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Post by fatfingerjohn on Oct 4, 2013 14:17:04 GMT
Come on own up!.
A good friend, who only plays solo, clears his throat a lot when playing which is strange as he isn't using the vocal chords otherwise; just a nervous habit. And my wife tells me that, when I'm not singing, I tend to have my mouth open more than I used to, again a habit; but when I saw myself doing it I didn't half look stupid, like a chick waiting to be fed; its a funny lopsided sort of look.
So, own up, what 'habits' have you developed that you'd rather get rid of. (not actual playing techniques).
FFJ
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Oct 4, 2013 14:21:43 GMT
I have a couple of embarrassing ones I'd like to get rid of. One is my 'difficult tune face', when I take on the appearance of someone who has just sucked on a particularly bitter lemon during a tune. Not flattering. The other one is something I discovered recently after seeing a video of myself - I seem to sing predominantly out of the left side of my mouth, like I'm an extra from Bugsy Malone or something. Might have to concentrate on this one to eliminate it!
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davewhite
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Post by davewhite on Oct 4, 2013 14:50:51 GMT
I have the open mouth thing too but when I'm aware of it and try to play with my mouth closed the playing sounds rubbish so I play looking stupid - if the music's good enough no-one should notice, well that's the theory
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Post by Banadog on Oct 4, 2013 17:05:07 GMT
I didn't think I had any until a couple of years ago, when I was letting Mrs.B hear how wisely I had invested our money on a new guitar. I can't remember what I played, something slow and haunting probably, and as the last wistful notes faded under my fingers, I looked up....and there was that split second when you know somebody has been laughing at you,and have just straighted their face. "What is it?" I said "No, nothing" she replied "Come on what do you find amusing?" "Well nothing....it's just your face when you play", and she screwed her mouth up like Mick Jagger. Thinking perhaps I did tighten my mouth slightly when concentrating, I began to try and watch myself in the mirror, to see what the problem was. I practised different expressions...smiling, with the odd wink thrown in, or the great musician in the throws of passion, but the effect was just scary. To make matters worse Mrs.B, obviously enlightened by her admission, began pursing her lips whenever I played. Then the dreams started....I was on stage and I could hear the murmering spreading through the audience, I knew what they were saying. The awful truth finally hit me, I always thought people were watching your hands when you played, but they are not, what they are doing is staring intently at you face. ................who is that masked man?
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leoroberts
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My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Oct 4, 2013 17:10:54 GMT
I avoid 'difficult tune face' by not playing difficult tunes... I do, however, get uncontrollable jitters in my right knee if I am nervous (only happens if I play sitting down) and the guitar is, quite literally, bouncing on my knee. Very embarrassing, which is one reason I don't play in public (or with anyone watching) very often, and also why I don't post videos in the Plucky Duck (that and my Quasimodo-like visage)
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Post by marcus on Oct 4, 2013 19:20:36 GMT
No funnies here... I just have extraordinarily appealing guitar-playing knees which intrigue, amaze and stupefy my besotted fans. I guess it's a trademark kind of thing. The only downside is that it often results in inappropriate fan mail. Cheers marcus
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Post by scripsit on Oct 5, 2013 0:44:17 GMT
Beautiful knees Marcus, and the guitar is a thing of wonder, too.
Nice to hear that someone else enjoys and plays The Crossing. That is my go to tune whenever I pick up a guitar in standard tuning. Must be all those years of drooling after items on the Dream guitars site.
And to return to topic, my personal guitar playing look, as reported by close family members, is that of someone stumped by a complex mathematical problem that is written on the floor a metre or so in front of me.
Kym
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Post by philw on Oct 5, 2013 4:56:15 GMT
Very nice playing that Marcus, enjoyed it May I ask who the tune is by please? cheers Phil
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Post by marcus on Oct 5, 2013 5:48:22 GMT
Thanks Phil... it's by Al Petteway and is called The Crossing. It's just about the only fingerstyle song I can play!!
Thanks for noticing Kym... they are both a blessing and a curse. You know it's hard being a naked knee model... one is often left feeling like a piece of meat for hire rather than an artist and philosopher. If I remember, I'll send you a signed photo... no need to thank me.
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alig
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Post by alig on Oct 5, 2013 6:06:00 GMT
Erm, nice guitar and lovely playing.
Not, however, gonna comment on the knees. Best left unsaid. Brevity is the soul of wit, etc, etc...
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2013 10:07:47 GMT
As mentioned elsewhere I sigh, gasp and take deep breaths at the top of passages, as illustrated by this: Sssssss!(Not intended as a performance - was just a practice session where I was trying to get the "accent" right on the tune.)
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Post by jugbandman on Oct 5, 2013 22:16:44 GMT
Just call me Stompfoot.
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stringdriventhing
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Post by stringdriventhing on Oct 6, 2013 22:05:51 GMT
My wife informs me that I have a "guitar face". I also have a habit of sticking my tongue out slightly when I'm concentrating on things, so I guess I probably do that sometimes too.
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Oct 6, 2013 22:26:48 GMT
I tend to do the heavy breathing panting wheezy thing rather like you Pete - enjoyed your recording!
Keith
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