How to improve my "campfire" music?

[Andrew Lamprecht]

I decided I want to single out some techniques I would really like to get better at. One of them isn't so much a technique but a style of playing I am fairly inexperienced in. Generally, I'll play, blues, rock, funk, metal, whatever I'm in the mood for.

The one thing I have never been able to do is sit there with a guitar and someone tells me to play something, then play something that sounds good. I guess one thing that would help a lot is just sitting down with an acoustic but are there any free resources that could help me get better at finger style or cooler rhythms that aren't based around the sustain of an electric or the way songs tend to be set up....

Like, I'll make an entire song that is clean chording or something but it doesn't sound good because the way it is set up is changing around the lyrics and repeating similar parts over and over. I want something that is changing all the time and sounds interesting.

I don't know what I am looking for, just want to be able to play something interesting to others if someone asked for it and I didn't have an amp with me..... :approve: Feel free to recommend artists or resources or whatever you have, just looking for ideas on where to start.

 

[Jay 77]

Re: How to improve my "campfire" music?

When I think acoustic, the first thing that comes to mind is fingerstyle playing. I'm terrible at it, but it adds a nice dimension if you're not planning on strumming and singing. Beyond that, use some inversions here and there to break things up a bit.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: How to improve my "campfire" music?

Learn to sing as best you can. At that point cowboy chords become magic. Beautiful finger picked tunes are wonderful but unless you're a master with a captive audience people will become bored after a few tunes. People want to hear songs and that means singing. So learn to drive that right hand like nobody's business. Solo acoustic performance in this context is all about faking the listener into feeling a drum-like beat along with the chords.

Try tackling Jim Croce's "You Don't Mess Around With Jim."



The tune is butt simple but you've got to drive the bus hard and deliver the story at the same time. You don't have to play it exactly like Jim. Find the groove/chord voicings that work for you.

 

[lpmarshall]

Re: How to improve my "campfire" music?

It's one thing I've generally been pretty good at. And I'm usually drunk at that point and somehow pull songs out I haven't played in 10+ years.

It helps to have wide musical tastes. I know that is kind of hard to switch on/off, but I've been in so many different types of cover bands that I can cover quite a bit of range. I've done 70's/80's rock, 90's, and modern covers.

Chordie.com is a great resource for breaking songs down on acoustic.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: How to improve my "campfire" music?

I learned to finger pick from listening to and playing along with what are now old Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Peter, Paul and Mary albums.

The older the better...early 60's.

Lots of great songs there. Blowing In the Wind, One To Many Mornings, etc.

Use a capo. Once you can fingerpick well in the the first position in the key of C, just capo up to the fourth fret and play the same thing you learned in C, to play in E.

Worked for me.

 

[zenmindbeginner]

Re: How to improve my "campfire" music?

Don't forget the hard strumming folk style of Richie Havens.

Richie has that strong right hand technique that emphasizes 16th notes with strong accents. Dave Matthews pretty much plays in Richie's style.

The effect is frenetic and mesmerizing.

There are a lot of fingerpickers out there and you would be set-apart from them with your aggressive and soulful "Havens style".

You'll have to beat the womerns off of yer mansnake.

 

[Aceman]

Re: How to improve my "campfire" music?

In my old age - learning to sing and strum is a critical thing.... Wish I'd have done it until I was good at it long ago. Normal (meaning almost everyone) people do not care about interesting or shred. They want to hear a song. That means melody and words number one, followed by some accompaniment.

Learn to sing decently. Doesn't need to be amazing.
Learn the key for your voice. Know your range.
A capo is your friend. MAkes the strumming, the singing, or both easier. Screw the original form/key.

An Eagles song is what people REALLY want to hear. My unplugged list:

Take It Easy
Pink Houses
Signs
Peaceful Easy Feeling
Margaritaville
Take the Money and Run

Small Town
Lyin Eyes
Shooting Star
Free Falling
Already Gone

Rock Star
Dead or Alive
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Lightning Crashes
Hold My Hand
Wonderwall
Breakfast At Tiffanies

Brown Eyed Girl
Wild Night
Wish You Were Here
American Pie
Piano Man
Rocket Man
Tequila Sunrise
Just Like Jesse James

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: How to improve my "campfire" music?

If you dont want to sing, then learn classical. It will benefit all any and all other solo styles you try, as well as giving you a repertoire of beautiful music that you can play the next time people say "play something".