Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
At The Back => Time Out => Topic started by: MDV on September 23, 2009, 12:56:35 PM
-
Its good to know what youre good at, and better to know what you arent, IMO.
I'll start
Strengths -
Picking technique
Riff writing
Ear
Sweeps
Legato
Vibrato
Bends
Timing
Odd timings
Weaknesses -
Fingerstyle
leads (I can 'shred' but I'm a horrible lead player; no taste, really mechanical dull scale runs)
Sweeps
Creative use of scales
Theory
Tapping
Sweep tapping
Chord and arpeggio use
Arrangement
Yes, sweeps are in both because what I can do I can do well but I cant do much.
Overall my biggest strength is my picking and my biggest weakness my fingerstyle, I believe.
Your turn!
-
Biggest strength - rhythm playing (timing, fullness, punch)
Biggest weakness - advanced improvising (melodies, intervals, arpeggios)
-
Strengths:
Bending.
Vibrato.
Good ear.
Timing.
Legato playing.
Picking.
Creativity.
Open minded to all music, so that I may learn something new.
Knowing that even though I'm happy with these things, they can all improve.
Weaknesses:
Theory.
Sweeping.
Fluidity.
Lazyness. (not practicing enough and just jamming).
Improvisation could improve.
And I think everyones main weakness is thinking that just because they think something falls under their strengths category that they are happy with that particular faccet of playing, everything can always be improved.
-
Strengths:-
Researching guitars on the internet
Buying Guitars
Polishing and restringing
Looking at more guitars on the internet
Looking at amps on the internet
Weaknesses:-
Playing :(
-
And I think everyones main weakness is thinking that just because they think something falls under their strengths category that they are happy with that particular faccet of playing, everything can always be improved.
Very true. I was gonna put that in my original post but forgot.
-
Strengths:-
Researching guitars on the internet
Buying guitars
Polishing and restringing
Replacing electronics, fitting straplocks and locking tuners
Looking at more guitars on the internet
Looking at amps on the internet
Memorising the enire contents of the Warmoth showcase
Hanging around on this forum
Weaknesses:-
Playing :(
Thanks, it was easier than typing it all from scratch. :wink:
-
And I think everyones main weakness is thinking that just because they think something falls under their strengths category that they are happy with that particular faccet of playing, everything can always be improved.
Very true. I was gonna put that in my original post but forgot.
Funny, I was coming in here to post the following, but you guys seem to have beat me to it, in spirit at least....
Strengths:
Extreme confidence in my ability to master anything I want to
Weaknesses:
Extreme confidence in my ability to master anything I want to
-
Same as a few of you already said.
I'm a mediocre lead player but I think my timing and playing dynamics for rhythm playing is strong. I need to join a band again and force myself to play lead more often so phrasing and everything becomes natural. I can play plenty of solos from songs, but when it comes to improvising I end up confusing myself and it doesn't conclude well :(
-
Weaknesses:-
Playing :(
Bollocks. I heard you play at the Manchester show and you were great! A darn sight better than me!
-
Weaknesses:-
Playing :(
Bollocks. I heard you play at the Manchester show and you were great! A darn sight better than me!
Kind words Twinfan but you've got to understand I've been practising that one minute of riffage for 15 years, I know that sounds okay.
-
:lol:
-
Can play ok, just not when required :?
-
Can play ok, just not when required :?
My arse! It's those 12 fingers you have you sod. You're better than me!
-
I'm not really sure what my strengths are! I can usually make most things sound good if that counts. I may not be able to shred note for note or anything but I'll be able to do a simplified version and make it sound allright (see my Beat It solo as an example :P).
I guess my rhythm playing is good and apparently I have "good feel" if that means anything? :lol: Oh and I think I can write pretty good rock/stoner rock riffs :)
I definitely know my weaknesses - lead playing is very dull and needs work but I dont know how to improve it. I play the same licks over and over, just in a different key. Ideas?
Vibrato is ok but not amazing. It has improved a lot in the last year. My bends still arent perfect either!
