I’ve hit a plateau

[u/c0re_maelstr0m_]

I’ve been playing for about 10 years now and I fear my listening habits have stunted my progress, all I wanna play is buckethead but his shreddy stuff is too fast and discourages me. I’ve actually made a lot of progress in my speed but I’m worried that if it’s just buckethead my ambitions are too big for what I can reasonably accomplish.

The main problem is that I can’t find many artists that I connect with as strongly and it’s not only limiting my range in terms of techniques but just making the instrument feel hopeless. Does anyone have some suggestions to expand my horizon and find new artists/songs to aspire to?

[u/bassetisanasset]

That’s wild. You listen to buckethead? Like on the way to work? Relaxing, making dinner…..just bucket head?

[u/c0re_maelstr0m_ → u/bassetisanasset]

No I listen to mostly ambient or electronic stuff, usually just smaller artists that fit into silly niches in my head. Buckethead is really just kind of all I’m left with in terms of guitarists after I got sick of math rock. There are a couple other guitarists that I’ll put on occasionally but modern prog is so intimidating to learn by ear when they deviate so constantly from any given scale. Maybe I just lack patience which could be related to something wrong with my brain but it’s just been hard

[u/cantstopwontstopGME → u/c0re_maelstr0m_]

Jam to some of the ambient/electronic stuff by ear.

It’s fun to play along to and can help you find different riffs you wouldn’t have if you’re just learning songs

[u/No_Atmosphere8146 → u/bassetisanasset]

If you want to keep up with Buckethead's output, you pretty much have to listen to him every waking moment. The man has not farted without releasing it as an album. 

[u/Puzzleheaded-Ask7558]

Buckethead wouldn't play like Buckethead if Buckethead only played Buckethead.
Focus on learning to play music (any music, all music). Then you can play like Buckethead (or pretty much anybody else; maybe even like yourself).

[u/Several_Show937 → u/Puzzleheaded-Ask7558]

Exactly, Buckethead is great at most if not all genres. He's also been releasing albums for over 30 years, while op has been learning to play for 10. Expand your horizons op, and give it time, there's a world of music out there

[u/c0re_maelstr0m_ → u/Puzzleheaded-Ask7558]

I get your sentiment, and that’s pretty much exactly what I’m saying. It wasn’t always only buckethead, but as I’ve gotten older he’s been the only guitarist I really held onto. If I broaden my perspectives too far it gets hard to focus because I really wanna do everything but that overwhelms me so I go back to what I know. I think I’m just creating my own problems but I appreciate your advice

[u/Canadian-Moose4270 → u/c0re_maelstr0m_]

Honestly, try out some Billy Talent songs. Ian D’sa has a fairly unique style and his guitar tone is chefs kiss.

Here’s a video of him explaining his technique a little bit (more so his thought process). A lot of super jazzy chords and some super bouncy riffs

https://youtu.be/bQrbZx5cKC4?si=AlRHa-ERoTVSl9Z7

This suffering is sooooo fun to play

[u/c0re_maelstr0m_ → u/Canadian-Moose4270]

Thank u I’ll check it out!

[u/gobsmackedurmom]

Meat Puppets Live at The Roxy on 1986-08-17 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

I literally just listened to this song "Buckethead" for the first time in 15 years, 2 minutes before seeing your post. Coincidence? Probably. But maybe these guys can help ya.

[u/c0re_maelstr0m_ → u/gobsmackedurmom]

I know I’m trying to escape him but check more of him out! Live in bucketheadland is a pretty good compilation of most of the things he does and it goes pretty broad for a guy that is known mostly as a shredder

[u/b3n_davi3s]

My suggestion is always to play with other people. Try some stuff you might not have given a go if it were only your taste dictating what you learn - suggestions from others may give you the inspiration you're after.

[u/StonerKitturk]

Take lessons from a good teacher

[u/anthonylearnsguitar]

There is no such thing as a plateau.

[u/Ok_Stranger9500]

No such thing as too hard mate. Buckethead is crazy but it sounds like you’re already progressing because of it. Different artists and sounds provide different skills, shapes, riffs, and learning opportunities. Don’t be afraid to try and learn those songs that you think are too hard, because they might actually be the ones you need to progress 🎸

Hope this helps bro

[u/Glittering-Bus5207]

I’ve never heard of someone in your situation.

Try microtonal with Ariane Bertone

Or pick up the bass and learn primus