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Topic: Critique my playing if you will |
Thomas Bohlen
From:
New York, NY
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Posted 4 Nov 2009 9:19 am |
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Hi guys,
I'm a fairly young steeler about 2 years in now and loving every minute of course. I can't afford any professional instruction (lessons, etc) right now and look here often for my learning, and listening to the great players is the best. I'm working on the country stuff and hearing how they do things but I also play in a few original acts and have to pull my creativity together from what I've learned.
If anyone would like to critique my playing I'd be thankful for any tips to help me become a better player. I'm just getting my feet wet and trying to have a unique sound but need to know what steel players think of my playing. Feel free to critique, I'll try not to be so sensitive.
Thanks very much
Here's a few youtube links to hear me play
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm4XyMpzpAA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QGcS6Wnl5Y&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up4LrsDa5Xc |
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John Drury
From:
Gallatin, Tn USA
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Posted 4 Nov 2009 9:42 am
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Well, you certainly picked out a good guitar!
Once Nini's puppy gets run over things should go just great!
Seems like you are doing what needs to be done, playing in a band.
Good luck!
_________________
John Drury
NTSGA #3
"Practice cures most tone issues" ~ John Suhr
Last edited by John Drury on 4 Nov 2009 4:27 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Thomas Bohlen
From:
New York, NY
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Posted 4 Nov 2009 9:51 am
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Thanks John!
I'm really lucky to have a few different acts that I love playing with, its almost as good as playing along with my Emmylou Harris records  |
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Jack Dougherty
From:
Spring Hill, Florida, USA
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Posted 4 Nov 2009 10:04 am Re: Critique my playing if you will
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"Feel free to critique, I'll try not to be so sensitive."
If you are, anything you get could be interesting 
Are you all music students?
Do you have anything where you're playing more than chords?
From what I see you need to be more relaxed.
Being critical of a player does not promote positive learning. Your question might be more served by asking for suggestions on improvement.
What I have told previous students was to set a reachable goal. Play within yourself but (where the occation fits) be willing to explore the edges of the envelope. If you make a mistake don't stop and don't flinch A great player once said you're never more than a half step from getting it right.
All this of course is MHO.
Enjoy the journey:
JD
_________________
There is no such thing as too many steels!!
Emmons P/P 8/7 Strings....whatever I have.....Picks..mixed...Bars...one of four..but I like the Bullet Bar
Walker Stereo Steel Amp
TC M1 XL
Peavey Nashville 400. Fox Mod
Various sundries and toys.. |
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Twayn Williams
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 4 Nov 2009 11:28 am
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The ONLY thing I would suggest is leave a few more holes. You don't need to play pads and fills all the time. If you're working with another lead player, like the last vid, work out a few more give and takes (if possible!)
Otherwise, I really enjoy you're playing: simple and not in the way. Try not to lose that as you advance! In our race to gather chops and licks it's easy to lose sight of the important things.
_________________
Primitive Utility Steel |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 4 Nov 2009 3:21 pm
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Here's my take, FWIW...
I would say you should use less volume pedal. You're "sneaking into" most everything...with no audible attack. If you're doing that for effect, that's fine. But remember, it loses effect after awhile, so try not to do it so much. Also, your left arm and hand seem "tight", or stressed. (You should try to relax a little more.) Hold the bar looser and let your wrist do the vibrato work. Lastly, there's a little "pitchy-ness" on your A&B pedals. I can't tell if it's a pedal tuning problem or a bar placement problem, but work on getting those two pedals to sound better.
The young lady in the first video sounds very good, nice voice and style. |
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John Lemieux
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 4 Nov 2009 3:56 pm
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Great job Thomas great playing with good bands wish i was at your level congrats
_________________
music is the spice of life |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 4 Nov 2009 8:55 pm
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| Thomas, you sound good. Get into practicing harmonic chiming. That material lends itself well to it. Also, as stated above sometimes less is more. Also, above the twelth fret for some of that material. |
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