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Post by bluesbruce on Jul 2, 2023 7:36:52 GMT -6
I'll kick off again this week. I think I missed playing only one day this week. Got some rain yesterday and broke our streak of 100 degree plus days. Had my best round of golf (scored 101), but still pretty much suck at it. I'm going to threaten again this week to actually record something...
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Post by jack1982 on Jul 2, 2023 8:04:03 GMT -6
Congrat's on the golf Bruce! Just a couple more strokes to break 100 I had a decent week, just working on "Unchained" by Van Halen. I've got most of the rhythm part memorized - not quite up to full tempo yet but getting there. There's a mellow little part that I still need to work out, and I haven't learned the outro bit yet. Haven't started on the solo or any of the lead guitar stuff at the end of the song either. There's a pre-chorus which is kind of crazy; one bar each of 4/4, 2/4, 4/4, 3/4, and then two more bars of 4/4. I've got that going pretty well but, like everything else, it needs another 1,000 repetitions to get it smoothed out. The bass line is pretty easy, I suppose I should learn that too. I'll give you a definite maybe on that.
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Post by blackcountrymick on Jul 2, 2023 14:11:25 GMT -6
I've been working on bass, rhythm and lead guitar for Thin Lizzy - "Jailbreak" this past week. Not good enough to record yet but all parts up to speed. My idea is to start build some sort of a classic rock repertoire that I can play along and jam with backing tracks. Next up will be "Living On A Prayer".
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Post by Phil on Jul 2, 2023 21:16:25 GMT -6
Not much to report on the guitar front. However, I'm enthusiastic about playing and having fun doing it. I'm just not making a hell of a lot of noticeable progress.
The most important thing I did this week is I started exercising again. I have done some form of exercise for most of my adult life up until I retired 8 years ago. I'm starting slow and have been easing in for the past 5 days. I'm sucking wind after even the most minimal exertion and my strength is in the toilet. 8 years ago I could do 10 good chin ups from a dead hang to chin over bar. Right now I can do 1/2 a chin up and that's a struggle. If I don't have any guitar related stuff to talk about I'll keep you posted on my physical fitness progress using chin ups as a measure of my progress. Of course, Bruce will probably demand video evidence.
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Post by joachim on Jul 3, 2023 6:06:23 GMT -6
Still working on rhythm for some easy jazz tunes. Also started to learn both rhythm and lead part of Clapton's cover of "Autumn Leaves". One of my band-mates recommended the iReal app to me; that's really convenient for having easy backing tracks on the phone or tablet, for practicing away from the computer.
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Post by Phil on Jul 3, 2023 7:04:40 GMT -6
Still working on rhythm for some easy jazz tunes. Also started to learn both rhythm and lead part of Clapton's cover of "Autumn Leaves". One of my band-mates recommended the iReal app to me; that's really convenient for having easy backing tracks on the phone or tablet, for practicing away from the computer. iReal Pro is a handy tool. I usually mute the piano. It tends to distract me and throw me off. For the rhythm are you getting stuff from a book, YouTube, or a teacher?
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Post by joachim on Jul 3, 2023 9:02:41 GMT -6
Clapton's solo is fairly easy to learn by ear, but I had more trouble with the rhythm part. It sounds really cool, much more interesting than my own strumming, but I couldn't really figure it out. So in the spur of the moment, I bought "pro" access to www.ultimate-guitar.com, which gives access their own transcription of both rhythm and solo parts. But I haven't made much progress into into to rhythm part part yet; I can post what I think about it later. Maybe time is ripe for some jazz activities on the forum? Some rhythm ideas for simple standards for start - and perhaps some soloing idea down the road?
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Post by jack1982 on Jul 4, 2023 5:07:46 GMT -6
Not much to report on the guitar front. However, I'm enthusiastic about playing and having fun doing it. I'm just not making a hell of a lot of noticeable progress.
