Funk stuff ... am I doing this wrong?

[loofery]

I'm 19 and have been playing for almost 3 years. I recently responded to a Craigslist ad because I have been looking for a jam/fusion group to play with. They asked for a demo, so I made one with what I could, and sadly, the guy didn't even bother replying, let alone with a "no thanks." Here's what I sent him:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=492422&songID=6666086

This is going to sound very primitive to what you're compared to here.
This is simply an improv lead over a basic rhythm track.
Both made on a Strat, and recorded direct. No mic, so no use of my tube amps. Worse - I had just dusted off my old Whammy and decided to use it on lead. Talk about gimmicky tone, no sustain to hold any notes, and forget about double stops with such poor tracking.

If you can look past the tone ... I really would appreciate your criticism re: the actual playing ... I know there are some fantastic players on here, and I want to grow to be one too. There are some obvious screw-ups (like accidentally sliding into the tritone), but things like "try replacing rolling triplets with fast alt. picking" or something would really help me. As it is I don't really know if I am even headed down the right path. :confused:

[Lucidology]

Okay Jessie ... here's my critique as a guy who makes a living playing mostly funk ...

Your rhythm guitar playing is not primitive at all ...

In fact, it's more in the pocket then a lot of cats twice your age are when trying to comp in a funk style ..
In fact, it's impressive for any age level ... You've some finesse and attitude happening
with a nice skill level of note duration control in your right hand ..

Plus, you're smart to use a really clean tone & not let much grit get into it
Grit can cover up a lot of those subtle, but sweetly percussive nuances ..
The tone is killer ... not weak what so ever

As for your lead playing .... ?
you might want to approach that without losing the feel you have when you're comping ....
Unless you're intentionally floating over the beat, this should not be any different ...

But overall ... you got it going on Jessie ... and are totally on the right track ...

[Guitar Slinger6]

Don't take it hard. The playing was fine, nice chops going on. I would email the person and ask what they were looking for so you can improve or at least have some insight. However I would say an important piece now and forever is the tone when your going to audition, it is something that will not get over looked. It will make up a big componet of the sound of the band and will be a big factor. In the future always ask for a recording of the band, then get a tone that fits their sound and still sounds like you. Good luck.

[Lucidology]

the Dark Star Orchestra's version of Dancin' In the Streets...

Yo Jessie ... where can I hear this ... You've got my curiosity going ...
A Grateful Dead orchestra doing their version of Dancing in the Streets ...
Got to hear this ...

[loofery]

Thanks for the kind words Lucid ... everyone tells you but you're one sick player dude.

As for your lead playing .... ?

Haha yeah I have a few different ways to approach lead, all very "different" because I have never played someone else's solo ... I messed up the timing here at times but I was trying to float .. I call it "dancing" lead, something I liked from the Dark Star Orchestra's version of Dancin' In the Streets... I guess the whammy made me do it that way?

If I can find my mic, I will try something new for sure. I have decent tone without a whammy and usually play more straight, or swing the notes more. I sure miss playing in a band, I can't really play around with timing as well and can't create much momentum/build-up or movement with a static BT.

However I would say an important piece now and forever is the tone when your going to audition, it is something that will not get over looked. It will make up a big componet of the sound of the band and will be a big factor. In the future always ask for a recording of the band, then get a tone that fits their sound and still sounds like you. Good luck.

My guit sounded so weak from plugging in direct, and I wanted some EQ contrast from the rhythm, so I made the mistake. I am used to playing on a loud tube amp that breaks up when I dig in. Live, my tone is quite good. I told the guy that "the group setting is the ultimate test" but I guess he didn't care. A drummer to syncopate against and an actual amp brings out the best in me. He didn't know I was 19 either. Bummer.

[loofery]

Yo Jessie ... where can I hear this ... You've got my curiosity going ...
A Grateful Dead orchestra doing their version of Dancing in the Streets ...
Got to hear this ...

Here it is in all its free, legal glory ... (I'd take the VBR or FLAC)
http://www.archive.org/details/dso2007-05-08.flac16

from the 5/08/77 remake no less.
Kadlecik's playing = transcendent.

Morning Dew is also really darn good.

One day, I just might learn that whole solo. Endless cool licks. And speaking of dancing, "Come Dancing" by Beck always gets me.

[Guitar Slinger6]

For 19 you are doing great. At 19 I was playing in a hair band and not learning any thing except how to pick out the right hairspray. You will be just fine.:)