Mac's learning log

Which is not my case
I buy something only if I need it !

I own 3 guitars ( plonk plonk is not one of them since its out of order XD )
my Gretsch which is my way to go guitar
my Fender mini sonoran which is my acoustic
my Red special ( BMG )

the Red special can act like a regular strat , the sound is just slightly different
but Its heavy on my shoulder and I can play it only when I sit down
problem is : my sciatica nerve :sob:
The pain in my left leg just got worse and worse in 2025
I sometimes can’t sit to eat or work , and the pain makes me cry at night
So last week , my GP did an injection in my low back to releave the pain
it worked !
the pain is still here , its only muffled but its way better than before
so this week I played on a chair to try , and its comfortable , I like it :slight_smile:
But I know it wont last forever … the pain will come back in a few months or weeks

so I am looking for a lighter strat guitar or at least a more comfortable guitar when I stand up
I had my eyes on a Fender standard but it looks like its even heavier :confused:

for the amp , I d like a new one with some more features
mine do not have an EQ or Bass settings
I had my eyes on a Vox Cambridge

It took me years to settle the pain in my jaw and right arm and now its my left leg :sob:

1 Like

So do I. I own one guitar; when I bought it, I donated my old one. But I’ve already bought hundreds with my eyes :slight_smile:

I am sorry to hear that!

1 Like

[quote="witkatz, post:1386, topic:275569”]
But I’ve already bought hundreds with my eyes :slight_smile:
[/quote]

Well I was talking about a guitar I can play , not a guitar I can dream of :sweat_smile:

day 494 ( weeks streak : 70 )

no warm up

Truefire

Learning the Dave Isaacs’ Beginner Blues Guitar course

Module 16

Learning Greensleeves ( Fingerstyle ) learning part 2

Module 18

Played Solo Blues 1 Lick-in’ R

Songs on the Musopia app

Played Merry Christmas baby by Elvis Prestley

Various

Trying the free lesson of the new solo blues course : Boom Bass With Licks


I had to go out in the evening and work after that so its a smaller practice today

4 Likes

:scream:

:slightly_frowning_face: That really sucks, I hope you can find the right guitar. I’m nowhere near thinking about an electric, but my shoulders give me grief every time I play and I wonder if I would be able to use an electric, since they are made of solid wood. Maybe there is a carbon fibre option? Or a travel guitar? Or maybe one that looks like a cross with a violin, since it may be somewhat hollow. (I think they look so gorgeous, if I ever got an electric I want one like that.)

Do you have access to physiotherapists where you are? You might get some good exercises/stretches from them to help ease the sciatic pain or prevent triggering it. I’m sure you know your body best so I have no advice, but I know the medical system and what is ‘normal’ varies so much across the world.

I love your cartoon animals. They’re always up to shenanigans…

day 495 ( weeks streak : 70 )

no warm up

Module 16

Learning Greensleeves ( Fingerstyle ) learning part 2

Module 17

Practiced How to Use Easy Triads on Guitar ( Its’ All right mama , Elvis on the app )

Module 18

Played Solo Blues 1 Lick-in’ R

Guitar teacher

Learning Wonderfull tonight by Clapton

Songs on the Musopia app

Played Merry Christmas baby by Elvis Prestley

Various

Trying the free lesson of the new solo blues course : Boom Bass With Licks

Wham Last christmas

[quote="ConstanceClaire, post:1388, topic:275569”]
That really sucks, I hope you can find the right guitar
[/quote]

Thank you

[quote="ConstanceClaire, post:1388, topic:275569”]
my shoulders give me grief every time I play and I wonder if I would be able to use an electric, since they are made of solid wood
[/quote]

I cant play a big acoustic guitar because of my shoulders especially the right arm
maybe the size does not help you
I bought a Fender mini Sonoran and I just love its size
not a sound as good as a big one but its great already

with a good strap the weight is not really a problem on an electric ( except some models )
I have no problem with the weight of the Gretsch but of course its better to test first to be sure
you can also play it on a chair if need be
have you ever tried one in a store ?
Matthew and Rogier have a headless guitar , its very light

