New Year's Eve / 2013

GOALS FOR 2014

 

1) Practice at least 35 minutes per day.

A) Ten minutes devoted to the Charlie Christian book written by Joe Dochtermann.

B) Ten minutes devoted to the chord melody material (Conti material).

C) Work on reading notes for the guitar about five minutes

D) Ten minutes devoted to the "Improvise for Real" book. 

2) Will take things slowly and will try to 

not expect too much too quickly. Focus on grasping the material instead of focusing on rushing through things.

Today I worked out of the Charlie Christian book and I must say that I think it is the very thing that I was looking for.

I wish all who are reading this a very happy and safe 2014.

Here's a beautiful Uke version of "Over the Rainbow" done by the late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole:

http://youtu.be/uuQGWxfTh7w

     

Happy 2014 !!

The Charlie Christian Book

Up to page 7 in the book. I like it, and I think it's going to help me a lot in my goal of improvising. I think it's right where I should be in my ability level: not too easy, and challenging without being gobbledygook. Looking foreward to it! As the New Year approaches, I'll be thinking of musical goals for this year.

Eagles beat Dallas to get into playoffs!

PreNew Year

Will be working out of the book: "The Charlie Christian Method for Jazz Guitar" by Joe Dochtermann.  That's the only thing for sure at this point. Ordered a couple of books, too, one called "Improvising for Real" and one on learning how to read music for guitar. Also on the list of things to get into more is chord melody by Robert Conti.

Beautiful Song

My son got me into this....."Endless Ladder" by the Antlers:

http://youtu.be/9h0wByrIl84

Wish List

I officially put in my wish list to Santa. I would like two books:

1) The Guitar Shapes of Charlie Christian

2) The Herb Ellis Guitar Method: All the Shapes You Are 

I'm not getting good info that learning scales and modes would be that great an idea. Also, memorizing leads is ok, but I want to at least try this "shape" stuff to see if it might help me learn improvisation.

Improvisation

Still wonder the best method(s) to use to learn improvisation. Scales? Learning by methods that emphasize imitation? Learning patterns? Using a novel approach? I am such a sucker for buying different methods and books. I do have the Mickey Baker book and I'm thinking of just using that instead of looking for yet another method.

Who are the improvisers I most admire? Louis Armstrong. Charlie Christian. Benny Goodman. The guys who are melodic in their solos. I don't enjoy improvisations that are not melodic.  I can't imagine that the guys who I mentioned sat down and learned scales and modes. They had to have the Desire, Dedication, and Enthusiasm to spend time with their instruments and learn on their own using their ear and their time to find out how they can translate their inner selves to musical ideas as expressed on their instruments.

The Make a Wish Foundation gig

A nice gig today with the band playing Christmas tunes for the Make a Wish foundation. I liked my guitar sound with the new pedal board. Sang lead on two songs: "Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Springsteen version)," and "Run Run Rudolph."  Here's a pic of the new pedal arrangement. From left to right is Delay, Phaser, and Blues Driver pedals.

Interesting

Bought a pedal board and attached my three pedals. Played around with some scale stuff on guitar; interesting.

Snow Tomorrow

Getting ready for some snow tomorrow. Anyway, a while ago a got a little ebook, and today I started to go seriously go through it. Am going to try using it to help improvise, along with an interesting YouTube video I saw. Anyway, you can't beat the price of the ebook (I think its $.99), and it's called:

"Building the Better Guitar Scale" by Michael Pillitiere.  

Stay posted. Due to snow tomorrow I might devote tomorrow to getting into it with guitar in hand.

Christmas Tune

Spent time today relearning Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel in order to play it at Mass tonight. Learned it. Messed up playing it when it mattered. There's a big difference between playing at home and playing in a demand situation. Also what might have contributed to the failure is the fact that I practiced it today with the guitar unplugged whereas at Mass it was of course plugged into my amp, and I also used my digital delay pedal. 

It did feel good though today to get back playing the Assembly Line method. Practice is key, though!

Rudolph

Practiced for Mass tonight with the band. I was indulged in that we went through "Run Run Rudolph." What a great Christmas song and what a great Chuck Berry song! (Recently got Robert Conti's "The Formula" also).

On "Run Run Rudolph" is me on guitar and lead vocal, one other electric guitar player, and acoustic guitar player, a mandolin player, a ukelele player (!), and a drummer. Some background vocal stuff was going on too.

Give a listen:

https://app.box.com/s/kh0bq3797w0gq3jxe5vf

Requirement

Must.

Get.

Back.

To practicing!!!!!

Improvise for Real

Intrigued by the book "Improvise for Real" by David Reed. Just might have to get it.

Interesting

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2013/11/30/dnt-homeless-mozart-has-musical-gift.katu.html

Thanksgiving Night, 2013

Absolutely awesome Elton John concert last night. The sound was excellent, and the SONGS !!!!!

