The Steel Guitar Forum

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

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.

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

Alan Akaka often has me play with my eyes closed. It helps with intonation when you don't rely on the fret markings.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

.....But then you have to learn again with the amp on because its different. I use the sleeping house technique too.

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

Tom Bradshaw also mentions playing blindfolded. Love the Idea of no amp. time to practice.

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.

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.

How many picks does Buddy use? Thumb and two or three??

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.

I had to build a loft over the garage. My wife kept turning down my amp.

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!

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.

"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!

I often practice early in the morning without an amp, so as not to wake my wife.

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...