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GUITAR TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE MONTH Your Personal Guitar Lesson |
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| BE SURE TO VISIT DOUG'S "SECRET VAULT" It contains many of Doug's Previous Guitar Technique Tips of the Month |
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We have a Printer Friendlier (PDF) version of this article that's also easier on the eyes.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
Yes, I Exaggerate
By Douglas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt, All Rights Reserved. This article may be reprinted, but please be
considerate and give credit to Douglas Niedt.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
A first rate performing artist has a compelling, tangible musical personality that he is able to
viscerally and intellectually communicate from the stage across the footlights to the audience.
His emotions and passions glow from the glistening surface of a CD through the speakers into
the listener's heart and psyche. The artist creates magic, not just well executed sounds.
One of the elements of this magic is the artist's use of dynamics--playing loudly, softly, using
crescendos and decrescendos. The use of dynamics becomes part of what we experience as
"expression."
It's just okay.
The music definitely lights up! And I think most guitarists realize that they can't just play the
music "flat." It must have curves, it must ebb and flow.
But there are a few tricks you should know about the execution of dynamics. The main thing to
remember is YOU MUST EXAGGERATE YOUR DYNAMICS. As you play, you are hovering right
over the guitar, so you hear every nuance. But a person sitting even ten feet away from you is
not going to hear what you are hearing. Plus, there is a psychoacoustic phenomenon here too.
As the performer, you know when and where you are going to make a change in dynamics
which makes that change very obvious to you. But it is not at all obvious to the listener who has
never heard you or the piece before. Also remember that the dynamic range of the guitar is
very narrow to begin with.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
It is actually pretty simple to make your music come alive. When you play softly, play really
really really softly with a feather light touch. When you play loud, play really really really loud
just below the point where the tone quality breaks up.
Cultivating a wide dynamic range takes a lot of practice. For example, it is very difficult to play a
succession of notes with a feather light touch with even volume and every note equally present.
Usually, notes here and there will tend to drop out. It also takes a lot of experimentation to learn
how loud you can play your guitar. It will vary both with where you are on the fretboard with your
left hand and where along the string length you are plucking the strings with the right hand.
You don't want to overplay the instrument and have your tone quality suffer.
Try playing a scale as softly as possible with a feather light touch and try to get each note to
speak clearly and evenly. Then try playing the same scale as loud as possible taking your
volume level to the edge.
Crescendos and decrescendos must be approached the same way--EXAGGERATE! Start a
crescendo as quietly as possible and then take it to the max. The same applies in reverse for
the decrescendo. Begin as loud as you can and take it down to an almost inaudible level.
Although the context of the music must always be taken into consideration (not every
crescendo has to be bombastic), it is safe to say that if you feel like you are somewhat
overdoing a change in dynamics, it's probably about right.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
But there is one more trick in the execution of crescendos and decrescendos that I discovered
in recording my CD, Pure Magic. I was working on the dynamics on Sigma, recording a phrase
and listening back over and over. I was doing a traditional crescendo shaped liked this (I call
this a linear crescendo):
Ex. 1
But it just didn't seem to come across as strongly as I wanted it to when I played back the
recording. But on one take I accidentally played the phrase a little differently, and the
crescendo was overwhelming--it just boomed out of the speakers clear as day. I listened a few
times and realized I had shaped that crescendo like this (I call this an exponential crescendo;
the word "exponential" describing a rate of increase which becomes quicker and quicker as the
thing that increases becomes larger):
Ex. 2
The exponential shape is far more obvious to the ear than the linear type.
Decrescendos can also be executed both ways. The linear decrescendo or linear fade looks
like this:
Ex. 3
The inverse exponential decrescendo or fade (yes, I read too many audio books) looks like this:
Ex. 4
No contest.
So this month's tip is quite simple. Within the confines of the musical requirements of the piece,
when you play softly, play with a feather light touch. When you play loudly, play really strongly
but don't let the tone quality "break" or distort. When making crescendos and decrescendos,
don't make them linear--go exponential. Make your contrasts BIG. If you feel you are overdoing
whatever dynamic effect you are trying to produce, your listeners are probably finally hearing
what you are trying to communicate. In a word, EXAGGERATE!
