Stuck in a rut (guitar related).

I've been in the mood to play my guitar a lot lately, but the problem is, I don't know what to play...I mean, I have a lot of songs in memory, but I wanna just jam on something new. What do you guys think I should learn? Like...songs that make you go "wow."

 

Do you ever come up with your own stuff? Just play some chords, and see what happens. I never learn songs, except the ones I had to learn for The Crossing. Other than that, I only play my own stuff. Not because I don't like other people's songs, I'd just rather listen to them play them!

 

That's a good point, but I have been doing that for quite a long time. I have countless mp3's of myself...Some of them are over twenty minutes long, and are full of completely random riffs.

You know, I've been meaning to learn some Crossing stuff...I've gotten a good grasp on some songs on Standing Stones, but haven't tried out Dochas too much yet. I think I'll put that CD on the list.

 

Vincent by Don McLean always makes me appreciate the less is more approach.
Been learning stuff by Bread lately - boy, they were talented guys.

ooh ---- or "the needle & the damge done" by Neil Y

 

Now there is a band that I love, but never bothered to learn. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

just FYI...I'm keeping any suggestions I get in a .txt document on my desktop so I can refer to them.

Even if you're just a person who appreciates music, but doesn't play an instrument, I could use to some good suggestions.

 

I think the easiest band in the world to play along with is REM. But you sound like you are past them. Nothing is more fun than sitting at the PC with a download and a tab. I while away hours like that.

 

Well...I've only been playing for seven years. While I like to learn songs that are challenging, there's nothing like just sitting and jamming along with a song. No matter how easy it is.

REM is on the list.

 

Sometimes going back to the older stuff helps - maybe a little American Pie by Don Mclean, or some old ZZTop blues, or some old Foghat or something different - like Kansas. - or - There are all kinds of new things to try depending on your tastes - Incubus, KORN, Audioslave, Tim McGraw, Modest Mouse, etc....really, the possibilities are endless!

 

Well I really don't want to play Incubus, Korn, Audioslave or Tim McGraw for these reasons:

-I just don't like Incubus.
-Korn uses seven string guitars, and I don't wanna mess up my neck by dropping down to a low B.
-I jam on Tom Morello's riffs with Rage Against the Machine. Audioslave almost sickens me.
-I'm not a country fan.

My friend at work was suggesting that we get together and jam, and he said that he's been playing a lot of Modest Mouse's stuff lately, so I might just have to give them a listen....I'd never even heard of them before he told me about them.


As for the classic rock stuff, that's what I mostly play as it is...My guitar playing all started with me learning some choice Metallica and Led Zeppelin songs...It just sprawled out after that. Hendrix. Foghat. ZZTop. Rolling Stones. I spent countless months learning a bunch of classic rock hits.

 

Have you tried some Bare Naked Ladies stuff? When they quit being goofy they write some good tunes....

 

I've only heard that One Week song....You mean to tell me they actually have talent?

 

Yeah, shocking ain't it?

 

I'm floored over here.

I'll add them to the list then. Any song suggestions?

 

The Flag

 

Grateful Dead-all of them. D/L some of their live shows-there must be thousands.

 

Radiohead! (but not Kid A) A Perfect Circle would be pretty cool to play too... and of course, some Opeth (try either the Damnation album or Blackwater Park)

 

What's wrong with Kid A? I still jam on Optimistic regularly.

 

Playing with someone else is a great way to get out of a rut. Also start listening to some music you don't normally listen to. Listen to lots of different styles, trust me it helps.

If you have DirecTV, Stevie Ray Vaughan's Jazz Fest '85 is on every weekend .

Something I like to do once in a while, especially with an acoustic, is play stuff I would normally play on an electric. Like Voodoo Chile Slight Return. It makes you think differently and forces you to phrase a lot differently than you normally would. Sometimes this will spark ideas, sometimes it will make you frustrated as hell LOL.

If you are really up for some woodshedding may I suggest an incredible book....

www.sheetsofsound.net

Its a different approach to playing guitar. The book is designed so you can look thru it and pick out something you want to learn and not have to go through it chapter by chapter.

 

Stevie Ray Vaughan is definatly one to learn. . . .

to my understanding you don't know how to play?
meaning. .what? you read tabs and not notes? or just don't know that many

if you want something simple Nirvana has only three chords they ever used
a little harder perhaps some Jeff Beck or metallica leads can be tough
Hendrix even

My dad tought me a little a long time ago and since have forgotten most of it
but now and then I'll pick it up and fiddle a bit
I am more of an acustic myself jon Mayer is pretty simple

Pantera perhaps?
But Harry Chapin has always been on my list

Jack Black hasn't played long either and Tenacious D has a nice sound, I think

oh and here: http://metaltabs.com/forum/
talk to someone else who has the same thing goin. . . .

 

Well prior to a week ago, I had been playing nothing but my acoustic for about a year. It got to the point where I just wanted to thrash through some hardcore music, so my electric got dusted off. But, like I said, I'm tired of all the old stuff I used to play.

That book looks pretty sweet. I'll have to get that.

No, I've been playing for seven years...I'm just at point where everything I know is not enough, and I find myself coming back to the same riffs each time I pick up the guitar.

Like Blues said, I'm trying to find some music I don't normally listen to so I can get a more diverse influence.

 

Metallica - Master of Puppets
Iron Maiden - No More Lies
Tool - Lateralus
Carlos Santana - Europa

 

I already know how to play the first one, but I added the other three to my list.

Thanks.

 

Tower of Power, Chicago, and a little known band that I like called Chaise had four trumpet players, and somebody on guitar, that tried to keep up. These band all have great brass, but the rest of the folks do a great job as well and anything

 

30 years ago, trumpeter Bill Chase was killed in a plane crash in Minnesota, along with most of his band. A student of Berklee School of Music, he played with Maynard Ferguson, Stan Kenton, and Woody Herman's bands. His guitarist, Angel South, was not involved, having struck out on a solo career-- he died at age 55 in 1998.

 

I could only ever imagine playing most of the songs on piano... which sounds pretty good, as a matter of fact

 

I didn't know, thanks............as I played a trumpet as well, and could play the high notes. Loved the music................wobbles

 

Kamelot

 

Check out some Mark Knopfler. My favorite of his solo albums is Golden Heart, but I like Sailing to Philadelphia as well.

 

Eric Clapton, Slash, Jimmy Page. These, you must listen to.

Also, to get out of a rut, get a band.

Bands are dodgy mind. I was just kicked out of mine because I had a fight with the lead singer. It wasn't even band related. He decided 'we wouldn't function well as a band with all the tension'. why didn't he bugger off then? I was bitter. But then his girlfriend dumped him. And the guitarist that replaced me is incompetant. So all is well.

 

I love playing in a band. I haven't been able to be in the "true" band atmosphere for a few years though.

btw, you should start dating his ex girlfriend...That would be some poetic justice for him.

 

But I'm a girl...

Hey that really would be poetic justice.

I think I'll sacrafice my lack of lesbian-ness and see if she's interested... That'd sure show him.

 

Try El Verano by Pablo Cruise. I know they were a cheesy disco band that for the most part sucked, but for some reason they threw this song on "A place in the Sun". Just don't listen to the rest of the album. You may kill yourself.

 

Ritchie Blackmore
deep purple

or
Richard Blackmores Rainbow was good

 

The Ventures, one of the greatest guitar groups of all time.

 

How about Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Gott?

He does an awesome Voodoo Chile too.

Or Dire Straits? I agree with Cindy, Mark Knopfler is a great guitarist.