[quote="ConstanceClaire, post:1388, topic:275569”]
Do you have access to physiotherapists where you are?
[/quote]

Oh yes , I see him twice a week , he comes at my home
but whatever the exercices or manipulations he can do , the pain is the same :confused:
thats why I did the injection since nothing else worked so far

[quote="ConstanceClaire, post:1388, topic:275569”]
I love your cartoon animals. They’re always up to shenanigans…
[/quote]

thanks
they like to do mischief but after 15 years of creating games with them , I dont know what they can do next …
Im a bit out of ideas

1 Like

I shared this picture already with Deborah but as she mentioned it then headless might be a path you could investigate if you were thinking about electric guitars. Mine are made by HILS. To put some numbers on it, I have a Telecaster which weighs 3.5kg, the headless ones are only 2.2kg each. Because of the double cutaway at the bottom (the bottom as you play it I mean) there’s a choice of 2 playing positions, one regular, one with the neck up at 45 degrees. Something to ponder for anyone who finds regular guitars uncomfortable

3 Likes

day 496 ( weeks streak : 70 )

no warm up

Module 16

Learning Greensleeves ( Fingerstyle ) learning part 2

Module 17

Practiced How to Use Easy Triads on Guitar (various songs on the app )

Module 18

Played Solo Blues 1 Lick-in’ R

Guitar teacher

Learning Wonderfull tonight by Clapton

Songs on the Musopia app

Played Merry Christmas baby by Elvis Prestley

Various

Solo blues course : Boom Bass With Licks

Wham Last christmas

Where do I begin by Shirley Bassey / melody


I started working on Where do I begin with a tab I found on the web but it wasnt good ( sounded weird ) so my teacher started transcribing it for me
Thursday he gave me the beginning of the song , I worked a bit on it and transcribed the rest of the verse on my own :slight_smile:
( I hope Im correct )

Started working on Last christmas , the verson with sus Chords
Dont know if Ill get it right for the opening of the Christmas songs topic

1 Like

day 497 ( weeks streak : 71 )

Worked on scales , 5 positions in random order as a warm up

Module 16

Learning Greensleeves ( Fingerstyle ) learning part 2

Module 17

Practiced How to Use Easy Triads on Guitar (various songs on the app )

Module 18

Played Solo Blues 1 Lick-in’ R

Guitar teacher

Learning Wonderfull tonight by Clapton

Songs on the Musopia app

Played Merry Christmas baby by Elvis Prestley

Various

Solo blues course : Boom Bass With Licks

Wham Last christmas

Where do I begin by Shirley Bassey / melody


I tried recording my Sonoran this afternoon
I’ve never tried the mic in my camera so I needed to try it
The sound is a bit too faint

I tried to record the Lick’ n riff
I played it twice with no major issues but when the camera was on I made mistakes :sob:

So here is a work in progress of Greensleeves instead
( that was for the sound test of the mic )

5 Likes

day 498 ( weeks streak : 71 )

Worked on scales , 5 positions in random order as a warm up

Module 16

Learning Greensleeves ( Fingerstyle ) learning part 2

Module 17

Practiced How to Use Easy Triads on Guitar (various songs on the app )

Module 18

Played Solo Blues 1 Lick-in’ R

Guitar teacher

Learning Wonderfull tonight by Clapton

Songs on the Musopia app

Played Merry Christmas baby by Elvis Prestley

Various

Solo blues course : Boom Bass With Licks

Wham Last christmas

Where do I begin by Shirley Bassey / melody


In my Greensleeves WIP video I kind of forgot to clean my room before recording
its a real mess around me :rofl:

the triads are in fact , mini barre chords
it hurts the hand :sob:

3 Likes

day 499 ( weeks streak : 71 )

no warm up

Module 16

Learning Greensleeves ( Fingerstyle ) learning part 2

Module 18

Played Solo Blues 1 Lick-in’ R

Guitar teacher

Learning Wonderfull tonight by Clapton

Songs on the Musopia app

Played Merry Christmas baby by Elvis Prestley

Various

Solo blues course : Boom Bass With Licks

Wham Last christmas

Where do I begin by Shirley Bassey / melody


Not enough time for the triads today or for truefire :frowning:

I finally learned the last part of Greensleeves today :partying_face:
Now I need to learn how to play the whole song smoothly
it will take time

I bought Guitar pro and started learning with it right away :slight_smile:
since I wont have Yousician anymore I needed it to slow down the tempo of songs when I learn them
My teacher uses GP so now he can send me the tabs

Dont know if I ll be able to play tomorrow , I got my regular appointment at the hospital for my injections very early in the morning , l ll probably be too tired after

I just finished creating this game for my publisher ^^

1 Like

Me too, finding electric guitars often too heavy. Started on a classical guitar which weights something like 1.5kg and my LP copy is nearly 4 kg heavy and has sharp edges, not nice for sitting down. :frowning:
Matthew above mentions something lightweight. I’m not aware of expecially light Strats, but in case you don’t like the headless type, there are those semi hollowbodies like a Tele for example, no middle PU, but neck and bridge single coils like on a strat. I made plans to build my own lightweight E-guitar but didn’t start yet :blush:

How about something like this?


They come in about 2.6 to 2.9kg often, I didn’t research yet which are the lightest ones.

PS. Deborah, I always love your cartoons! :slight_smile:

2 Likes

day 500 ( weeks streak : 71 )

Worked on scales , 5 positions in random order as a warm up

Truefire

Learning the Dave Isaacs’ Beginner Blues Guitar course

Module 16

Practiced Greensleeves ( Fingerstyle ) learning part 2

Module 17

Practiced How to Use Easy Triads on Guitar (various songs on the app )

Module 18

Played Solo Blues 1 Lick-in’ R

Guitar teacher

Learning Wonderfull tonight by Clapton

Songs on the Musopia app

Played Merry Christmas baby by Elvis Prestley

Various

Solo blues course : Boom Bass With Licks

Wham Last christmas

Where do I begin by Shirley Bassey / melody

———

[quote="domi7, post:1395, topic:275569”]
there are those semi hollowbodies like a Tele for example, no middle PU, but neck and bridge single coils like on a strat.
[/quote]

thanks for the suggestion @domi7 :slight_smile:

in fact I talked about it with my teacher last week
He has a hollow body and its his lightest guitar but this kind of guitars are too big for me
thats a real big guitar and I fear my right arm wont like it
but it might suit @ConstanceClaire needs

Now that I ve set my mind on a fender I have to have one :rofl:
( well I will go to the store to try it first ^^” )

[quote="domi7, post:1395, topic:275569”]
PS. Deborah, I always love your cartoons!
[/quote]

oh thank you
I’m working on another one ^^

2 Likes

Yes, the usual hollow bodies are bigger, but these Tele thinline semi-hollow types are as big as a normal Telecaster - aren’t they about the size of a stratocaster?

Good idea to try them in a shop!

1 Like

day 501 ( weeks streak : 71 )

Worked on scales , 5 positions in random order as a warm up

Truefire

Learning the Dave Isaacs’ Beginner Blues Guitar course

Module 16

Practiced Greensleeves ( Fingerstyle ) learning part 2

Module 17

Practiced How to Use Easy Triads on Guitar (various songs on the app )

Module 18

Played Solo Blues 1 Lick-in’ R

Guitar teacher

Learning Wonderfull tonight by Clapton

Songs on the Musopia app

Played Merry Christmas baby by Elvis Prestley

Various

Solo blues course : Boom Bass With Licks

Wham Last christmas

Where do I begin by Shirley Bassey / melody

——

[quote="domi7, post:1397, topic:275569”]
but these Tele thinline semi-hollow types are as big as a normal Telecaster - aren’t they about the size of a stratocaster?
[/quote]

I honestly dont know for this kind of guitars
I know hollow bodies are bigger than a strat thats all

1 Like

An ES-339 isn’t much bigger than a strat, so maybe worth giving it a glance

day 502 ( weeks streak : 72 )