-
Strengths -
Picking technique
Riff writing
Sweeps
Hybrid Picking
Legato
Vibrato
Bends
Timing
Odd timings & Off beat stuff
Lead writing
Legato requiring no picking (for that cheezy 6 and 7 finger tapping :o)
String skipping
Economy picking
Improvising
Something I like to do that I have dubbed....get ready.... Scalar sweeps! [FAIL]
Wanking! :D
Weaknesses -
Fingerstyle
Holdsworthian legato
Ear
Theory
Arrangement
8 finger tapping
Right hand scale runs and arpeggios
Slapping and popping (who says it's only for basses? :P)
Improvisation using modes
I'm at school so there's no time for practice right now.... :(
So I write to you my humble list of what needs work and what needs even more work.
Besides, no one really has strengths when it comes to playing.
There is ALWAYS room for improvement even if you think you've mastered something.
AND absolutely never think that any other player out there (including yourself) is better than anyone.
Sure, their technique may be more tight and precise and they may have speed (I know you're out there somewhere Mr. Rusty Cooley), but what really matters is that you express yourself utterly and completely, no matter what anyone else thinks because in the end... You aren't writing music for your fans or others, you're writing it for yourself. Fans are just people who love your shite as much as you do. :)
Goddamn I went all philosophical-like, my apologies. :lol:
P.S. Thanks for basically writing this out for me MDV. 8)
-
Strengths - Knowing how they work and what's science and what's voodoo
Weakness - Not being able to play the bloody things. It's not very often I come across something which I can't get my head round, but the guitar has just stopped me in my tracks and the smegging things aren't going to win. It's a love hate relationship.
-
Definately a +1 on TomJ :lol:
In English speak though...
Passable:
Improvising
Picking
Vibrato
Bends
Generic leads
shite@:
Legato
Timing (not so much of an issue, but I would rather put it here so I work on it more etc)
Ear - feck knows, but I can sometimes have a song down with the intervals but can't wedge it in the right key :?
-
Strengths:
Rhythm playing
Groove
'Tightness'
Heavy Picking
Riffage
And I'll play any style too, not well but I'll give it a crack
Weaknesses:
Theory
Technique (I just hit it)
Lead Breaks
Tone :(
-
I'm not really sure what my strengths are! I can usually make most things sound good if that counts. I may not be able to shred note for note or anything but I'll be able to do a simplified version and make it sound allright (see my Beat It solo as an example :P).
I guess my rhythm playing is good and apparently I have "good feel" if that means anything? :lol: Oh and I think I can write pretty good rock/stoner rock riffs :)
I definitely know my weaknesses - lead playing is very dull and needs work but I dont know how to improve it. I play the same licks over and over, just in a different key. Ideas?
Vibrato is ok but not amazing. It has improved a lot in the last year. My bends still arent perfect either!
Shut it you, are a great player! Great tone too!!!
-
strengths: tired blues rock licks
weaknesses: everything else
:lol:
-
Shut it you, are a great player! Great tone too!!!
haha cheers. I know my tones good :)
btw I noticed your bands allready got a load of gigs lined up, came across the myspace the other day somehow :D I guess I just wasnt rock enough for you guys haha. Might come to see that new years one!
-
Strengths
Being able to caryy a 4x12
Weaknesses
Plugging said 4x12 into the amp, plugging guitar in and playing
-
Strengths: too few to mention
Weaknesses: too many to mention-I'd be here all night
-
Shut it you, are a great player! Great tone too!!!
haha cheers. I know my tones good :)
btw I noticed your bands allready got a load of gigs lined up, came across the myspace the other day somehow :D I guess I just wasnt rock enough for you guys haha. Might come to see that new years one!
Just decided to keep it as a four piece. Homer, Jake and I have all played in previous bands together and it just seemed easier to jam/write and get our ideas across that way. Don't worry about not being RAWK enough dude, we're just a bunch of $%&# heads.
Paddy
-
This thread is making me feel better about my playing. Thanks guys!
Strengths:
-Theory. It just came natural to me and I was always fascinated with how music works.
-Improvisation
-Vibrato
-Classical/finger style (relative to other rythmical players)
Weaknesses:
-Ear. I got my first guitar when I was 11. I didn't know how often you needed to tune the thing, so I didn't. I have no musicians in my familly so there were no one to correct me and tell me I was out of tune until I started taking lessons. 9 month of messing around with an out-of-tune guitar is probably what messed up my ear. So it's very difficult for me to learn anything by ear, even if it'd be easy for me to play.
-Technique. I can play pretty fast, but it was and still is a struggle to get there.
-Lack of a desire to learn new songs.
-Lack of confidence
-
Strengths
Belief that I could one day play the guitar if I keep trying
Surf - not exactly hard!
