I'm going to make music.

SWFalken

After spending a considerable amount of time and money enjoying the fruits of other musicians talents, I have decided to learn to create music myself. I purchased an acoustic guitar and have begun to learn to make sounds with it. If there are any musicians on the board I would appreciate any advice that you have to offer.

Pycroft

Hah...there's probably nothing anyone can say on here to help you. I have been a musician for 15 years, about 8-9 professionally, and I can write a song for my life. There are things to consider - lyrics or music first? - it's an individual choice. When I TRY to write music, it starts with lyrics, creating a melody that fits the mood of the song, and going from there. If you want to keep it simple, you could always just do some 'Adam Sandler' type stuff. Pick 4-5 chords on the guitar in a medium high key, and just **** some funny stuff.

Good luck!

James

rtart

I'm on the same path. After many, many years, (I'm 50) I have decided to learn guitar. Bought a Fender Mexican Strat and a Fender Princeton 112 amp, along with Fender's "How to Learn Electric Guitar" DVD. Enjoying it a lot so far. Planning on finding a good instructor for personal lessons, but wanted to use the DVD for basic skills so I don't waste a lot of lesson time. Fingers are becoming callused, so I guess I'm making progress.

Pycroft

Personal one on one training is the only way to go, but you're starting the right way. Get some knowledge of chords, etc. and investigate a teacher.

bruss

Pycroft wrote: »

Personal one on one training is the only way to go, but you're starting the right way. Get some knowledge of chords, etc. and investigate a teacher.

i agree. You can get started with some leard to DVDs but there is no better waythan actual lessons from good teacher

Pycroft

I am certainly here to help with any musical questions you may have. I play guitar (Casually) but can answer any music theory questions that may come up within lessons, etc.

James

cstmar01

SWFalken wrote: »

After spending a considerable amount of time and money enjoying the fruits of other musicians talents, I have decided to learn to create music myself. I purchased an acoustic guitar and have begun to learn to make sounds with it. If there are any musicians on the board I would appreciate any advice that you have to offer.

are you just looking to play guitar or are you looking to do more of the music production end of things?
If so there is a lot of great software out there for pretty cheap and depending if you have a mac or PC there are some really good, inexpensive programs that you can obtain to do the recording and production end of it.
Also if you ever want depending on the universities that are around you, you can sometimes pick up a class or two that will have music theory or production classes that you can use their studio gear, which is great and then you don't have to pay the cost of an actual studio (depending on the university of course).

SWFalken

Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions. Right now I am at the stage where I will find out if I have any aptitude for this at all. If I find that I am lucky enough to have any talent at all, I will move on to writing and recording (fingers crossed). Pycroft, when did you know that you had the talent to really make a go of it? I have given myself a rough estimate of a year or so of playing an hour a day 5 or 6 days a week to know if I have enough talent to do it. Again, thanks to everyone who has responded.

Pycroft

Well...I realized I could do it in high school, went to music college and honed my skills, and learned how to be a musician...and it all took off from there. An hour a day 5-6 days a week is a great start, adn you should see a marked improvement in your skills after some time. Especially once you find a teacher, you should see a huge improvment! I'm glad you recognize the importance of practice!

Good luck.

James

SWFalken

Pycroft wrote: »

Well...I realized I could do it in high school, went to music college and honed my skills, and learned how to be a musician...and it all took off from there. An hour a day 5-6 days a week is a great start, adn you should see a marked improvement in your skills after some time. Especially once you find a teacher, you should see a huge improvment! I'm glad you recognize the importance of practice!

Good luck.

James

When I started my journey in photography, the only thing that ever made any difference in my images was shooting,,, a lot. I read books and went to galleries and the only thing that really improved my visualization was looking through the lens and pressing the shutter release. I'm now at the point that I make a living doing it. I figured that I would apply that philosophy to music. Thank you again for taking time.