You still haven’t built up the strength in your fingers, it’s only normal that chords don’t sound perfect. You’ll find the right pressing intensity with time (accidental “Liverpool season” plug…). Like the others said, the only way to build it and improve is to practice - and practicing is repeating the same things over and over, especially in this case. I’ve had issues with the barring finger for so long that I’m embarrassed to even say it, so don’t worry. It’s not like we’re going to be headlining at Wembley, we’re playing for “our soul”, as my countrymen would say it.
This is my worry. I just feel like nothing comes easy. Not one thing.
I dont learn something and go…wow, that was easy.
It’s hours and hours and hours - is it meant to be this draining?
I’m trying to stay positive and upbeat but when you see no progression after a period of time it’s soul destroying.
Well that’s my lot for today. Stella will make it better.
This is why I tend to just leave it alone from time to time, just for a few days, and when I get back, I find playing easier than before. That said, I don’t think I found anything easy when it comes to guitar, to be honest, but I like it and that’s why I bother with it. Don’t think about the effort you put in, think about you getting to learn some song you love.
When this happen its time to go back to something a little easier and play something you enjoy. Then come back to it the next day. There’s no over night wins with the actual playing side, it’s all hard work.
The beauty is that you’ll crack it and not even realise. Then there will be something else, and then something else etc etc. But as you get better the world of opportunity and understanding opens up and more and more is available to you as your skills improve.
I tried playing along to some Evenescence last night. Bloody hell there’s some quick chord changes in some of those songs. I’ll have to think of some short cuts I think but my point is even after years on and off you can still get caught out by stuff. Then you knuckle down again.
Seem to be getting a bit better.
In theory you only really need to make sure bottom 2 are fretted as other fingers fret the 3, 4 and 5th strings.
Ironically its the bottom 2 strings that are patchy. Fine one minute and duff the next. But I’m sure I’ll get there. Its definitely the barring finger that’s the issue. Those strings will be barred!!!
I was watching a guy called Steve Stine and he said it took him 2 months to get them right and he nearly quit when younger. So it’s gonna take some time. It’s just frustrating there’s always something harder round the corner. It’d be nice to come across something new to learn and go wow found that easy for once and not great another month of frustration!
Took the wife for a scan yesterday so had to sit in car and took an old classic Rock mag that had an Eddie van Halen tribute pull out.
There was an interview from 1978 and someone asked him did you learn on electric or acoustic and he said I’ve never owned an acoustic…and I Still don’t!
Made me chuckle.
I’m still not 100% on this Charvel. I’m gonna give it a few weeks and see how it goes. Its really heavy and everything my esp isn’t in terms of comfortable.
Surprised you’re not finding the Charvel comfortable. I’d have expected the body to be great. The neck will be different for sure, built for speed more than comfort and chords. Trying to remember does it have a compound radius?
I know that feeling. You will either bond with it eventually or else move it on most likely.
When you improve and become a better player I’d bet almost any Guitar will be more playable. Obviously you will like certain brands better or prefer the feel of certain necks, fretboard radius’s and finishes. My PRS, Tele and Fallout all have very different necks and boards but I can happily play any of them.
I’d be willing to bet you you would be into a PRS if you could get one in your hands mate.
I would also say unless you play standing up a lot then the weight of the Guitar is not AS important. If you intend to get into playing with others, maybe in a cover band or whatever then make sure you practice playing standing up.
Yeah its a nice Guitar. The neck feels so different from my Tele, its wider and glossy which took a bit of getting used to but its a lovely instrument to play.
PRS are sweet guitars I think, apart from the John Mayer signature model
There’s a whole host of top notch brands out there now. Only last night I see Cort have a super high spec guitar at a price that stupid cheap for the spec. Cort actually make guitars for a whole host of other brands.
The Cort factory makes Guitars for nearly everybody. Their own brand instruments are often better versions of ones they produce for other “brands”, usually with better hardware and usually much cheaper.
If you want to learn about setting instruments up, simple maintenance and adjustment then check out Dave. All delivered with a glorious curmudgeonly Canadian attitude which makes it even more enjoyable.