Modding things - incessantly.
Weaknesses
Everything else - no talent, no ear, no speed, no timing, no memory, stuck in cr@ppy pentatonic 'licks' but worst of all, when I get something finally in the bedroom (guitar wise that is) it all goes to pot when I play it in front of other people. Really infuriating.
Guess you can't have everything...
-
Strenghts
Focusing on the whole band, not just myself and my tone, licks, solo, riffs etc.
Weaknesses
Lousy ear (has gotten way better since I started playing though)
Lack of theoretical knowledge
Lack of talent
All in all I'm just an no good/average guitar player with no exeptional skills. People, like my girlfriend, who doesn't understand anything about music tells me I'm good, but I know that's just because they don't know better :D
-
I think I'm just typical generic shredder, can play widdle a million notes perfect one day, next day it's sloppy, especially sweeping, trying to be more consistent at the moment, I think it's mostly a warm up properly/hand sync thing
my ear certainly needs some work, and I need to practice moving between big chords more often, trying to fully learn my way round the neck so I can fly around it anywhere, also really suck at unison bends!!!! I hate those!
MDV: how much finger picking you done? I played around with it a bit a few months ago, doing simple right hand patterns I was surprised how fast I got the speed up, if only my left hand could keep up
been playing around with pentatonics recently and I think that's helped my lead because it forces you to think more about phrasing to stop it sounding like generic pentatonics
-
Not a lot at all. I did a lot more in my first few years. I rediscovered an old fingerpicked thing I used to do, now bare in mind that me now at the metalz and in general average technical skill would destroy me then, I couldnt play the bloody thing! I wrote that piece about 10 years ago, 1 into playing.
-
This is fairly easy for me:
Weaknesses
Underrating my playing and being generally self depreciating
Lacking confidence when playing in front of others that I see as better than me
Never learning a song all the way through
Sticking to what I know
Strengths
Chords - I'm pretty good at keeping time as well
I've got a nice reach with my fingers so can play some wide stretchy chords
Playing to fit a song - I don't show off because I can't so use my strengths to come up with chordal parts and melodies for songs (not so much nowadays as I have left my band!)
-
Strengths: Making it sound good and coming up with backings/stuff that fit and add a twist
Weaknesses: Lack of theory and speed/technique
-
Come now hunter, I've heard your clips and seen your vids - you have very good technique
Technique =/= speed
Oh, speaking of which, add speed to my strengths: I aint good but I'm bloody fast :lol:
-
I forgot to put on my strengths "Sounds like Angus". Kind of important in one of my bands! :lol:
-
Strengths: Making it sound good and coming up with backings/stuff that fit and add a twist
Weaknesses: Lack of theory and speed/technique
Outrageous - I wouldn't say the speed thing is a weakness.
Hermann Li can play fast if you get my drift :wink:
-
Weakness
I keep on buying Guitarist even though the reviews are rubbish, it's just guitar p0rn
Strength
I can lift a 4×12 up 3 flights of stairs by myself :wink:
-
dare you to lift Roo's 4x12 up some stairs with those heavy as hell Zakk Wylde speakers
-
STRENGTHS:
Love playing
Composing leads (creative use of scales, theory, chord and arpeggio use)
Writing/arrangement
Metal rhythm technique
Tapping
Can carry all my gear up stairs :)
WEAKNESSES:
Lose focus/concentration when practising
Playing leads (picking technique, sweeps, legato, vibrato, bends, timing)
Odd timings
Fingerstyle
Patience when recording
-
Hermann Li can play fast if you get my drift :wink:
Haha, indeed, now I feel much better about it 8)
-
ok, my turn. :)
strengths:
-picking hand
-riff writing
-not sure what this is classified as... but being able to play some fast riffs... i guess that's just mainly from the picking hand
-legato
-sweeping is starting to become alright for me now
-improv (kinda)
weaknesses (oh boy):
-TIMING (anyone who has heard my clips knows this... although i'm improving i believe
-ear. you'd think i'd be deaf with how bad of an ear i have. it takes me half an hour to tune a guitar by ear, and then its still a bit off. i could play any key over any key and 9/10 i wouldn't be able to tell that it's the wrong key. i can't tell what the hell good tone is. i can adjust my eq on my amp for an hour and i wouldn't notice a difference. only thing i can notice is whether my tone is too sharp or not.
