Is all our playing futile

[PerianArdocyl]

Well is it? Do we play only to be upstaged by the electric? Can and will the accoustic guitar ever make people feel quite the same way as an electric can?

What do you think? :confuse:

[Terren]

Acoustic has it's place don't you worry. Acoustic is music at it's roots, raw and unmasked. See what a guy can do with a set of strings over some crafted wood before brushing him off for some high voltage decibel-fest.

Not that I don't like electric playing, I play it mostly, but acoustic guitar is perfect. Just a man and his guitar, and nothing else. It's musical simplicity at its finest.

The only bad rap the acoustic guitar gets is a couple chick musicians at coffee houses play a few chords and sing a few notes and they're 'acoustic guitarists'. It makes electric guitar elevated because it's less practical, more expensive, needs wires and cables and amps and electricity and all that.
Acoustic guitar is generally cheaper, but look at Flamenco or classical guitar, it's not the same on an electric. People are obviously more 'awed' by an electric guitarist, but that doesn't mean they're the best lol.

[PerianArdocyl]

I'll have to keep those things in mind next time I'm having feelings of doubt. Thank you much! :smile:

And referring to the "a man and his guitar" comment, that does remind me of one advantage the accoustic guitarist has and it's a classic, too: they can play their guitar just about anywhere (ever heard of the term "traveling guitarist"? :_posey: ).

[BMG_SKULK]

For a short while...1...maybe 1 and a half years...I was into the old
Classical style of Guitar. (Nylon strings...yada ya)

I learned a Mertz tune...a little Fernando Sor...some Christopher
Parkening....and a whole lot of Vivaldi transpositions.

It was fun, but I'd play then listen to Yngwie,Satch or any
LOUD electric and it just sounded so awesome....so diverse.

These days you can get nearly any tone you want out of an electric.

While the old style Classical guitar...in general...sound all the same.

I realize the skill level to be a really good traditional classical player
is 10 fold what it takes on the Electric.

But no matter your talent level, you can't overcome a monstrous
and beautiful wall of sound.

Why don't you guys play both?

[PerianArdocyl]

I will try my best not to worry, but it won't be easy! However, I will keep in mind that the accoustic adds diversity to the band and maybe (as I hopelessly hope) rock 'n roll will live again someday...

And by the way, bmg_skulk, you're not excactly assauging my fears of being inferior by bringing the electric into this. :hmmm:
And playing both is a controversy. Somehow, it just says to me "Yeah I play accoustic, but don't worry, I play electric too (nervous laugh)".

[guitaraholic680]

I think the acoustic guitar will always have its place. I only own acoustics. Right now, i have two, its fun having two guitars because ur never guitar deprived. I just recently have been playing my friends electric that she lent me to use for some practices and jams. Its a nice lil squire strat. But i still like my acoustic. My bad acoustic has better action than the electric. I'm just used to the feel of my acoustic. U'll never see fingerpicking on an electric!

[PerianArdocyl]

Fingerpicking is really a unique asset, especially now that the guitar playing heard in "Foreplay/Longtime" isn't done anymore. Well, at least the part right before, "It's been such a long time..."

[Slipstream]

U'll never see fingerpicking on an electric!Haven't you heard of Hot Tuna? Jorma Kaukonen of Hot Tuna plays mostly acoustic now, but he's done a lot of electric finger picking. World class fingerpicking at that (he co-founded Jefferson Airplane).

This sample is acoustic, but it's all that's available on his website: Hesitation Blues (http://www.hottuna.com/sounds/hesitate.wav)

Another guy that does fingerpickin' on an electric is Derek Trucks. He plays a mean slide, finger-pickin' style. There are clips you can listen to on his site. The first song, "Chant" is a good example, but I recommend listening to Live at the Beacon by the Allman Bros. for better ones (I don't have a link for sample of that, sorry): Derek Trucks Band (http://derektrucks.com/tracks.html)

[t_shirtsnjeans]

I think "Smelly Cat" kinda ruined for mainstream America, that is if they watched 'Friends'.

