Good write up Craig and something to “measure” yourself by going forward.
The combination of retirement and Justin’s website seems to be a winning combination, for those start stoppers or folks who are trying to rekindle a lost youth.
Looks like you have lots of goodies to keep you occupied and a nice organised space to practice in. So no excuses I guess, crack on and let us know how it goes now and then.
Craig
Great write up and honest assessment of where you are and been. Writing a LL is a good way to do this.
You seemed to have delved into areas beyond the Grade you are at and if that keeps you motivated then I don’t see anything wrong with that.
Keep at it
Michael
Hi Craig, I’m happy to see you’ve started your LL as this is an amazing tool for our learning. I see from your first entry that you’ve been tidying up your thoughts about your journey as well as your music room which looks just gorgeous! I much enjoyed your rendition of Knocking on heaven’s door. I wish you the log and how you work on it, as well as our feedback will help you to direct your practice and enhance it. You’re doing great so far!
Craig, thanks for starting your Learning Log otherwise I would probably never have listened to your AVOYPs 
I understand so well how easily it is to spend a lot of time in the Grade 1 consolidation phase … 
Looking forward to following your LL and of course already curious about your approaching NGD…
Hi Craig
Have fun when looking for a guitar (unless you have already made the choice, in which case it would be descent to wait a few hours of playing with the new one until looking further 
) …
I think choosing a guitar is one of the most fun things a musician can experience (live playing is first) 
Greetings
Thanks Helen, 
There well could be hey? 
Yes sure does Toby thanks we’ll see how we go through the next 6 months
Thanks Michael, a little bit for sure with things like chords that I have needed for some songs. Hopefully it will make some other sections later a little easier.
Thanks Silvia, thanks for listening. As time goes by I hope to play these again with improved techniques too.
Well thanks for checking them out Nicole I appreciate it
Hahaha, terrifying Rogier. I really hope that one day I will play well and confidently enough to play live in front of people, it’s a work in progress mate
Welcome to the learning log club Craig! 
I’m glad that the desire to write one struck you. I enjoy your writing style. I see the learning logs as a bit of a public diary and yours reads like one.
I think I’ve made the comment before that I think your playing is well beyond grade 1. You’ll find plenty of power chords, barres and 7 chords in grades 2 & 3. Hustle on with the lessons, catch them up to your skill 
.
I’m also working on this one. Are you doing the picking through the verses? Because that is definitely not easy!
I also think it’s just Bm in the chorus, not Bm7?
Thanks JK,
I appreciate your comments, I know you are pretty up front so appreciate your feedback.
I’m certainly looking forward to mastering some techniques that will expand my horizons 
so am trying to pick up momentum in the modules.
It’s, such a great song with great lyrics and a beautiful sounding melody. I’m definitely not up to the picking stage yet mate so will be happy to run with a rhythm version for now and expand into picking later. I have looked at maybe a bassline pick/strum type method but we’ll see I think a standard version with be challenging enough especially singing in this key 
Interesting point about the chord, I haven’t looked closely at original videos but what I’ve see listed for the chorus is mostly a Bm7 or even a Bsus2 with The Who versions and Bm7 with most Limp Bizkit versions. Tomorrow I’ll have to trial them all, I see Justin uses Bm and also a few other small different embellishments.
I’ll be looking forward to seeing your version 
maybe a vocal colab
Hi and a warm Welcome to my learning log update
Well, my intention was to update my LL a little more often than this but in the blink of an eye there goes 5 months 
.
In fairness, I have been trying to upload a song for quite some weeks, but we’ll get back to that.
Starting off, back in march(ish) if you didn’t see it on the NGD post, I finally splashed out for a new Taylor 214CE-K
I’ve been very happy, and absolutely love the sound. I wish they had a different pickup than the Piezo but it’s not the end of the world. The Piezo sounds fine live through my Katana, I just seem to notice the typical Piezo noise more when recording through a DAW and I am still playing around with some Piezo adjustment to minimise it. However, loving playing it and loving the overall sound and feel.
So getting back to posting songs…
I have been a little ‘off piste’ with my learning lately. I gravitated away from following the practical course lessons somewhat into learning more songs and expanding the Campfire Songbook I think a the words of a very wise man (mmmmm that’s the line from a Heartland song I’ll add that to my list), learn songs, learn songs, learn songs.
