One thing that I didn't think to mention in my earlier posts about my own playing...or more specifically the evolution of my playing..something that absolutely improved my overall skill, technique, etc... In the mid-late 90s I temporarily put down my electric guitars, and only very rarely actually plugged in. I wasn't playing in a band, and I really wanted to learn to sing and play. Having decent backup vocal ability from years playing in bands, I never really sang complete songs (except while driving
But for a period of probably 5-7 years, I'd just play acoustic and sing, until I was very comfortable with everything I had been working on. Obviously, my vocal ability was limited, so while I could play and sing, some singers/songs were just outside my range. But not being in a band, and wanting to learn something much different definitely shaped my abilities today. I've known many a shredder who couldn't sing a note..and that was not me. I enjoyed this new aspect of guitar playing...and lets face it...how cool is it when you're at a party or a bbq, and you bust out the guitar and everyone there starts singing the songs you're doing. It's absolutely more intimate than playing in a band, with the amps turned up. Not necessarily more or less fun...just more intimate.
Eventually, I started picking up the electrics again...and finally, the purchase of a fairly high quality PRS really re-sparked my interest in playing electric. I was back playing the way I started. But I never regret the years that I worked on my acoustic/vocal technique...and it's like riding a bike..you don't lose it. Sure...I need to warm up a little more nowadays...but at the end of the day, it certainly improved my timing...I play rhythms more naturally, with less effort....and of course, I can now sing and play. And there are still times where that's what I want to do. It just usually doesn't last more than a day or two.
Now...how do I regard my vocal chops?....that would be another thread.
But for a period of probably 5-7 years, I'd just play acoustic and sing, until I was very comfortable with everything I had been working on. Obviously, my vocal ability was limited, so while I could play and sing, some singers/songs were just outside my range. But not being in a band, and wanting to learn something much different definitely shaped my abilities today. I've known many a shredder who couldn't sing a note..and that was not me. I enjoyed this new aspect of guitar playing...and lets face it...how cool is it when you're at a party or a bbq, and you bust out the guitar and everyone there starts singing the songs you're doing. It's absolutely more intimate than playing in a band, with the amps turned up. Not necessarily more or less fun...just more intimate.
Eventually, I started picking up the electrics again...and finally, the purchase of a fairly high quality PRS really re-sparked my interest in playing electric. I was back playing the way I started. But I never regret the years that I worked on my acoustic/vocal technique...and it's like riding a bike..you don't lose it. Sure...I need to warm up a little more nowadays...but at the end of the day, it certainly improved my timing...I play rhythms more naturally, with less effort....and of course, I can now sing and play. And there are still times where that's what I want to do. It just usually doesn't last more than a day or two.
Now...how do I regard my vocal chops?....that would be another thread.
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