Recently I’ve been “conversing” with quite a few students (both privately and digitally) about their biggest struggles…
Well I’ve been reading through some of the responses over the last several hours and one thing has been sticking out that I can address well in this format – so here goes 🙂
The problem is – frustration. Lots of people start a song, or a lesson, get partway (or not very far) into it, realize it’s hard, and stop out of frustration.
Then… come to find out they’re trying to learn Gary Moore’s “Still Got The Blues” solo, or Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Texas Flood” solo when they’ve only been playing for a couple of years (and even that was sporadic.)
The answer is simple (it usually is,) the songs are too darn hard! I couldn’t play those solos worth a darn until I’d been playing over a decade (with several hours a day of practice under my belt for a few of those.)
So in this little article, hopefully I can give you some things to look for and know whether a song will be (somewhat) easy, middle of the road, or really challenging… and why.
Easy Lessons/Songs
Song and lessons are going to be easy when they:
- are in straight feel (as opposed to a swing feel, or a slow blues feel.)
- keep to quarter and 1/8th notes, and don’t do 1/16th notes or complex rhythms (triplets, for example.)
- are at a moderate tempo – not slower than about 70 or 80 beats per minute, and not faster than maybe 120 beats per minute (these are super rough guesses, but you get the idea.)
- Stay in time all the way through – there are no licks or sections that are played as a “flurry” that is out of time.
Some “easy” songs that come to mind are songs like:
- The Thrill Is Gone – straight feel, moderate tempo, very few things faster than an 1/8th note.
- “strumming songs” like Margaritaville, a lot of old Beatles tunes, Maggie Mae, old Bob Dylan stuff, a lot of Eagles tunes. Songs where you just strum the chords along and someone sings. But keep in mind that if you try to sing and play at the same time, that’s a whole different animal!
- Some Albert King, like “Breaking Up Somebody’s Home,” and “I’ll Play The Blues For You” are straight feel, but some of the licks have sixteenth notes in them. Otherwise they are fairly straightforward.
Medium/Intermediate Lessons/Songs
Song and lessons are going to be at a more intermediate level when they:
- have the more complex shuffle/swing feel OR are a faster straight feel (like Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry, or House Is Rockin’ by SRV.)
- Add in swing 1/8th notes and triplets but don’t have sixteenth notes or sextuplets.
- Stay in time and don’t use “flurries” or anything that’s out of time.
- are a moderate tempo (not slow blues) or super fast (like a jump blues.)
As you can probably imagine, a TON of songs fall into this category. Some quick ones off the top of my head are:
- I’m Tore Down – Freddie King or Eric Clapton’s recordings
- Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry
- Pride And Joy – SRV (this is at the top end of intermediate I would say)
- Sweet Home Chicago (Clapton’s recording)
- Fire – Hendrix (and probably about the only Hendrix tune that is not advanced.)
Advanced Lessons/Songs
You start hitting the advanced (and up!) level when things like this start showing up regularly:
- Really fast or really slow tempos. It’s as hard to stay in time below 60 bpm as it is above 140!
- “flurries” or any group of notes that flows in and out of time. Slow blues is notorious for this. Check out any slow blues by Hendrix or Johnny Winter, or “Have You Ever Loved A Woman” by Eric Clapton.
- 1/16th notes and double time triplets (sextuplets) – this means just about any Joe Bonamassa or Gary Moore solo.
Some really challenging songs that people often try to learn are tunes like:
- Red House – anything by Hendrix is going to be really tough because it’s so out of time mostly.
- Johnny Winter – I have yet to hear anything by Johnny Winter that isn’t really hard.
- Still Got The Blues – or really anything by Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout, or most of the blues/rock crowd.
Keep in mind that a LOT of times a song is pretty straightforward and might even be easy or lower intermediate – but the solo is off the charts. “Still Got The Blues,” isn’t super hard until you add in the solos.
Similarly songs like, “Further On Up The Road” as performed by Joe Bonamassa and Eric Clapton are blues jam standards and aren’t real hard at all until you try to play the solos note for note. That’s when you want to throw in an easier solo to take up the space.
