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Post by grampalerxst on Aug 25, 2019 4:48:20 GMT -6
I'm fighting the onset of a summer cold and my A/C crapped out last night. Between the two my morning practice didn't go well so it's turned into one of those mornings where I do more talking about guitar than actually playing it. Putting the thing down every 30 seconds to grab a tissue so I don't dribble snot on the neck is not fun.
It's been just about a year since I started working on the intro to Electric Gypsy. Looking back on the effort is a little strange. I'm disappointed I haven't "nailed it" yet given the amount of effort I've put in. But at the same time I recognize that I've made some real progress. I've gradually revamped my playing approach with both hands though the process of tackling problems one at a time. Most days when I sit down with it there seems to be some little nuance that I become aware of meaning there's always something specific to work on. I suppose as long as that stays true and I don't fall into mindless repetition, my time is reasonably well spent. As time goes on I'm able to see the adjustments I make trying to tackle it bleed into other efforts. I'm both encouraged and discouraged: encouraged that progress has not come to a halt, and discouraged that even after a year I still have a long way to go. It's a challenging 16 bars of music, but not something that requires a high level of virtuosity to perform. Since I decided it was a hill I was willing to die on, I intend to keep going for as long as it takes.
Later this week I leave for vacation so I might not be around much for a couple of weeks. I've decided not to bring a guitar with me. When I've brought one along in the past I tend not to play it much anyway, and I feel like it would be a good time for a break. Typically when I take some time off I come back refreshed--the accumulation of a pinch of rust is offset by a renewed degree of having fun with it.
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Post by bluesbruce on Aug 25, 2019 7:57:53 GMT -6
Grampa, have a good vacation! I think you're right about time off sometimes serving as a rejuvenation - just so long as it doesn't turn into extended time away from playing. I also am totally awed at your focus. I can't stick with anything for as long as a year without getting bored and moving on to something else.
Well, I've remained rather stuck on this scale and arpeggio kick. Also been playing around with finger style playing on an electric guitar. Mostly having fun, but just lacking any clear direction right now.
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Post by Phil on Aug 25, 2019 8:45:27 GMT -6
I'm still plugging away. Progress at this stage is very slow but steady.
For the past 5 years I've diligently kept a practice log writing everything I practiced in it. I originally started it to make sure I was putting in the time and doing what I planned. Now I've decided to stop keeping a detailed log and take a less anal approach. I just don't see a need to track my time so closely anymore.
I'm still going to write out a weekly plan of things I want to work on, but I'll just put a check mark by each item as I do them. Most importantly, this weekly plan is going to be very very short. No more long lists. I rarely get to all the things I write down, and then I feel guilty about it. It's like I'm constantly setting myself up for failure. No more.
I watched a good YouTube guitar video yesterday, "A Conversation With Rolly Brown." It's not a lick, theory, or technique video. Just him playing, talking about his experience with the guitar, and his approach to teaching. He's a humble guy who plays very well and is honest about his limitations. There are not too many guitarists on YT who talk about what they can't do. I found it very inspirational.
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Post by cunningr on Aug 25, 2019 9:14:20 GMT -6
Working on intervals and using specific interval combos and moving them around the fret board, also working on tune called I like You and adding a rack in-between chord changes.
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Post by jack1982 on Aug 25, 2019 10:56:53 GMT -6
Still working on "Landslide", I suppose it's time for a progress report - very much a work in progress lol. It's a bit sloppy, the vocals are probably too loud compared to the guitar, not happy with the guitar sound, the camera angle, etc.  Bought some keyboard books (yup 4 of 'em of course), I'm learning the Basic "C" position, right thumb on middle C, left pinky on the C an octave below it, play C D E F G F E D C with both hands simultaneously (or at least that's the idea), just building some basic keyboard coordination. Will get started on a Mozart tune pretty soon! His, um...version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.  |
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Post by joachim on Aug 25, 2019 11:09:50 GMT -6
I loved that, Jack! really nice...
I am still working on Rakin' in the Funk. Perhaps I will be able to make a recording of it later. My practice time is a little sparse these days, so progress is a little slow at the moment.
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