Open your ears so that you may hear........................acoustic is everywhere, but it is usually in the background. Unlesss you're me, and then it would be wherever I put it, but since you're not me, and I'm not you, neither twain to meet me or you, we agree to be you and me.

I don't know what is going on in my head. Not enough beauty rest, well 7 months behind now........................ :o

[LightSeeker]

Aocustics are on pretty much equal terms with the electrics. You can get really tired of electric guitars as well

[Terren]

Haha my comment about chicks and guitar was really just bringing out what people think as the 'stereotype', and T_shirts really nailed it with Smelly Cat! That's the thing you think of, coffee shop acoustic houses.

And I play electric mostly, but acoustic definitely has it's place. For Pink Floyd: Wish You Were Here, Welcome to the Machine, Hey You, the 'Dogs' rhythm guitar, and Zeppelin: Over The Hills..., Ramble On, Babe I'm Gonna Leave you, etc... tons of songs that wouldn't be the same if they weren't done on acoustic.

So it isn't exactly 'upstaged' by electric, but when used wisely, acoustic songs can still be very important in mainstream music. Well, relatively mainstream (just mainstream 30 years ago lol).

[mr mungbeen]

Acoustics are the soul of guitar playing... With an electric, you can hide lack of ability behind distortion and special effects. With an acoustic, it is raw and unrefined so your ability (or lack of it) shines through with absolute clarity...

To be able to play a really good piece on the acoustic is an achievement that takes weeks, months (sometimes years) of playing, practice and refinement.

There is no substitute... There is no other...

[Violet Nancyboy]

Absoutley not. The acoustic guitar is important for music. It isn't always upstaged by the electric. It depends on the soing. Sorry to be a complete Nirvana freak but for instance Something in the way from Nevermind is much better as an acoustic song than as an electric number. Acoustics rule! [haha].

[PerianArdocyl]

Thanks for all the replies, you guys!
And Terren, I agree with you on the songs of Led Zeppelin, I have actually learned to play a few. It's nice to know that those on top of the world still have time for accoustics. :smile:

t_shirtsnjeans: "I think "Smelly Cat" kinda ruined for mainstream America, that is if they watched 'Friends'."

Yeah, I'd have to agree with you there, that was a pretty strange song...it didn't even make any sense metaphorically. :lmao:

mr mungbeen: "Acoustics are the soul of guitar playing... With an electric, you can hide lack of ability behind distortion and special effects. With an acoustic, it is raw and unrefined so your ability (or lack of it) shines through with absolute clarity...

To be able to play a really good piece on the acoustic is an achievement that takes weeks, months (sometimes years) of playing, practice and refinement."

Definitely. You have to really know your way around the strings on an accoustic. Ever see that Simpsons episode where Homer went to Rock 'n Roll camp (which by the way was like a guitar player's holiday :D ) and at the end when he goes up on stage, it says in the captions [ plays a clumsy chord ] ? Didn't sound too clumsy, did it?

[t_shirtsnjeans]

AND, Don't EVER be afraid to use effects on an acoustic! I do it all the time and it just adds so much, anything can get boring, until you try something different.

Variety is the...............well, we all know now don't we? :D

[PerianArdocyl]

Do they have effecters for accoustic?

[Violet Nancyboy]

AND, Don't EVER be afraid to use effects on an acoustic! I do it all the time and it just adds so much, anything can get boring, until you try something different.

Variety is the...............well, we all know now don't we? :D

What effects do you use?

[PerianArdocyl]

Well, he's not coming back... :hmmm:

How can accoustic guitars have effecters? It must be a pipe or something.

[phingerboard]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/search/detail/base_pid/157504/

"Features:

25 algorithms
19 effects
6 effects modules
40 preset/user programs
Effects include: chorus, phaser, flanger, tremolo, 12-string, slow attack, step filter, wah, rotary, cry, hall, room, plate, reverse, doubling, stereo delay, ping pong, tape delay, and echo"

[t_shirtsnjeans]

What effects do you use?
PODxt, rp50, chorus, etc etc.