The most important thing I did this week is I started exercising again. I have done some form of exercise for most of my adult life up until I retired 8 years ago. I'm starting slow and have been easing in for the past 5 days. I'm sucking wind after even the most minimal exertion and my strength is in the toilet. 8 years ago I could do 10 good chin ups from a dead hang to chin over bar. Right now I can do 1/2 a chin up and that's a struggle. If I don't have any guitar related stuff to talk about I'll keep you posted on my physical fitness progress using chin ups as a measure of my progress. Of course, Bruce will probably demand video evidence.
I've been doing weight lifting for the last couple of months but now I've kind of quit - my lower back is always tight and stiff from the deadlifts and squats, and like the other night I was laying in bed, rolled over on my left side, and a couple of hours later woke up and my left shoulder was sore as hell. I'd really like to continue with the workouts but my body disagrees lol. Oh well. I do 40 minutes (2 miles at 3.6 mph) every night on the treadmill and keep my calorie intake at around 1,800 / day. Started at 209 lbs. and this morning I'm at 194.8. Aiming for 180 so I'm right around halfway there. This whole "not drinking beer during the week" thing totally sucks though
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Post by Phil on Jul 4, 2023 10:26:24 GMT -6
Clapton's solo is fairly easy to learn by ear, but I had more trouble with the rhythm part. It sounds really cool, much more interesting than my own strumming, but I couldn't really figure it out. So in the spur of the moment, I bought "pro" access to www.ultimate-guitar.com, which gives access their own transcription of both rhythm and solo parts. But I haven't made much progress into into to rhythm part part yet; I can post what I think about it later. Maybe time is ripe for some jazz activities on the forum? Some rhythm ideas for simple standards for start - and perhaps some soloing idea down the road? It looks like you've been bitten by the Jazz bug. I just listened to Clapton's version of AL. I think the way to get a similar sound on the rhythm part is to simply strum down on each beat and accent beats 2 and 4 - kind of a Freddie Green thing. Release fretting hand finger pressure on chords after each strum so you're kind of pumping on the fretboard. In other words don't hold fret hand pressure on the chord continuously. Press and release, press and release, etc.
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Post by Phil on Jul 4, 2023 21:15:57 GMT -6
I've been doing weight lifting for the last couple of months but now I've kind of quit - my lower back is always tight and stiff from the deadlifts and squats, and like the other night I was laying in bed, rolled over on my left side, and a couple of hours later woke up and my left shoulder was sore as hell. I'd really like to continue with the workouts but my body disagrees lol. Oh well. I do 40 minutes (2 miles at 3.6 mph) every night on the treadmill and keep my calorie intake at around 1,800 / day. Started at 209 lbs. and this morning I'm at 194.8. Aiming for 180 so I'm right around halfway there. This whole "not drinking beer during the week" thing totally sucks though I have a suggestion that might allow you to do a heavy lift without hurting your lower back and shoulder (that's assuming the shoulder problem is coming from holding the bar on your back for squats). Have you considered trap bar deadlifts? I know the hard core strength guys say they're inferior because they're neither a squat nor a deadlift. However, it's well known that they place less stress the lower back than regular deadlifts and you don't have to support the weight bar on you upper back. I'm currently doing just kettlebell exercises and chin ups. I got into kettlebells about 15 years ago and really like them. In a month or so I want to add in a heavy lift and I think trap bar DLs are the best compromise for my situation for the reasons above. Let me know what you think. I know we're way off topic here, but strength and fitness become very important in one's golden years.
I've been drinking 1 beer a day for along time now. Sometimes I won't have any and once in a while I'll have 2. I'm on the verge of giving it up all together. I'll tell ya, the less you drink the better off you are in more ways than you might think.
