November 2021 Challenge Response – TimR

[Tim Read]

Hi all..

My response to this months Challenge. I’ve struggled a bit, making my mind up what to play, choosing whether to use acoustic or electric and what sound to create through my amp. So it’s a bit of a patchwork quilt. My main learning point is that indecision is an enemy of getting anything done…that’s life I guess. The finger on string noise has also returned to annoy me – any tips on how to tame it gratefully received. Look forward to listening and learning from everyone as ever.

TimR

[Jonathan Amos]

I’ve got something similar brewing myself, the challenge for me is getting out of an all too comfortable and familiar groove and into new territory. Why not try laying down one track with the acoustic then add a second track with electric in harmony?

Jonathan Amos, Matsuyama, Japan

[Tim Read]

Thanks Jonathan…that’s a good idea. This tune is more like a sketch I have had running for a while and needs more work but I thought it fitted the challenge. Sometimes ideas flow one to the other and sometimes just stick 😁

TimR

[Vincent K]

Very beautiful rendition Tim

I experienced the same string noise on my Taylor, which I used to play. I decided to try another softer kind of elixer strings. Hope this help a bit

🎸 Vincent 🎶 🇳🇱

[Tim Read]

Thanks Vincent…I will try a different string and see if it helps. And practice m Re so that I don’t waste time not doing much😁

TimR

[Mike W]

That’s a really nice composition,Tim. Flat wound strings will help reduce the noise, but you lose a bit of bending ability.

[Tim Read]

Thanks Mike…I will check those out. I don’t bend much on acoustic so shouldn’t be too much of an issue!

TimR

[Mark T]

Very clever and absolutely beautiful, Tim! Really pretty tune, played with a delicate touch – that is a delight 👏👏👏🎶🎶🎶

[Tim Read]

Thanks mark that’s very kind. I watched a you tube video by Sean Angus Watson about chord melodies which captured my imagination…need a lot of practice though!

TimR

[Sal]

A very nice choice of chording there Tim, and the fingering was excellent!! For bouncing that around in your head, it came out pretty darn good!……..Sal

[Tim Read]

Thanks Sal…I get some good ideas (I think!) but don’t always know how to build on them. Good fun exploring though?

TimR

[Anonymous]

That was a pretty composition and melody Tim. Excellent acoustic touch and tone.👍

[Tim Read]

Thanks so much Ivan.

TimR

[Michael L]

Hey Tim, I really enjoyed that. I think the mix of acoustic and electric work well and as others have said, I could imagine them layered. My mind also goes to a melodic lead over the top of it all. You’ve got the foundation of a special piece.

[Tim Read]

Thanks Michael…always things to learn and improve on…usually I can tell straight away whether to go acoustic or electric but I was 50/50 this time…it’s been that sort of month 😁

TimR

[Bill H]

well played Tim ……………..

……….I have cobalt flat wound strings on my Alverez but only 10s………..

the G string is bit harder to bend but no noise strings………….

[Tim Read]

Thanks Bill…am researching strings this weekend!

TimR

[Don Patton jr]

Tim
A good submission this month!
Played clean and articulate. Perhaps a polyweb string with a tooth slick finish would decrease the string sound ? 👍

Don P

Don P

[Tim Read]

Thanks Don…definitely checking Coates strings out…Xmas list is building!

TimR

[WBlues]

I had to laugh, Tim. I also thought about which guitar to use. Actually it doesn’t matter. Playing standalone is wonderful either way. You used the variants, and very sensitively. I really enjoyed everything; played great. It was just beautiful!

Play guitar just like you live; don't get bogged down in theory, it's just a tool without feeling.

Wilfried

[Tim Read]

Thanks so much Wilfred..think the string noise distracted me on the acoustic…need to focus a bit better this month!

TimR

[Helen Lazaridou]

What a dulcet,sweet chord melody!!!!!it was a true delight!!!!it could definitely become a beautiful song I think!!!!🥰🥰🥰🥰

[Tim Read]

Thanks so much Helen…I like finding new things to play but then run out of ideas to finish them! Good fun learning though?

TimR

[Dieter]

Wonderful composition, great picking. The background noise doesn’t bother me at all, it’s just part of playing the guitar.

Dieter

[Tim Read]

Thanks so much Dieter!