Worked on scales , 5 positions in random order as a warm up

Truefire

Learning the Dave Isaacs’ Beginner Blues Guitar course

Module 16

Practiced Greensleeves ( Fingerstyle ) learning part 2

Module 18

Played Solo Blues 1 Lick-in’ R

Guitar teacher

Learning Wonderfull tonight by Clapton

Songs on the Musopia app

Played Merry Christmas baby by Elvis Prestley

Various

Solo blues course : Boom Bass With Licks

Wham Last christmas

Where do I begin by Shirley Bassey / melody


Well thanks for the tips @Socio
My mind is really set on a fender at the moment
if its heavier than my gretsch I know that I can try something else ^^
I need to save some money first for a few months ^^”

I found something useful on the web
Its a tool that let you slow down a song to practice over it
I used to practice that way on YS so I like it
Of course Guitar pro let you slow down the song too but I like to play against the real song too
for example , Guitar pro is a great help to practice the picking pattern of wonderful tonight but for the riff I like to play it over the original song , its easier to realise if the bends are correct

if anyone is interested its here : https://musicslowdowner.com/

the only point I do not like is that there’s no volume control
My audio set up mix the sound of my guitar and the sound of the computer in my headphones
if the song on the pc is too loud it covers the guitar
turning up the volume of the guitar is not good for my ears so its not an option

I will have to use another set up to practice with this tool and play without headphones

1 Like

day 503 ( weeks streak : 72 )

I recorded the video for the opening of the AVOYP community christmas song 2025

thats all I did today :sweat_smile:

2 Likes

day 504 ( weeks streak : 72 )

Worked on scales , 5 positions in random order as a warm up

Truefire

Learning the Dave Isaacs’ Beginner Blues Guitar course

Module 16

Practiced Greensleeves ( Fingerstyle ) learning part 2

Module 17

Practiced How to Use Easy Triads on Guitar (various songs on the app )

Module 18

Played Solo Blues 1 Lick-in’ R

Guitar teacher

Learning Wonderfull tonight by Clapton

Songs on the Musopia app

Played Merry Christmas baby by Elvis Prestley

Various

Solo blues course : Boom Bass With Licks


pleasant practice session today :slight_smile:

Wonderful tonight : now I know the intro , verse 1 , chorus 1 and riff at 70% / 80% speed
tried to play with the slowdowner tool without my headphones and it was great !
I just need a few days to get used to it ^^

I live in a residential area with 10 little houses nestled together and a parking lot in the middle
Today when I was practicing , I saw a firefighter truck in the parking lot under my window , then a second one and a third one came after
In France , we do not call an ambulance if we have an accident , we call the firefighters , they act when there’s an emergency event
Looks like one of my neighbour , a woman aged around 75 , was sitting on the edge of her couch , fell from it and broke her femoral neck
I never thought a couch could be that dangerous :open_mouth:

day 505 ( weeks streak : 72 )

I went to my guitar lesson this morning

we worked on Wonderful tonight
verse 2 is different but nothing I cant do , just need to get it in my memory but as my teacher said I could perfectly play the first verse again it wouldnt be a problem
I decided to follow his transcription though

we then worked a bit on the part that would be hard in the song and tried to see how to make them easier if need be
so I have a little hand exercise to do to learn how to change a tricky chord just in case Id want to play it the hard way
doing the exercise cant do me any harm

I need to work on transcribing this week for the next lesson

in the afternoon I edited my christmas video for the community christmas topic

thats all I did today :slight_smile:
editing was more time consuming than I thought it would

4 Likes

day 506 ( weeks streak : 72 )

Worked on scales , 5 positions in random order as a warm up

Module 16

Practiced Greensleeves ( Fingerstyle ) learning part 2

Module 18

Played Solo Blues 1 Lick-in’ R

Guitar teacher

Learning Wonderfull tonight by Clapton

Songs on the Musopia app

Played Merry Christmas baby by Elvis Prestley

Various

Solo blues course : Boom Bass With Licks

Transcribing

We’re Going to be Friends By the White Stripes

Not a good day for bending tonight , had a nail who kept getting caught in the string
it doesnt usually happen so I must have had a bad hand position tonight

I started the transcribing exercise
I didn’t know that song but when I listened to it I recognised the song Ashu played at the last OM
its a small world
I wont watch the last OM again to cheat I promise :rofl:

I didnt have enough time to practice a bit on Truefire

2 Likes