Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

[Matt42]

I had an audition canceled out from under me because the guy said my lead playing was "riddled with mistakes." I wasn't super excited about that band anyway, the samples he sent me were boring and unimaginative to my ears. I was probably going to turn him down, but hearing his opinion of my playing hit me pretty hard and has me worried.

I'm pretty comfortable with my playing. In the moments when I'm being totally honest with myself, I'd consider my skills to be somewhere around an 8 out of 10. I know where my strengths lie (theory, right hand technique, tone, and sense of when/what a song needs) and I know my limitations (left hand technique, phrasing, and working the chord tones in a solo). I'm at my best in a live situation, rather than sitting in my room playing leads over short rhythm tracks that I recorded myself.

As far as the clips in my soundcloud go, the only ones that are anything serious are the ones that are longish. Most of them are just me sampling my new amp and some new pedals to show to some friends and post here. The ones that I actually put a little bit of effort into are "Cortez Jam" "Crayon Jam" and "Archer Demo Track 1." Even those were pretty off the cuff. I put more effort into the getting the rhythms right than making sure the leads were perfect. I'm about 95% happy with all of them. There are a few parts where I feel like my phrasing could be better, or I wish I had done something different, but overall, I feel like they are pretty good for what they are. I know the sound quality isn't perfect, and my recording setup/technique leaves a lot to be desired, but other than that...

What I'm looking for from this post is two fold:

First, I'd like to hear some critiques of my playing on soundcloud, as well as the video and album I am linking at the bottom. I've got thick skin, so I wont get offended by harsh, but constructive criticism. I want to improve and you don't improve if everyone is always singing your praises, rather than pointing out what you need to work on.

Second, I'm hoping someone can give me some advice for what kind of tracks I should be putting up to send to people. I'm not trying to get into a super pro band or make it big in the music world, I just want to play a couple of gigs a month, with a good mix of originals/covers, and have fun. That being said, I'm hoping to get into a band with some other people of my approximate skill level. As much as I liked the guys in my last band, I was pretty obviously the best member (or at least that's what all of them told me when I was moving). I don't mind that, especially when the band dynamic is really solid and the guys are super cool, but I want to play with people who are going to push me. Any advice is super welcome!

Thanks in advance.

https://soundcloud.com/matt-bush-238837186

https://vimeo.com/149214492

https://thehasslers.bandcamp.com/album/the-hasslers (Acoustic guitar on 1, 5, 8, 11, 12. Electric on 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9)

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

Firstly..sweet tone! Secondly...your playing is fine but ...a little more fluidity would be nice (not speed). On some tracks sounds a bit like finger exercises up & down the scale (ie..too practised /& maybe even a bit hesitant)...a bit more variety with the bends & vibrato might be nice too and the bends are just a hair flat sometimes..you asked for an honest opinion & that's my honest opinion. Of course every player is going to form an opinion/critique based on what they compare it to (their own playing/likes/style) so take mine for what it is....

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

Don't take anything that anyone tells you any hard. One guy hates your playing, the other loves it.

I think you play okay. One thing I noticed in the solos, you may stuck too much of the things you are comfortable with. After the 3rd song it becomes a little predictable and makes your playing a little stiff. Having the skill, breaking your own rules is not about what the theory books say. It is about changing the attitude a little. Don't worry, just do it.

That is the key word. Do it. Play more. Build more solos. Transcribe other players' solos, besides notes try to understand the feelings and what they want to tell, it's all about that. Having a good day? Or are you competely wrong and broken the other day? Put it in the solo.

To move up a level just try to move out of your comfort zone, learn jazz or metal solos or anything that is far from you. Maybe their notes have no use for you. Their feelings will. Watch a kickass movie and try to put your favourite villain into the solo. Drive a race car and try to kick out the same power via notes. Things like that. Pack the things of the world into your playing.

All with a foot note: I'm on the same quest as you and all of above is a direction I'd like to go and not an accomplishment on my side. I admit it. An ample of work is needed to move myself out of my comfort zone. But I'm on it man.

 

[Matt42]

Re: Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

I'm definitely guilty of sticking to what I'm comfortable with. It's something I've been working on. At my last show I managed to work in a couple of cool chromatic riffs that I certainly wouldn't have been comfortable playing even a few years ago.

