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May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | This might seem a little dumb on it's surface but after perusing the archives I find a lot of info on how much folks spend practicing, improvement through lessons, etc. but I'd like to know what you do when you do play alone, either as a 'practice' or sitting on the porch, in the garage, anywhere really, what do you play? Do you play complete songs that you like over and over, noodle around with progressions, write songs, etc.? I know the 'just play it' mantra but my question is just what is it you play?
I ask because after many years of always practicing with purpose, i.e. learning new music for a band or project I was with (albeit with no hits)or playing along with songs for fun and because I am a hack and play and learn everything by ear everything I know is in pieces. I realized that the only few chords that I actually knew the names of are the basic open chords and a few of their barre brethren up the neck by their position. But, all in all, very limited even though I may know more than 100 other songs by only the parts I play. I probably couldn't sit here today and play anything start to finish that you would consider a complete piece of music. But live as a group we would sound great.
The whole purpose of acquiring an acoustic is to force myself into actually knowing a little something about playing, learning more about moving chords, their names, etc. Last night I spent a considerable amount of time diving into a variety of chord progressions in different keys and it was refreshing. I find that a lot of what's 'new' to me are things that I have already been playing in some form but never really knowing the what or why or it all. Putting the pieces together is going to be fun and it will certainly make me better at what I already do. But I just don't want to again have all these pieces that still mean nothing. I'm looking for a little direction here.
But back to the original question, what brings you the most joy when sitting around and just 'playing it' for fun?
Lastly, a happy Independence Day to all here in the US and my humblest thanks and appreciation to all who continue to make it possible. |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | erm, I think you've already answered your own question but...
As a soloist (fingerstyle) I'm always playing on my own so it's either (in no particular order though I spend most of my time doing 2, 3 or 4)
1. Practising technique
2. Practising/polishing a tune
3. Playing finished tunes
4. Learning a new tune
5. Composing a new tune
6. Random noodling in alternative tuning to discover something interesting/new
I don't bother with learning chords/notes etc, I've found I don't need to know them.
What gives me the most joy? Number 3 of course! |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | It's usually writing tunes or polishing them for performance.
Or trying to figure them out from cds. |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | Originally posted by dweezil:
I don't bother with learning chords/notes etc, I've found I don't need to know them. That's interesting as I find myself in exactly the opposite position. When learning electric parts there's a lot of ways to get where I need to be but I am finding that with the acoustic, especially with the more complex sounding chordings or even the fills, have me baffled until I can now put a name with the sound. It's like leaning a whole new language. It's funny, even something as simple as my 'D' chord needs a re-work as I always played it in a lazy 3-string barre/middle or third finger on the second string. Played that way for ever but it no longer works with the more demanding cleanliness of moving chords around on the acoustic. |
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October 2008
Posts: 489
| Originally posted by nervous:
I am a hack and play and learn everything by ear This does not make you a hack. It makes you a musician. |
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Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 489
| Originally posted by nervous:
I can now put a name with the sound. It's like leaning a whole new language. That's a step in the right direction, but I'd advise learning how chords are constructed. What makes a chord minor? What makes it a 7? Major 7?
With this information (available on the internet or in several excellent books) your playing will experience a quantum leap. If you're currently memorizing a lot of different fingerings with no understanding of what's going on, you're going to be pleasantly surprised when you learn how it all goes together, and how easy it really is. |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | If you're currently memorizing a lot of different fingerings with no understanding of what's going on, you're going to be pleasantly surprised when you learn how it all goes together, and how easy it really is.
This is exactly what I am doing and will certainly take your advice. I will say though that my attention span isn't so good at times and if the theory gets me too far in the weeds it tends to shut me down but I'll certainly have a look around. I would love a quantum leap... |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | I am a hack and play and learn everything by ear This does not make you a hack. It makes you a musician. [/QB]
It's funny, as I was reading some old posts someone mentioned that while they were somewhat self taught their spouse was classically trained and couldn't do anything without teh written music to work from. I have been on both sides of that. When I was a young, schooled trumpet player I could certainly read and understand very well but had zero improvisational skills. After making the untrained trek to bass and later electric guitar I was forced to play what I heard, couldn't read a note but felt so much more freedom in playing in developing a style per se and just really hearing and feeling what I was doing. This acoustic thing for me could be an interesting evolution where I can perhaps incorporate both to some degree, although I really have no interest in learning to read at this point. That does not seem necessary for me. Thanks. |
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Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Funny, having just come out of an almost 2 year period where I was only learning my part to a song and not the "whole" song, I am finding it very refreshing to sit down and play and learn a "new" song start to finish. I have also been fortunate to find another musician who has been playing music (Southern and blues based rock) I have allways enjoyed, but, due to the "band" experience I was not playing. I'm starting/learning to throw in more "transition" chords where I never did b/4. Gives the song more "feeling". |
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February 2008
Posts: 747
| Usually I have 2 or 3 songs that have caught my interest for awhile so I'll work on them a lot - play them over and over not just to learn them but because I like them.
I'll also work on finger picking to maybe find something new and same with flat picking various riffs and chord progressions that I use all the time.
Then maybe play a few songs that I've already learned but I guess mostly what I do is pick up the guitar to mess around with what ever songs have caught my interest at a particular time.
Lately I've been learning Townes Van Zandt songs; before that was Fred Eaglesmith - next month could be something different |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Practice is split:
warm-up (scales and a strum in a particular key)
work on repitoire (practice two songs)
work on a new song.
