new chords: scales:what to do

[germpest]

I've been playing guitar for about 8 years, (self-taught) and I am very disappointed with my skills. I feel like I suck and can't improve.

I always look at my huge chord book with tons of difficult chords and learn one or two, but then I don't know how to use them and forget them the next day. I was wondering if there is a systematic way I can learn useful chords like Gmajor9, or F#9sus4, and then be able to put those in music I write or play. or if there are some foundational chords up the neck to learn besides the basic first position ones and bar chords.

also, I know the C and G major scales all the way up the fretboard, should I learn every single key? and practice those? what about melodic minors, harmonic, pentatonic?

should I learn to read music and by books of other peoples music and learn there songs to improve? any tips, web pages, articles recommendations are appreciated

[Poparad]

should I learn to read music and by books of other peoples music and learn there songs to improve?

Either books, or working songs out by ear, is a great way to figure out how to use things like scales and chords that you're not sure how to incorporate.

Studying the theory behind chords, chord voicings, and chord progressions (they're all related to scales) will also help you understand how to use them, and how to make your own chord voicings and progressions.

Learning all the keys, while a bit of an undertaking, is a great idea. It won't limit you to being stuck in any particular key, and it will allow you have a greater understanding of the major scale and harmony in general.

[Kinoble]

I always look at my huge chord book with tons of difficult chords and learn one or two, but then I don't know how to use them and forget them the next day. I was wondering if there is a systematic way I can learn useful chords like Gmajor9, or F#9sus4, and then be able to put those in music I write or play.

Just wanted to add that the exact answer to your question lies in harmonizing (building chords out of) scales. I know Poparad mentioned this but it really is THAT important. Western music is reference against the Major scale, and most chords in rock or pop are built form one or more major keys. You will find that certain chords are built from Scales and when playing them in a progression your ear will lean towards certain chords to produce a certain sound.

If i were you i would look at the articles on ibreathe on harmonizing the major scale, i think that would be a good start.

Ben

[Kinoble]

Here is the article i was talking about.

http://www.ibreathemusic.com/article/126

Hope it helps

Ben

[germpest]

great, thanks for the replies and the article link. I am reading it right now.