-laziness. i think i have the talent to be a lot better than i am
-precision. i can get very sloppy.
-wanting to buy guitars/etc. more than play.
-lack of being able to come up with new ideas for improving
the good thing is everything can always be improved, strengths and weaknesses alike.
-
This is a fun topic!
I think some of you are being far to humble, I'm talking to you 38th Beetle and PhillyQ! It gives us a chance to reflect on what we're proud of and take a good look and what we're not.
Strengths:
-Can sing and play lead (assuming neither is tooo difficult)
-Using loopers like a maniac, I can loop on the fly songs from Map of the Problematique by Muse to Somebody to Love by Queen
-can sorta read sheet music
Weaknesses-
Tapping
non-existant sweep picking/legato
lead soloing
music theory
-
dare you to lift Roo's 4x12 up some stairs with those heavy as hell Zakk Wylde speakers
Are the speakers so heavy because they turn ever note into a pinched harmonic :P
-
I think some of you are being far to humble, I'm talking to you 38th Beetle and PhillyQ!
38th is genuinely modest, I'm genuinely incompetent. :? OK, let's try to give a proper answer....
Strengths:
I can solo (badly) over a 12-bar blues till the cows come home.
I'm relatively good at - how can I describe this - things you can do to control the sound with your fingers (as opposed to outboard gear). That is, bends, vibrato, different picking and muting techniques. All stuff I learned by listening to Roy Buchanan, basically.
Weaknesses:
Laziness and set-in-my-ways-ness.
Total lack of repertoire (I can't play any complete songs. Not one. After 29 years.)
Nothing comes naturally. My ear's good enough to pick out a melody, but not a chord structure. I have absolutely no idea how people can "instinctively" construct bass lines or drum patterns to fit a song. :?
Goes almost without saying that I can't do sweep-picking, eight-finger tapping, Yngwie arpeggios, anything fast etc. (But I'm not particularly bothered about those things. I'd rather be able to play proper songs then just bodge a pentatonic solo. Lead playing's mostly just for other guitarists to listen to.)
BIGGEST weakness: LACK OF CONFIDENCE. In every way. This has affected me in work, personal relationships, the lot. It's prevented me making the most of any talents I might have (not much in the case of music). I'm afraid of everything.
***
Now, having said all that, I've long been convinced that if I bothered to learn 10 (or 20, or 50) favourite songs it would all start suddenly falling into place (or at least a lot of it would). Rock music isn't that complicated. I doubt that's ever going to happen though.
Blimey, this forum's like therapy sometimes. :wink:
-
Ok I'll try and be a bit more forthcoming. I terms of technique, I am OK on chords & chord theory to a degree, timing and basically fitting in with a band.I am a band player full stop. I can arrange stuff and work out songs.I suppose I get by with vocals but I am quite good at harmonies. I can sing & play without too much of a problem.The most important thing for me is get the band to sound good & if that means my bit is simple and basic then I am fine-I don't like to show of a)I'd fall flat on my face and b) I just don't do that stuff. My lead playing is simple and anyone could wee wee over me I am sure. On bass, I am solid, in the groove and the guitar/bass cross over for me is beneficial to both.
On the down side, I cannot tap, sweep pick, do legatos, rip roaring solos,use a whammy bar, sing brilliantly, write great songs, impress anyone with my dexterity, play slide really well. Stick me in a room full of widdling guitarists and I will shut up and fade into the wall covering and let everyone else get on with it and thoroughly enjoy myself watching others strut their stuff. I am not envious of anyone for their abilities( because they have worked to get there and I admire that). I love to see people get pleasure out of music, either making it or enjoying it in some way.
I sound too good to be true but you should all know that I am a complete b*stard.
-
Steve - you sound not that dissimilar to me!
And on the basis of my gig last night, my weaknesses are everything. Sometimes you just have one of those nights :(
-
And on the basis of my gig last night, my weaknesses are everything. Sometimes you just have one of those nights :(
Give over, it was fine! :)
-
BIGGEST weakness: LACK OF CONFIDENCE. In every way.
Now, having said all that, I've long been convinced that if I bothered to learn 10 (or 20, or 50) favourite songs it would all start suddenly falling into place (or at least a lot of it would).
Philly.... I am sure you have something worthwhile to offer the world whatever you think of yourself !