Now believe me, I really want you to aspire to play like your heroes, whomever they may be… just not if you’re a 1st (or maybe even 5th) year student. You’ll enjoy what you do a lot more, and you’ll get more sense of accomplishment if you stick to things that are just out of reach – not light years out of reach!
60 replies to "0 To Frustrated In Seconds…"
Hi griff
Its that singing animal that is my black dog
About a year back u sent some notes on combating the 2 rythems
Can u resend
Thx Joe
For most of us, guitar playing isn’t our bread & butter! So if we could spend 8 to 10 1/2 hrs a day practicing & figuring out songs, we would all be good at playing the guitar. If you had to feed your family from playing at gigs or playing in a band on weekends then you would have to be good or you would starve to death!
Takes awhile to get a song down & takes more time then most of us can give! The guitarist who play great solo’s, well they won’t tell you how many hours & hours they practiced to get it down! We don’t have the time or push like musician’s be good. We don’t have the power it takes.
So for most of us, Its like I need another 2 years, then I’ll be good & get song down. 2 years goes by & were saying the same thing! Frustration, ya that might be what it is! Frustration, frustration. Just want to throw the guitar threw the picture window sometimes!
But I’ll keep trying, because I’m not a quitter, but kinda of person who’ll keep going because I don’t like doing something half ass!.
I think you’ve nailed it Jeff, I’m nearing 60, been working my butt off for the last 40+ years & only in the last couple of years managed to dust the cobwebs off old faithful & still really struggling to find enough time. Hopefully retiring next year to rekindle my passion, but yes it’s probably too late to really play well. But like you, I will not give up & yes I will have those moments of disbelief. But one day when I’m 105 I think I’ll just have to resort to “come a time” HaHa!!
Cheers Garry
Thanks Griff:
I echo Bryan’s and Jim’s sentiments exactly…I’m there but I just didn’t know it.
Easy to start and a lifetime to master…….I’ll keep playing and enjoy the moment.
Cheers Fred
Griff, you are absolutely right. I’m sure that we are all guilty of attempting techniques that are well beyond our abilities, I do it all the time. The secret is reaching a stage where you realise that, at that moment, it is beyond your current skills level and move on to something you can achieve and don’t let it dull your enthusiasm. I know I’ll never be an Eric Clapton or Joe Bonamassa but it’s great fun attempting to be. We shouldn’t get too serious and frustrated, just enjoy it for what it is. And in the famous words of Clint Eastwood, “A man’s got to know his limitations”. Love your course, it has been an inspiration to me.
There ain’t the thing in life worth learning that ain’t bloody hard . . . Things that take time are really worth it.
Hey Griff, I find your suggestions are just right for me ,who has taken up Guitar learnuing as hobby . I am enjoying all your lessons . I find your methodology practical ,which makes learning simple .
However my problem is that I do not wish to learn so many Western songs and music . My aim is to learn Indian Hindi language songs .This I do by Tabs and listening to songs . But that is not enough, since rhyme and timing is difficult .Music does not matter in method of playing ,I think ,but I need to get your advice about this .
Here my frustration starts .
I request you to help me out with your valuable advise ,to how to go about .
BB
Great advice. A little steering in the right direction is needed for some of us.
Good advice. I like the comment about feeling the rythym.
Thanks for the info, I am 60 took this up about 6 yes ago and am feeling that frustration more and more lately. Will have to look at what I working on and determine how to infuse this into my practice, always a help Griff thx again.
This is a very useful lesson and explains a lot of the frustration I have felt in playing guitar. A lot of the songs I want to play are simply too hard. Now I need to find songs where I can plug in the easy solos from the various BGU courses and still sound good.
Hope you will send me an answer.
Problem knowing the strumming pattern for a new song??????
I AM half through lesson 19 of BGv2. For sure, next is yourstrumming course.
Enjoying my guitar journey with you.
ALAN
Griff , this is a very informative lesson . Good songs to learn . I have a lot of these songs on CD or records . I try to play along until I learn the song . Thanks for another great lesson . Mike Z.
Hi Griff,Thanks for the suggestions.I have been trying to play for 60 years by ear.When I try to play blue,s songs or even your runs,I can,t get my mind to remember what notes to play,I am ok on songs like you are my sunshine,or xmas songs,but jazz songs don,t make any sense at all.I have studied music theory but I can,t really get to where I want to go.Any help would be appreciated,you are a great guitarist,sitting at the top of the ladder,but I am on the first rung,spinning my wheels.Len.
