Either you have it or you don't?!

marijuana_kills · #1 09-16-2009, 01:38 AM

so i was wondering and sorry not sure where to post his but since this is "theory" thread!? I was wondering do you believe that either you have the natural skills to play the guitar or you weren't met to be?....

MattyG · #2 09-16-2009, 02:38 AM

I believe that the best are players are 'born' with something special, regardless of how hard they had to work for it, they had something inside them already.

This is a really hard question to answer xD

Aside from having a natural ability, I think that most top players 'got it right' earlier on in their playing.
What I mean is how it took me, for example, over 10 years to realize I held the pick weird, I never listened to enough guitar music and music in general, I didn't learn enough music in the early stages.
The top players in my opinion get things right sooner.

Another side to the 'natural talent' thing is that many players have an evident natural ability, but do not have the application, motivation etc to work for it.
A combination of natural ability and hard work is what you need.

For those without any unusual natural ability, they just have to work extra hard!

Bottom line = hard work

rob777vdy · #3 09-16-2009, 07:04 AM

im in the were'nt mean to be bracket

still guitar is my life and i enjoy playing

Sickbean · #4 09-16-2009, 07:10 AM

Why does this thread have Dragonforce as a tag??

I agree with previous posts, you can get very, very good without natural talent, just takes a lot of hard work.

I think the ability to compose is far more something that you are born with (although this can be developed too apparently, I've never had any luck).

stodge · #5 09-16-2009, 08:41 AM

I agree some are born with natural ability. I've been playing the guitar for 25 years and I still suck. :P

mike570 · #6 09-16-2009, 08:43 AM

To some degree, I think some folks are quicker to pick things up in general, whether its guitars, auto repair, advanced math, cooking, etc. Still, I do think those not "born" with that ability can still do well. I also think the "gift" is really a small piece of the puzzle; it doesn't make as big a contribution as is generally thought. I think most of it is a deep compulsive love for the instrument combined with lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of practice!

BenoA · #7 09-16-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stodge

I agree some are born with natural ability. I've been playing the guitar for 25 years and I still suck. :P

+1!!!

Plus add: hard work, dedication, focusing (being able stay concentrate on what you are working on) and a lot of spare time...

And then spice this up with practice... practice and again more practice...

marijuana_kills · #8 09-16-2009, 01:01 PM

thanks guys....sometime I just find my self in road blocks and its kills me but i still practice........like for example I found a kid on line who's 16 and with in a year he was about to start to play my favorite!! bands solos!!!

(Sonata Arctica) and I been playing for 5 yrs and I still cant solo......

wtf men!!

rob777vdy · #9 09-16-2009, 02:20 PM

ive been playing 15 years im ok but as i pointed out earlier im not as good as i should be.id say for the first 4 years i was playing on average 5-6 hours a day.my problem was i avoided theory (didnt eat my greens) found it way to complicated and still do.i didnt want to be a music writing rockstar i just wanted to learn my fav songs.still as long as you enjoy what ya doing thats the main thing.

stodge · #10 09-16-2009, 02:34 PM

I don't think that everyone needs to be able to shred like a guitar god. Some girls think they have to weigh 50 pounds like their favourite actress or model. I disagree - I want to hear YOU play. I don't want to hear you play like Vai (or replace with your favourite guitarist). I see these videos on youtube where kids duplicate guitar solos note for note. Technically brilliant? Yes. Interesting and soulful? No. Stand out from the crowd? Sometimes, but for me, not for the right reasons. Though it's down to whatever floats your boat.

I guess what I'm saying is, just beause you can't replicate Satriani, Vai or Li (no idea who is big in shredding these days), doesn't mean you're a bad guitarist. I'm rambling again; must be time for my nap..

rob777vdy · #11 09-16-2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stodge

I don't think that everyone needs to be able to shred like a guitar god. Some girls think they have to weigh 50 pounds like their favourite actress or model. I disagree - I want to hear YOU play. I don't want to hear you play like Vai (or replace with your favourite guitarist). I see these videos on youtube where kids duplicate guitar solos note for note. Technically brilliant? Yes. Interesting and soulful? No. Stand out from the crowd? Sometimes, but for me, not for the right reasons. Though it's down to whatever floats your boat.

I guess what I'm saying is, just beause you can't replicate Satriani, Vai or Li (no idea who is big in shredding these days), doesn't mean you're a bad guitarist. I'm rambling again; must be time for my nap..

no your not rambling.some interesting reading there bro and your spot on in what you are saying.

Emericavox · #12 09-18-2009, 02:07 PM

ive once read an article that nobody is born with "natural talent", but rather they got to be soo "Great" thru hardwork and practice. By practice, the article stated that u look at urself during ur practice and try to better urself each time. It pointed out that since an early age tiger woods would practice 8 hours a day and perfect each swing he took so that it was perfect everytime. I say its not whether or not u have it or dont have it, i believe anyone can "have it" if they practice and work hard to achieve such status.
-BV

rob777vdy · #13 09-18-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emericavox

ive once read an article that nobody is born with "natural talent", but rather they got to be soo "Great" thru hardwork and practice. By practice, the article stated that u look at urself during ur practice and try to better urself each time. It pointed out that since an early age tiger woods would practice 8 hours a day and perfect each swing he took so that it was perfect everytime. I say its not whether or not u have it or dont have it, i believe anyone can "have it" if they practice and work hard to achieve such status.
-BV

tiger woods started playing golf at the age of 3.i think its practice practice practice if you want to be a massive talent,i bet steve vai evh ect ect all struggled at first like the rest of us but they practiced for many many hours a day.i dont belive that you are born with a talent,its how much graft and dedication you put in.

MattyG · #14 09-18-2009, 04:40 PM

I still believe there is an element of natural talent in any of the elite people of sport, art, music etc, regardless of the amount of practice.
Some people are just born with more than others - physically and mentally, not to mention environmentally (parents, money, location etc).

nwobhm · #15 09-18-2009, 05:08 PM

Interesting topic, I think that some are born with a more 'creative' streak than others, eg left side of brain stuff. What then capitalises on this is exposure to different forms of music and art and a massive amount of dedication at a young age when our brains are more 'plastic'. Of course, that does'nt mean to say that a 50 year old picking up a guitar for the first time won't do well, as long as he has the dedication.
Case in point, I'm kicking 40, been strumming along for 25 years, still suck, but I can jam along to most of my faves, generally rhythm, but when it comes to lead I still stick to the same patterns. I've recently ordered a new axe through Jaden (now that is a genuine talent!!), so looking forward to my horizons being broadened, new pickups, sounds, wood etc.

just my tuppence :-)