complicated instrument!

First instrument I really learned how to play was flute - started in fifth grade band, played all the way up to last semester in college, but I'm no pro at it. Never really practiced it, don't like playing wind instruments. It was definitely where most of my music theory knowledge came from - that was the stepping stone to other instruments.

Went to college for piano, that's my main instrument. Self-taught up until college, and I'm pretty darn good these days although I have tendonitis which makes playing a remarkable pain - what a curse.

Guitar I play strictly on my own terms and don't take lessons, so I'm nowhere near as good as I could be but I can play a few things that make me happy like Opeth's Patterns in the Ivy. I'm really trying to get good at fingerpicking so I can play more pieces like that. Still an amateur with a loooong way to go.

I remember playing flute in fifth grade as well! Got bored though so I quit, which I regret now. Especially when you hear bands like Rhapsody use them so cleverly.

Dude, tendonitis while attending college for piano? That's bad luck. Is it chronic?
Getting tinnitus while playing guitar was really horrible, but getting an illness like that while attending school for music must be so much worse(one of the reasons I don't think I'd dare attend school for music). Hope you're having better days and that it gets better!

Good to hear you still carry on though, and started with guitar. For how long have you been playing? Do you know any community or place online where you can join and chat with other people learning instruments? in terms of idea trading and getting the most out of your musical journey? I don't know many guitarists or people locally playing music in their free time.

 

[Marty_1994]

Personally I love the sound that flutes produce, but it wouldnt make any sense if I'd start playing an instrument that I dont even like

This sentence makes me so confused...

 

[1928]

Dude, tendonitis while attending college for piano? That's bad luck. Is it chronic?
Getting tinnitus while playing guitar was really horrible, but getting an illness like that while attending school for music must be so much worse(one of the reasons I don't think I'd dare attend school for music). Hope you're having better days and that it gets better!

Thanks buddy. It's not chronic - but over the last year I've developed some pretty bad stress and strain from my wrists through the hands due to my line of work (working on cars). Lots of sanding and overstressing my hands, with as much typing and piano playing as I did didn't help either. Now I'm paying. Only time will tell if it goes away!

Good to hear you still carry on though, and started with guitar. For how long have you been playing? Do you know any community or place online where you can join and chat with other people learning instruments? in terms of idea trading and getting the most out of your musical journey? I don't know many guitarists or people locally playing music in their free time.

Been playing guitar on-and-off for a few years, only started getting serious with it early this year. I chat on Mike Portnoy's forum quite a bit but don't talk about playing instruments much - LOTS of knowledgeable folk there on drums/guitars/keys, whether it's gear or technique. Lots of people with their own projects that others follow and critique. Great place for musicians of all levels of seriousness

 

[Yain]

I get what you're saying with loss of motivation. But I do believe that with someone to guide you(insert Children of the Dream lyrics here!) it'll go better since that person/teacher will know where to go next with your playing. A friend of a relative is going to give me lessons in the near future so I'm hoping that'll help me some. Perhaps that would be good for you as well? Don't stop now that you've started learning, you'll regret it in the future.

As for non-metal instruments I do think you should give it a go. I play Ocarina which is fun, partly because I like it from the zelda games, and partly because it's easy to learn and make it sound good. Try it out, much easier than a more complicated instrument!

Thanks for the advice. I never really took piano/keyboard lessons, mostly because its expensive and I dont have any source of income at the moment. There are many, many independent russian piano teachers here, but all of them ask for alot of money for each lesson. I cant afford it. Im thinking to get a flute or other similar instrument that is both cheap and portable. Perhaps a clarinet would be a good option as well

This sentence makes me so confused...

Oh, what I meant by that statement is that I wouldnt start playing something if I am struggling to be better at it or if I dislike the sound it produces. An example for me would be the guitar - I love the sound it produces but I never like to play it. I would probably be good at it if I had a teacher, but again, no point in that if I have no interest in that instrument

Also another thing is I really dont like to be taught by someone how to play instruments. Although it would definitely improve myself in many aspects, I still prefer to do it all by myself. Cant really explain why, just a tendency Ive always had

I chat on Mike Portnoy's forum quite a bit

Maybe I could join that? Sounds nice to me

Also. Just a question, where you live guys?

 

[Marty_1994]

Thanks buddy. It's not chronic - but over the last year I've developed some pretty bad stress and strain from my wrists through the hands due to my line of work (working on cars). Lots of sanding and overstressing my hands, with as much typing and piano playing as I did didn't help either. Now I'm paying. Only time will tell if it goes away!


Been playing guitar on-and-off for a few years, only started getting serious with it early this year. I chat on Mike Portnoy's forum quite a bit but don't talk about playing instruments much - LOTS of knowledgeable folk there on drums/guitars/keys, whether it's gear or technique. Lots of people with their own projects that others follow and critique. Great place for musicians of all levels of seriousness

I sure hope it does! If not you can put your hopes to Science Technology and is advancing so fast these days!

Great, just what I was looking for. I'll check it out and maybe join the fun then. Wether or not you talk about instruments I'm sure it'll be nice hearing from other people with the same interest. Thanks for the tip!

When you say your self-taught, you mean the internet? or learning by ear?

What school did/do you attend? if you don't mind me asking? not sure it'll tell me much but still fun to know!

A lot of questions, I know. Just interested to hear!

 

[Marty_1994]

Thanks for the advice. I never really took piano/keyboard lessons, mostly because its expensive and I dont have any source of income at the moment. There are many, many independent russian piano teachers here, but all of them ask for alot of money for each lesson. I cant afford it. Im thinking to get a flute or other similar instrument that is both cheap and portable. Perhaps a clarinet would be a good option as well

Well do it if you want to play the instrument I guess, not otherwise...Just don't stop for no good reason or you'll regret it later!