Great article Griff…thanks for laying this all out in one place!
You appear to have quite a few comments already listed following this piece.
I shall be brief; as I can, in view of that. Music is not simply doing something the exact same way as someone else unless, of course you can and want to. You typically are succinct and to the point about the ‘tools’ we should all master in developing as musicians, irrespective of what level we hope to achieve. Timing, clean chords changes, hammer on, pull offs etc are all important. They however do not the musician make, in isolation. It is getting to grips with the basics and moving on through the journey towards becoming a better player. Rhythm is king. To quote the Oxford Handy Dictionary in so far as music is concerned: “music composition concerned with periodical accent and the duration of notes”. If we didn’t achieve an understanding of that, as ywe progress, then we have failed, badly and would continue to do so. Thank you Griff for being our navigator as always.
I had a teacher for 7 years who told me this. (And he didn’t say this with any ill feelings) Almost anyone can learn the guitar and play it badly. You must be diligent, patient and humble and continue to practice. You will become good at it.
That counting thing gets to be a real chore!
Excellent article Griff.
I have been using the blues unleashed course for beginners for almost a yr. I still have a hard time playing 60 bpm and mute strings, I am 54 yrs old and work as a welder so a lot of repetition, I practice everyday and even took some private lessons,I still struggle to put 3 chords together, but I do enjoy what I can do,I guess the biggest key is stay humble and never give up.thank you
I have taken on music as a lifetime goal, so when I reach a point that might be frustrating, I realize that I have more to learn! I have realized that learning is the main goal and for me a major part of the enjoyment of life. So discovering something that needs to be learned to the point owning it is part of the FUN!
I am currently working on Minuet in G by Bach, Autumn leaves and Jonny be good.
I am going to wright a blues song entitled “Damn its hard to play Bach when all you know is Pop”
Just like everyone else who is on board with you, I find and use your advise very much. For myself I’ve been a solo artist (singer who accompanies himself with the guitar) for about 50 years and find I’ve fallen into too many bad habits. So now I find that the courses that I have of yours are teaching me patience (hence the frustration) and that I don’t really know squat about the guitar. I don’t want to copy the greats but I would like to at least sing their songs convincingly enough to please my audience. Thanks Griff for all you do!
Absolutely! I’ve already been there Griff. I can remember when I first started gig’in with Kingdom Blues Project and I had to LEARN these songs (Texas Flood, Still Got the Blues) as part of a set of 30 in two weeks. At the time it was muscle memory and I struggled through each of the “difficult” songs and did not understand the why. I did OK, but is only much later did I actually LEARN what I was playing. Stevie plays over chord changes, as did Jimi, as does Matt Schofield and everyone one else for that matter as it lays the “template” for solos. Then you look back and go, Wow. That’s not that hard. Well, it’s really hard when you are starting out and there are reasons why:
1) You don’t know the notes and you’re just memorizing where to put your fingers on the fretboard and playing in time. It’s hard line, but you have to learn the notes on your guitar one way or the other. I know, there are 138 notes on as standard Fretboard. There are systems to help with that, but it will make you guitar life better once you do.
2) You may not use metronome, drum machine, jam tracks. Big mistake. Timing is everything.
3) You don’t see that your playing notes right of the chord progressions that are played over. This takes time and practice. Two chord vamps are good place to start and pull the notes out of the chord you are using and lay them out across the fretboard and jam with the two chord vamp.
4) Dynamics: this takes time. Listen to any Billy Gibbons tune. Any. He is a master of dynamics and always plays in pentatonics. He may bend to other notes, but it’s not the notes he plays, it’s how he plays them. Take Griff’s 4 note solo for instance. With vibrato, bending, hammer on, grace notes or as drummer like to say “flam” you can get more sound than you could ever imagine just by using dynamics.
Never get frustrated with your playing. If it is hard. It probably is. I’m working on Christmas Songs by Larry Carlton and it’s hard. Very jazz oriented. Again, he is playing rhythm and lead over chord changes and the chords he uses are ones I don’t use. The cycle continues. Series of small victories will lead to success.
