I had a good weekend of practice. I was feeling lazy/uninspired to learn anything new, so I instead went the opposite direction and simplified things to a few notes and chords. Repeating the finger movements over and over is like running long distance, it puts me into a zone of calm and relaxation. Some people find this type of practice to be dull, but one of the things that will help in my guitar quest is the ability to find interest in simple practice methods.
About a month ago I subscribed to Claude's email guitar lessons. I found them to be helpful, and I like his passion, so I decided to join his guitar website GuitarGod Club for $1 for the first month. If I find it helpful I then pay the normal rate of $20 month. I am mainly interested in his guitar scale software which helps the beginner master all the notes of the fretboard. A good feature is the backing tracks which can be played while practicing the scales.
About an hour ago I was reaching up to grab Thomas Wolfe's Look Homeward Angel, and as I was doing so the ring finger of my fretting hand slammed into the edge of the fireplace mantel. I immediately knew it was serious as I felt a swollen warmth engulf the upper joint. I applied 2 bags of frozen peas to it, and have since been icing it off and on.
The last time I jammed a finger was in the 7th grade when playing volleyball in gym class. I find it ironic that I did not have an important use for my ring finger until a few months ago. Well, I will hope for the best. I don't have health insurance, so going to a doctor is out of the question. I will continue to ice it and also apply massage therapy.
If I can't fret the guitar, I can still practice picking with the right hand, and also study music theory. I am hoping to get back to normal in a day or two.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Robert, Marty, and Dennis
Had my 2nd lesson with Robert yesterday afternoon. I was a little disappointed in it because 30 minutes does not allow enough time to cover everything from the previous lesson, and then new material. Robert is a cool guy, though, and just hanging around him helps me pick up on things to become a better guitarist. He was talking above my head when discussing 7th chords, but I try my best to comprehend what he is teaching.
Robert wants me to learn the same simple blues shuffle that Lou had already taught me, but because Robert was explaining it differently, I did not tell him I was already aware of this easy progression of chords. Wanting something more of a challenge, I looked on YouTube for other beginning blues progressions and found this - As the pretty lady said, how hard can it be if her 11 year old daughter could learn it in an hour.
YouTube is becoming my favorite guitar teacher - there are so many generous guitarists who don't mind sharing their hard won knowledge through video lessons. Along with House of the Rising Sun and Hotel California, I am now learning Dead Man by Neil Young, the opening riff to Day Tripper by the Beatles, and Good Riddance/Time of Your Life by Green Day - lots of fun, and it helps me learn various chord transitions.
Before yesterday's lesson I got an email from a guy about an ad on Craig's List I posted. He wanted to buy some of my used golf balls, and asked if I could stop by his office. I was kind of put off about having to travel to him, but he was the first person who responded to my ad after a week, so I decided why not.
When I arrived at his office I discovered that he owned a used car lot. As I was getting out of the car after picking up a bucket of spilled balls in the back seat, a man in his 60's approached and asked if I had any minivans I could sell to him. I told him I was not an employee of the lot, so we both walked over to the office. I took a seat and told the man behind the desk, Marty, that I would wait for him to finish talking with the other guy, Dennis.
40 minutes later I left his office. The first 5 minutes of the time in the office was spent listening to the two talk cars, but then the 3 of us became involved in a discussion straight out of a David Mamet play/film - Marty and Dennis both weaved interesting tales of women, travel, college co-ed modelling gigs, and how to go broke numerous times and live to tell about it.
Had I been in a hurry I doubt the conversation would have taken place, but since I was once again in a meditative state, flowing calmly with the passing moments, I was rewarded with an unusual experience.
As I drove off the lot, $20 richer from having made a sale to the ultimate salesman, I marveled at how odd the passing days are becoming.
Robert wants me to learn the same simple blues shuffle that Lou had already taught me, but because Robert was explaining it differently, I did not tell him I was already aware of this easy progression of chords. Wanting something more of a challenge, I looked on YouTube for other beginning blues progressions and found this - As the pretty lady said, how hard can it be if her 11 year old daughter could learn it in an hour.
YouTube is becoming my favorite guitar teacher - there are so many generous guitarists who don't mind sharing their hard won knowledge through video lessons. Along with House of the Rising Sun and Hotel California, I am now learning Dead Man by Neil Young, the opening riff to Day Tripper by the Beatles, and Good Riddance/Time of Your Life by Green Day - lots of fun, and it helps me learn various chord transitions.
Before yesterday's lesson I got an email from a guy about an ad on Craig's List I posted. He wanted to buy some of my used golf balls, and asked if I could stop by his office. I was kind of put off about having to travel to him, but he was the first person who responded to my ad after a week, so I decided why not.