Here's the set list:

Funeral for a friend

Benny and the jets

Candle in the wind 

Gray seal 

Levon

Tiny Dancer

Holiday inn 

Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters

Believe

Philadelphia Freedom

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Rocket Man

Hey ahab

I guess that's why they call it the blues

The One

Ocean's Away

Someone Saved my life tonight

Sad Songs

All the girls love Alice 

Home again

Don't let the sun go down on me

I'm still standing

The bitch is back

Your sister can't dance but she rock and roll

Saturday nights all right for fighting

Encore:

Your song

Crocodile rock

Satin Doll Improv

Spent today mostly practicing the Satin Doll Inprov. Up to measure 20 of 32. Tried to play over a backing track that I made on GarageBand, but playing to it was more difficult than anticipated! Got to work on timing.

Guitar

Back at practicing the improv today.

My best friend recently got me two CDs: NEW by McCartney and THE DIVING BOARD by Elton John. I remain disappointed with Paul's stuff, but the Elton album is impressive stuff.

The moon tonight

CHARLIE CHRISTIAN

Sunday

Ok practice day. Had some trouble remembering improv stuff but what do you expect from trying to practice with the Eagles game on. Finished figuring out Satin Doll chord melody style; have to smooth it out. 

Satin Saturday

Spent some time taking the autumn leaves today. Watched the FSU Seminoles win big against Syracuse, and, oh yea, got some good practice in with the guitar.

Worked on the Satin Doll improv., and began working on the chord melody to it. 

A Fine Practice Day

Learned some more of the Satin Doll improv., and reviewed Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel. Decided to treat myself by ordering a boxed set of Charlie Christian:

Got to Get Back

Have been away from the guitar and hopefully this weekend will bring me back. Thinking of working up Satin Doll improv and chord melody to play in a duet with our bass player.

Update

Yesterday I was able to practice some more of the Satin Doll improv.

Took a trip to South Philadelphia to see the band "My Bloody Valentine" with my son. A good time, except that we had to stand sooo long (no seats in front of stage) and of course an inebriated person had to stake his claim right in front of my son. Got security involved. 

With regards to the music, my own personal opinion is that there is a fine line between art and trash.

Below are some pictures I took this week. I thought that the image of the cross was so interesting right in the middle of a decaying neighborhood. 

Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel

Here's how it's sounding today:

https://app.box.com/s/intyec7imguhl6r0ppqq

Back to it

Practiced Satin Doll Improv. Almost got the first page down.

Back to Conti Full Time

Using just Conti stuff and it feels good. Working on "Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel" chord melody Assembly Line Style, and back to working on "Satin Doll" in the Ticket to Improv book.

Gig and a change

Played gig tonight with the quasi-Gypsy band. Not fun. Not impressed. Don't like how we sound. Made a decision to go back to all Conti materials: will use the Ticket to Improv book instead of the "How I Learned" book. Anyway, here's a pic of yours truely from tonight's gig:

Finally....

Finally, some practice time. Worked on Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel, and added some new memorization of lines in "All of Me." Django is the man.

Executive Decision

Decided to use the "How I Learned" book along with regular chord melody stuff. I think this is the most practical plan.

Difficult to Decide

The Getting into Gypsy Jazz book, or the How I Learned book? Or the Ticket to Improv material? 

Getting Into Gypsy Jazz has a ton of material, whereas the other two has less, apparently. If I had more time the Getting Into book might be the way to go, but time constraints might lead to one of the other two...

Decision Monday

Not sure what book to use. "Getting into Gypsy Jazz Guitar," or "How I Learned."

Sunday

A fair practice day. Finding myself getting again into Gypsy Jazz. Worked more on the "All of Me" solo. It's slow going. 

That being said, I can't see ever going away from chord melody. Very far from perfect, I worked on "Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel" today; it should sound a lot better by Christmas. But here how it's sounding today:

https://app.box.com/s/00jhpxvdyhl37p0xqpdv

Saturday

Good day of practice. Started working on the Advent song using the Assembly Line; also added another 1/2 measure to the Gypsy Jazz "All of Me" improv. I like how the improv book uses the technique of memorizing licks rather than scales; also it talks about when each lick is appropriate (over a major chord, dominant chord, etc.).

Looks like my alma mater Florida State University is making a run for the National Title in football. Fear the spear!

Friday

Played two songs with the band tonight as part of a benefit featuring a number of musical presentations. We did well. A couple of highlights for me was some music that featured some beautiful violins. Was really cool that our singer whose father recently died joined us for one of the two songs.

Got a little plan in mind. Will continue learning Assembly Line stuff. But I think I'm going to put Ticket to Improv away at least for now. I like learning leads from the "How I Learned" book: the explanations seem pretty cool, I can always use these leads in jazzy tunes, and it gives me a chance to keep my feet wet in Gypsy Jazz. 

Got a chance today to work a bit from that book today. Will also start working on an Assembly Line chord melody arrangement of "Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel" to play in what may turn out to be a duet with my friend who will play harp for an Advent and/or Christmas Mass(es).

Thursday

No practice today.

Played at friend's funeral. We were in charge of playing the last song, and I think we did a great job playing a bluegrass version of "Amazing Grace."

God bless you my friend, and may you be with Jesus as I type this. 

Tuesday Practice

Rehearsed with others for the funeral service. 

Also rehearsed for Friday's Church gig.

