[QUOTE=El_Shizzy]I almost always use [url]www.interpunk.com[/url][/QUOTE]
Great site thanks.

I wanted to pick up bass, still kinda do because I just want to play ska bass lines.

I'm supposed to be in a ska band with some friends, but we can't find a drummer. It'll be awesome if it works out.

Playing on the computer is what got me to keep at it. I love power chords too. I can play other barre chords and whatnot, but I generally don't like to.

Anarcho Poser, here's what I did to get better. I took a song with techniques in it I couldn't do and just beat that song to death until I finally got it. It took me a while, but when you can finally play it fluently, it feels so good. I'm still not your raging solo rocker, but I don't really want to be. :)

I must give a few bands credit for guitar and that would be Green Day for inspiring me to pick it up again. And AFI for teaching me new methods, techniques, chords, etc.

I play ska bass. I taught myself bass and although i'm decent, I know i can be so much better. It's funny. You start thinking you're getting good and then suddenly you realize how much you don't really know. This has happened to me so many times.

The Ramones made me actually think I can play. When a 1st year student tries to play Zep, it's kind of discouraging. Dick Dale got me really into intrique techniques, and a little bit of improv.

Yeah the ramones did that for me too. I played along to all their songs, but ska bass is what really got me working. It's nice, I put in Keasbey nights or streetlight manifesto and I can just play all their songs. Or I put in a Against All Authority or Op Ivy CD and I have all their basslines down.

I dunno, I'm not too bad technically, it's just.... I'm slow at learning songs, and I don't know very many.

im currently attempting to start a band

Move to Florida and sing for me baby.

My band had our first gig the other night, great fun.

Also, I can't sing and play at the same time, which sucks.

[QUOTE=TheNowhereman42]im currently attempting to start a band[/QUOTE]
I've been trying for the past year...:upset:

[QUOTE=Anarcho Poser]Also, I can't sing and play at the same time, which sucks.[/QUOTE]
Me neither unless it's really simple. But it's a good thing for me because I'm not that great of a singer.

I've been teaching myself guitar for several months... all I can really play is power chords, and songs by the Germs. It doesn't really prove any talent.

I just sneezed and farted at the same time.... it hurt.

[QUOTE=Anarcho Poser]Also, I can't sing and play at the same time, which sucks.[/QUOTE]

just play ska. you can sing and play ska at the same time gaurenteed.

The Specials once said they wanted to be a reggae band but ska was easier. :lol:

Why is tihs no longer stickied?

[QUOTE=honkybrewster]I've been teaching myself guitar for several months... all I can really play is power chords, and songs by the Germs. It doesn't really prove any talent.[/QUOTE]
Well, that is because you have no talent. :)
Who the fu'ck cares? You can play what the Germs play, and they must've been doing something right, so what's the big deal. You should have fun instead of always trying to get better I think.

[QUOTE=TheNowhereman42]just play ska. you can sing and play ska at the same time gaurenteed.

The Specials once said they wanted to be a reggae band but ska was easier. :lol:[/QUOTE]
I challenge thy words. Wence I get my CDs back, I shall prove thee wrong through Operation Ivy and Streetlight Manifesto!

[QUOTE=El_Shizzy]Well, that is because you have no talent. :)
Who the fu'ck cares? You can play what the Germs play, and they must've been doing something right, so what's the big deal. You should have fun instead of always trying to get better I think.[/QUOTE]

And if you want to get better, have fun with it!

[QUOTE=honkybrewster]I've been teaching myself guitar for several months... all I can really play is power chords, and songs by the Germs. It doesn't really prove any talent.[/QUOTE]

Learn some pop-punk/power pop songs. Those type of songs are great for improving your skills.

[QUOTE=Brain Squirmin' Like a Toad]And if you want to get better, have fun with it![/QUOTE]
Getting better isn't that fun for me. I will have fun for the rest of my life playing Green Day songs.

Poser with post 666!

EDIT: d'amn that avatar. Stray cat strut has a really simple bassline, it's chromatic. Sounds cool though.

[QUOTE=El_Shizzy]Well, that is because you have no talent. :)
Who the fu'ck cares? You can play what the Germs play, and they must've been doing something right, so what's the big deal. You should have fun instead of always trying to get better I think.[/QUOTE]
Not saying there's anything wrong with it... The Germs were definitely able to pull off lack of talent. I'd just like to be able to play more complicated stuff. I think I'll have more fun doing it when when I actually know what I'm doing.

'knot, metallica \m/ \m/


I'm so metal, [sic]!!!!!!

[QUOTE=honkybrewster]Not saying there's anything wrong with it... The Germs were definitely able to pull off lack of talent. I'd just like to be able to play more complicated stuff. I think I'll have more fun doing it when when I actually know what I'm doing.[/QUOTE]
I know what you mean. I was just rambling on in that post, when, in my mind, I was reminded of all the threads started in here by metalheads and lack of talent in punk.

You just have to practice every single day. Even if it's only for 15 minutes. You hear this all the time but it's especially true with music. If you practice everyday it makes all the difference.

JAZZ JAZZ JAZZ. That is what it takes to get really really good at any sort of guitar, in my opinion. Once you master rythym jazz guitar (and it isn't easy, the chords are very difficult) then you start doing the really hard stuff, which is improvising over the chords. Drumming and bass too, other than if you want to just do really really fast punk ashell drumming.

If you don't care for jazz but want to learn how to improvise then just playing a solo over twelve bar blues is another great way to learn to improvise.

not the same for bass though. With 12 bar blues it's your job to keep that rhythm going. It's harder for everyone else if you don't. You can improv a little, but it's much more important to keep the beat.