BOOO Economy!

Unfortunately, with my personal finances being what they are (unemployed since last December), I can't afford to return to The Real School this spring. I'm disappointed, but I will persevere on my own with steady and frequent practice, so that when I jump back onto the classroom circuit, I will have measurable improvement.

In the meantime, I am going to see if my friend Jay will either spend some time with me to help me learn some useful stuff, or even pay him for the occasional lesson.

Recommendations (music I am into at the moment):

• Minus Pilots
• The Tumbled Sea
• R.E.M.'s "Live at The Olympia" double disc - especially "On the Fly" and the older material
• The Mamas & the Papas - I watched their doc on the Biography Channel this morning.
  

Music New & Old

I was online this morning checking out some local Massachusetts bands that appeared on a top ten list somewhere, and I felt my guitar's pull unusually strongly. So off & on all day (between bands), I have been practicing both the usual stuff in my pile and the Christmas songs Erik gave me. It's pretty much been an all music day except for meal breaks, coffee making, and a few chapters of Craig Ferguson's autobiography "American on Purpose" (very funny). Plus I winterized my office (studio? - haha) window.

I've been trying to speed up my playing (as well as my accuracy) on "Mrs. Robinson" and "Who Will Save Your Soul". And as silly as it sounds, I just discovered that if I hum the vocals as I play whatever song I am working on, it helps a lot more than I'd expected. I've also been considering songs for my next semester. I have cds by Michelle Branch, The Sundays, Pale Saints, Travis and Pete Yorn in my stereo.

I plan on going to see a lot more local bands in 2010, to both support them, and see how 'it' is done. And hopefully by the summer (or at the very latest, next fall) I will be able to join the ranks of live performers, at least at open mic nights - a worthwhile creative project to keep me warm this winter!

Anyway, back to work...

Currently listening to:

Fine Friend - Pale Saints

Round One Complete

Today was my last lesson of my first semester of guitar lessons at The Real School of Music. It's been an amazing 14 weeks, and I feel like I've accomplished something. I've learned a lot of basics, achieved some proficiency on at least ten songs (plus a few Christmas tunes), spent an average of an hour a day practicing (some days for several hours, and a few days not at all - hey, it's called "life"), and am looking at music performance in new and exciting ways.

And an unexpected side effect of this project is how it's stimulated my creativity in other areas. I draw a lot more, and I even cranked out most of a childrens' book I've had percolating in some part of my brain (which I hope to complete the written portion of over my break between semesters). I've actually given up on the cooking though. While it was fun, and I got fantastic reviews & feedback (from my family of course), something had to give! ☺

Anyway, I am going to practice my ASS off during the next three weeks between this successfully completed semester and the new one that begins (for me) on Thursday January 7th.

Currently listening to: "Flyweight" (Thursdays 5-7 pm) on WZBC 90.3

Holiday Cheer

Since I only have two more lessons before the holidays (after today's), I asked Erik to teach me a few Christmas tunes. We went over the following:

• 12 Days of Christmas
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas
• Jingle Bells
• O Christmas Tree...
• What Child is This?

He showed me the best ways to strum/pick each song, and printed out copies with his notes. Also, he is burning me a cd of a bunch of Christmas arrangements he did a couple years ago for his family, so I can try to learn them too! I want to get a few of these (both the ones listed here, and the ones off of his disc) down so I can surprise the family at Christmas ☺

Currently listening to:

Calato - Vanessa Kafka

It's Better to Practice...

...than to spend the time writing on here!

Today I busted out the guitar around 5pm, and went through my exercise routine. Practice is making perfect (though 'perfect' is still pretty far off). I came online to find some simple Christmas tunes to learn, but most of them are still over my head skill-wise. However, I did spend a bit of time working out America's "Horse With No Name" all by myself. Now if only I could sing (haha)...

Real School notes: the latest songs Erik has introduced into my lessons and homework rotation are Mojave 3's "Who Do You Love" (16th notes - YIKES!), "Summer Breeze" by Seals & Crofts, and "Everything (Between Us)" by Liz Phair. I only have three classes left this semester (which makes me sad). I hope I can come up with the money for the spring.

And on a "What is he listening to these days?" note: I have Owl City on the brain. Which is odd, because one of the main points of learning how to play guitar is low-tech music (and not 'super-synthed' pop). What can I say? A good song is a good song, no matter what instruments are used to create it. ☺

Currently listening to:

Tidal Wave - Owl City

Catching Up

It's been a few weeks since I've logged anything.

Quick sum-up: while I haven't been practicing every single day since my last post (I've been drawing a lot lately, and began cooking recently, though I practice every other day, for at least an hour), on certain days I just can't seem to put my guitar down, so it all balances out. Which is good, because this undertaking should never feel like a chore (otherwise, what's the point?).

