DavidP's Learning Log

skinnyt · December 22, 2023, 6:02pm

I started a few months before you but am nowhere near as advanced, maybe I don’t play enough. Given the similar time we have been playing I have been impressed with your progress. I hope you can put your medical issues behind you enough that you can spend more time with the guitar(s).

Dman74 · December 23, 2023, 4:10am

Well @DavidP , like happens alot around these here parts! You, and the many other regular community members have inspired me to get my first, well, for lack of better words “mashed” learning log in place. From beginnings to years end review. I have been a member now for a bit over a year. I will have to check when I actually joined. May be quite the write up.

P.S. - You seem to be driven to play no matter what! I believe that is a big part of keeping on playing and progressing. Obviously the meds and taking care of yourself is massive part as well! However I find motivation a very powerful tool! Here’s to many more years of playing bliss!! .

DavidP · December 23, 2023, 7:32am

@brianlarsen @jkahn @skinnyt @Dman74

Thanks guys, I do appreciate all the comments, the encouragement.

It is true that I find massive value in being an active member of the Community. I have always spent so much time in the Community that many would say that more time playing would be a better choice. And that was before being asked to join the JG team as a Mod (probably why I was asked, chicken and egg).

But after many failed attempts to learn to play from the moment I first decided I wanted to be able to play, the difference that made the difference and enabled the progress made was Justin’s Beginner Course (as it was when I started) AND the Community.

As such my desire to support and encourage others in their adventures, is a high priority, to give to others more than others have given to me. It goes well with my own sense of purpose and actualisation (as per Maslow). My happiest most fulfilling place is where I am able to contribute to another’s learning, growth, and fulfillment. I see that in my role at work, in my years in Toastmasters, and here in the JG Community.

And over time if that has slowed my own progress as a musician that’s fine. No regrets. In fact, the fact that I can call myself a musician, irrespective of my play-grade, is more than I bargained for on Dec 16th, 2016 when I picked up the guitar for one final attempt. A few original songs, collaborations, live performances (both Community OM and the local music club), lessons with Justin, contributing as a Mod … I would not have believed it had you told me I’d accomplish that when I started.

Now, as people particularly in sports like to say, I am in a difficult moment. I can’t lie and say I have been resilient and persevered, pushed through. But in my mind I have not thrown in the towel and will find the way back into action.

And all the support and encouragement from the Community is a motivator.

nzmetal · December 23, 2023, 9:21am

David, I have only seen small hints of your challenges throughout this year, but reading your update brought a lot into clarity and I commend you for your openness to share. It must have been, and I imagine still is, a difficult time. I have no wisdom to share but do send you plenty of these

On the playing front, I have thoroughly enjoyed the performances you have delivered this year and especially your original “I Love the blues…” which I have found inspiring as I baby-step into learning the genre.

Thank you for all your hard work in the community, I am sure a substantial part of why this is the great place that it is comes from your kindness and support.

Wishing you all the best for 2024

Alan_1970 · December 23, 2023, 10:43am

Hi David, congrats on your 7th anniversary of guitar playing with Justin. Enjoyed reading your LL and also your insightful and encouraging posts on the forum. Merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year. Here’s hoping you have a healthy 2024 with lots of guitar playing.

Silvia80 · December 29, 2023, 10:49am

Knock-knock …oohhh, the door is open…Hi David! I took the liberty to enter and surf through your latest update…now some of the orange links titles caught my attention more than others…but first things first!
I was glad to read you had a proper holiday and could enjoy your son’s company as well! On the other side reading about your life and health challenges made me think that I should complain less with my own and just be happy to try and do my best each day. David, the antimflamators, they are not good, my husband is abusing and paying all the consequences of that! Roots of problems must be investigated and …I know roots sometimes might be so deeply hidden or maybe too much on surface and …ok I’m going to stop this, as I have no right to intrude in such matters of yours and please take the liberty not to reply…I’m just very angry with my own husband and pills and…
Let’s get back to Music! That first playing out in public in the back of your car was really great to watch and listen, face contorsions included…can we aknowledge it out loud?!

LEARNING TO PLAY THE GUITAR TAKES EFFORT AND BEGINNERS FACES MIGHT BE SOMETIMES FUNNY!

I used to wonder about my strange and contorted expressions and ashamed of them, it took a while to understand that they’re just really natural and to embark into the journey to turn them into smiles…(now I’m cooking up something for you!)

I loved to read about your 4 keys to learning and I could relate a lot about that feeling talent lack; we’re so lucky to have Justin as a Teacher, and this faboulus Community as well, it’s so important to get and give feedback from and to others!

Your playroom looks wonderful …so many guitars! …and you have a Classical one too and an Uke too!

I just started having a look at your YouTube Channel and enjoyed very much your rendition of Knocking on Heavens Door and the joy of playing that shone through… now here Time is Boss and I have to go but, not before telling you that again, reading the YT Channel description I once more could relate so much to your story.