When I arrived at his office I discovered that he owned a used car lot. As I was getting out of the car after picking up a bucket of spilled balls in the back seat, a man in his 60's approached and asked if I had any minivans I could sell to him. I told him I was not an employee of the lot, so we both walked over to the office. I took a seat and told the man behind the desk, Marty, that I would wait for him to finish talking with the other guy, Dennis.
40 minutes later I left his office. The first 5 minutes of the time in the office was spent listening to the two talk cars, but then the 3 of us became involved in a discussion straight out of a David Mamet play/film - Marty and Dennis both weaved interesting tales of women, travel, college co-ed modelling gigs, and how to go broke numerous times and live to tell about it.
Had I been in a hurry I doubt the conversation would have taken place, but since I was once again in a meditative state, flowing calmly with the passing moments, I was rewarded with an unusual experience.
As I drove off the lot, $20 richer from having made a sale to the ultimate salesman, I marveled at how odd the passing days are becoming.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Isaac, Oreo, and My Favorite Place
I started the day in long underwear, 2 jackets, hat and gloves. When I got out of work at 10:45am the sun was out and the air was warming fast.
When I got home I decided to walk to Crystal Lake Park with my guitar, lunch, writing paper, and a book. Before I left I brought the dying hen out into the sunlight, under the large fir trees. I could sense the end was near, as the poor chicken could not keep her eyes open any longer. Soon after I saw her give a shake and fall over. The end had come.
On my walk to the park I imagined the spot I wanted to visit - a bench which is in the corner of a secluded open space in the middle of the park. Behind the bench is the lake, and in front a view of 100 year old oak trees.
Before I arrived at the park I saw a large man with a large dog, and when we passed I asked what kind of dog it was. He said the dog's name was Oreo, and it was a Great Dane/Lab mix. It had the face of a gentle lab, and the body of a giant Dane - amazing!
I should mention that lately I have been getting into a meditation rhythm, and when I get into this type of calming state of mind, odd, though positive, things, frequently happen.
So on my walk to the park I was focusing intently on my breath, and I had achieved a joyful state of mind. The man, whose name was Isaac, must have felt at ease with me, because instead of continuing on his walk, he stopped to talk for a few minutes. As I petted Oreo he told me of his love for the dog, but was sad because Oreo was getting old and having health problems. This led him to say "we all have our time to go, and it won't be long before it is here, even for you and me. People are always getting angry, arguing politics, not getting along, but one should rather be enjoying the little time we have been given." Before Isaac left he extended his hand to me and I grabbed it firmly, my small hand swallowed up by his giant fist.
When I arrived at the park I watched the sunlight mingle with the tree shadows, the day growing warmer. The bench I had planned to sit in was empty, as well as the open space.
I took out the guitar and slowly moved my fingers along the fretboard. Now that I am becoming familiar with the guitar, picking it up and observing how my hands react and relate with it brings pleasure and curiosity. The guitar and I are becoming friends.
As I practiced scales I felt an unusual easiness in the movements, and a heightened state of relaxation in the grip and pressure of the fingers upon the frets. I knew this meant that I am moving in the correct direction, and the relaxation is an effect of familiarity.
I sensed movement nearby and I looked up and saw a beautiful woman and a young boy standing only a few feet from me. I smiled, and at the same time looked with a startled curiosity at their presence.
"This is your favorite place to be, isn't it?" asked the woman. I thought for a few moments, and realized that it had been a long while since I had sat on this particular bench, but instead of saying that, I replied, "Sometimes it is."
"This is my favorite place also", she told me. I noticed a book in her hand, and I sensed that she had intended to sit here herself, so I said, "please sit here, I have many favorite places in this park, I can walk into the woods and sit there."
She pondered my response, considering if she should accept my offer, but finally decided against it. "No, I just wanted to tell you that this was my favorite place, too."
She then began to walk away, slowly, reluctantly. I sat back with the guitar, breathed deeply, and smiled.
When I got home I decided to walk to Crystal Lake Park with my guitar, lunch, writing paper, and a book. Before I left I brought the dying hen out into the sunlight, under the large fir trees. I could sense the end was near, as the poor chicken could not keep her eyes open any longer. Soon after I saw her give a shake and fall over. The end had come.
On my walk to the park I imagined the spot I wanted to visit - a bench which is in the corner of a secluded open space in the middle of the park. Behind the bench is the lake, and in front a view of 100 year old oak trees.
Before I arrived at the park I saw a large man with a large dog, and when we passed I asked what kind of dog it was. He said the dog's name was Oreo, and it was a Great Dane/Lab mix. It had the face of a gentle lab, and the body of a giant Dane - amazing!
I should mention that lately I have been getting into a meditation rhythm, and when I get into this type of calming state of mind, odd, though positive, things, frequently happen.
