help for a casual guitar player

[Twostep13]

ive been playing guitar for about 3 years now.... ive been playing just as a hobby really, but now i really want to start playing seriously.... i was wondering if there are any finger exercises that i can do, or tips you could give me besides practice, practice, pratice...

im looking to get into some stuff a little on the classical side, i dont know how to read music, but i do know tabs of course.... what i really want to do is start creating my own music, but im not really sure how to go about i, or where to startt.... should i just learn all the chords and start putting chords together?

also, i want to start learning to make my own solos and intros(like for one sweet world), the fast ones and the slow ones (kinda like the solo in ill back you up), and learn to do improv in songs i already know

i was just wondering if anyone has some advice that could help me get pointed into the right direction

i have picked up certain chord progressions and things over playing, but nothing too difficult

to give you an assesment of my skill (i only really play dave, along with a few others' simple songs), i can play about every dave song all the way through while singing from the before these crowded streets album and before.... and about 50% of the stuff after that, and quite a bit of rare stuff, all pretty perfectly .

thanks for your help

[hmm69]

well if you can play all those dave songs than you have already picked up a great deal of valuable info. in the music i write i tend to use alot of dave chords so ya man or if you want to use regular barr chords than go for it just be creative and i also recommened going to your local music shop and buying some theory books because that will hold you back if you dont learn it

good luck

[c_tietze]

Search google for beginner acoustic guitar tips and/or lessons.

Practice slowly and accurately, you'll be surprised what you can do slowly accurately you can do much faster accurately with some careful practice.

[Davy28]

And be patient with yourself.

[DMBFan63]

I suggest taking theory courses..it'll help learn the fundementals of song writing, as well as learning how to solo better

[filmdude100cms]

learn your scales then just run up those using alternating picking thatll helo a lot of things at once.

[sk8r]

thanks for the tips...i'll use em too

[c_tietze]

If you're wanting to get into classical I'd seriously take lessons, classical guitar requires correct body and hand position.

[gumbomadness]

work with various moveable chord shapes. look into lessons of any sort.
and also, learn scales. i have a great thingy on moveable chords

search "if you dont know the chord, do this!" and you will find my thing on that on these boards.

and also..
search "improv by gumbo"
that should also help you a little.
i dunno.
no harm in checking them out ^_^

[Tranman66]

yeah play around with the scale, make up your own chords, dont just copy dave's chords

[MWR]

If you're wanting to get into classical I'd seriously take lessons, classical guitar requires correct body and hand position.

That's very true. I've dabbled in classical guitar and it's not easy to say the least. The physical requirements are extemely demanding and you have to memorize incredbly detailed compositions. That's not to say there aren't some nice, simple classical tunes out there. It's a great way to get into fingerpicking.

[Duffman]

you should learn song musical theory. http://www.teoria.com this site its pretty good.

[Twostep13]

thanks a lor guys i really appreciate the tips!