TimR

[sunjamr]

Great composition there, Tim. I used to struggle with string squeak also. I found several ways to reduce it, so now it’s not really a problem for me anymore. The main thing I did was switch to Elixir Nanoweb 010s. The coating itself greatly reduces string squeak because the coating fills in the spaces between the windings and makes them smoother. Prior to that, I tried flatwound and half-round strings, but didn’t like they way they sounded or played. Next, you can use the equalizer on your DAW to cut out the frequency of the squeaks a bit (not too much, or you’ll lose some of the treble). And finally, learn to lift your fingers a bit higher above the strings as you move around the fretboard. A gentle touch is what’s needed.

Sunjamr Steve

[Tim Read]

Thanks Steve…am going to try coated strings and also improve (or try to) my technique to stop dragging my fingers along them😁🤞🏻🎸

TimR

[Alan K]

Beautiful melodic composition Tim. Nicely played.

[Tim Read]

Thanks so much Alan!

TimR

[Paul S.]

Your composition has something I greatly appreciate: structure… something that sticks in your brain as you move through the changes. And the switch between acoustic and electric was pretty nice.

As for string noise: flat wounds will virtually eliminate it, but they are not as bright or as responsive. I use them on one of my guitars where I don’t do much bending. I have doubts they would work very well on an acoustic.

[Tim Read]

Thanks Paul…I’ve definitely got some string research to try and test. Glad you enjoyed the tune.

TimR

[James B]

A lovely composition Tim. Very enjoyable listen.

James

[Tim Read]

Thanks so much James!

TimR

[AndréM]

Excellent composition.
Nice using two guitars.
Well done.

AndréM

AndréM

[Tim Read]

Thanks Andre…I’d like to say the two guitars was a creative idea, but it was because I couldn’t decide 😁

TimR

[Garry]

Very creative and melodic composition Tim, very enjoyable listen. Love the switch-up of guitars too. I know there’s been a far bit of advice above re: string noise (I’ve read some of it) but have you tried releasing the pressure of your finger as you slide up or down the string, that may help. All the best!

[Tim Read]

Glad you enjoyed it Garry, thanks. And I’ve got to test out a string change and improve my technique I think…relax my grip as you suggest…unlearning bad habits is tricky 😁

TimR

[Pap]

Tim, that was a beautiful composition. It needs some words. Perhaps you will work on that. Really nice job on this submission. Cheers. Pap

[Tim Read]

Thanks Pap…I get ideas for tunes but lyrics are a whole other world for me 😁

TimR

[Eric C]

Beautiful composition, Tim! Great fingerstyle technique! Enjoyed listening!

Eric

[Tim Read]

Thanks so much Eric!

TimR

[Gary W]

That’s really lovely Tim, full of emotion. I think astring noise isnt avoidable in any complete sense is it … but coated strings like some of the Elyxir’s etc seem to help. Best wishes.

Gary

[Tim Read]

Thanks so much Gary…new strings are on my Xmas list!

TimR

[Manfred M]

Your fingerstyle Performance is top, Tim. Listening to your composition keeps me dreaming along. Reminds me on „Shape of my heart“ by Sting. Great work!

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be on January 31, 2026

For more information click here

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Tim Read]

Thanks Manfred…I know what you mean about the melody…just don’t tell Sting 🤣

TimR

[Richard G]

Really nice composition Tim, hampered by, as you said, the string squeak. I’ve been using Elixir Nanoweb 10’s and 11’s on my Martin for some years now without any undue squeak. Worth a try …..

Richard

[Tim Read]

Thanks Richard…definitely off to put some coated strings on my Xmas list…just what to take off the list 😁

TimR

[Carpa]

Nicely and very rhythmically plucked, stays nicely on the beat.

[Tim Read]

Thanks so much Carpa

TimR

[Scott M]

Clean and accurate delivery of your beautiful composition, excellent fingerstyle, really well done Tim!

Scott

[Tim Read]

Thanks so much Scott, glad you enjoyed it.

TimR

[David H]

Ah good old paralysis by analysis – I resemble that! I liked that you had both acoustic and electric. Lovely chords and playing. The squeak will go away with practice. Just have to lift the fingers up a bit more when moving up and down the fretboard.

[Tim Read]

Thanks David and yep I just need to pay a bit more attention when moving…just practising in the last day I realise I drag my fingers rather than lift them…just years worth of bad habits 😁

TimR

[Martin W]

Hi Tim , that sounds fab on it’s own as a standalone composition, but I reckon it’s that good as a foundation to play a nice melodic lead over it ,
You’ve planted the seed now watch it grow ………..just saying 👍
Very well played I enjoyed listening.