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
By Douglas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt, All Rights Reserved. This article may be reprinted, but please be
considerate and give credit to Douglas Niedt.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
A first rate performing artist has a compelling, tangible musical personality that he is able to
viscerally and intellectually communicate from the stage across the footlights to the audience.
His emotions and passions glow from the glistening surface of a CD through the speakers into
the listener's heart and psyche. The artist creates magic, not just well executed sounds.
One of the elements of this magic is the artist's use of dynamics--playing loudly, softly, using
crescendos and decrescendos. The use of dynamics becomes part of what we experience as
"expression."
Listen to me play the first phrase from Carulli's little Andantino played flatline with no
dynamics (Soundclip 1). (A separate window will open that you can minimize in order to
still see the written musical example as you listen.)
It's just okay.
- Now listen to the same phrase played with crescendos and decrescendos, (Soundclip 2)
plus a little loosening up of the tempo. (A separate window will open that you can
minimize in order to still see the written musical example as you listen.)
The music definitely lights up! And I think most guitarists realize that they can't just play the
music "flat." It must have curves, it must ebb and flow.
But there are a few tricks you should know about the execution of dynamics. The main thing to
remember is YOU MUST EXAGGERATE YOUR DYNAMICS. As you play, you are hovering right
over the guitar, so you hear every nuance. But a person sitting even ten feet away from you is
not going to hear what you are hearing. Plus, there is a psychoacoustic phenomenon here too.
As the performer, you know when and where you are going to make a change in dynamics
which makes that change very obvious to you. But it is not at all obvious to the listener who has
never heard you or the piece before. Also remember that the dynamic range of the guitar is
very narrow to begin with.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
It is actually pretty simple to make your music come alive. When you play softly, play really
really really softly with a feather light touch. When you play loud, play really really really loud
just below the point where the tone quality breaks up.
- Listen to these examples (Soundclip 3). (A separate window will open that you can
minimize in order to still see the written musical example as you listen.)
Cultivating a wide dynamic range takes a lot of practice. For example, it is very difficult to play a
succession of notes with a feather light touch with even volume and every note equally present.
Usually, notes here and there will tend to drop out. It also takes a lot of experimentation to learn
how loud you can play your guitar. It will vary both with where you are on the fretboard with your
left hand and where along the string length you are plucking the strings with the right hand.
You don't want to overplay the instrument and have your tone quality suffer.
Try playing a scale as softly as possible with a feather light touch and try to get each note to
speak clearly and evenly. Then try playing the same scale as loud as possible taking your
volume level to the edge.
- Listen to these examples (Soundclip 4). (A separate window will open that you can
minimize in order to still see the written musical example as you listen.)
Crescendos and decrescendos must be approached the same way--EXAGGERATE! Start a
crescendo as quietly as possible and then take it to the max. The same applies in reverse for
the decrescendo. Begin as loud as you can and take it down to an almost inaudible level.
Although the context of the music must always be taken into consideration (not every
crescendo has to be bombastic), it is safe to say that if you feel like you are somewhat
overdoing a change in dynamics, it's probably about right.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
But there is one more trick in the execution of crescendos and decrescendos that I discovered
in recording my CD, Pure Magic. I was working on the dynamics on Sigma, recording a phrase
and listening back over and over. I was doing a traditional crescendo shaped liked this (I call
this a linear crescendo):
Ex. 1
But it just didn't seem to come across as strongly as I wanted it to when I played back the
recording. But on one take I accidentally played the phrase a little differently, and the
crescendo was overwhelming--it just boomed out of the speakers clear as day. I listened a few
times and realized I had shaped that crescendo like this (I call this an exponential crescendo;
the word "exponential" describing a rate of increase which becomes quicker and quicker as the
thing that increases becomes larger):
Ex. 2
The exponential shape is far more obvious to the ear than the linear type.
