Great couple of videos Steve.
The videos themselves look fine, I wouldn’t get too hung up, as long as folk can hear you and if your guitar is in shot they can provide some feedback on technique 
Looking / sounding good from here 
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@roger_holland Rogier, thank you so much for the praise and encouraging words. That is the best part of this community. The encouragement and kind words pushes you to play better on the guitar.
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@liaty Dave, thanks for the encouraging feedback. I was worried that my videos would be laughable in their quality, but if you enjoyed them that is good enough.
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Things are coming along nicely there Stephen and it’s good that you can self-analyse and see where changes need making. The strumming and the singing were both good.
Congratulations on your first AVOYP posting as well.
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Latest version sounded pretty good, Stephen. Scotty Moore is a legend!
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Hello everbody ,
after enjoying quite a long consolidation phase in grade 1, I’ve finally decided, that I’ve earned my ‘white belt’ and, therefore, to move on to the next grade 
.
During the last weeks, I primarely worked on memorising my 5 songs. Two of them, I’d like to show you now.
The first song is The GAMBLER by Kenny Rogers. It was a bit of a challenge due to the finger picking/strumming combination, I chose for playing. And due to the relatively long lyrics. It took me quite long before I was able to sing them by heart.
Besides some smaller mistakes in the video, there is also a big one 
. But I decided to keep it as it is 
.
The second song is LAST KISS by Pearl Jam. Although the chord progression stays the same the whole song through, I still struggle with the changes a bit - and keeping up a steady rhythm. But the biggest hurdle was my narrow voice range. I definitely noticed a progress since I’ve started learning this song, but still, it’s far from perfect 
. But I tried my best 
.
Thanks a lot in advance for taking the time to listen to my songs. Feedback and advices are very much appreciated 
.
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That was very impressive Nicole! Good solid strumming and I am always impressed by people who can sing and play fingerstyle at the same time. I wouldn’t worry about hitting the high notes as that will come with more singing practice ( the voice is an instrument too that develops the more you use it) . You are making great progress! Keep it up
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Bravo Nicole, singing and playing by the end of Grade 1 that’s quite a feat !!
As Eddie said you were pretty sloid throughout, good to see that strumming hand moving.
Yes a little stuttering when doing the bass n strum on the Gambler but greater fluidity will come with practice and its that much harder when you are thinking about singing as well. So good job. Vocals will improve range wise with practice but I thought you sang well in spite of those couple of high parts. Good time to be moving on to G2. Good vibes.
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Well @NicoleKKB I’d say you passed Grade 1 with flying colours. That was very good playing and singing. You should be very proud of yourself. You can move onto Grade 2 with confidence and you can take those songs to another level with the techniques you will learn in Grade 2. Keep up the good work.
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@NicoleKKB Nicole, Bravo! Great performance for Grade 1. I am impressed that you memorized the lyrics. I confess that I have read my lyrics while playing on my videos.
You have solid chord changes. Good luck as you move on to Grade 2.
I noticed that you have decided to not use a pick. It sounds good and especially with The Gambler, but I was wondering whether you had tried a pick and just feel more comfortable with strumming with your fingertips?
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Bravo, Nicole, let’s celebrate consolidation and starting in on Grade 2!
Both songs showcased, clean chords, smooth changes, and steady strumming. Singing and playing well already. Well done. Lots to be delighted about, proud of, and celebrate.
In case you are now aware, something to focus on is the foot-tapping. I think at times you tap on every strum rather than just on the beat. If I may say, in my own experience playing, singing, and foot-tapping was … is … quite challenging for me. It is only recently that I find I am able to play, sing, and tap steadily on the beat.
Without making any biased assumptions, are you left-handed, fretting with your right-hand? I ask only on the off chance that you are actually right-handed and not aware of the mirror/flip setting in your phone’s camera (assuming making the video with a phone), since it happens frequently. Not a big deal, regardless.
Keep doing what you are doing and enjoy Grade 2.
