I followed the advice to start an audio-/video recording of myself (first time ever). Besides the (expected) awkward experience of hearing my own voice from a speaker, I had to realize that it’s much harder to focus and stay calm when thinking of uploading the video and having a lot of people listening to it… So pulse was high and specially when the song was close to an end, I got another adrenalin push and I messed up some things → be gentle ;).
Besides, I have to say that I don’t possess any recording equipment yet, so it’s just a video from my mobile set to the table (–> strange angle/position/volume mix). Also, I use the capo/tuning quite freely to get the songs to my voices pitch (this will also be true for future recordings, if I dare to upload more). So it’s not a 1 to 1 copy of the original tune.
But, I am proud to finally have made it close to my expectations, so here it is:
Jason Isbell and the 400 “If we were Vampires”:
Jose Gonzalez: “Heartbeats”:
Thanks for listening and sharing your videos!
Best
Kumar
Oh yes, what a magnificent first entry to AVOYP.
Your voice and fingers blend really well together and you bring a mellow, hypnotic groove to the songs. Bravo.
Hey that was a great introduction, well done on the Heartbeats I know for a fact it takes a while to get it under your fingers you played it really well, although I do think as part of your progress you can implement some more embellishments which were missing here and there comparing to original which you probably know of but for now it was great, keep at it!
Hi @adi_mrok, thanks for the comment and hint . You’re totally right regarding the embellishments, that’s something for me to work on (still a bit out of my league while playing and singing a harder finger style song).
Hi Ulrich,
Congratulations on your first video…and what a one …Good to see and hear that you are no beginner …I wish you lots of fun on your further guitar journey,
Greetings,Rogier
Heartbeats is such a great song and you really did a good version of it; what tuning did you use here? It didn’t go into my live set because of the different tuning ^^
For “Heartbeats” I tuned down the 2nd string by one semitone and the 6th string down by a full tone. I belief this is the normal tuning for this song, except that in the original song a capo is used on the first fret that I skipped to better match my voice.
Excellent performances on both of the songs, very nice indeed and a treat to listen to!
Well done for your first AVOP Ulrich, it’s fairly obvious that you’re not a beginner!
Hi Ulrich, great playing! Motivated me to spend more time learning finger style. I particularly liked “If we were Vampires” I think the song choices fitted your playing style, and voice very well. The AVOYP and open mike sessions also allow us to discover new songs and I didn’t know these songs before.
Both songs sounded fabulous and showcased some mighty fine ability to play, plus finger-pick and sing. I also really enjoyed your voice, the tone and phrasing.
Nothing wrong with making recordings with a phone. The balance was pretty good, which I’d say is aided by playing a nylon string and finger-picking which would not be as loud as say a strummed steel string. All I’d suggest for future would be to figure out a way to position the phone up a little higher and further back so we can see head and whole guitar. Just somehow more satisfying to see your face as well as the guitar (though I know that can be even more of a stretch to have one’s face in shot).
Also nothing wrong with using a capo and changing a songs key. That’s a smart move. Also nothing wrong in simplifying if necessary, or even interpreting and playing the song in your own way. In fact some would encourage that, rather than trying to mimic the original note for note.
So one or two too many apologies, I think. You can be well pleased, proud and satisfied with your performance and sharing. And I will be most disappointed if you don’t share more as you progress.
Thanks for clearing up the question about your profile name, avatar, sign-off. Ulrich it is, unless you far prefer Uli, neither of which seem to tricky as far as I am concerned, despite my not being a speaker of German. After all we all know how to pronounce the surname of Metallica’s drummer which I assume is the same as for your name
you played it really well, although I do think as part of your progress you can implement some more embellishments which were missing here and there comparing to original which you probably know of 
…Good to see and hear that you are no beginner 