Acoustic Guitar Magazine

[randyh1953]

I've been a subscriber to Acoustic Guitar once for half dozen years and recently one year.  I've kept the issues for reference material just in case I should happen to understand anything in it, which is why I keep cancelling my subscription.  I truly enjoy the articles of new guitars coming out although I can't afford hardly any of them and can hardly play the 3-4 guitars that I already have. Right now the magazine is just guitar-porn to me. I've gotten thru #1-5 but haven't done any work in a good long while. But the idea of playing guitar just keeps nagging at me. My question is when will I start understanding the content of AG enough to consider taking it regularly again? I'm hoping the magazine would encourage me to go forward in my journey but hasn't yet.

[NeilES335]

15 minutes ago, randyh1953 said:

I've been a subscriber to Acoustic Guitar once for half dozen years and recently one year.  I've kept the issues for reference material just in case I should happen to understand anything in it, which is why I keep cancelling my subscription.  I truly enjoy the articles of new guitars coming out although I can't afford hardly any of them and can hardly play the 3-4 guitars that I already have. Right now the magazine is just guitar-porn to me. I've gotten thru #1-5 but haven't done any work in a good long while. But the idea of playing guitar just keeps nagging at me. My question is when will I start understanding the content of AG enough to consider taking it regularly again? I'm hoping the magazine would encourage me to go forward in my journey but hasn't yet.

Hi Randy @randyh1953

I cant really comment on the magazine, (although other members here do subscribe I believe, and Steve has given away copies).  I can imagine if the articles are for intermediate/advanced players, it might not be the best for you, right now anyway.

You don't mention where you are in your guitar learning journey. Are you using the Learn and Master Guitar program that Steve Krenz wrote ? If so, what level of lesson are you at?  If not, how are you learning?

[randyh1953]

I've done the first 4 sessions and got some open chords down but haven't done any work to speak of in 8 months or so.  No good excuse, just not motivated.  I play drums in church praise band for 15 years and would love to branch out to guitar and singing in service.  I start LMG in 2007-8, if I had applied myself then, I'd be something by now.

[Plantsman13]

@randyh1953  That's a tough call indeed.  I find many "learning" articles in AG are pushing my comfort envelope.  However, I enjoy the guitar repair column currently running, and find new artists to explore on a regular basis.  The Rhythm articles in the past two issues are available online to actually hear someone speak about the subject matter versus just the written word.  I like to believe everyone gets something from reading outside source material.  That said, if AG (or any other resource) annoys you, step back and evaluate if it's right for you at the current time in your learning path.  

Best of luck with your guitar journey,

Bryan

[randyh1953]

Thanks Bryan.  I am my worst enemy of my journey, I hate to suck at guitar.  I've played drum set for 50-some years and hate to be lowly at another instrument.  After saying that, I realize how crazy that sounds, makes no sense at all.

[NeilES335]

44 minutes ago, randyh1953 said:

I've done the first 4 sessions and got some open chords down but haven't done any work to speak of in 8 months or so.  No good excuse, just not motivated.  I play drums in church praise band for 15 years and would love to branch out to guitar and singing in service.  I start LMG in 2007-8, if I had applied myself then, I'd be something by now.

"No good excuse, just not motivated"

So... you want to play in your church praise band. That's a very worthy goal.  My buddy @Eracer_Team-DougH has been playing guitar in church for years.  He's also a VERY dedicated student of guitar, and practices virtually every day (even in his car at lunch hours and at the mall while his wife is shopping) since he started maybe 10+(?) years ago.  

You already have the advantage of  band experience, know rhythm and playing with others (that many of us don't have.}  Learning guitar is like anything else worthwhile; it takes commitment, dedication and desire. Beyond that it requires Practice, Patience, and Persistence.  But the rewards are great!  It's something you can do solely for yourself, and which others will enjoy also.

So, what's it going to be? You CAN do it IF you want to.  Hope to see you around. All the best; N

[DianeB]

Hi, Randy @randyh1953

I’ve subscribed to AG for several years now, and I agree with Neil and Bryan. If you’re around Learn & Master sessions 4/5, yes, much of the tutorial material in AG will appear intimidating or opaque. That’s true for me, and I’m not much farther along than you in my learning. But I look forward to every issue. I learn about artists, their music and recordings, history, gear, and other topics that I would not otherwise hear about.

