Is it normal to want to play the guitar but not be much into music?

86% Normal
7 Comments

I play other instruments, and am excellent at playing them, but I'm awful at music. After years and years, I cannot look at a sheet of music and be able to sound it out, I have to actually play it to know what it will sound like. I also can't imitate songs at all. I can't really make up songs either. I feel I may be able to be more creative with a guitar versus the other instruments I play though, it seems like I'd have more options. I'm not sure.

I just enjoy the job of playing an instrument. I am missing the musical and creative talent, I only have really good technical ability. The technical ability does give me great drive, I will say.

I also don't listen to music much, very rarely actually.

is it normal to want to learn the guitar, and play other instruments, and enjoy it, and be good at it, but not be musically inclined in the least?

Voting Results
86% Normal
Based on 22 votes (19 yes)
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Comments ( 7 )
  • Wendell
    11 years ago

    Of course, How do you think the Jonas Brothers started

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  • nAt2017
    11 years ago

    Sure, why not? If you like it, then you should do it. It's not like it's doing you any harm.

    Do what makes you feel happiest.

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  • Terranaut
    11 years ago

    I ran into a similar blockage with the lacking creativity, but was able to get around it by looking at things rather mathematically. Learning all my chords, scales, modes and intervals, how they sound in relation to each other and how to balance them all out helped me a lot, and now I'm writing some songs here and there, and have become MUCH better at jamming.

    I do have a very math-centered mindset, and if you are similar, this may work for you too.

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  • Who_Fan4Life
    11 years ago

    Do whatever makes you happy. I like what dappled said, you should stop being overly critical. You said you had a great technical ability to play instruments. If that's what you're interested in, who's stopping you? Go for it!

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  • shade_ilmaendu
    11 years ago

    I can't look at something and sound it out either, though I've been trying to practice that by tone matching my voice with piano. It's fucking tricky.

    I know how you feel, I've never played enough guitar to be very good at it, pretty decent on trumpet and piano, I can even write.. but my poetry isn't lyrical, can't write music worth a damn. But it's like anything else you want to do. There are people with natural iclinations toward doing it well and there are the people who worked their asses off.

    If you really want to do it, be dedicated as fuck, and never forget the 5 P's.
    Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice...
    ...Practice.

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  • dappled
    11 years ago

    I think you're being overcritical of yourself. I've played three or four instruments but I can't look at sheet music and visualise it, either. Not unless it's very, very simple anyway. I'd always thought most people were like that.

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    • Justsomejerk
      11 years ago

      I can't either.

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