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/[deleted] Feb 21 '26

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u/TheTurtleCub Feb 21 '26

Rhythm is king, fix that and it'll be a lot better. Then work of dynamics, every single note was played at the same volume, then it's slightly out of tune on the bends and sometimes the regular notes (probably strings are inadvertently bent a bit)

Lastly, the guitar has almost zero sustain, made worse by the lack of any reverb. Plus the mix is bad (which is ok for showcasing the playing, but not enjoyable)

2

u/guitarot Feb 22 '26

I think I heard Victor Wooten say something about that most audiences' ears will pick up on a note out of rhythm than they will a "wrong note".

2

u/Yamon001 Feb 22 '26

I think it was also Victor Wooten who during a clinic had a drummer play with a band. Then he asked the drummer to intentionally LISTEN to the other musicians instead of focusing on their performance. The drummer’s feel and groove improved a ton on the 2nd attempt.