Playing "Soft"

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TheGuyThatJaneLikes
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Playing "Soft"

Post by TheGuyThatJaneLikes »

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.
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Post by Easy E »

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
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Post by mlb1399 »

Use your thumb :thumbsup:
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i am sam2
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Post by i am sam2 »

sing louder
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Post by czech »

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.
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Post by nate »

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.
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Post by Reckless »

palm mute sounds nice
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Post by DJR »

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
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Post by Machtimus »

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.
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Post by Grachi »

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.
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Post by Twostep13 »

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
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Post by dmb_josh »

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
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DJR
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Post by DJR »

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
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Post by Sciaracastro »

i am sam2 wrote:sing louder
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Post by Machtimus »

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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