Phrasing is definitely something I'm working on as well. I spent a long time not really working on it, and just defaulting to running scales up and down. I'd break out of it from time to time, but I definitely built some bad habits about defaulting to occasionally brainless playing. I've been working on integrating chord tones into my solos.

I'm going to work with my brother on building some backing tracks, he'll do the drums and bass and maybe keys if we want them, and I'll do the guitars. Maybe that will help with the construction of solos. It will also allow me to put a variety of samples up.

I'm curious which bits you listened to? The album, the soundcloud, the video? All three?

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

I'm curious which bits you listened to? The album, the soundcloud, the video? All three?

All of above. I started with the video then picked a couple of random tracks from your soundcloud and bandcamp. There I concluded you seem to play inside the box a little.

It is not a guilt just a habit. We love to repeat things that work. Again: I'm not trying to spray the brains as I'm on the same mission as you, just with different content: trying to find ways to leave my comfortable box where I spent the last 20 years at least.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

In the "Cortez The Killer" piece, you are doing some weird semitone chord shifts that are not in the original Neil Young song and, more importantly, which grate against the lead guitar. The lead guitar seems to be using notes from a different key to the chords. The playing is kinda tentative. You are not really grabbing either part by the scruff of the neck. A good bit of what Neil does is attitude.

"Crayon" is better. Apart from anything else, by not being a cover version, it does not invite direct comparison.

The playing on "Archer Demo" is fine but the mix does not allow either guitar part to be heard clearly.

On a general level, you will grab the attention of an audience by taking risks. You need to get them wondering what you might do next. Ideally, not even the rest of the band knows what you might do next. This keeps them on their toes. Hopefully, everybody plays with a bit more urgency. Ideally, the excitement builds through your set and you leave the audience wanting more.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

Collect a sh!tload of different backingtracks, record yourself ad naseum....
Play along with music you have....
Listen to singers for phrasing, don't lock yourself up in certain genres...
Hear other than the normal comfy music, if it does not disturb in some way, you will not move!!

Record some classic pop chordchanges, play something that will push the format some.....
Pay attention to the rhythm, again record yourself.....
It is like learning to talk, roughly

Listen to other instruments, guitar players are a lazy bunch, they stick to guitar related stuff when ever they can, and it shows, it is not very interesting nor fun!
Strive for your own little mark....
Dig up a drummer and jam....

It is about pushing yourself, when I practise I play stuff I would never play in public, only to have that extra so that I can be relaxed when playing.
Relaxed hunger as I call it

Also play on instruments that fights you some.....also to get that extra more...

Dunno if any of this makes sense....
But happy hunting

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

Pay attention to the rhythm
Dig up a drummer and jam.

+1

With a strong drum part going on, rhythm guitar (and, for that matter, bass) is liberated from having to define the fundamental rhythm of the song. Instead, you can break things down into fragments and syncopated, angular motifs.

 

[Matt42]

Re: Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

Yeah, I always feel more comfortable with a live rhythm section. Once I get settled here in Portland, I'm going to find some people to play with. When I was doing this recording, I wanted to do some country stuff, but I couldn't get the feel right without an actual rhythm section. I miss my old band already!

I'm not very happy with the Archer clip's sound quality. You're right, the mix is pretty poor. The soundcloud stuff is basically the first time I've ever recorded myself at home with anything more fancy than my cell phone. I'll be the first to admit that I have a lot to learn on that score.

I've not listened to the Neil Young version of Cortez all that much. That walk up thing comes from the versions I've heard Warren Haynes do in various incarnations. I don't always use it, but when an entire band hits it right on, it's pretty cool. It doesn't really work on this version, however.

I actually play quite a few instruments (banjo, mando, pedal steel, lap steel, dobro, and I played sax in high school). Since I've become more serious about pedal steel, my guitar playing has improved a lot. My hybrid pick/finger rolls have gotten better and my overall approach to soloing has kinda changed. I don't really know scales on pedal steel, and my previous teacher didn't teach them to me in a traditional way. He taught them to me in hexatonic scales (i.e. taking the the chord tones from the I and ii or the IV and V chords and building a little scale out of them, playing the I/ii when the song is on the I and the IV/V when it's on the IV). I've tried to apply that to my lead playing, but it's really only been catching on my country picking.

