|
|
Post by Phil on Apr 19, 2020 18:40:42 GMT -6
Since the weekly updates began a few years ago we've never missed a Sunday. So, I'm posting this just to keep the tradition going. I worked on the usual stuff that I've been talking about in the last several updates. But I also did something very different for me. I took the Squier Strat down from the wall and used it to practice Lick 1 of the Blues Licks You Can Use challenge. I hadn't played it in a couple of years. I have 13s on my Ibanez AF75 with a wound G string. I can do 1/2 step bends on the E and B strings but not on the G string. The Strat has 9s. I couldn't believe how easy it was to do whole step bends on it. In fact, I was over bending the G string when working on that lick. Apparently, the trick to building up bending strength is to play with 13s for a couple of years.  I noticed that the fret wire on the Strat is higher which makes sliding difficult. I couldn't get a nice sounding slide on Lick 1 in bar 3. I guess I'd have to adjust my touch somehow. Also, the finish on the neck is kind of sticky. I used to put baby powder on my fretting hand to remedy that. Anyhoo, it's was kind of fun to take a break from the Jazz stuff and play some good old 3-chord Blues with few nice whole step bends. |
|
|
|
Post by bluesbruce on Apr 19, 2020 19:21:36 GMT -6
Hate to see tradition die... I'll chime in, too. Still working on bending and trying to build calluses back. Been working a little on BLYCU Lick 1, as well as some rock and roll licks in another old book I found. At least getting back to playing more regularly.
|
|
|
|
Post by cunningr on Apr 20, 2020 5:28:56 GMT -6
I am finishing memorizing the last solo for chill out and playing through at really slow speed. There is 1 section i have no frets have to bend from the 22 fret.
Worked on our challenge lick as well. Reviewed the next song for class Midnight Blue some jazzy blues.
|
|
|
|
Post by wannaplayblues on Apr 20, 2020 5:32:08 GMT -6
Another lesson from the other site.
I tried to go for Clapton's "woman tone" - may have overdone it slightly, but hey, it was fun. Enjoy the fast runs in this one that took a while to get right and up-to-tempo; I tried two different fingerings until it worked comfortably:
|
|
|
|
Post by jack1982 on Apr 20, 2020 7:05:10 GMT -6
Really nice job on that WPB! I was messing around with the BB King challenge at another site, ended up with this: Those bends around :30 make me cringe LOL. I think I've also found the worst Strat sound ever recorded. Ah well, that gives me plenty of stuff to work on  Was also practicing "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love" by Van Halen. It's harder than it sounds, with some chord arpeggiation while muting all the strings - it's weird muting the high E and B, but with all the distortion I find I can press down on them pretty hard and that seems to help. Then there's a funky muted strum thing between some chords, and you've got to switch the flanger on for about 3 notes and then back off again, requiring mind-foot coordination (which I ain't got none of). And of course the whammy bar which I haven't used in years. Ah well, practice practice practice. |
|
|
|
Post by joachim on Apr 20, 2020 7:16:49 GMT -6
Nice, playing Jack!
I was working on the same licks, but didn't find time to record anything before the deadline - maybe I can sneak in a quick recording tonight.
Also doing arpeggio work, spread a little thin at the moment.
|
|
|
|
Post by wannaplayblues on Apr 20, 2020 10:14:20 GMT -6
Really nice job on that WPB! I was messing around with the BB King challenge at another site, ended up with this: Those bends around :30 make me cringe LOL. I think I've also found the worst Strat sound ever recorded. Ah well, that gives me plenty of stuff to work on Was also practicing "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love" by Van Halen. It's harder than it sounds, with some chord arpeggiation while muting all the strings - it's weird muting the high E and B, but with all the distortion I find I can press down on them pretty hard and that seems to help. Then there's a funky muted strum thing between some chords, and you've got to switch the flanger on for about 3 notes and then back off again, requiring mind-foot coordination (which I ain't got none of). And of course the whammy bar which I haven't used in years. Ah well, practice practice practice.
