Guitar playing?

Question

I've been playing about 4-5 months now. My style is metal and hard rock. I play hours on end every single day. (up to 8-9 hours daily). Some of my friends think I'm insane for playing this long. I have really dedicated my heart and soul to becoming a better guitar player, but to be honest, I don't feel like I'm improving!

Is there anything that can help? DO NOT say practice, because believe me, that's ALL I'VE DONE this summer. I barely ever go outside! I confine myself to my room for weeks on end, my mom is even worried about me!

Is there anything I can do?

Answer 1

Yeah,,,QUIT.

Seriously,,,lay off for a few days or even a week.

Everybody hits a wall so to speak which ya cant seem to get past.
Everything sounds the same,feels the same,,,and it seems like ya cannot progress forward.


By taking a break,,,you sorta erase the mental inertia,,,the loop ya get stuck in.

Then when you resume,,,it's like starting all over again but from a Higher Level.

The Feel and sound,,,finger memory of Chords & notes,etc will still be there.

But the familiar Progressions and sequences will have faded from your memory.

So One note doesnt automatically suggest what the NEXT note is "supposed" to be according to what you've sorta "hypnotized" yourself to do from extended practicing without a break.


It's a lot like when a goofy song gets stuck in your head,,ya catch yourself humming it,whistling it,,,ya may not even LIKE it,,,but it wont go away.
Sing or say or play it BACKWARDS in your head will Totally erase it,,and instantly.

Laying Off of practice has a similar Effect.
You dont forget what you've learned,,,but it Does break-up the "organization & order" that gets sorta stuck in your head.

Try it,,even a couple days,,,and you'll see how easily you come back,,,and move right past where Ya were & on to next level.

You'll find yourself hitting the wall MANY times as you progress and learn.
You simply CANNOT force yourself past that.
But a short "vacation" of even a couple days will fix it.

Somehow it makes it all seem new and fresh again,,,,
but with the Bonus of everything that ya Been working on then seems Familiar and comfortable.

Some people listen to Different Music---that can be TOUGH if ya dont like Country or Soft Jazz or whatever.

But as You learn more about Playing you'll find yourself thinking,,"Gawwd I hate such & such Music/song,,,,but that Guitar Player is SMOKIN' IT!! on that song,,,what the heck is he DOING???!!"


Take a Break,,,do something else for a while,,,no kiddin'.
You'll be surprised when ya start back up again.

Good Luck,,,,Stick with it!!
And,,"quit" once in a while,too :)

Answer 2

Pal, I am going to have to say it.. PRACTICE but practice intelligently. Most of us have been there. I remember trying the lead piece for Stairway when i started , shoot I battled for ages. I got really frustrated until someone pointed out that I was not ready to attempt it. Me not ready.. I had spent weeks on it.? I was told to let it go, take something that I could master and do it well then progress to something more difficult and so on.

You must read up on "finger robotics" especially for your leads... use your metronome. You have to crawl before you can run.

Are you managing your plectrum correctly, is the action of your guitar correct, how do you hold your guitar, is your wrist at the right angle for fretting barre chords, is your thumb correctly placed on the neck, are you using the correct fingers for the chords, are you using all four finges when you do runs, etc. Don't laugh... these are very important technical issues that are recommended by highly skilled musos with years of experience.

You sound like a serious player.. Do yourself a big favour, get a good teacher. All you need to get you on the road is a few good lessons and if that works for you .. carry on with them, that is if you can afford it. You can do it if you really want to. A teacher will be able to show you your mistakes. If you were in my neck of the woods I'd offer free lessons just to have a jamming partner.

Answer 3

You say your practicing 8 hours. Practicing what??? Scales ? Chords? power chords?? Learn the scales and memorize the fretboard. You will see improvement quickly

Answer 4

Try to find other musicians at similar playing levels and form a band.

By the way, are you learning songs or just playing scales?

Answer 5

Don't lay off practice. just practice with purpose. Dedicate a specific amount of time to learning intervals of scales,degrees, techniques and then creativity/ bs-ing.

Answer 6

honestly all you have to do is practice. just start learning different styles because maybe metal is your favorite type of music, but it may not be your musical style.

Answer 7

Make friends with other Guitarists and take lessons.

Answer 8

try broadening your style. Try some classical, or bluegrass or something

Answer 9

Be sexy