How it’s been going:
On month 2 of Grade 2 consolidation and I feel like I’m steadily making real progress. I’m continuing my Rock Study using Justin’s Rock song book, I’m on song 4 La Grange which I’ll speak to more below. I’ve also been slowing moving forward in Troy Stetina’s Metal Rhythm Guitar method which I’ll also speak more about below. It’s been great going through these 2 at the same time because when I feel I’ve hit a wall in one it seems like the gives me a sense of momentum. I dread the day where I hit a well on both, hah.
Tales From The Crypt - 2/6 songs in vol 1 of metal rhythm guitar. Palm muting mayhem! It’s took me a really long time to get this song right. I started the song at 70% speed and slowly moved up until I got it to 100% yesterday. AVOYP: Tales From The Crypt - Troy Stetina
La Grange - Why does ZZ Tops groove have to be so tight? Makes it really inconvenient to try and cover this song! I’ve been playing it for 2 weeks now and while I feel like it’s improved, it still is a ways away from me posting it. The first riff has a finger stretch that I just can’t do. I ended up moving my fingers a little different than Justin suggests in his video lesson. Same notes though so lets see how that goes.
The Plan:
Focusing on chapter 3 of Metal rhythm and guitar and La Grange for my rock study. La Grange is probably the hardest song I’ve ever attempted to play (at least play the whole rhythm part). I’m going to keep pushing through and I do feel like I’m slowly getting it. The next song after the is In Bloom by Nirvana (one of my favorite bands!). I’ve been playing that song pretty well since the rock module in grade 2 so I think that shouldn’t take too long to get. So I don’t mind spending some extra time with La Grange to get it right. Anyway I’m getting super close to my planned end of Grade 2 consolidation (3 months), yay!
Great update Alexis. You’re development is coming along really well. You’re really nailing the foundations down. I wouldn’t worry so much about deadlines for the consolidation period as from what I have seen your not just consolidating the skills you have learned in the previous grades but you’ve continued to learn new things through your JG rock studies and Troy’s material. I’d just move on when you feel you are ready and/or need new material to keep your practice sessions fresh.
You’ve inspired me Alex, I just went and ordered the Rock Songbook and I’m going to do the same thing you are and learn all the songs . Although I don’t think I’ll post videos of them all, that’s your thing.
Yeah at this point it’s definitely an arbitrary date as I do feel like I’ve consolidated most of the parts of grade 2 that I’m aiming to consolidate (basically all the rock stuff, F chord, some bluesly lead stuff). I did want to go into finger style a little but there is just too much interest in the rock stuff.
I’m going to keep on waiting for the 3rd month simply cause Grade 3’s not finished yet and the longer I consolidate the less chance I’ll catch up and have to wait for lessons lol.
@jkahn Awesome that you’re purchasing the book! It’s so weird cause most of what’s in there Justin already has lessons for free on the website but there is something about going through a physical book that really resonates with me. And then there are some songs that justin doesn’t have lessons for on the website but does in the book like If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next. It’s really great range of songs that cover a bunch of different Rock Genres.
I think there is time later for that to be honest. I think Grade 2 was more of an introduction to fingerstyle as I’ve had spend time learning outside of the Grade 2 material. I have to admit I’m eager to see you playing something else with that new acoustic guitar that you got yourself. Likewise you’re probably eager to see me playing something on that electric that I got myself.
Funny I have one of the beginner songbooks but I never use it. But the rock one looks like a linear progression of difficulty and a list of songs to learn, which appeals. Quite a few times recently I’ve jumped into songs that are a bit beyond where I’m at right now. So the progression kind of appeals. Also I want to learn more electric songs, I play my acoustic more than electric but the kind of music I listen to is usually played on electric .
Yeah, I don’t think we’ve seen anything with your ES yet! it’s criminal, that beauty deserves to be heard!
Yeah, there is definitely something to the progression of songs. I’m having some trouble with La Grange but I’m confident that I’m at the level to play it simply because Justin put it in this section of the songbook. It’s good to not have to keep asking myself if I’m ready to play this.
similar to you guys I feel like all the acoustic songs I hear around here makes me want to try out an acoustic song or 2. Maybe when I get a mic good enough to record one, I’ll take a quick detour and play/post one.
It certainly is mate. That shall have to be resolved.
Yes and its a true marker of progression. Quite a few of the songs in those books are really for progressive beginners. If you look at the video lesson category you will see some are labelled grade 3/4. So if you think about it you’re actually playing beyond grade 2 level. Now that’s an achievement to note in your learning log.