Right on Griff, I have been playing for a little while now and have been frustrated with some songs for all the reasons you talked about. To help me be able to advance to playing theses tougher songs someday, your courses like Strumming and Rhythm Mastery are a great help as are consistent effort and not giving up. I got struck by lightning 26 years ago and it messed up a bunch of things like the communication between my right and left brain…for me at the time guitar was done. Later on one of my doctors said didn’t you used to play guitar and suggested that I start working on it again to help with my right left brain and dexterity issues. So, I got an Estaban guitar and started back trying to play. Again, I quit playing the guitar several times, but I love playing the guitar and simply couldn’t stay away and made a commitment to just stick with it. Sometimes I will look back a few months or years and note where I was on the instrument back then as compared to now…I always notice improvement, some big some small.. some songs I couldn’t play before now sound pretty good…
Excellent comment. I agree with this whole heartedly. With solos, and chord progressions I tend to memorize patterns but don’t know what’s behind them or how the relate to the music being played in the background.
I try to create shortcuts for myself such as box 1, then box 2, etc. But that doesn’t always help…
I need to do more of this and would love if Griff would emphasize this more in future lessons and courses.
Patience is a virtue on any instrument it makes great playersl
Can you post a backing track for the hideout song you created
The guitar….so easy to start and pick out some basic chords…so hard to master, it takes a lifetime (of frustration!)
Very well said, Griff… You hit it right on the head of the nail. Since I’ve been listening to you and watching your videos, I have really been focusing on counting and it has been making a big difference in my playing. Start off slow and then speed it up once you have developed the muscle memory. This has been key for me. However, learning to count and continue to count has been a bit of a challenge at times. I use to think that the more I played the better I would become which is true to some degree, but I’ve found that there are rules that must be followed or it’s all in vain. I have also seen much improvement in my playing by playing with other people. I found that playing guitar is more about a journey than a quick trip. It is a lifetime investment into one’s self, and that it takes time and motivation. Good things don’t come easy most of the time There is no better feeling than to see yourself getting better and playing for the public. It really gets my endorphins going. Thanks for what you do.
I thought my very sporadic years of guitar practice may well be called ‘journey’ and by now I should be able to (similarly) play my heroes’ solos, which still seem far out of reach as it looked years ago. Then I was about to start completely attributing it to the age, gift, out-of-reach-for-hobby-players, … Now I seem to realize that my past was just a very quick trip. Ok, I’m still at the early phase of my journey…
By the way, this kind of frustration and misconception tend to partly come from the fact that whole lot of accomplished guitarists who fascinated us were youngsters appearing to have mastered their skills in a short period of time…
Griff – great counseling and advise. Perhaps one of the issues I find at least for me is that I was a very advanced woodwind player which leads me to believe that I should be at the same level with the guitar! Not a chance! Being very good at another instrument sometimes gives one a sense that they can perform at the same level on another instrument. Each is unique even though there is a certain amount of musicianship that carriers over – like knowing the scales, chords, etc. However, the actual skill or technique required on one does not carry over very much from woodwinds to guitar (or base guitar or drums, etc.)
Thanks for the blog. Very good.
Solid guidance Griff.
I’ve experienced this countless times too. I prefer the heavier side of the blues and would try to learn some of the popular AC/DC songs because everyone said they were easy. Well you get to the solos and there’s nothing easy about them. Lots of flurries, etc.
I like the suggestion noted below about you giving us your thoughts on good songs to learn in each category and then some playing notes for the solos. Either a “try as is” or “try this slightly simpler approach instead”…
Thanks once again for all you do to help us all improve and avoid frustration.
