How do I become a great electric guitar player?

Question

Can someone with a lot of guitar playing experience please tell me the most necessary things (from what tools to use, lessons, music to practice with, etc.) that I need to become a great guitar player...both lead a rhythm? Any and all tips/suggestions/experiences/links will be greatly appreciated! Also, how long did it take you to get really good?

Answer 1

Rhythm is most important, first and foremost. Without it, you have no song, nothing. I constantly hear people in guitar stores shredding like crazy acting cocky about their skills. Some are just that good, but a lot of them would totally have a trainwreck if you slapped a metronome on them. Practice with a metronome, its the best investment for under 30 bucks you will make when you are learning. If you can't play in time with a beat, you will always have problems.

Practice with cds of your favorite bands. Listen very closely to their style and try to learn it. I am a big fan of one on one lessons. Be humble and trust your teacher. If you can't trust or respect them, then you need to find one that you can.

Study different kinds of music, even the ones you may not like that much. All of them are useful in some way and you can borrow from all styles. As you learn, you will develop a more open mind and appreciation to different styles. Ultimately, you will be more well-rounded as well.

Be patient, learning guitar is a long process. I mean not just learning some songs, I mean REALLY learning it. You should be able to know every note on every fret, every chord, every way to play every chord. Scales, triads, bar chords, power chords, arpeggios, and tons of other things. If you do, you will never be lost and if you make a mistake, it will provide damage control. You won't have a trainwreck.

Study the subtle things as well. How to do vibrato, properly bend the strings, different kinds of harmonics, muting, etc.

Play with other people. It will only make you better. Ask them about how they do things. Eventually, you will develop your own style that you can express your feelings and soul.

Good luck to you!

Answer 2

Everybody here has made a very valid point. First, make an effort to learn some music theory, so that you understand simple concepts such as the Circle of Fifths and stuff. This will help you understand modes and their relationships to each other. I can't emphasize enough, to learn your scales and modes and keys and how they relate to each other. Once this is understood, then it becomes a matter of practice, practice and then when you're done, practice some more. I have been playing for about 20 years and if you have the chance, because I still do, watch other guitar players and be observant. We all rip things off from others but to become great you have bend and twist it to your style and liking so it's different. Go to George Lynch's website and join his guitar dojo. He plays everything and anything, not just metal. He teaches the proper way to do some things with a Furious George twist. Ididn't really start to become technically proficient until I had played about 5-7 years. I could play fast, but in the blur of notes, it had no heart and soul. I watched a player named Steve Morse, and for how good I thought I was, I couldn't play and do what he was doing. Learn from any any every source you can, and don't get discoureged, not everyone will like your playing, but some people will. Most important play for yourself and if other people like it-great, if not to bad......but always look to improve. Even Randy Rhoads was looking down the road after Ozzy to pursue a Master's Degree in music from UCLA.

Answer 3

I've been playing for about 7 years. I'm not that great at it, but I'm finally able to do some improv accompanying. If you learn the power chords you can accompany just about any song, although it'll be a simple accompaniement.

Your taste in music will also be a factor. I mean, you can download a bunch of tabs, but unless you know the song, the tabs are hard to play correctly. I'm a pop fan so this has been a problem, so I found and practiced some simple but great-sounding songs, a lot of which are drop-D tuning. Find some easy but fun songs to learn. When you have about 10 in your arsenal, you can perform for people, even if you are playing by ear and memory. It'll still dazzle!

Answer 4

No--not at all! In fact, there was at least one guitarist mentioned in Guitar Player Magazine (I forget his name, but I think he was a jazz guitarist) and he started playing at about 18 and made his first recording just a few years later I believe (if I can find his name, I'll add it a little later today). It also doesn't matter if you're self-taught or if you take formal lessons. Perhaps the best example of a great self-taught guitarist is session guitarist Brent Mason, who is said to be the most recorded guitarist of all time. Check him out, if you get the chance! Also, chech out these fine guitarists for inspiration: Brad Paisley, Jerry Reed, Chet Atkins, Roy Clark, Danny Gatton, Johnny Hiland, Melvin Taylor, Buddy Guy, Joe Pass, Vito Bratta, Paul Gilbert, Mike Stern, Django Reinhardt, Cody Kilby and Brad Davis.

Answer 5

I am a music major in college and to be great it will take some time. I would recomend first off stay away from most internet sites they get stuff wrong alot. I would recomend taking some music classes most community colleges and adult school have great beginer classes. They will teach you basics of music reading and techniqes then you can refine them your self with practices or get more privet lessons

Answer 6

I've been playing for a while and I've found that most tutorial books don't help. At first a private teacher helped me out. But the key is definately practice. Although... practice makes perfect and nobody's perfect so why practice?

Answer 7

Study music theory, train your ears by attempting to work out your favourite songs by yourself(without tab), and gain a thorough knowledge of the fretboard by practicing scales and studying the CAGED system.

Finally, always use a metronome when practicing.

Answer 8

practice is the key. ive played for awhile now. thats what i found out. practice. practice. practice.

Answer 9

praaaaactice