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...