With regards to playing I think it is a good idea to learn 10 - 20 songs. I am in the process of learning 24 songs with a 'scratch' band for a special 'do' in December. Most of the songs are definitely not my thing but I think it will help my playing to learn something I would not normally play (left to my own devices I tend to play the same thing over and over again). I use tab off the internet, youtube or (preferably if available) Licklibrary.
-
My strengths include spelling and knowing when to use your and when to use you're.
Guitar wise I'm decent at slow tasteful solos, rhythm playing*, using odd chords and can write a pretty good guitar part when the mood strikes.
Weaknesses include impatience, I can't seem to sit and learn a whole song properly, I learn the bulk and think 'that'll do!'. Oh and I suck at soloing fast, but I don't really wanna solo that fast so that doesn't bother me as much.
*exception when Afgahn Dave and me tried playing the Trooper, I fell flat one my arse that afternoon somehow.
-
ahh... i too forgot to put lack of confidence. i've been playing for six years but i still won't play in front of anyone unless i feel like they're not paying attention. i don't know why. must be the shy personality kicking in.
-
ahh... i too forgot to put lack of confidence. i've been playing for six years but i still won't play in front of anyone unless i feel like they're not paying attention. i don't know why. must be the shy personality kicking in.
I'm exactly like that. Witnessed most recently at the London meet. I waited until most of the guys went off to the pub before even picking up a guitar. Even then I had a hamfisted attempt at a Chili Peppers song that Badgermak was kind enough to play along to and make me sound better than I am.
Just found a few photos of the meet as well - will post them up soon.
-
I had to think about this.
Strengths:
Rhythm, chords, energy, volume control in picking.
Weaknesses:
Complex solos, finger picking, unable to learn songs I hate from the head.
-
This is a good thread - it's certainly made me think about my playing a bit more. It's also interesting how self-critical people who (through clips) I know to be good players are.
As for me, my strengths are:
Bends
Vibrato
Bluesy lead playing
Decentish ear
Keeping time
Reasonable understanding of how to get a good tone
Weaknesses
Picking speed
Theory knowledge (especially scales/modes - the useful stuff)
All shred techniques - sweeps, tapping, arpeggios, string skipping (at speed) etc
Very small repetoire of songs I know all the way through
Metal rythym playing
Accuracy/precision
Finger picking
Lack of practise
Lack of perseverance with difficult material
$%&#ed joints on the first and fourth fingers of my left hand.
-
Strengths:
I used to have a very strong right hand
Rhythm/counting
Anal retentiveness
Amazing ability to spend disposable income on equipment
I *will* remember almost every riff I've heard when sober.
Weaknesses:
The whole 'used to' bit
I have no theoretical knowledge at all
Lack of time/too much work/too much computer/too much clinical depression
Not being physically able to keep up with said anal retentiveness...
-
ahh... i too forgot to put lack of confidence. i've been playing for six years but i still won't play in front of anyone unless i feel like they're not paying attention. i don't know why. must be the shy personality kicking in.
I'm exactly like that. Witnessed most recently at the London meet. I waited until most of the guys went off to the pub before even picking up a guitar. Even then I had a hamfisted attempt at a Chili Peppers song that Badgermak was kind enough to play along to and make me sound better than I am.
Just found a few photos of the meet as well - will post them up soon.
haha, it sucks doesn't it? the weirder thing is, when i do try playing in front of someone, i basically play bad on purpose. can't explain why, i just do.
also, how do i describe not being able to translate what you hear in your head to the guitar? does that have to do with having a good/bad ear?
-
I forgot to mention I know very little about musical theory. But then, so many famous players don't know squat about that either.
-
if anyone wants to learn a bit of theory, I think this is the best site by miles, nice clear flash animations
http://www.musictheory.net/
-
I've been thinking about this before replying, so heres my strengths and weaknesses.
Strengths:
Theory
Rhythm
Technical blues playing
Good ear
Weaknesses:
I'm a lazy player (when it comes to learning and practicing songs anyway)
I am also blind in my right eye so when I first started playing my depth perception between my picking hand and the strings was pretty bad. But thanks to a great guitar teacher I overcame that really quick!
-
I forgot to mention I know very little about musical theory. But then, so many famous players don't know squat about that either.
I tried to use that excuse to refrain from learning proper music theory, but then I watched a series about college students in a classical music conservatoire and I realized how pathetic the average guitarists understanding of music is compared to a proper classical pianist! So now I'm trying just to decide which book to get......... :?