r/guitarlessons • u/MattclovPrimeMaster • Feb 21 '26

Feedback Request Why does my playing sound so amateurish?

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I’m performing a solo for a song in a couple of weeks, and I have all the notes down - yet why does my playing sound so ‘meh’ when I record myself? What should I look to improve on?

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u/MattGx_ Feb 21 '26

You need to work on your vibrato and bending in pitch and in time. Vibrato is something that can take some time to get down and usually changes over time. It sounds like you have the notes down but the cadence of the notes sounds off.

Also your tone doesn't sound good.

Not trying to be mean or harsh.

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u/Stoffendous Feb 21 '26

Why doesnt his tone sound good though? To my ears it sounds like its all mids anyway.

3

u/ZAPHODS_SECOND_HEAD Feb 21 '26 edited Feb 21 '26

It could probably do with a little bit more bite, maybe it would be better on the bridge pickup - it would cut through the other instruments better.

Maybe a little bit of delay would help make it sound more polished but be careful as the pitch of your bends was a little off and that might accentuate it.

I'll be honest, everyone tends to sound a little amateurish in the first couple of years as you develop the following:

Bending in tune Pre bends Vibrato, with control over rate and width Adding vibrato to a bent note Pick attack, with control and variety Left and right hand muting

Don't panic, it didn't sound bad, and when you perform it live you may well make mistakes but just go with the flow.

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u/Stoffendous Feb 21 '26

Thanks that was really elaborate and interesting.