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Nicole @NicoleKKB
Well done
As you noted in a comment on my Learner’s Log we both are at about the same point in the journey, so in my opinion it is time to move on.
Michael 
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Great work Nicole, sounds like Grade 1 is well and truly done for you.
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Terrific @NicoleKKB, you’ve achieved a lot there and absolutely ready for Grade 2. It took me a long time to get comfortable singing with anything beyond simple down strums so kudos.
Congratulations! 
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Nicole that was superb, well done for a Grade 1 graduate you are doing very well! Loved the Last Kiss song as a big PJ fan, you did it justice. First song was a lot trickier due to being pick and strum but you managed to keep in time which was a great surprise.
My only question is regarding your guitar and how it’s situated - I think second video there are no issues but on the first one was back of your guitar resting against your sofa? It’s hard to tell as camera doesn’t go that far but if it hadn’t ignore my question; if it had - try to rest it fully against your leg in order to help your back to feel more comfy.
Again bravo!
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On the whole I thought both were very good and there is nothing wrong with the vocals. As @TheMadman_tobyjenner said there seemed to be a short delay on the bass strum on the gambler and i noticed the same with your foot tapping. I had similar issues but they improve with practice. Go to move on now.
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Hi Nicole,… 
Grade one is gone and behind you…
Greetings Rogier
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Hello, and thank you everybody so much for taking the time to watch my videos, giving me valuable feedback and advice .
Hey Eddie, yes, that’s so true. I’ve already noticed that. When I started learning The Gambler, I had to use a capo to make the song fit to my voice. Meanwhile, I don’t need it anymore. I’m really looking forward to what will be possible in about 6 months .
Hello Toby, oh yes, that’s still quite a hard pattern for me. But it sounded so nice (I discovered it on YT) that I absolutely wanted to implement it to my playing. And thanks for giving it a name - bass n strum - I haven’t known that it is called that way 
. I’ll keep on practicing.
Thanks James, I’m already curious of what is waiting there for me to learn in grade 2 . I’d love to improve my songs with new techniques 
.
Hello Stephen, to be honest, I’ve tried to use a pick just once - last week. I didn’t have one in the beginning, and than later on, I didn’t see a reason for using it. Finally, I decided to buy one (the thinnest I could get). It felt okay, but I was kind of shocked by how loud my guitar suddenly sounded 
. I didn’t like that volume. So I came back to use my fingertips.
Hello David, yes, you’re absolutely right. Tapping my foot on the beat becomes difficult the moment I play a strumming pattern like ‘old faithful’ or sth. similar. In this case, I really have to concentrate on my leg’s movement. That’s okay as long as I don’t sing. But with singing, my brain seems to shout “No, not with me!”. I’m aware of this matter, and will definitely put further effort into it .
No, oh my goodness. Thanks so much for mentioning that. When watching the videos, I felt that something was a bit strange. Now, I know what it was 
. I’ve already changed my phone’s settings. (That’s a bit embarrassing 
.)
Thanks Michael, I’ll start module 8 right after finnishing this reply .
Thank you JK. It took some time, but yes, now I feel ready to move on .
Thanks Mark, oh yes, it’s definitely not an easy task. But as it’s my goal to play AND sing at camp fires and similar occasions, it was quite clear for me right from the beginning, that I want to learn both 
.
Thank you, Adi, that’s a big compliment .
To be honest, I absolutely don’t know. I was so concentrated on the song, that I didn’t recognize anything else . But I don’t think so 
.
I have to admit, that I normally don’t play on the sofa. But as my favourite seat in the kitchen was occupied by another family member, I had to migrate to the living room .
Thank you, Trevor. Oh definitely - practice AND patience. But I’m confident that I will get there sometime. I very much appreciate your motivational words .
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You give me too much credit Nicole ! It was a description more than a label and I am sure there is a more technical term for that action. I just don’t know what it is. 
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Oh, okay Toby. But it sounded good .
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