In between time I actually memorized the first measure to "All of Me" in the Gypsy Jazz book.

Monday Post

Not a lot of practice. But was able to get through what I learned of the Satin Doll improv.

A lot going in this week. Tomorrow night will be practicing for two events. One of which is quite sad. I was asked to play "Amazing Grace" for a funeral as part of a group for one of our singers whose dad recently died. He was a really nice guy who will be missed. Also will be playing two songs with a group at Church on Friday.

Can't help but be intrigued by the book "How I Learned (Gypsy Jazz Instructional Book)" Volume I by Gonzalo Bergara. Just might have to try to use it! He seems to use an approach similar to Conti in that memorization of solos is one aspect emphasized.

Back to the Practice

Ok, took a couple days off. But back to practicing today. Got 1/4 of Satin Doll improv finished, worked on the five big Assembly Line chord forms , and worked a bit on the two songs: Misty and What a Wonderful World. Recently got my son to load some blues and gypsy jazz songs for me.

Bruce / Gig / Practice

I am a Bruce Springsteen fan. The guy is just great. He has such a great connection with his fans. Saw him many times in concert starting in 1980. Anyway, this is a great emotional video which captures his relationship with his fans:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06fCMfcMnqk

Had a good gig tonight. Played for a business group after their meeting. I like it better when we play for folks who actually appear to be listening to us (we were background for their after-meeting socialization), but it went well. Our PA is now going to be replaced with one that weighs less, thankfully.

Had a good practice session tonight, too. Added another measure or so of Satin Doll. Reviewed the Dm7 Assembly Line chord group, worked on Misty. Didn't have it in me to work on What a Wonderful World, but nonetheless feel good that the time I put in was worthwhile.

Practice: Day 3

Again, did not have a lot of time to practice tonight, but again, it feels good to have gotten some in.

Reviewed C, F, G7, and Am Assembly Line Chord forms. Added another measure to the "Satin Doll" improvisation from the TTI book. Continued to work on "What a Wonderful World," and "Misty."

Learned tonight that from now on I should use a pick when practicing the improv material since I'll be using a pick when actually playing it.

Practice: Day 2

Didn't think I'd have time to practice today but actually fit some in. Worked on the first three measures to "Satin Doll," reviewed the C, F, G7 chord forms, and continued working on "What a Wonderful World," and "Misty."

Learned:

Cool that even a little practice can be profitable and enriching.

Practice: Day 1

Spent some time on the practice plan:

1) First spent some time on the Ticket to Improv (TTI) book. Added another measure, I believe.

2) Continued to work in What A Wonderful World. Worked on getting it faster/smoother.

3) Worked on reviewing the C and F forms in the Assembly Line book.

4) Worked on learning Misty.

Some things learned :

1) In the future, try to practice sitting up and with a music stand.

2) In the future, leave this iPhone away! Too tempting to go on Facebook while practicing. Time lengths of segments in a different way!

3) DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE MY ABILITY TO LEARN

4) Try to practice even when you don't feel like it. Wasn't into it tonight, but felt good about it while doing it!

The Practice Session

Reading some of Jerry Coker's "How to Practice Jazz," and I'm thinking he makes some great points about practice.

1) Organization 

2) It's rigorous

3) Consider what you want to accomplish in the long term and how much do you want it? 

4) Progress isn't always linear

5) Relax when practicing

6) Consider logging what was practiced and for how long and what was learned.

Didn't read the whole book; will probably go back to it, but his approach regarding the whats of should be practiced seem different from the Conti approach. Conti emphasizes playing the instrument over getting too technical.

For now, I think points 1, 3, and 6 seem most important to me now. I want to keep utilizing Conti's approaches, and integrating those approaches with some of Coker's general ideas seems to be a good idea for me.  Number 6 can be easily integrated into this blog.

But I think I've been a little too easy on myself in terms of what to practice. Going to try to get more organized and disciplined with the Conti material.

Just some preliminary ideas:

GOALS: 

1) Play solo style guitar in the form of chord melodies. 

2) Improvise

DIVIDE PRACTICE TIME INTO:

1) Go over all chord melody forms in the "Assembly Line" book

2) Playing chord melody songs that I'be already figured out. Pick a different song from my repertoire every three days. Go for clarity and speed.

3) Working on a new chord melody song.

4) Going over new measures to tunes in the "Ticket to Improv" book.

I'm thinking maybe 15 minutes in each of the sections above would be a good start.

I can conclude of logging in this blog what I practiced, how long did I do it, and what I learned.

Game Plan

Thought of a practice plan for now. Each day, spend time on:

1) The "Assembly Line" chord melody forms.

2) The "Ticket to Improv." book.

3) A Chord Melody Song

Today I watched the intro to the "Ticket to Improv." DVD and started it. It's cool to get back to it. Worked on the first measure to "Satin Doll." Also went over five chord melody forms. Amazing how easy they are forgotten; especially the minor 7ths, for me. 

Simplicity is best for me: not getting hung up on changing guitars, tone, different learning methods, what should I buy next , etc. 

Sticking to what I got for now.

Change Time?

I think it may be time to vary my guitar practice and pick it up a notch or two. As much as I don't have a lot of time to practice, I'm going to have to spend some time learning to improvise.

