Critique my playing, please

[Snipehunter]

(Late to the party, I know). I studied classical guitar for a short while and I recognize your right hand technique from that genre. I'm not qualified to critique anyone as I'm constantly working on my own technique, however, as a suggestion, if you think of driving through the string you're playing into the next one above, angled more toward the face of the bass, your notes will have more power, tone and volume. After becoming comfortable with that, you can experiment to make softer or louder notes and learn to make your tone dynamic...in other words, interesting to the listener's ears. Bass is not a delicate classical guitar; it is an instrument that needs to "know" who's boss, and played as such. Does that make sense?

Yes, that makes sense. Thank you.

Much to the credit to the people in this thread, I think I’ve got it figured out. I have been gigging for a year now. Looking back, I’m very glad I started this thread as it made a big impact on my playing.

Thanks, everybody!

 

[CooperHood]

Hi all! Guys, advise a beginner what is the best guitar to take.

 

[BlueTalon]

Hi all! Guys, advise a beginner what is the best guitar to take.

Visit a music store, and hold a bunch of them. You will learn a lot by feeling them. Start there.

 

[Bluest Blue]

I'm glad I could help. Another way to think about it is that you are driving and accelerating your fingers through played string into the rest string (as momentary as it is), instead of plucking them. You've been playing quite a while and your fingers are most likely plenty strong. I know practicing fundamentals is boring, especially when you've been playing and performing for a while, but I find it makes me a better player. I practice exactly what I've shared with a metronome and try to make sure both fingers are playing at the same volume and right on tempo. Then I purposely (intently) vary the finger pressure while alternating fingers (as usual). That builds control so when the dynamics of the song call for softer or louder passages, you're able to deliver them without a second thought.

 

[Paul New]

Floating thumb is better, I think. Practice rest strokes and free strokes. Be creative with the metronome and most importantly, slow it down and play very deliberately. I might even try some of that stuff myself sometime.