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Post by Phil on Feb 22, 2015 4:47:56 GMT -6
I got in 6 days of practice for a total of 11 hours this week. This is getting close to Jack's practice schedule.  I took advantage of a couple of days off from work. The bulk of that time was spent practicing my extended version of "Jumpin' Blues." It's almost ready for prime time, and I will definitely get it recorded next weekend. There are still a couple of areas that I need to smooth out. I also worked on the 1st 12 bars of "Big Bends" and some of the tremolo parts of "True Trem Blues." After "Jumpin' Blues" the most important thing I did this week was to seriously get started into some Jazz. I learned the chords and rhythm to "Blue Bossa," a Bossa Nova style Jazz tune. This is the 1st time that I've gotten into something so completely different and I really enjoyed it. I'll upload a simple version as soon as I learn it. I've been meaning to dip my toes into a little Jazz for a long long time, but never did. Frankly, I didn't know where to start. So, now I've made the commitment and plan to spend 1/2 my basic practice time (about 3 hours per week) on Jazz or at least on Jazzier Blues. I'll be working on some basic Jazz standards and I'll dust off my copy of "Jazzin' the Blues" and get started on it. This is going to cut the time I can spend on "MBYCU" in half, but I think it will be worth it. I'll have to revise my goal of finishing "MBYCU" by July, which probably wasn't realistic anyway. I'm excited about this new turn, and happy I finally took the leap.  |
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Post by jack1982 on Feb 22, 2015 6:25:20 GMT -6
Well I had another busy week with non-guitar stuff and only managed about 6 hours of practice, but this coming week I think things will be back to normal and I can hopefully start practicing as much as Phil  I mostly worked on Groovin' Funk in the R&B book, concentrating on the rhythm and bass parts. The bass part has this quick little triplet that's slightly beyond my current abilities, I'll need to practice it a lot to get it sounding smooth and not forced. The rhythm part is coming along okay, I think I've finally got a good feel for it, but it too will take some practice to get it sounding nice and sharp. Once I get a good rhythm track recorded I'll spend more time working on the lead. Did a little bit with Tremblin' Tremolo from MBYCU, which I practically had to re-learn after only practicing it one day the previous week. And did a bit with D Minor Blues in the Rhythm book. I'm planning on recording my own solo for that like I did with G Minor Blues. Hopefully this week with things back to normal I'll be able to get my playing back to where it was two weeks ago before things got so busy. Phil it's cool to hear you're getting into some jazz stuff, I thought I noticed a hint of a jazzy sound in your blues playing. It's great to follow your musical ambitions wherever they may take you. I really liked that Jazzin' The Blues book, it starts you out with getting into the basic swing feel and then teaches you the chord scales and has some really cool melodies in the studies. I should get back into that book myself. |
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Post by cunningr on Feb 22, 2015 6:38:50 GMT -6
Well I got a lot of time in this week. 10 hours at least, funny how new equipment prompts more playing.
Even tough I played a lot not sure I made much real practice, most time was spent on hard edge blues and just playing various
Old BYCU pieces.
I did work on lick one in the lick book, and jammed with my son a bit.
This week I want to start using a metronome in my practice, and try to get a decent recording done on the slow version of hard edge blues.
My harp should arrive this week also.
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Post by Phil on Feb 22, 2015 7:07:25 GMT -6
Well I got a lot of time in this week. 10 hours at least, funny how new equipment prompts more playing. Even tough I played a lot not sure I made much real practice, most time was spent on hard edge blues and just playing various
Old BYCU pieces.I did work on lick one in the lick book, and jammed with my son a bit. This week I want to start using a metronome in my practice, and try to get a decent recording done on the slow version of hard edge blues. My harp should arrive this week also. Reviewing BYCU studies is something that I made a new year's resolution to do regularly, but I still haven't done it.  That is most definitely NOT a waste of time. I think once you get used to it you'll start seeing the benefits of playing with a metronome. I've been doing it regularly at least for my warm-up for about 6 weeks now. |
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Post by cunningr on Feb 22, 2015 7:47:46 GMT -6
Well just did 20 minutes with the metronome played all 5 patterns at 140 bpm with out an error, started at 100 for warm up then worked up. I can see the benefit for sure probably won't spend 20 minutes though probably 10 minutes will be enough.
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Post by bluesbruce on Feb 22, 2015 7:52:03 GMT -6
I think I at least played some every day this past week. I've got another one of the BRYCU studies I may make a recording of. Have worked a little on MBYCU, mostly rhythm parts for the first two studies. Have played some with "The Thrill Is Gone" from the Hal Leonard Guitar Play-Along Blues Volume 7. Also "Hide Away" from that same book. I've been spending time watching a series of instructional videos on Logic on Youtube - I didn't know a fraction of the stuff that program can do!
