Chris, thanks so much for the feedback. I totally get what you're saying, and it's SUPER helpful to think about. I really hadn't even been thinking about dyanmics, and that's a great thing for me to start working on. Really appreciate it!
Hey Chris! Here's my stab at "Is it Too Late Now." I went ahead and learned your intro, as well as the 2 breaks you included in the video. I feel pretty confident in terms of getting the notes right and keeping my pick direction correct, but still struggle a bit when it comes to maintaining groove and swing when I'm acompanying myself while singing. Also curious if you have any feedback in temrs of tone/mechanics/groove. I do feel like my fretting hand is working a little too hard, if that makes sense, and I could be more efficient there.
Zach, you sound absolutely great! Well done! Guitar playing sounded great throughout and special mention for your singing, which is killer. Just a couple of thoughts on rhythm guitar:
I get the feeling listening down that you are trying to hold the tempo to a consistent BPM, particularly when you're singing. It feels a little tight somehow. It's ok to let the music breathe a little bit. You are good enough that you can surrender some of that need to control. If the tempo moves a bit, I think it'll be ok and the performance, which was already quite good, will probably gain a more open, relaxed vibe. Relatedly, don't feel like you need to be hemmed into a rhythm guitar "part". There are different things you could do at any given time. What you are doing is nice, but again, try surrendering a touch of control.
Secondly, you might try being a little more dynamic throughout, but particularly in your accents between vocal phrases. Don't be afraid to really lean into the guitar to make those moments pop. Also, at the beginning and ends of solos, you can make them stand out a bit more with a slightly more extroverted dynamic. It would be easy to go overboard with this so use your own good judgement.
Chris, thanks so much for the feedback. I totally get what you're saying, and it's SUPER helpful to think about. I really hadn't even been thinking about dyanmics, and that's a great thing for me to start working on. Really appreciate it!
Thanks Chris! That metronome suggestion is great. I will totally start trying that. And no worries on the delayed repsonse time...any delays due to Live from Here and PB are more than worth it! Cheers!
Hey Chris! Just started your course about a month ago. Really enjoying it! This is my stab and an intro, 2 verses, and solo, and then a bit of rhythm playing. In terms of melody, the Jimmy Martin version is a bit too rangey for me, so I'm singing a little more like Tony Rice's version, which feels comfortably in my range. Also, I've found I tend to get off time on this when accompanying myself, especially while trying to syncopate the singing (probably speeding up), so that's something I'm working on as well. Looking forward to your thoughts! Thanks!
Zach, excellent job here! Your flatpicking, rhythm playing and singing all sound really great! You have a wonderful feel for bluegrass music and your fundamentals are also strong. So you’re already operating at a high level in the ways that matter most (to me).
I think it’s great that you’re using the metronome. I would suggest now that you adjust your relationship to the metronome so that instead of ticking on the strong beats it is ticking on the off-beats (2 and 4) to simulate a mandolin chop. Then your task is to make the click sound as pocketed and good as it can be - make it sound like Sam Bush. Because how you play relative to it will define how it feels.
I’d also start experimenting with the sense of dynamics in your rhythm playing. The placement of your bass runs after the vocal phrases is good, but sometimes the strum dynamic feels a little flat after. It’s a fine line between not enough and too much dynamic emphasis but because you seem to have a very good feel for the music I trust that you will figure out what feels right. FWIW, there was a little more rhythm guitar dynamic at 0:54 than at other similar places, and it felt more exciting to me.
You sound great and I’m thrilled to have you here!
Chris
p.s. Sorry for the glacially slow response time. Between Live From Here and making a new PB record (it’s finally done!) it’s been a little crazy for the last few months. There won’t be a delay like this again.
Thanks Chris! That metronome suggestion is great. I will totally start trying that. And no worries on the delayed repsonse time...any delays due to Live from Here and PB are more than worth it! Cheers!
Chris, thanks so much for the feedback. I totally get what you're saying, and it's SUPER helpful to think about. I really hadn't even been thinking about dyanmics, and that's a great thing for me to start working on. Really appreciate it!