Martin

[Tim Read]

Thanks Martin…yep it’s one I can definitely add to I think.

TimR

[Lights]

This is really enjoyable piece you’ve made Tim! Beautiful!
Lights.

[Tim Read]

Thanks so much Lights…glad you enjoyed it.

TimR

[DaveW]

Very nice composition. The repeating nature of it, is really soothing. Well done!

DaveW

[Tim Read]

Thanks Dave and glad you liked it.

TimR

[Tom D]

Excellent composition and guitar playing Tim! Really excellent. I love your song. Regarding string noise my opinion is you’ll need to invest in problem solving approaches and tackle especially playing technique, as well as equipment like string choice. There are many interesting articles you can read online to get ideas on sources of squeaks and approaches to eliminating squeaks, e.g., sometimes a string change, and/or sometimes a focus on wound strings, your string:finger touch point, and finger pressure can lead to improvement … etc etc. I hope it goes well for you – your playing is awesome.

Cheers, Tom

[Tim Read]

Thanks so much Tom. It’s crazy isn’t it…one of the first things I looked at said “slow down and concentrate on what you’re doing…” and I did and saw that I am loosening my grip but not releasing it which causes the noise. Sometimes you look for solutions that are right there in front of me 😁…I know on this one I was worried about blocking the open strings from ringing but the side effect of that is that awful string noise!

TimR

[Laurel C]

That was a beautifully played arrangement. Relaxing and soothing. A quick fix, talc powder on the fingertips will help move the fingers along. Flat wound strings are generally recommended to use in avoiding the squeaks.

[Tim Read]

Thanks so much Laurel.

TimR

[JoLa]

Beautiful mellow composition, Tim. I enjoyed listening to all your versions and the acoustic string noise did not bother me at all here. Funny enough, it bothers me while I’m playing 🙂

🎸JoLa

[Tim Read]

Thanks JoLa and glad you enjoyed it. Lots of good advice from fellow AMers which will help me reduce it but it’s always about learning and improving which is great!

TimR

[Andy N]

That’s a lovely melodic chord sequence Tim. And a very refreshing one to listen too as well. You played it superbly. There’s a melody waiting to sit on top, go get it 🙂

[Tim Read]

Thanks so much Andy…yep it’s a sequence that’s been around my head for a while so next step is to embellish it.

TimR

[Phil B]

Tim, you’ve got a lot of plaudits here and they are all well deserved. I thought that melody was , well, so melodic and you played it beautifully in all it’s formats. Your confidence and technique is improving with every submission.

[Tim Read]

Thanks Phil that’s great to hear and I really welcome your and others feedback and support…it’s really motivating me to improve

TimR

[Juxi]

Well done, Tim. Very precise and clean picking. I think you improved tremendously! Top. The composition was beautiful. And thanks for addressing the string noice issue – I got some advice here, which I also can put to good use 😊

Bluesige Grüße
Juxi

[Tim Read]

Thanks so much Juxi and glad you enjoyed it.

TimR

[Bob Utberg]

So good Tim! I loved your ending arpeggiated chord at 2:30! So good. Yes, string noise – the bane of an acoustic. Especially when hooked up to a mic! And all your nice chord positions up and down the neck make it a challenge. It didn’t take away from your fabulous performance Tim. My only suggestion: Practice making those chord changes really SLOWLY – at first – and palm mute as you transition. Keep your left finger tips on the strings, but off with the pressure like you were gonna play a harmonic note. Great stuff here. Bob

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[Tim Read]

Thanks so much Bob and glad you enjoyed it. You are right about slowing down…I can seen what I am doing that I need to change…it’s just unpicking years worth of bad habits and sloppy technique 😁

TimR

[Enrico]

Great playing, and a very nice melody. Excellent composition, could be easier turned into a wonderful song!

[Tim Read]

Thanks Enrico am glad you enjoyed it…I will trying to add another part using my looper.

TimR

[Denise]

Tim, that is a very nice sweet sounding tune, I really like the chord progression. I have the same issue with indecision (or rearranging things all the time).
I am with Vincent with the Elixir (Optiweb or nanoweb) strings, although the “noise” does not annoy me.
Denise

More Blues!

[Tim Read]

Thanks Denise and glad you enjoyed it…I have new and different strings on my Xmas list!

TimR

[Author]

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