It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Subscribe to our Patreon, and get image uploads with no ads on the site!
Base theme by DesignModo & ported to Powered by Vanilla by Chris Ireland, modified by the "theFB" team.
Comments
1 - Fast picking - I just can't do it very well, and the fact that I still have to consciously think about relaxing my right forearm after all these years suggests it's unlikely to get better.
2 - I'm very sensitive to the tone on the day, such that if it doesn't sound right I just can't play well.
These appear to be built-in problems, I fear
Seriously, sometimes the pressure to throw in an unnecessary or inappropriate lick gets almost physical.
"Hmmm, I haven't played anything for ages, have I missed a cue? Shouldn't I be doing something? - I'll just throw in a quick pentatonic twiddle and a couple of chord stabs. Oh dear, that sounded crap and the bass players looking at me like I just drowned his kitten...".
I much prefer writing my own stuff but I have an oddly specific optimal writing environment. It usually needs to be loud and I seem to be more productive late at night which can be tricky living in London.
Playing quickly used to be a lot harder but after a month or so of mind numbing practice with three note per string scales with alternate and economy along with a metronome (increasing by 2bpm every other day or so) it's getting much better.
Music theory is also not as good as it could be but again it's something I'm addressing. Many moons ago I was approaching grade 7/8 so there is a base knowledge knocking around somewhere.
Incremental gains is where it's at!
If I was to pick one thing it would be alternate picking on the lower strings. I seem to get a little plectrum stuck down there for some reason. I really must sort it out
"my ear is crap" - just a thought but have you tried the other ear?
My main gripe is that I can't play faster than a certain point. No, I'm not a shredder, but some of that surf groove just a bit Ferrari for me.
Don't worry, you'll always be a bad ass bitch to us.
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.