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Post by jack1982 on Jul 5, 2023 5:17:46 GMT -6
I've been doing weight lifting for the last couple of months but now I've kind of quit - my lower back is always tight and stiff from the deadlifts and squats, and like the other night I was laying in bed, rolled over on my left side, and a couple of hours later woke up and my left shoulder was sore as hell. I'd really like to continue with the workouts but my body disagrees lol. Oh well. I do 40 minutes (2 miles at 3.6 mph) every night on the treadmill and keep my calorie intake at around 1,800 / day. Started at 209 lbs. and this morning I'm at 194.8. Aiming for 180 so I'm right around halfway there. This whole "not drinking beer during the week" thing totally sucks though I have a suggestion that might allow you to do a heavy lift without hurting your lower back and shoulder (that's assuming the shoulder problem is coming from holding the bar on your back for squats). Have you considered trap bar deadlifts? I know the hard core strength guys say they're inferior because they're neither a squat nor a deadlift. However, it's well known that they place less stress the lower back than regular deadlifts and you don't have to support the weight bar on you upper back. I'm currently doing just kettlebell exercises and chin ups. I got into kettlebells about 15 years ago and really like them. In a month or so I want to add in a heavy lift and I think trap bar DLs are the best compromise for my situation for the reasons above. Let me know what you think. I know we're way off topic here, but strength and fitness become very important in one's golden years.
I've been drinking 1 beer a day for along time now. Sometimes I won't have any and once in a while I'll have 2. I'm on the verge of giving it up all together. I'll tell ya, the less you drink the better off you are in more ways than you might think. Phil, I actually was doing trap bar DL's as they're recommended as being the most back friendly, and also use a weightlifting belt for DL's and squats. My problem is that many years ago I screwed up my lower back real good doing squats and then re-aggravated it a couple times doing deadlifts. It's 99% healed up these days, but doesn't care much for having a lot of stress placed on it several times each week. I think the shoulder is just from a combination of bench presses, overhead presses and anything else that places stress on them. Once again, I've screwed them up more than a few times over the years and although they work well under normal circumstances, they're not a fan of doing heavy work on a regular basis. I've got a couple kettle balls, one light one and the other weighs a bit more. I should look into doing some workouts with them. As far as beer, well they're legalizing pot here in Minnesota, maybe next year I'll switch to that lol. Back in my 20's when I used to smoke the stuff I'd practice guitar for hours on end
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Post by Phil on Jul 5, 2023 9:55:03 GMT -6
Phil, I actually was doing trap bar DL's as they're recommended as being the most back friendly, and also use a weightlifting belt for DL's and squats. My problem is that many years ago I screwed up my lower back real good doing squats and then re-aggravated it a couple times doing deadlifts. It's 99% healed up these days, but doesn't care much for having a lot of stress placed on it several times each week. I think the shoulder is just from a combination of bench presses, overhead presses and anything else that places stress on them. Once again, I've screwed them up more than a few times over the years and although they work well under normal circumstances, they're not a fan of doing heavy work on a regular basis. I've got a couple kettle balls, one light one and the other weighs a bit more. I should look into doing some workouts with them. As far as beer, well they're legalizing pot here in Minnesota, maybe next year I'll switch to that lol. Back in my 20's when I used to smoke the stuff I'd practice guitar for hours on end It's interesting to hear you have kettlebells and a trap bar. Most people have no idea what those are. Grampa knows a lot about this stuff maybe he can weigh in. (Pardon the pun).
In my old age I started following the rule: if it hurts don't do it. There is always something else you can do that won't hurt yet will still give you a benefit. I also have a jacked up shoulder - push ups, benches, and overhand pull ups aggravate it. In fact pulls ups will put me out of commission for weeks. I can tolerate over head presses (not behind the neck) and chin ups (palms facing toward me) without much problem.
We gotta be careful not to turn this into a fitness forum.
