David @BurnsRhythm
Taken me a while to respond as I have been a bit tied up on non guitar related things lately.
Justin seems to have called it right as you get to end of Grade 3 and sort of have the basics down then people then head of in different directions that interest them, as you seem to be doing.
Picking individual strings when strumming is nice technique, all I would say donāt overlook fingerstyle.
Michael
Thatās right, Michael.
Justin sets us all up through the beginners course and then lets us go off in whatever direction suits. In fact, he encourages it.
There are things in Grade3 that I know I havenāt given enough time to but they now act as a good variation to the lead stuff.
Fingerstyle or finger picking, or whatever the correct term is, is one of them. I didnāt give it enough time and practice back in G2 and totally dismissed it in G3!
I realise now that it needs some experimenting with to find a decent tone.
November 2024
GEAR UPGRADE
My first purchase included
ā¦the main event a Boss Katana Gen3 Artist
My next purchase included Justinās Blues Solos book with the big main event being thisā¦
Fender American Ultra II Stratocaster
Noble Blue
Ebony Fingerboard
This is a huge step up from my old set up and itās Mega!
The amp came first and I wasted a few practice sessions just twiddling the knobs and hearing what it can do. Or should I say, a small sample of what it can do!
Iām settling down now and starting to do a more in depth exploration from the left hand side of the panel while Iām going through my practice routine.
The amp and goodies all came from Promenade Music in Morecambe. Even though itās only about a 30 min drive to get there, I ordered it all online and their service was excellent, even ringing me to check the order and then again to see if everything had arrived safely!
If theyād had the Fender Ultra in stock, I would have payed them a visit - but they hadnāt so I didnāt.
So, the guitarā¦ā¦
I watched a few reviews and decided the Ultra II was what I wanted. I hadnāt seen one in the flesh and I hadnāt tried one but I took the plunge and ordered it from Andertons! No phone calls this time and no freebieās but they do have a loyalty points system. Again, the delivery was prompt and so I can only say the service was once again excellent.
āTry before you buyā ā¦they say. Well Iām not going to argue with it but I used some different reasoningā¦!
Itās only been here a couple of days but itās awesome. I try not to use that word but thereās no other way of putting it!
The paint work is metallic and sparkles. The pick guard is Black Adonized Aluminium which contrasts well.
And the most important partā¦.it sounds great and itās very nice to play!
Okay, must dashā¦I have toys to play with. 
ā¦.err, I mean I have jobs to do on the farm! 
David
David! Thatās all very cool! No need to add anything else 
Happy NGD! Looks great! Perfect for BLIM Class 2
Hey David!!!
This NGD post is āMojo~Rificā!!! 
I am really happy for you & I think your new Fender looks AMAZING!!! Love the Blueā¦ I Really Love that color!!! New ampā¦ wow! Thatās great to have new gear!!! It inspires a new sound to have different pickups played on a different instrument through a different amp!!!
Congratulations!!! Enjoy yourself!!!
Tod
@MAT1953
@Silvia80
@Socio
@CATMAN62
Thanks all.
Iām really pleased with my new gear. As I said, a huge step up and it inspires me to practice!
Mojo~Rific!! 
Are you on a lyric writing course, Tod? 
James,
while Iām intrigued by the BLIM course, Iām not considering it yet. I donāt have the time to commit to the intensity of it at the moment and I donāt think Iām at a high enough standard to get the most out of it. Maybe another year down the lineā¦
Iām looking forward to you and others doing an end of course review.
Hey Silvia!
Have you changed your username?
I only just noticed now. When did that happen??
Or maybe youāre an imposter! 
Will the real Silvia please stand up!
Ehā¦sheās an imposterā¦I mean my twin sister, she made a video of me and said she could play the Blues! Iām the one who can play the Blues 
Jokes apartā¦I just didnāt like the capital letters but Silvia was not available and I added the numbers.
Soā¦ā¦twin sistersā¦.both called Silviaā¦.both Silvias look like the other Silvia ā¦ā¦one Silvia can play the blues and the other Silvia canāt but thinks she canā¦.not confusing at all!
Well spotted, David. She could have changed it to Classical Blues.
Whatās in a name???
Personally, I donāt care what she calls herselfā¦ sheās still the Silvia with the sweet smile, big heart & a dedicated guitarist who we love to hear from!!!
Tod
I sometimes think I could TEACH a lyric writing course!!! So many songs that I love have parts in them that arenāt āmeāā¦ so I just change them when I sing along. Occasionally, someone hears me, jokingly tells me that I have the wrong lyric & Iāll explain this. Iām singing it that way on purpose!!! So, a lot of people are surprisedā¦ āWait, you can do that???ā 
Have you written any originals, David?
I have a few song lyrics completed but canāt seem to find the right chord progressions to make them a song. I donāt really want to share them eitherā¦ they really rather personal to me & my life experiences.
Tod
No Tod, I havenāt written any songs.
Iām not a singer and I canāt write lyrics, or poetry, or even an interesting story. Iām just not a writer.
If I tried to write lyrics theyād probably turn out clichĆ©d or cheesy and crimes it rhymes! 
Plus, I wouldnāt know what to write about.
Iāll leave all that to others and stick to playing guitar.
Now wait a minute !!!
Wellā¦it might depend on the name