How it’s been going:
Consolidation complete! I’ve been consolidating for 3 whole months! It feels like longer, mostly because I’ve played and learned so much since finishing grade 2. I’ve learned, preformed/recorded, and posted 8 rock songs in my consolidation months.
The Plan:
Grade 3 of course! I’m starting Monday actually. Tomorrow I might take a small break from actually playing guitar and I’ll watch the first grade 3 module videos. Starting grade 3 doesn’t mean I’ll stop my Rock study with Justin’s Rock songbook or stop Troy Stetina’s metal guitar method. Grade 3 doesn’t give any particular song learning recommendations like Grade 2 so I’ll just incorporate what I’ve already been doing into my grade 3 practice schedule.
New Gear/Purchases:
Bought a new songbook! I wanted something that I could work on separate from Troy’s main method and Justin’s rock songbook. Something from a specific band. So I chose one of my favorites, the Foo Fighters:
I’m usually weary of tab books since I’ve heard they can be inaccurate but these were actually transcribed by Troy Stetina who I trust did a good job. These I’ll take slow, do a song if I get stuck on one of the main things I’m doing.
Congratulations Alexis. You should be really proud of how far you have come along. Yes, tab books can be inaccurate, just trust your ears. Enjoy Grade.
Congrats Alexis,
How nice if you are so structured and focused on not everything at once (can you focus on everything at once???)…have fun and I will continue my chaotic learning path…
Greetings,…
Great thread Alex, just scanned it all. I admire your dedication to the log! I’m working on consolidating grade 3 right now and I’m curious how your experience will be. The material is excellent btw, but you already know that
How it’s been going:
It’s been over a month since my last learning log, wow! Since then, I’ve started Justin’s grade 3 but have only finished 1 module. This is due to me spending most of my daily hour of practice on songs, but I do plan on moving on to the 2nd grade 3 module sometime this week as well. I also finished chapter 4 in Troy Stetina’s Metal Rhythm Guitar method which has been great!
I also was an audience member at the last Justinguitar OM. Seeing other community members playing and showing off their talent has been really inspiring. I plan to show up in the audience when I can and hopefully one day perform.
What I’ve been Playing:
Rock and Roll All Nite - I posted this a couple of weeks back, but this song is really great! Fun to play and uses some great rock techniques. AVOYP
Rock ‘N’ Roller - By far the hardest song I’ve learned to play. This is the chapter 4 song for Metal Rhythm Guitar Vol. 1. I’ve been averaging about a month from starting a chapter in this book to posting an AVOYP for it but this one took a whole 2 weeks longer. I’m really happy with how it turned out, mistakes and all. AVOYP
There She Goes - This is the song I’m currently working on for my Justinguitar rock study. This is also taking me longer than usual to get correct for 2 reasons: one, the main riff is played continuously throughout the song, so it requires me to play accurately for more time than I had done in the past. Two, Justin’s rock song book gets you about 90% there. There are too many variations for Justin to put in the book or in the video, so I’ve been trying to get those by ear. I have most of the song but not 100% I feel like I’ll be ready to post this by the end of the month though. Maybe early November.
The Plan:
Speaking of November, I’m going to be going on a short weekend vacation next month, so I won’t be able to play for 3 whole days! That may not seem like a lot, but I have picked up my guitar every single day since I started playing in January. Going to be weird not being able to pick it up and at least muck around.
Besides that, I’m planning on continuing what I’ve been doing with Justin’s Grades, Troy’s Metal Guitar method, and Justin’s rock songbook study. Regarding Troy’s method, I can’t believe I only have 2 chapters left of Volume 1. It’s crazy to think about but I’ve been learning from that book for 4 or 5 months now. I have Volume 2 to look forward to after and I have 3 books on metal lead from him so plenty of “content” to get through. I expect that I’ll catch up with Justin’s grade 3 posting soon enough so I’m glad there’s still plenty for me to learn from even after I hit that point. Not to mention Justin’s intermediate grade stuff that I could get into.
Anyway, I’ve rambled on long enough. Until next time…
Good update Alex, your playing keeps getting better. Your focus on songs seems to be working pretty well I’d say.
I’ve found grade 3 a LOT slower than grade 2, it’s taken more time to embed each of the techniques and set pieces. So I’d be curious to hear what you think as you go through it.
Yeah I also think it’s going to take me much longer to get through this than the previous 2 grades as well. Justin doesn’t have specific songs to work on for each module so it does give me room to work on all the songs I’ve been working on.
I want to for sure! I get that red light fever bad when I’m recording my self and I can’t imagine how it’ll be in front of people lol. Still I suspect I’ll try to get to it by my year 1 guitarversery.
. Although I don’t think I’ll post videos of them all, that’s your thing.
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