So on my walk to the park I was focusing intently on my breath, and I had achieved a joyful state of mind. The man, whose name was Isaac, must have felt at ease with me, because instead of continuing on his walk, he stopped to talk for a few minutes. As I petted Oreo he told me of his love for the dog, but was sad because Oreo was getting old and having health problems. This led him to say "we all have our time to go, and it won't be long before it is here, even for you and me. People are always getting angry, arguing politics, not getting along, but one should rather be enjoying the little time we have been given." Before Isaac left he extended his hand to me and I grabbed it firmly, my small hand swallowed up by his giant fist.
When I arrived at the park I watched the sunlight mingle with the tree shadows, the day growing warmer. The bench I had planned to sit in was empty, as well as the open space.
I took out the guitar and slowly moved my fingers along the fretboard. Now that I am becoming familiar with the guitar, picking it up and observing how my hands react and relate with it brings pleasure and curiosity. The guitar and I are becoming friends.
As I practiced scales I felt an unusual easiness in the movements, and a heightened state of relaxation in the grip and pressure of the fingers upon the frets. I knew this meant that I am moving in the correct direction, and the relaxation is an effect of familiarity.
I sensed movement nearby and I looked up and saw a beautiful woman and a young boy standing only a few feet from me. I smiled, and at the same time looked with a startled curiosity at their presence.
"This is your favorite place to be, isn't it?" asked the woman. I thought for a few moments, and realized that it had been a long while since I had sat on this particular bench, but instead of saying that, I replied, "Sometimes it is."
"This is my favorite place also", she told me. I noticed a book in her hand, and I sensed that she had intended to sit here herself, so I said, "please sit here, I have many favorite places in this park, I can walk into the woods and sit there."
She pondered my response, considering if she should accept my offer, but finally decided against it. "No, I just wanted to tell you that this was my favorite place, too."
She then began to walk away, slowly, reluctantly. I sat back with the guitar, breathed deeply, and smiled.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Practice Session A
One of the hens is slowly dying. I decided to sit with her this afternoon in the yard. I practiced guitar while keeping an eye on her.
I practiced the arpeggio of House again, first with a pick, then I switched to finger style and was surprised that my fingers knew the correct order of play, and was more accurate than the pick. I believe I can be good at both pick and finger style, I just have to work hard at it for a long while.
One of my new practice exercises is picking without fretting. I observe the pick gently nipping the strings, trying to keep the strokes short and minimal.
I practiced the arpeggio of House again, first with a pick, then I switched to finger style and was surprised that my fingers knew the correct order of play, and was more accurate than the pick. I believe I can be good at both pick and finger style, I just have to work hard at it for a long while.
One of my new practice exercises is picking without fretting. I observe the pick gently nipping the strings, trying to keep the strokes short and minimal.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Easy Day
My fingers needed rest so I planned on taking a day off from guitar, but when the evening arrived I could not resist picking up the guitar, so I ended up with a light practice of 75 minutes.
I worked on a few scales. When I got to the A minor blues scale I decided to work on stretching the fingers, so on the B and high E strings I spaced out 5 frets instead of 4. After a few minutes of this I was able to get my #3 finger stretched 5 frets from the index, which meant I could reach the 6th fret with the pinkie. When I went back to the normal 4 fret spacing the fingers were relaxed and moving fluidly. I will have to remember to incorporate extra fret spacings in my scale work.
I then worked on the arpeggio to House of the Rising Sun. After 30 minutes I began to hear the voice of the song ringing through the strings, especially in the middle D and G strings. It sounded good, and made me forget myself - I played with total concentration so that I could hear the singing - it was beautiful.
I worked on a few scales. When I got to the A minor blues scale I decided to work on stretching the fingers, so on the B and high E strings I spaced out 5 frets instead of 4. After a few minutes of this I was able to get my #3 finger stretched 5 frets from the index, which meant I could reach the 6th fret with the pinkie. When I went back to the normal 4 fret spacing the fingers were relaxed and moving fluidly. I will have to remember to incorporate extra fret spacings in my scale work.
I then worked on the arpeggio to House of the Rising Sun. After 30 minutes I began to hear the voice of the song ringing through the strings, especially in the middle D and G strings. It sounded good, and made me forget myself - I played with total concentration so that I could hear the singing - it was beautiful.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Before Spring
Yesterday I rode my bicycle to the arboretum. I carried the classical guitar with me, and in my backpack was a tasty lunch. I locked my bike to a tree in a field and walked to the circular garden. The wind was a bit stiff, but the sun kept the temperature above 60 degrees.
I sat on a lonely bench and practiced chords and scales, and played the 2 songs I know. Since there was nobody around I practiced singing into the wind, it was fun. After 45 minutes I ate my lunch and relaxed, then practiced for another 30 minutes. At the end of the session I discovered a few odd note progressions which sounded well when picked with the fingers.
