How can I improve my Guitar playing?

Question

Specifically my rand hand picking technique.

Ive been playing for 2 and a half years and id rate myself as intermidiate.

My fretting hand is pretty good its just my picking thats not, most of the time ill miss the string or the pick will move in my fingers and so on.

Is there anything I can do to get better?

and please dont say stuff like "Practice makes perfect" I know that already.

Answer 1

A good way to become more acurate is to slow your playing and concentrate on timing, gradually get faster while keeping the accuracy

Answer 2

Have you seen that tenatious D film, pick of destiny, you neeeeed the pick of destiny!

Answer 3

Practice, a lot, I know that's close to saying 'practice makes perfect', but if you practice for several hours a day, you will improve.

Use a practice regime - ie, a list of things to practice each day for x minutes per item - with a focus primarily on what you are weakest at. In your case, you probably want to focus on fairly simple left hand (fretting) patterns that allow you to focus heavily on practising strict alternate picking with your right hand. Scales can be used for this just fine.

There are many websites out there that have selections of practice regimes, and practice modules to build your own regime, I would suggest browsing a few sites and trying a few. Once you've decided on modules to use, write down or print out a list, and stick it on your wall, follow it religiously every day.

Answer 4

Find a guitarist you really enjoy listening to and imitate him--note for note--until you can duplicate some of the songs you like best.  Play along with the CD as best you can and keep doing it until you've got it down pat.  Ever heard that song "Classical Gas" by Mason Williams?  I wore the record out--twice--learning to play that note for note, but I did it.  That was 35 years ago.  Then I heard the Layla album and it took me 6 months, but I could play every song on that album note for note.  After that, nothing was difficult.  I could sit in with any band in the world and not be embarrassed.  Give it a try and see if it doesn't work for you--I'm betting it will.

Answer 5

get some strings fitted