Some help would be nice :D

[ReinierK]

Hi there, I'm new to the forum! (my name's Reinier)

I'm just wondering...
I have this small problem... I'm lazy and I work dirrently then other people...

I had violin lessons for 3 years (age 9-12) then I switched to guitar but never had lessons. It took us (me and my parents) about 5 years to figure out that I couldn't read notes (not even with violin), which I now regret (thank god for tabs).

Thing is, I do "practice" a lot... That means: I play the music I like and don't do a lot of finger or picking stuff, 'cause it bores me almost instantly.

Now I have to do audition for this musical institue in Amsterdam and I have to write my own music for it. This is the time that I really hate myself and regret I never took time to study theory or techniques...

How would you recommend me to start? Just coming up with a nice tune (seriously, I don't even know basic chords and stuff) and work on that?

I'm a bit desperate, since I feel music is my only medium to express myself in a serious way.

Cheers,

Reinier.

[hol0point]

Hi Reinier. Here try out this site for reading notation. The first few lessons are on reading and it explains it in a pretty easy way. Good luck with your audition.

http://www.musictheory.net/index.html


hol0

[phantom]

i would not hurry with the music institute thing. get the basics together alone or with a good teacher and then think about auditioning for something.
browse those for you relevant articals and threads on this site and with a bit of practice and time you'll get everything you need and you'll have good basics to build upon.

I play the music I like and don't do a lot of finger or picking stuff, 'cause it bores me almost instantly.

achieving a certain goal is not always fun unfortunately.
since you think about going to an music institute i guess you don't just want to play for fun, rather you want to get good. thats where boring things come in.;)

have fun at ibreathe and welcome aboard!

[Chris Brooks]

Originally posted by ReinierK

Thing is, I do "practice" a lot... That means: I play the music I like and don't do a lot of finger or picking stuff, 'cause it bores me almost instantly.


I guess you need some motivation to get into those things by either

a) finding musical examples of the techniques you need to develop or

b) realising that the people that will pass the audition either have done or are willing to do the things you're currently skipping in your routine.

It's a small problem waiting to turn into a huge problem! You're finding that you need these things now so I guess you don't need any convicing there. I think the solution is just to find some ways of making real music with it. Perhaps spme private tuition with someone who can can show you how to apply techniques will be of use if you don't get into the school.

As you said, music is what you consider your form of expression, but without the language to express those ideas, you're gonna find yourself toungue-tied.

[ReinierK]

Thanks for all the advise, and yess... I'm a lazy gal and that will brake m up one day ;)

I already printed out a bunch of EV's excercises, and I have to admit, it works for me almost instantly (concidering I practiced them for about 3 hours and when I know pick up my guitar, I play these licks faster and smoother by the day!).

It's really hard to find a tutor though, I'm currently finishing my study in Amsterdam with a full-time job, so I would have to take lessons in the evening and not get mugged at the same time ;)

I'll check the link by hol0point, cheers!

Do one of you guys maybe know a site which explains how chords work BASICALLY? 'cause even people that say: "this is basic stuff", might be abracadabra to me :D

Cheers!

[steffyweffy777]

I got your problem, but I am ten years older and regret alot, so don't make my mistakes !

check this site !

www.guitarprinciples.com

[steffyweffy777]

as far as making a tune, try and imagien a melody in your head and then fidn it on the fretboard, trial and error.....our mind will subconsiously know where the notes are with time !

[Malcolm]

Do one of you guys maybe know a site which explains how chords work BASICALLY?
Chords - provide the background harmony. Chords are two or more notes from the parent scale - all sounded at the same time. Best analogy I can give is in piano the left hand plays chords (harmony) and the right hand plays scale notes (melody).

Because the chords are made of the notes from the scale (Chords in the key of C are made from the notes of the C scale)...... because of this every chord in the key of C will sound OK with every other chord in the key of C.

So if you pick your chords from the Key being played there is not a lot wrong you can do. However, some chords do sound, work better, with others and especially those used to build tension or resolution. This site will go into detail on which chords like to move to what other chords. Key word move to.

www.musictheory.net go to Lessons and then to Common Chord progressions. And I'm sure there are several articles on this site that will go deeper into how chords can be used.