As I was piecing the notes together I felt like I was writing a poem or making a photograph - the sounds reflected my mood and relationship with the surroundings. I began to feel tired after a while so packed it up and walked to my bike.
I walked for a quarter mile with the bike, then decided to sit against a tree and play some more.
In the evening I practiced in my studio, working more on the sketch.
This morning I went back to the sketch, filling in missing parts, and when I was convinced that I did not have the skill to take it any further, I wrote the notes down in a chord box. I wanted to write the sketch in music notation, but I am still in the beginning stages of learning how to read music, so had to resort to the simplistic chord boxes.
Found this on youtube :
My finger tips are sore today...
I sat on a lonely bench and practiced chords and scales, and played the 2 songs I know. Since there was nobody around I practiced singing into the wind, it was fun. After 45 minutes I ate my lunch and relaxed, then practiced for another 30 minutes. At the end of the session I discovered a few odd note progressions which sounded well when picked with the fingers.
As I was piecing the notes together I felt like I was writing a poem or making a photograph - the sounds reflected my mood and relationship with the surroundings. I began to feel tired after a while so packed it up and walked to my bike.
I walked for a quarter mile with the bike, then decided to sit against a tree and play some more.
In the evening I practiced in my studio, working more on the sketch.
This morning I went back to the sketch, filling in missing parts, and when I was convinced that I did not have the skill to take it any further, I wrote the notes down in a chord box. I wanted to write the sketch in music notation, but I am still in the beginning stages of learning how to read music, so had to resort to the simplistic chord boxes.
Found this on youtube :
My finger tips are sore today...
Thursday, March 18, 2010
A Lightbulb Moment
Played 45 minutes beneath the fir trees in the yard today. The day was warm and sunny - still being the end of winter, it was much appreciated. I watched the chickens pecking around in the grass as I practiced Hotel Cal. on the classical.
In the evening I sat down and worked on a few new chords that Robert showed me. Many of them were barred chords. I don't have much trouble barring with the index finger when not forming chords. I can even do it somewhat adequately when I play a 3 finger barred chord. However, when I need to play what would normally be a very simple 1 or 2 finger chord barred, I usually have trouble with the D string. The D string happens to fall into a crease line at the joint of the index finger, so there is not much skin contact and the note is muted.
I noticed that the wider fretboard on my classical allows my finger to stretch across without any string hitting a crease point, so it is easier for me to make barre chords on the wider board. To overcome the problem of the narrow board on the strat, I simply moved my index finger farther across the board so that the tip is hanging over the edge.
The new placement helped, and because barre chords are an important part of playing, I am going to practice them more often every day. After a month I should have a callous line formed on my index finger, making it easier to play the chords.
I experienced this evening a beautiful breakthrough which immediately helped my scale playing. Hitherto when playing single notes on a scale, my wrist would be held in what I call the starting position. When playing chords my hand starts in this same position, but when moving into a chord, such as C, the wrist turns slightly to the left, which causes the fingers to be placed at an angle, which allows them to stretch further. It never occurred to me that having the wrist turned to this leftward angle when playing a scale would give the fingers more range and looseness. I figured it out when I began playing a new scale which Robert gave to me. It is a sliding blues scale, and in one section I have to play 2 notes which are separated by a fret, or whole step. Normally I play a 2 note whole step with the number 1 (index) finger, followed by the #3 (ring) finger. However, the slide requires me to play the whole step with the #1 and #2 fingers. Because I have small hands I was having trouble reaching the 2nd note with the #2 finger. My hand and wrist were in the normal starting position, and by chance I turned the wrist leftward, as if making a C chord, and this released the #2 finger, allowing it to reach the note with ease.
I began experimenting with the new wrist position and found that it works better for all the fingers in any position. The leftward wrist angle creates a position of looseness and finger mobility, allowing for greater speed and precision.
This discovery will immediately improve my playing. I love the satisfaction gained upon making a spontaneous discovery when doing something I love.
In the evening I sat down and worked on a few new chords that Robert showed me. Many of them were barred chords. I don't have much trouble barring with the index finger when not forming chords. I can even do it somewhat adequately when I play a 3 finger barred chord. However, when I need to play what would normally be a very simple 1 or 2 finger chord barred, I usually have trouble with the D string. The D string happens to fall into a crease line at the joint of the index finger, so there is not much skin contact and the note is muted.
I noticed that the wider fretboard on my classical allows my finger to stretch across without any string hitting a crease point, so it is easier for me to make barre chords on the wider board. To overcome the problem of the narrow board on the strat, I simply moved my index finger farther across the board so that the tip is hanging over the edge.
The new placement helped, and because barre chords are an important part of playing, I am going to practice them more often every day. After a month I should have a callous line formed on my index finger, making it easier to play the chords.