It’s not an exam booklet. But the magazine is not the real issue here. Whether you find it encouraging or discouraging in your journey is a reflection of how you see yourself. There is no shame in being a beginner. There was a time when you could not walk on your own two feet. You had to crawl, stumble, fall, get up, and try again. And sometimes it hurt. Learning guitar is not different.

Not motivated? Sorry, I can’t help you there. Nor can anyone else, I dare say. You can do it or you can't do it; either way, you're right. You have to want it. Along the way, the universe will ask you many times, how much? My best wishes!

 

[NeilES335]

33 minutes ago, DianeB said:

Hi, Randy @randyh1953

I’ve subscribed to AG for several years now, and I agree with Neil and Bryan. If you’re around Learn & Master sessions 4/5, yes, much of the tutorial material in AG will appear intimidating or opaque. That’s true for me, and I’m not much farther along than you in my learning. But I look forward to every issue. I learn about artists, their music and recordings, history, gear, and other topics that I would not otherwise hear about.

It’s not an exam booklet. But the magazine is not the real issue here. Whether you find it encouraging or discouraging in your journey is a reflection of how you see yourself. There is no shame in being a beginner. There was a time when you could not walk on your own two feet. You had to crawl, stumble, fall, get up, and try again. And sometimes it hurt. Learning guitar is not different.

Not motivated? Sorry, I can’t help you there. Nor can anyone else, I dare say. You can do it or you can't do it; either way, you're right. You have to want it. Along the way, the universe will ask you many times, how much? My best wishes!

 

@DianeBis being quite modest in saying "I’m not much farther along than you in my learning." (her theory knowledge challenges my "little gray cells") She does bring up a good point that reading material beyond your current capability does one of two things. It either discourages you or challenges you to learn more. You decide. 

[Eracer_Team-DougH]

22 hours ago, NeilES335 said:

"No good excuse, just not motivated"

So... you want to play in your church praise band. That's a very worthy goal.  My buddy @Eracer_Team-DougH has been playing guitar in church for years.  He's also a VERY dedicated student of guitar, and practices virtually every day (even in his car at lunch hours and at the mall while his wife is shopping) since he started maybe 10+(?) years ago.  

You already have the advantage of  band experience, know rhythm and playing with others (that many of us don't have.}  Learning guitar is like anything else worthwhile; it takes commitment, dedication and desire. Beyond that it requires Practice, Patience, and Persistence.  But the rewards are great!  It's something you can do solely for yourself, and which others will enjoy also.

So, what's it going to be? You CAN do it IF you want to.  Hope to see you around. All the best; N

For what I've learnt is:

When someone in the USA says "praise/worship band" they mean basically full on "pro-level" rock band

I play in a choir (loosely using 'choir,' as we don't corral sing, but just sing as best we can)... and 98% play chord rhythm. 

If one can play melody fine but not required. 

I am not the apitamony of playing skills but perseverance probably. 

I play in the van when wife is shopping or in the car at lunch at work, or check my gallery pictures of my too hot for car under tree practice. 

A bit lazy at playing at night as the dog and wife seem to want my attention at the moment (when I don't practice at night I'm none too happy with myself)

I can tell you that with "all" this practice,  I'm still not a very good guitarist.

Although playing in front of 1500 people in church for 200 choirs now (wow completed 200 choir'sin 4yrs), I could not rip Sister Golden Hair or American Pie songs out at a coffee shop.

There are many (like Diane,  Neil, Gotto, SixString) that can play circles around me.

There are times I ask "why? Why do I bother, when so many LMGr players,  can produce such great music and mine sucks???"

(Then there was 20yrs of 24hr work, 9 major theater productions, 4yrs of choir playing, and amp construction all at the same time)

I just recorded using my looper Day Tripper ; besides the numerous mistakes and missing bar, I'm actually too embarrassed to post here as I can hear where the playing is not good.

Somewhere in my mind says,,,, some day I'll sound good    ,   each days practice,  playing sucks,   next day playing sucks, next day p....

