New Name

I was never happy with the name fo the blog, but it's so hard to find a name that wasn't taken.  Yesterday I thought of this great new name for the blog, (or at least a better one than I had), so I put that in to action.

Had a great lesson yesterday.  It was one of those days where you leave thinking to yourself "THIS is why I pay for lessons!".  Keith finds and identifies for me the problems in my playing that might take years for me to identify and fix myself.  Yesterday's issue was how hard I was fingering the strings.  When I strum harder, I push harder, but even when I strum softly I was pushing pretty hard on those strings.  Part of the problem appeared to be that my fingers were too far from the edge of the fret.  I moved them as far over as I could without actually being on top of the darn thing and lo and behold, it required much less pressure to make a clean sound.  (Or what passes for a clean sound when I play...)  =)  I also noticed immediately that I could play faster.  Amazing.  Who knows how long it would have taken me to pick up on this if I tried to teach myself from a book, or by ear?  Great stuff!

12 Bar Blues

So...  I've been very active practicing guitar.  Not so active on the blog.  Keith taught me to play the "12 Bar Blues", first with single notes.  The way he taught it was very similar to this:

At any rate, it was really easy to play with single notes... I=G, IV=C, V=D.  He added a swing rhythm and it sounded pretty cool I thought.  ("doooo de-doooo de-doooo de-doooo..." is kinda what it sounded like.)  After practicing that for a week(amongst other things), we played it together, only he went off and played a blues solo so I could hear what we were doing.  I think it was the first time I felt like I was playing music for real on my guitar.  It was cool.

The next week he added power chords to the mix.  (I think that's what they're called.  Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.)  I is now GDG, IV is now CGC, and V is now DAD.  But he didn't stop there.  He had me mute the strings at times.  So it was more like "doo /rest/ de-doo /rest/ de-doo /rest/ de-doo /rest/".  Honestly, this was hard for me at first.  Trying to do the swing rhythm, whilst playing the new notes, AND mute the strings... my brain fumbled a bit.  But I could see where we were trying to get, and I was excited.  Keith told me this is great practice because the constant string muting(a big part of guitar playing) would be like finger push-ups for me. I like the analogy.  =D

So I've been practicing this often this week.  I have trouble moving from the I and IV to V.  I need to focus on that.  It's a lot of fun though... =D

More Scales, More Chords...

Hasn't really been much to report...  Hence the lack of posts.  I continue to work on chords and scales, strengthening fingers, listening to good guitarists, etc...  I did learn about harmonics recently which I found somewhat interesting.  At any rate, I'm still at it.

My Fingers Can't Play The Sound In My Mind... Yet.

I worked the blues scale hard last night.  At first I was still playing a wrong note here and there, but as practice went on I got better and better.  I moved my fingers up and down the fretboard so I could get used to playing it starting on different frets.  About halfway through practice, instead of just playing he notes one after the other, I started giving the scale a blues cadence...  "DUM di-DUM di-DUM di-DUM di-DUM".  After a couple minutes of this something awesome happened.  I started wanting to repeat parts of the scale, or reverse direction.  I then remembered that my guitar teacher said that often in blues music(not just blues guitar) the artist rolls up or down to the next note instead of just going to it(I can't remember what the musical term for that is, but I remember there was a term and a musical notation for it from my trumpet days.)  I started pushing or pulling on a string to bend up to the next note and skipping actually fingering it.  I also figured out that I could do the same thing going down if I skipped a note, but bent the string before strumming the note after that one, and then "un-bending" the note.  (I'm obviously going to have to get the proper terminology for this stuff, but this morning is too busy for me to go look it up on the net just yet.)

I was very happy with the results, but was a little frustrated that my fingers just could not keep up with the sound I was hearing in my head.  That will come with time, I know.  At the same time, when I was getting it right, I started to get so excited about what I was hearing, the I invariably would screw up the next note.  I finally just laughed out loud at my predicament.  I guess this is progress though.  I'm happy with it. =D

The Complete Blues and Pentatonic Scales

So, things went well at the guitar lesson.  My instructor has now given me the complete Blues Scale, as well as the complete Minor Pentatonic Scale.

                           Blues Scale                                 Minor Pentatonic Scale

  I'm really going to practice these scales hard this week.  I received a new Chord(B7) to work on as well, and some homework involving memorization of note positions on the guitar, so I'll have to do that as well, but most of my work will be on these two scales.  I want to be able to move quickly between strings and frets.  I'm really unhappy with how slow I am and how often my finger or pick ends up on the wrong fret/string.  There's no special tool to learn this stuff.  I think you just gotta practice practice practice.

