Sweep Picking on Acoustic Guitar

[AlsoRan]

Can anyone comment on using sweep picking on an acoustic guitar when compared to an electric? I am a little discouraged and disheartened when I try to execute some of my sweep picking on an acoustic. It seems harder to keep the sound even. But when I do it on my electric guitar, especially with a little distortion it sounds much better.

Any takers on this query?

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

The acoustic is a harsh mistress; it exposes all your mistakes. Shredders pump up the compression and distortion to hide a host of mistakes.

[JakeAcci]

Yes, distortion can hide mistakes. Also, heavier strings and higher action makes most things, gasp, more difficult.

I've also found that different size guitars affect my picking a bit because of the angle in which I have to hold my right arm, and then the placement or presence of a pickgaurd makes a difference as well just for follow through or if you happen to rest part of your hand on the guitar above or below the strings.

But it's probably mostly thicker strings, higher action, and your technique being more naked.

[AlsoRan]

That's kind of what I expected to read. The acoustic has left me exposed and now it's back to the woodshed....

So much for being the next comin of Frank Gambale.

[JakeAcci]

Eh, doing thing on the acoustic is harder for everybody, no worries. If you can get it really clean 100% of the time on the set up that you usually play, that's what counts.

I play with 'easy' set ups when I play jazz, no shame in it...

[Kojo27]

Originally Posted by AlsoRan

Can anyone comment on using sweep picking on an acoustic guitar when compared to an electric? I am a little discouraged and disheartened when I try to execute some of my sweep picking on an acoustic. It seems harder to keep the sound even. But when I do it on my electric guitar, especially with a little distortion it sounds much better.

Any takers on this query?

As Jake says, it's gotta be harder on acoustic. But I have seen it done very well - just not very often. Tommy Emmanuel does something that looks awfully close to "shredder" style sweeping, on acoustic steel string. Seems he does it in one of the Woodsongs videos w/Frank Vignola - on YouTube. If I find it, I'll link to it.

When ascending, Django did some sweeps, almost all downstrokes. Probably ditto for the other great Gypsy players. When Django descended, he used downstrokes again, so I guess he wasn't a true sweep picker? Isn't Jimmy Bruno sweeping, more or less? Maybe not. Some of his guitars are acoustic w/ a pickup floating about.


And what about "Seven" - the Ovation-weilding shredder for... Slip-knot? I don't know my heavy metal. He's a wildman. Ovation has a guitar now with his monicker "S-E-V-E-N" in the lowermost fret positions. Ugly-ass thing. He probably used distortion - I really don't know.

For what it's worth, I think sweep picking on acoustic could be taken to great heights; I think too few great players have dedicated themselves to it to know. Human beans can pull off some amazing feats when they really want to. In other words, don't give up just because it hasn't been done.

kj

[AlsoRan]

Originally Posted by Kojo27

For what it's worth, I think sweep picking on acoustic could be taken to great heights; I think too few great players have dedicated themselves to it to know. Human beans can pull off some amazing feats when they really want to. In other words, don't give up just because it hasn't been done.

Thanks for the encouragement and wise words. I am starting to think that to be a complete guitarist, I will one day need to learn to play the acoustic with a level of proficiency that is at least close to what I can do on the electric. It will take some work.

[JakeAcci]

I don't know, man, just takes some getting used to, but what really matters is what you are going to perform and record, right? I mean, what's the point? No offense intended, but the goal seems sort of asinine.

I just think of these things like...what is the line you want to play...what is the guitar you want to use...get crackin...

[AlsoRan]

Originally Posted by JakeAcci

I don't know, man, just takes some getting used to, but what really matters is what you are going to perform and record, right?

I am glad you asked JA.

My reason for playing the guitar is primarily the challenge and to attain the bonus of making music. I can't play sports and go for championships anymore. I can't keep trying to benchpress 315 lbs. anymore. I can't run marathons and 10Ks anymore. The only hobby/passion left that I can pursue is to make music.

For the past 35 years, travel, work and those items that I mentioned above (along with some things I probably should not mention) circumvented music ( played classical piano for around over 3 years doing recitals and such) as my passion. Now that they are gone, music and family are my main things. But alas, kids grow up and leave, while family and friends grow old and can die on you.

I have seen this because most of my good friends have been 10 to 15 years older than me. I see them now with literally no hobbies or passions in life other than running errands for others and getting ready for/or trying to survive their retirement. I don't want to be that way.

I want to be like that old guy (I think he was in his 80's) in the first Eric Clapton Crossroads video, playing under a tree outside. He could probably hardly walk - but he could stomp his feet and play his guitar! The only difference is, I want to be able to play not only Blues, but Jazz, especially solo Jazz guitar. You good folks are helping me get there!

Just figure I would expose you to a different perspective. You know we guitarists are a wide and varied lot, and our motivations can go beyond performing for and with others.

Barring my arthritis and tendonitis getting the best of my hands, I am going to need some acoustic guitar skills for playing under that tree. That way, l can play all day, and I won't have to worry about batteries.

Keep those posts coming.

[The Poppster]

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

The acoustic is a harsh mistress; it exposes all your mistakes. Shredders pump up the compression and distortion to hide a host of mistakes.

Totally agree!

[JakeAcci]

I hear you, AlsoRan. Good luck...I already have nerve issues and such so I play the easy guitars! I had to take a break from guitar years ago and went back just playing very slow stuff and strung my guitar w 9s. Very slowly I've worked back up to 11s and still keep my action manageable. I guess I can handle a 'normal' guitar now but it used to be that I set my guitar up so easy that playing someone elses often felt like I was dealing with a double bass.

P.S. if you do switch and start practicing technique on the acoustic, take breaks, stay relaxed, don't push it too hard or you'll end up literally hurting yourself...

[AlsoRan]

[quote=P.S. if you do switch and start practicing technique on the acoustic, take breaks, stay relaxed, don't push it too hard or you'll end up literally hurting yourself...[/quote]

Let this be a listen to all us "newbies" to Jazz and anyone with an aggressive playing schedule - you are human and you are flesh and blood. Don't overdo it.

And, I will try and follow that philosophy myself - or they might as well cut down that tree.