It certainly hasn’t been wasted time. During the Songbook Expansion (we’re up to 19 I think but some are early days WIP), I have used them to experiment with embellishments, different strumming patterns and techniques etc etc, and it’s been good and I feel there is some progress, albeit lots of work and little progress however progress all the same, and more importantly I am having fun with them .
One of the holdups I have had is that I have been well and truly down a huge rabbit hole 
to do with recorded sound. Not only is there so many different ways to put vocal and acoustic guitar down as a track but even then it’s all subjective and depends on each listener and what they are listening on.
I have experimented with literally loads of settings on the Katana including patches from online and also with Tone Studio, everything from basic EQ settings to more Fx stuff like Reverb, Echo, Delay, Virtual Mic Placement and the list goes on.
If that’s not bad enough I’ve done the same in Reaper, different settings EQ, Reverb, Slapback Delay, Chorus etc etc etc 
I think it has become a little like tasting different wines, eventually you just lose your ability to taste properly. And so finding the elusive Golden Duck of sound is still a WIP…
So, to update things:
Current Study:
JG Beginner Grade 2 Mod9 (Yes, I know how slow I am 
I did say I’d been off piste)
Practical Music Theory Grade 4, still. However there have been some really good light-bulb moments from my time here. Finally getting notes in a key and key signatures worked out in my head instead of reaching for pen a paper every time.
Current Guitar Work:
In my first LL I identified that I felt limited because of my lack of barre chords expertise. I’ve been working on this and there is good improvements. I now have a songbook track that features F#m that I can nail about 90% of the time. F and Bm are not a problem to play but I’m still working on getting to them quickly from other chords.
Strumming:
This is improving. I feel more comfortable now and mostly let the feel of the song dictate the strumming. I have been trying to add songs that stretch my strumming pattern knowledge and also some that actually are much more relatable with a certain pattern most of the way through.
A recent update as to start using Songbook Pro (thanks to everyone that spoke about it on here). I was using paper copies in a folder and scanned onto my phone for remote use but since upgrading them to Songbook Pro it’s been like a breath of fresh air, especially with the auto scroll etc . Great app.
Picking:
I’ve been experimenting with picking both with picks and finger-style. I have to say using a pick is damned hard as I find it hard to locate the correct string with the pick (almost like I can’t tell where the the pick is in relation to the correct string).
Fingerstyle seems a little easier so I have persisted with this and it’s a WIP. Don’t Let The Old Man In was something I used to trial fingerpicking.
Songbook:
Just Another Moment On Your Own – Redgum (AVOYP)
Mad World – Gary Jules (AVOYP)
Heroes – David Bowie (AVOYP)
Knocking On Heavens Door – Bob Dylan (AVOYP)
Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd (AVOYP)
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
Leaving On A Jet Plane – John Denver
I Was Only Joking – Rod Stewart (I really enjoy the progression in this A, Amaj7, A7. Its a good song to practice stuck finger type chords)
Broken Halos - Chris Stapleton https://youtu.be/6wmeHUtub1Y (Picked this one as practice for a more set strum pattern than my usual “feel the rhythm” approach)
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
Don’t Let The Old Man In - Toby Keith https://youtu.be/94nA3uWyts8 (My first venture into finger picking a song, not sure where the pattern came from it just sounded like it fitted. Happy for any feedback on that)
Every Rose Has Its Thorn - Poison (stuck finger practice and following a set pattern but this has been challenging)
Good Riddance Time Of Your Life - Green Day https://youtu.be/NXkYDuymOIg (More up tempo, fun to play and sing and more valuable rhythm)
Green Green Grass Of Home - Johhny Cash (Picked this as I wanted to try a more country feel pattern/rhythm)
I Was Only Nineteen - Redgum (Great song to perform and picked to work on Barre chords, in this case F#m).
Let Her Go - Passenger (Just a great song, again just trying to challenge myself with songs that are deceptively tricky, nice for trying accented strums)
Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffett https://youtu.be/lnGsGu810aM (Definately a fun song, and picked to again challenge holding a fairly set rhythm/pattern. Still working on the automation for these types of patterns)
Rocket Man - Elton John (AVOYP) Rocket Man - Elton John AKA Dinga (One of many great EJ/BT tracks. Great to perform and fairly easy with opportunity to try some embellishments etc)
I’m sure I said these would be short updates
If you’ve made it this far… you’re a hero
Craig @CD02
Interesting update and I am just going to pick up on a few points.
