PRACTICE

I saw a great saying somebody apparently used as his or signature on some forum. It said something like: "Don't practice until you got it right. Practice until you can't get it wrong."

Chord Melody

Working to get together those melody notes for the C, F, G7, and Dm7 chords. It's getting there if I don't try to go to fast in my learning.

Wanted to learn from the Conti improv material, but not only am I enjoying his Assembly Line book too much, but it looks like perhaps on the horizon is a Gypsy Jazz gig. So I guess I better go back to the Gypsy Jazz learning.

Walked an hour today, eating better, and mowed two lawns today.

"TWO CRUCIFIXES"

I call this picture, "Two Crucifixes." We are called to be crucified with Christ Jesus.

CHORD MELODY

Continue to work on Chord Melody notes for four chords: C, F, G7, Dm. Starting to slowly get more and more into rockabilly. Made a list with the upright slap bass player of about 4 or 5 songs to begin with.

Walked almost an hour today; lost 10.9 pounds since June 14.

Robert Conti

What a great book (Conti's "Assembly Line"). Really simplifies chord melody into things that are actually musical, and not technical. Today continued to work on the C, F, and G7 melody notes while adding Dm notes.

Very important for me to practice everyday; little chunks of time help big time. 

Still walking an hour a day and eating better.

Short & Productive Practice

Going through chord melody stuff; started learning the Dm melody shapes.

Walked an hour / eating better.

The Day the Music Died

Today is the eight year mark of the death of a very special 17 year old relative. Sad day. 

Today I worked on my chord melody stuff and I'm really liking it. Not too easy, not too difficult. Exactly what is needed. Will probably ditch Gypsy Jazz (at least for now) and continue to work on Conti's Assembly Line stuff and his improvisation stuff.

Chord Melody; Rock and Roll, Gypsy Jazz and ....

....now possibly rockabilly. Maybe. We'll see. Had a productive short practice tonight in which I finished with the G7 melody notes in the Conti book.  

I really like the idea of being able to improvise. I think I'll put Gypsy Jazz on the shelf and again pick up Conti's "Ticket to Improv" material.

Continue to walk an hour a day and eating better. Lost 8.5 pounds since June 14.

Happy Birthday (You Know Who)

Ok so I got something going here. Taking my time is helpful. Continue to work on the C, F, and some G7 melody notes from the Conti book. 

But here's where it gets interesting: Learning lead stuff from a book called, "How I Learned" Volume 1 / Gypsy Jazz Instructional Book, by Gonzalo Bergara. Trying to take it one measure at a time.

Cool trying to integrate the two!

Still walking an hour a day and eating better.

Dragging

Practice dragged today. Still working on the melody notes to the C, F, and G7 chords.  Would be really helpful if I don't get ahead of myself and see what's ahead (learning other forms) as being so daunting. Staying in the present would be helpful.

I do not think I like what is typically known as the jazz guitar lead sound. I DO like the Gypsy Jazz lead guitar sound and the chord melody stuff. Thinking I just might integrate the chord melody stuff with the Gypsy Jazz lead style. 

Impatience

Working on the G7 melody notes while trying to remember and not confuse what I went through already (the C and F melody notes). Can get impatient and have to remember that this takes time!  Interesting how Conti's Assembly Line stuff for guitar reminds me of the Gregory Moody piano stuff.  Exercise wise, still walking an hour a day, and continuing to eat better.

G7

A short yet productive day with regards to music. Checked out my guitar and amp with a friend's guitar and amp and feel better about the sounds I'm getting. I thought something was off and perhaps the blame was to be put on the guitar or amp, but it turns out my guitar and amp sound just as good as a buddy's guitar and amp. So I took my amp off of Craigslist. 

My best friend sent me a comic strip of a father and son seeming to disagree about bands, but them they hug when they find that they both like Led Zeppelin. The mom seems clueless.

Happy 71st birthday to one of the best ever: Sir Paul McCartney.

Another friend of mine is seeing the Rolling Stones tonight.

And I started working again on the G7 melody notes in the Conti Assembly Line book.

June 17, 2013

Walked an hour this morning....

Not the best of guitar practices today. Was fatigued.

June 16, 2013

A great Father's Day. Out to eat, visited father in law, practiced guitar, went out for water ice with family.

A good guitar practice session today. Trying to internalize the chord melody notes to the C Major and F Major chords.

Doing well with exercising and eating better. Walked an hour yesterday as well as today.

Father's Day 2012

Father's Day, 2013

June 15, 2012

Started the notes associated with the F Major chord.

June 13, 2013

Finished learning melody notes to the C scale per Conti's "Assembly Line" book. For some reason can't get started learning the Gypsy Jazz stuff. Perhaps its simply because I think it won't be as fun as learning Conti stuff. Per health venture I've been exercising daily and eating better. Feels good. Per spirituality, ordered Yancey's Reaching for the Invisible God.

June 11, 2013

Recently finished listening to some CD of Gypsy Jazz where the lead guy sounded so much like Django. But I'm thinking, where is the originality? Where is the creativity? Perhaps the artist does other stuff that is more original? Really weird how I am drawn to play jazz guitar but I can't really say I like listening to it. Practiced from the Conti book tonight and enjoyed it. Thinking of bagging Gypsy Jazz . . . . . . . 

June 10, 2013

Had a good practice tonight. Started to relearn the Conti Assembly Line material. Although the guitar strings were difficult to put on, they really feel good today.

June 9, 2013

Played at Mass last night in which my mom was remembered in a special way. Brother played mostly bass. Had a singer perform a beautiful version of Ave Maria as a prelude piece. Brought tears to my eyes.....Hymns hand picked be me consisted of two of mom's favorites: Here I Am Lord and Prayer of St. Francis. Also played How Great Thou Art and I am the Bread of Life. My father/mother in law had the Mass said, and father in law said the readings. Son was alter server. Wife and daughters were in the congrgation as was my dad.

Today I started taking care of business by restringing my Casino. Not fun. Started diet too...

June 2, 2013

Had a great time with the band yesterday playing at South Bethany Beach. First time we played with the drummer, first time I played a true gig with the bassist, and we had a country singer join us for some songs. I sang a variety of stuff, but "Slow Down" was cool. Wasn't as hot as expected. Great time, but u fortunately came home with a nasty cold. Next gig will be a Mass during which it will probably  asked to remember my mom Ina special way. May have a wonderful singer sing "Ave Maria" (Schubert) prior to Mass.

June 1, 2013

Getting ready for gig... A VERY hot day and we will be playing outside. More to follow.