How do you work with your instrument?

[StrangeSound]

So folks,

I just wanted to make you aware of your playing. Lately, I observe my own playing. How much power do you use to play the guitar?

If I don't think about it -> I use too much power, which slows me down and makes me feel not very comfortable.

Try to play some licks slowly and with few power only, you'll feel better doing this.

So, if a lick doesn't work "on-speed" maybe it is your body (fingers) which can't act under these circumstances.

Just a thought for you, when you practise..use a metronom.

It's not on guitar only. I play the piano too and I'm learning the movements (fingering etc.) now. It works much better by using less energy. If your body agrees on the movement, it's a great basis to work on.

Also, I realized that I lean my index finger sometimes down on 3 strings at the same time playing a solo, which seems that I'm going to play a chord. I think it's faster because the strings are already attached BUT it's the opposite. No control!

That's what I'm working on now. Perhaps I could give some insight into new aspects of your playing?

Share your thoughts

 

[75lespaul]

Re: How do you work with your instrument?

I've found that if I TRY to play too fast, my fingers actually move slower. If I just "feel" the music the notes tend to flow more freely.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: How do you work with your instrument?

I think metronomes are great when running through exercises; in fact, I think they're critical. However, when working out songs and nailing the feel, a metronome can get in the way.

Also, playing with power can be useful, as can be playing with efficiency. Playing the guitar is a non-stop balancing act. The best guitarists do it with power, control, fluidity and finesse -- a tough balance to achieve.

- Keith

 

[StrangeSound]

Re: How do you work with your instrument?

I've found that if I TRY to play too fast, my fingers actually move slower. If I just "feel" the music the notes tend to flow more freely.

That's what I experienced, too! If you try too hard it has an opposite effect.

I think metronomes are great when running through exercises; in fact, I think they're critical. However, when working out songs and nailing the feel, a metronome can get in the way.

Also, playing with power can be useful, as can be playing with efficiency. Playing the guitar is a non-stop balancing act. The best guitarists do it with power, control, fluidity and finesse -- a tough balance to achieve.

- Keith

That's so true. I like to throw myself on the strat when I play a blues and put my whole weight into the note and vibrato..the music matters then. Blues, funk are on fire.

I thought of "shred" in the first post. The music is "cold" and it requires "cold movements"

But it's not only concerning the lead playing, I also had problems to play rhythm guitar. After 10 minutes my hand was aching because I played so heavy, with lot of pressure. But it's much better now.

 

[emilio]

Re: How do you work with your instrument?

I've found that if I TRY to play too fast, my fingers actually move slower. If I just "feel" the music the notes tend to flow more freely.

i think that happens to most people in anything. trying to write fast, run fast, swing the bat fast. if you try too hard it does the opposite. the problem is that sometimes i don't notice when i do this. :yell:

 

[Osensei]

Re: How do you work with your instrument?

I barely apply enough pressure to fret my notes. I works great for speed. Licks come easier when there is less muscle contraction to slow you down.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: How do you work with your instrument?

I'm too slow to waste energy planing "hard."

 

[StrangeSound]

Re: How do you work with your instrument?

I played the Ibanez for one hour almost without a pause and well...the guitar becomes more and more familiar to me.

I'm really interested to become "one" with the guitar :laugh2:

The half-man-half-guitar....man

But I see it's worth spending lot of time to get a good feel for the instrument..I'll do it every day now.

 

[MarkJ]

Re: How do you work with your instrument?

The only way the darn guitar works for me is if I play my own stuff. Believe it or not I have been practising this short piece - along with quite a few others - for close to 2 years. I play them to improve my technique. Went to play one after a few drinks the other night to members of my family and bloody well forgot the end! The only way I can work with my guitar is to associate feelings with the music. Only tunes I can remember really well - or play them without thinking about notes etc - are my own compilations. It seems that trying to master other peoples tunes is a waste of time for me. They do teach me technique though for sure. But I think it boils down to playing with feeling. Sometimes I pick the guitar up and can't do sod all with it and I throw it away in disgust. Scarey really. But other times I pick it up and it damn well sings. To sum up you have to work on technique and finger strength with set pieces but definitely play from the heart or soul when you want to feel good about your guitar playing - I think so anyway. Wouldn't play the damn thing otherwise.

 

[StrangeSound]

Re: How do you work with your instrument?

The only way the darn guitar works for me is if I play my own stuff. Believe it or not I have been practising this short piece - along with quite a few others - for close to 2 years. I play them to improve my technique. Went to play one after a few drinks the other night to members of my family and bloody well forgot the end! The only way I can work with my guitar is to associate feelings with the music. Only tunes I can remember really well - or play them without thinking about notes etc - are my own compilations. It seems that trying to master other peoples tunes is a waste of time for me. They do teach me technique though for sure. But I think it boils down to playing with feeling. Sometimes I pick the guitar up and can't do sod all with it and I throw it away in disgust. Scarey really. But other times I pick it up and it damn well sings. To sum up you have to work on technique and finger strength with set pieces but definitely play from the heart or soul when you want to feel good about your guitar playing - I think so anyway. Wouldn't play the damn thing otherwise.

Music instruments are there to make your feelings audible.

I get your point and yesistrue. It's great to play your own stuff but I don't like listen to my own stuff that often..that's the other side of the medal.

I come up with own licks or practise patterns...I do it now every day, slowly and I'm very surprised that it gets better and better, quite fast. I practise some sweep arpeggio:

e----10(d)----------13(u)
b--------11(d)--------
g------------12(d)----
d------------12(d)----
a----10(d)----------13(u)
E------------------

(d)=downstroke
(u)=upstroke

I start on the a string and when I played the arpeggio I realize that the notes on the g string and the b-string are the problem..I just played it super slow with a metronom and dang, I feel the effect.