As another year draws to a close it’s time to reflect and set the wheels in motion for 2025.
The highlight for 2024 was obviously BLIM. Over the course of 6 months I learned so much and feel that I have made a lot of progress in my playing in such a short period of time. I feel much more comfortable moving about the fretboard and confident in my playing.
My study group the BBP, was another highlight of the year. Over the course of 6 months we’ve managed to hit almost 10k posts between us. It’s a really positive, supportive and encouraging group of like minded individuals that love the blues.
It’s been great getting to know everyone of them and we plan to continue the group as we consolidate what we’ve learned and continue to develop our blues playing. So not only did I learn to play the blues using the 5 minor pentatonic patterns, I gained 5 really good friends.
Gear
Over the course of the course of the year I’ve made a few gear purchases. Some of which I’ve posted on my learning log and some I’ve not. Below is an updated list of my gear.
Guitars: Epiphone ES-335 | Ephiphone Humminbird | Cort Gold A6
Amps: Boss Katana 100 Mk II| Boss Katana Go | Fender Mustang Micro Plus
Pedals: Boss VE-8 | Boss GX-10 | Boss JS-10 | Boss RC-500 | Digitech Trio+
AI: Focusrite Scarlet 2i2
Software Tools: EZ Line Software Bundle | Izotope Music Production Suite 6 | Bias FX 2 |Neck Diagrams 2 | Guitar Pro 8 | Transcribe | Reaper | RipX DAW
Recordings
I’ve not really recorded much in 2024 as I’ve been so preoccupied with learning everything BLIM has covered. Below is an updated list of everything I’ve recorded to date which I plan on adding to in 2025.
Covers:
Bad Moon Rising Cover
Sweet Home Alabama Beginner Cover
Three Little Birds Cover
The Circle - OCS Cover
Don’t Look Back in Anger - Oasis Cover
Lost - Anouk Cover
Writing to Reach You - Travis Cover
The Humpty Dumpty Love Song - Travis Cover
I Should Have Known Better
Why Does It Always Rain on Me?
Perfect Day
Blues Studies:
JustinGuitar Acoustic Solo Blues
Beginner Fingerstyle Blues Piece No. 1
Beginner Fingerstyle Blues Piece No. 2
Beginner Fingerstyle Blues Piece No. 3
Beginner Blues Rhythm Piece No. 1
Beginner Fingerstyle Blues Piece No. 4
July Blues Studies
Originals:
Living Your Life In Your Head
Shadows Of Our Former Selves
Hold On
Soul Shaker
Blues and Beyond
What’s in store for 2025? More Blues!
The plan is to work on consolidating everything that I have learned from BLIM and build upon it. I do plan on continuing some non blues stuff that I parked to the side for BLIM but the blues will be the main focus.
Therefore, it feels fitting to start 2025 afresh with a new ‘Blues and Beyond’ AVoYP Learning Log to record and share my progress with my community friends and maybe inspire others to follow me down the route that I take at the crossroad.
Wish you all the best for 2025!
P.S. I’ve got one new original to record and share with you at some point.