Maybe I'll just stop adding on new chord melody songs and work on cleaning them up while learning improv.

What a Wonderful World

I like the sounds of this. I raised my left leg by putting the foot on a briefcase and put my guitar on my left leg (as taught in my old guitar lessons). I also messed around with tone controls. This was a relatively easy song to learn; started learning it last night and recorded it this morning. This song is a keeper for the repertoire.

Take a listen:

https://app.box.com/s/8n4zxlfpi3dhdkqznn0t

What a Wonderful World

A lot a lot a lot of rain today. 

Had a good Gypsy Jazz Band practice today, getting ready for our upcoming gig. I'm playing mostly rhythm guitar but taking lead on one tune: "Dark Eyes." Looks like we will be continuing to get together past this gig, and that's a good thing.

Started to work tonight on my next chord melody song; decided to work on "What a Wonderful World." This song is one of my favorites of all time, and performed by one of my favorite musicians ever, Louis Armstrong. He also happens to be one of  my favorite people of all time. One of my favorite books is his biography, "Louis Armstrong: An Extavagant Life," by Laurence Bergreen.

Thoughts of Suds

My piano buddy composed this piece some time ago. It's called "Thoughts of Suds (Remembering David Sudnow)."

I met my buddy on the Sudnow Piano Method forum, and she helped my music enormously with her support and encouragement.

After listening, I realize that I could benefit from making the bass notes more pronounced.

So here it is:

https://app.box.com/s/ub1nuh96pel4ftkyxjfe

Success

Finished with my friend's original song. Feels good to have completed it. Surprised it was actually recorded tonight. Sent it off to my friend, and I'm looking forward to hearing her reaction!

It's a funny thing, these musical doubts. Thought of maybe stopping with this song....won't get it right....etc. But it came through. It's a matter of just hanging in there, shutting down the negativity by just playing the guitar, and things ain't that bad.

From now until Christmas I just might focus mostly on learning Christmas songs. A favorite is "Have Yourself a Merry Christmas."

Starting to get that itch again to learn to improvise!!!

Upcoming Events:

Gypsy Jazz gig coming up soon; practice for it will be tomorrow night. Playing at Church Saturday night. Will be playing in December for the "Make a Wish" Foundation.

Just a Little Detour

A friend recently discovered that he can make audio recordings on his phone, and today he sent me a song of him singing and playing guitar. I thought it was great! Through the years I have bombarded him with my recordings, and I didn't think he had it in him! So what I spent my musical time doing tonight was recording his song onto a first track on GarageBand and I added reverb to it.  I then added I think a violin on track two, a cello on track three I think, and a stand up bass on track four. On track five was just a snippet of his vocal. Sounds good, and I'm looking forward to what he thinks of it!

Trying

Trying to get some practice in, worked on some of my friend's original song.  Sacrificed some practice time to have a good time laughing with daughter #2 playing Scrabble. 

May be difficult to get a lot of practice time in the next few months because this is the time of year that I add more hours to my work day.

Hard to believe that tomorrow would have been John Lennon's 73rd birthday.

Just a bit of an addendum:

Ended up working a bit more on the song, and I'm getting there. 

If only there was more time to practice.

So glad to have played Scrabble though!!

Time with kids is much more important than practicing music!! It was fun to laugh with daughter #2 and be silly!!

For some reason tonight I feel more disillusioned with the USA; just not trusting this country and authority here.

Cool Gig

Gig went so well today that I just might stay in the band; it's just the weekly practices that were a drag. I had a chance to sing "Pink Cadillac" and it was cool. Our two female singers do a great job doing Andrew Sisters harmonies on "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." A good gig!

Guitar

Fairly good practice day. Getting ready for tomorrow's gig with the band. This band consists of me on vocals and guitar, another guitarist/vocalist, a drummer, two female singers ( who sound great on "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy!"), and a keyboardist/vocalist.

Continued practicing my friend's original song today, but didn't put as much time in it today as I did yesterday.  

Just some thoughts:

Tomorrow is my last gig in the band unless something comes up and they ask me to join and it's something I wouldn't mind doing. They are staying together, but the pop sound they are doing just isn't my thing at this time in my life. I asked them to get together for the gig tomorrow, it'll include a reunion concert for me but not a reunion tour!

It gets on my nerves when actors try to become musicians and vice versa. Why don't they just keep doing what they do best? Well, I think I know why. What comes most naturally to me is playing my acoustic and singing along. Just playing the acoustic comes somewhat natural. But I want to do other things!

Maybe an electric blues band?

Not sure if the Gypsy Jazz band I am in will stay together past our gig later this month. 

Will DEFINITELY stay with the Robert Conti learning stuff. Love the chord melody stuff; after I learn a number of songs and have more familiarity with the "Assembly Line" methodology, it'll be on to "The Formula," which apparently teaches how to make more sophisticated chord melody arrangements of songs. 

Still want to improvise better; still may get into the Conti "Ticket to Improv" material I have; there's also a book on Amazon that looks tempting.

Jesus

So difficult to accept that Jesus loves me.

