Ok, here's how it goes. I've been playing guitar for about 6 months, and I think I have come a long way in those months, but my problem is is that I have trouble creating my own material, as that is what I would like to do. I'm not sure if it's my low skill level or lack of fretboard knowledge. It could even be theory, but I doubt it. Are there any techniques or exercises that would help me out, or just some knowledge? Thanks.
Learning music theory and the positions of the notes all across the fretboard have helped me immensely. Music theory gives a place to reference in composition, and the notes on the fretboard helps in the quick execution and chaining of notes and passages. I'd say they're both very important to learn, even if they're a bit bland and boring. Another thing to work on are your aural skills. Being able to identify the note you hear in your head and immediately play it is essential in composing and improvising (especially improvising) music. Your technique develops as you continue playing, but you don't learn music theory by playing (you'll learn things related to music theory based on what you ear thinks sounds good, but chances are, it links back to theory), so making an effort to go out and learn it is important. The more complete and thorough you make your knowledge (ie, don't just memorize pentatonic and harmonic minor shapes, actually learn the theory behind them, the notes contained in them, how to play them in many different positions, etc), the better off you'll be, and the larger musical repertoire you'll have. And don't forget to work on the worse aspects of your ability. A few months ago, I saw that my rhythm playing was limited to pedal points and power chords for the most part (thrash much?), so this has been my main area of study lately (the other one being an increased modal use in my lead improvisation, because I feel that my lead playing is constrained).
The best way to improve at composition, however, is to use the skills you have to actually compose music, no matter how bad it is, or how short the pieces are. You can't magically get better at composition without ever doing it. Learning to read music is also an important thing to learn, especially if you have plans to write for other instruments, or even guitar with non standard tunings. Tabs can only go so far.
Practice all your scales! :lol:
If you know your scales enough, you should be albe to jam a little.
Listen to more songs and steal :P some riffs you like. You can add more it and change some parts.
But I'm sure it takes a lot of practice to improvise.
Learn scales, music theory and arpeggios.
I also had a problem like that when i was at the begining.
Dont worry,it will come with the time.You cant do that for 6 months playing...I played my own stuf after 1 year practice,just practice...with metronom ofcourse
Agree with the comments above. There is no quick way or shortcuts I'm afraid and you must be willing and committed to put in thousands of hours of practice. Make sure your practice regime has some sense of structure to it. Set yourself goals and try to come up with at least one new lick or riff of your own each day. As Baroque says get a metronome and you could also buy a loop pedal then you can record chord progressions that you have come up with and start improvising over them. I think it's important that you start playing with other musicians as well especially a drummer or bassist if you know any. There's a big difference in being a bedroom guitarist who just blazes over scales on his own to actually jamming competently with a drummer and bassist cranking out a 160 bpm rhythm section.
