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Topic: A question for Buddy Emmons |
Mitch Ellis
From:
Collins, Mississippi USA
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Posted 12 Apr 2014 10:10 pm |
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Mr. Emmons,
I read that you said in an interview that you would sometimes practice in the dark and sometimes without an amp. I can understand the benefits of practicing in the dark, but what is accomplish by practicing without an amp? Is it to train yourself to pick the strings harder and by doing so, improving ones tone? Thank you very much.
Mitch |
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Clete Ritta
From:
San Antonio, Texas
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Posted 13 Apr 2014 1:55 pm
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| Chris Templeton wrote: |
| I was going through the archives and came across this cassette recording that Buddy gave me of him practicing speed picking without an amp. Buddy, if you listen to this, I know you'll get a chuckle: :0) http://picosong.com/Y39m/ |
The link Chris posted is an amazing example of what he has accomplished by practicing without an amp! Im a beginning player and don't practice with an amp, but its mostly out of consideration for my wife sleeping in the next room haha. |
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Mitch Ellis
From:
Collins, Mississippi USA
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Posted 13 Apr 2014 2:21 pm
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Clete,
My computer has dial-up internet service so listening to a song or watching a video is next to impossible. But thank you anyway for providing the link. Maybe Mr. Emmons will see the post and give me my "Tip of the day" answer. 
Mitch |
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Jack Aldrich
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 13 Apr 2014 9:05 pm
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Alan Akaka often has me play with my eyes closed. It helps with intonation when you don't rely on the fret markings.
_________________
Jack Aldrich
Carter & ShoBud D10's
D8 & T8 Stringmaster
Rickenbacher B6
3 Resonator guitars
Asher Alan Akaka Special SN 6
Canopus D8 |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 13 Apr 2014 10:09 pm
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Practicing without an amp causes one to pick the strings with intention, serving to improve one's general motor skills, picking consistency, blocking, and decision making, not to mention what it can do for relationships with closely cohabitant human beings.
From a practice and development standpoint, there are several aspects of technique that do require amplification to practice, including the use of the volume pedal, more blocking, equalization, and effects, but for the most part amplification is not necessary and often distracts from actually learning to play the instrument itself. |
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Don Griffiths
From:
Steelville, MO
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Posted 13 Apr 2014 10:13 pm
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Playing unplugged whether it be a six string or a pedal steel has really helped develop my ear. I usually do it out of consideration for others when practicing. Don't have any idea why Mr. Emmons does it.
_________________
Shobud Pro1,BMI U12, Santa Cruz F, PRS Standard, Fender Twin Reverb, ‘53 000-28 |
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Micky Byrne
From:
United Kingdom (deceased)
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Posted 14 Apr 2014 6:51 am Re: A question for Buddy Emmons
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Mitch...it was probably me that mentioned I'd seen Buddy mentioned about practising in the dark etc (It was in a Magazine called Country Music People ... in the 70's and 80's)....I was in the side stage room at a school hall in U.K. where Gerry Hogan used to run our Steel Guitar Conventions. Buddy was in that room and I was sitting next to him...he was playing along with the acts that were on stage. Buddy wasn't using any amp. You should have seen how he dug his fingers into the strings. I thought that he'd bust most of them. His fingers looked like they had tiny little scars where they entered the picks. That is obviously how a player gets his tone. Steel guitar or lead guitar...don't tickle the strings 
Micky "scars" Byrne U.K. |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 14 Apr 2014 4:25 pm
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I've also seen Paul Franklin mention he often practices in the dark - to aid with intonation and bar placement... and think of the power you would save
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases. |
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Mitch Ellis
From:
Collins, Mississippi USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2014 7:03 pm
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| Dave Grafe wrote: |
| Practicing without an amp causes one to pick the strings with intention, |
I thought that it may have something to do with string attack. It does make sense. Thank you all for your helpful replies. If anyone has any other tips, I'll take 'em.
Mitch |
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Keith Bolog
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2014 7:13 pm
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.....But then you have to learn again with the amp on because its different. I use the sleeping house technique too.
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Say what you mean. Mean what you say. |
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Ron Scott
From:
Michigan
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Posted 16 Apr 2014 12:14 pm
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Tom Brumley once told me that he did practice without an amp too at times. I do this too. It does help me to play harder when I am using an amp which is what I always needed anyway.What I got from Buddy playing without an amp was so as not to wake up the rest of the house hold. He would not disturb me in the least.JMO....RS
_________________
Franklin D10 Stereo - 8 and 6 - Black Box-Zum Encore 4 and 5 Nashville 400,Session 400, DD3 for delay ,also Benado Effects pedal.
Steeling with Franklin's..and Zum Encore |
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Jeff MacDonald
From:
Pleasant Hill, Ca.
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Posted 12 Sep 2014 7:23 am
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Tom Bradshaw also mentions playing blindfolded. Love the Idea of no amp. time to practice.
_________________
Macman
Emmons 93 D10 8x5
Carter Starter
Peavey Nashville 112
55-57 Fender "White" Steel
Bunch a Gtrs n Stuff |
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Peter Nylund
From:
Finland
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Posted 12 Sep 2014 7:42 am
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I've tried it all - blindfold, dark room, no amp, I've even tied my hands behind my back, but it won't make me sound like Buddy Emmons. 
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I know my playing is a bit pitchy, but at least my tone sucks |
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Scott Duckworth
From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
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Posted 12 Sep 2014 7:51 am
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I practice more without my amp than with... If I am working on some special technique to go with an effect, then I use the amp.
_________________
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it
I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus! |
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Jeff MacDonald
From:
Pleasant Hill, Ca.
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Posted 12 Sep 2014 7:54 am
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How many picks does Buddy use? Thumb and two or three??
_________________
Macman
Emmons 93 D10 8x5
Carter Starter
Peavey Nashville 112
55-57 Fender "White" Steel
Bunch a Gtrs n Stuff |
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John Scanlon
From:
Jackson, Mississippi, USA
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Posted 12 Sep 2014 8:30 am
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All of my at-home practice is sans amp - it's simple - it allows me to let my children (ages 2 and 4) sleep in the next room, as well as my wife - who would be unhappily awoken by my kids if my amp roused them. Before I had kids, I always practice with an amp.
The time for me to practice with the amp these days is when I'm rehearsing with a band.
_________________
Click here for the Index to Mickey Adams's YouTube video lessons
Insert impressive gear list here. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 12 Sep 2014 10:31 am
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I had to build a loft over the garage. My wife kept turning down my amp.  |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 12 Sep 2014 12:01 pm
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| Practice without an amp? Bwaaaa! After 30+ years of having a ride cymbal in one ear or the other, 6 nights a week, my Tinnitus precludes playing without an amp! |
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Rich Peterson
From:
Moorhead, MN
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Posted 13 Sep 2014 1:33 pm
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| John Billings wrote: |
| Practice without an amp? Bwaaaa! After 30+ years of having a ride cymbal in one ear or the other, 6 nights a week, my Tinnitus precludes playing without an amp! |
That's the downside of being able to sit down while you work. |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 13 Sep 2014 1:39 pm
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"That's the downside of being able to sit down while you work."
Got that right Rich! And the band had a very reasonable stage volume. But those cymbals! They weren't even played that loud, but they were constant! |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 13 Sep 2014 3:24 pm
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I suspect tinnitus is at least partially genetic. Dad has only rarely played electric, and has it bad, Eddie Adcock has had almost as much time in front of a Tele-fed Twin as a banjo and he's fine...
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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