Hard Workin' Day!

Played a bit on the acoustic today; my wife prefers the acoustic over the electric sound.

Worked hard tonight on a song written by my piano buddy; she wrote it some years ago, but I'm working hard on a chord melody version. I'm not sure my brain can take any more work on it tonight! Worked on it using my cool Epiphone Sheridan ii. 

New Guitar Day

Cool day. Practiced a bit of "Misty." Traded in my Ibanez for a great solid top Fender acoustic. Made a quick recording with my new guitar that you can hear by opening the link below:

https://app.box.com/s/2m1n4hfk5wyv5ox36ipv

Cool

Was way kind of Robert Conti to like my activity on Soundcloud today! Just played some forms today .

Blue Love

Neglected to add to yesterday's post another tearjerker: the song "Love is Blue."

Music

     Music. I remember my first purchase of music. I loved the theme of "Batman" and I remember my mom getting it for me on a 45 when I was a kid. I wanted it, and I remember crying when they played it in the store thinking that them playing it meant I wasn't going to get it. But I got it. I remember my dad always loving the sounds of the big bands: Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey. Of course the family liked the Lawrence Welk show but I just didn't like that!

     I remember my dad's old albums: Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass (The Lonely Bull). I remember "The Sound of Music" and my grandmother loving that. All the while, in the back ground, the Beatles were being played at my cousins' and by my brother. I remember "Jesus Christ Superstar," loving it, but hating Godspell. The Beatles.

     The Beatles. They were everything to me. I still remember playing "Sgt Pepper" in my bedroom and being floored. Now that music wasn't new to me; I heard it before. But playing that album in my bedroom was something I'll never forget.

     I think I was somehow influenced by my aunt noticing got her musically talented son gave his dad a 45 for Christmas. It was that funky song "Every Time I Move I Lose." My aunt noticed something about how it's always music between her husband and son. I somehow latched onto that.

     The Beatles. Sure, I liked Led Zeppelin, Bad Company (my first concert), and other stuff. Kind of. The Beatles were IT. My dad says he remembers me as a really young kid swaying in the back of our family car singing, "She loves you yea yea yea."

     My first album was a Christmas gift: Honky Chateau by Elton John. The first album I ever bought was Elton's 11-17-70. 

     My mom and dad influenced my tastes a lot. They didn't like "noise" and I am still drawn to melodic music as opposed to free jazz stuff. My mom liked funky sax music and I have such a weak spot for the that stuff. She liked funky stuff. So it's fair to say that my love of melody is very akin to Louis Armstrong stuff as opposed to be-bop (Coltrane).

     But the Beatles. The absolute best.

All their different phases. Psychedelia. White Album. I remember crying to the song "Piggies" on the White Album when I was a kid feeling bad for the little pigs!

     Speaking of crying and music, some music did and some still does, get the tears going. Organ music in Church. The song "Jesus Christ is Risen Today." That one made me cry, but even more when it became forever associated with my parents getting rid of our dog Tina during Easter time, 1972. "A Lover's Concerto." 

     I became more open to different music other than the Beatles when I gave  Peter Gabriel's "So" CD a listen. Got into some great stuff on his "Passion" CD. I used to play the first four songs or so on that CD over and over while reading "The Last Temptation of Christ." 

     Springsteen. Another revelation for me of good rock and roll. Brian Wilson and "Pet Sounds" as well as his "Smile" release. Like my cousin, I think I've always been a music person rather than lyrics person. Love the sounds!!! But that sure didn't stop me from getting into Dylan.

     Made some early recordings perhaps in my early teens that I really wish I still had access to. Some were just pieces of Beatles songs that I pieced together from their albums. But what I really wished I still had is a "Revolution 9" type of sound collages I made.

     Also I remember getting an album called The Best of Muddy Waters, or something like that and trying to figure out that stuff on guitar.

     Wrote a song in college trying to show a friend who loved Dylan that anyone can write a Dylan song. Yea right!

     Got a four track recorder with a friend in the mid 80's or so and wrote a ton of songs with and without him. 

     Took some guitar lessons from a great guy who taught me some good chords. Also took lessons from the legend Joe Sgro, but I am sorry to say I that I did not take those lessons as seriously as I should have.

     I remember a book called "Improvising Rock Guitar" that at least got me started doing some cool Chuck Berry stuff. Wished I was better at improv. Has always been a struggle. 

     Got into piano. Loved the sounds of the Sudnow Method. And now I'm back to the guitar.

     Really getting into the Robert Conti stuff. Music. 

     Music. Still in my life. It refuses to go away.

"The Assembly Line" DVD

Finished watching the DVD tonight. Now it's time to get back on the guitar.

Assembly Line DVD

Into about 1 hr 15 min of the DVD.

It's Friday

Had band practice. Went ok, but not quite my cup of tea. The picture below was taken by me, but it was daughter #2's idea.

Misty and Christianity

Work continues on "Misty." I just might make an experiment out of this one; take my time, take my time, TAKE MY TIME !!

Try to not rush it along / learn it in tempo / try to really pay attention to some chord forms. 

Within a week, I'd also like to get through the accompanying DVD to the "Assembly Line" book. 

