Keepin' it Fresh

[dottmcse85630]

Help Neil, I am an old dog learning new tricks. Been playing the sacred instrument for 18 months now, know a few more than the basic chords and can do (BAR!) barre chords. Still rhythmically challenged and the fingers just don't want to learn where they should go quickly.
Through your persistence on YouTube I finally joined TG a couple of months ago. Learned lots so far, but still frustrated with myself for not catching on as quickly as I would like to. I know good things take time, etc...

So being a old dog I don't really want to weigh myself down with too much music theory I have concentrated on songs that I really want to play. So far I have 35 to 40 songs that I can fumble my way through and try to play/practice 5 of them each day mixing them up. Usually spend 30 to 90 minutes each day, most days playing the sacred instrument.
I'll warm up running through chord changes and various strum patterns.
Occasionally I pull in a new one and add to the list. Usually try those with your numeric value of 4 or 5, so I have a challenge of new chords, nuances, and so forth.

My question - How to keep it fresh? Am I doin' it right? Seems right for me but my progress seems slow. Should I add some additional exercises?

Pointers are appreciated.

Thanks
Dennis Ott

[wiley]

Welcome to TG Dennis. "Old" is a state of mind, so they say. And, if that's true there are times when I'm 13, others when I'm 190!

Theory - hmmmm......

One thing, the Theory I have done helped a lot when I got the chance to play down in Austin this past August. One of the guys was the former Bass player for Christopher Cross. Mostly Blues guys and, since I'm not, I found what theory I have learned to be of a HUGE benefit. I found I could 'fake it' along, knowing chord progressions and the basics of what three (basically) notes and patterns make up a run in the key of XX, etc. So, it's worth the time. One of the things Neil teaches isn't so much 'theory' but 'geography'. Well worth looking at.

Main thing is keep it interesting and fun. Enjoy, and welcome to TG!

[jayswett]

How to keep it fresh. An age old question for all students of the instrument. It sounds to me like you are doing the right things, and the frustration that you may be feeling is not a new concept to any of us. I used to feel that learning a new song took forever, but as my experience grew generally, I no longer feel that way, at least for songs in the 1-5 range. Playing 30-90 minutes a day will allow you to progress much faster than I did, and in my mind, the faster one progresses, the easier it is to keep it fresh.

[auntlynnie]

Hi Dennis and welcome to TG,
Your description of how you practice is just about what I would have suggested. I have a database program on my phone that lists all the songs I know and when I last practiced them - it helps me keep them memorized. Before that I used to forget about songs, then I'd forget how to play them.

If you can, try to find a way to play with others, too. Even if it just friends singing along. That puts just a little bit of pressure on your skills and, at least for me, helps me improve.

You might also work on a song and try to get it to the point where you want to share it on TG, either for Neil to review, or just to share - this is a safe, supportive community for showing what you are working on.

Think about attending guitar camp - I know that sounds like an ad, but honestly, knowing that I'm going keeps me practicing and learning new songs, and each year after camp I have tons of new stuff to try, motivation to keep going, and usually some improvement in my playing from all the practicing getting ready for camp.
Best of luck with your playing,
Lynn

[dottmcse85630]

Thank much for the input. I should clarify, I am interested in theory but really trying to focus on playing many of the songs I have wanted to for years.
I have learned a few things from Neil's vid's though!

So discipline and focus = success with the sacred instrument.

[wiley]

Sacred? Your doing better than I am, been many a time I wanted to see just how far down the driveway I could sling that box with strings on it, or see just how long it could float in the pool before sinking!!!

[dottmcse85630]

Shhhh, you gotta caress them and treat them right or they TURN on you. I hear ya though, I have wanted to toss mine a number of times. Someday I hopefully will tame the sacred instrument.