The Jazz Lines

Restarted “The Jazz Lines” by Robert Conti. Need to take notes on this one! 

Scarborough

Had a good time playing a gig last night. The picture below was taken at it. Did a recording today of “Scarborough Fair.” Sounds best if you use headphones:

https://app.box.com/s/parzkh0noui6o8br9ilmcnfbyvf65e3k

Thinking I want an American Special Fender Telecaster (about $1000), but the Epiphone Casino Coup I played last night sounds excellent. I can get one for $385. That’s a gigantic price difference, so I want to definitely try a Telecaster before I commit to getting one. Tried a different Telecaster the other day and I was not impressed. It would be nice to have a piece of history and tradition with the Telecaster, but I want to make sure I like it. The picture below from last night’s gig is with the Casino Coup. I liked the sound better than the sounds from the regular sized Casino.

Keep playing “Misty” on the piano. Started get back into the “Pop Piano Pro” stuff that I have had for some time.

As Time Goes By

I sold my Epiphone Dot, and it’s relieving. I think I want an American Fender Telecaster. 

Found myself learning a second piano song arranged by David Sudnow: “As Time Goes By.” Learned it years ago; interesting how some of it still feels a bit familiar.

Trying not to judge musical progress, trying not to be overly critical is so difficult.

Swing Guitar

Taking it nice and slow with learning swing guitar. Using Paul Howard’s “Guitat Roots: Swing / The Roots Of Great Guitar Playing.” Skipped ahead to the part that teaches soloing.

Fly Eagles Fly

Spent some of today with the piano, playing “Misty.” It was nice but I doubt my ability of memorizing 12 songs in this style.

Also spent a considerable amount of time practicing Swing Guitar out of a Method book, and I’m liking it. 

Oh, and 

The Philadelphia Eagles Are Headed to the Super Bowl!!!!!!!!

Misty

Got frustrated and gave up trying to learn some finger picking guitar stuff

Finished learning Sudnow’s arrangement of “Misty.” Such Wonderful sounds.

Experimented with the “Audacity” download on my computer. Made my first real take on it today recording “Misty” with my Blue Yedi microphone. Interesting, and I like it. I can’t successfully figure out how to use multitracking on it yet. 

Not going to make any long term musical learning goals at this point other than just  keep playing piano using the Sudnow Method.  Listened recently to some older piano stuff I recorded and it’s cool.

In the Family

My maternal grandmother’s brother was an artist. I liked him:

Misty Piano

I took out my guitar last night, but I put it down. I went for the piano and am still working on David Sudnow’s arrangement of “Misty.” 

All Over

All over the place with what music I want to play!!!!

Blues guitar, acoustic guitar, swing Charlie Christian guitar, piano! Up to about the changing part in Misty. 

Took or son back to College today:

Misty Windy

I love hearing the wind roar outside our house. Continue to practice and learn “Misty.” Liking it still. Finished the first story (“Description of a Struggle”) in my Kafka book and it was difficult (for me) to follow. Not sure what to make of it except that it perhaps was describing the difficulty and absurdity of life and our failing frantic efforts to make sense of it. Still reading the Steinbeck book also. Celebrating my best friend’s 55th birthday tomorrow. 

I am no fan of President Trump. I feel good that people are holding him accountable for his disasters. Perhaps I feel a little sorry for him, also. Was always a kid that cried easily and yea, though it may sound like a cliche, I was certainly sensitive. I remember me feeling sad for a cartoon character in a book I had because he was on a stage, and his face looked so sad because the audience was throwing tomatoes at him. I remember writing on the page something like, “Do not look at if you are (I forget the details) years old.” I assumed that younger people would also be saddened by the picture.

I love hearing the wind roar outside my house.

Add Steinbeck

Practiced piano / continue to read my Kafka book, and started (and enjoying) John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men.”

Misty Scales

Working with the Sudnow Method for piano. Working on “Misty” and my scales. Liking it. Taking my time. Not spending too much time practicing, but I know that will change as my repertoire increases. Looking at Sudnow’s voicings for “Misty” is illustrative; going for sounds rather than strict rule following. Do not monitor progress; just practice. Learning piano is not an intellectual issue. 

J.D. Salinger / Kafka

On New Year’s Day I read the whole of “Franny and Zooey” by J.D. Salinger. Loved it. Spoiler Alert: I especially liked the very end where it seems as if Salinger is making some peace with the phonies. In Jesus.

“Just think how many thoughts a blanket smothers while one lies alone in bed, and how many unhappy dreams it keeps warm.”

      - Franz Kafka (“Desription of a Struggle”)

2018

Started with “Misty” on piano. Read some Sudnow stuff. Finished J.D. Salinger’s “Nine Stories.” And Happy New Year!!!!!