I experienced this evening a beautiful breakthrough which immediately helped my scale playing. Hitherto when playing single notes on a scale, my wrist would be held in what I call the starting position. When playing chords my hand starts in this same position, but when moving into a chord, such as C, the wrist turns slightly to the left, which causes the fingers to be placed at an angle, which allows them to stretch further. It never occurred to me that having the wrist turned to this leftward angle when playing a scale would give the fingers more range and looseness. I figured it out when I began playing a new scale which Robert gave to me. It is a sliding blues scale, and in one section I have to play 2 notes which are separated by a fret, or whole step. Normally I play a 2 note whole step with the number 1 (index) finger, followed by the #3 (ring) finger. However, the slide requires me to play the whole step with the #1 and #2 fingers. Because I have small hands I was having trouble reaching the 2nd note with the #2 finger. My hand and wrist were in the normal starting position, and by chance I turned the wrist leftward, as if making a C chord, and this released the #2 finger, allowing it to reach the note with ease.
I began experimenting with the new wrist position and found that it works better for all the fingers in any position. The leftward wrist angle creates a position of looseness and finger mobility, allowing for greater speed and precision.
This discovery will immediately improve my playing. I love the satisfaction gained upon making a spontaneous discovery when doing something I love.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Hotel California and a Punching Bag
Lots of guitar practice today. After work I played chords and scales for an hour, meditated for 20 minutes, then walked to my first lesson With Robert.
Robert lives only 3/4 mile from me, so I had a pleasant walk to his house, the sun was out and it was 60 degrees. When I arrived I saw him retrieving his mail, I said hello and he invited me in. The main room is a music space filled with pictures, guitars hanging on the wall, a couple of amps, and a punching bag hanging just off center of the room. He had 2 chairs for us to sit in, and he let me plug my Strat into one of his amps. He mentioned that my guitar was a good quality model. He showed me how to tune it to his electronic tuner, and we proceeded to talk and play guitar for the next 90 minutes.
The first lesson was free, and was planned for 30 minutes, but we had a good rapport going and we just kept tossing ideas around and having fun. When I got up to leave I told him I had a great time and handed him a check paying for the next 4 lessons. I decided to also pay him for the free lesson because it was such a positive experience.
On the way home I realized how small the guitar world must be in Urbana. When I mentioned a few reasons why I was leaving my current teacher after only 3 lessons, Robert said, "that sounds like Lou". I didn't affirm or deny his guess, because I dislike talking negatively about anyone, but was surprised at his accurate statement.
When I got home I brought my playing chair and classical guitar out to the yard, under the giant fir trees, and played while watching the chickens peck around in the spring grass.
Later in the evening I played for another hour in my studio, learning another song, Hotel California, which Robert had given to me today at our lesson. The chord sequence is a B barre, then an F barre, A, E, G, D, Em, then ending with the B Barre. Strumming it is pretty easy, but I don't know the picking pattern.
After playing Hotel Cal. I practiced House of the Rising Sun some more, this time singing along to my strumming. I have never practiced singing, and was surprised how my voice sounded when hitting notes it had never attempted before - with practice I could make progress.
I also worked on my picking technique. Robert mentioned different ways of holding a pic, and of holding the hand while picking. When I got home I watched a few informative youtube vidoes on picking methods. I learned that there a numerous ways to play, and my way fits in with proper technique. I decided to shorten the length of the exposed pick, as the shorter pick surface supposedly allows for greater control. I don't anchor my hand when I pick, and Robert suggested I may find it easier to play if I do, but some of the videos mentioned that playing without anchoring allows for greater wrist flexibility. I will mention to Robert at next week's lesson my decision to remain with my current style of hand placement over the strings.
Robert lives only 3/4 mile from me, so I had a pleasant walk to his house, the sun was out and it was 60 degrees. When I arrived I saw him retrieving his mail, I said hello and he invited me in. The main room is a music space filled with pictures, guitars hanging on the wall, a couple of amps, and a punching bag hanging just off center of the room. He had 2 chairs for us to sit in, and he let me plug my Strat into one of his amps. He mentioned that my guitar was a good quality model. He showed me how to tune it to his electronic tuner, and we proceeded to talk and play guitar for the next 90 minutes.
The first lesson was free, and was planned for 30 minutes, but we had a good rapport going and we just kept tossing ideas around and having fun. When I got up to leave I told him I had a great time and handed him a check paying for the next 4 lessons. I decided to also pay him for the free lesson because it was such a positive experience.
On the way home I realized how small the guitar world must be in Urbana. When I mentioned a few reasons why I was leaving my current teacher after only 3 lessons, Robert said, "that sounds like Lou". I didn't affirm or deny his guess, because I dislike talking negatively about anyone, but was surprised at his accurate statement.
When I got home I brought my playing chair and classical guitar out to the yard, under the giant fir trees, and played while watching the chickens peck around in the spring grass.
