What's Your Skill Level

[just strum]

As mentioned in a previous post, I had my first ever guitar lesson today. It was pretty cool. The local guitar teacher has me on a standby list if he has a cancellation or someone misses a class, so I have to jump in on short notice.

He's going to work on some theory, scales, leads/soloing with me which is just what I need. Ran through maj and min pentatonic scales in various positions on the fretboard, some cool little bends and worked a bit on tying them together. : I have some work ahead of me, but it's so much better having someone show me, in 3-D rather than trying to glean it from paper or a DVD.

My skill level may just ratchet up a notch! Look out world, Rawk Star in the making

My teacher is a guitar player/vocalist/songwriter for THIS band.

Trev

Trev,

Good for you. It would be interesting to get additional reports from you with feedback on how the lessons are going.

[pytolk]

personally i think that im aabout intermediate...i know ALOT of theory i.e. scales, chords patterns keys anything that has to do with music, i probably know...but im slightly lacking in the playing department. ive been playing for about five years and between work, and the rest of my life i dont have nearly as much time as i would like to play.

[Brian Krashpad]

I'm OK. Have been playing a long time and can do what I need to do both on rhythm and lead, but I'm more interested in doing original music (whether mine or my bandmates', depending on the band) than being a virtuosic guitarist.

I'm fairly decent at sitting in and faking and can pick up stuff or make up a part on the fly fairly well. Those are strengths. Weaknesses would be anything related to speed or special techniques like tapping or sweep picking, I simply have no interest in those things whatsoever.

[Robert****]

Well, I find it really difficult to determine my own skill level. I'm sure others can do that better than I can, since most of us are our own worst critic. Thanks all the comments, guys.

[Justaguyin_nc]

Whats my level? Suck is a level!!!
I been playing a few years now.. I guess Beginner Plus?
I can do major and minor penatonics.. open chords.. have trouble with barr chords..
All I wanted to learn is easy 12 bar blues and some folk type playing of the usual 3 or 4 chords
in different keys when I started.. that make sense? So I can do that.. sometimes.. most the time
I still have major trouble with timing..
I am starting to keep up with recordings if they are not to hard...
I owe all I know to the internet..which isn't saying much if you hear me!! lol
I still don't play in front of people..but recording does not bother me!
I added Plus to Beginner because I am good at G.A.S. !! which is a major Plus!!
I enjoy buying stuff and figuring out why I did? haha

Latest song I am learning.. is Wilburys Handle me with care..
Which I suck at.. but I have fun with it all!!

Welp..I still have the fire to learn..and will continue..
inspite of no talent..lol

[just strum]

I thought I would resurrect this since we have a number of new members.

I will also add a question - when do you feel a beginner can be classified/identified as and intermediate? There's no right answer, but maybe some comments of what an intermediate player should be able to do that a beginner most likely cannot.

I am clueless, so I offer - NOTHING

[snarph]

Know what playing in key means be able to play most common chords/scales in a musical manner

[sumitomo]

Hi,I would consider myself a beginner with a clue.I really need to play more rhythm with my g-dec(It helps my timing alot).I can string licks together but if I cant jump back in the song (play rhythm) that aint no good.P.S.reading all this good stuff on here has helped me to have one of my guitars in hand 10 times more.I only watch tv about 5 hrs a week now,spend more time with my daughter,so its a good thing.Sumi

[jthoov]

i've been playing for about a year now..
but just playing... not really "learning" so im not that impressive..

maybe a bit under intermediate?

[Vihar]

I'm good enough for myself to not wanting to stop playing and advancing.

[Plank_Spanker]

I'm good enough to hold my own in most situations, and I'm confident in my abilities as a player.

But I'm pretty hard on myself...........................I'm nowhere near the player I want to be. I guess that is what keeps me happily spanking the plank.

Strengths? I have a good ear and I think my touch is pretty good.

Weaknesses? I get lazy and skip personal practice sometimes. I'm not a fast player by any means. My knowledge of music theory could fill a thimble.

All said, though, I'm pretty happy with where I am as a player.

On the Strum's beginner question:

I think you transition out of beginner level when you develop enough feel for it to start playing and working on your own - you start building your own foundation and finding your own direction.

[Ro3b]

I think the beginner-to-intermediate shift happens when your focus becomes less about the mechanics of playing the instrument (how to hold the pick, how to finger a G chord, etc.) and more about what you play on it (learning songs, improvising over changes, etc.). At some point you spend more time thinking about playing music and less about playing guitar. IMHO.

[LowEndWonder]

Semi-Pro, 10 years under my belt.

[scgmhawk]

Intermediate. Been "playing" for 33 years with a 15 year hiatus which impacted my growth!

[Kazz]

I suck therefore I am

[Swampy]

Is there a level before novice/beginner?:

[kiteman]

Is there a level before novice/beginner?:

Yea, a nobody.

[just strum]

ah, you guys are too hard on yourself.


Plank and Ro3b, interesting answers regarding the transition from beginner to intermediate.

[kiteman]

ah, you guys are too hard on yourself.


Plank and Ro3b, interesting answers regarding the transition from beginner to intermediate.

Maybe they are but I'll bet y'all are having fun with the instruments.

I enjoy mine whenever I'm good or bad.