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Post by jack1982 on Jul 6, 2023 6:29:44 GMT -6
Phil, I actually was doing trap bar DL's as they're recommended as being the most back friendly, and also use a weightlifting belt for DL's and squats. My problem is that many years ago I screwed up my lower back real good doing squats and then re-aggravated it a couple times doing deadlifts. It's 99% healed up these days, but doesn't care much for having a lot of stress placed on it several times each week. I think the shoulder is just from a combination of bench presses, overhead presses and anything else that places stress on them. Once again, I've screwed them up more than a few times over the years and although they work well under normal circumstances, they're not a fan of doing heavy work on a regular basis. I've got a couple kettle balls, one light one and the other weighs a bit more. I should look into doing some workouts with them. As far as beer, well they're legalizing pot here in Minnesota, maybe next year I'll switch to that lol. Back in my 20's when I used to smoke the stuff I'd practice guitar for hours on end It's interesting to hear you have kettlebells and a trap bar. Most people have no idea what those are. Grampa knows a lot about this stuff maybe he can weigh in. (Pardon the pun).
In my old age I started following the rule: if it hurts don't do it. There is always something else you can do that won't hurt yet will still give you a benefit. I also have a jacked up shoulder - push ups, benches, and overhand pull ups aggravate it. In fact pulls ups will put me out of commission for weeks. I can tolerate over head presses (not behind the neck) and chin ups (palms facing toward me) without much problem.
We gotta be careful not to turn this into a fitness forum. Is Grampa into working out as well? I remember he said he lost 30 lbs. but I couldn't recall how he did it. I think next week I'll start again with the workouts but reduce the weight by 25%, and do 1 set of each exercise instead of 3. Maybe that will lessen the stress on my joints but still give me "some" benefits. With shoulders I find it helps me tremendously to keep my elbows at a 45 degree angle to my body at the bottom of the movement. For my seated overhead dumbbell presses, bench press etc. I used to come down with my elbows straight out to the side, which my shoulders did not like at all, but 45 degrees seems to have fixed that. I guess with arms straight out to the side, you're nearing the limit of movement of the joint, and the rotator cuff etc. get pinched a bit in the joint. But 45 digress gives everything more room. Funny how all us guitar players are about the same age - Griff had his Blues Guitar Unleashed Live event last week and they posted some videos, and everybody was right around our age lol.
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Post by bluesbruce on Jul 6, 2023 7:59:25 GMT -6
Maybe JG could publish FYCU (Fitness You Can Use)? Seriously, though, Jack you are on the right track - take a break, then cut back reps and sets, and reduce the amount of weights. Alternately (or maybe better), you could take a break and then switch up the exercises in your routine. Google seasonality and periodicity of exercise. I first became acquainted with these concepts in regards to distance running. The simple concept is that you don't just go out running one day, then run a littler farther and a little faster every day, until you win the olympic marathon. Doing the same exercises day in and day out for any prolonged period is a recipe for overuse injury and burnout. Even world-class athletes have seasonality and periodicity to their training and performance (usually in concert with their major competitions). Us weekend warriors need the same. I would caution that "down time" in training DOES NOT equate to beer and Mary Jane free-for-all time... It sounds like you've done really well, going from 209 to below 195! Keep it up! But do yourself and your body a favor and mix it up in terms of your routines!
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Post by Phil on Jul 6, 2023 15:43:33 GMT -6
Looks like Bruce is also knowledgeable about fitness. We're finding out new things about each other after all these years. I like that "Fitness You Can Use".
Jack: Grampa was into Crossfit at one time. It came out in a thread a few years ago. So he's familiar with serious fitness - strength training, kettlebells, the Olympic lifts, etc.
You might want to check out Dan John. He's an athletic strength coach who's now in his early 60s and still going strong. He was an early adapter of kettlebells and knows Pavel Tsastouline quit well. Anyway, he has a program called "Easy Strength" that you might be interested in. It's a very low volume, abbreviated routine based around 5 basic exercise movements - pull, push, hip hing, squat, and loaded carry.
Getting back to guitar: Most of Frank Vignola's students also appear to be in our general age group.
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Post by jack1982 on Jul 9, 2023 14:39:15 GMT -6
Thanks for the advice guys! I think I'll take it easy this week, now it feels like I twisted my leg pushing the lawn mower up and down my aunt's hillside (which she calls a lawn lol).
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