Did you mic the amp to record?
|
|
|
|
Post by jack1982 on Apr 20, 2020 11:56:40 GMT -6
Really nice job on that WPB! I was messing around with the BB King challenge at another site, ended up with this: Those bends around :30 make me cringe LOL. I think I've also found the worst Strat sound ever recorded. Ah well, that gives me plenty of stuff to work on Was also practicing "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love" by Van Halen. It's harder than it sounds, with some chord arpeggiation while muting all the strings - it's weird muting the high E and B, but with all the distortion I find I can press down on them pretty hard and that seems to help. Then there's a funky muted strum thing between some chords, and you've got to switch the flanger on for about 3 notes and then back off again, requiring mind-foot coordination (which I ain't got none of). And of course the whammy bar which I haven't used in years. Ah well, practice practice practice.
Did you mic the amp to record?
Yeah, used a Rode M5 centered in front of the speaker. My problem was I had the treble turned way down and the midrange turned up - which sounded pretty good - but then I decided to put everything at 12:00 just before recording and even though it sounded okay at the time, listening to it the next day made me wonder what in the world I was thinking |
|
|
|
Post by joachim on Apr 20, 2020 12:50:25 GMT -6
I did a quick video, not really improvised, but at least working on the licks:
|
|
|
|
Post by blackcountrymick on Apr 20, 2020 15:09:25 GMT -6
Well you guys certainly have been busy, really good to hear some recorded work coming through again just like it used to be on here!! I've got the BLYCU book now and have started working on lick 1. Reading the blurb at the front of the book I notice it says that ideally as a prerequisite you should have already worked through both BYCU and MBYCU, I only got as far as lesson 4 in the MBYCU book!! Reaper is working ok but there appears to be a conflict between my Logitech webcam and the Scarlett interface. Basically it means that when I am recording on reaper the webcam will not record!! Very weird, new computer as well so am a bit miffed!! I may have to record the video with my phone or something not attached to the computer. I have been working on a Dave Celentano study, Its got both rhythm and lead parts tabbed, I have worked out the bass line as well so might have to get the "band" back together again . Then I have to get the Movie Studio loaded up and see if I can still remember how to make multi window videos. Again, some nice playing guys, looking forward to some more of the same next week. Cheers |
|
|
|
Post by Marc on Apr 21, 2020 17:37:23 GMT -6
I'm still grinding away at Lazy Day Blues but I feel like I've digressed is my progression. So I've set the guitar down for a few days to see if I just need a break or if it's all in my head.
On the upside I've been doing a lot of listening to blues, and watching some interviews. One thing I noticed with both Albert Collins and BB King is that when asked about technique of bending they could not tell you how they bend notes. They could only show you how they do it.
Phil I've been tempted to put 13's on my AF85 but was watching a review saying that they necks were pretty thin, and they would not advise it. How's your AF75 hold up the pressure of those strings. Have you tried flat wounds.
|
|
|
|
Post by Phil on Apr 21, 2020 18:59:11 GMT -6
I'm still grinding away at Lazy Day Blues but I feel like I've digressed is my progression. So I've set the guitar down for a few days to see if I just need a break or if it's all in my head. On the upside I've been doing a lot of listening to blues, and watching some interviews. One thing I noticed with both Albert Collins and BB King is that when asked about technique of bending they could not tell you how they bend notes. They could only show you how they do it. Phil I've been tempted to put 13's on my AF85 but was watching a review saying that they necks were pretty thin, and they would not advise it. How's your AF75 hold up the pressure of those strings. Have you tried flat wounds. I recently put on Thomastik 13s Bebops (round wounds). However, they're supposed to be low tension and many say they feel like 12s of other brands. I used Elixir Nanoweb 12s before these and didn't notice any increased tension. They don't feel any different to me than the Elixir 12s. Also, I love the sound of the Thomastiks. I tried flat wounds in the past. I like the smoothness and resulting lack of string sweak, but they're very dark sounding. Since I play with my fingers (no nails), which gives a less bright sound to any string, the flat wounds were way too dark for me. If you play with a pick you might like the dark jazzy sound of flat wounds. You'll never know till you try them. |
|