Anyway, I've got most of the open position chords memorized, and am able to do switches with increasing precision. I have simple versions of "Happy Birthday", "The Star Spangled Banner" and "Wild Thing" down. And I've been slowly learning (at various paces) the following songs:

• "Who Can Save Your Soul" by Jewel
• "Mrs. Robinson" by Paul Simon
• "Fallin' For You" by Colbie Caillat (whoo-hoo!)
• "House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals (trying to be smooth/even throughout by using a metronome).
• "Heart of Gold" by Neil Young (whose voice I've never liked, but the song is a fun learning tool).

Today in class I worked on "Last Train to Clarksville" by The Monkees. Very interesting stuff! I am immersing myself in the band's 4-disc "Listen to the Band" as I write this (my earliest recollection of playing records was when my mom let me and my brother play her Monkees albums on a fold-out turntable). I think it'll be amazing to play this song for my parents around Christmas when the semester ends, and I finally let my family know I've been taking lessons...

Since I missed last week's lesson (I wasn't feeling up to the long drive) I have two lessons in a row next week (Wed & Thu), which should allow for some real progress. I am having a blast with this undertaking!

Currently listening to (and learning to play):

Last Train To Clarksville - Th...

Getting Better, One ♫ at a Time

I practiced today from just after 6 'til just before 8 pm. After a rough start, wherein I was wondering "how the HELL does anyone get songs out of this annoying thing of wood and metal?", I finally got into a groove, and was able to recognize "Mrs. Robinson" coming out of my guitar! Not that anyone else might, but I could, and that's something. Hmmm... There must be something to this 'practice makes perfect' thing that many people speak of... Anyway, I am glad that my time is showing something, for all of it that has been spent to date.

Currently listening to:

A Colloquial Dream - Charles M...

Minor Battle Scars

I practiced for an hour and a half today during the BC-VA Tech game (BC got pounded 48-14). My fingers are sore, but I am proud of it. I worked on speeding up my chord changes, with some success, and focused on my homework songs. It's slowly coming together. I won't be playing any local venues anytime soon, but visible (audible?) progress is always a good thing. Hopefully by my lesson this Thursday I'll have enough stuff down for more positive feedback from Erik...

Practice Makes Perf- er, Better.

I woke up today knowing I wanted to put in some good time practicing, but I got side-tracked by several things (new Lego blocks I was itching to build an "alien cantina" with, college football, finishing a book, etc...). But from 4 pm to 5 pm I wore my fingers down in front of the muted BC - Florida State game, doing my exercises and song-learning (2 Jewel tunes and "Mrs. Robinson") to a modicum of proficiency. At least they are somewhat recognizable now! ☺

Also, on a side note, I was on my walk yesterday, and a song just popped into my head (well, lyrics at least, no music yet). Coming soon: "The Chestnut War" (or something similar...). I'm getting better at cementing ideas in my head when I am nowhere near a pad or a computer.


Currently listening to:

Speak In Words - Vanessa Kafka

Productivity

Yesterday I had my 3rd lesson (in a series of 13). I began the day around 10:30 with a couple of hours of practice, then got to the school early, and spent another 15 minutes warming up in an empty classroom to get a few things down before my lesson. Apparently it's been paying off, because Erik was surprised by my progress after only three weeks! I am very happy to receive such positive feedback, especially since I seem to perform better in front of him than I do alone at home. I had "Dirty Water" and "Who Will Save Your Soul" to practice, and got the parts down that he'd assigned to his satisfaction. We went over several things, and this coming week I will be working on "You Were Meant for Me" by Jewel and Duncan Sheik's "Barely Breathing", as well as alternate picking, switches, and more chromatic exercises. I feel pretty good about the way things are going so far...

Currently listening to:

Social Development Dance - Pet...

Wish List

One of my homework assignments last week was to bring in a bunch of songs I would like to learn how to play. I had planned on bringing in a pile of cds, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the computer Mitch has let me borrow indefinitely has a cd burner, so after picking up a 5-pack of CD-R's from CVS, I was able to slap together a cd from my iPod!

It includes several songs by Pete Yorn and a pair by Duncan Sheik, as well as single entries (for now) from the likes of Nick Drake, Jewel, Michelle Branch, Liz Phair, Mojave 3, Colbie Caillat, Ivy, The Sundays, Vanessa Kafka, R.E.M. and The Pretenders. There is even a Monkees tune in there! I can't wait to see if Erik is able to teach me some (if not all) of them by Christmas...

And I have a cd burner! I already transferred "Mood Changes" by jazz prodigy Grace Kelly. I have been dying to hear it on a system better than iPod headphones.

Currently listening to:

Everything (Between Us) - Liz ...

