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Post by Phil on Feb 24, 2019 9:50:11 GMT -6
I got in 8 hrs. I did most of the stuff on my "To Do" list and got together with another guitarist for about 3 hours. My big accomplishments (big for me  ) were finally coming up with 2 choruses of Jazz Blues solos that fit a Jazz Blues tune we've been working on. My improv skills are bad on a standard Blues; they're non-existent on a Jazz Blues. I don't have the Jazz "vocabulary" yet and have to compose solos. It's been said that composing is improvising slowly and improvising is composing fast. So I'm improvising very very slowly.  The other thing we did is watch a short 8 minute instructional video on playing the simple but interesting standard "Moonglow". In about 30 minutes we were able to play the tune together. It's still half-assed, but we discovered something important - we memorized the tune in that short time. This kind of rapid memorization doesn't happen when I learn tunes from a book.
I think part of it is because we've both learned so much about chord progressions in the last year. There are certain progressions that occur so often that you almost instinctively know what the next chord probably is. The other thing is there is something different about learning by watching and listening. Some other part of the brain is apparently turned on.
I know most of you aren't interested in Jazz and reading my rambling on about it. However, if you ever do get bitten by the Jazz bug you'll get sucked into it. John G's Jazzin' the Blues is a gateway drug. Be careful. |
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Post by bluesbruce on Feb 24, 2019 10:38:02 GMT -6
Phil, you're accomplishing two really big things: you're actually playing, and you're playing with someone else - I wish I could say I accomplished either of those! After almost two weeks, my back spasms have let up (thank goodness!). Have been doing some listening, and some ear training, but haven't felt up to actually picking up the guitar and playing. Hope to get it out later today, brush the dust off, and actually try to play some! Then got to work on getting back into some kind of routine.
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Post by cunningr on Feb 24, 2019 11:28:05 GMT -6
Thats very cool Phil, i had to sign up for lessons to get a practice partner! Lol. Seriously cant find anyone to jam with here.
So I am now learning a new tune called Floyds Blues and instructor has me taking licks from Honky Tonk and using in new key G
In a free style type mode, its actually a little challenging but fun keeps with the theme of transitioning and building a vocabulary.
Overall time bout 5 hours having scheduling conflicts.
Also went to see a Queen Cover band that was very good. Have Dylan tickets for May.
I also converted a itunes file to wav and was able to put it on my rc3 looper.
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Post by Phil on Feb 24, 2019 11:34:57 GMT -6
Thats very cool Phil, i had to sign up for lessons to get a practice partner! Lol. Seriously cant find anyone to jam with here. So I am now learning a new tune called Floyds Blues and instructor has me taking licks from Honky Tonk and using in new key G In a free style type mode, its actually a little challenging but fun keeps with the theme of transitioning and building a vocabulary. Overall time bout 5 hours having scheduling conflicts. Also went to see a Queen Cover band that was very good. Have Dylan tickets for May. I also converted a itunes file to wav and was able to put it on my rc3 looper. That alone is worth the price of admission. It really is. Playing with another human being is very very different than playing by yourself with backing tracks and probably way more beneficial in the long run. |
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Post by cunningr on Feb 24, 2019 11:37:15 GMT -6
Thats very cool Phil, i had to sign up for lessons to get a practice partner! Lol. Seriously cant find anyone to jam with here. So I am now learning a new tune called Floyds Blues and instructor has me taking licks from Honky Tonk and using in new key G In a free style type mode, its actually a little challenging but fun keeps with the theme of transitioning and building a vocabulary. Overall time bout 5 hours having scheduling conflicts. Also went to see a Queen Cover band that was very good. Have Dylan tickets for May. I also converted a itunes file to wav and was able to put it on my rc3 looper. That alone is worth the price of admission. It really is. Playing with another human being is very very different than playing by yourself with backing tracks and probably way more beneficial in the long run. Only regret I didnt do it sooner! Lol |
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Post by Phil on Feb 24, 2019 11:55:11 GMT -6
Phil, you're accomplishing two really big things: you're actually playing, and you're playing with someone else - I wish I could say I accomplished either of those! After almost two weeks, my back spasms have let up (thank goodness!). Have been doing some listening, and some ear training, but haven't felt up to actually picking up the guitar and playing. Hope to get it out later today, brush the dust off, and actually try to play some! Then got to work on getting back into some kind of routine. Alright, I have to come clean here. The other guitarist is my son who, for better or worse, is living with me at the moment. I may as well get something out of it.  We've never been interested in playing the same music before and never ever played together. Now we're both interested in Jazz guitar and have something in common. We still don't do it enough, but it's working out well for both of us.
