Practise and the next level

[Luke Glendinning]

What’s up family? I’ve been playing for about 4 years (sadly) on and off. Typically the way she goes is I play for a bit, get frustrated that I’m not progressing super well despite not practising things that will help me progress, and tuck my guitar away for a month or so before I start it again.

LATELY I’ve been taking it much more serious, signed up to learn from Papa Gates with all you beautiful people, and enrolled in in person lessons to take my playing from “somewhat okay rhythm guy” to certified bad ass! Here is a jam from this morning
Constructive comments only please! I know I have a few bad habits and a long way to go, but I’m not looking back!
Oh and did I mention I picked up MY DREAM GUITAR? I’m loving it!

cheers guys, and until we can play lessons again, here is a little something let me know if these links don’t work!

 

[Ed Seith]

Hey Glenn. First off, solid tone you've got there (nice guitar).

There are two things that stick for me as things to work on. The first is that when playing rhythm and chords, you're often straying a little too far away from the FEEL of the rhythm. I do that from time to time myself, but I do it because I *want* to. Listen to the kick and snare drums and isolate Zacky's rhythm playing to really FEEL what he's doing down there. Drums are the GOSPEL. You ALWAYS follow the drummer.

Second, and I think you *might* know this, on your single note lines (main theme/melody) you're playing mostly upstrokes with your pick. This is the least-smooth approach, with all downstrokes being slightly better, and alternate picking being smoothest.

You put more time into those things, and you'll be bad ass in no time. Thanks for posting!

 

[Luke Glendinning]

Thanks for the tips Ed! Really appreciated
I’ll definitely spend some time listening to the rhythm track over again to get the feel instead of just freestyling it
And yes the dreaded upstroke pick
I did that for about 3.5 years (don’t ask me why) and now just trying to shed that bad habit. Hoping some lessons and someone constantly pointing it out will re wire the brain! Thanks again, I’ll keep on it!

 

[William B.]

Nice! Some parts it seemed like you could add the pinky, I don;t know how it would affect the chord

 

[Luke Glendinning]

Nice! Some parts it seemed like you could add the pinky, I don;t know how it would affect the chord

My pinky is quite antisocial and doesn’t like to join the party. Also something I’m working on

 

[Alicia Willis]

Thanks for the tips Ed! Really appreciated
I’ll definitely spend some time listening to the rhythm track over again to get the feel instead of just freestyling it
And yes the dreaded upstroke pick
I did that for about 3.5 years (don’t ask me why) and now just trying to shed that bad habit. Hoping some lessons and someone constantly pointing it out will re wire the brain! Thanks again, I’ll keep on it!

It’s all about the muscle memory. Your brain is wired to do upstrokes since you’ve done them for so long. I was a downstroke gal for EVERYTHING FOREVER until everyone kept telling me to alt pick…and they were right.
For me, small little exercises like just running through a pentatonic scale and really focusing to only alt picking helped. I used to just sit and do it while watching tv sometimes and it clicked pretty quick.

 

[Luke Glendinning]

It’s all about the muscle memory. Your brain is wired to do upstrokes since you’ve done them for so long. I was a downstroke gal for EVERYTHING FOREVER until everyone kept telling me to alt pick…and they were right.
For me, small little exercises like just running through a pentatonic scale and really focusing to only alt picking helped. I used to just sit and do it while watching tv sometimes and it clicked pretty quick.

That’s awesome, yeah through every excersize in the library I’ve been alt picking
I will take your suggestion and practice that while watching a movie or something, lord knows my ADHD ass could use some extra stim thank you! You guys are awesome. Haven’t met a more supportive group of guitarists like this, pretty cool

 

[Ed Seith]

That’s what we go for, so thank you!

 

[Luke Glendinning]

That’s what we go for, so thank you!

Question for you and @Alicia Willis- when alternate picking- is it inherently problematic or “wrong” to start with an upstroke instead of a down? I notice even when I start with a downstroke the upstroke just takes over in a reverse economy type deal. Ex. Down up, next string up down, up down, up down
Instead of alternating properly or using the economy approach. Seems I default to what’s normal for me. I would appreciate some insight from the two of you!

 

[Ed Seith]

Typical is down, but it should be dictated by two things -
1. What works for you, and
2. (This is the tough one for me) how the bit you're playing jumps from string to string and how that fits with your "inside" or "outside" picking preference.

 

[Luke Glendinning]

Typical is down, but it should be dictated by two things -
1. What works for you, and
2. (This is the tough one for me) how the bit you're playing jumps from string to string and how that fits with your "inside" or "outside" picking preference.

Awesome dude thanks

 

[Alicia Willis]

#whatedsaid

Especially the bit about “whatever works for you”…. Yes, there are “correct” ways to pick things but there are many extremely talented guitarists and other musicians who don’t do things the “correct” way.