The ShadowMusic Web Community

After being captivated by hearing "Apache" in the early 60s I took up playing the guitar and have continued until the present day.

For the most part I have played the lead part but do enjoy playing rhythm.

The problem that I have is that whilst I am able to learn the lead lines (albeit for a shorter time these days!) I find that learning
the chords to tunes is difficult and I wondered whether any members find the same. I can hear the tune in my head and that helps
with remembering where the next notes are to be found - however, that doesn't seem to work with chords.

I have no problem if I have a chord chart in front of me and I notice that many rhythm players take that approach, so maybe I
should just carry on in that way.

Perhaps some of you may have some ideas or advice on the matter.

I share your problem, Roger but with bass lines!!

It's easier with the 'melodic' bass lines of the likes of Kon-Tiki, The Starnger etc as they're memorable as tunes in themselves, but a simple bass line based on the chord progression is b*gg*r to learn!

I have to have a discreet music stand!!!!

And I thought it was just me! I sometimes forget where I am in a tune ... how many verses have we played ... when's the key change ... oh, it was there was it .. ??

Trouble with a music stand is the print has to be large enough and I lose my place unless I look at it right through.

I think that was one of the reasons why I chose lead guitar in our school instrumental group - the other being that I thought could be "flash" and have more girls watching me Didn't quite work out like that though

Practice, practice & more practice - the difference to being good at it, or not ! Sorry guys it's the ONLY way.

Dave - you've hit the nail on the head!!!

RogerCook wrote:And I thought it was just me! I sometimes forget where I am in a tune ... how many verses have we played ... when's the key change ... oh, it was there was it .. ??

Trouble with a music stand is the print has to be large enough and I lose my place unless I look at it right through.

Roger, that should make Wednesday evening interesting!!!

Hi All,

Everything Dave says above is 'Bob on', practice, practice till you can virtually do it in your sleep! Trouble is as I get older I have these 'senior moments' as my good lady calls them. You know the one and despite having practiced the bass line for Kon Tiki till your are blue in the face, you get to the Shadows Club, someone says lets do Kon Tiki and everything is fine till the bass solo and suddenly its not there! What were those damn notes? Silence as happened to me at the last Blackpool club meet.........nightmare!

Solution................. do a quick Kon Tiki everyday! Ooerr missus !

Cheers,

Dave is spot on, practice is THE only way. Personally I will not even attempt to play any song
without knowing it inside out.

Just keep doing it is the only way! Success (at ANYTHING!) never comes overnight.

Remember the old saying: "The amateur practises until he can get it right; the professional practises until he cannot get it wrong."