James’s Learning log

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41

This past week I started on the next module, which was 9.

Since I’ve been practising making the FR chord shape daily for quite sometime now I was already pretty comfortable with it. It was actually the F cord cheats that I had never tried yet and they are also relatively straightforward.

I still find the mini F kind of a pain to bar just the two strings with my fingertip. But since I’ve been working on the full F bar, I figure that will be my go to and then the F maj 7/C I will practice regularly as well.

I changed up my practice routines again to accommodate practice of the new scale and the F chords.

AM routine is now:

5min spiderwalk (using the new “pinky workout” variation from this module)
1 min Em pentatonic scale
4 min C major scale
5 min barre chord practice (F and switching from Am to F and C to F)

gradually getting more speedy with the jumps to F barre for open chords.

For the PM routine I’m a bit more focused on strumming and rhythm as well as song repertoire. Will update later on today…

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42

I am still actively learning and practicing my guitar. I found the habit of posting every single session in this log a bit cumbersome so I took a break. I have not taken a break from the guitar though! Quite the opposite.

I’ve been consistent with the learning and practice. Almost every day. Some commitments stop me from practice everyday but I try not to miss more than 1 day or at most 2 in a row.

I just completed module 10. Outside of the lessons I’ve spent a good amount of time practicing my F barre and more recently the Bm barre chord. I took a stab at learning “Wicked game” by Chris Isaak and it’s been going pretty good overall. I use the B minor barre, the 1 finger A chord and the E chord for it.

I do actively use the website to track my exercises and song practice. But what I do a lot and don’t actually track is the informal practice I do. This is mostly, when I watch tv now I almost always have the guitar in my lap and work on chord shapes, barre forming exercise’s etc. I don’t strum or pick loud or anything.

I’m really looking forward to the next 3 modules especially. The sus finger style, blues basics and power chords! Very excited!

43

I’m currently on module 13: the blues basics. I’m really enjoying it. I’ve been working on the blues strumming, 12 bar blues and the different 7 chords. As well as the first solo that’s provided.

Just this past weekend I tried the shuffle riffs. This is going to take me a bit of time to get used to. But I’m determined to finish this module strong. What I really need is to choose a good first blues song….

I’ve been listening to a lot of Gary Clark Jr for motivation…

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44

I have recently reached module 14 and working on the consolidation of techniques and the repertoire for the next while.

Very happy to be here at this point and not in any rush to move on to grade 3 yet. I’d like to build my song list up quite a bit. After lost of encouragement from the forum members here I think my next “big goal” will be to perform at one of my local open mic nights. I went and watched one recently and it was really great to just go and support and get a feel for how it works and whats expected.

Two things I noticed while there was that people played up to 4 songs. Which was more than I expected. Also I found other musicians watching to be very friendly and chatty. Definitely a supportive environment for the most part.

Also I met a nice guy that has a monthly meetup for newbies learning about gear and how to setup basic sound gear and play in front of folks. So I’ll have to check it out.

Also I need to get comfortable with singing and playing 4 songs or more really well

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45

Tomorrow night I will attempt my first open mic night. It’s time.

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46

The open mic went ok overall. They told me everyone is doing 4 songs. I only had 3 prepared but I had one backup one in case someone had played one of my songs first.

Definitely my nerves overtook me fair bit in the first song. I really knew it well but I was so damn shaky I couldn’t strum as relaxed as I do at home. Also having the mic and stand for my iPad was more awkward than I expected. I had a couple mishaps. First forgot to hit the autoscroll function on the first song ugh. Then the scroll feature on the second song got away from me and I played the song a bit out of order but don’t think anyone really noticed or cared… ugh felt very vulnerable…

After feeling like I mucked things up a bit, I kind of relaxed a little and decided what the hell just go for it. I played my extra song third which was for what it’s worth. I feel like that went well because afterwards a couple people mentioned “I like how you sort of did it in your own style.” I played it with a faster rhythm and I voice the vocal differently. It’s the first song I ever learned so over the past while I was getting bored with it… And just playing it quicker to sort of to get it over with in practice. The byproduct has been my own version of it, and to my surprise people liked it the most. Maybe because it is the most classic and well-known song I performed.

