Matt Shugert

Matt Shugert
Matt Shugert commented on: Nine Pound Hammer Tony Rice Style Solo Jun 04, 2020

Hi Chris,

Awesome solo! Thanks for breaking it down. I'm looking forward to digging into the other Nine Pound Hammer solos you have posted. I appreciate any feedback you have for me.

Thanks!

Matt

Chris Eldridge
Chris Eldridge Jan 21, 2021

Woo! You nailed it! Just make sure that your tempo stays consistent between singing/playing rhythm and the solo. I always think it's a good idea to set a tempo according to the slowest thing that you can do comfortably. In this case, it seems more comfortable to play the solo slower so I would play the entire song accordingly. Questions of groove aside, wonderful!

 

Matt Shugert
Matt Shugert commented on: Church Street Blues Tony Rice's Version (a Study in the Right Hand) May 26, 2020

Hi Chris! I'm new to sonic junction and came to check it out after seeing your recent video chat with Brian Sutton. I was really excited to see your videos teaching Chruch Street Blues. This songis one of my favorites and has been a great "quarantine project" for me the past couple of months. I've spent hours watching the Tony Rice youtube video slowed down trying to figure out what he is doing. Really interesting stuff about the RH picking. I've been trying Tony's picking pattern slowly in my practice but in this video I am sticking with the alternate picking I am more comfortable with. Anyways, I appreciate any advice you have for my playing. Hope you are well!

Matt

Chris Eldridge
Chris Eldridge Jan 21, 2021

Hi Matt, sounding good! I really appreciate the spirit that you've got in this. My main observation is that the tempo changes quite a bit when you're playing rhythm guitar and singing vs. playing the melody. Maybe try playing the entire song at the slowest tempo where you feel comfortable playing everything. I'd even suggest playing along with a metronome for this. Then once you've got a better sense of continuity between the instrumental and the vocal, begin to slowly raise the tempo. Whereever you play it though, just make sure that you really sink into the groove and the pocket of the song and carry that pocket through. Sometimes I like to think of "taking care of the listener." My other suggestion is that your rhythm guitar under the vocal could be simplified and opened up a bit. I often will just play sparse bass notes and not really worry about the strumming. See if that leaves more space for the vocal to sit out front. 

 
Login popup sm Login popup banner

Member Log In

Forgot your password? Click here

New To Sonic Junction?

See Sign Up Info >

Popup close
 
Login popup sm

New To Sonic Junction?

Try 2 Lessons Free

Popup close