I have had a guitar for about 3 yrs. and I haven't picked it up til about a year ago. I haven't had much progress though...I've learned the chords, how to read music, tabs, scales, etc. It's the playing fast I can't get good at. My fingers just do not want to move where I want them to when I want them to. Any suggestions?
p.s. If there are any websites that can help with this...please let me know. Thanks
2007-01-25 10:04:41 · 6 answers · asked by Alicia 2 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
I play and teach on the side, so here goes....
1-If the guitar's been sitting in its bag for a while, call the local music stores-see who does work in-house(so you don't have to wait 2 weeks while it's sent out)- ask for a 'set-up'- they'll usually put new strings on, adjust the action, etc. It'll probably cost about $50.00.
2- It sounds like you're at least familiar with the basics- find someone at about your current skill level, share the music for a song or two, get familiar with the material, and meet for a jam session. Record yourselves, and see where you can improve. Do this on a regular basis, you'll both get better real fast. Music is a social thing- if you're trying to do it alone, you probably won't go very far.
Two good websites:
www.guitarprinciples.com
www.playguitarmagazine.com
Good Luck, and don't get discouraged- I've been playing for 30+ years and I still find areas that I can improve on
2007-01-26 02:15:13 · answer #1 · answered by seamac56 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey I have the same problem the best way to be able to play faster is to start out slow. Play scales traversing the neck and gradually pick up the tempo. Or if u want find a song u like that is fast and first play parts of it slow unitl u get bored and then pick up the pace until ur playing it at the speed of the actual recording it takes some time but u can get it if u just pratice. Good Luck
2007-01-25 10:15:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, no, nothing can help you but practice: learn the part slowly and make sure you can play it in a steady tempo (use a metronome) completely cleanly; then speed it up a bit. Practice until it's perfectly clean, speed up again. Tedious, I know, but that's how Steve Vai became Steve Vai, too. Do the same with scales, too - play them straight-up 1 - 8, then 1-2-3-2-3-4-3-4-5-4-5-6-5-6-7-6-7-8, experiment with different licks & phrases.... and always the same: learn it slowly, speed up until it's perfectly cleans and smokin' fast.
2007-01-25 10:20:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.guitartips.com.au/
It takes lot of practice. I picked up a guitar when I was 5 years old. Taught myself, but as I grew older I got further away from it. Up until about 4 years ago, I picked the guitar up again & had to teach myself how to play again.
Lessons are also very good. I just finished my classes a couple of weeks ago. Look in your neighborhood for music stores, most will have workers that offer lessons to you at a decent price!
Good Luck!!
2007-01-25 10:14:51 · answer #4 · answered by Mindy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, check the action on your guitar. You'll probably want to lower it. Second, lighten your touch on the strings. The use of strength in your playing costs you dexterity. Practice finger exercises to improve quick work on the fretboard. Practice, practice, practice!
2007-01-25 10:15:07 · answer #5 · answered by rtanys 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's no trick to it. Just lots of practice. THe secret is to get to the point where you can play without having to think about every position you are trying to get to. And that's just practice.
2007-01-25 12:16:43 · answer #6 · answered by D28Guy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