|
|
Post by wannaplayblues on May 17, 2015 9:07:05 GMT -6
So, today I decided to put my neck on the line and record a 3 chorus blues shuffle improv for you all to critque. The rules I set myself: - Have a motif and try to develop/embelish it each chorus
- Make each chorus increase in notes - hopefully making more interesting phrases
- Play the same turnaround so as not to panic when it comes to the last 2 bars - keeping the focus on the motif not the turnarounds
- All three choruses must be done as one take - come what may. No post-production editing. It is what it is (or was)
I think the third chorus shows I was getting lost for ideas and there's more "mistakes" in it. Would REALLY appreciate all your feedback - good or bad - to help me develop my ability. I need your "clean" ears to tell me what you think works or not so I can focus on improv direction. Most of all, I hope you enjoys at least a little bit of it  soundcloud.com/wannalearnguitar/blues-backing-improv-session-2015-05-17 |
|
|
|
Post by jack1982 on May 17, 2015 11:20:14 GMT -6
I thought that sounded great WPB! Nice feel and energy all around! If you want some nit-picky constructive criticism, about all I can come up with is that at the end of the first turnaround (about :37) it sounds like you could end that phrase on a stronger note to kind of bring it back home (of course that's purely a matter of taste). At around 1:13 it sounds like an "oops" like we all make when improvising  And that 5 - b5 - 4 lick is great but maybe slightly overused by the end. But like I say that's just tiny nit-picky stuff, super job overall! |
|
|
|
Post by Phil on May 17, 2015 15:36:56 GMT -6
Nice playing, WPB. I really don't have any suggestions on this one. You did a good job.
This is something that I need to start doing. I can see real value in doing something like this.
Thanks for posting. Stuff like this is inspiring and helps to get me motivated. I'm sure everyone else feels the same way.
|
|
|
|
Post by joachim on May 18, 2015 10:01:17 GMT -6
That was really good, WPB! You're definitely on the right track with your blues practice. I remember reading the phrase "You are what you practice", and your practice is definitely paying off big-time now - well done!
|
|
JohnG
Full Member
Posts: 193
|
Post by JohnG on May 18, 2015 11:39:40 GMT -6
Very nice. I like how the middle chorus offers thematic contrast from the 1st and 3rd.
JG
|
|
|
|
Post by cunningr on May 18, 2015 15:01:43 GMT -6
I finally got a chance to check it out, I like the middle part also. I really got to work on some improv, I always end up sounding the same. Again great job, and as Phil pointed out inspiration.
|
|
|
|
Post by wannaplayblues on May 21, 2015 4:02:24 GMT -6
All, I am seriously blown away by all your positive comments - they have given me a real boost and a confidence that I might just be starting to get something right in my earnest desire to play blues guitar. At around 1:13 it sounds like an "oops" like we all make when improvising And that 5 - b5 - 4 lick is great but maybe slightly overused by the end. Dude, your hearing was so accurate! That's EXACTLY what happened  I appreciate your honest points, and the lick does get boring - even for me . I want to also look into more of an effort in the V - IV chord movement, to highlight it or get a better feel for that change as it happens. Stuff like this is inspiring and helps to get me motivated. It's a privilege to have inspired anyone! I never thought my weak effort would have had that impact, though I'm really glad it did! TBH - it was scary as heck to release it to you all (which is why I felt I had to give a huge explanation about it in the initial post). It's easier to play something someone else has written and be critiqued on your attempt to play it, than it is to try and be your own player. I just hope if I keep going I'll get better. I'm thinking of leaving it 6 months and recording another go in 6-12 months with the same backing track and NOT listening to this attempt to try and gauge if I have improved or not. Very nice. I like how the middle chorus offers thematic contrast from the 1st and 3rd. Wow... am speechless... Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to my efforts. If I get anything right - you get the credit for being a great educator. Your books are simply brilliant!
|
|
And that 5 - b5 - 4 lick is great but maybe slightly overused by the end.
I appreciate your honest points, and the lick does get boring - even for me