There are several acoustic effects makers, I think Ibanez makes a few, Taylor sponsors one, but I use ones made for guitar. Just adjust to fit the sound of the acoustic. You can use vocal processors also to help with eq, reverb, delay, chorus, etc.

[PerianArdocyl]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/search/detail/base_pid/157504/

"Features:

25 algorithms
19 effects
6 effects modules
40 preset/user programs
Effects include: chorus, phaser, flanger, tremolo, 12-string, slow attack, step filter, wah, rotary, cry, hall, room, plate, reverse, doubling, stereo delay, ping pong, tape delay, and echo"

Wooooh...that is cool. How do they work excactly? Is it like the digital tuner, where you just have to have it nearby and play?

[Griffin]

I've heard it said...
that you can't hide with an acoustic guitar. It's out there, it's honest. No feed back or long ten second vibratos with these puppies.

[Katau]

Comparing an accoustic with an electric is like comparing a piano to a harpsichord. They each have their own place as completely different tools. It will not go away...at least in my lifetime. Accoustics are too cool.

[Emixolydian]

Acoustics are better for jamming anyway, anytime.

No one wants to drag an amp around, but people don't mind carrying acoustic. Since they both have different sounds, they're both used for different things. When I hear most folk guitarists they use acoustics.

The funny thing is I can play faster on acoustic than on electric so I don't have a problem with being shown up.

[Jammer]

Haven't you heard of Hot Tuna? Jorma Kaukonen of Hot Tuna plays mostly acoustic now, but he's done a lot of electric finger picking. World class fingerpicking at that (he co-founded Jefferson Airplane).

This sample is acoustic, but it's all that's available on his website: Hesitation Blues (http://www.hottuna.com/sounds/hesitate.wav)

Another guy that does fingerpickin' on an electric is Derek Trucks. He plays a mean slide, finger-pickin' style. There are clips you can listen to on his site. The first song, "Chant" is a good example, but I recommend listening to Live at the Beacon by the Allman Bros. for better ones (I don't have a link for sample of that, sorry): Derek Trucks Band (http://derektrucks.com/tracks.html)

Ever hear of a guy named John Michael Talbot? He used to play with Mason Proffitt before he started playing Jesus music and I try to go and see him every chance I get. He plays all acoustic on a classical guitar. His technique is impeccable - so good it brings tears to my eyes when I hear it - he's that good.

He's the first one that came to mind but there are others, like Leo Kottke, Ry Cooder - guys that have been around forever and have a longevity in their careers that some of the electric blasters don't.

[Jammer]

Well is it? Do we play only to be upstaged by the electric? Can and will the accoustic guitar ever make people feel quite the same way as an electric can?

What do you think? :confuse:

You can do ANYTHING with an acoustic, and I mean anything. Depending on how the guitar is setup you can play electric riffs anywhere you want, and the electric guys either need an outlet or a battery.

I don't agree that electric and acoustic are different instruments. I have been playing for 40 years and have spent about half that time on electric and half on acoustic, and I say the only thing that changes is the texture of the sound. Nylon string, steel string, amplified, sound box - makes no difference. The sound is in your fingers, not in the guitar. You just have to coax it out.

I am sincere. By using fingernails, pick, both, light strings, heavy strings, and different attacks, you can get any sound you want out of any guitar.

I am at the point now where it doesn't matter what guitar I play, it always sounds like me playing. Sometimes it's louder, sometimes softer, sometimes brighter, sometimes darker, but it's always me playing.

Don't get hung up on playing acoustic, electric, lead, rhythm, fingerstyle, whatever. That's too limiting. Just play guitar. You have eight fingers and six strings. Just play the notes and don't worry about the rest. And have fun!

[bugman]

U'll never see fingerpicking on an electric!

Mark Knopfler and Chet Atkins come to mind.

[Slipstream]

Ever hear of a guy named John Michael Talbot? He used to play with Mason Proffitt before he started playing Jesus music and I try to go and see him every chance I get. He plays all acoustic on a classical guitar. His technique is impeccable - so good it brings tears to my eyes when I hear it - he's that good.