Thinking about Christianity....Protestant vs. Catholic perspectives... I love how the Protestant perspective focuses on Jesus. Being raised Catholic, I sometimes feel us Catholics get lost in tangential issues and legalism. But why the Catholic Church seems is to be Christ's Real Church for me is based on the following:

1) The Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. It seems to me that Christians historically have emphasized this. It seems that Luther himself believed in the Real Presence!!!!

2) The Protestant emphasis on salvation based on faith alone seems in error. I like how the Catholics say the Bible shows that we are saved by faith as well as works in the auspices of that faith.

3) Seems to me that Christianity existed before the Bible.

4) Apostolic Succession

Someone I recently talked to made sense saying that perhaps the focus on the central meaning of the Gospel message is what is crucial. (So perhaps I'm focusing on too much tangential stuff in focusing on the Catholic vs Protestant debate and I should instead focus on my own relationship with Jesus). I though of this years ago, but it's very easy for me to get sidetracked in the denominational debate.

You Can Say That I'm ...

Continuing some work on Misty. Considering reading a booklet I downloaded on Kindle which apparently simplifies scale learning.

"Misty"

Decided to work on "Misty." Started working on it today. Still want to get around to watch the Assembly Line DVD.

Misty is sounding good; manipulating the chords a bit to hit notes that fall through the cracks of typical chord formations.

Holding Position

Trying to figure out exactly where to go from here. Learn more songs? Perfect the ones I know? Little of both? Learn some improv.? Play some blues?

Practiced the five main chord groups tonight. I really should review them often, as I had some issues with them tonight.

Want to sell that Ibanez !

My Hometown

Me and my son visited my dad in my hometown today. Got to visit an old high school friend who I haven't seen in about 33 years! 

I'm dealing with some self induced nonproductive criticism of my work I recorded yesterday; will try to knock that off!

Getting interested in the blues a bit again after seeing a John Lee Hooker album in a record shop today. My son is getting me to hear some of his music; some of it I like.

Below is a pic of three generations of the guys in my family.  Yours truly is in the center:

The Christmas Song

Here's how "The Christmas Song" sounded tonight:

https://app.box.com/s/9h89gjglyte930sqoi4b

Christmas in September

Completed figuring out "The Christmas Song" today.  Of course it still needs work, but it sounds pretty good!

Had a good Gypsy Jazz band practice tonight. Looks like I'll be singing "Moonglow." Playing no real improv. solos, I'll be on rhythm. 

No one seems too interested in buying my Ibanez! Wanna sell it, get an Epiphone acoustic that caught my eye for $150, and work on my effects for my electric set up.

Santa's on his Way

Did not practice yesterday. Continued work today on "The Christmas Song," and I'm about up to "...they know that Santa's on his way..." part.  Having a hard time selling my Ibanez. Gypsy Jazz band practice tomorrow.

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

Started working on "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)." Got up to these lines: "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Yuletide..."

Also reviewed the minor 7th chord forms.

Want to watch the DVD associated with the "Assembly Line" book. 

Danny Boy

Eventful day. I bought the Epiphone Sheraton pictured below. Also recorded a (very) rough version of "Danny Boy," and here's how it sounds:

https://app.box.com/s/fv2g263h295b4e1k3trk

A Good Day

1) Sold Gypsy Guitar. Though I don't feel fantastic about that, I do feel good about it. Gypsy Jazz is a very singular musical genre that I just don't see myself pouring into. 

2) Looks like I'll be buying what sounds like a beautiful Epiphone Sheraton ii tomorrow.

3) I am up to the last exercise in the "Assembly Line" book: learning the song "Danny Boy." This book just might be the single most powerfully helpful tool that has ever helped me learn a musical instrument.

Band Rehearsal

Fairly good band rehearsal tonight as I got to sing some Beatles. May be selling the Gypsy Jazz guitar tomorrow. Looking at getting possibly a different acoustic and/or another electric. Liking the Epiphone Sheridan IIs that I'm seeing on EBay. 

Lesson 23!

Up to Lesson 23 in the Assembly Line book. After I finish the last assignment, I need to watch the DVD.

Proud of what I learned, including: two major chord group forms, a dominant group form, two minor seventh chord groups, three movable diminished chords, five minor 7 flat five movable chords, and four movable augmented chords. 

I suspect that pretty soon its going to be a matter of putting all this stuff together with possibly some alternative chords in the back of the book in learning songs.

Then it'll be on to my next Conti purchase: "The Formula," which apparently teaches how to make more complex arrangements of songs!

A picture I took today of some approaching bad weather:

Augmented

Started Lesson 21; up to learning the augmented chord forms.

Photo posted by Julian Lennon on Facebook

65 and 21

Got my Fender Princeton 65 amp today, and I really like it. In my opinion, my Peavey sounded too muddy. The Princeton had those bright tones that I really like. Picture below.

I am also up to Lesson 21 of the Assembly Line book.

On a totally unrelated note, I hate that it is so much easier to go on Facebook or just about anything on this phone of mine than it is to read my Bible.

