[jardantuan]

Not sure if this is quite right, but this seems like the most appropriate forum for this

I'm a guitarist, I've been playing for about 9 years, although I've only been taking it seriously for the last 3-4 years. I'm alright at it - I'm not spectacular, but I can play fairly well, and I'm pretty good at picking up new songs quickly. But not too long ago, me and a bunch of old friends got back together and played guitar for a while, and some of them were so much better than me.

Now, I've always wanted to be really good at guitar. There are so many songs I like that I find myself unable to play because I'm simply not good enough. Earlier today, I noticed this video, and it's depressing to see how good other people are. I know that for some, seeing people better than them can spur them on, but I'm not sure if I have it in me to get this good.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, if I was to practice for hours every day, could I technically get this good? Or is a large part of it down to natural ability? Will I not get much better than I am at the moment, no matter how hard I practice?


EDIT: Just noticed there's actually a sub-forum more suited for this Any way I can get this moved?

[Manitude]

Yes, IF you have direction in what you do. If you don't stretch yourself you won't improve. Constantly learning easy songs that you like may be fun, but you'll not get good like that.

Challenge yourself!

[Vixen47]

Depends on what/how you practice and how determined you are. If you have the will to further yourself then you can become really great.

I've been playing guitar for over five years but I was never determined to further myself until recently. For the five years I always stuck to songs that were in my comfort zone, until my brother in-law told me about this. It inspired me to further my skill so I started learning it and found that it isn't completely out of my comfort zone, but it does prove to be a pretty good challenge. (I started learning it months ago but because of college I had to stop. Will be starting again after exams. )

So, to answer your question, yes, practice alone can make you good but only if you're practicing songs that will improve your skill and not inhibit it. Don't stick to songs that are in your comfort zone, move on when you think you're ready.

[+ polarity -]

(Original post by Manitude)
Yes, IF you have direction in what you do. If you don't stretch yourself you won't improve. Constantly learning easy songs that you like may be fun, but you'll not get good like that.

Challenge yourself!

This.

[Drunk Punx]

Something tells me these guys have practised a little bit.

[seanfromtheblock]

Anyone can get 'good' at an instrument, with enough practice, to the point of becoming technically excellent.
I'd argue that it takes a special quality to become 'great' though, especially in terms of expression and musicality.

[hcam]

Make sure you have fun and push the limits of what you can do. Transcribe as much as possible, listen to really cool music and aspire to be the like the best guitarist you know. You don't need to practise for hours, honestly, half an hour each day is fine.

[jardantuan]

What would be the best way to learn then? I enjoy just picking up a guitar and riffing, and to be honest that's what I spend a lot of my time doing. I do practice scales from time to time as well. Is it best to do mundane things like scales, and other drill-based practices, or would learning songs be a better way to go? I know something like that is probably down to the player themselves, but I tend to find if I can't play a song I play other things and come back to it when I think I can.

[hcam]

I just try to play along to the songs I listen to. Some arpeggio and scale exercises are useful for warming up, but not necessary. It's good to have a few songs in your repertoire. Start with songs that are challenging but manageable. In other words, play the hardest songs possible. Not impossible, obviously!

I started with Under the bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers. It's a good intermediate song, but you've probably learnt it already, right? So maybe pick a song by an artist you like.

[CJM13]

Would the best way to improve not be to simply seek out a teacher, someone who knows what they're doing? While learning from YouTube is undoubtedly more fun, and probably slightly easier, you may to learn to read music properly and will develop bad habits, bad posture, etc. Just a thought.

[hcam]

Yes, a teacher definitely helps. They keep you on track and eliminate bad habits. They may also introduce you to new styles that you haven't heard of. I played guitar by myself for the first year and then had a teacher in the second. He was very enthusiastic and pushed me to do all kinds of things that I thought I couldn't do. So if you haven't got a teacher, then maybe, get one!

[jardantuan]

I know people who could teach me actually, I'll have to look into that.

One of my biggest concerns is my hands - I have pretty small hands, and struggle to make big stretches (I could barely make 2nd-6th fret). Obviously there's no way I can make my hands bigger, but will stretching become easier with practice too?