How to Stay in Control

[Nonvintage]

I consider myself to be a pretty good player, but whenever I hear a recording of myself I usually cringe. I find that I like about 90 % of what I play but when I try to expand on what I'm playing rather than playing it safe; I inevitably hit bad notes, clam etc. etc. I'd appreciate some advice, like play less, stay within your comfort zone or something I can hang my hat on?

[rob2001]

Record more and address what you don't like. I found some things are worth perusing, others are better left out of my bag of tricks.

[Mr_You]

I don't know if this is your problem...

But most of the time when I'm hearing an amateur guitarist improvise (and even some pros), they seem to be listening to themselves vs listening to the music as a whole, ie. background + lead and how they compliment each other. It takes practice to listen.

[Dexter.Sinister]

Embrace the din! Every note is valid...just make it count. Don't cringe...use the 'clams' as jumping off points. For now, just try to land somewhere that's consonant with the rest of the neighboring notes/key. Once this becomes 'ok', consider letting it hang out more...that's where the fun starts!

DS

[pater familias]

Buddy Guy made a living torturing clams for 30 yrs.

[drod2045]

Originally Posted by Mr_You

I don't know if this is your problem...

But most of the time when I'm hearing an amateur guitarist improvise (and even some pros), they seem to be listening to themselves vs listening to the music as a whole, ie. background + lead and how they compliment each other. It takes practice to listen.

this!!! THis is great advice!

[shane88]

i think if ur playing with or in front of people it's a good idea to know what ur doing and what's goin on esp if it's being recorded > i wouldn't want to go in not knowing how it's gonna go unless there was a very good band dynamic that was used to it > but most improv is just rearranging cliches anyway > ymmv

[Help!I'maRock!]

hold on loosely, but don't let go. if you cling too tightly, you're gonna lose control.

[dividedsky]

I'd like to know too. When I listen to something I record I think "did I really play ALL those damn notes?" Not that they were necessarily bad or wrong but it just seems too crowded when it didn't while playing.

[shane88]

maybe you ain't used to being recorded so every chance you get record something > and that means every time u pick up a guitar > get used to how u sound and the procedure

[xroads]

I guess you are talking about improvising, right?

Think of it as "speaking with music": you need the right words, grammar, and the right content. If you tell something, you make pauses, use high or low voice, less or more words etc. With music, it's the same. Just find your language.

[Jazzydave]

Originally Posted by Nonvintage

I consider myself to be a pretty good player, but whenever I hear a recording of myself I usually cringe. I find that I like about 90 % of what I play but when I try to expand on what I'm playing rather than playing it safe; I inevitably hit bad notes, clam etc. etc. I'd appreciate some advice, like play less, stay within your comfort zone or something I can hang my hat on?

Someone once told me, "Practice what you don't know, not what you do."

[frankiestarr]

It's hard to hear yourself a lot of the time ! We love what we do, and have this vision of a perfect, great guitar solo. haha. I think the answer is to play more , record more and perfect what your going for musically. More! more! more!