  I found it fascinating to learn more about the origins of Blues and Jazz and how to identify a true Blues song and a hybrid Blues song.  I hope my teacher talks more about this sort of thing. =D

Picking

I was practicing with my son last night, and was trying to get him not to pick so deeply with his pick.  You can hear the pick tap the guard of the guitar when he strums sometimes.  It's that bad.  After we were done, he went upstairs and I kept trying different ways of using the pick, and different picking depths.  I discovered that even I was picking too deeply as I could obtain the same (or better) sound with just the slightest contact with the string.  I did notice there were differences in sound, and perhaps a better guitarist could make use of that, but for me right now I think the best thing is to get used to plucking as shallow as possible.  I found I could strum much quicker with the reduced resistance of a shallow pick.

I put my son to bed after that and when I came down to do "my" practice, oddly enough, I just wasn't feeling it.  I did a few chords but ultimately put the guitar down a few minutes later.  I guess some nights the brain wants to do other things.  Now I have a LOT of work to do tonight to make up for it, but  think I'm better for taking a day off. =D

Changing My Mind On Clapton

I must have listened to the wrong songs when I first tested the waters with Clapton.  I have since found some of his music really good.  It's clear he's a gifted guitarist.  It's also clear that some of his music leaves me flat, but some of it is super.  Now to figure out which is which.  =D

There never seems to be enough time to practice as much as I'd like.  Tonight I need to go over my chords again, and memorize the new chords.  Then some more finger drills and blues scale practice.  I'm hoping to get in 60 minutes of practice tonight.

Alex is starting to finger his notes faster.  It's fun to see him coming along.  Oh, and I finally got the second electric guitar.  We're all set now!  =D

Band Hero, Guitar Hero Helps You Learn Real Guitar

The family has been playing a lot of Band Hero lately.  It's really a fun game.  If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend you find a friend who has it and try it out.  I play guitar most of the time, Alex plays base, Stephanie sings, and Ryan bangs on the drums(the drums aren't actually active in the game when he plays, but a 2 year old doesn't know or care).  It's quite a ruckus! =D  At any rate, it's a fairly well known fact that mastering guitar in these types of game doesn't mean you can play anything on a real guitar.  But wait!  There are hidden benefits!  First off, you're pushing down on buttons with your fingers in a way that would seem to build up strength and dexterity in the fingers on your left hand.  You're also strumming with your right hand(reverse this for lefty mode) and if you plan on getting any sort of speed in game, you're strumming up AND down.  This would seem to have obvious benefits to a beginning guitarist who has yet to build up strength, dexterity, or strumming habits.  (I almost typed "strumming hobbits" just now.  For some reason that struck me as really funny, but I digress.)  Certainly, the game is no compensation for practice with a real guitar, but as an addition to regular practice, I think it's a great idea.  Any of you feel the same?

Finger Strangeness

So.. I've been playing quite a bit this past week.  Well... quite a bit for a beginner.  Probably 45-60 minutes a day.  My fingers feel a little raw.  I'm wondering if I should give them a break for a day or two.  Or maybe I should actually go out and get some witch hazel as was suggested before.  I had intended to do that, but never got around to doing it.  Anyway, my fingers aren't red, or bleeding or anything.  They just feel raw and "fuzzy", if that makes sense.  I can still play, and I really want to practice tonight.  Why?

Because I have something really cool to practice now.  My guitar teacher has given me a Blues Scale to memorize and practice.  It works like this:

He has me play it up and down moving around the fretboard.  He also taught me how to move it up and down different strings.  It's quite a bit of fun.  I'm also trying to focus a lot on four-finger drills because my movements around the fretboard are slow.  Anyway, I really want to practice, so I think I will.  Hopefully the fingers are fine tomorrow.  =D

Chords Memorized, But Not Fast

So I can now play all 6 of my chords on demand in any order, but it still takes me a moment to get the fingering correct.  I assume repetition will fix this.  I think I'm ready to see my instructor again, which is good, since today is my next lesson. =D

So I was thinking, it would be really cool if there was such thing as a practice fretboard I could take to work or wherever.  You know, something that just has the fretboard and strings so I can practice chords without having to lug around a guitar.  I've been told they exist, but for the life of me I can't find one anywhere.  Anybody know where I could find one of these beauties?