Later in the evening I played for another hour in my studio, learning another song, Hotel California, which Robert had given to me today at our lesson. The chord sequence is a B barre, then an F barre, A, E, G, D, Em, then ending with the B Barre. Strumming it is pretty easy, but I don't know the picking pattern.
After playing Hotel Cal. I practiced House of the Rising Sun some more, this time singing along to my strumming. I have never practiced singing, and was surprised how my voice sounded when hitting notes it had never attempted before - with practice I could make progress.
I also worked on my picking technique. Robert mentioned different ways of holding a pic, and of holding the hand while picking. When I got home I watched a few informative youtube vidoes on picking methods. I learned that there a numerous ways to play, and my way fits in with proper technique. I decided to shorten the length of the exposed pick, as the shorter pick surface supposedly allows for greater control. I don't anchor my hand when I pick, and Robert suggested I may find it easier to play if I do, but some of the videos mentioned that playing without anchoring allows for greater wrist flexibility. I will mention to Robert at next week's lesson my decision to remain with my current style of hand placement over the strings.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
F
Yesterday evening I practiced for 1 hour - 30 minutes on chord transitions, 30 minutes on a single box scale. My fingers felt good, the coordination and strength increasing.
Tonight another short 1 hour session. When I was practicing transitions I wondered how I could move quicker to the F chord. The weak point is the index finger having to fret 2 strings in the corner by the nut. It is an awkward position, which is what leads to the uneven quality of the finger movement. As I looked at the fingers resting in place I realized that there was no reason to get the index finger exactly on the C and F notes because the D and G strings are already fretted with the 2 & 3 fingers. Maybe it would be easier to barre 3 strings instead of 2 with the index finger? So I tried it, and it worked, it was easier to lay the index finger across the first 3 strings on the first fret. The reason I had not thought of this earlier was because the chord diagrams don't illustrate the chord in this way, rather, the index finger lays across 2 strings, not 3.
Making little discoveries like fingering the F in a way not discussed in books is what this quest is all about - finding my own way, using imagination, without force, to discover the music which is inside of me.
Rachel showed me a picture from Namibia she took when she was in the Peace Corps. I found it to be intriguing so I worked on it in Photoshop.
Tonight another short 1 hour session. When I was practicing transitions I wondered how I could move quicker to the F chord. The weak point is the index finger having to fret 2 strings in the corner by the nut. It is an awkward position, which is what leads to the uneven quality of the finger movement. As I looked at the fingers resting in place I realized that there was no reason to get the index finger exactly on the C and F notes because the D and G strings are already fretted with the 2 & 3 fingers. Maybe it would be easier to barre 3 strings instead of 2 with the index finger? So I tried it, and it worked, it was easier to lay the index finger across the first 3 strings on the first fret. The reason I had not thought of this earlier was because the chord diagrams don't illustrate the chord in this way, rather, the index finger lays across 2 strings, not 3.
Making little discoveries like fingering the F in a way not discussed in books is what this quest is all about - finding my own way, using imagination, without force, to discover the music which is inside of me.
Rachel showed me a picture from Namibia she took when she was in the Peace Corps. I found it to be intriguing so I worked on it in Photoshop.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Lessons
I decided to learn about the guitar in January, 2010. When I began I knew very little about music or the guitar. Thus one of the excitements of this quest is to see if someone who has reached middle age can become proficient in a difficult art form. I am guessing it will take 8-10 years of constant practice to reach a thorough level of knowledge on the subject.
As a beginner, I was feeling, and still do feel, overwhelmed at the amount of paths to be traveled during this quest. I am not one to begin a journey without a map and an idea of the direction I want to go. However, there does not seem to be an authoritative and respected map to be found.
With film photography, the 3 volume set authored by Ansel Adams was the only map I needed, and it helped me reach the places I wanted to get to. The books were clearly written, explaining complex ideas with simplicity, and were well organized.
I am looking for a similar type of book for the guitar, but everything I have found thus far is either too simple, avoiding difficult topics, or covers the basics in 2 paragraphs, and jumps to complicated ideas for the next 98 pages, with no logical bridge to get from A to C.
I have found some decent guitar internet sites which publish well written articles, but the articles cover only 1 topic, and thus there is no logical step by step progression for the beginner to follow. A jumbled mass of knowledge leads to a jumbled mass of playing.
I finally decided upon a set of beginner lessons published at About.com. The lessons are straight forward and simple to follow. I would read a lesson and then take 5-7 days to practice before moving on to the next lesson. When I got to lesson 6 I decided that a private instructor would be something useful to try.
So I stopped in at the local guitar store 3 weeks ago and signed up with a random teacher. The man teaching me is an experienced musician who can do anything with a guitar. The lessons however, I found to be jumbled and in disarray, with no clear map of the big picture. The lessons reveal a few small trees, but beyond that I am lost in a large forest.
