What do you guys do when you are feeling lost?

[murraymunchkin]

Hi Guys,

I am in need of inspiration. I have been doing a little of the Metal Method course - only completed stage 1 - and decided to look around for some other information to help me learn. Now I find I am lost in a sea of of guitar learning, whether it be chromatic scales, pentatonic scales etc.

Plus I don't think I am improving, and whenever I try to learn a song, I find I get bored of it about half way through.

So please I need your help, I need something to get the juices flowing.

thanks

[slash]

I would work on stage 2 and try to learn a song or 2. Don't overwhelm yourself with too much at once.

[Rommel]

As Slash recommended continue on with your MM lessons. In addition to that, record yourself playing "what you know". Doesn't have to be a long recording. Just long enough for you to get an idea of "what you can really do", and "how well your really know, what you know".

It's true there's lots of stuff out there to learn, but what's important is...."What do YOU need to work on, and learn right at this moment?" The only way you can honestly say is to assess your playing as is, right now.

There are many ways to fix things, first you must isolate what needs fixing.

Rememeber, playing songs is one of the main goals of most musicians. Jot down a short list of the songs that you really want to play. Let those be your "goals".

Give yourself a deadline in which to be able to fully play that short list of songs, and work towards meeting that deadline. The songs will show you your weaknessess. It's up to you to meet those challenges.

[marnold]

Hey! You sound just like me!

I found two things help:
1) Stick with one thing. I'd suggest plowing ahead with Metal Method. I've got a bunch of supplementary material, which is cool, but it does tend to distract more than anything else.
2) Find a song that you REALLY like and learn to play it. Obviously it can't be anything with a very complicated solo at this point. Just work on the main riff if the solo is too much. That way you'll still have a feeling of accomplishing something but you won't get bored learning something that you couldn't care less about.

Given your login name, I'd suggest trying to learn the beginning of "Fear of the Dark."

[murraymunchkin]

thanks alot guys. I needed to read that. And Marnold thanks for the song suggestion.

Right now I am jotting down two or three songs that I will set as my goals for maybe a september deadline.

Again thanks alot guys.

[Steve Dunlap]

You might also want to learn the intro to Maiden's "Where Eagles Dare". It was one of the first riffs I learned on my own. Take it slowly and have fun with it!

Steve

[dougmarksstudent_]

Focus on only one or two things at once. Finish what you start. Break it down into small bites. Remember that it's a marathon, not a sprint. Be consistent.

[28if]

OK, I agree with all of the folks here. Continue with MM. That has to be a priority.

I am gonna give you some screwed up wisdom, but it works for me.

But, I have an odd problem with learning songs. I have found that when I try to learn the stuff I 'Love', it always kind of puts the damper on my practicing - Why you ask? Because it never sounds like the original. Depression sets in.. I'm not worthy of my equipment, stuff like that.

What I find inspires me to keep practicing is to find an 'OK' song or lick to work on, something that you may have heard a couple of times and it just barely sparks an interest.

I have pretty much given up trying to learn my favorite passages - but you see learning my favs are my long term goal! Short term goal, learn, show my self that I can improve daily, amuse myself and learn more!

[murraymunchkin]

Focus on only one or two things at once. Finish what you start. Break it down into small bites. Remember that it's a marathon, not a sprint. Be consistent.

Yeah I know what you mean, I am gonna do that from now on. In fact I have just started to do it, all I am focusing on is learning "fear of the dark" by Iron Maiden. As soon as I get that down, minus the solo for now, I am gonna move on to the next stage of Metal Method. Thanks for your help.

[hardattack]

Relax have a beer and get one more thing down tommorow. There is plenty of time. If you only learn one small thing new a day you will be doing better than most. I wont put down my guitar untill I have at least learned somethig new even if it is very small.

[EveSlash]

I just take out my compass

[Doug Marks]

As you've found, there's an overwhelming amount of information about guitar on the Internet. Initially, it's important to stick with one system or method before trying to absorb everything that's out there. Of course I'm here to promote my method but there are obviously other excellent methods available. It's too confusing for a beginner or intermediate to move from method to method. Stick to one before exploring new territory.

[1ArmyGuitar]

WOW this helped me too! I have found myself in the same boat! I picked up my guitar for the 1st time in like a month yesterday. But I find myself jumping all over the place trying different things. But I will focus only on one thing at a time. So I am going to get to the grind and work only on MM until I finish it! Then once I get that down, work on the Scales course I bought. I am glad I read this. It is exactly what I needed!! Thank You!

[macgyver]

Yep stick with MM.thats why i did today.I'm not familiar with the cpourse,but you need(speaking for myself)is a set schedule or learning disapline.I have many tools and techniques,but find it hard to aply them.Although ive no song list,i usually do some finger exercises for timing and sincopation.Then make up some progressions.but stick with the course,and all will be reveiled.Like when i fugure out different postion of penta.major scale.darn theory.But shape was the same,bstring 9th fret,just kinda completed a circle kinda.(wish i had venacular to explain it rite.

[RockinMike]

Before buying MM course, just like you I was looking for information everywhere. I even collected the RIGHT information, but I had no idea how all the stuff can be put together so that it might be usefull.

With Doug's course you have everything you need, well thought and with every exercise you feel that there is a concept and a red line behind it you can stick to.

Just like me, put all the other stuff aside while working hard on finishing the course. I believe, we (you and me and all other fellows here) then don't need to "hide" anymore. Just keep being concentrated on every exercise. Of course, learn some songs you like too.

To sum this up: concentration on one thing (MM course) and repetition is the key

Keep rockin'!
Michael