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Best Learn-to-play sources?

I built my first CBG in October, 2014 after somehow coming across a mention of them while wandering around the internet. Once built, I figured I needed to learn to play. Did a lot of searching and finally worked my way through Patrick Curley's LearnCigarBoxGuitar Starter and Blues courses. I then worked through Kenny Lee Burgess' to DVDs on 3-string. I've tried some other on line players like Justin Johnson, John Savage and Nigel McTrustry. All of these are good learning sources, but I was wondering if any of you had suggestions for additional sources for getting better with these 3-stringers.

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Permalink Reply by Greg Thompson on June 2, 2015 at 12:41pm

I'm all eyes and ears on this topic, too.

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Permalink Reply by SlowHound on June 2, 2015 at 1:05pm

I went to the John McNair academy.

The improv and have fun 101 method.

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on June 3, 2015 at 3:01am

Sit down every day and play. Every day. There is no teaching substitute for sitting down and playing. A lot. As much as you can right up to the point that your spouse, kids, pets and other applicable attachments have threatened to leave. Then, just then, you will start to get good.

Play an open mic. It can be intimidating at first, but the challenge probably won't crush you and will inspire you to play more and do better. You may find people around that have advice or techniques you pick up passively from them.

And when you've done that, play some more. If you've done two courses and sampled others, you have enough of a foundation. I haven't taken any instruction and I was playing kinda lousy for the first 4 years. In the last 5 months I've really sat down and played at least an hour every day and it is the key thing that has helped me progress.

Now, that being said, I'm sure I could benefit from some instruction as well. Fortunately, I also now have the discipline to put that instruction to use. By . . . playing every day. :)

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on June 3, 2015 at 4:06am

Absolutely the best reply one could provide. Thanks!

I now play at lease one hour each day and try to get in two most days. It is a good way to improve timing, finger work and confidence. It is also the only way I've found to develop a light touch with a slide.

I have downloaded a dozen or so blues backing tracks and those are excellent for learning to stay in time with your fellow players. It was hard at first, but now, I just listen and keep up.

Still, I do learn a lot from having someone show me a technique and how to reproduce it. That's why I ask about instruction. I can play for hours each day, but if I'm just playing the same material and not learning new techniques, I think I will eventually grow discouraged.

Thanks for the encouragement to play, play play..........

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on June 3, 2015 at 4:43am

I agree with you. Sorry I assumed you weren't playing every day already. :)

Playing to a drum machine or backing track is also essential as you mention. Really hard at first, but gets easier. I actually find it easier to play with a drummer and bass player than a drum machine or backing track. It is easier to feel the beat than just try to listen for it.

Right now, I'm working on embellishments for what I already know. Hammer on here, pull off there. It adds color to a regular old shuffle rhythm.

I'd say you are probably well past the beginner lessons that most focus on. It might be good to see if you can find a local 6-string slide guitar player. You already know your notes and scale intervals so you can transpose whatever he/she is doing on their guitar.

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on June 3, 2015 at 6:17am

Embellishments.........That's a great idea for extending the quality of things you already know. I hadn't even considered that. I'll be listening a lot closer to tunes that I can play and try to pick up on some ideas.

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on June 3, 2015 at 5:53am

Tom,

What do you mean by "better?" There's all kinds. I'm not trying to be difficult, I'm trying to laser in to what you think you need and want to do. In my nearly 40 years of being a guitar student (I'm still learning, and searching for the lost chord and the perfect tone...), one thing I've learned is to bite off small pieces. There's techniques for right and left hand, integrating them together, musical styles, etc. and I'm not trying to scare you with an overwhelming amount of knowledge, even though it appears to be endless.

McNair's method isn't bad, because you can explore the fretboard forever on your own. But guided practice, which you've already started with the various lessons, will getcha further along faster.

Sooo...whaddaya wanna get better at? Make a list...

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on June 3, 2015 at 6:20am

Good advice, Ron. So far my idea of "better" is somewhat vague and that makes it harder to focus on any particular skill. I need to give this some careful thought and single out two or three specific things I want to do "better".

Great insight. Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by TN Twang on June 3, 2015 at 7:37am

Dunno' if it'll help, but here are 2 things I've discovered as I wander down the path:

1. Keep working on the "light touch" with the slide. First time I played slide on a stage, the intonation went all to pieces. I finally realized that I was squeezing the strings when I got nervous. Check with Ron Sprague on becoming a Zen master and remaining calm and relaxed at all times.

2. A fiddle player (who, of course, was also playing fretless) told me about the need for a "reference pitch" to keep you from wandering sharp or flat. You can't really develop your ear for accuracy unless you have a reliable rhythm instrument or backing track to relate to. You can play the same tracks over and over if you're getting more and more accurate playing along.

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on June 3, 2015 at 8:08am

Thanks Twang.

The light touch is something I try hard (pun intended) to focus on.

I love backing tracks. I listen to one, think of an accompaniment, then try to execute same. I can play along with the same track for hours since I keep trying to get it right. Very enjoyable.

BTW, I lived up on Nashville (Franklin) for a number of years. That anywhere near you?