ZBalz's Three Month Update

[zbalz]

Ok I've been playing for close to three and a half months now. I've heard from several sources that the first six months are the hardest and the most troublesome...being the reason many quit during that time. However, I seem to be doing ok, and I dont think Im planning to quit soon http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/smile.gif.

Over the past two weeks I have expanded my practice routine and research significantly. I'm working on a decent amount of theory (major scales, reading sheet music, attempting to match frets to notes well); I'm also working a lot of finger excersizes to improve speed and stretch my fingers some more; and I'm entering a little more into fingerpicking (almost got tears in heaven down). On the side I am learning pieces of songs, asking billions of questions in here, and using the lessons as a good base for my learning.
Also, I'm learning how and why the electronics work in many guitar related accessories. (I am in a high school electronics class and I plan on becoming an Electrical Engineer, so thats why Im doing that).

Just wanted to give a quick update on about where I am at about right now.

Also, do you guys think it would be better for me to break up certain parts over different days (practice theory one day, finger excersizes another, songs another,etc.) or should I just do a little bit of everything everyday.

-zbalz

[StoneDragon]

Ok... that's where you're at now. Where do you plan to be 1 year from now?... 3 years?... 5 years?

[zbalz]

thats a difficult question to answer. Music is such a large field that it is hard to think about where I'll be in a few years. There are so many different things I can enter into, different types of music to play, or even different instruments to play. Im sure there are certain aspects of music that I havent even heard of http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/smile.gif One thing I am sure of, I know I'll be better at the guitar (heh). I also plan on taking up piano in a few years or just after I get a strong foundation on guitar.

[StoneDragon]

Just wanted to get you thinking ahead. The more clear you are about exectly where you want to go, the better you will understand what you need to do to get there http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/wink.gif

[squierboy/tremonti]

ive only been playin for about 4 monthes good luck im really havin a hard time gettin my hands movin . ya know

[StoneDragon]

It takes time. Just keep practicing and exploring every chance you get. Before you know it, the fingerboard will be a dear old friend.

[Retro]

Playing fast starts out slow. Work on playing the material with precision first. After you accomplish this, the speed will come. When you can play it slow, then you can work on speeding it up. But if you can't play it correctly slow, you won't be able to play it fast. Precise (and efficient) playing is the foundation of speed on the fretboard.

[zbalz]

On top of their notes, when you are practicing, you may sometiles run into times where you have you stretch your fingers to the point where it is impossible to reach. Be sure to keep reaching with the right fingers everyday instead of cheating and you will notice over a few weeks that you can reach that spot with ease.
Doesn't have to do with speed but I thought that was crucial when doing finger excercises myself.

-zbalz