Well…that didn’t prevent her to play her guitar 
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FEBRUARY UPDATE
- STRUMMING
I’m happy with myself for being consistent with my strumming practice. After sharing Generale I was thinking which song to focus on when Deborah came up with the Summer thread idea and I just couldn’t resist to start working on this one you’ll see in the video; it’s challenging, especially the Rhythm, but I made it doable by starting playing along on muted strings decreasing the speed on YT to 80% and breaking it down following the principle to focus on just one aspect at the time. This means that if I’m focusing on memorising the chords I just do one downstrum on the beat without metronome (your ears will be grateful I I accidentaly deleted that clip before saving the draft!) and of course without the musicsheet. But if it’s hands synchronization I want to work on then I will keep the musicsheet (and the metronome)
I know I shouldn’t sing all the time 
…well it’s an accompainement part right? There’s something that needs to be accompained To be honest I practice without singing for a whole 5minutes with the metronome 
I still need to practice a lot and develop my skills to be really confident with this song and not make it feel like I’m working out at the gym 
Also I need to work on the vowels in the singing 
I made a video of the different ways I’m practicing this same song … since it’s a bit long the fun clip is at 5.10 
-
EAR TRAINING
I’m really happy with my new book but I need more time than I have to report about it. Also I’m keeping a diary. Next month I’ll share about it… promise! -
DEE
The numbers of hammer-ons and flick-offs is now overwhelming to say the least! But I won’t give it up. I’ve got a plan
…and I’ll share it soon!
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Silvia
A very enjoyable illustration of your practice routine, particularly to develop a new song. In the last couple of runs-through your timing was spot on (your foot tap was metronomic!) and as ever well sung too. What is the song called?
Brian
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Thanks so much Brian @beejay56 for checking it and your comment…it makes me really happy!
… I’m practicing a lot with the metronome to develop good timing so your words mean to me my effort is paying off!
The song is an old Italian classic, Sapore di sale and it’s in 12/8.
These are the translated lyrics, so that you know what the song is about
Taste of salt
taste of the sea
that you have on your skin
that you have on your lips
when you come out of the water
and you come to lie down
next to me
next to me
Taste of salt
taste of the sea
a slightly bitter taste
of lost things
of things left
far from us
where the world is different
different from here
Time belongs to the days
that pass lazily
and leave in your mouth
the taste of salt.
You throw yourself into the water
and leave me looking at you
and I’m left alone
in the sand and the sun
Then you come back
and you let yourself fall
like this in the sand
and in my arms
and while I kiss you
taste of salt
taste of the sea
taste of you
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Most enjoyable update, Silva! 
It’s great how you share your journey with us, and it’s often fun to read. To bad you cut off your had so I couldn’t see your smile. 
So relatable for me, another thing we have in common. But it’s always a pleasure to hear you sing, so please just continue to do so. Sometimes, it’s also a great way to stay aware of where you are in the song.
I’m not sure if this is possible, my strumming arm gets sore just from watching all these fast strums.
This time it’s for real? 
But honestly, it sounds really nice already. It just needs a little more runs through, but actually, you are quite there already.
Looking forward to it!
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Hi Lisa, thanks for checking my update and the video and being always encouraging! Means really a lot!
Smiling through the fast strumming is the goal I cut it off to spare you from some contorted expression and boiled fish concentrated look 
True, it helps me to know it’s the same for you, to feel a bit less hopeless with my “mental rhythm calculation” (I think I once heard this expression from Justin).
We need to ask Nicole @JokuMuu …Nicole can you confirm this is really 12/8?
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Wow Sylvia some dedicated mute strum metronome practise going on there! And your leg keeping metronome like time keeping later in the video. Well done!
Never!
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@Silvia80 Well done Silvia! I like your methodical approach.
This song makes me long for the summer.
My favourite one from Gino Paoli is “Il cielo in una stanza”.
Looking forward to your final version.
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Thanks guys for checking it @sairfingers @erionstrings
Erion Il cielo in una stanza is on my wishlist! Soon or later
In July! I’ll wait for Deborah’s @GrumpyMac summer thread…I really need time to develop confindence and consistency with the Rhythm to be able to play the whole song! I’ll work on other songs as well in the meanwhile
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Such great practice routine you’ve got going on there. You really know how to do that. Metronome, foot tapping, practice order…. Impressive!
