I got no tone man....:0(

[Kristoffer]

OK...Cool..this thing works.

Anyway, I do have tone but I do have some trouble every now and then with very difficult material. I have been playing for 20 years and have just turned 30. I figured that's it's about time to do something. One of the greatest problems that I ahve is that I cannot listen to music and know how to play them on the guitar without having the guitar in my hands. I can play everything though physically. I was playing Malmsteen when I was 17..Macalpine in my 20s...moved on to different areas like Lynch and Shawn Lane ..Morre ect. I have all of this music in my head but I am not able to get most of it out. I need an ear trainer. I can pick up simple stuff but in depths solos take me forever to pick up without having the guitar in my hands. I was thinking of buying perfect pitch. Anyone in here try that yet? Any other exercises that anyone would recommend? I have started playing piano to help too but I only do that occasionally as it takes away from shredding. Any help would be greatly apprecited, Especially from guitarists taht can listen to music and know exactly where it is at without even having a guitar in the room. Thanks

Kristoffer Dana

[StoneDragon]

I don't know anybody who can just listen to a solo and automatically know where and how to play it on the guitar. But, obviously, the better you know your guitar neck and the scales and patterns used in music, coupled with a very good sense of pitch, the more able you will be to "out guess" where the player is going to go next.

I bought that perfect pitch package many years ago, but at the time, I wasn't able to go through the exercises. I've since lost the book that came with the package and contained all the exercises. What little bit I did do convinced me that the course was no joke. But it isn't going to be easy either. It's not like you will be another Mozart in 2 weeks.... more likely it will take a few years to get any good at hearing each note.

[Kristoffer]

Stone...

LOL

Welcome to my world. I did the tab thing for years...doesn't really do anything for a person except make people THINK that they are some great musician. The ear is where it is all at. Tab helped with physical ability but I admit that I definately atrophied as a musician because of tab. JUst grab quarter to midnight by Tony Macalpine..and if you can get that up to speed..hey, that's enough tab for one life time...LOL Sight reading is just as bad in my opinion. I don't know about Malmsteen but I know that Lynch doesn't know how to read music. Definately one of the best in the world. Yes...you have to know your fret board up and down and inside out...definately...but this is the easy part. Here is a couple of links to some sites to help people that are looking to get serious. I think within two weeks that I will have this down and the blanket will come off of my head. I just improvised "over the rainbow"..can really go off on a tangent with this sort of stuff. Jason Becker did a wild improv on "when you wish upon a star" Should check this out.
http://www.good-ear.com/servlet/EarTrainer

Here is one that you can download a version allows to sit there and close your eyes and tap certain keys to help you name the notes. REALLY helps BIGTIME after the entire chromatic scale is learned.
http://www.cstp.umkc.edu/personal/bhugh/eartest/eartest.htm

I was thinking of buying perfect pitch but this might do the trick...just have to be a little disciplined. I hope that this helps all of you as much as it has helped me. I'm tired of being a blown 350 with no wheels.

I'm sure that you all listen to various artists. I pretty much listen to just about everything and wil improvise on a commercial on TV..LOL I have been into the Neoclassical scene for a very long time but I am starting to burn out on it somewhat except for the acoustic guitar. If you are looking for something that is really fresh and will throw your playing in a new direction..or if you just want to listen to some very BAD A$$ guitar...check out...

GREG HOWE

"La Villa Stragiato" or "Stringed Sanity"

Couple of my favourites.

Kristoffer Dana