Bruce
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Post by blackcountrymick on Feb 22, 2015 11:55:53 GMT -6
I think I am pretty much ready to record lesson 13 "D minor blues" from the rhythm book this week, again this has proved a little difficult in as much as my old hands do not seem to like practicing barre chords for any length of time these days.
I have also been working on the bass workbook same as Jack and some Troy Stetina stuff that I started on about 5 years ago but was too difficult for me back then.
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Post by joachim on Feb 22, 2015 12:35:59 GMT -6
I am wrapping up Preaching Gospel Blues - I thought I could record it this weekend, but it needs a little more work. But probably I will finish it next week. Then I will start on a new BRUCY study, lesson #17, which is a jump blues.
I also started on the the lick book, which is great, but I am taking it slowly. It will be a longer project for me...
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Post by Phil on Feb 22, 2015 14:30:06 GMT -6
I listened to an awful lot of Rolling Stones this week. I'd like to hear your rendition of "Can't You Hear Me Knocking." |
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Post by Phil on Feb 22, 2015 14:34:34 GMT -6
I think I am pretty much ready to record lesson 13 "D minor blues" from the rhythm book this week, again this has proved a little difficult in as much as my old hands do not seem to like practicing barre chords for any length of time these days. I have also been working on the bass workbook same as Jack and some Troy Stetina stuff that I started on about 5 years ago but was too difficult for me back then.Personally, I avoid barre chords like the plague. The upside to that is I've learned some nice voicings that I would never have learned otherwise. Doesn't it feel good to say you can play stuff today that was too difficult to play in the past? It's a sure sign that progress is being made. |
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Post by bluesbruce on Feb 22, 2015 14:35:11 GMT -6
I listened to an awful lot of Rolling Stones this week. I'd like to hear your rendition of "Can't You Hear Me Knocking." Or how about "Love In Vain" - The Stones coverin' Robert Johnson - it doesn't get much bluer than that... |
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Post by blackcountrymick on Feb 22, 2015 16:21:25 GMT -6
I'd like to hear your rendition of "Can't You Hear Me Knocking." Or how about "Love In Vain" - The Stones coverin' Robert Johnson - it doesn't get much bluer than that... .....that reminds me I did a Rocksmith bass play-along a while back...Rolling Stones - Spider and the Fly...a good old laid back blues hope you don't mind me sharing.... |
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Post by Phil on Feb 22, 2015 17:02:02 GMT -6
Wow, Mick, that was almost 4 mins. without losing it. That's impressive. Are you in a band? I'm sure it's as difficult today as it was in my garage band days to find a good knowledgeable bass player. I know that Jack has said he has no desire to be in a band, but what about you?
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Post by blackcountrymick on Feb 22, 2015 17:30:31 GMT -6
Wow, Mick, that was almost 4 mins. without losing it. That's impressive. Are you in a band? I'm sure it's as difficult today as it was in my garage band days to find a good knowledgeable bass player. I know that Jack has said he has no desire to be in a band, but what about you? Thanks Phil , I did play bass with a wannabe band when I was in my late teens (40 years ago) for a couple of years but then work and family sort of got in the way as it does for us all. I would love to gig now or at least have jam sessions but unfortunately I have a very sick wife who basically needs me around 24/7. |
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Post by cunningr on Feb 23, 2015 0:38:58 GMT -6
That was excellent, how do you like that rock smith program? I had a friend that loves it.
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Post by blackcountrymick on Feb 23, 2015 3:27:28 GMT -6
That was excellent, how do you like that rock smith program? I had a friend that loves it. Thanks Rich, I like Rocksmith a lot but I use it mainly for bass. |
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I took advantage of a couple of days off from work. 
I mostly worked on Groovin' Funk in the R&B book, concentrating on the rhythm and bass parts. The bass part has this quick little triplet that's slightly beyond my current abilities, I'll need to practice it a lot to get it sounding smooth and not forced. The rhythm part is coming along okay, I think I've finally got a good feel for it, but it too will take some practice to get it sounding nice and sharp. Once I get a good rhythm track recorded I'll spend more time working on the lead. Did a little bit with Tremblin' Tremolo from MBYCU, which I practically had to re-learn after only practicing it one day the previous week. And did a bit with D Minor Blues in the Rhythm book. I'm planning on recording my own solo for that like I did with G Minor Blues.
That is most definitely NOT a waste of time.