I played my favourite song, which is “insane” last. It felt very strong compared to all the others. I had another musician asked me what it was or if it was original, since he had never heard it before… He and I chatted afterwards and I told him it’s an An unreleased song by Damien Rice. And I’ve been sort of obsessed with it for a long time.

Overall, a pretty supportive experience. Some other musicians took an interest in what I was doing and said I did really well for someone who’s been playing less than a year.

Some observations, notes and things to practice for next time:

I sat on a stool, Next time I wanna play standing up so I’ll have to practice standing a lot.

I might consider bringing a paper sheets and binder or getting more familiar with the songbook Pro app I was using.

I think I will buy a mic stand so I can use it at home even just to get used to standing in front of it and playing. As silly as that sounds I think it will help me get more familiar with it.

I will maybe use a thinner pic if it’s a strumming song That should help me if I get the shakes again…

I will pick up a couple of more well-known songs

I will try to have more fun

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47

I have been working away on new songs and trying not to over do it. I definitely have a “new song addiction” and need to work more on consolidation and improvement of the repertoire I already have.

As far as my continued grade 2 consolidation I’m still working away. I’ve been reviewing things weeks at a time. Currently I’m focusing on sus chords a bit.

I’ve especially been enjoying my music theory trying with the JG Music Theory app! Currently finishing the unit on songs in keys etc. Very helpful and clarifying on so many levels.

I’m a bit behind on the ear training so I’m adding that to my evening routine. I might try the Ear training app since I like theory app so much. Currently just using the website lessons.

I couldn’t quite muster up the courage to do another open mic yet. But I will. I really want to feel more confident at playing another 4 songs, and while standing.

Bit by bit, day by day.

48

One year of guitar learning! A year!

Yes it’s been since last September that I started learning guitar with Justin’s guitar apps and websites.

I recently started on grade 3. Working through the content and searching for jam buddies. As well as building repertoire of course.

I’m thinking about more guitar goals for this year as well as practice guidelines etc.

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49

Congrats on your first JGversary, James.

I’ve been a bit absent - have you posted recordings? If not that is a candidate goal worth considering.

Keep on keeping on

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50

Hey thanks!! Awhile back I did one. The 9-10 month mark I believe. I was thinking about this too. Maybe I will share a song or a practice piece etc. Thank you for your kind words

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51

I’m still practicing regularly but it’s been more difficult to get significant time in. I’m currently cast in a musical that runs in November. So this has become my priority.

Guitar and especially the music theory study has made me into a better performer I believe. Purely through my slightly improved understanding of music and the nuts and bolts of how it works. I especially notice it with timing.

I still practice after rehearsal and sometimes in the morning if I get up early enough. (As I did today) And on the weekends I play and practice quite a lot mostly unstructured and explorative.

Since starting guitar a year ago my main goal remains the same. Learn to play guitar well enough to accompany myself singing.

But as I learn, the more you realize there is to learn… Listening to Justin and watching artists with great dynamics, embellishments etc. You soon understand how much a stripped down acoustic performance can be elevated by certain techniques. It could be some tasteful licks/fills. Or the whole song played finger style, or alternating picking the verses and strumming the chorus etc…

So while being a solid rhythm guitarist is of course the number 1 goal. Not being a boring guitarist is starting to take over my agenda.

I’ve discovered new artists in the last year. One in particular that I really enjoy and admire is James Taylor. (The 70’s is such a gold mine for the acoustic guitar) I took my Mom to see a James Taylor and Carly Simon tribute band this past weekend. They were a fantastic band and the performance included stories about the artists and their lives in between songs. Truly a fantastic tribute performance. The gentleman who played the part of James was about my age (Late 30’s) and explained his parents raised him on this music. Wow could he ever play! The guitar and keyboard! The band was fantastic as well. Very motivating to watch. Humbling, but motivating.

I’m going to put a bit more focus on finger style. Also getting comfortable with strumming without a pick in the various ways. (Currently I mostly use either pick or thumb and that’s it)
And the hammer on/pull offs as well as the linking chords. (From module 15)

The only thing I’m unsure of is if there is value in getting an in person teacher at this point. Or just meet some Jam buddies….