How to play guitar better?

Question

I've played Guitar for 3 years but I've only progressed like I've played for one year. I really want to learn how to improvise and jam, not just play chord based music, but I have no idea where to start. Are there any types of music or certain scales or anything like that that would help?

Answer 1

First of all you need to go back and LEARN THE BASICS... this is what happens when people think they can get a guitar and learn how to play it for free and without a teacher... they don't learn the basics and, after 2 or 3 years... they suddenly realize they don't have the BASICS down well enough to advance any further than they already have.

HIRE A TEACHER and have them work with you for a couple of months to help you UNLEARN all the bad habits you have picked up by learning on your own... and THEN they can teach you the basics you should have learned 3 years ago.

Answer 2

Get a teacher.  

Answer 3

Learn scales.

Learn how the strings and fretboard work.  How the notes are laid out.

Learn enough musical theory to understand the relationship between chords & scales.  This is critical for understanding how music works, and developing the ability to invent original music that sounds good.

Get a fake book and learn how to play your favorite songs.

Now you have enough technique and knowledge to improvise.