lets switch things up some

Back to chords! That's right folks, after saying I was going to go straight for the B string today; I didn't! My life is so full of unexpected twists, I don't know how I stand it. After talking with Mel about when she and her dad started to play; I decided to get into the chords again. It is much more difficult to find the chord strings and keep some type of tempo. I just need to look my fingers too much. I need lots of practice, and I believe that is the name of the game. It's hard to get used to a rhythm when strumming. Just another part of guitar that I took for granted and assumed was easy. I have to get my brain working on both hands at once. I can't get a good strumming rhythm when I am thinking about where my fingers are supposed to be for the chords. It will take a while before I can play chords to music.

Its funny because my middle finger and pinky are a little sore. With playing the notes only, I haven't been using those fingers.

moved my "studio"

Mel and I decided to move the guitar and gear up to the bedroom. I had been using the computer to listen to my lessons CD, but someone is always on the computer or wants to be on it or I have a problem getting it to work correctly or the kids are around making noise or getting in the way. I brought in an old CD player, the amp, and the guitar case. We have chairs and a coffee table in the reading area of the bedroom, and I set my gear up there. I went to play today and noticed that I can't sit in the chair and look at my lesson book, let alone work the CD player with the guitar on my lap. I ended up standing with the lesson book on the bookcase and the CD player on the bureau.

I had begun playing the guitar while standing and have worked my way to sitting at the computer to play. I didn't think I would have any trouble but when I was standing before I was just playing chords. Now with playing notes, sometimes when you strum the one string you are not pressing any strings with your left fingers so I had some trouble controlling the guitar. The guitar was also at a different angle because it wasn't sitting on my lap. This caused me to strum the wrong string or miss the E string altogether. So many excuses so little time.

I did start with the E string and worked up to the B. I used the music and did okay with B,C,D notes but again, when I got to the Two string rock song, I just couldn't get the flow and the timing it sounded really bad and just wasn't coming together. At that time Gram Gram showed up so it was a natural stopping point.

Tomorrow I will start right away on the B string.

new string B

after working on the E string for a few minutes today, I moved on to the B. I didn't play along with the CD I have so I could get used to the notes before worrying about timing. I practiced the 2 songs using the B,C, and D notes and did okay. again I didn't use the CD because my computer was slow and I couldn't get it to cooperate, but I did work on 3 songs that used both strings. It was tricky for the first song because it was just a "2 string rock" and I didn't know the tune, but the other songs were Ode to Joy and Jingle Bells. It was fun to try these familiar songs and see how I could read the music and play, albeit very slowly. I never thought I would enjoy this as much as I am.

Happy New Year

Resolutions-same as most people I am sure. Lose weight, exercise, be a good person... and practice, practice, practice my guitar. I have only practiced once since my last post and I did okay I guess. I tried to go up to the B string but that was a disaster so I quickly jumped back to the somewhat familiar E string. I plan on squeezing in a session sometime tonight.
I really want to try to get on some type on schedule. Get up at 6, exercise, have breakfast, play guitar. Simple as that. I'll tell you how that goes on the next exciting blog.

break for christmas

Haven't had time to play in the last couple days, and only a short time to play in the days before that. Christmas time is upon us and we have been busy cleaning and now my mother-in-law and brother-in-law are here. It will be interesting to see what I can remember come Wednesday. I talked to my Dad yesterday and he was talking about an acoustic guitar that was his Dads that he thought that he might have given it to Deb a long time ago. I think this might be the guitar that I gave to Mike a couple years ago as a joke gift when he was talking about getting a guitar but I can't remember if I did get it to him or if it just ended up getting trashed. I'll have to check with him.

The last few times I played I had a real hard time with my timing and when I went to play a song that didn't start with E it really messed me up. I really have to get into practicing more and for longer periods before I go back to work.

Merry Christmas to all

picking away

how fun and frustrating! it actually sounds like music! I played just 3 notes, E,F, and G, but it was nice to hear a real tune. playing chords is fine but it just sounds like random strumming now. it was interesting to play while looking at and reading sheet music, but it was tricky to keep your fingers in the correct spots even though it was all on the same string. i kept strumming the wrong string or putting my finger on the wrong fret or lose my timing. it was a fun challenge.

change in pace, again

Once again I switched my self-teaching guide. I started off with a book that only taught 3 main chords to start (G, D7, and C), then changed to reading and picking notes. I was only there for a little while when I went to the computer self guide that Mel had found. That one was all about the chords, wanting you to be proficient at all chords, major, minor, 7's, 6's, and everything before going on to notes. I just bought a guide from Walmart that had a CD, and a DVD. This one starts out with notes! Obviously there is no definite rule.
I haven't practiced all that much lately, although I did spend about an hour yesterday with Mel restringing and retuning the guitar and it does sound much better. I didn't get a chance today because I was busy all morning and never had a good block of time this evening.