Hi Griff. I bought your beginner blues guitar course but seem to have got side tracked from it that’s one of the problems with u tubed. But just read your email it’s like you are inside my mind. As always your advice is first class ?? Regards Ritchie from Leicestershire UK
Thankc griff,always on the mark!gor some reason I don’t seem to be able to post a a comment on ur survey monkey site,so I’ll try here,can you do a lesson on practice,what should I practice ,am lower end intermediate player can do a few songs
Had alot to say and lost it all but thats the way it goes at times . Just like if You try to hard to express alot on the guitar its just sounds like a mess . always go back to the basics go up on the penatonic scale five notes and the sixth note is the first note all over . I am just starting to play with this idea . Its all over the internet lots of instructors are starting with this concept. I am attempting to become and even better soloist . One on hand its cool to learn someones solo but creating Your own something You can say is Yours well I got some ideas that have been used in songs My band has used . I have to say that one of the guitarists that jams with the band has used My ideas in the same format .He is also a very good guitarist one of the best I have heard seems an honor that he copied My ideas . Guess I can say I aint to shabby eiether. I was first introduced to the 12 bar blues ten years before I found Griff Hamlin.
Great guidance as always … perhaps a lesson on Johnny B. Goode in the future?
Griff HAS a GREAT lesson on the intro to Johnny B. Goode…in “extras”
(Note-for-note perfect!!!)
Thanks for explaining what makes a song difficult for someone to play! And I’m working on that Pride and Joy groove – thanks as I’ve always wanted to play that correctly.
Having played for 35 years (mostly by myself) I agree, I often reach for something a little out of reach, and if I’m not getting it, I’ll put it away and either try something a little bit easier or play something I enjoy. I always strive to play better each time, and have gotten a lot better. And your courses help. Thanks
Great subject and comments!
I’ve never been able to copy someone else’s solo exactly without tabs and, since I don’t have any correct ones other than the BGU tabs, I don’t try to get the solos exactly right. I try to find a licks I can copy by ear playing along with the song while trying to maintain the feel and neck location, then throw in whatever I want and can when the going gets too tough.
To me, this is for enjoyment/fun and I’ll never be Clapton, Hendrix, or BB so I don’t even try. Reasonable expectations prevent frustration from arising.
some good advise Griff…what is easy now was hard a year ago…if playing EC, SRV or JB was easy, then there wouldn’t be anything special about them…later.
cowboy
Great topic and I know anyone who has committed to regular practice experiences frustration. I recently reviewed solos from BGU 2.0 that I found hard to or impossible to play up to speed but going back over them I found a definite improvement in technique and timing. Frustration is a good motivator as long as it is balanced by how much you have improved. I believe in changing the rotation of what I practice rather than to get bogged down with any one solo and then going back to it after a few days has helped a lot to relieve my frustration.
Really appreciate this advice Griff. Was wondering what was wrong with me not being able to play some of the intermediate songs you mention. Now I know that I am going to have to enjoy the journey and it will take a little longer on some of the harder ones. But it will be totally worth it.
Well Griff, as usual you’re right on the money. For instance I can play “Hey Joe” and “Manic-Depression” just fine until the solos where I’m stopped dead. I’ve been trying to work up simpler but appropriate solos but it’s a lot harder than I thought! Same dilemma with “The Wind Cries Mary”. Oddly enough though I’ve been making great progress with his “Killing Floor” but as tricky as the rhythm is it’s all in the Am pentatonic, but the timing is a bear to keep up! Thanks again for your typically insightful and wise understanding of the impatient guitar player’s issues and the invaluable advice!
Hey Griff,
I have yet to complete your survey and will get around to doing it over the weekend. But Frustration would have been one of them. So I’m going back to basics and going to complete BGU V 2, as well as Start Strumming & Rhythm ( I have just purchased a new Acoustic Electric Guitar )as well as learn Johnny B Goode..I took up learning Electric Guitar with the goal to play this song..If I can learn this song and complete the Guitar part then I will be ready for anything. Your above tips are very worthy and are a great guide.
Have a great weekend.
Michael- Sydney- Australia Fri 28th Oct 2016.
Griff..I have a good feeling about my guitar learning and you make me feel good about my efforts.Thank you!
This is helpful. I wonder, though, if you could expand on your list and maybe give us a dozen songs or so in each category that you would suggest.
Wow Griff your timing could’ve have been better. I recently started taking lessons at a place where you spend 1/2 hour with and instructor ND then they place you in a band where you learn 5 songs.
At first it was fun the first lesson I took the instructor thought me a song it was an easy song and I had fun,when I went with the band I play 1or2 cords to the beat and had fun.