Click here and listen to both types (Soundclip 5). (A separate window will open that you
can minimize in order to still see the written musical example as you listen.)
Decrescendos can also be executed both ways. The linear decrescendo or linear fade looks
like this:
Ex. 3
The inverse exponential decrescendo or fade (yes, I read too many audio books) looks like this:
Ex. 4
Now listen to these examples (Soundclip 6). (A separate window will open that you can
minimize in order to still see the written musical example as you listen.)
No contest.
So this month's tip is quite simple. Within the confines of the musical requirements of the piece,
when you play softly, play with a feather light touch. When you play loudly, play really strongly
but don't let the tone quality "break" or distort. When making crescendos and decrescendos,
don't make them linear--go exponential. Make your contrasts BIG. If you feel you are overdoing
whatever dynamic effect you are trying to produce, your listeners are probably finally hearing
what you are trying to communicate. In a word, EXAGGERATE!
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
BE SURE TO VISIT DOUG'S "SECRET VAULT"
It contains many of Doug's Previous
Guitar Technique Tips of the Month
It contains many of Doug's Previous
Guitar Technique Tips of the Month
Have a comment?
Question?
Suggestion for the website?
We would love to hear from you.
Question?
Suggestion for the website?
We would love to hear from you.
We have a Printer Friendlier (PDF) version of this article that's also easier on the eyes.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
Have a comment?
Question?
Suggestion for the website?
We would love to hear from you.
Question?
Suggestion for the website?
We would love to hear from you.
We have a Printer Friendlier (PDF) version of this article that's also easier on the eyes.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
Have a comment?
Question?
Suggestion for the website?
We would love to hear from you.
Question?
Suggestion for the website?
We would love to hear from you.
We have a Printer Friendlier (PDF) version of this article that's also easier on the eyes.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
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| These are my very detailed, in-depth articles and high-def videos on how to play the classical guitar. It's like getting your own private guitar lesson every month. Need info on classical guitar right hand technique? Guitar scales? How to play bar chords? Harmonics? Looking for a classical guitar practicing routine? Tips on performing onstage? How to tune a guitar? Looking for easy Christmas guitar arrangements? Chances are, I have covered it, or will soon. The tips are by subscription only. |
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Doug's Guitar Technique Tip of the Month will be sent to you monthly. These are the best on the
Internet. No one else's technique articles and videos even come close. Most of the written tips run
over 20 pages. Most of the videos run from 15-30 minutes. The tips are thorough and the
production is excellent. Check out the free tips in Doug's Vault for a sampling.
A one-year subscription (12 tips) is only $24. That is only $2 per tip.
Purchase a ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to:
DOUGLAS NIEDT'S GUITAR TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE MONTH
Doug's Guitar Technique Tip of the Month will be sent to you monthly. These are the best on the
Internet. No one else's technique articles and videos even come close. Most of the written tips run
over 20 pages. Most of the videos run from 15-30 minutes. The tips are thorough and the
production is excellent. Check out the free tips in Doug's Vault for a sampling.
A one-year subscription (12 tips) is only $24. That is only $2 per tip.
Be a better guitar player or teacher. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Purchase a ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to:
DOUGLAS NIEDT'S GUITAR TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE MONTH
Doug's Guitar Technique Tip of the Month will be sent to you monthly. These are the best on the
Internet. No one else's technique articles and videos even come close. Most of the written tips run
over 20 pages. Most of the videos run from 15-30 minutes. The tips are thorough and the
production is excellent. Check out the free tips in Doug's Vault for a sampling.
A one-year subscription (12 tips) is only $24. That is only $2 per tip.
Purchase a ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to:
DOUGLAS NIEDT'S GUITAR TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE MONTH
Doug's Guitar Technique Tip of the Month will be sent to you monthly. These are the best on the
Internet. No one else's technique articles and videos even come close. Most of the written tips run
over 20 pages. Most of the videos run from 15-30 minutes. The tips are thorough and the
production is excellent. Check out the free tips in Doug's Vault for a sampling.
A one-year subscription (12 tips) is only $24. That is only $2 per tip.