I know what I want from a teacher - someone who in the first lesson won't need a guitar, but will ask me where I want to go, and then will tell me how he is going to get me there over a long period of time. Start with the large picture, discuss playing and learning philosophy, goals, and then begin to sift through the smaller details. During the 2nd lesson, therefore, I will be aware that I am taking my first steps in a long journey, but with map in hand and good luck in my back pocket, will feel confident of reaching the end point.
Because of my disappointment with my first teacher's methods, I decided to end the lessons. I still have 1 remaining paid-for lesson, but I most likely will not return. I set up a meeting with another teacher this Wednesday. I will see how that goes -if he can clearly explain a long term plan, then I will give him a chance. If not, then I will forgo seeking private instruction and will work on forging my own path, for better or worse.
As a beginner, I was feeling, and still do feel, overwhelmed at the amount of paths to be traveled during this quest. I am not one to begin a journey without a map and an idea of the direction I want to go. However, there does not seem to be an authoritative and respected map to be found.
With film photography, the 3 volume set authored by Ansel Adams was the only map I needed, and it helped me reach the places I wanted to get to. The books were clearly written, explaining complex ideas with simplicity, and were well organized.
I am looking for a similar type of book for the guitar, but everything I have found thus far is either too simple, avoiding difficult topics, or covers the basics in 2 paragraphs, and jumps to complicated ideas for the next 98 pages, with no logical bridge to get from A to C.
I have found some decent guitar internet sites which publish well written articles, but the articles cover only 1 topic, and thus there is no logical step by step progression for the beginner to follow. A jumbled mass of knowledge leads to a jumbled mass of playing.
I finally decided upon a set of beginner lessons published at About.com. The lessons are straight forward and simple to follow. I would read a lesson and then take 5-7 days to practice before moving on to the next lesson. When I got to lesson 6 I decided that a private instructor would be something useful to try.
So I stopped in at the local guitar store 3 weeks ago and signed up with a random teacher. The man teaching me is an experienced musician who can do anything with a guitar. The lessons however, I found to be jumbled and in disarray, with no clear map of the big picture. The lessons reveal a few small trees, but beyond that I am lost in a large forest.
I know what I want from a teacher - someone who in the first lesson won't need a guitar, but will ask me where I want to go, and then will tell me how he is going to get me there over a long period of time. Start with the large picture, discuss playing and learning philosophy, goals, and then begin to sift through the smaller details. During the 2nd lesson, therefore, I will be aware that I am taking my first steps in a long journey, but with map in hand and good luck in my back pocket, will feel confident of reaching the end point.
Because of my disappointment with my first teacher's methods, I decided to end the lessons. I still have 1 remaining paid-for lesson, but I most likely will not return. I set up a meeting with another teacher this Wednesday. I will see how that goes -if he can clearly explain a long term plan, then I will give him a chance. If not, then I will forgo seeking private instruction and will work on forging my own path, for better or worse.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
House of the Rising Sun
Solid practice session today.
I started with chord shapes and transitions. After 10 minutes I recalled a youtube video of Jamie Andreas showing how to strum House of the Rising Sun. After 3 months of playing guitar I have yet to learn any songs. I improvise to blues songs, play along to parts of Dylan's Like a Rolling Stone, and taught myself the intro to Fahey's Sligo River Blues, but everything else is chord and scale practice.
So I stopped playing and brought my classical guitar to the computer room, sat down in an armless chair, and watched Jamie slowly strum House. While that was playing I opened a 2nd window to find the chords to the song. Since I can now play all the popular open chords, learning simple folk songs should not be too rough. I saw that all I had to do was strum Am, C, D, F and E, pretty much in that order. I found some internet pages using E7 and F7 chords to replace E and F.
When the video ended I started strumming my classical and smiled when everything came together and I heard the song emanating from my guitar. I then found another youtube video which showed a more complete version of the song, showing how to play the arpeggio intro.
I returned to my studio, plugged in the electric, turned on the amp, and practiced House for 30 minutes.
I then decided to work on a single scale set to 120bpm using the ipod metronome. Last week I was practicing quarter notes set to 120bpm, which is slow moving. During my 3rd lesson with Lou on Friday he told me alternate picking is used for 8th notes, which meant I needed to hit 2 notes for a single beat. So I had to double my speed and get into a rhythm with the 120 beat. I found that by consecutively picking a single note as a quarter note, followed by picking the second note and then back to the first, I could find the beat and correct speed, which allowed me to properly move onto the remaining notes of the scale. I practiced this for 35-40 minutes.
I started with chord shapes and transitions. After 10 minutes I recalled a youtube video of Jamie Andreas showing how to strum House of the Rising Sun. After 3 months of playing guitar I have yet to learn any songs. I improvise to blues songs, play along to parts of Dylan's Like a Rolling Stone, and taught myself the intro to Fahey's Sligo River Blues, but everything else is chord and scale practice.
