Hi there. I decided to put out a different version of Green Day’s classic ballad.
I did this one at the park but little kids were screaming playing in the water.
Hope it sounds dec. I’m thinking of doing this one at a local open mic. They told me I get three songs and 15-20 minutes
Jeff
Nice job, Jeff! I wasn’t very familiar with this song, so thanks for introducing it to me. Seems like a decent pick for an open mic. Hope that goes well for you!
Playing at the park seems like a fun idea, but I think it would be tough for me to do.
Jeff
One of your best performances: consistent strumming with some subtle dynamic variations and good vocal. This is definitley ready for your open mic. Enjoy the OM experience.
Brian
Nice one Jeff. I have noticed a lot of improvement in your playing. Great choice for an OM! Good luck and enjoy the OM. 
Hi Jeff,
It’s a pretty repetitive song…so those kids in the background and being outside are a nice change 
…well done in the outdoors (I only watched that one)…this style suits your voice well
greetings
Hi Jeff. I listened to both versions and preferred the first one with the thumb strum. I thought it suited the song and helped make the chord progression sound less repetitive. The pick version sounded harsher.
Good luck if you play at the local open mic. 
Well done Jeff, liked you arrangement; and good idea to give it a run-out al fresco … 
Personally, I think your voice has more higher register (headroom) there for you to use; perhaps give a try on Capo 3 … just a thought 
Anyhoo, good like with your OM … that 15mins will fly by …
All the best for the OM, Jeff. Enjoy it. Your experience in the great outdoors should have you well experienced for the event.
Hey Jeff!
Bravo! I preferred the first version… little bit softer sounding guitar & better vocal to my ears! Good job though with both!!!
Good luck with your OM!
Tod
Thanks for listening to the song. It’s not too bad to play in a park. Sometimes you get bystanders who gather to listen. The screaming kid distracted me a lot so I didn’t think that one sounded too great. The other version I did in a quiet music room at home so easier to focus. I thought people would be harsh because the original version is more of an arpeggio than how I did it, but to my surprise no one minded my improvisation lol.
Hey Brian,
Thanks a lot. This year I’ve tried more of sharpening up my songs as opposed to pumping out a high number of mediocre performances. I appreciate what you said that it seems performance ready.
Hi Eddie,
Thanks a lot. I was at a local spot on Saturday and saw a sign for an open mic randomly so I asked the bartender. I’m not so much nervous to play on stage other than I want the fundamentals to work well. I’ve done a couple open mics here at JG so no issues. Maybe a little different in person but if someone throws tomatoes I may be old but can still move quickly. Thanks for listening to the song.
Hey thanks for stopping by to listen and for the feedback. The chords in the original version are different so I am still playing around with what might sound good. Capo #3 might be worth checking out.
Hi John,
Thanks for stopping to listen and share some words of encouragement. The bartender told me every Wednesday evening they have open mic and just show up to sign up. If I can get some free time from work I’ll be doing it soon.
Thanks Roger. My 12 year old daughter picked this one out for us to do together. The original version has more difficult chords so I am trying to get a version working that has easier chords she can play. This one seemed okay in the key of C with a capo. ….Okay easier for me to play too to be honest
Looking forward to a public performance soon.
Hi Gordon,
I hear you about the pick version sounding a bit harsh. I’ve been trying to force myself to start playing with a pick once in a while again since I haven’t lately. During that outdoor version the pick broke in pieces in my hand because all I had was a thin one at the time. I should have just redid it with no pick. So I decided to give it another go at home with full acoustic sound. Hope all is well in your part of the world.
Jeff
Hi Tod,
You were an early riser today to listen to the music. I appreciate the feedback. My arthritis has gotten bad lately, so I often drop the pick half the time but I forced myself to start playing with one again. Maybe better suited for a different song than this one. I work 2 jobs now since August so it is a miracle when I find any free time to play something and record it. It makes me happy and I think all of us us need that me and my guitar personal time to stay normal. Hope all is well in NM. Take care
Jeff
Jeff,
I was up early & waiting for a Dr. appointment… so it was a good way to spend a few minutes until I was called back!!!
Everything is going well here in NM! We’re just getting into cold weather… it’s been really nice up until just after Halloween. Hope you’re getting some beach time… I really envy you guys being close to the ocean!
Tod
I scanned through some of your past posts and see you’ve played in various outdoor locations.
I think part of what would make me feel self-conscious about that is that we don’t see people performing out in public here that often other than maybe the occasional homeless person sitting on a corner outside of Wal-Mart. I think I’d feel bad if people started trying to give me money because they thought that’s why I was playing in a public park somewhere. 
The weather is starting to turn a bit cold here in North Dakota to be playing outside much. Sounds like we might be getting a bit of snow next week. Wake me when April ends… 
Haha. Maybe I should take off my shoes and put a hat out and collect some change while playing outdoors. My dad and his family were from South Dakota so I get the weather this time of year in that part of the country. In California people hardly raise an eyebrow when seeing a guitar player out and about. Maybe give it a try in the summer when people are back outdoors. I played in South Dakota in the summers when I visited the last few times .
Hope you stay warm. I don’t miss that cold weather in the north. Take care.