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Post by jack1982 on Feb 16, 2020 10:12:25 GMT -6
Another week of switching between major and minor scales while soloing over a blues for me. It's kind of fun because it's the type of thing where your brain makes 100 little observations each practice session, and after many practice sessions it actually starts remembering a few of those things and putting them into use.  I'm semi-competent in positions 1 and 2, so this week I'll focus a bit more on getting familiar with the other positions. It's a very different sound than I'm used to, it's moderately "happy", and I'm not a fan of happiness, but I may slowly be coming around lol. |
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Post by grampalerxst on Feb 16, 2020 10:29:45 GMT -6
Same stuff as I always work on: Electric Gypsy intro and the recording project w/SIL.
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Post by joachim on Feb 16, 2020 12:21:10 GMT -6
I've been on vacation, so no practice for me. I am also working on switching between major and minor scales, and more generally just trying to follow a chord progression. It's amazing how limited my abilities are once I leave the BYCU comfort zone...
I still plan to take occasional lessons with John. In preparation for the next one, I am compiling my own collection of chords around pattern 1 and pattern 4. Then hopefully I can take a slow start at the Joe Pass book. A lot for work...
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Post by cunningr on Feb 16, 2020 14:04:08 GMT -6
Hi,
Well class wise still working on Robert Cray solo from playin with my friends. Change strings on my strat to .010 set neck relief, play well.
Got together 2 nights with my new friend that plays drums, first night was only him and I a little boring, second round had a very talented fellow plays piano and guitar very well. Started out a little slow he couldn't understand my spanish, but finally got a standard shuffle coordinated in B flat. Played smoke on the water and Cocain also. So this lead to me saying I would follow up learn the rhythm for a Santana song, so have an ugly version of Black Magic Woman loosely down.
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Post by Phil on Feb 16, 2020 16:01:13 GMT -6
The big news this week: I changed my strings! I typically change them about every 6+ months whether they need it or not. Rich probably changes his more often.  This time I tried a high end brand, Thomastik Infeld Bebop 13s. 13s are pretty heavy. However, these strings have lower tension so they feel like the 12s I've been using. The heavier gauges typically used by Jazz guitarists is the main reason they don't often bend beyond a 1/2 step. I see this as a definite plus. You're going to think I'm crazy, but these strings cost $25. That's pretty steep, but they're supposed to last longer than other strings. If I'm getting 6 months out of regular strings I might get a year out of these.  The tone I get from these strings is noticeably better. It's not just in my head. I got verification from a disinterested party and he said the tone is much more jazz-like. Maybe one of these days I'll let you guys hear how they sound.
Rich: I think I just heard Joachim let out a big groan when you called "Black Magic Woman" a Santana song. 
Jack: yeah, that happiness stuff is way over rated. 
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Post by joachim on Feb 16, 2020 16:21:53 GMT -6
The big news this week: I changed my strings! I typically change them about every 6+ months whether they need it or not. Rich probably changes his more often. This time I tried a high end brand, Thomastik Infeld Bebop 13s. 13s are pretty heavy. However, these strings have lower tension so they feel like the 12s I've been using. The heavier gauges typically used by Jazz guitarists is the main reason they don't often bend beyond a 1/2 step. I see this as a definite plus. You're going to think I'm crazy, but these strings cost $25. That's pretty steep, but they're supposed to last longer than other strings. If I'm getting 6 months out of regular strings I might get a year out of these. The tone I get from these strings is noticeably better. It's not just in my head. I got verification from a disinterested party and he said the tone is much more jazz-like. Maybe one of these days I'll let you guys hear how they sound.
Rich: I think I just heard Joachim let out a big groan when you called "Black Magic Woman" a Santana song.
Jack: yeah, that happiness stuff is way over rated.
Phil, my ulcer started bleeding again, but I will be fine soon - after I eat a box of bandaids. |
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Post by bluesbruce on Feb 16, 2020 18:42:41 GMT -6
Sorry to be late checking in - on vacation in Denver visiting my brother, onward to the mountains for a few days of skiing tomorrow. I swear I've actually played the guitar this week - BYCU actually. I think it (BYCU) actually serves another unstated purpose - for getting back to playing some blues when you have had a long layoff. I'm also jonesing strongly for one of the new Yamaha THR ii amps. This would convert me to a totally portable "studio" - laptop computer, the THR ii (which can also function via USB as a recording interface), and the Line 6 G10 wireless (which I already own), and also works using just the transmitter with the new version of the THR amp. It turns out that Line 6 was bought out by Yamaha, so I expect they will start producing the G10 transmitter again if Yamaha is incorporating this wireless functionality in this new version of the THR amps (but that's just speculation). Anyway, got a birthday next month, and I'm expecting I'll just have to get one of these new THR ii amps...