I appreciate the comments guys. I'm going to keep working on getting more stuff up. Once I find an apartment and all my gear over here, I'm going to really get to work. I've been intending to do this for years. I had originally planned on having an entire website dedicated to personal clips and demos up by the time I moved to Portland, but I never got around to it.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

You also may insist on live auditions, if that is your strength. Lots of people choose band members not just on playing- personality, etc...but if you do great playing live, put up some live playing clips, and insist on a live audition.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

I know where my strengths lie (theory, right hand technique, tone, and sense of when/what a song needs) and I know my limitations (left hand technique, phrasing, and working the chord tones in a solo). I'm at my best in a live situation, rather than sitting in my room playing leads over short rhythm tracks that I recorded myself.

You need to almost reverse this. Tone, theory, technique don't mean a thing if you can't apply it properly (i.e. phrasing). Also, the live/ bedroom thing can be a bit misleading, as you usually are not able to listen back intently while in a live situation.

I had a listen to a few things (soundcloud, video etc.) and your definitely right on the phrasing. It just sounds like a bunch of constant, comfortable runs, almost like your scared to really go for it. It sounds like you keep 'searching' for what you want if that makes sense? Hard to pin point, but alot of my students have had this problem. The sort of ' i know i should be playing this scale right now, but i don't know how to apply it' sort of thing.Perhaps your 'strength' (theory) is actually hurting you in this situation. Phantasmagoria hit it with saying more fluidity would certainly help.

I wouldn't call it 'riddled with mistakes' by any means, I think it just sounds like you're not quite sure where to go.

Some general tips to throw your way:

- Start by jamming over blues backing tracks, stick with your boxes, try to keep it fresh even after 2+ min. Keep it simple.

- Leave some space. You don't always have to be picking a note. Whether its actual silence or holding a bend for awhile...let it breathe.

- Learn some solos by the guys who's playing you love. And I mean LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT, not just being able to play the right notes and follow along with a tab. Do they rake the bend? Rake it. Do they wait on the bend before giving it some vibrato? Then do that. etc. Really delve into what makes that player stand out. A great example is go watch a bar band play a song with an iconic solo (lets say sweet child of mine or you shook me all night long) why do half of them hit the right notes but the solo falls short? Because they just learned the notes on the page and nothing of what makes that player actually stand out.

- Practice your bends. Out of tune bends sound like ****. Period.

- Relax

- Jam with people who just want to JAM. I have many friends who we NEVER talk about 'doing a project' because it would simply ruin the vibe. We jam for jam's sake and have a blast doing it. Play with people who are better, doesn't have to be a guitarist either.

- Learn a simple cool lick and try to incorporate it into your backing track jam sessions. Add a lick a week.

- Don't overthink with the theory stuff and chord tones etc.

I think that's enough for now. Overall man, I wouldn't call your playing bad at all, and I respect your ambition to improve yourself. One day at a time my friend!

 

[LLL]

Re: Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

You gotsta get some fire in your belly!

People don't want to hear you, they want to feel you.

Play it like you mean it... or stole it.

Speed usually takes care of itself in that department ("fire"), but when you're playing slower, you'd better really dig in and "say something".

 

[Matt42]

Re: Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

Thanks for the input guys! So far I've learned three major things:

1. I need to work a lot on my phrasing, note selection, overall style. This is something I've been working on for the last few years, and something I knew I needed more work on still. I'm going to keep working on breaking my bad habit of more or less just running through scales in the 1st and 2nd positions on the DGBe strings. I'm going to keep trying to incorporate hexatonics and chord tones into my solos where appropriate and just letting it rip where that's appropriate. And I'm seriously thinking about getting into some lessons again. I was thinking about that anyway, but now I'm thinking more strongly about it.

2. I need to work on my bends, perhaps playing with a tuner for a while. Any other suggestions on making sure I'm hitting them instead of being flat?

