Does playing guitar alone develop bad habits

[Stuball48]

I have been attempting to play a guitar for four years and with Covid and my guitar teacher passing, I have played alone. I get the feeling I have developed some bad habits. Instead of bass strum strum I might bass, down strum, and then up strum. Thinking I might need to try and strum along while Johnny G. plays the melody and let him Guide me into proper strumming?
I have tried listening to. "classic country" on cable and strumming along but, Lordy, I get as lost as a ball in high weeds.
Any suggestions appreciated.
 Thanks in advance.

 

[johnreardon]

Why on earth should it develop ‘bad habits’, whatever they are? IMO, there are no such things, people are different not automatons.

In the early 60s I started playing electric on my own until I formed a band 3 months later. We then started gigging. Yes we were more than a bit raw, but we got tighter the more gigs we played

I have never had a lesson in my life.

After a 40+ year break, we reformed in 2013. With the band being dispersed in England, Wales & Spain, we tend to all play alone, except for the few times a year we gig.

I would forget about there being a ‘correct’ way to play and just develop your own style.

I assume there must be a music scene around where you live, so why not go to open mics or jams and join in. That’s the best way to develop your musical skills

Good luck

 

[walrus]

Agreed. As long as you are playing in time, think of it as your own unique style. There's no good or bad with the possible exception if you are trying to totally copy a certain song exactly as recorded.

walrus

 

[Guildedagain]

Bad habits = style.

Page was derided for a long list of "bad habits" or "questionable tone", however those still sound better than most other mortals like us.

 

[Guildedagain]

Playing alone at home with a freaky-ish slightly AI beatbox Digitech Trio Band Creator/Looper & EH 720 Looper will open up the fingerboard in previously unknown areas (lesser used keys), and the outcome is that you will be more fluent on the guitar.

Playing with yourself doesn't have to be a bad habit.

 

[Muckman]

Picking/strumming patterns are mostly a matter of choice unless you are playing something extremely technical, then the song can dictate how it has to be done. A metronome is a great way to keep yourself in rythym and be able to restart where you want, when you want for practice sake.

 

[dreadnut]

Developing your styles.

Are you playing and singing? Singing can really help you develop the rhythm.

 

[Stuball48]

I can say, I am liking the encouragement.

 

[mushroom]

As mentioned just keep a watch on your time.
I play along to a song I know or a click track on the laptop every so often but mostly just freelance.

The other thing I will mention is try to vary what you play. I found myself drifting into playing the same thing all the time so now I plan a blues day or a rock day or a play and sing day just to keep things varied.

 

[dreadnut]

As long as you thump that bass note in time you should be good to go, everything rides with that.

 

[fronobulax]

It's not a bad habit unless you don't like the music it produces. Everybody adjusts how and what they play according to circumstances. That adjustment doesn't mean you are "fixing" a bad habit.

 

[Elderguilder]

The only players that develop bad habits are those of us who play classical guitar music.

 

[Muckman]

The only players that develop bad habits are those of us who play classical guitar music.

Definitely a fine line to follow! Learning to play a piece of classical music properly leaves little room for anything but proper technique....I've been "learning" the same three Bach pieces for about 15 years now. My hat's off to those who have the inclination and talent to play classical fluently. Hand positioning, dynamics and right hand tone influence on each note.....My biggest regret as a guitar player is not putting more effort onto learning classical/flamenco when I was starting as a player.

 

[RBSinTo]

Stuball,
Doesn't playsturbation lead to blindness??????
If possible, please stop when you begin to need glasses.
RBSinTo

 

[Opsimath]

I have been attempting to play a guitar for four years and with Covid and my guitar teacher passing, I have played alone. I get the feeling I have developed some bad habits. Instead of bass strum strum I might bass, down strum, and then up strum. Thinking I might need to try and strum along while Johnny G. plays the melody and let him Guide me into proper strumming?
I have tried listening to. "classic country" on cable and strumming along but, Lordy, I get as lost as a ball in high weeds.
Any suggestions appreciated.
 Thanks in advance.

Would Johnny G. agree to being your new teacher?

Since our teacher stopped teaching a few years ago my worst habit has been not playing as often. Trying to break out of that.

 

[beecee]

Developing your styles.

Are you playing and singing? Singing can really help you develop the rhythm.

What a great thread!!

I've never liked my voice and it's certainly held me back from playing more...and playing out. I have been singing to myself while on my 500 mile weekly road trips recently and am feeling some improvement.

Considering hitting up my daughters former voice coach.....might be the best $25 consultation.

I also get in the rutof playing the same stuff over and over....and not improving. Good tipto mix up nights.

 

[Stuball48]

I always sing softly or in my mind. I hit the high and low notes better iny mind than I do when I sing out.

Opsimath: I am sure Johnny G. would agree to being my teacher but getting him on a predictable schedule (say, once per week at a certain time) would be a challenge. He has lots of health issues that prevent him from following a schedule. But I just might talk with him and see if we can work something out.

 

[Opsimath]

I always sing softly or in my mind. I hit the high and low notes better iny mind than I do when I sing out.

Opsimath: I am sure Johnny G. would agree to being my teacher but getting him on a predictable schedule (say, once per week at a certain time) would be a challenge. He has lots of health issues that prevent him from following a schedule. But I just might talk with him and see if we can work something out.

So sorry to hear he has health issues. I hope things improve for him.

 

[JohnW63]

The bad " habit " I have from years of playing on my own is stage fright. I don't know if that is really a manifestation of low confidence or just adrenaline. I can also fall back to the chords or finger picking patterns I know well rather than what I should be pushing to know new chords well.

 

[Stuball48]

So sorry to hear he has health issues. I hope things improve for him.

Things have really improved - he has "hope" now.