So, I found why I play guitar. Playing cover songs with my band in different events this year has been the pinnacle of my guitar journey so far. We played in pubs, a private birthday party in a bar, a street party and soon a small local street festival with two stages. The excitement that I felt when I was able to strum my first 3-chord song 4.5 years ago is completely back. It is an incredible feeling to perform live and to see people having fun and talk to them afterwards. There is this buzz the whole next day after the event.
I also realised that fun part is connected with confidence and how well I can play songs. All my practice for a year now has been mostly organised around the songs that we play. I would analyse them, find different ways of playing it (different chord voicing, single note and chord mixing, little lead fills, improving barre/power chords and palm muting, etc) and I would practice them until I feel confident. From our setlist, I am comfortable with all, except for this song. Walking by Myself by Gary Moore was my idea to add to our setlist, so I can’t really complain. I wanted a song that would push me to practice skills that I don’t have, and I got it. In addition, my fellow guitarist from the band plays harmonica (blues harp) on this song, so there is only my guitar, both for rhythm and lead parts.
I intentionally went for this song as the solo is short - even if you completely screw up, the riff/rhythm part will come soon. And I did screw up live. I missed picking, hands out of sync during legato runs, a few silent bars… This solo has a few fast parts and they sounded like a fast noise when I played it. For months now, I had targeted practice to improve my speed - economy picking, fast legato, pentatonic runs, etc. This morning I had one hour practice of this solo. The main highlight was huge improvement in the consistency and articulation, compared to the beginning of this year. I still make major mistakes, but I do play now probably 4 out of 5 times at the level below. I know this is still far from perfect. There are problems with string buzz, fast runs are still muddy and simplistic, but far more articulated than before. I also remember how I felt in March that the track/band is too fast and I am always in this rush to make it in time. I don’t feel this way anymore. Difficult to explain, but I feel now that song is a level slower in my head and I mostly have control over tempo.
I hope you like it. Any comment / feedback is appreciated.
Bravo for the bad success, the good feelings and the hard work and effort that has brought you to a good place.
Kudos for trying to play a Gary Moore solo. He’s a monster and even a short solo takes so much poise and technique. I wonder if you could adapt and morph the solo on this to make it a bit of your own and a bit more manageable in a setting when you are already providing so much of the guitar part. It isn’t one of Gary’s most recognisable, singable solos. It has a couple of licks and riffs that he seems to use often in live performance. But I think it is ripe for stealing just a couple of ideas and playing your own thing.
Wow what a cool thing to read right off this morning!
Boris i am so stoked for you. You really have busted out working hard all those hours during BLIM and and also working on your metal stuff for music school. I am so glad you found a fun band and you guys are gigging. Sounds so rad. You absolutly shred bro and when you make mistakes you keep shreading in a way that know one knows or can tell. Caues you are smooth brother.
I agree, I love reading your updates as well. Thank you Paul.
That is a great idea and makes sense completely. It crossed my mind a few times, but I didn’t want to lose the motivation that this song gives me to practice and improve. That is the main reason I didn’t go for it. However, I did a similar thing on “Feel like makin’ love” outro solo. I kept the main licks, but I changed/mixed the whole thing and made it my own. It was a great mini project and a lot of fun. Thank you so much, Richard!
Yes, schools (online/in-person) are a great way to improve. That metal class and school performance was one of my favourites. Unfortunately, not many people were interested and it looks like it was just a one-off class. Anyway, Rock immersion looks to be coming our way soon, so there will be something new to look forward to. Thank you very much Jason.
It is fun, indeed. You should try it Mathieu, you are definitely ready for blues/rock band.
Thank you!
It is on the list, hopefully will have time soon to try it. Thank you John.
It is not too slow definitely, but it feels slower than it used to be. Thank you Paul.
Congrats on all the gigs. That is so cool that you are getting out there and having fun!
It felt to me like the first 20 seconds or so were slightly rough, but then you settled in really well, and it sounded great after that.
Echoing Richard’s suggestion, if you started with something slightly simpler that you really nail, and then keep the momentum going from there it would sound awesome.
This is intersting. There are 2 x 8 bars in the solo. I always thought the first 8 bars (first 22 seconds) were better than second 8 bars of the solo. Of course, once it goes to riff/rhythm part, that is far better than anything I play during the solo. Thank you very much David.
Very glad to read that Roch, thank you very much.
From my experience, ~4y is the time where the progress slow down - it takes more effort to see some progress. Have a good structure and organised approach and as you said, keep at it. The results will come.
Boris, that sounds really great to my ears. You’re playing so fast, I can’t even follow your fingers. It’s so far beyond my play grade, I can’t offer any substantial feedback.
But reading the backstory in your post - which was a great read by the way - your growth with this piece is obvious. To me, you looked really confident and relaxed despite the fast tempo. You were totally in the groove of the backing, Riff was spot on. All the hard work you put definitely pays out now. It’s the perfect example of what is within reach if you just stick to it and are willing to put in the hours. Really well done!
Somehow I must have missed it, but it’s really awesome to read you are also part of a band and playing gigs now! Great stuff!
Great to hear about your band and that you’re enjoying playing live. I totally agree with your comment about confidence being related to preparation.
That’s such a great song. I love Gary Moore’s version. It’s a classic. You’ve done a good job learning the solo. There are some difficult parts but most of it sounds smooth.
Bar 6 could sound smoother though. You’re picking almost every note but it should be played with lots of hammer-on and flick-offs. It’s basically trills between fretted notes and the open string. Check out how Gary plays that bar in the video below (2:15). There’s a nice close up shot of his hands. I think he only picks once or twice in that whole bar. Might be worth trying it that way?
It’s great to hear from you, Boris!
And even with a nice performance and good news!
It’s great to feel your motivation and happiness about becoming better and performing with the band - it’s even contagious!
I have that song on my mind too since Blim, but I would even be happy nailing all the rhythm parts on my side as the solo sounds really difficult!
By the way, reading your text, you talked about the hard your work on your own.
How is it to interact in the band? (sorry, I am curious - imagining how it is in a band) Do you also get tips from the other guitarist at times? Or the drummer (I think you said he was a really good guitar player too, if I remember well?)
Wishing you lots of continuing motivation and fun on your way with your band!
Playing cover songs with my band in different events this year has been the pinnacle of my guitar journey so far. We played in pubs, a private birthday party in a bar, a street party and soon a small local street festival with two stages. 
Anyway, Rock immersion looks to be coming our way soon, so there will be something new to look forward to. 
