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Post by Phil on Aug 30, 2015 4:09:03 GMT -6
I got in 6.5 hours of practice this week. Still short of my goal of 10 hrs, but life has been interfering with my practice time.  I did accomplish a couple of things. I memorized "Groovin' Easy" and recorded the rhythm over a bass/drum track that Jack provided. I should have this study recorded by next week. I just need to smooth out a few areas. This is a challenging tune, but it's within my reach and it's actually fun to play. When I 1st heard it I didn't like it that much, but now it's one of the few that I'll probably continue to play regularly. "Tremblin' Tremelo" is not ready for prime time just yet. The 1st 12 Bars consist of 1 lick repeated, but for me it's an extremely difficult lick. There's a full bend-release-pull off on the G string 2nd fret which is a bitch. Plus it's played at hyper speed (a shredder would laugh at that). In addition to that that 2nd 12 bars are tremelo strumming on double stops - another difficult technique. It'll be a while before I upload a recording of this one. The studies in "More BYCU" are not really set up progressively anyways. They are all pretty difficult and designed more to practice specific techniques. Anyway, once I get "Groovin'" recorded I'll turn my attention to coming up with something for "More Minor Blues." Like "Delta Mood," at 1st I didn't think I could come up with anything of my own. But after listening to the backing track while taking walks, I'm starting to come up with a few ideas that I now have to transfer from my head to the guitar.  |
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Post by blackcountrymick on Aug 30, 2015 5:16:23 GMT -6
I must say that I have very much enjoyed the performance postings this week, thanks guys for sharing they were very inspirational  . I am still working on building up my speed and dexterity to be able to tackle "Cheap Runs" at full tempo, I have in my memory box now so I can play it almost automatically without thinking what comes next. Thanks Bruce for reminding me about the Troy Stetina speed mechanics book, it may well be the tool I need to move me forward with this (I already have a copy I got several years ago). I have dug out the lead guitar book also as there are more speed building exercises in that as well. |
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Post by joachim on Aug 30, 2015 5:26:42 GMT -6
I have dug out the lead guitar book also as there are more speed building exercises in that as well. I should check that out also, thanks for the reference... I am haven't committed fully to Stetina's books yet, because I have so many things to practice right now, but perhaps I should prioritize the lead books over the rhythm books. |
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Post by jack1982 on Aug 30, 2015 5:33:29 GMT -6
Crummy week of practice for me, 8 1/4 hours on guitar, 10 minutes on bass and 20 minutes on keyboards lol. I did get Chord On Bleu and Atlantic Coast Soul posted though, so I guess it was a productive week despite the short hours. Hopefully this week I'll be able to get back to the normal practice routine. I started working on writing a second chorus for More Minor Blues; the first one is "done" but my problem is I'll come up with something that sounds kind of cool, but then a week later it's old and boring and needs to be replaced. I should probably just leave it the way it is.
Also started on Drivin' Blues in More BYCU (got the drum line almost done lol.) And I got started on Two Chord Stroll in the R&B book - that one is venturing VERY far from the blues but it's still kind of a cool song. EZ Drummer 2 doesn't have a preset that comes within a mile of that one though lol. Maybe have to experiment with making up one myself.
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Post by Phil on Aug 30, 2015 5:33:46 GMT -6
I must say that I have very much enjoyed the performance postings this week, thanks guys for sharing they were very inspirational . I am still working on building up my speed and dexterity to be able to tackle "Cheap Runs" at full tempo, I have in my memory box now so I can play it almost automatically without thinking what comes next. Thanks Bruce for reminding me about the Troy Stetina speed mechanics book, it may well be the tool I need to move me forward with this (I already have a copy I got several years ago). I have dug out the lead guitar book also as there are more speed building exercises in that as well. This is one study that I need to work on again. My recordings of it are pretty bad. "Cheap Runs" caused me to understand that picking patterns are extremely important when trying to play fast. Previously I would have argued that picking patterns were irrelevant - that all you needed to do was to alternate pick all the time and that was it. One area where you really have to stop and think about the most efficient picking pattern is on those triplets within a triplet in the 2nd measure. One of these days I'm going to make a video showing the way I'm approaching that now. Hang in there and keep at it, Mick. I'm looking forward to hearing you play "Cheap Runs." That study is a real milestone for anybody. |
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Post by chrisnc on Aug 30, 2015 6:19:05 GMT -6
Not a bad week practicing for me. I started lesson 8 - Bends, Slides and Shifts and I've got it going pretty good after just one week. It's committed to memory and really the only part that's tripping me up now is getting in that partial chord as part of the turn around. I'm hoping to maybe get a good recording by next weekend. I've also continued to play some of the previous lessons, and I'm working on learning some more advanced techniques within Garageband.
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Post by cunningr on Aug 30, 2015 7:36:11 GMT -6
Well bout an average week was down a little because I was just too tired one day and only got 30 minutes, but over the week I did get a solid 6.5 hours of practice maybe a little more if I include noodling time.
Still working on chord on bleu I have the rythm part down pretty solid and slowly going through the lead now, focused on the double stop spot, still not feeling it but playing it like the tab.
Spent time on simple sevenths from the rythm book, need to get off my duff and get it recorded, but I have gotten really focused on the more minor blues review, I can play the tune all the way through very nicely just need to clean up the ending, and after noodling around for an original section I finally came up with an idea, no more on that until I get it worked out though.
Chris if you need some help with GarageBand I have been using it now for about a year so I might be of some help, the program is lot more powerful than people give it credit. The EQ is very good.
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Post by bluesbruce on Aug 30, 2015 8:45:49 GMT -6
Thanks Bruce for reminding me about the Troy Stetina speed mechanics book, it may well be the tool I need to move me forward with this (I already have a copy I got several years ago). I have dug out the lead guitar book also as there are more speed building exercises in that as well. You're welcome, Mick. I've "peaked" ahead in MBYCU, and even though I haven't posted a recording of Chord-On Bleu yet, I see "Cheap Runs" looming in the (distant) future. I really see that MBYCU can really up your playing, but a lot of those tunes look like real bears. I've also been looking a lot at the "Scales, Arpeggios, and Single Note Technique" sections in there. Man, there's a lifetime worth of riffs and info in those - so I don't want to just pass them by, either. Anyway, I think I played every day except Monday this past week (was just too busy that day). I really think I could do a recording of "Chord-On Bleu", but after Jack's tour-de-force rendition, I need to wait a while before putting mine up. Have worked on "Driving Blues" a little bit. Still playing with a slow blues from another course. Been working some on "More Minor Blues" - I really love that plaintive, minor vibe. Bruce |
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Post by jack1982 on Aug 30, 2015 9:21:05 GMT -6
I really think I could do a recording of "Chord-On Bleu", but after Jack's tour-de-force rendition, I need to wait a while before putting mine up. That thing was riddled with errors - fudged notes, sloppy timing - TOTALLY overrated - don't worry about it   |
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Post by wannaplayblues on Sept 1, 2015 3:06:31 GMT -6
Had a great week - 8hrs and very specific workout. Keeping time for Rhythm work, Lead/Improv work and RaBYCU as well as some technique specifics thrown in
Hoping I can keep it up and see improvement
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