My alembic guitar shows me I need to practice more!!

[jazzyvee]

This year I have decided to get back to playing guitar more as the last 5 or 6 years I have hardly done any guitar gigs and the guitar playing has become second fiddle to developing my bass playing.
So last night I picked up my series I guitar to have a play with and played through some scales and other stuff I used to play in the past and the damn thing is far too sensitive for my sloppy fingers.


In 2005 when I got my Orion guitar I recall having to put a lot of time in to control and mute the ping that happens both when putting the strings to the frets, also when lifting your fingers from playing one note to the other and sympathetic ringing of other open strings and managed to do that really well.


That happens on all guitars to some extent and controlling that is part of being a clean player I suppose, but with that series I guitar it's far more evident maybe because of the sustain it has and the sensitivity and response of the pickups.
 
Yesterday that was all over the place and playing through headphones probably made it more evident than through an amp. But it made me realise how much I have lost over the past few years from lack of regular playing.

I'm trying to get my old jazz/fusion band back together but need to get my guitar chops back before approaching them.
 Practicing myself back up to a good standard with this series I is going to be fun as well as frustrating.

[edwardofhuncote]

I hear ya' Jazzy.


I've really let my guitar-playing go in the last 5 years. I had some game developing as a flat-picker at one time, but bass being my main gig, that's what naturally gets the lion's share of attention. During the recent hiatus from playing out, I've had a chance to rediscover/reconnect with the guitar... it's been both rewarding, and humbling.

[jazzyvee]

The weird thing about it is, my first calling to music was bass because of Aston Barrett but I was given a guitar for a birthday and so had to go in that direction but still worked out bass lines on the bottom 4 strings. As I got older I bought the odd cheapo bass here and there and once I discovered Stanley Clarke and alembic I realised that was the sound I wanted for my bass playing so once I saved up for one I had a go at playing bass properly rather than dabbling about with bits from songs. And in fairness the music I enjoy playing is more defined by the bass than guitar so I like the power the bass gives me to shape the sound of a band. So bass player at heart but guitar runs through my veins too. :-)

[allgood]

I started on bass, but picked up guitar in college and played rhythm in a couple of bands.  But have not played guitar in many, many years.   My son recently got into the guitar, so I picked up his when he was home from college.   i thought “have my fingers gotten that much fatter?!  😊

[ELPFAN]

I play keys and guitar in the band and have been playing a '74 LPC or a '69 SG standard for years.
I've now played 6 gigs with the Darling and man, it's honest. I have to concentrate a bit more as its not as forgiving but the rewards are many.

[bigredbass]

When this sort of thing happens to me, I'm always thankful there's no one around;  nope, I don't embarrass easily any more, it's just I don't want anyone injured with all those clamshells and bits of rust flying around the room.

[StefanieJones]

Same for me as I haven't been playing much guitar lately. Playing bass in a couple of groups takes most of my time. A band was looking for a guitarist and it's stuff I knew back before I got busy with bass. Well.. yeah it will take some time to get back to where I was, lol.  Fortunately (or not) I got offered another position playing bass. Anyway, I've been trying to play guitar more when I had a little free time.