Playing acoustic 'awkwardly'...?

[Lukelele]

So my acoustic playing isn't really up to scratch. At all.

Apparently I try to play the acoustic like it is an electric.

*groan*

Therefore, I have decided to segregate the acoustics and focus on them solely for a while. Would anyone have any suggestions/tips/sites/materials to help me break out of that into the 'right' style of playing/techniques to get the best out of playing acoustic?

[bertie]

Apparently I try to play the acoustic like it is an electric.

Would anyone have any suggestions/tips/sites/materials to help me break out of that into the 'right' style of playing/techniques to get the best out of playing acoustic?

very honestly, I really dont know what you're on about, I play either and/or in exactly the same way...............

what is it you're doing that makes you think you're playing it 'wrong' (not just what someone said)

[Lukelele]

Apparently I do a lot of palm-muting and stuff.

Oh I also suck at barre chords so I tend to go for power chords or unusual alternatives or triads...

[ICBM]

So my acoustic playing isn't really up to scratch. At all.

Apparently I try to play the acoustic like it is an electric.

*groan*

Therefore, I have decided to segregate the acoustics and focus on them solely for a while. Would anyone have any suggestions/tips/sites/materials to help me break out of that into the 'right' style of playing/techniques to get the best out of playing acoustic?

I'm even worse, I was told I played acoustic like an electric and electric like an acoustic!

In the end I realised that I *like* the way I play both in a sort of mixed-up style that uses elements of techniques mostly associated with the other. I do change the technique slightly between the two because you need to in order to make the best sounds (especially with a distorted electric), but why should they really be different? It's an artificial division. Each has six strings tuned the same and you play them in the same sort of way. Especially true if you amplify your acoustic - it's just an electric guitar with a different tone really.

I've even ended up using the same string gauges on both (11s), and sometimes even play the same guitar with the signal split into "electric" (amp or amp simulator) and "acoustic" (DI, no simulator) sounds - at the same time, not to switch between the two usually. The only real limitation is that piezo pickups don't sound that good with distortion (in my opinion).

So my suggestion would be to ignore what anyone else says about your technique, and just play the guitar how you like. You might find some sounds and inspiration that you weren't expecting.

[Ben_Sir_Amos]

Apparently I try to play the acoustic like it is an electric.

Who told you this?

[bertie]

Apparently I do a lot of palm-muting and stuff.

nothing intrinsically wrong with that at all- check out players like Tommy Emmanuel, or the late Eric Roache...........

I think you need to possibly identify with some music/style you'd like to play........it may actually require muting !!!

Oh I also suck at barre chords so I tend to go for power chords or unusual alternatives or triads...

so do I, I use F shape for nearly all my barre work - or more commonly just the strings I need..........

[monquixote]

I approach both in pretty much the same way.

As long as you don't use techniques that rely on heavy overdrive I don't see what the problem is.

I think palm muted acoustic sounds great.

[mellowsun]

Might be a good idea to get some lessons. You might need to work on your posture and your fretting hand (an arm) could be in a non-optimal position.

I tend to play acoustic with my fretting hand in more of a classical guitar position. On electric, I tend to use the usual thumb wrapped round technique.

It can be difficult to play a full barre chord cleanly on an acoustic. Partial barres with one or two open strings (depending on the chord) sound nicer anyway.

[alexjhh]

I play the two fairly differently, but that's because I split them between styles anyway. I'm using my acoustic for ragtime fingerpicky stuff at the moment, and it's been an interesting process in terms of getting to 'know' the limitations and possibilities with both my acoustic and electric. I guess I have similar approaches technique wise (palm muting is palm muting), but they have different personalities.

[nickp]

I thought that I was rubbish at acoustic. It was more that every acoustic I had ever played was poorly set up and the string tension made chordage difficult

first thing is check the set up of your acoustic - it is harder work to play than an electric and therefore needs a proper set up. could be the best £40 you could spend! (IMHO etc) I bought one with a fantastically low action - not so great for bashing out loudly strummed chords but absolutely great for fingerstyle and being a little more subtle with it.

makes barre chords a damn sight easier when the action is properly low

nick