Practice log 09-29-2022

I’m focusing on my strumming technique for « Rhythm and Licks 4 » and work with the Soundslice version to get the mini-chords with a more distinct strum under my fingers.

The Soundslice version helps a lot 👍, I’m glad.

This may take a while and I will present my progress when I’m ready.

I have so many  » construction sites », and because my new guitar has more sustain, I can now concentrate better on my stubborn problem of holding the notes longer.

So I’m coming now back to Robert's wonderful Jazz blues version of the Tenor Madness solo, which is very demanding for me because of the chromatic lines.

But the chord tones, the arpeggios, the chromatic lines sound so good, really sweet, that I want to try to improve my playing.

Here is a first try. I play it at a slow tempo at 100 bpm to get used to the chromatic lines.

Some passages sound better than some time ago but there is still a long way to go for me to be able to play the solo really well.

But I’m staying tuned.

Birgit

That is well done. I think I have mentioned this before, but the main issue I see is your right hand. It looks like it's hanging free in the air, and that makes picking accurately very difficult. Practice resting your palm on the top strings for support. That way, you get an anchor point and the picking will be much more accurate. You'll also become more confident in your playing. I'll try and make a video on this topic.

How about this Robben Ford Rhythm lesson?  I thought it was great.

rhythm-guitar-robben-ford-funky-blues 

and this one, details on the right hand start at 5:05

rhythm-part-1-got-some-mojo-working

Powerful good stuff from The Master!

Posted by: @robert

That is well done. I think I have mentioned this before, but the main issue I see is your right hand. It looks like it's hanging free in the air, and that makes picking accurately very difficult. Practice resting your palm on the top strings for support. That way, you get an anchor point and the picking will be much more accurate. You'll also become more confident in your playing. I'll try and make a video on this topic.

Thank you for your comments, Robert.

And yes, I still have problems with my right hand! I can also see that my right hand always looks a bit bent and wobbles around. A very persistent problem.

As you said, I really have to focus on getting an anchor point for my palm on the top strings. It’s really hard to focus on there, but I don’t give up and I will try because I really want to improve my picking (and strumming).

Thanks, Birgit

Posted by: @clayton

How about this Robben Ford Rhythm lesson?  I thought it was great.

rhythm-guitar-robben-ford-funky-blues 

and this one, details on the right hand start at 5:05

rhythm-part-1-got-some-mojo-working

 

Powerful good stuff from The Master!

 

Clayton, I’ve also been working with both lessons for a while and still have a lot to work on… But it’s incredible fun 😊

and they are definitely great!

As you mentioned, Robert does a wonderful job of explaining the 16th note strumming technique (starting at 5:05).

For me it’s about getting looser and doing it the way Robert shows and explains.

Thanks, Birgit

Been a while since I commented on your playing. But, yes, the practice log is great and it gets us to see each of us improve. Keep it up. 

I've been away from the site. Been cycling Japan, but now I need to get back into the swing of things.

Practice log 10-13-2022

@Robert, I’m trying to get the palm of my right hand anchored on the bridge. That’s really hard work for me.

What do you think when you look at my hand position?

Thanks, Birgit

It is sounds much cleaner! Good job trying this. The other big part of this mystery is moving your hand down/up the bridge & strings when you switch strings. The picking motion and angle stays the same, so in order go from low to high strings and vice versa, you need slide the hand up/down to accommodate. Does that make sense?

Robert, it does make sense to me: achieving a more flexible hand positon by moving my right hand up/down instead of holding my hand rigidly in one position on the bridge/strings.

I will definitely practice this movement and will then report to you.

Thanks a lot for your support 😊,

Birgit

Practice log 11-03-2022 - 7 DAY GUITAR CHALLENGE

After Robert talked about the benefits of the 7 DAY GUITAR CHALLENGE, a week ago, I decided to give it a try.

As a special challenge for me I’ve chosen the Jazz standard « Autumn Leaves », i.e. a solo version for beginners, played by Dirk Laukens, in G major.

In 7 days I learned around 2 bars a day, all in all 15 bars, the AA-part of the AABC-song structure. A big challenge because, among other things, I learned string skipping. And a particular challenge for me was playing the lower part of the fretboard.

Also a good practice for holding the notes longer!!!

Dirk Laukens plays this solo at 155 bpm, I take it leisurely at 100 bpm. And I’ve tweaked it a bit here and there to make it playable for me.

I also learned to make my own backing track for this solo part, using ChordPulse, a backing track software for music practice. After choosing a Jazz rhythm, I set up the corresponding chord progression for this solo very easily and quickly….. and came up with my backing track for this song part.

There is still a lot to work on, but that’s what I can show after a week.

My conclusion: Without the pressure I put on myself through the challenge, I certainly wouldn’t have been able to record this after one week.

Birgit

Wow that is nice! That sounds great. I am impressed - well done!

Challenges are great motivation and it pushes us into a sharper focus for practicing. 

I'd also suggest you try to play the melody to this tune! It's beautiful, and a great way to learn how to follow chords when trying to come up with a melody.

That is impressive!  Nice timing and tone, Birgit.   You have given a great example of practice commitment and results.   

I'm also impressed with the song selection.  One I have always had on the list but never get around to studying.  I believe that's the jazz standard for leading and chord changes.  

Keep Going!!!

Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Robert.

However, I wouldn’t have been able to do it like this if I hadn‘t used the things I‘ve learned from you over time in terms of rhythm, technique and so on. Thank you again for your support.

I know I wasn’t born with a talent for playing guitar, but I enjoy it so much and I’m always happy when I can improve a little bit.

And yes, it’s a good idea learning to play the melody for this tune following the chord changes. I would love to play the chord melody as well, but I still need to work on the Jazz chords.

Birgit

Thank you also for your encouraging words and your support, Clayton.

I love "Autumn Leaves" and it’s also good for Jazz beginners. I had this specific melody in my head for a longer time but didn’t dare to tackle it. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to get started and I had fear of not getting into the flow.

Because of the 7 DAY GUITAR CHALLENGE, I decided at short notice to put myself under pressure and try it.

The fact that I already had the melody in my head and could hum along with the backing track, helped me A LOT to get started according to Robert’s advice: « Don’t touch the guitar until you get the melody in your head ».

Birgit