A Concert Through Different Eyes

I went to see The Johnnies (my old chum Chris, old 'good acquaintance' Les, and friends) perform in Kittery Saturday night at Yoga on the Hill. It was a small intimate setting, with only 15 people in attendance, so I had a great view from the second row. And most likely, because of my new musical undertaking, I found myself experiencing the show from a different perspective. I spent the majority of the time watching Chris play his guitar, and listening to how his stories in the songs were being told by him, Les, Erich and Brian. It was eye-opening and inspiring at the same time.

It's odd listening to an old friend perform songs that he has written about his own life. I knew of many of the events and people Chris was singing about (some of them mutual friends), and it helped me figure out how I too could tell stories about various happenings in my life. How it might allow me to benefit from the bad things, vent about the frustrating things, and even bring closure to some of the sad things. I found myself writing in my head as the show progressed, and I kind of wish I'd had the foresight to bring a pad & pen to jot the ideas down. The pair of beers at the Shipyard Brew Pub in Eliot, and the 90-minute drive home later did no good in helping me cement them firmly in my noggin. My long walks are the same way. I head out for a 45-minute jaunt, iPod firmly in place, with ideas zipping in and out of my brain, but I have no way to record them in the moment. I do my best to reconstruct them when I get home, but sometimes a phrase or clever rhyme dissipates like a drop of milk in a bowl of water, never again to be separated from the vastness...

Apparently, foresight is key ☺

Nevertheless, I try to write in the moment, drop everything to sketch when I feel inspired, and just forget the world with a pile of Lego blocks when I want to see something in my head take form, whether it be words, images or 3-D structures. My New Year's resolutions back on 1/1/09 are bearing much fruit...

Currently listening to:

Who Do You Love - Mojave 3

Lesson the First

I arrived at the Real School around 2, leaving me with a half-hour to kill, so I hung out in the lounge with Dwight, one of the guys who works there. We talked about what I wanted to get out of this experience as he gave me a tour of the place. Pretty impressive: many rooms for both lessons and groups, a few lounges, a clean snack area (with free coffee!), and a huge performance room for local and national acts. The main (upper) floor is arranged in a big loop, with rooms both in the center and arranged around the perimeter, so that once you get up the stairs and proceed around the entire floor, you wind up back at the stairs. Add in the bright colors & simple lines of the building, and the Real School seems like a cheery (and not bleak or oppressive) place to learn.

I met my instructor Erik, and he asked me a few questions (what would I like to be able to do; what types of music do I enjoy, and hope to play; what levels of training do I have and on which instruments; etc...). Then it was a quick demonstration on how to tune my guitar. After that it was tablature, chromatic exercises, and open position chords. I actually learned a lot in those first 30 minutes, and he is an easygoing guy, so it was a positive learning environment.

On the way out I decided to go ahead and lock in the full semester, and paid the remaining $315, which will carry me through a total of 13 weeks. Sweet! I plan on putting in at least an hour a day (probably more, split up into morning and evening sets) so I learn & improve at a steady pace...

The Adventure truly has begun!

Currently listening to:

Turn Of The Century - Pete Yor...

Pop!

Well, I broke it out at halftime during the Patriots-Bills game. That's right! My new guitar finally has gotten some serious use. I have no idea what I am doing at this point, but I spent a good hour getting used to the feel of it, and looking up chord charts to print out. I stopped a little after 9pm, so as not to disturb anyone in the other 20 apartments (haha). I can't wait for my first lesson this Thursday...

Autumn Garb

I needed a new sweatshirt (since my "Surfside Brew Crew" one is pretty juvenile for a 40-year old), so I went to the awesome Neighborhoodies website yesterday, and had a dark brown custom-stitched one made up with a big "9¾" in mustard on the left front chest. I should have it in two weeks.

And I am trying to find a cool patch or two for the sleeve. I spent some time yesterday looking at them on eBay, but nothing caught my eye except for a few "Fender" ones. I'll keep looking...

Currently listening to:

Find Your Way Back - Michelle ...

Fender Bender

"Yeah," he said casually, "I bought my first guitar today"...

I say 'first', because I aim to become so proficient, that the basic one I bought won't be of sufficient quality for 'future' me, though it should more than suffice for this rookie. After the guy (I feel bad for not getting his name or business card) at City Music in Leominster showed me a few guitar brands and models, and me desiring to stay within a price range of "not crap" and $200, I opted for the Fender Dreadnought DG-8S Acoustic guitar, made of spruce wood, and with a natural finish. It came with picks, an extra set of strings, a strap, an automatic guitar tuner, a string tightener, a gig bag, and a DVD with all kinds of useful stuff on it. All for $199.99 (marked down from a whopping $349.99!), so I think I did pretty well. I dropped an extra fifteen bucks on a gig stand, and left the store sweating bullets (for making such a big purchase while I am unemployed). But I am thrilled to death, and it's for the best of causes - learning a marketable skill. Am I right? ☺

I am too nervous at this point to do more than look at it, but tomorrow I am going to do almost nothing, except learn how to care for my guitar and play it. I like the sound of that: "my guitar"...