Your guitar journey is very inspirational David! Keep on rocking and rolling my friend!

TheMadman_tobyjenner · December 29, 2023, 4:36pm

Missed this additional update Mr P. All I can say is regular bod or mod, you’ve always been 100% committed to supporting and encouraging others, since you rocked up all those years ado and its been my pleasure to share the ride with you. I am sure you will find a way back, even if it takes some more baby steps. Don’t forget it ain’t a sprint man, it ain’t a sprint.

Wishing you good health and musical prosperity as we head for another New Year.

DavidP · January 2, 2024, 1:48pm

Apologies @nzmetal @Alan_1970 @Silvia80 @TheMadman_tobyjenner I’ve been catching up on the unread posts and a tad tardy in responding to your replies.

Thanks all for the good wishes. I’ve been playing around with the electric, trying to tap the muse for some inspiration for the song in progress.

I can’t say my fingers and hand are 100% but ok enough to play without pain.

Silvia, no apologies needed. I like to hear people’s thoughts on all topics (other than those that violate our Community Etiquette). I totally agree on the side-effects of those anti-imflammatories. I’m trying a natural remedy that I hope may help.

The classical guitar, uke, and bass are actually my wife’s instruments. These days her love is woodwork, metalwork, and making things. But on those rare moments when she picks up an instrument, she naturally plays songs better than I do, sings better than I do but ability and interest aren’t always related. So I only have four guitars, which I will claim to be totally justifiable based on the differences between each instrument

adi_mrok · January 19, 2024, 5:38pm

Hi David bit late to the celebration of your anniversary, but just wanted to say well done and definitely bar was lifted this year! Shame your health stands on the way of further progress, but hopefully when new meds will kick in you’ll become your old self again health wise! All the best

DavidP · January 20, 2024, 6:40am

@adi_mrok Thanks for stopping by, Adrian. I guess we all face our challenges, ups and downs. Things are moving ever so slowly in the right direction.

SteveL_G99 · May 6, 2024, 7:19pm

Hi David, I was starting to listen to your learning log and see a little of your guitar journey. I listened to your first public performance which was actually good for an unrehearsed first performance. I was wonder whether this guitar was an addition to your guitar collection or borrowed. I guess you wouldn’t take your Celebrity out to leave in public and exposed to the elements. Oh - I saw the answer in your post #9, it was a Fender Paramount PM-1 Deluxe acquired during “a severe attack of GAS”.

SteveL_G99 · May 6, 2024, 7:49pm

Hi David, I listened to these 2 recordings from your Dec 2021 reposted Road Case story of your first DAW recordings for the Forum competition. I was learning from the BC course about that time but was not on the forum and missed out on the fun. I never heard about the competitions. As a singer, the only thing that I noticed, especially on I Walk the Line was that your singing sometime got off rhythm from your guitar playing and you had to sing the lyrics a little faster to catch up. I guess that is the problem with overdubbing.

But even back then, you were still ahead of where I am now with recording. I purchased my Focusrite DAW a year ago and it is now in a cabinet and I still am recording from my phone. Your example will shame me into action and get me to set up my DAW and R0DE microphone.

DavidP · May 7, 2024, 2:54pm

Thanks @SteveL_G99 I appreciate your comments. And if my efforts serve in anyway as encouragement then I shall be delighted.

DavidP · December 16, 2024, 9:48am

#30 8th JGversary

Here we are again, Dec 16th, to remember the day I started my musical odyssey with JustinGuitar back in 2016. To celebrate, to reflect, per chance to dream (apologies to Shakespeare).

Not too much to celebrate. A year ago I was reflecting on the state of my health, the gout that had become severe, the treatment prescribed and all the associated side effects.

That really dominates 2024, as I continued with the treatment that slowly slowly worked, easing the gout pain, and as months passed by, I recovered some flexibility in the fingers. The side effects continued unabated.

In Feb I had by usual annual battery of health checks which revealed my kidney function had deteriorated significantly. The GP sent me off to a dietician. I couldn’t believe it was really diet related as that hadn’t changed, but hey ho.

Cut that long story short, I made significant changes to my diet, and when we re-checked kidneys were far more healthy as were other markers. Cause and effect is always a tricky thing. Was it the diet? Or maybe just the slow reduction in consumption of anti-imflammatories as the gout side-effects eased. The silved lining in that dark cloud was I lost weight, and now weigh pretty much what I did when I left high school.

And somewhere in the third quarter I found myself just worn out. Something I’ve never experienced before. Just felt totally flat . . . physically, emotionally, mentally. I guess it was the combined effects of all that began early in 2022 when I received the heart valve diagnosis, the ops that followed, recovery, gout, side-effects, kidneys, diet and on top of that work dynamics changed. For the better yes, but just lots more pressure and action.