Any time left over, jam. |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Topic: Playing By Yourself...
Got used to that as a kid. My folks had to tie an ol' pork chop bone 'round my neck just so the dog would frolic with me!
Seriously, I try to accompany YT vids. |
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Joined:
March 2009
Posts: 715
| Well, I've been in such a slump lately that I don't feel like playing the guitar all that much.
When I do play it, I practice scales and some bits of a John Denver song. Also, I'm working on the intro to "Wild About My Lovin".
Michelle |
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Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Michelle, IT"S TIME FOR AN "O"!! :)
That will get you playig! |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 5332
Location: Bluffton, SC | Yeah, we all get there, Michelle. The majority of my playing is on the back deck or in the family room alone. And, just like anything else, you gotta keep the spice in there to keep it interesting. Make that move and pick up an inexpensive new git (there have been several that have been sold here lately for stupid low money), learn a new song or two (or figure out a different twist to one that you already know - make it jazzy or really rock out that ol' Croce tune) or find someone to play with. The passion may subside at times but it never goes far. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | Originally posted by nervous:
I may know more than 100 other songs by only the parts I play. I probably couldn't sit here today and play anything start to finish that you would consider a complete piece of music. But live as a group we would sound great. That sums it up for me quite well. Before the last band I was in, my playing was not very directed. I am not a solo performer, so that makes it kind of tough to learn a whole song in a way that is satisfying.
Now that I am bandless again, my playing is not very focused. I'll put on the CDs of the songs we did in the band and play my part along just for some satisfaction.
Also, I spend time writing and recording. Though that is now getting pretty frustrating since my vocalist daughter never finds the time to record vocal tracks for me. So there are songs completely recorded except for vocals!
More structure to my playing and practice time is needed, especially with regards to learning or improving technique. |
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Joined:
August 2007
Posts: 494
Location: Location Location Location | The great thing about the guitar for me is that it serves so many purposes. Different things bring me joy when I play alone. If I feel like a performing flea, then I'll play songs I've learned, playing licks I've mastered. These are usually the times when I think I can play or sing anything.
Then there are more reflective, self conscious times, times when I don't think I can do anything, when I don't even feel worthy of owning, much less playing, a guitar. Then I explore scales, and chord relationships, moving from one chord to another in different places on the fretboard.
Then there are the mornings when I usually just
try to get new information into my brain and under my fingers. Working things out in different keys.
But the beauty of all of it, is that every day, after so many years of playing, I wake up with a burning desire to have my guitar in my hands. |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 355
Location: Wichita, KS | Playing alone is the nearly the only way I play. Sometimes Debbie is around. I don't play FOR her. She just happens to be here when I feel like playing. Once every few weeks I play with some friends.
I know a handful of chords and strum well enough to please myself and that's all I want at this point. Maybe someday I'll get serious enough to put some real effort into my playing, but for now I don't have the time or inclination to work that hard. |
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Joined:
March 2009
Posts: 715
| Originally posted by BT717:
Michelle, IT"S TIME FOR AN "O"!! :)
That will get you playig! Well, I'm supposed to go and meet Patch tomorrow. He's going to let me play some of his guitars.
Michelle |
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Joined:
March 2009
Posts: 715
| Originally posted by Weaser P:
Yeah, we all get there, Michelle. The majority of my playing is on the back deck or in the family room alone. And, just like anything else, you gotta keep the spice in there to keep it interesting. Make that move and pick up an inexpensive new git (there have been several that have been sold here lately for stupid low money), learn a new song or two (or figure out a different twist to one that you already know - make it jazzy or really rock out that ol' Croce tune) or find someone to play with. The passion may subside at times but it never goes far. Definitely! That is why I'm looking for a new guitar, as I think I'm outgrowing the one I currently have. And I'm going to look into having a practice partner.
The "Wild About My Lovin" song is a new one for me to try. My teacher and I are deconstructing Zal Yanovsky's part. It's been fun to learn!
Michelle |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I try to learn 50-75% of a song and them move on to something else. Then I know parts of most songs but can't play in front of people cause I don't know a single full damn song. |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Yeah, that's convenient...
Who was it at AI1 wanted me to play "What a day for a daydream" while trying to read the lyrics from the screen of their cell phone? |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Jeff maybe..???? :cool: |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Originally posted by BT717:
Michelle, IT"S TIME FOR AN "O"!! :)
That will get you playig! And, maybe a guitar too!
(apologies: couldn't resist) |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | I have to warm-up. Start with a chord -- D or A Minor, E, d-Minor...generally something open...then some soloing, improvising in that key, then some chording. Then exploration.
What makes me most happy? Not sure why, but a fast run always gets my blood moving. I'll do a few of those, then set out to find new and nice chord progressions. Then, if I have the time, I'll record the chord progressions on the loop station and jam with myself.
If the equipment is not available -- one of the nicest things about the guitar as an instrument is that it is SO portable! -- I'll just play, starting out with the warm-up routine described above.
I do some of my more creative things when there's no way to record them for later exploration and elaboration! Now that I have an iDea, I'm looking forward to using it for things like setting down those discoveries made out in the woods playing by myself!
My goodness, I've probably lost 1,000 song and progression ideas because I was nowhere near a place to record them.
My own fault, of course...I never learned to write not just the chord names but the cadences and ornamentation that give the progressions their unique character!!! |
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Playing By Yourself
