Brutal video truth

[subdrummer]

I have slowly been trying to absorb as much theory as my limited brain function will allow. It's actually going pretty well in that respect. A lot of seemingly complicated stuff is starting to sink in so I decided video myself playing some exercises, scales, and riffs I've been working on.
The video served one and only one purpose. To show me that I need to spend more time working my fingers and less on my brain. I'm a long time drummer and have met a ton of those drummers that talk a good game but couldn't even keep time much less play anything interesting. I don't want to be one of those guys on guitar. Not really a point to this. Just venting a bit. David

[FatJeff]

It's humbling, isn't it? I think we also tend to be our own worst critics. One other aspect is that when we're playing, we're focusing on not only how we sound at any given moment, but on just the sheer technical challenge of getting through the music. Once we've walked away from the instrument and are watching/listening to ourselves play, all of our attention is now brought to bear on the performance, so we might tend to pick little things up that we didn't notice while performing.

[derek]

You are much braver than I am. I record myself from time to time using a Boss recorder, or my more new aquisition, Olympus field recorder. Hearing myself play is brutal enough, having to see my ugly mug and all those guitar faces would be too much.

[subdrummer]

Originally Posted by derek

You are much braver than I am. I record myself from time to time using a Boss recorder, or my more new aquisition, Olympus field recorder. Hearing myself play is brutal enough, having to see my ugly mug and all those guitar faces would be too much.

LOL.Good point. Having to look at my tore up old self certainly doesn't enhance the experience. David

[AlsoRan]

I have to agree with you my venting friend. I started playing guitar around 4 years ago. I do have over 3 years of piano under my belt but that was 30 years ago! Anyway, like you, I took the cerebral approach to learning guitar. I own many instructional books and DVDs. I unfortunately, am also like some of your drumming buddies in that I can talk pretty indepth about guitar theory, but I can't put most of the ideas into practice. Again, however, like you I realize that I need to hone my technical skills if I am ever to reach my goal of being able to play Bebop, both as a rhythm and lead guitarist. I don't have much time in this adult world, but I am slowly progressing. One thing I do is to make sure I practice the harder parts of songs I am trying to learn (such as those in "I'll Remember April" by Grant Green). This way, I am not only training my fingers, but also contributing to the learning of a tune. Thanks.

[Hugh]

I bought a recorder last year and did a few videos of me playing. What a shock it was too
I did'nt realise how much I fidgited and moved about when playing.
However, it was good to watch my fingering and being able to do some adjustment on this matter, plus my timing which to be honest was a bit off at times.
As for the ugly mug, well I've had many decades to get used to looking at that every morning I shave and not a pretty site, but cant do much about that one I'm afraid.
But the video thing is a great idea I think.
Hugh.

[markf]

great idea to record yourself playing, and listen later. can be a real shocker for sure.

those riffs sounded so good, when I was playing them.