Moving On

Time to move on to the second part of p.11 in the Caruso Book. 

Went to a local music store and played some Martin guitars. Then I came home and played my inexpensive Fender acoustic guitar, and, well, in my opinion it sounds just wonderful, even when compared to the more expensive Martins. Recorded an original instrumental song tonight called "More Than This."You see, "there's more to life than what you see around," (A Bruce Springsteen quote). There's also more to life than this physical world. 

I'm finding just about no challenge in guitar playing (though I am by no means an expert).

My mother in law is having issues with cancer (if you are reading this please say a prayer for her). Also, found out yesterday that my dog Zoey (her picture as a puppy is on the front lower right hand side of the first page of this blog) has cancer. Not sure if Zoey has too much time left with us. 

Playing for a charity; December, 2016

 

Caruso Book Sunday

Surprised myself at the piano toady. Spent a lot of the day on and off of the piano, and I thought it was going to take a lot more time to learn something than it did. Up to a part on p. 11 of the Caruso Book, and although I got through it, it isn't at he point where I'm ready to move on. I just thought it was going to be more difficult for me to learn than it was in actuality. I think I underestimate my ability to learn. But it takes work; it's not magic.

Piano Learning

Ok so if I want to play the piano, I'm going to have to go through the Caruso Book. I'm up to pages 10/11, and looking ahead in the book, it ain't gonna be easy. But wow, if Ivan only stay patient and continue with it! I'm gonna do it. This book is great, but it will take me a very very long time to get through it. But I'm committed to doing so. 

Saw LaLa Land again today, but this time I went with my wife. Jazz + Dreams + Love.

Looks like our band will be playing a gig for St Patrick's Day. Our band is also working on marketing ourselves. 

It will be nice to sleep in tomorrow morning....

Goodnight...

Caruso Book

Going to put most piano learning material on hold except for the Caruso/Mollison book. For brevity, from now on, I'll refer to it as "the Caruso book." Working still on p. 10. 

The book looks like it will combine my two interests: voicing songs and improvising. 

Let it Be

Almost done reading Keith Richards' autobiography. Wow! Spent much of this evening adding strings, background vocals, drums, and guitar (courtesy of GarageBand) to a friend's acoustic guitar /lead vocals version of "Let it Be."

Still exercising and practicing good health, but I didn't even quite lose a pound since last week. Discouraging, but not giving up!

Donald Trump is the President. 

New Book

Received my new piano book in the mail today and I'm up to page 10. It's called "Piano Improvisation: A Powerful Practical System," and its authors are Frank Caruso and Karl Mollison. It seems terrific.

Will still use the Susman material to learn songs, but will also use the improvisation book.

Again, what I'd like to be able to do, is play a song on the piano and also include improvisation to the song's changes. 

Self-Portrait

 

Continuation

Continuation of working on the latest Christmas song and continuing to improve my health habits.

I find the newest Rolling Stones album ("Blue & Lonesome") to be wonderful. Inspiring me to get a stratocaster and play blues! Read some stuff on Buddy Guy, also. Those Chicago Electric Blues.... 

Silence

Up to the last lesson in the "What Cild is This?" piano material. 

Also retreading a Yancey book that I read years ago. Goes well with a powerful film that I saw tonight: "Silence." 

What Child is This

Working on lesson 6 (of 8) of "What Child is This?" in the Susman material. Sounding good.  Played Mass tonight with the Church group and it went well. Did mostly a solo on "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" that probably could have sounded better. 

Yesterday a friend sent me an original song, and I added some strings and guitar courtesy of GarageBand. 

Continue to do ok with health and exercise. However, I goofed yesterday; my daughters came home with a pizza. Didn't see it coming. Was ambushed! The damage was four less pieces of pizza in the box. Proud of myself for getting right back into  exercise and diet today. 

Walk

Taken during a walk early tonight...

 

Weight

Lost 10.2 pounds since December 30th. Feels good. Piano going ok but not practicing as much as I should. Will be singing something of a solo on "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" for Saturday night's Mass.

8 Minutes in the Morning

Started working out using Jorge Cruise's "8 Minutes in the Morning Kit." 

Lift Off

Looks like our band is starting to get into gear with regards to publicity. Had a meeting with our band leader today, and we ironed out some things. Also rehearsed some stuff with him on keyboard and me on my Casino guitar.

Also continued to move on in my Susman piano material.

Just having a little typical angst with regards to piano vs. guitar. Every once in awhile I get into the guitar again....

Band Gig / Piano / Guitar

• Offered an official paying band gig. Will be playing it in March with two other band members. I'll be on guitar. Have picked up the guitar again and I'll be playing more of the guitar in order to get ready for this gig.

• I see no reason why that should preclude me spending time learning the piano. Went back to the piano today and continue to work on "What Child is This?" I finished lesson 2 of it.

• Trying still to be be more healthy, but the weight is being very clingy with regards to leaving.

La La Land

Saw the movie "La La Land" yesterday and just loved it. Jazz! Dreams!

Piano Guitar

Started working on Susman's arrangement of "What Child is This?" Tempted to try to learn more on guitar, but I want to keep up the piano challenge. Maybe work on guitar but not as seriously as the piano. I find that there's only so much time I can play the piano; there's that point when I learn a passage but I don't want to go on and learn too much too quick. Maybe during those times I can pick up the guitar.

So far, everyday this year, I've walked more than 10,000 steps daily as exercise. 

piano guitar

Started by looking at a DVD I had regarding learning fingerpicking guitar. Got me into it, but then I travelled to my piano and got into the piano again.

I definitely think that it's time to move to the next song in the Susman material. But I should watch the whole video series to make sure I'm doing things correctly. 

I could definitely still work on increasing the tempo on my piano play.

Random

Random memory

Raindrops hitting my yellow raincoat

Metal buttons 

Making sure my shoes had those coverings

The sound of the raindrops hitting my hood

The smell of the yellow baggy armed coat

My, my mother loved me.

Walk

  During a        Walk Today

 

It

Just a little of piano playing today. Did order the piano improvisation book. 

Was thinking of getting another book to read just for the heck of it, and settled on the Stephen King book, "It." Read "The Shining" many many years ago and loved it. Really liked "Pet Semetary." Read "Salem's Lot" after "The Shining," and was a letdown; seemed just a vampire story to me.

Still maintaining healthy habits. 

Piano

Really getting ok at the "Oh Christmas Tree" song. I think it just might be time to move on. 

Still tempted to get the book on piano improvisation....

Continue to do well taking care of my health.

Piano Piano Piano

Watched "Rocky Balboa" again and loved it. 

Continue to work on Susman material. Wondering if I should work on piano improvisation also. Found a book that might help with that. It's that songs like "Oh Christmas Tree" are so beautiful, yet short, and therefore an improvisation in the middle of the song would be a great thing.

Happy New Year

The "Oh Christmas Tree" song done with the Bill Susman arrangement is just beautiful. I'm done figuring out the whole song, and I really want to get it in my hands.  

Received a Fitbit2 for Christmas, and I've been getting in my 10,000 daily steps. Difficult to stay on course with the diet when there is so much delicious food here from a New Year's Day party!

HAPPY 

             2017

                      NEW YEAR !!!!!!!