Wow, Luka, that is quite an effort. It has been a wonderful adventure, so much learning and enjoyment and given me more than just the music as you picked up. As for GAS, who knows 
Hi David ,
Just started reading actually, came here āaccidentallyā, I wanted to point you to ā¦the blues lick heavenā¦56 blues licksā¦which I had forgotten for a while, and I thought that you are also sticking your fingers in it,ā¦although I canāt imagine that you were not aware of thisā¦but donāt bathe it donāt harm it,ā¦ Iāll read you later, very nice to read. But Iām still working on another piece of work ā¦ Brianās 8mm library / video library ā¦ nice and easy to watch movies (okay, and explanation text),
So probably completely unnecessary,ā¦ but have fun with this now or much later
Rogier, thanks for the link, Iād not seen that before or if I had, have forgotten. Maybe next year I might be ready to learn a lick a week. Right now, just learning to bend and add vibrato is keeping me busy. @brianlarsenās home movies are great, Iāve enjoyed a glimpse into another part of the world through them plus always cool souondtracks.
Next year??,ā¦less community and more guitar playing sir, or should you keep an eye on us, itās busy here.
Sure, but heās got enough feathers stuck up his ass now (is a neat dutch expression, i hope in english too)ā¦so Sssus, don`t mention his name.
Greetings,and a lot of fun bending, and be careful of your strings.
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You have a point, but I do enjoy and value the Community. Plus I think I naturally learn things slowly. Luckily Iām OK with my tortoise-paced progress.
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Another worthy update and this really is one where you need to reference the older songs you recorded compared to the new. I seem to remember phrasing was a particular problem you used to have (the actual singing was pretty much okay except in terms of range) and yet I donāt notice that at all now. I think singing is for many people almost as tricky as playing the guitar. I see lots of people struggle and yet not many people look for solutions. Bravo to your for going out and finding it.
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Thanks Jason. For sure phrasing and rhythm was ā¦ is ā¦ a challenge for me. I still find it tricky but am much better for the time spent in the singing course.
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Well David, I finally got to the end. Bit by bit. Youāve been on an incredible journey and look set to keep on keeping on. Great read.
Now I know whatās behind the help that you give us all. Cheers.
Keep onā¦ā¦you know the rest
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Thanks David. Good vibes and a medal of honour for getting through my LL that has assumed novel length, something like Robert Jordanās Wheel of Time series 
We all keep on, living the dream!
Hi David, what an epic read. Kept coming back throughout the day today to continue the story of your journey. What an interesting ride, and man, looking back at all those recordings - prolific.
Thanks for all you do around the forums.
Goodness me, JK, I admire your perseverance reading the entire thing. After 5 years it certainly has become an epic.
So many twists and turns, so much that I never imagined when I started that first lesson. But so much happiness and fulfillment.
And the Community is such a huge part of my experience, so continuing to contribute is all part of my musical life.
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A great read, provides good insight about persevering and enjoying the learning journey for what it is, these learning logs are very valuable windows into your approach. They are inspiring, and I have dipped into some of the recordings through your evolution as an artist. Thanks for the encouragement for others that you have shown throughout this journey.
David, I love your story! So well-written. And bravo on the āfirst time playing in publicā video. You are goals!
@zys
Thanks, Z, appreciate you taking time out to both read and the lovely feedback. I truly believe that the message of my story is that if you take it slow and steady you will learn to play and achieve more than you imagine is possible.
Iāve followed your progress (look forward to the newly uploaded videos) and you are on that never-ending path to mastery. Now enjoy the process, it really is about the journey rather than any specific destination along the way, though each milestone is a moment to savour.
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Well said sir and good advice. You are the epitome of slow and steady wins the day.
You know my views well on those that wish to sprint but run off never to be seen again. I donāt seem to have repeated my own old marathon mantra on these new pages but you set a fine example.
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#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 āwhat a year it has beenā 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 canāt 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 āWhat Are You Learning?ā 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 Iād known I was not in good health). That too disrupted my progress.
Through the year Iād 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). Youāll 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 ā¦ tortoise pace, but I feel Iāve 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.
Thatās 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
Guitars: Fender Paramount PM-1 Deluxe | Honer Resonator | PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow | Celebrity CC67 (Nashville strung)
Amp: Blackstar ID15:TVP
Pedals: TC Helicon Play Acoustic | TC Electronics Ditto Looper | Caline Pure Sky Overdrive
Mics: Samson CO3 | AKG D5 | Shure 545SD Unidyne III
AI: Focusrite Scarlet 2i2
Software Tools: Reaper | Guitar Pro
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 Itās 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 Justinās BC
#2 Starting the guitar adventure
#1 Discovering a love of music
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Congratulations on reaching that milestone. You have made a lot of progress over those six years. Your learning log updates may be sparse but when they do come around they are a wonderful read and highlight the progress and achievements that you have made. Iāve only been involved in the community since moving to the new community website but it is clear to see that you are an irreplaceable member of this community who goes above and beyond to welcome newcomers and provide support and advice to the other members. I look forward to following your progress on your 7th year with JG and wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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Hi david,ā¦
What a year indeed for you,ā¦a super good year thanks to a general check-up ,ā¦and a good summary of the past year,ā¦Wish you a great new 7 months 
Greetings,ā¦
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Hi David congratz on yet another successful anniversary! Your journey is full of twists and bends 
and I sure hope it will stay that way for many more years to come!
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