hbpatter83 Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 I've been playing guitar off and on for about 30 years.. Some of those years I didn't even pick up the guitar once. I started to get a little more serious about 10 years ago and even more serious in the last 3 years or so. I've never been in a band and have jammed once in a while with others. I freind I had met recently invited me to jam with his band. It was great fun but an eye opener. they are pretty tight and accomplished band and at times I just muttled along but fortunately other times I was able to get into it. Obviously there is nothing like band experience. I felt a little akward on songs I didn't know and found it hard to try to jam along. I was able to lead them off on a couple of blues tunes which went well and I even got some thumbs up for my solo's (may have been out of pity, I don't know). The only criticism I have of my own solo's is that I tend to repeat myself. So, the question is... How to improve without being in a band (too busy with work for now). I suppose that my only choice is jam tracks but I didn't like the ones I found a few years ago. Maybe some are better now. Any suggestions? I like blues and blues based rock (clapton, Almond bros. etc...) Just striving to get better while enjoying my new Les Paul. (gotta keep it on LP topic so it doesn't get moved.. I want to run this by all of you. Thanks HP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saturn Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 You can improve your playing by practicing alone. Like you said, jamming with recorded music or backing tracks. Maybe even get a multi track recorder to overdub rythym and lead stuff. But IMO, there's nothing that can replace the experience of playing in a band situation. Just the interaction with other musicians is a lesson in itself. Learning scales and chords and licks is one thing. But it's totally different learning how to cooperate with other musicians by playing your part without stepping on others parts. Also learning to think on the fly and make adjustments to unexpected changes. There's almost a telepathy amongst bands that can't really be taught. You just have to pick it up through experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveinspain Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 There's almost a telepathy amongst bands that can't really be taught. You just have to pick it up through experience. I experience that telepathy thing in a band as a drummer.... very cool indeed! Sort of like everyone changes the groove all at once without being planned or worked out but everyone knows thats where the music takes you... Anyone else want to comment on inter musician telepathy while jamming? I am looking forward to the day I can do that on guitar... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichCI Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 What saturn and dave said. More... The best thing to do to get used to playing with other musicians, but without playing with other musicians, is to jam along with CDs. Take some of your favorite recordings you like and jam along to them. Learn how to play the songs, but also stretch out and do your own thing along with the music. It's not the same thing as locking in with other musicians while playing with them, but it's still great practice and lot more interesting than scales and finger exercises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverbursted Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 I'm not in a band either, for the same reason, a couple of guys I work with get together about once a week to just play. My playing has improved by leaps and bounds since beginning these little sessions. I still take lessons and practice on my own, but I get far more out of playing with others than I ever did on my own. I still suck, but thats all part of the fun, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbpatter83 Posted November 8, 2008 Author Share Posted November 8, 2008 Thanks all.. I think one problem I had is that it's even more difficult to just jump in with an established band especially with the telepathy thing.. You can't be there with them on one gig. While most in the band were very accomodating and encouraging there was one (a guitarist) who seemed a little annoyed that I was there and that didn't help. that didn't discourage me though I just played. Either way it was great experience and they may even have me back. I jump at any experience I can get. Even at my church when the music director asks me to play I go for it. The music director play's guitar mostly so he comes up with some pretty good parts for me usually when a tune has a blues or jazz twist to it. So thanks again and if anyone know's of a particular jam track company that is good please let me know. HP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myspace.com/jessenoah Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 www.guitarbackingtrack.com heaven Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarooster52 Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 You can even download some back tracks from iTunes. I've only started to play more in the last two years. The first year I was playing with another guy about every week or so for the winter, and I made more progress doing that than I have since. There's always something to learn from a live session with a better player...and believe everyone is better than me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbpatter83 Posted November 8, 2008 Author Share Posted November 8, 2008 Thanks Jessenoah... Guitarooster52... You're right. It's just like in tennis or other sports... To get better you want play with someone who's better with more experience. Thanks HP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketman Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 www.guitarbackingtrack.com Great website! I also lay down various tracks using digital software. I know this sounds old fashioned, but playing with a metronome can really help. That's how I kept myself on beat while learning jazz piano. It forces you to not be sloppy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingers galore Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 www.licklibrary.com has some cool backing tracks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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