3. I need to get a wider variety of my skill set represented online. I was surprised to see a lot of you commenting on the lack of variety in my playing. But then I relistened to everything in my soundcloud and I totally get it. All three of the longer clips sound pretty much exactly the same. I'm doing pretty much exactly the same thing in the video as well. In actuality, I cover a hell of a lot more ground than what is represented here. This is actually going to be priority one for me after I find an apartment in Portland. My brother has already agreed to help me make a variety of backing tracks. He plays drums, bass, keys, and guitar, and has a fair amount of experience programming drums in some software or another (he mentioned what it was, but it's late and I can't remember). I'll probably take down everything that I've posted on soundcloud so far and replace it with stuff that he and I have created that covers a wide variety of styles and actually showcases my versatility. Maybe I'll actually record some lap and pedal steel as well.

Anyway, thanks again guys. I'm feeling a lot less self conscious after being a few days removed from dealing with the ******* that brought on my bout of self doubt.

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

Most of all you need a thick skin

Musician's are *****y SoB's by nature (I have some fantastic tales...haha..). Don't be manipulated and/or mind****ed ..& don't let criticism get you down...ever

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

Thanks for the input guys! So far I've learned three major things:

1. I need to work a lot on my phrasing, note selection, overall style. This is something I've been working on for the last few years, and something I knew I needed more work on still. I'm going to keep working on breaking my bad habit of more or less just running through scales in the 1st and 2nd positions on the DGBe strings. I'm going to keep trying to incorporate hexatonics and chord tones into my solos where appropriate and just letting it rip where that's appropriate. And I'm seriously thinking about getting into some lessons again. I was thinking about that anyway, but now I'm thinking more strongly about it.

2. I need to work on my bends, perhaps playing with a tuner for a while. Any other suggestions on making sure I'm hitting them instead of being flat?

1. Lessons are always a good idea. Every 2 years or so I'll get a block of a few months in order to work out some kinks and expand the ol palette. With that said, I think you missed part of my point in my post...don't focus on just using 'hexatonics' or 'chord tones'. Let it rip and see what sounds good. Stick to pentatonics and normal 7 tone scales at first as well. If you think too much about chord tones your going to be landing on the 3rd every single chord change then your back to sounding sterile. Completely break free for a bit. Its better to go "why did that sounds good there? oh, because its the 3rd of a chord!" then to go "I have to land this E on the C chord".

2. Tuners are ok for this, but its better to just develop your ear. On the high E string go: 10. 12. 10. (then bend the 10 up to E). That gives your both your staring and reference point. OR if your on a non floating bridge, pull a bend on the B string then 'check' it with the corresponding note on the E string. Like a unison bend but your not hitting them both from the start.

 

[Matt42]

Re: Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

2. Maybe I'll do both! I have spent a lot of time playing to a tuner to make sure my intonation on lap and pedal steel was good, so I'm used to that. But the on the guitar way sounds a lot better.

1. I will say that some of my best solo work at my last couple practices and my final gig in Missoula was stuff where I just let it rip and realized I was playing a lot of the chord tones without realizing it. I think I'm going to work on a two pronged approach here, though. I'm learning the chord tones anyway, because I'm working on learning all the major and minor triads in every position up and down the neck (and the 7ths and diminisheds to a lesser degree). The chord tones just kinda come a long with that. I also feel like taking the chord tones approach was a rut buster for me. It broke me out of some very bad habits. I need to avoid developing new bad habits with the chord tones, like always landing on the 3rd or using the same intervals too often. Which is why I think I'm going to dedicate practice time to both from now on (whereas before, I was mostly working on the chord tone stuff).

 

[Demanic]

Re: Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

People bend flat for the same reason that they sing flat. Lack of confidence as to whether the note is the right one and their ability to hit it.
Trust in your ability and let it all out. If you find you start bending (or singing) sharp, pull back a bit.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

 

[Matt42]

Re: Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

Hey, I sing flat too! I've gotten a lot better in the last year, but for years I was horribly flat. I'm still not great, tbh, but I have fun.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

It'd be real fun to work with a guy who says stuff like "your playing is riddled with mistakes"

Dodged a bullet there dude!

 

[Aceman]

Re: Looking for some honest opinion and some advice

Speaking as a guy in a cover band…where there actually are mistakes;

Play it like you mean it
Play it well

Whatever you play - Those two things will get you farther than any technical correctness.