Stella by Starlight

EUJazz · #1 12-09-2011, 06:12 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ti4z2bxUyU

The link above is a video of me performing in a student recital this past Monday. Any feedback would be very appreciated! My solo playing is still a work in progress, I would like to make it a lot more contrapuntal than it is right now, at least in the bass.

brwnhornet59 · #2 12-10-2011, 08:57 AM

Hey man, I can tell that you put a lot of work into this. Kudos.

You asked for some critique so here it comes.

I notice a lot of over exaggerated right hand movement. This will really screw up your accuracy and your attack. You will get a lot more speed and a much more controlled tone, if you keep your hand closer to the stings and minimize wasted movement.

From almost the very beginning you brought your right leg up and crossed it over your left. Because you were sitting so low, you put your whole body in an awkward and unbalanced position, which IMO, affected your playing. Next time use a higher chair or a foot stool. I tend to put my right foot, turned on its side, so that my left foot rests upon it, keeping the guitar on my left leg. I see guys do the same thing but in reverse. It is all about comfort and balance.

There are other minor things to be touched upon, but overall I think you did very well. Was this your first public recital? Keep up the good work. Your love of the instrument shows and you should continue to nurture it. Good luck and great job!

AmundLauritzen · #3 12-10-2011, 10:43 AM

Great job! There are some muffled/missed notes and some timing issues, but it is mentally taxing to play in front of an audience. In the middle of the performance I noticed your playing was much cleaner and your timing was better too. There is a lot of good stuff in there, just keep working on it and add more to the tune. The more ideas you have under your fingers the better.
The fact that your timing and technique got better later in the performance indicates that performance anxiety is likely to blame for the places that you do mess up. If I was to give one advice then it'd be to jump on every opportunity to play in front of an audience. The more you do it, the less intimidating it becomes.

Dark Star · #4 12-10-2011, 11:11 AM

The only criticism I have is don't cross your legs again. It doesn't look very comfortable, lol

jayv999 · #5 12-10-2011, 01:03 PM

You might like the overall sound if your tone was softer. Seemed rather abrasive in the setting you were using.

jazzalta · #6 12-10-2011, 07:40 PM

You're off to a great start on a tough tune, and you're doing ok ( I like some of the little creative stuff you got going on). If you're anything like me you're probably your worst critic. I think the only critique I could add is to keep recording yourself and study it later, isolate your weak points and practice to improve them. That has worked wonders for me.