A Question Of Tone
Hi David. Is good acoustic tone considered a fundamental? (I haven't practiced amplified yet). Or, is it something which will continually improve over the years? I believe I'm practicing good technique and habits. I'm wondering, because being a perfectionist, I sometimes feel I shouldn't move on to a next chorus of a study song until it sounds exactly like your recording. I'm at the 2nd chorus of Gary's Blues right now (I know you're playing amplified) and with the slaps and pulls I'm getting a little frustrated with focusing on more on tone that it's taking away from the natural process of learning the song and techniques, as in I think I should be progressing a little quicker than I am. Any foresight on tone is much appreciated. Thanks David.
BTW, we're fortunate having John Nemeth and Curtis Salgado up here in the Pacific Northwest this month!
Hello Bill. Tone is very important in music, and yes, it does warrant focused practice, and yes, it does develop over time, so be patient. Work on it daily, but also work on other material while you develop. Tone and vibrato are areas that develop over a long period of time. Throw away all thoughts of "I should be progressing a little quicker than I am," that's product focused. We are studying an art, so you have to be process focused. You WILL be able to do it, whatever that "it" is in regards to technique or musical approach, you just don't know when. When you focus on the when, it slows down the progress of your "it." Enjoy the daily process, it really is a wonder how well your progress goes when you don't worry about it :-) All the best to you in your process.