I’ve been posting some videos in my Practice Log thread but I thought they might get some more attention here. I’m really hungry for feedback and ideas of things I ought to work on. I’m trying a back-to-basics approach to go back and master some of those skills I moved too quickly past when I was learning as a self-taught guitarist.
Here’s Norwegian Wood. I was really struggling with my pinky finger on the D variations. Some folks have posted some good advice in my practice log and elsewhere in these forums so it is something I need to keep at.
I really do value any constructive feedback anyone can offer! I play alone 99.9% of the time and I am sure there are a lot of things I am missing or don’t even realize I am doing wrong.
Sounded great to me. For practicing chord embellishments with the pinky the main riff of Summer Of 69 is a good one to work on. Justin has a lesson on it, the basic chord progression is Dsus2 - D - Dsus4 - Asus2 - A - Asus4
That’s pretty good particularly the consistent rhythm and quite clear voicing of the chords. Your thumb is almost always over the top of the neck: it looks also as if the palm of your hand might be touching the underside of the neck. Try dropping your thumb to the back of the neck and ensure there’s a little space between your palm and the underside of the neck; this will relax your fretting a little and may help eliminate the odd muted string (eg 4th finger on fret 4, from the capo, string 4 @ c. 25s) and make the change to Dm @ c. 42s a little tidier.
Great job, you definitely have this song down. The only comment I would make, and take it for what it’s worth because I am on the high end of the scale for Beatles fanatics, is that this is a mysterious, and emotional, song. People still debate about it (Did he burn her place down?) John sang it in kind of a creepy way that hints at that. It is a terrific song, and I think it would be best if it were paced and arranged the way John Lennon did it. Personally, I am so in awe of the Beatles that I feel unworthy to even attempt to cover their songs, so there’s that.
I think you did great. My only advice is turn that metronome off audible setting off during the actual recording. Maybe a single ear bud, or a non-audio cue like the flashing light setting. Obviously using it for practice it killer, but hearing it for you awsome performance, maybe not so much. At least we know you are on point with your timing.
Like I said, I think it sounds cool. The only other thing I think I could possibly offer is work on your Dynamics. I am no expert on the Beetles but iirc that song has a bit softened parts and then some build up to a point and then a softening again. Those dynamics go a long way. They are so hard to get down.
Again great job, I enjoyed the song. Glad you posted for us.
LOL I have felt that way about a lot of music. You are not the only one. I have finally just started attempting to learn and start playing some of my favorite music after my 2 year guitar anniversary Frankly it is because I knew, I could not even come close to getting the same tone, much less sounding even half as good. Djdrysdale kicked this one in the butt. I am stoked for him.
Well done David. You’ve got the D chord variations/riff down really well.
To improve the song add more dynamics into your strum pattern.
The song is in 6/8 timing so 2 pulses per bar, each pulse divided into 3. Emphasise your downstrokes on the pulse.
This will probably mess up your riff at first but you’ll get it.
Thanks! I was trying different grips and found that if I dropped my thumb I was more likely to mute another string in the chord. I have trouble with my pinky finger in that it doesn’t seem to like to arch and so it will often make contact where I don’t want it to. I’ve been trying to find exercises to help. I might take @chris_m’s suggestion to try Summer of 69 as a way to get more practice (I think my family is fairly sick of that D riff at this point!)
@djdrysdale Nicely done, David. You kept it moving. It’s a beautiful tune. I didn’t hear anything that was ‘off.’ Only thing I might do, and don’t ask me to play that one please, is adjust the strumming a bit. Maybe not as much in some places, and a bit more dynamics in other, both slightly softer and slightly louder in spots. Listen closely to the recording with headphones on and see how various artists play it, and adapt as you see fit. I personally think this song is more suitable to an acoustic guitar, but you did an amazing job of it. Excellent. I really enjoyed listening and watching you play. Thanks for sharing.
You have the technical precision down so well I started to think you had it on a loop! - so I’m agreeing with the others about adding some dynamic changes. Well played
I have felt that way about a lot of music. You are not the only one. I have finally just started attempting to learn and start playing some of my favorite music after my 2 year guitar anniversary Frankly it is because I knew, I could not even come close to getting the same tone, much less sounding even half as good. Djdrysdale kicked this one in the butt. I am stoked for him.