Lots of important stuff being brought out in this thread! Yes, volume and tone are coupled, and you don't usually get optimal tone at low volume. Greater volume is also desirable when playing with others in acoustic sessions, jams, or ensembles. Learning to play with decent volume -- and at full tempo, no less! -- is an important skill to master, but not necessarily an easy one. Finally, playing with electrical amplification can make you sound louder, but it does not equate to playing louder acoustically: these are very different things (see above, about the coupling of tone an volume). Tension in the hand and arm is the great enemy, restricting both speed and volume, and adversely affecting tone.
Finally, be sure to practice as you intend to perform, at least from time to time, to keep from building up bad habits.
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