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Yes I know how to practice…one day maybe I will know also how to play with confidence
Thanks Pamela, I much appreciate your comment 
March Update
I’ve got some “bla bla bla bla” going through my head at the moment and I’ll be better to keep it for myself. I’m happy though, that among all the uncertainties and some confusion there are three things to stick with in April:
- keep on learning Dee
- complete this chord melody I’m working on
- practice alternating the bass for one song I’m preparing for the school party in June. This one below…
In the video below this other lovely children song which is almost ready (I just need to add a short simple arpeggiated intro and a more decent ending)…it’s such a sweet one and I’m really happy I finally got the chance to learn it. + the children love it as well!
It’s a Walzt, I hope you won’t get seasick with my waving
Uh…btw this Chord Melody of Sapore di Sale 
it’s developing and flowing just the way it should…I’m super excited about it!
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Silvia
I was dancing along - in my head! = to your lovely singing and playing. Timing was spot on and your infectious enjoyment rang out. You could develop the picking and strumming pattern: from 1_2_3_ to 1_2+3+ which can sound even more waltzy! Well played!
Brian
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Ohhh Silvia, this was a great performance you‘ve shared with us
Such a lovely waltz - and your playing and singing was awesome!
I didn‘t understand a word but it sounded so beautiful that I instantly started humming along and tapping my foot. So catchy, and the words just sounded beautiful.
I still find it very difficult to play and sing at the same time. You did this perfectly.
No doubt the children absolutely love this song. 
Thank you so much for sharing 
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Hi Silvia that is so great to read
It gives a big smile here 
Greetings
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Thanks so much for listening and your kind words Brian!
I worked with the metronome in March on adding the ups in the strumming and if the bpm is not too high I can keep time nicely, now I need to try to apply it to songs.
I didn’t think I can do the same and add the “ands” in the fingerpicking as well, I will try…thanks for the tip!
Ohhh Gunhild…thanks so much for such appreciation, it made my day yesterday when I read your comment!
The song is about a little midge, the wind starts playing a nice waltz and the midge starts dancing on the big nose of an old man who is having a nap in the garden…then a naughty crazy cat comes, hits the midge, scratching the man’s big nose and the waltz magic fades away
I was pondering yesterday if to write the following or not, but since I genuinely believe in it I will write it…
Singing and playing at the same time is quite easy in itself IF you keep it simple.
That’s what I do with every new song I learn, I sing while tapping my foot and just doing downstrums on the beat, I add the patterns later on (strumming or fingerpicking), starting from those beats, once I’ve done enough repetitions and feel confident how rhytmically the song works…I need to be patient and let the Rhythm develop…and it always does. If you think of it this is what Justin does in every song lesson.
You’ll get there, Gunhild, I’m sure 
A big smile back to you dear Rogier! Music makes us smile when we’re able to make it flow, doesn’t it? Sometimes I think that making it flow is the King of goals
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Hello Silvia 
Thank you so much for your kind words. So nice to know the story that is told in this lovely song. And it is very cute and funny, now I like the song even more.
I love listening to Italian songs (even if I don’t understand them), it is such a melodious and musical language. 
Unfortunately our midges here in Germany don‘t dance, they just bite, naughty little beasts 
So I prefer to stick with my lovely little ladybirds. 
The animated video of the song is heartwarming and charming Love it!
Thank you for the great advice and encouragement about singing and playing. I really have to work on it. It mostly works when I keep the strumming very basic, just one strum per bar. Mayby this skill improves with time. I‘d love to add some patterns or fingerpicking.
Until then I stick with the KISS-rule (Keep It Short and Simple)
Your wonderful performance has been a great motivation for me to work on my weakness again. Thank you so much 
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A lazy Sunday morning with such an interesting and enjoyable interview around the Guitar world, Music and Musicality, from different genres and great guitarists, the identity of the Guitar as a very young instrument, to Ana’s love for The Beatles and a very beautiful Classical Guitar rendition of Yesterday. Much Food for Thought, but the light and “digestable” kind
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