Not a Great One

Didn't feel too good today about my chord melody skills. I guess it's going to be a long time until I'm at a good comfort level. Need to learn to not be so concerned about what others might think of my music. Was almost tempted to give up jazz and stick to rock and roll but realized I'm not too fantastic at that either. So you see it hasn't been such a great jazz day for me.

Played repertoire. Also had fun with the rock and roll band tonight adding some songs to our band repertoire. Doing a lot of singing in this band. 

Will probably get some new method books and/or CDs of early rockabilly soon.

The Way You Look Tonight

Here's how it's sounding tonight:

http://soundcloud.com/guitarjazz/thewayyoulooktonight/s-xr5s3

Tuesday's Practice

Went over repertoire / finished learning "The Way You Look Tonight," but it's not quite where I want it yet to record it. Got some GarageBand stuff ready for it, though (a drum beat, and a little soundbite thing at the beginning). Continue to work on p. 13 of the Fewell book. Interesting just experimenting with one form of the major scale.

Another Good Day

Went over repertoire / added more to the new song / added more to p. 13 of the Fewell book. Garrison Fewell was kind enough to get back to me when I emailed him a question. Thank you! Pretty cool, still, encorporating a Fewell line in the place of a chord in "Over the Rainbow." Played around a bit with one form of the major scale.

A Good Guitar Day

Actually, a really good guitar day. Went through my repertoire, and took my time with "The Way You Look Tonight." Still got a bit more to learn of it, but that's ok.

Hung with the Fewell book today, too, learning p. 13 and taking my time with that book also. Read some interesting stuff in that book, too, as I started going over the beginning of the book again. Tempted to learn some scales. 

Melody

Had a nice practice last night with our other guitarist/vocalist/mandolin player. A great player and a great friend. Went over some rock and roll tunes. His forte is leads while mine is rhythm. Gave him some jazz chords to work on while I picked his brain to learn soloing. Although he uses patterns, I believe that he is mostly a player who relies on playing his instrument a lot and his ear to come up with his leads. While I can probably play or at least fake my way through lead playing of 50's and 60's rock and roll, when it comes to playing leads over standards and slow songs, my skills are sorely lacking.

Was tempted last night to go yet another direction. Was tempted to just learn some patterns and practice playing solos over backing tracks using patterns and my ear. Probably not a completely bad idea. But then I changed my mind yet again.

Decided to go back to my original "Easter Challenge." (See my April 20, 2014 post). I think the Fewell book, while it will be challenging, will might be a really good source of helping me to play solos in a melodic way. I never really liked leads that sound like (to my ears, anyway) random notes. I am a sucker for a melody. 

On a side note, there is definitely something wrong with the rhythm side of the pickup selector on my guitar. For the second time since I've owned this guitar, this particular setting just stopped working last night. Now it's working again. I hate to shell out money to get these things fixed. Will hold off. 

Donating a guitar amp that needs work to charity tomorrow. It's for a place that helps kids with music. I may get a little cash, but it just end up being a donation. 

Alexander Book

Ok I think I'm trying to put too much on my plate (with regards to yesterday's post which suggests I should practice more material. I like the chord melody stuff and will stay with that. I think I will switch to using just the Alexander book for now, though, in terms of learning improv. It feels right; seems more at my level. Practice tonight is with the other guitarist in the rock and roll band.

Thinking Out Loud

Sometimes, ok, a lot of times, I think of changing method books. I try to stick to something, then I inevitably change. I have to be discerning because the time that I devote to practicing is so limited. 

Well maybe that's an issue right there. It might be possible to find more time, but I doubt it.

Been wondering today if the answer isn't to use just one method. (Currently using one method to learn chord melody and one method to learn improv). 

I know that I have found the right method to learn chord melody (the Conti materials). 

But perhaps I should use a number of methods simultaneously to learn improv and just do a little of each one daily. I like the Fewell book that I am currently using.

However, looking ahead in the Fewell book, there is A LOT to digest. Instead of just focusing on that (which would involve one bit of learning) maybe I can do a little of that book with a little of the Alexander book ("Fundamental Changes in Jazz Guitar") or something else to avoid burnout and increase variety and fun.

Molasses

Didn't have a lot of time to practice....perhaps thought of going through repertoire, but it just wasn't connecting tonight. Fumbled many many times trying to get "I Got a Crush on You." Slow goings tonight! 

Misty

Played repertoire, learned more of the new song, and started learning page 13 of the Fewell book. Spent a lot of time recording "Misty." Here it is:

http://soundcloud.com/guitarjazz/misty3/s-KwTiR

A Lot in a Little

Quick but effective practice. Went over (edit: most of) repertoire including what I've learned so far in the new song. Ready to move on to p. 13 in the Fewell book. On busy days like today, I think it's still a good idea to keep up with a little playing, especially of repertoire.

Robert Conti's "Assembly Line"

A shout out of thanks to Robert Conti. He's the guy responsible for "The Assembly Line" book which teaches how to play chord melody guitar. A wonderful resource that has opened up the world of solo guitar to me. 

Using the Assembly Line's ideas, I started work work today on "The Way You Look Tonight," and it is just sounding great. Went over repertoire also.

Continue to work on page 12 of the Fewell book. 

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

Our rock and roll show for May was cancelled. Rehearsed with the band tonight; my favorite song was "Maybelline." A fair practice; not horrible, not great.

Came home and watched some Springsteen on YouTube. The man is what rock and roll is all about. His versions of "Twist and Shout," the "Detroit Medley," his own "She's the One," coupled with his partnership with the late Clarence Clemons, to me, are food for the spirit. I saw Bruce many times in concert, and the man is rock and roll. Thanks, Bruce!

A Temptation

Got prepared for our rock and roll rehearsal scheduled for tomorrow night. Doing cool new stuff like "The Stroll," "I Fought the Law," "Lookin' Out My Back Door," "Honky Tonk," "Now and Then (Elvis)," "Midnight Hour," and a personal favorite, "Maybellene."

Got tempted to purchase some piano learning stuff, but the urge diminished when I played my repertoire. 

New chord melody song to learn will be "The Way You Look Tonight."

Over the Rainbow Revisited

Decided to record a version of "Over the Rainbow" to put on the right hand "Repertoire" side of this page. Here's a link to it:

http://soundcloud.com/guitarjazz/over-the-rainbow-1/s-4LK3n

Was inspired by a beautiful rainbow that appeared tonight; some pictures that I took of it are below. (Actually it was a double rainbow).

Buzzing on guitar was somewhat of a nuisance today.

Worked on repertoire tonight, brushing up on it. After I recorded the Rainbow song, I figured out a really cool place to put an extended G minor run I learned in the Fewell book. Must remember that! 

Up to page 12 of the Fewell book, and it's coming along well. 

Time to pick a new song to add to the chord melody repertoire.