But I wanted to play more keep up with the band ,next couple lesson were terrible, the instructor was frustrated with me not getting what he was showing I’m frustrated other be able to do it. I was just about to call and tell them I quit, and I received our email today and while I was reading it I realized that’s me that’s the problem I’m trying to run jump hurdles and I haven’t even learn how toften walk
Thank you I’m going to talk to the instructor about going back to simplify song and go back to having fun
Thanks again great timing
I, too, was wondering what category Texas Hideout would be in. This Griff song/lesson has been a guitar-saver for me! I thought I was a low-level intermediate who just couldn’t pull it all together until I began working on this one. Now, everything I’ve learned from Griff so far is falling into place, and I’m feeling like a rock star! It’s a great tune–try it out!
Strumming and singing. I was doing that before I started learning techniques from Griff. I Learned to do it by talking the lyrics as I strummed. Over time I learned what words to say over each chord as I strummed it. From there I changed my voice tone from talking to singing. I’m NOT a vocalist but I can now sing many songs while playing.
When I first worked on Griff’s blues videos the first and most powerful technique that I learned was counting out loud to keep in time while picking out the various segments of a solo. VERY POWERFULL TOOL. If you can count out loud while playing then transitioning to speaking and then signing the lyrics should be much easier.
TIP. Learn to strum all of the chords in the song using Griff’s counting technique. After you master the guitar piece of the song replace the out loud counting with spoken lyrics. Once you can do this add the melody to the lyrics and sing. After that you are on your own cause like I said, I ain’t no singer but I can play and sing dozens of tunes.
Right on GRIFF
What category would your song Texas Hideout fit into
“But keep in mind that if you try to sing and play at the same time, that’s a whole different animal!”. When a new course on this animal?
I totally agree with what you have stated.A lot of guitar students try to run before they can walk and give up trying to learn to play the guitar within one month.
Beginners think they can play like:Satriani,Steve Vai,Joe Walsh,Alan Holds
orth,John Etheridge,Roy Buchanan,Larry ,Jan Akkerman and your mate Eric Clapton within a couple of weeks.
You know and i know that it takes years of Self Discipline and 100% dedication!!!
I also teach guitar and i really enjoy your lessons and i know exacly what you are talking about.
Keep up the good work.
I find there’s a ton of stuff I can play OK when I’m on my own but when I’m in front of other people only half my brain seems to work! And if I’m singing it’s only about a quarter! I have to keep simplifying until I usually end up just strumming, coz it’s all I can manage. So damn frustrating sometimes makes me want to give up.
Excellent advice as reminds us of the famous saying “you need to learn to walk before you can run.!”
I know what you mean. I read somewhere that playing for an audience reduces your capacity by 20%, so you need to be playing things that you can perform comfortably i.e. you are only using say 60% of your engine rather than something that requires you to be up to 95%.
I am a rubbish singer but trying to improve. What I have found is that when singing and playing guitar at the same time no matter how simple or complex the guitar part is you need to be able to play it on ‘auto pilot’ so that you can concentrate on the singing and delivery of the song. Practice the guitar part until you can play it without having to think too much about it. If you can’t sing over it while maintaining the guitar part then simplify it for now and keep practicing the more difficult version until you can do it. As Griff says it takes time. Learning the guitar is a lifetime thing – there will always be new things to learn and you can always be getting better.
Good post Griff.
I gave up trying to play solos note-for-note a long time ago. Even if you can do it at home, first time in a band or jam session with a slightly different feel / tempo, it won’t work! I might play the beginning or end close to the original, and the rest “in the style of”. Solos after all are the creative output of a musician on the day and probably never played the same again, even by the original artist. By all means learn signature licks (many of my solos come from Freddie King licks) but then play them in your own way…and most critical of all IN TIME and hit those chord tones on the changes, even if it means dropping a few notes or adding a few to get back in step with the rhythm section. That’s my philosophy and I’m trying to get that over to a friend who is really struggling with this topic right now.
That sure sounds like good advice to me. Probably uses a little less brain power too 🙂
Hi Griff great sense as usual but is there a way to measure progress and feel good about it. I know LOTS of stuff I didn’t know in the beginning but bringing it all together eludes me. Cheers H
Thanks Griff. Makes a whole lot of sense. A sense of accomplishment is what I need right now !!