G Chord Is Kicking My Butt

I've been working on my chords every day.  Em, not problem.  E, not problem.  Am, no problem.  A, no problem.  G....  *sigh*  I finally was able to play it last night.  My fingers just would not cooperate.  The way my teacher told me to play it is like this:

For some reason my fingers just would do this.  I could get my first two fingers, but then when I put the third down, one or both of my first two fingers would be touching another string, or wouldn't be pushing on their string correctly.  So I'd correct them, and then my third finger would be off.  FINALLY last night I was able to do it.  It took some work.  I think my fingers are just not limber enough for this yet.  I guess I need to work at this more.  My teacher gave me some stretching exercises to do which should help.  I guess I'll go do that.

Anyway, D chord I can do pretty well, though that one gave me some trouble as well, but not nearly as much.  I guess the good news is I've done them all now, so I know I can do it.  I just need to practice it now.


On a different note(haha!), I think I've figured out how to get recordings of me practicing so you guys can actually hear the horrible noise that passes for me playing guitar.  My wife used a USB sound recorder in college to record the nursing lectures.  It saves them in mp3 format and plugs in just like any other USB device.  I can record myself, then grab the mp3s, upload them, and then link to them.  The world will never be the same.... =D

Enjoying a New Band

I stumbled on to Clutch today.  Downloaded one of their later albums.  They're not blues, but you can hear the influence of blues.  Anyway, for some reason I'm really liking their style.  =D

Alex is amazing.  He's playing the little songs the teacher wrote for him almost without help.  This kid is going to be a guitar prodigy if this keeps up.  Must guide young Skywalker towards Blues guitar...  =D

I'm learning my chords... My fingers are figuring this out.  I think I can do this, despite my difficulties during the actual lesson.  Some chords are really hard!  Ah well...

First Lesson Results

First lesson went well for my son.  Actually, the guitar teacher was impressed and said he's never seen a 6 year old get the concepts so quickly.  I, on the other hand, have some work to do.  My fingers aren't nearly limber enough to do some of these chords, my fingernails, although trimmed, need to be trimmed further as they were long enough to make things slightly more difficult, and I need to build up more strength.  Oh, and he said I was drilling on those guitar strings when I pushed down on them to make chords, and that was causing the note to change.  Apparently, I need a lighter touch.

So, I have a drill to do every day, which he calls the all finger drill.  I'm told most guitarists will know about it and still do it even when they achieve mastery.  I also have a hand exercise to do.  Basically, I make the Vulcan "Live Long and Prosper" sign, then I move my ring finger over so now just my pinky is on the other side of the V.  I then go back the other direction, making the V with different fingers.  Supposedly this is supposed to build up some muscle memory, strength, and flexibility.  The teacher said most people's hand muscles are really good at closing their fingers, but not so good at opening them or moving them sideways.  A guitarist apparently needs this in spades. =D

Then I have some chords to memorize.  Em, E, Am, A, G, and D.  Finally, he's also going to help me move through the book I bought(See my earlier post).  Oh, and he said since I seem to enjoy Blues artists, he'll make sure as I improve that I know how to play blues guitar. =D  All in all, great results, yes?

Audio Clips

Gonna have to figure out how to include audio clips in a blog so I can actually record myself playing and post it on the blog.  That way people can hear my progress.  Not quite sure how I'm going to do this yet.  Let me know if any of you have a good idea.

Played Band Hero with the fam last night.  Was very fun.  I was on lead guitar all night.  It's odd how the game makes you feel like you're playing guitar even though you know 100% what you're doing has very little in common with actually playing a guitar(aside from moving your hands around on a guitar shaped piece of electronics).  Don't worry, I still practiced.  Still, it was a nice diversion. =D

I Found One!

So... in my quest to discover the guitarist(s) whom I will idolize and emulate, I just came across Stevie Ray Vaughan.  I may need to look no further.  I went from Hendrix, to Trowler, briefly on to Clapton(who although skilled, doesn't move me), and then I hit Vaughan.  He is so fast, but every note is so perfect.  Then he stopped strumming his guitar and the music just kept going.  I couldn't even tell he was playing with his other hand.  And every note was still just as perfect.  I haven't seen his equal yet.  I'm not done though, but if I were, I have a feeling I'd be on the right track. =D  Geeze... I haven't even made it out of Blues and I've found so many cool guitarists...

