Song for my Father

[Fruitboom]

Hi all,

Apart from an introduction I just posted, this is my first post, so please excuse me if I make some newbie mistakes (posting in the wrong channel, not inserting links the right way,...) :-)

I thought I'd start out by sharing a recording I just made, of me playing a 'duet with myself' - on piano and guitar.

I consider the piano to be my main instrument (mainly big band stuff); the guitar comes in second (only living room playing). Since I don't really like playing to backing tracks, I've been experimenting with piano-guitar duo stuff.

Of course, any feedback and criticism (ranging from tone to arrangement to... whatever) is very much welcome!

Jan.

[supersoul]

Greetings!
It's cool of you to post your playing. I think you sound great.
Maybe the guitar should be a little quieter during the rhythm parts, it feels like it's in the foreground while the piano is playing the head.

[joe2758]

I think more legato for the guitar. Nice playing!

[Fruitboom]

Thanks for the kind feedback! Appreciate it!

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-A515F met Tapatalk

[SetPhasersToSwing]

Lovely playing on both instruments, I particularly like your guitar tone. Have you tried playing to a drum loop or backing track? I feel that there’s just a little bit of a timing issue at points but nothing too egregious.

This tune is one of my favourites and I woodshed it frequently. Sometimes I can get the melody to cascade, sometimes it sounds like I have sausage fingers!

[Fruitboom]

Lovely playing on both instruments, I particularly like your guitar tone. Have you tried playing to a drum loop or backing track? I feel that there’s just a little bit of a timing issue at points but nothing too egregious.

Hi!

Thanks for your feedback! You're absolutely right about time. It's one of my weak points, I'm afraid.

I recorded the piano track to a metronome - in general, I think the piano is quite OK. However, I completely agree that especially my attempt at comping on the guitar sounds off, sometimes. Decided to share anyway... in that sense, it's an 'honest' recording.

I'll have to figure out what I can do to improve my time while comping... Though I'm good at noodling around - at structured practicing, not so much. :-)

If anyone has tips on how to improve time on guitar while comping, I'm all ears!

Jan.

[ragman1]

It's not bad, not bad at all. You can sense your confidence on the piano and a bit of hesitancy on the guitar but the more you do the better it'll get. It's a good idea so definitely keep going! I'll be listening

Regarding comping time, don't look for magic methods*, you've just got to internalise the pulse and go with the flow. Don't try to be too 'compy', just do it as you feel it naturally. That too will improve the more you do. You've just started, give it a chance.

* As soon as you ask for hints and tips all the gurus in the world will suddenly descend on you like vultures with their clever little tricks. They don't work so don't bother. Listen to a lot of other players doing it and get the feel of it for yourself. It'll come.

[pilotony]

Welcome to the forum and thanks for posting.

There's a lot to learn here.

Tony D.

[supersoul]

If anyone has tips on how to improve time on guitar while comping, I'm all ears!

I'd just listen to how different guitarists approach rhythm playing.

Check out how Joao Gilberto's right hand does all the work. His left hand just holds down chords while all the rhythm comes from his right hand.

[AllanAllen]

If anyone has tips on how to improve time on guitar while comping, I'm all ears!

Keep working on it, you sound good. Playing to a recording is real hard because the track just plows through, if you play with another person you can groove into each other.