He's the first one that came to mind but there are others, like Leo Kottke, Ry Cooder - guys that have been around forever and have a longevity in their careers that some of the electric blasters don't.Talbot sounds vaguely familiar, but I've never heard of Proffitt. I'm familiar with Kottke and Cooder.

I was listening to an oldie station just yesterday and heard Embryonic Journey from The Worst of The Jefferson Airplane. One of the best tunes Kokenein ever did.

[phingerboard]

"Jorma Kaukonen of Hot Tuna plays mostly acoustic now, but he's done a lot of electric finger picking."

Word. Jorma is the shiznit. "America's Choice" is one of the most amazing screaming pyschedelic electric guitar albums ever made.

[PerianArdocyl]

You can do ANYTHING with an acoustic, and I mean anything. Depending on how the guitar is setup you can play electric riffs anywhere you want, and the electric guys either need an outlet or a battery.

I don't agree that electric and acoustic are different instruments. I have been playing for 40 years and have spent about half that time on electric and half on acoustic, and I say the only thing that changes is the texture of the sound. Nylon string, steel string, amplified, sound box - makes no difference. The sound is in your fingers, not in the guitar. You just have to coax it out.

I am sincere. By using fingernails, pick, both, light strings, heavy strings, and different attacks, you can get any sound you want out of any guitar.

I am at the point now where it doesn't matter what guitar I play, it always sounds like me playing. Sometimes it's louder, sometimes softer, sometimes brighter, sometimes darker, but it's always me playing.

Don't get hung up on playing acoustic, electric, lead, rhythm, fingerstyle, whatever. That's too limiting. Just play guitar. You have eight fingers and six strings. Just play the notes and don't worry about the rest. And have fun!

Dude, that was beautiful. :frown:

[mishmannah]

Ever hear of a guy named John Michael Talbot?

Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, yes!!!!

Oh, his music is sooo beautiful, his voice is sooo haunting.

His guitar playing is totally amazing.

And a big handclap :hands: to you for your monologue on the art of guitar playing. I use the overdrive on the amp of mine for my acoustic, and it sounds cool.

Yes, it's the person's soul being expressed on the instrument that is more important than anything else.

[Jammer]

Dude, that was beautiful. :frown:

I had one of my guitar teachers tell me something like that once. He was a great believer in the versatility and utility of the guitar. This guy had a PhD in music and could play like the very devil. He made a believer out of me.

[Jammer]

Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, yes!!!!

Oh, his music is sooo beautiful, his voice is sooo haunting.

His guitar playing is totally amazing.

And a big handclap :hands: to you for your monologue on the art of guitar playing. I use the overdrive on the amp of mine for my acoustic, and it sounds cool.

Yes, it's the person's soul being expressed on the instrument that is more important than anything else.

Thank you, thank you. JMT is sooo good. Get his book on leading worship.

[mooseAndSquirre]

The "electric" that I like the most is Jazz greats like Joe Pass or Wes Montgomery, and to me, they have a pretty acoustic sound. What I mean is there isn't a lot of effects going on, just pure tone.

[C#m7th]

Acoustics are the soul of guitar playing... With an electric, you can hide lack of ability behind distortion and special effects. With an acoustic, it is raw and unrefined so your ability (or lack of it) shines through with absolute clarity...

To be able to play a really good piece on the acoustic is an achievement that takes weeks, months (sometimes years) of playing, practice and refinement.

There is no substitute... There is no other...


*bingo* coudln't have said that one better myself.

good acoustic players tend to have a very intimate feel to the music they write. a very large percentage of mainstream MTV/VH1 bands are very electric-heavy which in turn tends to overpower all of the good acoustic players because that is what is played over the airwaves and televised for the masses.
as for myself, i became very tired of listening to the overly-polished, big label, electric bands...it's kind of like going to a classic car show (at least in this part of the country); i love the '69 camaro and Mach 1 Mustang just as much as the next guy, but when it's all you see, when it's what everyone does...it just gets old. you have to search for the good stuff. besides, the modern western music movement (circa 19th century) started with nothing but an acoustic guitar and the guy behind it. :008:

[ModestCargo]

Acoustics are the soul of guitar playing... With an electric, you can hide lack of ability behind distortion and special effects. With an acoustic, it is raw and unrefined so your ability (or lack of it) shines through with absolute clarity...

