Hi Robert

Here's my first try at Comping the Blues 1. This has been part of my practice log for the last couple of weeks. It's the first exercise using the 9th and 13th voicings. I was trying to use the same pattern you use in the lesson but it's different and not very consistent throughout. But I was trying to concentrate mostly on keeping time, keeping my strumming hand moving and muting. Tone is clean and not great. Next time I'll do a video so you can see what I'm doing. Your feedback is appreciated as always.

Thanks for listening.

https://app.box.com/s/7hecl30doj0wj9wbvgk9pqw6s1jq615m

I've got Rhythm... who could ask for anything more?  Ira Gershwin

Ivan, that was a nice long recording of rhythm work with clear tone on the fretted strings.  What's more impressive is the the consistency of timing and feel over the duration of the 3:35 track.  Sounds like the track tempo is a little slower- while that may give you time to change chord shapes and positions, it also leaves you less room to fudge timing on the beat.  In your case it sounds like you're playing just behind the beat rather than on-top or rushing it.  Makes for a great recording!

Thanks Clayton.

You are right on both accounts. The track is the one that is attached to the course. Its on the slow side, 90 bpm which works great for me.....I struggle with rhythm, especially the changes so that helps me a lot. And yes, I kind of fudged the rhythm pattern in order to give me time to make relatively clean changes.  

I took the recording a little longer than I normally do. But I wanted to get a feel for what it takes to go beyond 12 or 24 bars. I was trying to go through the entire track. But I t's physically and mentally challenging....at least for me. Right after I faded the recording out, is where I fell apart.....I lost track of where I was and my fingers got out of position and it was over. Thank goodness for digital editing......haha.

Anyway, thanks bud. Appreciate it as always!

ej

great tone and playing, wtg

Thanks Woody

Ivan, that hard work pays off- I know you'll feel the difference and we will hear it in so many ways of playing.  Building chops is exercise time! Keep up the nice work.

Great job Ivan!

Fantabulous job Ivan, -

Playing slowly with feeling is often more difficult than playing uptempo.

Keep up the good work / play !

T

Thanks Chris and Tawmy......appreciate it.

Nice work Ivan. Did you slow it down? I find it's easier to strum along if it's a bit faster. Sometimes you are early on some strums. That's likely because it so slow. It's harder to keep a steady beat when the tempo is slow.

Try it with just a metronome as well, at different tempos!

Thanks Robert.

I will be working on the speed in the coming days for sure. Just so you know, I didn't slow the track down. The track with the lesson is 90 bpm. That's the one I used.

Keep chopping wood, Brother!

Ok that sounded too slow. Bad Mr Robert.

Here is a 110 BPM version instead. Go for it!

https://app.box.com/s/uw5oxdl6snsqutk4tlilg1qjwyne7qon

🙂

OK, so Ivan gets the dedicated student award.  I finally get some focus time and think I'll revisit this exercise and am promptly reminded by my fingers and brain that I should work this comping series into my routine until it is Routine!  So much to do....