FED UP!

[michael murray]

I am a relative newbie to Lap Style instruments. Yes,there is a shedload of support material you can buy or download. I own some. I studiously avoid it.

I had a few jam sessions with some good friends. That gave me confidence and faith in my own intuition and ability.

I heartily agree with what Dave Nutt said. Pick a song (I'm not a natural singer)- pick a key. Block out the chords. I tend not to think to much about what I'm doing. It will come together. It's an organic kinda process for me.

I could sit down and find harmonised scales etc. I don't. I find that they occur when I need them.

I hope this doesn't sound too "Zen".

Yodelling works for me!!

[James Crowbear]

it's the mistakes & the way you adapt to them that gives/makes one's style
learn from the heroes all you can & assimilate what you learn from them in what you play
getting out & playing w: others works wonders

[acerod]

I spent (wasted) a lot of time trying to sound like Bobby Black and Sneaky Pete who were my heroes at the time, Terry, then I realised I wasn't ever going to play or sound like them and then I started to play like me. Try playing with different styles of music, not just country, and you'll develop your own sound and technique. It takes time but it sure as hell is worth it. Good luck and keep the faith.

[telboy]

Hi guys n gals thanks for the replies, this thread hasnt been displayed as new posts so hadnt realised y'all had replied? i'm trying to play along with stuff i dont normally mainly jazz and bop, but have been jammin along to jimmy hendrix and all sorts but i always end up back at the western swing stuff, not been playing a lot lately just doesnt seem enough hours in the day and living in a block of 1930s flats you have to respect ya neighbours so cant amp up too much! still, onwards and upwards eh?

[acerod]

Danelectro make a great little gadget called Honeytone eStudio which is the best little headphone amp I've come across. It has reverb and distortion and volume control. Save you disturbing your ganja smoking rasta neighbours.