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Using learned techiques in one’s playing
Not sure if others even have a problem with this, but…
Tony is always talking about applying whatever technique is being taught (base runs, turnarounds, chord transitions, etc.) to other songs we might be playing. I get that, but don’t get it, if anyone can figure out the sense of that! I believe I am autistic, and have a hard time inserting a particular technique into a song. The way I learned the song is the only way I play it, usually just chords. I can do most of the techniques, but when I go to play one of the songs in my repertoire, it all goes out the window. I can never figure out where or when to fit them into a song. There are a couple of exceptions if it isn’t too complicated or it is the way the original artist did it.
Do I need a different approach to fitting these techniques into songs?
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14 Replies
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This is a very good question, and I’m not sure I really have an answer. I understand what you’re saying, and I also wonder the same thing. I’ve tried to find songs that include some of the techniques as I just can’t throw them into any song I’m wanting to play. Fire Lake by Bob Seger is a fun easy one to do a nice basewalk on for example. Another thing I try is simple hammer on’s whether strumming or fingerpicking to add some embellishments to each chord. I’m looking forward to hearing what others have to say on this topic.
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Hi Barbara great question this can be hard to do when you learn a song you develop that muscle memory and its hard to deviate from what you learn initially and get so used to playing. Like Skyman says start with very simple things, eg instead of fretting and plucking a note use a hameron and or pull off, slide or bend up to a note. When youre strumming your chords, throw in a random hammer to see how it sounds or even just lift a finger and alter the voicing of the chord. PLay around with it but keep it simple. When transitioning between chords keep your runs to only one, two or three notes (remember when you are doing this it changes the timing ie instead of struming the chord on the beat you are hitting those individual notes). Same with any licks you want to throw in, keep them short and simple. And practice slow, slower that even seems comfortable. When you go too fast at the beginning its easy to get mixed up and frustrated.
You can also always try a different strumming pattern or rythmn and tempo than what the song calls for and what you have already learned. Sure that will change the vibe of the song but remember its ok to put your own twist on any song and you might find something you like….you have to have a very open mind and kind of let yourself go to find that groove.
I also think the better you know the song the way you initially learned it, the easier this becomes. If you can play the song almost without thinking about it, that will free your mind up to add some new things. So my advice is to keep on practicing and drilling in the songs you know, but at the same time continue to get very comfortable with the other skills and techniques. Start slow, keep it simple and with lots of repetition you’ll be putting them together naturally. Be kind to and patient with yourself as you go. As they say, embrace the suck. Remember youre doing something most people only think about.
Last thing…remember how versatile the D chord is, especially on the E string with your middle and baby fingers. Get them moving good and you can add a lot of spice to any song that has a D in it, and as you know there are many.
Again I love your question…really got me thinking about this …of course this is what we are all striving for…to put it all together and make our songs sound as interesting as possible. Im in no way an expert but heres a few thoughts. Hope they might be helpful to you. Rock on sister
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Excellent @Braden! We don’t have to revolutionize the song, this can start very slowly! I love that you mentioned the D chord! I love those modifications that we’ve been learning every three months in “Old Man”. I play around with this several times a week. As I do this I’m recognizing all sorts of songs in my head
There’s one acoustic song from the 70’s that I used to love when I was 13-14 and I know find myself playing the very captivating intro of this song simply by modifying the D!
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Wow, excellent suggestions, all of you! I don’t know all that many songs, as I wasn’t allowed to listen to rock growing up, aside from the radio on the school bus. So I’ll have to peruse my “simple” guitar songbooks, then listen to them on YouTube.
I do throw in a hammer on this week’s Ain’t No Sunshine Tuesday lick, it just sounds better. I don’t know about modifying a D chord; I can’t make it normally, though I do manage Old Man fairly well. Might try something there in The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Lots of things to think about and try! Thanks, guys!
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BarbaraM said: “I wasn’t allowed to listen to rock growing up”
huh? Oh my goodness, you poor soul!
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Yeah, when people in my age range (70s) mention such and such a song, how great it was or whatever, I am clueless! (The Grateful Dead? who are they?) Don’t worry, I have picked up a little! 😀
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Just poked around YT for a second and found this video about using D chord to launch all kinds of cool stuff:
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Hey @petelanger thats great! Sounds like youre having a blast and thats what its all about brother. That D chord is so versatile and tons of fun! And youre right, those moves are used in so many classic songs…Old Man, Dead or Alive, Hasnt Hit Me Yet, Cant You See, and one of my favs.. Grand Funk Railroads Closer to Home: Im Your Captain. But now Im curious…what 70s song have you been been rockin out to?!
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@Braden , thanks for your contributions. Loving the dialogue. So as you know I’m a partial Cannuck, grew up Montreal but I also an Austrian by birth and I lived in Austria for most of the 70’s. So this particular song is one you wouldn’t know since it’s by an Viennese artist named Wolfgang Ambros- the song is “Da Hofa”. I’ll try to post a little clip so you can hear the D-chord modification.
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lol thats awesome. Got him on right now…havent a clue what its about but growing on me. I’ll keep listening! Thanks man. all the best
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I’m not surprised you can’t understand, it’s not even actual German it’s a thick Viennese dialect which I am quite familiar with and can mimic somewhat – it’s close to my Salzburg dialect.
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I grew up in the 60’s with Elvis Presley and then the Beatles, Stones, Beach Boys, Guess Who etc. Of course Dad wasn’t a fan and would put on a station that favored Duke Ellington and the like every morning. I got exposed to Swing and Jazz the same time as Rock. By 1971 I had my own stereo in my room.
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How about forgetting about trying to fit these things into a particular song. Maybe what I mean is: Don’t focus on the song…… focus on the technique….. first. Then maybe break the song down…. tear it apart…. mess with it…. change it some….
While you’re messing with it, THEN think about adding a few cool techniques…. in that order. Maybe don’t focus on the final product; focus on the “messing with things“.
The final product will come, don’t worry, almost on its own. Details come first.
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