Behind the Scenes - Helen's Log

[Helen0609]

December 2024

Like every year in December, time is flying, lots of things to do and my practice has to take a backseat and is currently just a mix of Christmas songs and a few others, no structured approach at the moment!

Oh those Christmas tunes are driving me crazy! Have been at a very good point at the beginning of the week, but messed up everything in my last practice session. I get shivers down my back when I think about performing for my parents and family at Dec 24th .
I hope, I can do at least a recording next week to post here… .

I followed the AI thread last week and thought a lot about the influence of AI on music in the future and if I like this aspect of artificial influence or not.

Then, yesterday, I had another proof of how overwhelmingly emotional “real” music can be…!
Our local military orchestra, known for high class performances, gave a concert in our church to the benefit of some caritative initiatives.
We were invited and had the chance to get places in the third row, really close to the musicians.

The “location”, a Bavarian church in late baroque style, illuminated by soft lights and candles that made all the frescos and gold ornaments glow… , was a beautiful frame with great accustics for a mindblowing classical concert!

The choice of classical peaces was amazing. There’s so much to learn from classical orchestra music. Perfection, timing, feel, sensitivity, all the (subtle) dynamics, the coordination of all musical parts of instruments, the dedication of each musician to their instrument and the created emotions for the listener! The whole audience was listening spellbound…

We had a wonderful calm little hour and a half and were deeply touched by those great “real” musicians.

There is hope that music stays “human”! The experience of listening to music from musicians of flesh and blood is simply unbeatable!

[BarrhamianSteve]

What strikes me about your log is of course perseverance! Great work to get to the end of level 3! I’m finishing up level 2. Your blog inspires me to keep battling and keep going.

[brianlarsen]

Aw, nice update, Andrea
Try not to worry about any ‘performance pressures’. Everybody will just be so pleased to see you doing what you love to do
(and apologies if I inadvertently unsettled you with the ‘thinking machines’ )
The concert sounds absolutely gorgeous. Music in beautiful settings is magical.
I will only say this because I feel we only have goodwill and understanding towards each other, but I do have a personal problem with military representation in churches (and vice versa); and we have no shortage of that in this country. Ah, well, I’d better not travel down that path any further, as it will only end in tears…
Let me wish you a very Frohe Weihnachten and a Guten Rutsch!

[roger_holland]

Hi Steve,
Thank you for reading my LL and your nice ords to me …

You used the wrong reply button, just the one under the opening post… this happens quite often… and I am convinced that Andrea realizes this as you will read below

Greetings…

and good morning Andrea

[Helen0609]

@BarrhamianSteve Thanks Steve! Glad to read you are in your way to finish Grade 2! You’ll enjoy Grade 3, so much to discover and learn. I’m happy, if I could inspire others to stay motivated. I think, perseverance and motivation are two key factors to get better on the guitar. Stay motivated and, very important, have FUN. Wish you all the best and keep on “battling” !

@brianlarsen Brian, many thanks for the nice words! Although I played theatre when I was younger and had to speak in front of people for professional reasons, playing guitar in front of others is still… intimidating… .
I truly admire your abilities as a fearless and born performer. You are a good example how to do it .

@brianlarsen

apologies if I inadvertently unsettled you with the ‘thinking machines’

Ha, I had this in my brain a looooong time before , but my concerns about the benefit or harm of AI were rather directed into other parts of our life, music was just a side aspect.

@brianlarsen

The concert sounds absolutely gorgeous. Music in beautiful settings is magical.

I’m sure you loved it and I’m also pretty conviced you had felt the magic of the whole scenery as we did .

@brianlarsen

I will only say this because I feel we only have goodwill and understanding towards each other, but I do have a personal problem with military representation in churches (and vice versa); and we have no shortage of that in this country. Ah, well, I’d better not travel down that path any further, as it will only end in tears…

I hear you on this but be assured, it couldn’t have been less “military representation” .
But, you are right, different topic…
Ich wünsche dir und deiner Familie auch Frohe Weihnachten und ein wundervolles neues Jahr! May creativity be with you !

[Helen0609]

@roger_holland

I am convinced that Andrea realizes this as you will read below

Yes, Rogier, indeed, Andrea did !

@roger_holland

and good morning Andrea

Good morning dear Rogier! Have a nice day! I have to see to get some practice for my Silent Night… .

[MacOneill]

@Helen0609

I have to see to get some practice for my Silent Night…

ooooh silent night ? will you share it in the community christmas songs topic ?

[Helen0609]

Deborah! I’ll try to do my best !

[SteveL_G99]

Andrea, congratulations on finishing grade 3. I have just finished also after over 2 years. I wish you much fun learning grade 3 songs and other guitar adventures during consolidation. I also hope that any lingering health problem can be resolved and lead to a healthy 2025.

[CATMAN62]

Hi Andrea!

Was listening to/streaming music today & for some reason the God of Algorithms kept sending me Beatles songs…

@Helen0609

Part of this process will be to find a focus where to go next

The Beatles have got to be one of the most musically diverse bands ever… song after song & they were so different! I don’t remember specifically which songs I heard but I’m sure “Yellow Submarine”, “Norwegian Wood”, “The Long and Winding Road” and “Blackbird” were some of them. It struck me that, you don’t have to follow any single track in your musical journey… pursue Blues if that’s your desire and switch to Jazz or Swing or Country when the mood strikes! This thought made me think of you and your worries about which direction to choose… the songs and/or techniques you include in your repertoire are YOURS!
Unless you’re in a band and have to defer to others, you can play whatever you desire… it’s like a hike in the mountains, if you don’t like your current path, simply backtrack and choose a new direction on the next path… you’ll find new experiences and learn along the way! Also, with guitar, what you learn is only going to help you later!!! Take it easy & enjoy the ride!!!
Good luck with your consolidation!!!