Nice guitar
Another convert to SongbookPro, welcome aboard
I have been down the EQ rabbit hole but recently come up for a breather as like you I wasn’t sure I was getting anywhere and like you got to the point of not knowing what was good or bad.
Personally I don’t think spending some time away from working through the course to learn songs is a bad thing, as you say somebody said “learn songs learn songs ……” However don’t neglect the course.
Michael
Hi Michael,
Thanks for reading my ramblings of a madman. I’d be interested in any pearls of wisdom you find during your EQ/Fx journey, it’s something I will continue to play with until I can confidently make a call for each song.
Very cool update, Craig
I think this is all well spent time. It may not feel like you’re making progress (I mostly feel the same with my journey on this 
) but I think it helps to train your ear, and slowly but surely it improves. I’ve certainly noticed being more discerning of my tone recently and taking time to tweak it to my (key point) preference. Whereas in the past, I’d just go with the default preset. My previous thought was I should be spending my time on practicing not messing around with tone, well at least not until I improved… however I now think learning how to dial in a good tone is just as important. When I do find a tone I like, I typically play for much, much longer than I anticipated, so win win I guess 
I know you know this, but sometimes it helps having it mentioned again… this is just practice. Time spent with a pick in hand. Keep using it and you’ll become unconsciously aware of where the pick is in relation to the strings and start hitting them without thinking about it (almost ) everytime I feel the same way about fingerstyle. I don’t practice it, so I (really!) suck at it 
, but I guess we have focus on our primary objectives, so if playing with a pick is important, then I guess do it more, otherwise… don’t worry about it!
Enjoyed the vids, keep 'em coming! 
Take care mate!
Thanks for the comments Jeff. Yes, I’m hoping it will all pay off in the end. I’m enjoying the journey anyway. It has also led me to look into things like the Nux Optima Air so it all adds to the learning I guess.
Cheers, I can remember a time not too long ago when I was very uncomfortable using a pick and strummed using my fingers but now the first things I reach for is a pick 
Fingerstyle I seem to (mostly) know where the strings are and feel comfortable picking them but with a pick I’ll stick with it as it’s a technique I want under my belt
Thanks for the feedback Bud, take it easy hoping to bring something more Rocky or even Metal in the future
Greetings and Happy New Year to all of you,
I had it in my mind that I would post an end of year LL update as it feels important to do so ready for the year of learning ahead.
I dare say that this will probably (much to any readers relief) be shorter than previous updates 
So, to the positives and leading off from the previous update:
There has been some experimenting with Katana Patches for my recorded sound in an effort to have my recorded sound via the pickup as close to the natural sound as possible, and at this stage I’ve been happy with the outcome. It’s also been good finding some different settings and saving them to the Katana presets
Of course, the big news was my debut on the OM27 night in November. I had been looking at doing this for a while but the 3am timeslot put me off a bit however with OM27 being run at a sociable hour it was a good opportunity.
It was a good experience and although hugely nervous, I enjoyed it so will be returning for future OMs
Good progress has been made on the nerves side of things too in the latter part of this year. We spend a fair amount of time overseas where there are plenty of live acoustic artists playing and I have spent some time singing with one of them in a bar/restaurant, he has been very helpful and encouraging so I do feel better about being in front of people these days (to a point )
Current Study:
Well, this is where the frustration begins There has not been much progress through either course (JG Beg Grade 2 or PMT Grade 4) plenty of good time has been spent going back and revising and completing worksheets etc but at the moment I have just hit a wall around the whole Scales and Triads thing not to mention trying to learn the notes on the neck 
and I feel that this may be a major hold point.
This coming year I will need to find a way to quickly and efficiently move past this to enable progress to continue.
Current Guitar Work:
The Barre chord work is progressing really well, it’s a positive for this year because Q1 & 2 I felt held back by not being able to effectively play the Barre chords but that has turned a corner and F Bm F#m etc are all working quite well, although still being perfected.
