Playing "Soft"

TheGuyThatJaneLikes · Unread post by **TheGuyThatJaneLikes** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 2:32 pm

Simple question (at least I think it is

).

What's the trick to playing softly? I always seem to drown myself while singing along.

Cheers.

EDIT: I should add that I haven't bothered to install a pick-up yet on my current guitar (basic Washburn D10S, still saving for that Taylor

) so I can't fix the problem with an amp or anything.

As for strumming softer, I've obviously tried that, but it doesn't seem to make much difference. I just figured there might be a trick to it.

Perhaps using a thinner pick (or one of a different material would help? I generally use a vinyl .73, so perhaps that's the problem.

Easy E · Unread post by **Easy E** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 3:05 pm

thats a pretty thick pick, i use .5 or.6 for the most part, try also limiting your strumming motion, it wont be as loud if you dont strum as hard. Also, palm muting is an effective way to play softer

mlb1399 · Unread post by **mlb1399** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 4:03 pm

Use your thumb :thumbsup:

i am sam2 · Unread post by **i am sam2** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 6:29 pm

sing louder

czech · Unread post by **czech** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 6:32 pm

Easy E wrote:thats a pretty thick pick, i use .5 or.6 for the most part, try also limiting your strumming motion, it wont be as loud if you dont strum as hard. Also, palm muting is an effective way to play softer

I palm mute most of the stuff i want to play quieter, especially if it is individual notes being picked.

nate · Unread post by **nate** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 8:50 pm

Try not using a full strum but just hitting a few strings everytime. I think that might help a little like hitting just the bass notes sometimes then hitting the higher notes then right in the middle. My guitar teacher calls it giving a song "texture" or something like that. hope it helps.

Reckless · Unread post by **Reckless** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:13 pm

palm mute sounds nice

DJR · Unread post by **DJR** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:15 pm

my problem when i was a beginner was strumming too much with my wrist to the point where it was obnoxious - try to strum more with your whole arm and not just the wrist, that may help

Machtimus · Unread post by **Machtimus** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:18 pm

DJR07 wrote:my problem when i was a beginner was strumming too much with my wrist to the point where it was obnoxious - try to strum more with your whole arm and not just the wrist, that may help

Eh, bad technique.

Grachi · Unread post by **Grachi** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:35 pm

Machtimus wrote:
DJR07 wrote:my problem when i was a beginner was strumming too much with my wrist to the point where it was obnoxious - try to strum more with your whole arm and not just the wrist, that may help
Eh, bad technique.

I thought u were suppose to strum with the wrist and not the whole arm?

Anyway, I strum with the wrist. You can strum all the way through but just lighter.... making it sound softer... Sounds good and I don't have to scream to sing over my guitar or anything.

Twostep13 · Unread post by **Twostep13** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 1:37 am

i prefer to play with my fingernail, i get a better feel for the strings that way.. and it gets me the perfect volume between a pick and my thumb

dmb_josh · Unread post by **dmb_josh** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 8:55 am

Try a lighter gauge string, it will make all the difference for you. Elixer makes a great light-weight string that is perfect for 'softer' acoustic playing

DJR · Unread post by **DJR** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 10:34 am

Machtimus wrote:
DJR07 wrote:my problem when i was a beginner was strumming too much with my wrist to the point where it was obnoxious - try to strum more with your whole arm and not just the wrist, that may help
Eh, bad technique.

then i was told incorrectly

Sciaracastro · Unread post by **Sciaracastro** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 3:59 pm

i am sam2 wrote:sing louder

bwahahah

Machtimus · Unread post by **Machtimus** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 4:35 pm

Grachi wrote:
Machtimus wrote:
DJR07 wrote:my problem when i was a beginner was strumming too much with my wrist to the point where it was obnoxious - try to strum more with your whole arm and not just the wrist, that may help
Eh, bad technique.

I thought u were suppose to strum with the wrist and not the whole arm?

Anyway, I strum with the wrist. You can strum all the way through but just lighter.... making it sound softer... Sounds good and I don't have to scream to sing over my guitar or anything.

Yes. DJ said to strum more with the whole arm to which I said was a bad technique.

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Playing "Soft"

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