Tod

[Boris1565]

Best of luck with everything, Andrea. Congratulations for finishing grade 3, you could explore some blues in grade 4/BLIM after you finish consolidation.

[Helen0609]

@SteveL_G99 Congrats on finishing Grade 3, Steve, I know, you are very dedicated and structured with your practice! I’m still a bit out of my focused approach, but will take it up again in January. I currently learn a few christmas songs and just play whatever comes under my fingers, whilst moving on at the fingerstrum course.
Thanks for the good wishes, I send them back to you

@CATMAN62 Aren’t those algorithms sometimes a fancy thing? Almost daily, I discover or rediscover music!
My musical taste is very broad and therefore I can’t narrow it down to certain musical direction I want to learn to play! Same with playing, there is not “one direction” I like much more than others. I have fun with everything. Sigh! If I had the time, I’d try everything out there .
I know, that I’m able to change direction whenever I want, but I guess a certain “plan” will keep me from wandering around without ever getting to somewhere .
I think I will simply follow the lessons in Grade 4, Blues knowledge and techniques will serve me well wherever I finally go.

@CATMAN62

Also, with guitar, what you learn is only going to help you later!!!

So true. Very often I learn a certain technique that helps me in a complete different context!
Thank you Tod for your encouragement, I always appreciate your nice, friendly and thoughtful comments !

@Boris1565 Thanks for reading my log Boris! You’ve come a long way with your journey in only 3 (?) years! Congrats on that! Hope you had a blast with BLIM. Must be a great course!

[Boris1565]

Thank you Andrea! Yes, 3 years very soon.
BLIM is amazing, can’t recomend it more!

[Helen0609]

December 16th, 2024

One of my good intents for 2024 was to post a few videos of my playing this year, but in the end I ended up with only two videos in March .

I’m still no performer and this rough year took all my energy, so there was nothing left to invest into recording something.

Then, our charming @roger_holland posted his new christmas thread We wish everyone a happy holiday season and I decided to give myself a kick in the … to do at least a recording of my humble attempt on “Silent Night”.

I started this on acoustic guitar but the ongoing buzzing of one of my strings was so annoying that I finally switched to electric guitar, inspired by Rogier’s electric version of “Silent Night”.

A few weeks ago, I bought myself a Fender Mustang Micro Plus, a really great piece of gear and I mucked a bit around with the given presets.
The “Swirling Echos” preset was a nice starting point to play around and create a different sounding “Silent Night” version with a few changes out of it.

Today I decided to record during my practice session, even, when it’s still a work in progress and far from perfect. I’m running out of time with my other christmas preparations and later this week, I would have had another excuse not to post …

So this is just a simple take, no cutting, no polishing (neither for the video nor for my face ). It’s just me and the best I could get out today after several sleepless nights (that’s the dark side of the full moon ) on a weak day!

Still a few days left for practice… !

JG Silent Night

[Boris1565]

You are there Andrea, a bit more practice to change chords faster, but it sounds great already.
I love the tone - the clean tone + reverb combination is perfect!

[Helen0609]

Thanks Boris! Still a week to go… !

[MacOneill]

terrific

love the sound on the electric

[beejay56]

Andrea

Well played. A very clean perdormance and the sound from your guitar is superb. Happy Christmas!

Brian

[roger_holland]

Hi Andrea,
Wow that was lovely

There are many very slow versions and with a lot of echo/ambiant(?), and this version fits very well in that list … without a little exaggeration it is a wonderful start to the day and It is nicely in my head now …

and thank you very much for your kind words.

And I actually think that this song should not only be in your ll log( yes a link) or in a Christmas thread (yes a link is oke) created by a me/community member and we sayed we liked it if…
All that hard work with this outcome deserves its own spotlight in my not so humble opinion . …what do you think I will do when/if (I have a version without a Christmas tree and a kapo on it???) We wish you a Merry Christmas" is finally good on the video after all these months of practice spread over 2 years… It’s not like you (or even I) post so much AVOYP

Shine my lady shine

I wish you and your loved ones many silent/peaceful nights

Greetings

[Helen0609]

@Boris1565 Thanks Boris for watching! I reduced speed very consciuosly due to delay/echo, but I guess, I should speed up a bit. Will try to work on this within the next days!
@MacOneill I gave it a try, I normally had taken the acoustic, but it turned out, it sounds great on electric too.
@beejay56 Thanks for the kind words, Brian! I also wish you Merry Christmas!

@roger_holland Thank you for listening and your kind words, Rogier! It makes me happy to read you had a good start into the morning with this little piece of music!

@roger_holland

All that hard work with this outcome deserves its own spotlight in my not so humble opinion . …

You are too kind . Oh yes, those “easy” fingerpicked tunes from Justin need lots of practice hours, but there is so much to learn from those and I get a lot of benefit for other things on guitar too.
I first planned to record this in a more festive athmosphere with a little more attention, but I’m still not exactely where I want to be with it, so I thought it should stay as w.i.p. for this year …

@roger_holland

after all these months of practice spread over 2 years…

good to hear, that others, like you, have to invest a lot of time into those pieces .

@roger_holland

Shine my lady shine

I’m not a born “Rampensau” (is there a word for that in English??).

Thanks for the good wishes, I’ll send some back to you !