I took a week off which helped turn the corner, and things got better through the latter part of the year, though always had one eye on a long break from work. My last day of work was ironically Fri 13th (which turned out to be one of those as the work day ended with my son getting rear-ended on the highway. Luckily he is OK. Now just the hassles of car repair).

What a tale of woe.

Highlights.

Well there were two original songs released: Your Good Life and Lost Lover’s Lament

I discovered the joys of AI Art Gen in creating slideshow for those songs. That became a place of solace. It is lots of fun and requires limited physical or mental effort to play around with image creation. While I have always said, learning guitar is not work, it is demanding, requires energy, and that has been depleted. So practice in the last few months has been a bit up and down.

On the upside, I decided to sign up for some OMs. That was a good call as the need to practice helped give me the necessary ‘kick up the . . .’ to practice, at least practice playing songs.

And the highlight of that was actually learning a new song (Neil Young’s Powderfinger). I tried to throw in a few little extra licks and riffs which went reasonably well. I was also pretty chuffed to be able to play and sing What’s Up from memory, a song that I always found tricky to phrase in a few places.

A further consequence of this has been far less activity from me in the Community. I’ve tried to keep an eye, but after a full day’s work, more time reading and replying was often just too much.

Where to now, well I feel my health is moving in a good direction and I have time for a good break and re-charge now.

I have no intention of walking away, I do enjoy playing and singing too much, even if I suspect I shall never be much more than an advanced beginner when it comes to guitar ability, and at least my singing is now not as wooden and poorly pitched as it was in 2017 when I began inflicting my recordings on an unsuspecting Forum.

I have at least one original song idea percolating in the deeper recesses.

So here we are, 8 years down the road, still able to reflect on a few accomplishments in this year that are way beyond my wildest dreams on Dec 16th, 2016 and that has to count for something.

Finally, a from-the-heart ‘thank you’ for all the encouragement, inquiries, expressions of care from so many of you over this year. It truly touches my heart.

My Music

My YouTube Channel | SoundCloud Years Archive

Gear

Learning Log Chapters

#29 7th JGversary
#28 6th JGversary
#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

Jozsef · December 16, 2024, 9:57am

I’m not a very regular reader of LLs so I’ve just caught up with your latest posts. I’m glad that your health is improving and you still keep an eye on us Music can indeed lift our spirits in the worst of times. I wish you a lot of happiness with your loved ones and success with making music and becoming an even more advanced beginner.

Richard_close2u · December 16, 2024, 9:57am

David - your updates are always thorough and honest. You’ve been through the proverbial wringer over the last year or two. I hope you do enjoy the rest and relaxation of an extended festive break and enter 2025 with a little bit of extra zip in your step and musical inspiration in your soul.
Season’s greetings my friend.

sclay · December 16, 2024, 10:14am

Hello David,

Thanks for sharing your year with us mate, and Happy 8th Anniversary. You know what I think of you.

Its truly has been a crap year for you healthwise. Let’s hope your hard work here, and the law of averages, kicks in for you next year.

I’ve enjoyed your musical offerings this year, as I always do; and am sure you will better positioned next year to kick on with plenty more.

You warmly welcomed me here just over 4 years ago, when I knew a handful of chords and the first 3 frets; and you’ve been a very valued and cherished friend ever since.

Enjoy your well earned break my friend, and have an enjoyable festive season.

Cheers, Shane

MAT1953 · December 16, 2024, 10:33am

David @DavidP

A comprehensive update as usual and glad to hear that your health is moving in the right direction.

I hadn’t really noticed a lesser involvement in the community but I appreciate your input and feedback you give to me and others.

All the best for 2025.

Michael

TheMadman_tobyjenner · December 16, 2024, 10:47am

Man is it 8 years since you rocked up at the old place ? Don’t time fly !

Certainly been a few up and down years for you health wise but it was great to see you active at the OMs and easing your way back into things and finding new material as well !

As for most things in life, just take your time and work at you own pace. Thus proven by your accomplishments this year despite the set backs.

Looking forward to see what the old Advance Beginner gets up to in 2025. I am sure you will continue to amuse and entertain us !

Have a good un.

roger_holland · December 16, 2024, 11:07am

Hi David,
What a story again… you probably remember my story a bit, I think… 2 different medications for gout failed to control it in 10 years after decades of pain and not eating very well (sugar, carbonated drinks, beer, wine). cookie here cookie there) …and suddenly things went downhill very quickly for me… A changing diet has completely cured me of all my chronic diseases…and the gout came out of my fingers with gout tophi… …O sorry , a summary for something that come too long … nutrition can suddenly go wrong in many cases and then work wonders in some cases.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that things will now be reversed and keep going in the good direction

8 years pfff ,man that is a long time and you did some nice things this year with the video and music stuff I only can dream of

I wish you a fantastic year with further recovery and guitar close to you…

Greetings