This blog is about me and my music. My current focus is on learning piano using the Sudnow Method and guitar improvisation. I currently play guitar in a band that concentrates on playing the early rock and roll of the 50’s and 60’s. I also play guitar in a trio setting that focuses more on the jazzy side. Seemingly irrelevant posts on this blog reflect topics that are probably expressed in my music somewhere.
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Day 3 of Bible in a Year
Lord, how do you want me to live today? Let me be like Noah to you; refusing to be like the sinful environment around me.

Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Another update
* Went to the sacrament of Penance about 2 months ago, and I’ve been getting back to my Catholic faith. Last night, started into a Bible in a year program.
* Jazz gig and gig for my youngest daughter’s graduation will soon be here.
* Really liking to listen to Slack Key guitar instrumentals.
* Haven’t had enough discipline to regularly practice fingerpicking acoustic guitar, but still interested in doing so!
Friday, April 25, 2025
Quick Update
On the DVD, up to Volume 2. But will take a break for now on it.
Started a little of an Alternate Tuning book.Might do more with that.
Also getting into Hawaiian Slack Key guitar! Ordered a book about learning it.
This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday. I feel an affinity with that. Been attending and joined a different Catholic parish in my area. A beautiful Church. Been reading some Catholic literature, too. There’s a lot there. Learning.
Why I’m back in the faith is because of two factors:
1) I’m getting older. To be 63 in May. I want to get into heaven.
2) The Catholic Faith is a faith that I simply believe in. So it would be amiss if I don’t rejoin.
If anyone reading this feels a draw to the Catholic faith, or if you are a lapsed Catholic, please look into it more. Make an appointment to talk to a local priest.
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Guitar and Faith Update
Working on the last song of Volume 1 my “Fingerpicking Guitar Techniques” DVD set: “Make Me a Pallet in Your Floor.” Difficult, but workable. Been working on this DVD since this past November, and I feel accomplished! Feeling accomplished in that I’m actually sticking to it and with ONE method! Really liking the sound of my Martin 000-10e. Still saving for another acoustic guitar.
Still in the Jazz trio, and that’s going well too. Using the stuff that I learned in my guitar improvisation course. Feeling really good about not trying to learn yet another method of improvisation.
Want to get back into my Catholic faith. Went to the sacrament of Penance yesterday, and then Mass today.
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Monday, February 10, 2025
Sunday, February 9, 2025
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Continuing with Stefan Grossman DVD
Haven’t posted here in about a month, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been playing. Really diving into Stefan Grossman’s “Fingerpicking Guitar Techniques” DVD. Up to song four: “Nobody’s Dirty Business.”

Interesting - seems like starting to figure out a new tune seems monumental when I start it - then I take my time and it gradually (VERY “gradually!”) comes together.
Like when he answered a forum post of mine - the order of the songs was put together purposefully to gradually build on each other.
Having a really good time with it.
Still need to finish reading the Fahey book, “How Bluegrass Music Ruined My Life.” To me, it reminds me of an older version of J.D. Salinger’s Holden Caulfield in “Catcher in the Rye.”
Watched some videos of John Renbourn and Bert Jansch; trying to explore some other fingerpickers out there. They really did not really impress me - not to say they were not talented, - just “not my cup of tea.”
Started watching my next video, after those two, of John Fahey. Still have to finish watching it. His playing is more “ my cup of tea.”
On line, I’ve also been a fan of James Rigby stuff as well as a YouTube player named bernard vdd (Bernard Vandendriessche). I really like bernard’s playing.
I also played electric guitar with the jazz trio. Dissatisfied with my improvising there -
Saving $ for a higher end acoustic (probably Martin) guitar.
Oliver & Millie:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)