From the abundance of videos out there showing Mr or Mrs X playing song X,
I have concluded that many people find the Internet to be a very useful source
of note information (ie tabulature) but it seems to make information about
how to play 'music', much less apparent.
To me, music is about relating something that cannot be articulated through
aural or visual means. To accomplish this, something more needs to be done
than to simply learn which notes are played. The way these notes are
played may make or break a piece of musical performance.
There are some things that may be tried to improve feel when playing your guitar.
Firstly, listen to what you are playing. Get used to listening to what you
are actually playing, not what you think you're playing.
Secondly, don't try to get to the end before you have even begun. Is there really
a value in learning to play a song quickly, but have it sound like rubbish?
Try to learn the whole story. Try to focus on correct technique and accurate
intonation. To do this, play slowly as you are learning a new piece. When you
play something slowly, you have time to listen to what you are doing and you
have time to use your best technique; instead of scrambling a rough note or
two.
Thirdly, think about what a piece of music means to you. After all, that's what
music is trying to do. It's trying to mean something to you and anybody else
who may hear it. Have this idea firmly in mind as you play and let it flow
from you. Let this feeling dictate your use of vibrato and phrasing. I realise
that vibrato and phrasing are two things that you may find difficult as a beginner,
but it's never too early to start. Keep it simple to begin with. And if you're
playing slowly, it should be less of a problem. Start to think of licks as
sentences. You're actually telling people about your troubles, joys or concerns
etc. You aren't playing a video game, you're talking through music!
Yeah, I'm preaching as though I know it all. Of course I don't know it all.
I know very little! But I know what I have observed and I care that people
learn music properly. What I've written about is how I think of feel and expression.
Your kilometerage may vary.