To be able to play a really good piece on the acoustic is an achievement that takes weeks, months (sometimes years) of playing, practice and refinement.

There is no substitute... There is no other...
That's why I love acoustic guitar. I really love fingerpicking too.

That's also why I don't use distortion or special effects for electric guitar, although someday I'll have a wah-wah pedal - I'll never overuse it though.

[YowhatsupT]

i fingerpick my electric...

[mishmannah]

Thank you, thank you. JMT is sooo good. Get his book on leading worship.

*Googling Amazon right away, sir!*

[Jammer]

*Googling Amazon right away, sir!*

This is the one I was thinking of (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1878718630/qid=1121677723/sr=1-9/ref=sr_1_9/102-0268391-8436937?v=glance&s=books)

[SKEETER]

It is theraputic. I don't care if you play a nose flute, if you can get off by yourself and play music and forget about all the daily ********, then nothing about it is in vain. When I was a kid I could go off by myself with a guitar and escape family nonsense, escape the pangs of testosterone poisoning, and get away from all the social crap kids lay on each other. Now I am an old man, and I can go off by myself with a guitar and forget that my body no longer functions right, or that the brain dead neighbor down the road lets his dog be a nuisance to everyone else, or that the intellectual midgets that run the country are trying as hard as they can to get us all anhilated.
Of all the years I have been playing, the one thing that has always been there at my beckoned call is the music. It only goes away when I want to set the guitar on it's stand.

[Peaceful]

Effects? Effects?? I once had a classical guitar teacher in Buckinghamshire, England, and his teacher could make the guitar sound like a snare drum. The piece was something to do with a soldier boy and he kinda hooked the sixth string over the fifth and plucked it with his thumb, four to the bar, while his fingers played the melody.

Try it. It works!

The accoustic can do hammers and pull-offs, bends, and vibrato. I think vibrato is easier on a nylon string; more friction there, I think. Not to mention drummin' with the fingertips and whackin' with the thumb.

About the only thing it can't do is the sustained note.

Anyone tried using a bow?

[t_shirtsnjeans]

Ever hear of a guy named John Michael Talbot?
At my brother's funeral service my best friend and I did "My Yoke Is Easy", that has to be one of my favorite songs. I choked on tears halfway through and my friend took over on the vocals. Very powerful verse indeed.

I saw him in 'concert', it was just him, his robe, and his guitar. After a few songs he starts to sound the same, but the setting, he was sitting on the floor (elevated so we could see him) and he played and sang for at least 1 1/2 hrs. I went away with a much cleaner heart and spirit. What amazed me was that he was in the middle of a song playing fingerpicking style while singing and evidently he heard a string out of tune just a tad and he tuned that string just at the right moment and didn't skip a beat!

[Grim Riffer]

Nothing is futile if it makes you happy.

[Jammer]

At my brother's funeral service my best friend and I did "My Yoke Is Easy", that has to be one of my favorite songs. I choked on tears halfway through and my friend took over on the vocals. Very powerful verse indeed.

I saw him in 'concert', it was just him, his robe, and his guitar. After a few songs he starts to sound the same, but the setting, he was sitting on the floor (elevated so we could see him) and he played and sang for at least 1 1/2 hrs. I went away with a much cleaner heart and spirit. What amazed me was that he was in the middle of a song playing fingerpicking style while singing and evidently he heard a string out of tune just a tad and he tuned that string just at the right moment and didn't skip a beat!

If I had to say I would say he is somewhat better on guitar than Michael Card, who is a pretty good guitar player himself, even if it isn't his main instrument. I have seen them both, and Michael Card plays right handed guitars strung right handed, upside down and backwards, left handed. I had a hard time figuring out how he does what he does until I saw him do it.

John Michael Talbot is amazing, though.