You as a drummer know beat. 

Par-a-did-al, par-a-did-al...

Guitar terms... 1&2&3&4&

As for guitar mags...

Well I find unless you can play plenty great,  going to be hard to play that stuff.

Hope you find some inspiration in this somewhere. 

I'm back under my tree with 20min to play now

 

Edited August 14, 2018 by Eracer_Team-DougH

[randyh1953]

I appreciate each and everyone's comments and realize that no one can will me to get enthused to do the work it takes to learn guitar or any instrument for that matter.  It's really up to me whether I want this bad enough to put in the work.  I need to embrace the journey and  enjoy each small victory and successful stumbling block I jump over.  I've got good study material, good instruments to play, a place to practice, did I mention I'm retired and have quite a bit of time on my hands and a wife that's very encouraging about my practicing.  I got no excuses, just need to decide if I want this enough to do it, it's up to me.  Thanks people!

 

[John Wells]

It’s not unusual to develop “guitar fatigue.” The first rush of excitement wears off and we lose our initial enthusiasm. We’ve learned the basics, can read music, and play songs well enough for them to be recognizable. It’s not that learning is complete, it’s just that we’ve begun learning in smaller amounts. In other words, we’ve scaled the first several plateaus and seem at a standstill. It’s decision time for us. Shall we continue on and become experts or just grab our box now and again and play for fun? Each of us must decide for ourselves. That’s the way it is. Lotsa luck.

[Six String]

On 8/14/2018 at 1:37 PM, Eracer_Team-DougH said:

 

There are many (like Diane,  Neil, Gotto, SixString) that can play circles around me.

 

 

I appreciate the kudos, but don't think that's true in my case.  There are many players on this forum that are way better guitarists than me. 

Like you, I rely on brute force to cram in practice as much as life will allow.  Being in the band just keeps me focused and forces me out of any sort of comfort zone. I also believe it helps desensitize me to the fear of flying without a net and that sometimes leads to getting into a zone where you play above yourself.  That said, I'm often way over my head and not in the zone, and if you isolated my guitar track you'd see it ain't all that.  I know and accept this, but I'm too old to wait until I'm "really good" to play with others, so I'll just try to be good enough, for long enough, that "really good" happens one day when I'm not looking.

As to learning from a magazine, I've found I cannot focus on those articles long enough to get much out of them. I have learned from a few exercises I picked up from magazines over the years but they have never been a key source of learning for me. You can find a Youtube tutorial for just about any song you can name, and if the song was popular you will usually find several very good teachers have done lessons on it.  Taking bits a pieces from Youtube lessons and my bandmates is how I've learned nearly every song I play.  I never strive to play exactly like a recording, but to try to get the tone and rhythm and then play it my way (which I hope is recognizable).  I think focusing on learning a few songs you really like from Youtube would be far more motivating than trying to learn from a magazine.

Edited to add - I should add that you should stick with LMG at least through session 8-9, then work through Mel Bay's Barre Chord book before setting off on the Youtube path.  That will give you enough music theory to have an inkling of what's going on and give you time to develop the physical ability to play the chords you'll need for the other stuff.  Playing a riff as an exercise cleanly is one thing, playing it for 3+ minutes staying in the groove the whole time takes a while to build up to.

YMMV.

Good Luck.

 

Edited August 16, 2018 by Six String

[John Wells]

Good post, Six String. Lotsa luck.

[Oldjock]

Six string, I agree 100%. We must be sailing the same boat.

Henk

[Plantsman13]

@Six String   I hesitate to give a blanket endorsement of YouTube; otherwise, your post hits the mark!

Well thought out,

Bryan

[Six String]

5 minutes ago, Plantsman13 said:

@Six String   I hesitate to give a blanket endorsement of YouTube; otherwise, your post hits the mark!

Well thought out,

Bryan

Your skepticism is not entirely misplaced as there are some pretty bad Youtube "tutorials" out there, but I can think of at least 4 or 5 guys that do very very good lessons and sometimes you can pick up bits from even the bad ones when that's the best you can find.  

Certainly not a fool proof source, but Carl Brown, Guitar Sage, Marty Jamz, Justin Guitar and many others can teach you a lot.