Minor 7 Flat 5

Started working on memorizing the -7b5 shapes. Three down, I think two to go. Getting them somewhat confused with the diminished forms. 

Looks like I'll be trading my Peavey amp for a smaller Fender amp plus cash.

I think I'm going to do something daring. While I continue to work on chord melody stuff, I think I'm going to work on "Mickey Baker's Jazz Guitar" book, but only on Part 2; the part that focuses on soloing.

Or maybe I'll just stick with chord melody!

Lesson 20

Up to Lesson 20 in the Assembly Line book. Getting there! This lesson will probably take some time to internalize. Learned in the book there are possibly more solutions to a chord/melody note combination, so that was relieving! 

OK

An ok musical day. Was good to hear from an old piano friend on a piano forum I used to frequent quite often. A good day of practice. Practiced with the old band plus an added singer in order to prepare for an upcoming surprise birthday gig.

Also practiced a bit on guitar. Went through the five forms. I think I got the forms down pretty well; however, trouble ensues when I switch them around to different places on the guitar neck. Perhaps I would benefit from practicing the forms in different locations.  Was interesting, too, figuring out a bit of "And I Love Her" using the Assembly Line forms. 

Wondering just what is going to happen with regards to the Syria issue. I'm at the point where I believe that we aren't getting the full story as to what is REALLY going on. Just like in the early 1960's we were led to believe that JFK did such a great job dealing with the Cuban missile crisis; it was only later, I believe, that it was revealed that sure, Russia agreed to remove the missiles, but the US had to agree to not invade Cuba. I just don't think we are hearing everything. So I vote that we do not intervene militarily. I vote that we use our brains to figure out other ways of dealing with the chemical warfare capabilities of other countries. I don't trust politics, and I trust politicians even less.

Really Good Practice Day

Just love this "Assembly Line" book by Robert Conti. Got a lot accomplished today in the book; I'm now up to Lesson 16. Continued to review my five chord forms. Can probably play just about any song now in this style, but the issue is that it will take awhile to work the song up. I wanted to play songs "on the fly" from fakebooks, but lets not get ahead of ourselves here! Enjoying it and that's what matters. 

The Forms!

Those forms are getting easier and easier! Just didn't have the energy to practice a new lesson today, but I played through the C, F, G7, Dm7, and Am7 forms. It would be great if even on days like this when my energy for practicing is low that I at least go through these forms to keep them burned more and more into my brain and hands.

Guitar in the Morning Sun

Honored !

Ok, so I'm working on Lesson 10 in the Assembly Line book. Took some time, but I thought I got it correct. I look up the solution, and it seemed like I didn't. I started looking for clarification about what I did wrong by going to a Conti site. Who comes on to answer my question but the man himself! In essence, he basically told me I was doing nothing wrong and that my solutions were ok. Onward to Lesson 11!

"comparison....need of approval and recognition..."

I originally quoted this in an older post, but I think I'll repost it here. It is as relevant to me now as it was then:

"The joy of the moment can be experienced at any stage of learning. We need only to recognize when we are guided away from ourselves by standards of performance based on comparison with others, or by the need of approval and recognition for accomplishment."
-Mildred Portney Chase, in: Just Being at the Piano

Labor Day, 2013

A good practice day. Time to move along in the Assembly Line book. Its time to move on from the C,F,G7, Dm7, and Am7 forms, as well as move on from the Diminished chord forms. A little scary to move on because it'll be new turf to be entered into, and that's certainly an opportunity to be frustrated! Will try to take it slow, and be persistent.

Dm7

Lost about 25.5 pounds since June 14th. Walking an hour a day on Saturdays and Sundays, and sometimes walking on other days. Trying to eat better, still.

Some brief, but productive practicing today. Added the Dm7 chord group to my repertoire. 

Difficult figuring out when I'm spending too long on a certain thing or to little time on something else. Just want to get thru the Am7 sequence tomorrow and get on with the Assembly Line book.

C....F....G7

Focused today on getting those 3 chord forms in my brain. Enjoying the guitar more now that's cleaned up and with new strings.

Good Gypsy Jazz practice tonight with the band! I hope we keep doing this band past the next gig. 

Changed the strings on my Ibanez and cleaned it up. Practiced a little of the C forms.

Goodbye Flashcards

Flashcards? Bad idea. Got focused on the wrong stuff. Basically by focusing on the flashcards, I think I have been too much in my head in not enough playing the instrument.

Starting yet again on learning and burning into my brain the C, F, G7, Dm7, and Am7 chord patterns. I think instead of going off on some tangents, I need to stick with leaning the book, and watching the video. And playing my guitar more and into my brain less.

Really focused today on burning that C pattern into my hands, forward and backward.

The issue is simple: I see "The Assembly Line" material as being an ideal opportunity for me to play some good stuff. So why pass? Do it the right way even if it is slow going.

Worked a little on Flashcards. But here's a great picture of my mom, my brother, and me (the little one) taken many, many years ago....

A Day For Flashcards

No playing on guitar today; spent time just trying to memorize my Flashcards. Would really like to have those shapes internalized and ready for instant retrieval.

Maybe I'll alternate one day flashcard work and one day guitar work. 

Middle School!

