Some Acoustic Guitar Playing - need some feedback

**eliasfrost** · 06-30-2011, 07:39 PM

Hello everyone! So I started playing the guitar a exactly one year ago and I've been playing like a madman since. Fortunately I bought a mic a few weeks ago and I've recorded a little song. It's a cover of Free Fallin' by Tom Petty, played in the style of John Mayer and brutally influenced by this youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4FOGkFjyLc

Anyhow, here is the song: http://soundcloud.com/elias-frost/free-f...stic-cover

I would really appreciate if you take a few minutes to listen and give some feedback on how I can improve my playing. Even though not many of you are musicians, I'm pretty sure I'll get some great advice from you. Thanks! Smile

**TGST** · 06-30-2011, 09:47 PM

(06-30-2011, 07:39 PM)nackidno Wrote: Hello everyone! So I started playing the guitar a exactly one year ago and I've been playing like a madman since. Fortunately I bought a mic a few weeks ago and I've recorded a little song. It's a cover of Free Fallin' by Tom Petty, played in the style of John Mayer and brutally influenced by this youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4FOGkFjyLc

Anyhow, here is the song: http://soundcloud.com/elias-frost/free-f...stic-cover

I would really appreciate if you take a few minutes to listen and give some feedback on how I can improve my playing. Even though not many of you are musicians, I'm pretty sure I'll get some great advice from you. Thanks!

I mainly play electric guitar, but since I play classical a little bit too, I can say that you pluck the strings a bit too hard here and there. The strings crackle a little bit to my ear when you do that, but otherwise it sounds good. Keep on practicing! Smile

**Leu Radu** · 06-30-2011, 10:00 PM

I've played guitar for almost 4 years now (I "celebrate" in autumn), though I can't say I'm good enough at it. This is a simple song, but we both know simple is not easy. You play it well, though you have some problems with the rhythm (especially at the end of the recording). Maybe you should try practicing with a metronome, it sure helped me a lot when I started playing. If you need any advice, I'm at your service. Acoustic, for the win!

**eliasfrost** · 07-01-2011, 12:20 AM

Quote:I mainly play electric guitar, but since I play classical a little bit too, I can say that you pluck the strings a bit too hard here and there. The strings crackle a little bit to my ear when you do that, but otherwise it sounds good. Keep on practicing!

Thanks! Yeah, when I listen to it now later on it actually sounds pretty nasty when I pluck the strings like that, the reason why I did that was so that the melody would be distinct from the rest of the playing, I'll try to pluck the strings more gently in the future, thanks again! And continue playing! Big Grin

Quote:I've played guitar for almost 4 years now (I "celebrate" in autumn), though I can't say I'm good enough at it. This is a simple song, but we both know simple is not easy. You play it well, though you have some problems with the rhythm (especially at the end of the recording). Maybe you should try practicing with a metronome, it sure helped me a lot when I started playing. If you need any advice, I'm at your service. Acoustic, for the win!

Yeah, I actually retook the whole thing more than like 20 times but I never got the rhythm quite right, I really appreciate your advice about the metronome, I've never thought about using one of those before, thanks! Ah yeah, Acoustic forevah! Big Grin

**eliasfrost** · 07-01-2011, 07:44 PM

Just re-recorded the song, using a metronome, it helped immensely good to be honest, thanks again for the tip Leu. Also, I used a pick this time to make the note sharp but not forced, fixing the problem with hard plucking.

Here it is: http://soundcloud.com/elias-frost/free-f...ic-cover-1

Thanks! Big Grin

Oh, and sorry for double post. Smile

**Leu Radu** · 07-01-2011, 10:52 PM

Yes, I can hear the difference. Though there still are a few problems with the rhythm on the solo. Many players (including myself) sometimes beat their foot on the ground, almost like a metronome, to keep track of the timing on solos and complex rhythm parts. Anyway, well done!

If you want to improve your rhythm overall, try practicing scales with the metronome. This way you improve your rhythm, dexterity and your guitar theory at the same time. Keep up the good work!

**eliasfrost** · 08-22-2011, 11:32 PM

I just uploaded the cover to Youtube, I am going to remake it someday soon, when the house is quiet. xD Also, I'm going to do a cover of Stop this train too sometime, this time with vocals. Smile

Here's the vid Smile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbNSNjarcBE

**eliasfrost** · 08-24-2011, 11:04 PM

Earlier today I recorded myself playing some guitar. It's very much influenced by Bob Dylan's Don't Think Twice, tell me what you think. Smile

http://efsing.wordpress.com/2011/08/24/710/

Also, everything was taken in one "shot", so no layering. I'm very satisfied with the sound of it. Smile

**Plotark** · 09-04-2011, 08:16 AM

(06-30-2011, 07:39 PM)nackidno Wrote: Hello everyone! So I started playing the guitar a exactly one year ago and I've been playing like a madman since. Fortunately I bought a mic a few weeks ago and I've recorded a little song. It's a cover of Free Fallin' by Tom Petty, played in the style of John Mayer and brutally influenced by this youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4FOGkFjyLc

Anyhow, here is the song: http://soundcloud.com/elias-frost/free-f...stic-cover

I would really appreciate if you take a few minutes to listen and give some feedback on how I can improve my playing. Even though not many of you are musicians, I'm pretty sure I'll get some great advice from you. Thanks!

You're pretty good, definitely better than me Tongue

but the tapping-your-hand-on-the-guitar thing, to make that kinda drum sounding, percussive effect drives me insane. Other than that it's fine :3