So I stopped playing and brought my classical guitar to the computer room, sat down in an armless chair, and watched Jamie slowly strum House. While that was playing I opened a 2nd window to find the chords to the song. Since I can now play all the popular open chords, learning simple folk songs should not be too rough. I saw that all I had to do was strum Am, C, D, F and E, pretty much in that order. I found some internet pages using E7 and F7 chords to replace E and F.
When the video ended I started strumming my classical and smiled when everything came together and I heard the song emanating from my guitar. I then found another youtube video which showed a more complete version of the song, showing how to play the arpeggio intro.
I returned to my studio, plugged in the electric, turned on the amp, and practiced House for 30 minutes.
I then decided to work on a single scale set to 120bpm using the ipod metronome. Last week I was practicing quarter notes set to 120bpm, which is slow moving. During my 3rd lesson with Lou on Friday he told me alternate picking is used for 8th notes, which meant I needed to hit 2 notes for a single beat. So I had to double my speed and get into a rhythm with the 120 beat. I found that by consecutively picking a single note as a quarter note, followed by picking the second note and then back to the first, I could find the beat and correct speed, which allowed me to properly move onto the remaining notes of the scale. I practiced this for 35-40 minutes.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
2 Guitars and Some Chords
I find it odd to have arrived at a quest at age 43. I still have my health and energy, and a lot of experience with how to learn something new. Although I know nothing about music, I am confident that when the quest ends I will have made some headway into this mysterious art form.
I currently have 2 guitars, a classical and an electric.
I bought the classical in the late 80's from a small local shop when I was in college. I used it as a tool of Zen meditation - sitting on the bank of a river, I would pluck a few strings, listening intently to each slow note. Breathe, listen, pluck - everything appeared simple and serene.
3 months ago when I decided to pursue music seriously, I found the now old classical in the basement. I wiped off a layer of dust, then took it to the local guitar shop to be restrung. When I brought it home from the shop I found it went out of tune easily and I did not like the sound of the strings. After a couple of months of practice, though, the sound has mellowed and the strings stay in tune longer.
I bought an electric Squire/Fender black strat 3 months ago, along with a Peavy Vyper 15w amp. The guitar is a beginners model, but is a high end version with 3 Duncan humbucker pickups. I am fascinated with the various sounds the electric can produce, and I like that the fretboard is thinner and smaller than the classical.
Today I played the classical for only 30 minutes, as my fingers needed some rest after averaging 2 hours a day for the past week. Working on chord transitions, I practiced finger picking while moving from G to C, Em to A, C to F, and Dm to E. My fingers were moving from chord to chord faster than ever, so I was happy with the session.
With the extended rest today, my fingers should be ready for a 1-3 hour session tomorrow.
I currently have 2 guitars, a classical and an electric.
I bought the classical in the late 80's from a small local shop when I was in college. I used it as a tool of Zen meditation - sitting on the bank of a river, I would pluck a few strings, listening intently to each slow note. Breathe, listen, pluck - everything appeared simple and serene.
3 months ago when I decided to pursue music seriously, I found the now old classical in the basement. I wiped off a layer of dust, then took it to the local guitar shop to be restrung. When I brought it home from the shop I found it went out of tune easily and I did not like the sound of the strings. After a couple of months of practice, though, the sound has mellowed and the strings stay in tune longer.
I bought an electric Squire/Fender black strat 3 months ago, along with a Peavy Vyper 15w amp. The guitar is a beginners model, but is a high end version with 3 Duncan humbucker pickups. I am fascinated with the various sounds the electric can produce, and I like that the fretboard is thinner and smaller than the classical.
Today I played the classical for only 30 minutes, as my fingers needed some rest after averaging 2 hours a day for the past week. Working on chord transitions, I practiced finger picking while moving from G to C, Em to A, C to F, and Dm to E. My fingers were moving from chord to chord faster than ever, so I was happy with the session.
With the extended rest today, my fingers should be ready for a 1-3 hour session tomorrow.
Friday, March 12, 2010
A New Beginning
When my photographic quest came to an end 2 years ago, I fell into the familiar, yet long distant, sensation of floating in space without propulsion, direction, or aid. Floating aimlessly, hope fades of finding a solid resting place, a time to work and be filled with the heaviness of life - floating, one may as well be dead.
I kept hope alive with a deep rooted faith - a faith in something unknown, yet I could feel its presence. A day arrived when the floating began to slow, and I descended back to day to day living. A guitar had replaced the camera, sound had replaced sight.
I kept hope alive with a deep rooted faith - a faith in something unknown, yet I could feel its presence. A day arrived when the floating began to slow, and I descended back to day to day living. A guitar had replaced the camera, sound had replaced sight.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)