Ah! HELP!

[OpethInFlames]

Alright, i am deeply frustrated. Ive been playing guitar for 2 and a half years now and i am seriously not playing to the ability most people should be when they play this long. Im thinking this may be because of my teacher. All he teaches me are songs that i want to learn and if any new techniques come up that are new, he'll only teach me them then. I played piano for four years and i think like a piano player. I know alot about the theory but not alot about the actual playing of the guitar. So what i want to know is what i should do? I consider myself as a total begginer and want to know what i should learn first. Chord progressions? Scales? Memorize the fretboard?

[eische]

what about getting a new teacher?????????:rolleyes:

That's the first to come to my mind - and then: just try and practise the things, you feel you have a lack of (that can't be everything).
If you're a piano-player, you should be able to read notation, so get yourself some notes and try playing them - there will be some that callenge of your abilities and you will learn them while playing (enjoy playing, don't get bored over just techniques :p ).
I always find it extremely boring to just practise scales, so I went for some songs (easy ones, mostly for children, but you should have some notes of that from your piana-times) that are based on scales, so it's more fun.
Well, and memorising the fretboard can't be wrong, I guess. So connect that with your playing, like I have it printed at my side while trying out some new stuff. So I sometimes try just to grip a song differently to improve my knowledge of the grip-board.
What else:

Go, looking for a new teacher!!!!!!!:)

[gck]

if you do not feel comfortable with your teacher, switch!

However, maybe you aren't as bad as you think you are: I mean, doesn't every guitar player doubt his own abilities and is convinced of his personal lack of talent etc.. For example, in your math class, doesn't everybody think he/she was the worst in the class? In mine, they do!

However, after 2 and a half year with a teacher I would simply quit and continue my studying on my own. Compare the amount of money you paid in 2 1/2 years to the amount of knowledge you gained - do you really think another year or two will really pay out? Especially, when reading the lessons at cyberfret.com et al and attending this forum only costs you a few cents for the internet connection?

Think about it!

[55'gibby]

Switch or quit it's up to you!! It sounds as tho your getting bored as well a frustated. My suggestion is to find some folks to play with. Learn some songs in a different style than your currently learning. You should be able to find the songs you want to play on line, so don't rely on a teacher for that. If you go to a teacher, go for a reason, have a plan and a porpose. After 2 1/2 years you should be able to hold your own fairly well when you jam with others... so do it! btw I've been playing for 35 years and I still have doubts about my ability and talent. JUST KEEP PLAYING!!! DON'T GIVE UP!!!

[OpethInFlames]

Well, judging by the responses.... i think ill go for another month. If i feel nothing is going for me, ill quit. Also, i might mention, that only recently i have aquired an almost religious fervor(sp?) towards guitar. All due to a new brand of music i fell in love with. During my early years i wasnt really into guitar and practiced only once a week. Those days are no longer. I practice at least everyday(that is., if playing everyday counts as being "least" :) ).