Groups > For Musicians Only

Colors,

Thanks for the tip. I will look for it. always seeking that one more bit of information to open a new door.

Hey Dzign,

The "closet" is where I stayed for years. I am largely self taught, books, recordings, and internet. One of the best things I had done for myself was attending open mics. Here, where I live, you can find one nearby every night of the week. Some are better than others, and by that I mean it's more fun to watch, there are more players, more styles, etc.

The effect it had on me was that I lost my jitters. I meet people with the same passion, and we learn from each other. You can find out where open mics are held by either watching Craigslist.org under Community: musicians, or maybe Openmikes.org may have some listings near you.

The big fear for me at open mics was that I would be judged. Playing in front of people is one thing, I thought, playing in front of other players is quite another. The truth is, with rare exception, other players, especially the ones at open mics, tend to be really supportive. It takes some 'nads to get up under the lights and work your axe in front of people. Once you break that ice, it comes easier every time you do it.

Maximizing your lessons? Practice. Make it a hard inflexible rule to touch your fretboard every day, for at least 15 minutes. If you love your instrument, you'll find that you'll probably play it longer than that, but promise yourself those 15 minutes, every day.

Here's another thing I've learned: don't be afraid to switch guitar teachers periodically. There are good ones, there are not so good ones, but if they play, they know something, and everyone knows something different. It will not hurt your instructor's feelings if you do this. Just think if you would have had the same math teacher all the way through elementary and high school. Some teachers teach better than others, and each has limits of knowledge and ability. Anyway, that's my opinion.

I was 8 when I saw the Beatles, in February of 1964, on the Ed Sullivan Show. My dad had a guitar laying around. He wouldn't let me re-string it, I'm left-handed, so I taught myself to play right-handed. I've played for 44 years now, and the coroner will have to pry my guitar from my cold, dead fingers...

Dzign, I am a self taught bass player. In my early years I don't think a day went by that I didn't pick up the bass and practice or just play until I would hit on a riff and then take that riff and expand on it. It didn't mean a song came from that riff but eventually some of that riff would be thrown into the playing somewhere,usually during a jam session.

Like most everyone before me has said, practice, practice, practice.

Open mic nights are good, but the most beneficial thing for me was to find a guitar player to play and practice with. My early years of playing was mostly anything I could memorize and I'll admit it took years for my ear to come in where I could just listen to a song and hear and know what the bass player was doing.

I was most proud of myself when I didn't have to look at the fretboard anymore to make sure I was where i was supposed to be and again that was just getting comfortable with the instrument.

The early years where tough(the learning process)and fun(the accomplishment of learning) at the same time. Now it's just fun all the time even though the learning process will never end.

You guys are giving me great stuff here. I certainly need to practice more. I will definitely go see some open mic nights here (assuming we have some.) I know we have some songwriting circles, so open mics are probably available as well.

Do you think that I have more obstacles to overcome since I have starting playing late in life?

I think I'm gunna visit craigslist now.

Thanks

I don't think any of the obstacles are insurmountable. It's a learning curve, and that's another reason I am still playing.

Each little thing you learn, each little epiphany, is another tool for your "toolbox", whether it's your fretting prowess, your picking technique or your ability to pick up after a stumble. Soon you'll have enough tools to feel the confidence to effectively perform. Like anything else, what you get out of it is relative to what you put into it.

I've been following this post for a few days and been very impressed with the support and insight that's been shared.

I grew-up in NY and it was always a "cutting contest" which really inhibited my ability to play lead (simply because I couldn't relax enough to just feel the groove). I too retreated to the closet but that's not the answer... I think the key is find some cool supportive people, like the ones here and just have fun. It sounds like your on the right path. Cheers,

Everyone here has been an inspiration that keeps me praciticing. I really appreciate the insightful suggestions.