Jazz standards are standards because they have very good melodies and interesting chord progressions. That's what attracted me to it. The improv thing is secondary for me. You can play a standard with one person playing chords and the other just playing the basic melody with single notes and it sounds very nice and full. With a little embellishment of both chords and melody it starts to sound even better. Add in a couple of choruses of improv (neither of us is capable just yet) and then you really got something to write home about.
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Post by cunningr on Feb 24, 2019 13:00:13 GMT -6
Phil, you're accomplishing two really big things: you're actually playing, and you're playing with someone else - I wish I could say I accomplished either of those! After almost two weeks, my back spasms have let up (thank goodness!). Have been doing some listening, and some ear training, but haven't felt up to actually picking up the guitar and playing. Hope to get it out later today, brush the dust off, and actually try to play some! Then got to work on getting back into some kind of routine. Alright, I have to come clean here. The other guitarist is my son who, for better or worse, is living with me at the moment. I may as well get something out of it. We've never been interested in playing the same music before and never ever played together. Now we're both interested in Jazz guitar and have something in common. We still don't do it enough, but it's working out well for both of us.
Jazz standards are standards because they have very good melodies and interesting chord progressions. That's what attracted me to it. The improv thing is secondary for me. You can play a standard with one person playing chords and the other just playing the basic melody with single notes and it sounds very nice and full. With a little embellishment of both chords and melody it starts to sound even better. Add in a couple of choruses of improv (neither of us is capable just yet) and then you really got something to write home about.
Ah so you are paying also! 😂😂😂😂😂 |
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Post by Phil on Feb 24, 2019 13:44:37 GMT -6
Ah so you are paying also! 😂😂😂😂😂 Yeah, and probably a lot more than what your lessons cost. |
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Post by blackcountrymick on Feb 24, 2019 16:35:58 GMT -6
Hi guys, I managed to get in a good hour a day this week. I had my second lesson with my new guitar teacher, which I feel went rather well. Its early days yet but I have a very positive vibe that he will give me the inspiration and motivation to take me to a whole new level. He works out of a local guitar shop and is also a gigging musician etc. He teaches all styles but he loves the blues and classic rock so all is good there then. Here's an example of his work, hopefully a little of this will rub off on me |
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Post by Phil on Feb 24, 2019 21:04:17 GMT -6
Hey, Mick, that's some stellar playing by your new guitar teacher. Kinda reminds me of the style of Adam Rafferty. Hope he teaches as well as he plays. I'd be happy to even be in the same room as somebody that good just for the inspiration. |
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Post by grampalerxst on Feb 25, 2019 7:20:31 GMT -6
Another short week, only 5-6 hours. I'm in one of those modes where it feels like, on all fronts, I'm stepping backwards to shore up something I previously glossed over a little.
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) were finally coming up with 2 choruses of Jazz Blues solos that fit a Jazz Blues tune we've been working on. My improv skills are bad on a standard Blues; they're non-existent on a Jazz Blues. I don't have the Jazz "vocabulary" yet and have to compose solos. It's been said that composing is improvising slowly and improvising is composing fast. So I'm improvising very very slowly. 