Under the..... Work in Progress

Did some studying of my Conti Chord Organization. Also did a recording of "Under the Rainbow." Here it is (may need to copy and paste onto your server).

https://app.box.com/s/0empzgad4vozxuevulyu

It is a work in progress.

Bobby Fisher Teaches Chess

A long, long time ago, I completed a book called, "Bobby Fisher Teaches Chess." Now you would think after completing a book like that, my chess game would improve, correct? Well it did not. Reason? I read the book, but did not INTERNALIZE the book. I read words, and looked at diagrams, but did not study it.

Reminds me of how I do NOT want to go through "The Assembly Line" book. I could get through it faster if I just did the exercises with little attempts to integrate the material, but I really want to learn this stuff.

Worked a bit in the book today (I'm up to Lesson 10) but mostly worked on organizing my flashcard system. The book has 24 lessons, and then concludes with an arrangement of "Danny Boy." There is then more supplemental material that can be learned.

Gypsy Jazz

A fun rehearsal tonight of gypsy jazz. Me on rhythm guitar; also had a mandolin player, a viola player, and a musician who played an electronic woodwind instrument that sounded wonderfully like a clarinet and also a sax. Stand up bass player was ill; drummer had difficulty finding the rehearsal place. It was great seeing the mandolin player; I haven't seen him since January. Had fun playing tonight, especially when the woodwind player used the clarinet sound. I am a sucker for that old New Orleans Louis Armstrong music! A really nice time.

On second thought...

On second thought, maybe the flashcards are not a bad idea, but maybe how I was utilizing them can be altered to maximize their effectiveness. I may try to keep using them; however, I think using them in conjunction with learning the C, F, G7, Am7, and Dm7 chords in order as presented in the Assembly Line Book just might not be a bad idea.

Practice, practice, practice

Worked a lot today; learned the Dm7 chords, and continued to work on "Over the Rainbow." It doesn't quite sound the way I'd like it to, but it's ok, I guess. Not really sounding the way I'd like it to amplified, but it's ok, I guess. Frets on the guitar feel somewhat difficult on my fingers. Want to clean up the guitar and put new strings on it. Time to move on in the Assembly Line book.

Mother and Child Reunion

A beautiful Paul Simon song that takes on a poignant meaning for me since my mom died. 

To me, he's saying that to those who lose a mom that he doesn't want to give "false hope" or sugary advice, but there will be a reunion someday between the child and the deceased mother. He's empathizing with the person who lost the loved one: "I've never been laid so low." "Although they (the Beatles) say Let it Be," "it just don't work out that way (it isn't that easy) when you lose your mom. You will experience other deaths "in the course of a lifetime" "over and over again," but the reunion "is only a motion 

(an effort to feel their presence) away." Or, the reunion is "only a moment away 

(Life is so short, you will meet up with the loved one in person soon)."

Although he got the song title from a simple menu item at a Chinese restaurant, Simon taps into some poignant and timeless themes of love, empathy, hope, and spirituality.

Last Known Pics of Lennon & McCartney Together

I think there is one more I missed, and I think the year is 1974.

Working the Assembly Line

Mostly worked on Am7 chord group today, and continued to work on "Over the Rainbow."

Back to Basics

Went back to learning the C, F, G7, and some of the Am7 forms. It's coming along. Also continued to work a bit on "Under the Rainbow." 

Finding it somewhat easy to learn the building blocks (chord forms),  but difficult in application within the context of the song.

The expectation that a lot to do with music learning is easy (at least for me) will only lead to frustration. Need to accept the fact that its difficult, but focus on merely continuing to do the work. The book The War of Art I believe talks about this. It is not the artist's job to criticize his or her work; in fact, the artist has no business criticizing the work. The artist's job is to create. The artist's job is to provide quantity. Provide quantity, and the quality will take care of itself. In terms of where I'm at now with this stuff, this can be worthwhile. My job isn't to criticize myself for any so called lack of talent or anything else that I might put a negative spin on during this process. My job is to just practice.

Relatedly, I read a story about an old time clarinet player, I think it was Artie Shaw. A fan approached him and said that he (the fan) tried music when younger, but the talent just wasn't there. Artie Shaw replied something like: you put in all the X number of hours of practice that I put in, and then come tell me about a lack of takent!

Flashcard Fail

In playing the guitar tonight, I think I may have been wrong in thinking that flashcards would have been very helpful. I think I'll learn better by mostly following the method as described in the "Assembly Line" book. Back to the drawing board we shall go in learning the forms yet again. This time with guitar in hand. 

New Guitar Here

A bit disappointed in that the guitar has small indentations on back of neck; can sometimes feel them in play. It's ok, though, I can live with it. Worked on some flashcard stuff today; getting interested again in Gypsy Jazz. 

Just Plain Creepy

Slow Goings

Difficult to memorize those Flashcards. But after my guitar comes, it will be time to focus practice time on playing songs, continuing with the "Assembly Line" book, and seriously consider taking on the "Ticket to Improv" material again. 

Daughters

Daughters #1 and #2 a number of years ago

Some More Pics

On the butterfly bush yesterday:

Yours truly, many years ago: