\m/...It was tough to admit I'm mediocre. I had dreams when I started like everyone else but if guitar playing was that easy then everyone would do it :-\

[QUOTE=ShadowsFallen]It's even harder when I'm trying to make a future out of it[/QUOTE]

For god's sake Bennie, think rationally and take advantage of the fact that you have writing abilities with a remarkable potential.

[QUOTE=Lord Abortion]Yeah, Barca won on aggragate.

Ronaldinho was amazing, but I nearly fell asleep second half, I am incredibly tired for some reason.[/QUOTE]
I didn't watch second half, I was eating at the time.

the final score was 2 - 1 with the agregate or something... Good for them.

[QUOTE=GenuineImitation]My old guitar teacher meet Petrucci twice and they talked for about an hour each time. He said he is a really nice guy and is easy to get along with. They arent that close where he can call him up and ask if he wants to jam unfortunetly.[/QUOTE]

My teacher's also the president of the D'Angelico guitar company so he has connections.

Christ that just makes me feel even more little. I've just been going about these lessons the wrong way. I hardly act like I want to learn anything: I just am looking for him to tell me how good I am compared to all his other students. Bother. I need to cut that out. Again, egos suck.

My girlfriend beats the living **** out of me at guitar. :upset: That's a huge blow to my confidence.

[QUOTE=Cain]My teacher's also the president of the D'Angelico guitar company so he has connections.

Christ that just makes me feel even more little. I've just been going about these lessons the wrong way. I hardly act like I want to learn anything: I just am looking for him to tell me how good I am compared to all his other students. Bother. I need to cut that out. Again, egos suck.[/QUOTE]

do you know how many players put Petrucci down? Dude, famous guitarists are not gods, they're just talented AND lucky men.

[QUOTE=Cain]My teacher's also the president of the D'Angelico guitar company so he has connections.

Christ that just makes me feel even more little. I've just been going about these lessons the wrong way. I hardly act like I want to learn anything: I just am looking for him to tell me how good I am compared to all his other students. Bother. I need to cut that out. Again, egos suck.[/QUOTE]
but at least you're mature enough to see where you're going about things in the wrong way, and know how to sort them :thumb:


anyhow, i'm off for the night, later all. :wave:

[QUOTE]You don't need to force me, dude.[/QUOTE]

Hah, cool. How much is $5.99 in British money?

You're all just comparing yourselves to the wrong people, if I were to compare myself to professional players/virtuosos, then I'd always feel like giving up.

I just look at those people who can't even play a simple riff and don't have rhythm and whatnot. Sure they're mostly beginners, but some of them have been playing for quite a while and you have to remember how many people buy an acoustic guitar, try and quit after a while. At least you've achieved a lot more than them.

Aaaalways look down. :)

[QUOTE=Cain]My teacher's also the president of the D'Angelico guitar company so he has connections.

Christ that just makes me feel even more little. I've just been going about these lessons the wrong way. I hardly act like I want to learn anything: I just am looking for him to tell me how good I am compared to all his other students. Bother. I need to cut that out. Again, egos suck.[/QUOTE]
You should jump at the chance though, it seems to me to be an opportunity where you could learn a whole lot. I can understand nerves though, for example if I got a chance for a piano lesson with [URL="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6161952087762182420&q=berezovsky"]Berezovsky[/URL] I'd be really nervous but I'd take the chance.

[QUOTE=ShadowsFallen]My girlfriend beats the living **** out of me at guitar. :upset: That's a huge blow to my confidence.[/QUOTE]


That is a big ego killer. Thats why none of my girlfriends have been or will be guitarists.


[QUOTE=Superpeer]You're all just comparing yourselves to the wrong people, if I were to compare myself to professional players/virtuosos, then I'd always feel like giving up.

I just look at those people who can't even play a simple riff and don't have rhythm and whatnot. Sure they're mostly beginners, but some of them have been playing for quite a while and you have to remember how many people buy an acoustic guitar, try and quit after a while. At least you've achieved a lot more than them.

Aaaalways look down. :)[/QUOTE]


That will be my new inspiration from now on.

[QUOTE=Jellie]I just look at those people who can't even play a simple riff and don't have rhythm and whatnot. Sure they're mostly beginners, but some of them have been playing for quite a while and you have to remember how many people buy an acoustic guitar, try and quit after a while. At least you've achieved a lot more than them.[/QUOTE]

What if you're one of these people? :upset:

[QUOTE=GenuineImitation]That is a big ego killer. Thats why none of my girlfriends have been or will be guitarists.[/QUOTE]
Mine is getting set up by her teacher to be a solo guitarist. She'll be making 35$ and hour playing classical guitar for anyone who hires her. Every time she mentions it I just want to put my face through a window. Obviously I'm happy for her, but guitar is my main thing, and it's always hard to be shown that I suck at it.

Wow Cain, that sounds rough, but look at the chance you can get out of it!

[QUOTE=Cain]EDIT: I just need to do away with self-worth all together. God, egos suck. If I hadn't allowed mine to get built up by all the fawning I get around campus for my skills I wouldn't feel like **** right now, because I'd know that I'm still **** compared to so many other people. I listen to Satriani and go "I can do that" and sure, I can, but I can't do any of the other things that Satch has the ability to do if he wanted. Ugh. Player growth period.[/QUOTE]

Cain, speaking as your friend, you need to stop comparing your progress to other people.

It's a habit I had that held me back for years. I recently managed to shed it and have felt much better ever since. Over the last month, I've been using GuitarPro to compose a few songs in genres I normally wouldn't. And when I compare them to my old stuff, I can see progress. That's all I need to see.

I've downloaded a couple of your songs, and I like your work. So don't think for a moment your effort has been for naught. But you need to kick this feeling of competition (which is hard because it's in the male nature) and just focus on personal evolution.

Trust me, you'll feel a hell of a lot better.

On another note, I'm not sure why everyone is terrified of looking like a beginner. Being a beginner gives you a fresh perspective. When people spout that old adage of "learn everything you can and then forget it" what they're really saying is to continually hold the exploratory mindset of a beginner. That way you're constantly experiencing personal growth and never lack for a new paradigm.

[QUOTE=Stoic]What if you're one of these people? :upset:[/QUOTE]


Then look down at the people who never tried to learn the guitar.


[QUOTE=ShadowsFallen]Mine is getting set up by her teacher to be a solo guitarist. She'll be making 35$ and hour playing classical guitar for anyone who hires her. Every time she mentions it I just want to put my face through a window. Obviously I'm happy for her, but guitar is my main thing, and it's always hard to be shown that I suck at it.[/QUOTE]


I guess the only thing to do is practice more. Im not too worried about it because Im going to major in finance in college. Its more of a hobby I love and will never stop for me.

[QUOTE=Stoic]What if you're one of these people? :upset:[/QUOTE]

Well, some people just suck. :\





Naah, just don't quit, quitting is the worst thing you can do. :p

wtf I missed a page or 10.

[QUOTE=Stoic]greek cheese (=feta) \m/ :evil:[/QUOTE]

PS:

Eww, that tastes like goat. Ugggh.

Cain, let me be the first to tell you that...

[B][size=6]YOU ARE FUC[B]K[/B]ING OVERTHINKING THE WHOLE THING[/size][/B]

I don't think it's necessary to remind you that Petrucci has spent his whole life (if not at least a large portion of it) around music, and he studied and at a goddamn conservatory for Christ's sakes. You can't top that. Nobody, at least nobody at your level, can't top that. If I'm correct, you can't be older than 25 (just to leave out the possibilty that you are 20-22 or something) and you have basic knowledge. So what! At least you know much better than a lot of people from your category and age group. If you're not in a conservatory, and music isn't exactly your aim, I wouldn't worry. And if you are into making music, I wouldn't worry either.

You are hardly taking off in that matter. For instance, I only know the basics of Physics, and my intention is to become an electronics engineer. If I talked to a physics teacher about my varied experiments with electrity, he would laugh, because I only know the basics of electricity, and therefore, electronics.I'm not learning those until my knowledge is focused into that specific area of study, and I get to actually work with all the subjects regarding that specific area of knowledge.

How does my example relate to you? I wouldn't worry about what you know and what you don't. Everybody gets that at some point of their lives. Even the greatest, even the fastest, the edgiest and the most knowledgeable do. You just have to face live with your head up high, man. If you let this "oh-no-i-only-know-basics" thing overtake you, what can you expect of further experimentation and knowledge regarding music? It'll just eat you alive. Plus, remember this isn't just knowledge, it's also about natural talent. If you don't have natural talent, then at least you've accomplished greatly.

And the moral to the story is: Continue playing, continue learning and TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT YOU ARE BEING GIVEN.

cheers for philosophy of life.

EDIT: LOL at being late for lectures.

[QUOTE=Steerpike]Cain, speaking as your friend, you need to stop comparing your progress to other people.

It's a habit I had that held me back for years. I recently managed to shed it and have felt much better ever since. Over the last month, I've been using GuitarPro to compose a few songs in genres I normally wouldn't. And when I compare them to my old stuff, I can see progress. That's all I need to see.

I've downloaded a couple of your songs, and I like your work. So don't think for a moment your effort has been for naught. But you need to kick this feeling of competition (which is hard because it's in the male nature) and just focus on personal evolution.

Trust me, you'll feel a hell of a lot better.

On another note, I'm not sure why everyone is terrified of looking like a beginner. Being a beginner gives you a fresh perspective. When people spout that old adage of "learn everything you can and then forget it" what they're really saying is to continually hold the exploratory mindset of a beginner. That way you're constantly experiencing personal growth and never lack for a new paradigm.[/QUOTE]

All good points. Thank you very much. I just need to do some more hard work...it's that time again. :)

EDIT: And thank you too, Tojes, I feel a little better now.

But in any case, I have no idea if it will actually happen, although I'm getting to the point where I'm excited again. Don't worry, dudes, I'm at peace. I do, however, need to get some food.

Glenn's right. If I'm serious about guitar than there's no excuse for not learning as much as I can in as many ways as I can, even it isn't my primary focus. I've just developed a way of doing things that suits me but does not suit advancement, so I simply have to change, adapt, and grow. That's the whole point. :)

[QUOTE=ICB]Hah, cool. How much is $5.99 in British money?[/QUOTE]
It's about £4.

[QUOTE=Cain]EDIT: And thank you too, Tojes, I feel a little better now. It was just very odd seeing my ego (rightly) destroyed and then being offered to jam with Petrucci after the fact.[/QUOTE]

Perhaps that is a little surreal, but when you get a gift like that, don't question it.

[QUOTE=Cain]EDIT: And thank you too, Tojes, I feel a little better now. It was just very odd seeing my ego (rightly) destroyed and then being offered to jam with Petrucci after the fact.[/QUOTE]

Ah, you know what the R&M community thread is all about: Sharing love/digital support to our fellow musician friends and discussing gore, the devil, goats, bloodbaths and other cute subjects found in metal. And some Rock. but Mostly metal.

[QUOTE=TojesDoLan]Ah, you know what the R&M community thread is all about: Sharing love/digital support to our fellow musician friends and discussing gore, the devil, goats, bloodbaths and other cute subjects found in metal. And some Rock. but Mostly metal.[/QUOTE]
Goat's cheese.
Yeah...gore too.

[QUOTE=Cain]Glenn's right. If I'm serious about guitar than there's no excuse for not learning as much as I can in as many ways as I can, even it isn't my primary focus. I've just developed a way of doing things that suits me but does not suit advancement, so I simply have to change, adapt, and grow. That's the whole point. :)[/QUOTE]

You're starting to catch on. I think that's why everyone should have at least one close teacher or mentor who never once is going to let us get too full of ourselves.

On a side note, I had an interesting moment in Scriptwriting class. I've been reworking the outline for Under the Moon, so the second act was a little disorganized, and I was still trying to figure out the best way to get to act III.

Well, during the brainstorm session in class to help me out, the Oscars came up. Based original song came up, and none of us could remember what the title was, so we just called it It's Hard to Be a Pimp (title was actually "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp").

At one point, the professor brought up that every movie you write has to have something of you in it, which is what distinguishes good from great. He said, "Like you Alex, I know you're not a werewolf, but..."

My friend Brian then quips, "Alex's theme song is 'It's Hard to Be a Werepimp.'"

I guess you had to be there, because it doesn't look as funny in print.

Haha, Cain, you'll make it son, you'll make it.

What I heard of your playing was some of the best amateur playing I've heard.

[QUOTE=Shattered_Future]Wait...if I'm reading this correctly, people are suing Clay's record labels because they thought he was gay, yet turned out to be straight? Or the other way around, him being straight but really being gay?

What. The. Hell? :confused:[/QUOTE]

They're complaining that he was portrayed as non-gay, when in fact it now looks like he is gay. Saying it violates the trades descriptions act; "equivalent to a company not saying anything on the label of a defective product", or something.

[QUOTE=Josh]
Clay Aiken?

/ignorant[/QUOTE]

American Idol contestant. I didn't know who he was - beyond a name - earlier today either.

[QUOTE=Happy]
I mean, I doubt he'd be a wanker to you and destroy all your guitar playing dreams.[/QUOTE]

And if he did, you could always earn your fame by being the man who strangled John Petrucci with his own guitar strings.

[QUOTE=Lord Abortion]
It's about £4.[/QUOTE]

Less than that, even.

What EP are you talking about?

[QUOTE=Alexi]"Like you Alex, I know you're not a werewolf, but..."[/QUOTE]
:lol:

You do have a perfectly healthy obsession :p

NP-Black Sabbath-TV Crimes
[QUOTE]Less than that, even.

What EP are you talking about?[/QUOTE]
Trev's band's EP.

I've sinced realized I haven't been as good at guitaring as I thought I was either...

I can do rhythm/chord changes/some melodies perfectly fine, but ask me to try and solo over some chord changes, and I can't do it very well. I'm pretty sure that's more of a technical aspect though...it has to do with not being able to move my fingers fast enough in the higher frets.

Odd thing is, though, I can play ridiculously fast (well, maybe not ridiculously, but rather fast) in the lower ranges, but not in the high. I don't know what it is...

Ben, I never realized Leah was that good at guitar...:smash:

Well, Lucas, I'm not the greatest guitar player ever, but I play to have fun. When you stop enjoying playing and taking your playing to new areas, then you should stop playing.

IMO, of course :-D