Bought a guitar rack today.  It will hold up to 5 guitars.  I currently have two, but since I ordered a second electric guitar today, I'll soon have 3.  For a guy who's just a beginner, I certainly have a lot of guitars.  Actually, the new electric is the same model as my current electric, only red.  The idea is to have two, since both my son and I will be starting lessons on Wednesday.  I thought it would be cool if we could practice together.  Only problem is the amp I have only has one input, but everybody is telling me to just get a Y adapter and we should be fine.

So...  My 2 year old, Ryan, needs to hurry up and start learning drums.  All we need is a bassist and we've got a family band.  (Stephanie is learning piano, so I guess she gets keyboards.) =D

Finger Violation

My acoustic guitar has made my fingers raw.  Ouch.  Must be something different about the strings...

Guitar Thoughts

The more I listen to Robin Trower, the more I'm impressed.  I was a little disseminated to find out that the voice I'm hearing is not his, but the guitar work is still phenomenal!  Honestly, Jimi's throne is currently being challenged in my mind right now.

Pulled out my acoustic guitar and was delighted to figure out that the songs I'm practicing also sound great on it.  Yeah, the sound is different, but that's kind of cool too.  I don't think I'll ever devote myself to electric, but I'm betting 90% of what I do will be electric.

Finally, a friend of mine recommended I check out Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Danny Gatton.  I guess I'll put those on my list.  Eventually I plan to expand beyond blues, but I'm lovin' it right now...

Finding an Idol

So... When I was learning to play trumpet, my idols were Lious Armstrong and Al Hirt. I used to try to play like them.  I never really could, but I think somewhere around high school the desire to truly excel got drowned out the white noise of emotions of that period of my life.  But while it lasted, I was really defined by those two and I think it's important for any musician to find musicians that they admire.

My problem now is that I'm not really versed in the who's who of Guitarists.  I don't know who to emulate.  So I enlisted the help of some knowledgeable friends and have been introducing myself to guitarists to find out who I like.  The process has just started, but here's the list of artists who I am currently exploring.  Let me know who else you think I should listen to, keeping in mind my intention to play electric guitar. =D

Jimi Hendrix
Robin Trower
B.B. King
Eric Clapton

I've listened to the first 3.  About to start Clapton.  Hendrix was simply amazing.  I like some of Trower's work as well.  B.B. King I haven't digested yet.  Any recommendations?

The Journey Begins

So I did it.  I walked in to the music store and bought an electric guitar.  I've thought about doing this for years, but there was always a reason not to buy it.  But not this time.  I bought the guitar.  I bought the amp.  I bought the cable.  I bought a soft case.  I bought several picks.  I bought a beginners book. (I since found that the book is horrible.)  I brought it home.  I plugged it all in.  I turned it on, and what followed was both horrible and amazing.  It hurt, and yet somehow, it was alright.  I had no idea what I was doing, but it didn't matter.  I was making this guitar sing.  Some would argue it was more of a death scream, but they just didn't understand.  My 6 year old son Alex stood 2 feet away, a look of wonder on his face.  I walked over and pushed the "metal" preset on the amp.  The noise changed, and my son immediately responded.  "Rock out, Dad!".  I spent a good couple hours playing with the thing.  I learned a chord.  I tried to play Stairway to Heaven.  I made the guitar make sounds that sounded more like a crazed chipmonk.  It wasn't really music, but it was from me.  I think my son "got it".

The next several days I did the same thing, and tried to go through the book I bought.  I finally figured out that the book was complete garbage.  I went looking for another book and ended up with The Complete Idiot's Guide To Playing Rock Guitar.  I'm much happier with this.  I feel like I have a curriculum to follow.  I'm being taught stuff.  I admit that my years of playing Trumpet are coming in handy, as I already know how to read music, and understand a lot of what is being talked about.  Still, there's a lot to learn.  I'm working on a song at the end of Chapter 3.  I can't seem to get myself to move forward until I can play it.  But I don't care, because it's fun.  I sat in front of the TV watching a movie with the wife last night strumming out the parts of the song I was learning.  I still got just as much out of the movie. =D

The final development?  We signed up my 6 year old(Alex) for guitar lessons.  He's high functioning autistic.  This might actually give him an advantage.  When he focuses on something, he really shuts out everything else.  He's been wild about guitars for weeks since I bought the guitar.  And here's the cool part.  It only cost me twice as much to sign myself up for lessons as well.  So I did.  =D  $195 for 8 lessons... 4 for me and 4 for Alex.  They start on Wednesday.  I'll let you know how it goes.