DavidP's Learning Log

DavidP · December 16, 2022, 2:03pm

#28 6th JGversary

7 months or so since the last update, which I suppose is still better than being like Santa and coming to update my Log once a year on my JGversary And it seems a matter of course to say ‘what a year it has been’ but this was quite a year.

The year began with the move to the new Community Platform. While there was a learning curve to master, and a few hiccups along the way, overall I think the new Platform has enhanced my experience. Being integrated with the JG website led to many more folk becoming active in the Community. It sure is busier, and I can’t read every single post as I used to, but meeting so many more folk, making so many new friends, makes it a winner in my book. And just as I had begun to settle down in the new Community, I was surprised and honoured to be invited to join the Team as a third Community Moderator.

A year ago I posted up a project based on the Beginner Blues Study from Grade 2. That inspired me to take a look at the first lessons in the Blues Lead course. I documented my progress, with observations and some practice videos in a ‘What Are You Learning?’ Topic: Bending and a lick or two

With a couple of other folk also catching the bug, we eventually created three new lead-related Guitar Challenges: Guitar Challenge (Improv) - Layla style Backing Tracks, Guitar Challenge (Improv) - Layla style Backing Tracks, and Guitar Challenge (Improv) - 3, 2, 1 improvisations

At the same time I continued to work on my camp-fire repertoire, those songs I can play and sing from memory. As the restrictions imposed by Corona began to ease, the local TJs Open Mic Night was resumed. The time I invested in singing (described in the previous chapter) paid off, and I felt I had stepped up a level. But no sooner was I back into it than I contracted Covid, which put an end to singing and Open MIcs for a while.

Around about that time I also, by chance, visited a cardiologist for a general check-up. Cut a long story short, a few months later I found myself in hospital for a heart valve replacement operation. The operation went well, was a total success, and I am blessed to be able to look forward to life in restored good health (not that I’d known I was not in good health). That too disrupted my progress.

Through the year I’d begun to become more aware of the weight of my electric guitar, how uncomfortable it was to play for long (for me) periods of time. The GAS began to bubble and I ultimately sold the trusty Epiphone LP, the guitar known as Vincent Blue Beast here in the Community, and acquired a PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow. It is a fabulous instrument to play, sounds great and looks gorgeous (even if I say so myself). You’ll find pictures here: Finally overcome by GAS pressure

I also received a Ditto looper, a generous gift from @SS7 and had been using guitar controls (pickup selector, tone, and volume) to get distinct rhythm and lead tones for noodling over a loop, what I call loodling. But in a GAS aftershock, I decided the time was right for an overdrive pedal. After much research I opted for a Caline Pure Sky and have not been disappointed: GAS aftershock

As you can see, it has been quite a year. I feel that my ability to perform live has improved in this year, largely due to the previous year spent doing the Discover Your Voice singing course but also just through continued practice and performing at Open Mics, bith TJs in person and in the Community OM. Lead development progressed at my usual pace … tortoise pace, but I feel I’ve also made reasonable progress. The 3-2-1 exercise being a particularly effective exercise.

I often feel I should be a better player given the number of years but must also be honest with myself in terms of the time I spend actually learning and practising versus rehearsing the camp-fire repertoire or noodling over a BT on the looper. My play-grade is the play-grade I deserve.

And that is fine. I am not learning with any expectation to become a semi-pro musician. It is a hobby, an activity that I enjoy, plus a social activity, albeit with friends in the cyber world of this Community, so all is well and as I like it.

That’s it, up to date for (most likely) another year. I shall continue to trip lightly down the lead path and learn a few more simple songs for the repertoire plus perhaps a few more blues studies, who knows what will take my fancy.

Till the next chapter, take care, be well, and keep on keeping on!

My Music

My YouTube Channel | SoundCloud Years Archive

Gear

Learning Log Chapters

#27 Discover Your Voice
#26 5th JGVersary
#25 The three types of songs
#24 Biennial (The SoundCloud Years)
#23 About the 3Ps: Practicing Playing Performing
#22 Funny how it goes, just going as it flows
#21 My 4th JGversary
#20 5000th Forum post and 4 keys to learning
#19 My 3rd JGversary
#18 First Open Mic and setting up the Playroom
#17 My 2nd JGversary
#16 First live performance
#15 First two originals and winning the Forum Contest
#14 18 month update
#13 My 1st JGversary
#12 Going beyond my dreams
#11 September songs and success
#10 RC up to date, 8.5 month reflection
#9 A severe attack of GAS
#8 It’s not a linear journey
#7 Consolidation, Forum Contest, and BC Stage 4
#6 The onset of GAS
#5 Joining the Community and my first recording
#4 First time playing in public
#3 Beginning Justin’s BC
#2 Starting the guitar adventure
#1 Discovering a love of music