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Post by cunningr on Feb 17, 2020 2:06:23 GMT -6
The big news this week: I changed my strings! I typically change them about every 6+ months whether they need it or not. Rich probably changes his more often. This time I tried a high end brand, Thomastik Infeld Bebop 13s. 13s are pretty heavy. However, these strings have lower tension so they feel like the 12s I've been using. The heavier gauges typically used by Jazz guitarists is the main reason they don't often bend beyond a 1/2 step. I see this as a definite plus. You're going to think I'm crazy, but these strings cost $25. That's pretty steep, but they're supposed to last longer than other strings. If I'm getting 6 months out of regular strings I might get a year out of these. The tone I get from these strings is noticeably better. It's not just in my head. I got verification from a disinterested party and he said the tone is much more jazz-like. Maybe one of these days I'll let you guys hear how they sound.
Rich: I think I just heard Joachim let out a big groan when you called "Black Magic Woman" a Santana song.
Jack: yeah, that happiness stuff is way over rated.
Well I learned the Fleetwood Mac version also, and made myself a hybrid! Lol I use thomastik Sliders expensive but sound excellent! Wouldn't change string but keep breaking them. Sorry Joachim! |
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Post by Marc on Feb 17, 2020 14:53:55 GMT -6
I’m coming around again to picking up the guitar, I’ve not been really very focused, but then I dusted off my old BYCU book. I’ve been working though it yet again and I forgot how much fun a having a focused practice can be, but like a squirrel I’m distracted easy. I have a paper clip on Lesson 8 “Bends, Slides and Shifts” so I think that is where I left off. The last couple of bars are giving me some trouble as is some of the timing. But I’ll get it after I practice some more.
Phil, I’m happy for you and your new strings! I change my strings whenever they leave my fingers smelling funny. I have a odd thing about smells lingering.
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Post by jack1982 on Feb 18, 2020 7:08:00 GMT -6
It's funny, sometimes when I change the nylon strings on the classical guitar, those things really stink lol.
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Post by cunningr on Feb 18, 2020 10:57:14 GMT -6
Hmmm where you guys put your hands before playing?🤔😂
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Post by jack1982 on Feb 19, 2020 14:59:51 GMT -6
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Post by grampalerxst on Feb 20, 2020 5:32:30 GMT -6
I was getting dragged through the "make your own jewelry" aisle at Walmart and look what I found Jack, that's a cool idea. I've got a small mountain of similar containers kicking around, use them to store components for tying walleye rigs and such. I bought 10-packs of 4 new types/thicknesses of picks to go with the 4 I had plus the miscellaneous accumulations though time, and was sitting around thinking I needed a better solution than having opened little bags of picks scattered across two rooms. And then you come along with the simple, logical solution. Brilliant! |
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Post by grampalerxst on Feb 20, 2020 5:57:11 GMT -6
The big news this week: I changed my strings! ... You're going to think I'm crazy, but these strings cost $25. That's pretty steep, but they're supposed to last longer than other strings. If I'm getting 6 months out of regular strings I might get a year out of these. The average age of my strings on the two guitars I play every day right now is probably around 1.5 years. I'm using two types, Ernie Ball Paradigm and Elixir Nanowebs. In time I think I'll abandon the Elixirs and stick with the Paradigms. The Paradigms seem quite resistant to corrosion/buildup. They don't quite cost $25, about $15 I think. I totally get spending a little more on strings. Hopefully yours will hold up as well as provide a tone you enjoy. In some ways I'm a cheapskate and strings, being disposable items, is among the ways. 15 bucks every two years or so is less than what I'd spend using the cheapest strings out there.
Regarding the more general string discussion:
I usually wash my hands before I pick up a guitar, and apparently along with that my chemistry isn't particularly caustic. With cheapo nickel strings I'd build up some gunk after several weeks, and my hands would pick up a metallic smell when I played older ones. Never had that with the Elixirs although in time the coating will fray a little (unsightly, but doesn't seem to adversely affect their playability). I don't know what magic they conjured up for the Paradigms. Wouldn't be surprised if they don't sound as good as a new set but their feel and appearance hold up really well.
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I'm semi-competent in positions 1 and 2, so this week I'll focus a bit more on getting familiar with the other positions. It's a very different sound than I'm used to, it's moderately "happy", and I'm not a fan of happiness, but I may slowly be coming around lol.
