Wohoo, taking guitar lessons.

[theotherguy]

Finally got around to taking guitar lessons, after two years of "learning" on my own.

I have discovered that I don't know shit about the guitar

I'm already vastly improved, and can play a nice blues improv (at a verrryyyy slow tempo)

Anyone have any tips/excersizes for improving technique and speed?

 

[Dog--]

Don't try to do hard stuff right away. Do really easy stuff. It kind of boosts your confidence when you play a nice tune that's easy, you think "oh shit, I can play this, that's awesome!" I used to play smoke on the water when I started. The thing that makes alot of people quit the guitar is that they want to play crazy stuff, and when they can't do that, they quit, thinking that they are too bad at it. Even though you've been playing for 2 years on your own, I'd still recommend this.


EDIT: Short form - don't play beyond your capability early on. That's what I meant

 

[Yorick]

Technique is very important. When you strum, practice doing the down-up-down method and vice versa. I don't know if they're available where you are, but the Berklee College of Music here in Mass publishes books on technique. If nothing else, you can get them on Amazon. It's well worth picking up a copy.

 

[soulslicer]

Hey, I am taking lessons now too! Just started this week.