Originally Posted by: CSchlegelI've seen this more than a few times.

Typically the problem is that acoustic players really dig in and bang away on their dreadnaughts. Then when they try to apply that approach to electric it fails because it is a different beast.

So, I suggest two things.

1. Back off of the whack-a-whack-a acoustic strumming. Just hit a chord lightly and let it ring. Pick a good rhythmic spot for the next chord and let it ring.

2. Learn to play sparcely note wise. Instead of trying to play huge full chords like filling up all the sonic space (typical acoustic technique), just play 3 note triads and inversions. Realize that in electric guitar music the bass, drums, vocals and other guitars will pick up the sonic slack. They all need sonic space to "sit it". So, don't try to take up too much of that space with your one rhythm electric guitar part.

Make sense? :)

It does, because that is exactly the case! It's one of those things that, even knowing it, it is difficult to change. I played acoustic for quite a while and banging away to be heard over the street noise and basically keeping a bass beat on the guitar body is second nature and hard to quit. As is the instinct to play chords full out. Even power chording I tend to form full barres, even if I am only striking a couple of strings.

But I am making progress. Just like Caponi! :)