practicing without the amp

[tesh1977]

Hello all,

Just a quick question!
What are your thoughts about practicing unplugged on an electric guitar?
I do a lot of noodling when watching telly or when noise is not acceptable(i.e. late at night). Is this bad for overall technique as being amplified is less forgiving and makes you work harder to get clear even sounding sounds?

What do you think?
Thanks

[jemstar555]

I practice quite a lot without an amp. My wife has just given birth to our fifth child and, as you can imagine, its quite busy in our house. The best time for me to practice is when they are all in bed so most of the time I play without the amp.

I find that it helps my playing a lot. It tightens technique as you don't have any effects or overdrive to mask sloppy playing. I also find that it helps your fingers to get the tones and sounds you want from the guitar, again without relying on the sounds the amp produces.

Hope this helps.

[StephenE]

Hey,

I think it works both ways. I personally also practise without any amplification, purely because I often play guitar around the house a lot! I find that sometimes playing in the kitchen can make things more interesting! Although this probably says more about WHAT I'm practising.

In my opinion playing without amplification can hide incorrect muting techniques due to their being no amplification of said noises, which as we all know are subtle; but make a big difference to your overall sound as a guitarist. Dynamics are also affected by playing without amplification, because it's usually hard enought to hear what you're doing even if you're in a quiet room.

You are correct though that playing without amplification means there's no compression though to make notes ring out clearer so it can force you to nail in your technique, however I've found the best thing for working on your fretting hand technique (accuracy, strength & stamina) is to start learning classical guitar.

One thing to note though is at least one well known guitarist is an advocate of practising without amplification - Steve Morse, as he says it forces him to listen to purely his technique rather than get absored in the tone, which is what a lot of guitarists are guilty of.

EDIT:

My wife has just given birth to our fifth child

Fifth!? Wow congratulations! Sounds like you've been extremely busy - I'm actually amazed you've found ANY time to practise :p:D;)

[jemstar555]

Fifth!? Wow congratulations! Sounds like you've been extremely busy - I'm actually amazed you've found ANY time to practise :p:D;)

I haven't had much time lately!!! Just waiting on next week when the older kids are back in school and I can try and get some kind of routine going.

Cheers.

:D

[forgottenking2]

It's because of people like you that I get up early to practice and I find ways to make time when seemingly there isn't any. I know I will never be as busy as a working parent of 5. Thanks a lot for the motivation and cheers to you my friend.

[jemstar555]

It's because of people like you that I get up early to practice and I find ways to make time when seemingly there isn't any. I know I will never be as busy as a working parent of 5. Thanks a lot for the motivation and cheers to you my friend.

Many thanks!!

:p

[tesh1977]

thanks for your thoughts guys.

It is a bit of swings and roundabouts when it comes down to it...
;)