Legato/tapping unplugged

[timerunsout]

When performing legato/tapping stuff, should you be able sound out every note clearly without having to plugging into an amp and turning the gain up a bit? My RG has a medium-lowish action, loaded with 10s (but feels very stiff compared to my Strat) and I can't really sound out the notes clearly when doing legato stuff unless I plug it into an amp.

[IbanezFreak777]

I wouldn't worry if you sound good plugged in, it doesn't matter how it sounds not plugged in.....

[brothersnowgone]

If you practice your technique not amplified, you'll have to revise it when you plug in. You'll notice tons more string noise and just being overly loud and sloppy sounding.

I remember seeing an interview with Paul Gilbert where he said he used to practice scales for a while not amplified. As soon as he was hooked up to an amp, his practice without an amp made his playing amplified sound like poo. It was because he was playing harder not amplified so he could hear himself playing. Like Shawn Lane said "it's a balance between relaxation and exertion"

Bottom line, if you're mainly using a technique amplified (legato, tapping, or whatever it may be) it needs to be practiced amplified to get your technique right.

[timerunsout]

What about with gain? Can't really get any notes to sound loudly for legato

[Homebake]

yes, legato is mainly done with high gain. it's not worth it clean. takes waaaaaay too much effort and sounds crap anyway. listen to satriani.

[nickcoumbe]

This probably explains a lot as I mostly practice acoustically.

[jazzepat]

Yeah I practice unplugged all the time and couldnt exactly work out what the issue was... looks like mini-marshall will need some new batteries!!

[sick-boy]

I personally think it has to be a balance. When you practice unplugged, you can't hide bad technique behind a wall of gain. I practice both ways. I start unplugged, then clean channel, then with gain. That way I'm covering all my bases and fixing any problems in the process.

[rastachild]

Originally Posted by sick-boy

I personally think it has to be a balance. When you practice unplugged, you can't hide bad technique behind a wall of gain. I practice both ways. I start unplugged, then clean channel, then with gain. That way I'm covering all my bases and fixing any problems in the process.

agreed. i do a lot of my practicing without the amp and i honestly am able to hear what's going on (although my guitars are generally quite resonant), including pinch harmonics, legato and tapping and sweeps. i can also hear all the string noise, missed notes, sloppiness, etc. without the need for gain or even amplification (as long as it's somewhat quiet in the room). i feel that gain can totally cover up deficiencies in technique though.

as far as the gilbert quote, he may have changed his tune, but during the racer x/mr. big era (arguably his shreddiest period), he was a staunch supporter of practicing unamplified or with little or no gain. i don't think he had to make much of an adjustment when kicking in the full on distortion, but i bet it did influence him into using less gain on his lead tones throughout his career.

[sick-boy]

Exactly.
Just don't ignore the high gain practicing, or your right-hand muting techniques will go completely down the toilet.