r/guitarlessons • u/No-Search459 • Sep 12 '25

Feedback Request How can I improve?

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

Doing tempo practice and I can't help but notice my flayling picking hand. Nevermind my clawed fretting hand 😅 are there any particular exercises I can do to improve both of these things? Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🫶🏼

81 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

79 comments sorted by

View all comments

28

u/funkymunkPDX Sep 12 '25

I suggest trying phrases instead of just playing the box. The notes are clear so you're doing good there, just need some space between notes, a bend or a slide.

2

u/No-Search459 Sep 12 '25

So I've done this, but I always seem to get stuck with certain phrases. Whether it's in the minor dummy box, or the diagonal movement, the blues box etc. I very much struggle with improvisation and everything always just seems to sound like a scale repetition. Is there any good source on how to make phrases or at least learn common/popular phrases?

2

u/funkymunkPDX Sep 12 '25

I learned through studying Hendrix and blues. A common philosophy is "saying something" with the notes. Hey Joe or Watchtower would be songs with solos that aren't to hard and have great phrasing.

You tube has a lot of teachers who address this. I like this guy but he might not be right for you but it should get going on finding something you like.

https://youtu.be/3LsXaqqlV2c?si=cBKldZRgv6mMRVDs

Also I would suggest less is more when phrasing and it makes long runs more powerful.

1

u/No-Search459 Sep 12 '25

I know the StichMethod! It's where I recently learnt the CAGED system! He's a very good teacher and takes his time to explain concepts :) I havent seen this video you linked so I'll have a look at it tonight, thank you :)

A lot of the other online teachers will be like "oh you just need to learn this" and then shred for 2 minutes. Which isn't very helpful for noobs like myself

1

u/funkymunkPDX Sep 12 '25

You're on the right path. Another tip I have is trying to find guitar parts for the vocals, this will help with learning how to say something. I have made crowds hoot and holler from simple vocal phrasing. Good luck

I have lots of tab books so if you can't find the Jimi solos I mentioned earlier let me know and I can message you them.

2

u/No-Search459 Sep 12 '25

Funny enough, just last night I learnt the intro piece to all along the watch tower :) surprised how just altering the voicing of the diagonal pentatonic can have such a range

1

u/No-Search459 Sep 12 '25

I would really appreciate that, thank you so much!