Acoustic Flatpicking Feedback?

[dmsstudios]

Here's a show I did recently in Tennessee. I'm on the right in jeans.

Any feedback? Suggestions?

Or go to youtube and search g2atlanta

G2 - Dan & Mike on YouTube!!! Rhythm at Noon
Chattanooga, TN July 6, 2007


Bill Cheatham:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNOfinqXEU0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdoPPb0u06k)

The entire concert:
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=g2atlanta (http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=g2atlanta)


I hope you like it!
Dan

[Authorized77]

Good job :) I liked it.

Bonnie

[Schooligo]

well I watched 3 different clips of this concert to be objective

I'm familiar with this style of music as I traveled gigwise with a group for an entire summer in Europe doing this kind of music(great to meet some people in this musical genre and have these 4hr jam sessions after performances)

you both played well, but now for some experienced constructive criticism

you both have technique and chops, and I like that you are smiling and look like you are having fun,

the fact that at times each of you incorporated different musical styles when soloing, such as blues bends was interesting and added variety,(though some traditionalists would frown on that, I like the variety personally)

as for playing as a duo/ensemble:

no one expects a musician to get all the notes right,

however since you guys did an entire concert together it is always important in an ensemble situation(particularly with acoustic instruments) to pay attention to the other players,

there were multiple times where it sounded like you each need to work on being more aware of that

also lastly I would concentrate particularly on dynamics, and listening to each other and complementing each other as a duo/ensemble both when playing quietly as well as building up the excitement/tension and playing loudly, except for some infrequent muted strumming I heard very little dynamics
ie. if the other guy is soloing play slightly softer when playing rhythm to complement the soloist
I didn't hear alot of that happening during your performance for those 3 clips, let alone incorporating dynamics in the songs themselves.

your representations and arrangements of the traditional repertoire were accurate.

you guys have the technique/chops and stylistically your playing the music correct

not sure if you aspire to being a professional but it's important to know this anyway as it will make you a "better" musician and any music you play sound "better", be more "alive" with phrasing, and contribute to a better sounding song(I know better is a subjective term, but it also describes things that are better)

that one of the things that makes a professional musician stand out is their use of dynamics and how they incorporate them into songs.

[dmsstudios]

Authorized77,
Thanks!

Schooligo,
Good feedback - I appreciate it. Believe it or not, in the 5 months leading up to that show, we only rehearsed once. He lives in TN, Im in GA. We discussed on the phone & got together once, and then played it a few weeks later. Im definitely wanting to rehearse more the guy, we have a headline slot at a major music festival in TN next summer. Thanks again. You're into bluegrass?

[Authorized77]

That is some great advice. I'm always looking for picking advice too.

Yeah, dmsstudios, I pick a little and I'm into bluegrass. As I speak my brother is picking on his banjo :D Here's a video I put up on youtube, it's a G run tutorial. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoOgd1et0L8) I've got a few others up.

How long have you been picking for? Your version of Dear Old Dixie is cool. We usually do that at banjo speed but it just flies by and I don't play much of anything interesting on it :rolleyes:

What sort of stuff are you learning with? I don't know if you're familiar with Ron Block but I really like the stuff on his two albums (he also plays with AKUS) and he suggested a book called Advanced Guitar Techniques by Mick Goodrich. I guess it's kind of pretentious to use the book, seeing as I'm not an advanced player, but I am getting at least something out of it :cool: That book has gotten me more into modes and stuff.

Do you do a lot of transcribing?

Bonnie

[dmsstudios]

Bonnie,

Cool videos. I especially enjoyed the yodel lesson. Youve got some cool riffs too. Ive been picking for 20 years. Mostly into jazz lately, I just play bluegrass with G2. Yes, I transcribe most of what I learn, lately, if I can't find the sheet music. Internet tabs are such crap that my ear is usually way faster. I do highly recommend modes - they changed the way that I think about soloing. Of course, I believe that it doesnt matter how you get there, just as long as you get there. By the way, Ive never seen tab or sheet on Dear Old Dixie. I learned it from an old banjo friend.