I wanted to learn to play this song for several reasons. First of all, I’ve always liked it. There are a few secondary reasons as well. There are several songs I’d like to be able to play that require switching back and forth between finger picking and strumming and I have great difficulty in doing so. During the past six months or so I began playing with a metronome and backing tracks. Unfortunately, I hadn’t done so in the past and my playing has reflected that. I know I got out of time in a couple of spots while recording this.
I also started what I would call an adjacent hobby that I think I’ll enjoy. Since I don’t sing, I wanted the ability to add vocals over my playing. It’s a work in progress.
The vocalist here is not Jewel. The singer’s name is Annalise Mahanes and I think she did an awesome job. The free versions of what I’ve used here have limited functionality, but I may make a small investment to gain greater capabilities. Advice on doing so would be greatly appreciated.
As always, any constructive comments would be welcomed.
Sounds and looks good. Keep up the great stuff
Hi Greg,
Man, ya did good on this song. A enjoyable listen.
I get it about not singing. I’m right there with you. I don’t sing so much either. I have been trying though as when I play a song, it’s only me playing the song. I don’t want to play to a back track as back tracks are not always available. So I feel I gotta do all parts of the song that give the song the feel of said song. This is just my notion though. Also, in lieu of singing. I’m trying to play the melody along w/ the chords to make said song sound like said song. This is hard to do. It’s just where my music progression has seemed to be taking me.
I think I get what your trying to do with your finger pickin.
I agree with you. I ain’t been using a pick so much for months now.
I will give one possible thing to consider.
Take what I got to say with a grain of salt as I’m no finger picker in the least.
But I’m pretty sure. Move your pickin thumb forward in front of your opposing digits. I understand this to be done so as the thumb and the other pickin fingers don’t run into each other. I have to think about doing this too. I fall into how your playing with your thumb too. I’m pretty convinced that thumb fwd. of the opposing digits will be beneficial for both of us.
Great job on your tune.
Thanks for sharing.
Greg
Well played! You kept good time throughout and the picking and strumming were both pretty accurate. Annalise sounds incredibly like Jewel!
Brian
Thanks. Yes, I’ve been told about the thumb more than a few times. It just feels very unnatural to me and I don’t seem to have a problem with it getting in the way of my fingers. At my age with RA, I’m just glad I can still play. 
I ain’t been told cause I got nobody to tell me. But I can sure self evaluate and I can see the errors of my ways. 
Keep on jammin man. Your playing is good!
Thanks. She has a great voice. The original by Jewel and other recordings of hers had too much going on for a clean backing track. I actually played listening to my backing track and inserted the separated vocal after the fact. It was my first time doing that and I was amazed that it came so close to syncing up. 
I hope you’re pleased with yourself Greg. This is a fine achievement and some of the best medicine for RA.
I don’t know how you produce your music … if it’s possible to reduce the volume of the singer or increase the volume of your playing I’d like that. There are some lovely harmonies and tonal interplays between the voices of singer and that of your guitar I can’t hear enough.
Thanks. I can play the guitar some, but I’m no producer. I think I can increase the guitar volume before adding the vocal. It’s just hard for me to tell what the appropriate levels would be. This was my first attempt at this and I’m sure there’s a learning curve.
I was going to point out the same thumb thing, but if you’re making it work with an “improper” position, go for it! I really enjoyed your playing.
@GDPiper169 Well done. I really enjoyed that.
Thanks.