So I thought I knew some stuff - turns out I know nothing - Truefire

If you think of learning as one of the fun parts of the whole thing, then it's always a positive. There's always so much to learn.

but sure, I've been through that cycle many times; feel foolish, etc., but now I'm just grateful to try to keep on learning.

 

Those classes are fantastic. Worth every penny.

 

I'm with you on this!

I took a few lessons way back, and thought I knew a lot, but of course I really didn't. About 15 years ago I started studying theory and it just blew me away how little I actually knew, much less could put into practice.

But it's a journey. There's so much to music and guitar playing that you'll never, ever reach the end of it. But that's half the fun - there's always something new to absorb.

And of course hanging out here on TTT&T humbles me even more - there's some really smart folks on here and I always pick up something.

A quote attributed to Albert Einstein - "The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know."

It's not the destination, it's the ride! Some days you move fast, some days you move slow. The key is to always be moving!

Cheers,
Doug

 

great thread! I love 'sitting at the feet of the master' moment when we can be completely open to new things without shame and just dive in.... a guy can almost feel their mind soaking it in and then watching the new info go into action is really cool!

 

First, and most importantly, you are a whole lot better player than you think you are. Period.

Second, you've done a very good thing in learning the basic theory about chords and scales and how they are how they make up the music we play. When I did this, it led me to be transformed into a musician who played guitar, instead of a guitarist who played music.

Third, find a band. You don't have to play out, just jam in somebody's basement. Playing in a band will make you a much better guitarist and musician.

 

I just have to listen to Chet Atkins or Django Reinhardt to realize how much I don't know. And I'm pretty open about my lack of knowledge and skill. I guess the important thing is to keep working at it. One thing I have learned over the years (for myself only, ymmv) is to keep playing with others! Now that I don't gig and have other issues I tend to be pretty withdrawn and isolated. When that happens I'm not stretched by trying to learn what others know in order to keep up and I don't have the exposure to new things. It always is harder for me to drive myself forward.

 

I marvel at the knowledge passed around on this subforum, and pick up what I can.

Knowing how much I don’t know is familiar turf but I just look at it as motivation to learn more so I can further realize how much I don’t know

 

Spot on! The joy is in the journey--not in reaching the destination. My goal as a player is to pick up at least one tidbit of information every day that I can incorporate into my playing.

If you are not watching Rick Beato's YT vids on music theory, check them out. He's a music professor and record producer who distills theory down into edible chunks that are easy to understand and assimilate.

Your playing will improve as a result of knowing more about music.

 

Jeff Mcerlain’s courses are excellent.

Recently signed up for yearly membership with truefire and I think it may be the best money I’ve spent on anything guitar related...ever.

 

We live in an age where the access to information is incredible. Truefire is a great resource. Youtube has tons of great stuff too. I would definitely recommend that anyone who's interested check out Rick Beato, Aimee Nolte, and Adam Neely on YT. There are others too, but those 3 stick out in my mind.

 

When I started in neon glassblowing in 1989, the old guy I was learning from said something, probably to keep me and other students from getting discouraged, like, "It'll take you four or five years to know everything." WHAT A LAUGH! I got pretty darn good and achieved journeyman status in several years, but I NEVER stopped learning......and NEVER knew everything. Same on guitar. I've played for about 55 years, and I can still learn things about music and technique every day....if I work at it. And that's what keeps my interest up.
And, while I agree generally about playing with others as a good path to improvement, there is a "caveat", if you don't play with guys who are close to your skill level or better, you run the risk of declining in ability. I've played with a few guys who just sucked the life out of anything we tried, and it was very discouraging......but you just have to get out, tune up your guitar, and get back in the fray. Good luck!

 

I am constantly becoming aware of how little I know about music! LOL

My wife doesn't understand why I am always looking at instructional videos, or trying to figure out what someone is playing... But, then if she hasn't seen me on stage for a while, she'll comment on how much I've gotten better... At least when I am in the constant study pattern.

I've been in a playing deficit recently... Between moving, and resettling and finding new folks to play with, I've gotten a little unmotivated. Time to dig into a couple new course son Truefire myself, I think.