Hey Chris! Here's my stab at "Is it Too Late Now." I went ahead and learned your intro, as well as the 2 breaks you included in the video. I feel pretty confident in terms of getting the notes right and keeping my pick direction correct, but still struggle a bit when it comes to maintaining groove and swing when I'm acompanying myself while singing. Also curious if you have any feedback in temrs of tone/mechanics/groove. I do feel like my fretting hand is working a little too hard, if that makes sense, and I could be more efficient there.
Dang, Zach, that was fantastic!
That was great Zach, I really liked it. Great singing and playing.
Zach, you sound absolutely great! Well done! Guitar playing sounded great throughout and special mention for your singing, which is killer. Just a couple of thoughts on rhythm guitar:
I get the feeling listening down that you are trying to hold the tempo to a consistent BPM, particularly when you're singing. It feels a little tight somehow. It's ok to let the music breathe a little bit. You are good enough that you can surrender some of that need to control. If the tempo moves a bit, I think it'll be ok and the performance, which was already quite good, will probably gain a more open, relaxed vibe. Relatedly, don't feel like you need to be hemmed into a rhythm guitar "part". There are different things you could do at any given time. What you are doing is nice, but again, try surrendering a touch of control.
Secondly, you might try being a little more dynamic throughout, but particularly in your accents between vocal phrases. Don't be afraid to really lean into the guitar to make those moments pop. Also, at the beginning and ends of solos, you can make them stand out a bit more with a slightly more extroverted dynamic. It would be easy to go overboard with this so use your own good judgement.
Chris, thanks so much for the feedback. I totally get what you're saying, and it's SUPER helpful to think about. I really hadn't even been thinking about dyanmics, and that's a great thing for me to start working on. Really appreciate it!
Thanks Chris! That metronome suggestion is great. I will totally start trying that. And no worries on the delayed repsonse time...any delays due to Live from Here and PB are more than worth it! Cheers!
Thanks for the encouragement. Much appreciated! Remy, the guitar is a 2007 Collings D2HA.
Hey Chris! Just started your course about a month ago. Really enjoying it! This is my stab and an intro, 2 verses, and solo, and then a bit of rhythm playing. In terms of melody, the Jimmy Martin version is a bit too rangey for me, so I'm singing a little more like Tony Rice's version, which feels comfortably in my range. Also, I've found I tend to get off time on this when accompanying myself, especially while trying to syncopate the singing (probably speeding up), so that's something I'm working on as well. Looking forward to your thoughts! Thanks!
Wow, sounds great!! Excellent picking, and fantastic singing!
Agree with James, sounds great, both voice and picking ! And the guitar sound ! What is your guitar ?
Thanks for the encouragement. Much appreciated! Remy, the guitar is a 2007 Collings D2HA.
Ok thanks. Great sound !
Zach, excellent job here! Your flatpicking, rhythm playing and singing all sound really great! You have a wonderful feel for bluegrass music and your fundamentals are also strong. So you’re already operating at a high level in the ways that matter most (to me).
I think it’s great that you’re using the metronome. I would suggest now that you adjust your relationship to the metronome so that instead of ticking on the strong beats it is ticking on the off-beats (2 and 4) to simulate a mandolin chop. Then your task is to make the click sound as pocketed and good as it can be - make it sound like Sam Bush. Because how you play relative to it will define how it feels.
I’d also start experimenting with the sense of dynamics in your rhythm playing. The placement of your bass runs after the vocal phrases is good, but sometimes the strum dynamic feels a little flat after. It’s a fine line between not enough and too much dynamic emphasis but because you seem to have a very good feel for the music I trust that you will figure out what feels right. FWIW, there was a little more rhythm guitar dynamic at 0:54 than at other similar places, and it felt more exciting to me.
You sound great and I’m thrilled to have you here!
Chris
p.s. Sorry for the glacially slow response time. Between Live From Here and making a new PB record (it’s finally done!) it’s been a little crazy for the last few months. There won’t be a delay like this again.
Thanks Chris! That metronome suggestion is great. I will totally start trying that. And no worries on the delayed repsonse time...any delays due to Live from Here and PB are more than worth it! Cheers!
Very well done. Good timing, picking and singing.