The Time Draws Nigh

I just got off the phone with Dwight from The Real School of Music, and we set up my 4 weeks of lessons!

I'll be learning to play guitar from Erik Ringstad beginning this Thursday at 2:30 pm, and continuing for four weeks. After that time, if I am satisfied with my progress and the level of fun, then I most certainly will finish out the year at the pro-rated tuition.

I am so excited, that I kind of want to run right out and buy a guitar before the local music stores close! However, I am going to do some more online research in order to go in prepared, and I may even check out more than one store, just to get the best deal.

* I just (7 pm) received my confirmation e-mail & class schedule, and apparently I do not start until next week. Oh well! More time to get a really good guitar, and have some time to mess around with it beforehand.

Cover This Song!

"Fallin' For You" by Colbie Caillat

I can't get enough of this song, or the mood it evokes: a midsummer's day, not too hot, listening to old 'easy listening' songs from the 70's on the car radio, while driving around with friends looking for something to do, without a care in the world...

Once I gain some proficiency, it's going to be one of the first songs I try to learn.

Impressions I

I went for a long walk yesterday as part of my exercise regimen, iPod implanted in both ears, and mind wandering, as I made my way down the sunny back streets of town in the cool dry air.

I was mindlessly listening to Sara Bareilles' "One Sweet Love", and the lyrics kind of caught me off-guard. I felt an unexpected upwelling of emotions as I walked under the trees past the various houses. It wasn't despair, as I am not a negative person by nature, but there was definitely a sharp pang of melancholy. In a moment of clarity, it made me realize how alone I feel at times. Not alone in the world, because I have an amazing family and many great friends, but alone in love.

I've been lucky enough to have experienced powerful romantic love several times in my life, but that all-encompassing emotional jumble has been missing for a long time now, and for some reason, the song rattled it loose from whatever back room of my mind it had been sleeping in. Which is odd, because I am not really a 'lyrics' kind of guy, nor overly sentimental when there is no woman in my life. Perhaps the lack of a daily work routine has left me more open to emotional internal meanderings. Whatever the reason, and whatever the end result, it has made me more cognizant of lyrics when I listen to music now, and has somewhat altered the way I view the world as I am wandering through it...

Inexpensive Lessons

Two important things happened today to move me forward with my plan to learn how to play guitar:

• My printer arrived via UPS from Staples. I ordered it yesterday, and it arrived today around noon! It is an Epson WorkForce 30. It prints anything you can think of on standard paper, and high-quality photos on photo paper.

• With the printer successfully hooked up I was able to print my Groupon! Four lessons for fifty bucks (normally $140). I am going to call The Real School of Music in Burlington soon to set up my appointments (I just need to buy a guitar now).

I am really looking forward to see if I have the determination and innate talent to make this happen...

Project: Just Learn It Already!

I grew up with a piano in the house, but rarely played. I took trumpet (coronet, actually) lessons in fourth grade, but didn't progress very far. I joined the high school chorus under pressure from the instructor (my two aunts had been proficient students of his), but only sang a handful of times. I joined the drum sections of my high school marching and concert bands (and had a blast for two years), but was never an expert. I had an electric bass guitar in college, but only noodled a bit from time to time. A few years ago, I borrowed a friend's guitar for several months, but it collected dust in its case after a few self-conscious tries.

Now, with all the spare time I have from being downsized from my retail management job back in December, and being bored out of my skull, I have decided to make use of my time, and see if I have the mental wherewithal to learn guitar.

I happen to receive e-mails from a site called Groupon, and today they had a great deal for guitar lessons: Four 30-minute private lessons for $50. I couldn't pass it up. Couple that with my recent guitar shopping (I've had this tiny but steady itch waiting to be scratched for several months now), plus seeing several lifelong friends who are musicians play live rather frequently lately, and I think the time is right to take the plunge.

Why "Jake Burlap"? It's a kooky classic sci-fi rogue-sounding name in the vein of Han Solo, Buck Rogers or Flash Gordon that I have used for a few online games, and have toyed with writing stories about. Having a stage name will make me feel less self-conscious as I figure out how to play guitar, write songs, and (hopefully) perform live someday. Plus, once I get going, it'll be perfect for themes and other stuff (huh?).

Anyway, I am going to look at and buy a guitar sometime this weekend or next week, and then begin my lessons at The Real School of Music in Burlington, MA, hopefully at the beginning of their fall session, on or around September 10th.