 

[1928]

I sure hope it does! If not you can put your hopes to Science Technology and is advancing so fast these days!

Great, just what I was looking for. I'll check it out and maybe join the fun then. Wether or not you talk about instruments I'm sure it'll be nice hearing from other people with the same interest. Thanks for the tip!

When you say your self-taught, you mean the internet? or learning by ear?

What school did/do you attend? if you don't mind me asking? not sure it'll tell me much but still fun to know!

A lot of questions, I know. Just interested to hear!

No worries!

The Internet and learning by ear. Quick backstory; video game music was my inspiration to begin learning music so I just played with toy keyboards figuring out melodies by ear. After realizing my music courses in school weren't teaching me jack, I used the Internet to teach myself theory (scales, chords etc.). My freshman year of high school I couldn't even fathom how to form a basic chord - that's how uneducated I was! As for technique on the instrument itself, that just came with many, many, many hours simply fiddling around with it figuring out how to play this and that. Pays off after a while... I went to school just at my local community college (Parkland College) for a few years. Finished the music curriculum up last spring. Pretty good for a two-year curriculum but certainly not university level.

 

[Marty_1994]

No worries!

The Internet and learning by ear. Quick backstory; video game music was my inspiration to begin learning music so I just played with toy keyboards figuring out melodies by ear. After realizing my music courses in school weren't teaching me jack, I used the Internet to teach myself theory (scales, chords etc.). My freshman year of high school I couldn't even fathom how to form a basic chord - that's how uneducated I was! As for technique on the instrument itself, that just came with many, many, many hours simply fiddling around with it figuring out how to play this and that. Pays off after a while... I went to school just at my local community college (Parkland College) for a few years. Finished the music curriculum up last spring. Pretty good for a two-year curriculum but certainly not university level.

Wow. That really must be the best way to learn - developing your ears in that young age and learning to trust your ears in terms of figuring out melodies. I guess that's the downpart of learning on your own online - you get the theory and some exercises to practice etc., but you never really get to learn using you ear(s). Plus sometimes you don't really know what to do with the stuff you're learning. That's my problem at the moment. Not sure how to advance. There's so much to learn!

I take it you learned a lot during those two years I'd love to do something like that, but don't think it would, financially, the best move to make to go to a music school. Maybe someday!

Funny how you mention your inspiration was video game music. That was the only music I liked when I was a kid. In fact, I even disliked most music I heard if it wasn't used in a context, like video games. Zombies ate my Neighbors had the best music ever!! Plus Zelda & the other nintendo classics, of course.

 

[1928]

It's funny how the young human brain works so differently from an adult's. Much much harder to teach myself new tricks and advance, especially on a new instrument. Simply due to how my brain was developing through adolescence I don't think I'll ever achieve on guitar the level of skill or fluid technique I have on piano.

 

[Yain]

When it comes to video game music, I particularly liked the background music of various maps on Maplestory. When I was playing it as a kid at the time I also didnt like any other kinds of music, probably because like Michael said, my brain was developing at the time or something like that

 

[Marty_1994]

It's funny how the young human brain works so differently from an adult's. Much much harder to teach myself new tricks and advance, especially on a new instrument. Simply due to how my brain was developing through adolescence I don't think I'll ever achieve on guitar the level of skill or fluid technique I have on piano.

Ohh Absolutely! During the part when you think the least about your future you have the easiest to learn...thanks nature! Still, many great musicians started out as adults ands it's certainly not impossible, even though we all feel might need some extra motivation at certain points.

Part from practicing, do you play music on your free time? like in a band?

 

[1928]

Nah. I've never played in a band as a full-time member. Partially because I'm not so keen on playing in a metal band, but mostly because of my personality, I just like creating music by myself in a confined, isolated space. Lately I haven't even been writing anything, I've just sat down and improvised for a few minutes and that's all I really need now - found exactly what I want to do with the instrument. Don't think I'll ever publicly release any of my pieces... if anything I think of creating music more as a self-therapy type of thing

 

[Yain]

I think me and him are on the same boat. I also have no interest on playing in a metal band, and although I dont create or compose music, I listen to it in a similar kind of way - in an isolated place with headphones in my case. But really I'd love to check out something you have composed man, if you ever get the chance to record it of course, and if you feel like sharing it with the rest of the world

 

[Power_Metal_Dom]

> how you learned you instrument and how often you practice etc.?

I learned guitar by picking up my brother's classical guitar and asking to be taught how to play Smoke on the Water

> Did/do you go to a certain school?

No but I wish I had.

> have a teacher? self-tought? the internet?

I'm self taught for more than 10 years at this point but I am looking into getting lessons soon. Self-teaching/internet is fine for the basics and fooling around but for the underlying theory and really opening up your approach to music. For me the most influential tools were tabs, Guitar Pro and having the ear to pick up how to play a song.

> And how often/much do you practice? is it very formal and stricted or playing around once and a while for fun?

I try to play every day for maybe an hour or so. Just fooling around and having fun. I also think it's important to learn a new song or a couple of songs each week.

> And last - ambitions?

Master the art of soloing! For all my shredding I still suck.

 

[Thematt202]

I really need to get my guitar playing back up to scratch. I have a Line 6/Bogner DT25 amp sat in my living room looking pretty, like a £600 paperweight. I also have a late 80's Marshall JCM 800 2203 head that needs re-tubing and selling.