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I recently acquired a Ztar Z6S with pretty much all the options. It's so
different from playing a regular guitar that I don't know if I will ever
be able to realize even a small part of its potential. And I guess the
fact that I'm not really a guitar player doesn't help...
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Hi James.. Congratulations on owning a Z6s :-)
In my opinion, not being a guitar player helps a lot, because you don't have to change your technique, but just develop your individual Ztar approach.Having had Ztars for many years, I've noted that every Ztar-player has a different technique, and that very few Ztar techniques are similar.
I would say that in addition, as you're almost 'starting out' learning a new instrument, that the best advice that I could give would be to learn to tap. (if you want to of course)
IMO; How to start;
1) Set up a zone from 12th frets to 24th with a useable solo voice. Use a solo-played voice to start with,( flute is workable) Set it to poly mode, so that later on, you can easily block out chords with your right, and also play chords and harmony solo parts just on one 'string'
2) Layer bass on the lower neck, on the bottom 3 strings from fret 1, up to fret 11.(set to guitar mode)
3) Layer a pad voice over all 6 strings from fret 1 up to fret 11. (set to guitar mode as well)
Now, you can play chords and bass accompaniment with your left, by just holding a chord, and you can start to pick out melodies over the left-held 'chords and bass' with your right hand. Start with simple r/h arpeggios maybe, in different positions, so that you can learn the shapes.
One of the huge advantages of learning to play melodies with your right hand is the speed.
My left hand on guitar is not impressive or fast at all, apart from my pull-off's, bends, and hammer on's, which I've spent decades working on. I grew up playing mainly Chet Atkins-Merle Travis- styles, pop, and Clapton-esque blues, and so my right is not fast either (ie. I'm no Yingwe Malmsteen :-)
But, I've developed breakneck speed playing solo notes with my right on Ztar.
Try drumming your left and right hand fingers on a tabletop (separately) as fast as you can.
If you're right handed, then your right should be almost twice as fast. On guitar this is of no advantage at all, if your left hand is slow, no matter how fast your right is (unless you play mandolin -type fast 'tremolo' picking.)
But on Ztar, you can translate this impressive natural speed of your right into your tapping, if you apply it to the Ztar switches correctly.
Soon, after learning a few pieces using left and right, you can work out how to play simple block chords with your right as well, and also harmonies. Try playing scales (major/minor) with your right over the relevant chords held with your left as well as your regular arpeggios.
Also try holding a chord with your right at the top of the neck, and playing the relevant scales with your left.
Personally, I use EADGBE tuning in all Ztar zones, (because I've been playing for a long time and can't manage to get my head around 4th's or 5th's) but you can experiment with different tunings if you want to of course.
When I first got a Ztar, I was a little aghast and intimidated..(probably like you) But since I developed my own style, I still play guitar, but the musical horizons on Ztar (using two hands on the neck) are vast in comparison.
You can see some of the possibilities of course, by watching people like Michael Bianco on youtube. (but don't let such expertise put you off your regular practice :-)
Good luck with your wonderful new instrument..
richard
bg (Bulgaria)