Help!!!!

[drummandamn]

I am a drummer, have been for 20 plus years, I recently acquired a serious interest in the guitar. My wife bought a LTD (ESP) Eclipse I, I did not help her, she said it looked like me. The guitar feels awesome and sounds great, but I have a problem I can't get my fingers to spread far enough to catch few notes any suggestions??? I have been told my whole life that drummers are not guitar players, wonder why? I taught myself to read tabs and I am trying to follow the videos but I am just not getting it. The drums came natural there is no thought involved for me. Is there a beginner, beginner section? Thanks!! :eek: :rolleyes:

[Blewbyou]

On the main site http://www.nextlevelguitar.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 there are quite a few beginners videos to watch. In order to veiw them you must have a payed membership.
Blew

[Jack Mahogoff]

>>I have been told my whole life that drummers are not guitar players,


drummers make great guitar players.. I had a full ride scholorship in percussion, and took up guitar. Percussive sounds (especially on an acoustic) and challenging rythms are a bit easier to pick up on, because we are used to tuning our ear to hear them.

have fun and enjoy this site ;)

[Whiskey]

Eddie Van Halen started on drums. His brother was the guitarist. But while Eddie was out trying to do his paper route Alex would secretly practice the drums. Ended up being better and Eddie decided to switch to guitar. I'm sure you already knew this but a fun fact for the rest.

And look at what a crappy guitar player he made...lol :cool:

[Les Paul]

Hi, I'm about 6 months into fulfilling my dream of playing guitar, after playing drums for literally the past 30 years. I alway kicked myself for not taking the time to learn guitar at an earlier age, but have now made the commitment. (I was especially inspired by Ace Freley's cherry sunburst Les Paul, back in the late 70s, hence my current Gibson LP). I said back then, if I ever take up the guitar, I want one much like his. Now I've made it happen, and I'm obsessed with it. I still play drums in a band, weekly, but am totally into playing my Washburn acoustic and Les Paul every day. Don't give up. I had a relatively slow start, then everything started "kickin in". I've still got a long way to go, but I'm already further along than I ever dreamt I would be. I truly believe (and so do the guitar players in our band) that being a drummer has been a huge advantage, mostly by having the built-in rhythm that many beginners lack. Stick with it, and though there have been times I thought I'd never get a particular chord or something, it like everyone says, practise practise practise...bla bla bla yadda yadda yadda
Guess what? They're right. It's amazing how it just starts "working" if you practise it enough. Much like your ability to drum. Many of your skills came about over time, not instantaniously.
Anyway, have fun and stick with it.

[drummandamn]

Thanks for all the inspiration, I know first hand about dedication, I was a Green Beret, in the Army, for 9 years. I am not a person who gives up. KISS is a awesome band. Some of my first dum solos were inpired by Peter Chris, as well as John Bonham. I joined the Army and turned a record contract down with my old band, they still play today. I thought it would not last and I was tired of being broke. I don't see the drums the same now like I did then the guitar has a whole new meaning to me. I think this is a great forum and website, I will join when the finacial situation gets better. I lost a lot in the WAR, O.I.F. like the ability to sleep during the night or day, and half of my leg. You guys are awesome!!!!! Don't give up I sure as hell won't.

[sheepster]

I can think of a few other people who started out on drums too. Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters springs to mind. He may not be the greatest guitarist, but he's still world famous...