Fingerstyle is also progressing well. There is a lot of work ahead, but I have been enjoying picking a basic fingerstyle pattern through songs that were previously strummed.
Songbook:
Latter part of the year I’ve been working on these additions
American Pie - Don McLean (Mostly because it offers some challenges in playing style but also because it’s a really fun song to both play and sing with plenty of style changes and embellishments)
Built To Last - Heatland (Great lyrics and even in the simplified version very challenging for me with some quick changes involving Bm)
Candle In The Wind - Elton John (Just a classic I thought I’d have a go at after trying Rocket Man. There are some great lyrics from earlier Bernie Taupin stuff but they are a bit to challenging at this stage)
Fire And Rain - James Taylor (Enough said, just a great song to work on expression both vocally and with the guitar)
Four Strong Winds - Neil Young (As above really, just great songwriting IMO lovely melody and beautiful to play and sing).
Green Green Grass Of Home - Johnny Cash (Picked this for the strumming pattern really, it’s good for me to work on maintaining the pattern through the changes and lyrics)
Heaven - Bryan Adams (Classic with some challenges if playing with the G/B, F/E etc just to be able to be exposed to playing those chord variations)
Last Christmas - Wham (LOL not in time for this xmas but maybe next LOL)
Radioactive - Imagine Dragons (As played on my OM debut but still a work in progress. Love the dynamics of this song)
Streets Of London - Ralph McTell (Probably the song that resonated with me way back in my childhood and sparked my interest in guitar. Have always wanted to be able to perform this and it just works for me having grown up in my earlier year in and around London. Has a great sounding Chorus that steps through C C/B Am D hangs on the D then G G7)
Somewhere Only We Know - Keane (Great song good for the F practice too (depending on how you play it of course)
The Diamantina Drover - Redgum (Almost the same feeling for me as an Australian version of Streets Of London. Just something that again is good chord change practice inlcluding F as the chorus has a quick change start)
Whats Up - Non Blondes (Thank you David for reminding me of this song. Fun to play)
Looking Ahead:
Whilst playing and singing songs brings great joy, the aim here is to learn to play better guitar and improve techniques, in 2025 this is something I will be concentrating on so that I can add better techniques to the existing songbook. I will also be picking up a Digitech Trio + in the next few days and am looking forward to adding another dimension to playing as well as it hopefully being a learning aid.
The music room did get re-arranged late this year for a better layout and I have now started using DaVinci Resolve for my videos but that’s a whole different story
Sorry, I did say shorter
Happy New Year All. Enjoy your Guitar and Thanks for Reading.
Great update Craig. Congrats on another year of guitar.
You’ve made a lot of progress and performed at an OM!
Reading through your update, good work on learning a bunch of songs. I noticed in the courses you’re in grade 2 of the guitar course, and grade 4 of PMT. I’d suggest at this point you’d get more mileage from grades 2 and 3 of the guitar course than grade 4 of PMT. At least from what I’ve experienced so far.
Good to see you kicking around mate, IMHO you’re one of the interesting personalities on the community that I follow .
A nice read and a good year Craig, all the best for 2025 !
Enjoyable read and great update, Craig. No need to apologize! 
Congrats on your guitar achievements in 2024 with the OM-appearance as one of the biggest milestones IMHO. Glad to read you plan on doing it again. 
Your songbook additions contain lots of great tunes I love, too! It’s a great mixture between all time classics and more modern pop songs.
All the best for 2025! 
Hi JK, happy new year mate. Thanks for your thought on my place in the modules, duly noted and perhaps the focus will get me through the frustrating period I’ve been in
I’ve been called a lot of things in my years most of which I couldn’t repeat here so I’ll take that thanks
Thanks @TheMadman_tobyjenner and @Lisa_S for stopping by. It’ll be interesting to look back this time next year 
Glad you were able to keep it tight, Craig 
Hope you have a smashing year
It’s a smart, fun piece of kit with magic inside, but you still have to learn how to say the spells properly. Happy to do a Zoom call if you run into problems or don’t want to reinvent the wheel from scratch
Thanks Brian, hope the festive season brought you fun laughs and plenty of spirit 
Might take you up on that, I’m picking it up tomorrow, it’s a used unit from our music store. Happy to catch up and have a yarn on it anyway, I’ll make sure I have 
to toast the new year
