Saturday

A little bit of everything today. Helped my daughter with a school project, then did an hour on the exercise bike. Relaxed listening to Bob Dylan's new "Shadows in the Night" CD which is gorgeous. The guy is just something else...

Practiced the Ellis book in which I'm up to page 6.

A Fun Gig Night

Played mostly rhythm acoustic guitar with the gypsy band for a gig tonight. Sang "Moonglow." Was fun!

I just don't know how I can juggle being in both the gypsy band and the rock and roll band too.

NO MORE METHOD BOOKS

Title says it all. Playing gig tonight with the gypsy jazz band.

Herb Ellis book

Worked on Herb Ellis'"Swing Blues" book today. C scale, Shape 1, C arpeggio, C dominant arpeggio. I like it. I started the book before, but I'll be going through it in earnest now. Thus, I'll call today: "Day 1; Ellis Swing Blues."

Just Take It Slow

Slow progress is good progress. I will stick with the Ellis books. I repeat: I WILL STICK WITH THE ELLIS BOOKS. I'm in too much of a hurry. I WILL BUY NO MORE METHOD BOOKS.

Thinking aloud

Was listening to some of my past attempts at improvising. I'm thinking that utilizing a COMBINATION of methods might be a good idea to try... Maybe Silver's method, with some pentatonic stuff, add some of the songs melody...hmmmm. Also still not counting out the Ellis stuff.

Did some experimenting. I believe I will stick with the Ellis stuff, starting with his Blues book. 

Rode the exercise bike for 1/2 hour, but I'm not doing too great with diet.

Decision Time

• Decided to work out of the book: "The Herb Ellis Jazz Guitar Method: Swing Blues."

• Made a recording of me improving using pentatonic shapes, and it did not sound too bad. However, I think it had more of a "country sound" to it than jazz. 

Yesterday I did walk (in broken intervals) for about 1/2 hour total. My exercise today wasn't significant. Gotta get back

"on the ball," as I feel myself possibly slipping with regards to taking care of my health.

A Little Sunday Practice

Did not practice too much today but did get some things accomplished:

1) Organized the pentatonic scale and practiced it. 

2) Also, I think I'm finished with the major scale patterns in the Aebersold book and it's time to move on to the minor scale patterns. 

3) Jammed with me on guitar and my 17 year old son on drums. 

Did about an hour on the exercise bike today. 

Saturday

Slept in very late today but did 1 hour on the exercise bike.

Made a decision to skip the Elliott book and go back to the Aebersold book. The Elliott book seems fine, but I think the Aebersold book is more of what I am after.  Will be playing acoustic guitar at Mass tonight.

Rock & Roll / & Learning Jazz Improvisation

• Had a really great time practicing with the rock and roll band tonight. The highlight for me was doing the Beatles' "I Saw Her Standing There." I think we nailed it with the help of the drummer keeping rock rolling in a great way. Had a stab at doing "She Loves You;" was cool to even just try this classic. 

• I think I am actually going to utilize the Elliott jazz book. It's intimidating (to me), but I'm very very close to trying to commit myself to it. It seems like it might be "the way to go," and I like its layout. Started working on it.

• I continue to lose weight. Eating better, and did 1/2 hour on the exercise bike. 

Thursday

Was tempted to get back into the Charlie Christian book, but I think I really need to concentrate on one method. Went over the one octave major scales and two 2 octave major scales (Aebersold book).

Tried to play some of my chord melody repertoire with results that were not so spectacular. Not surprising, considering I haven't focused on them in awhile. That's ok. 

Tempted to dive into the deep end with Joe Elliott's "Introduction to Jazz Guitar Soloing." I think I may underestimate my abilities to learn.

Did my 1/2 hour on exercise bike. Today is my one month anniversary of trying to be more healthy, and the results are that I've lost almost 20 pounds.

Wednesday

.4 pounds to lose and I will have achieved losing 20 pounds since January 5. A bit dissappointing since it is hardly, if at all, visible. Did 1/2 on exercise bike and ate well today.

Went over one octave major scales in the Aebersold book that I think I just about conquered. On to page 6. Played around a little with some patterns from the Silver book.

With regard to improvisation, I think keys are to simply sound good, and not sound formulatic. Not giving up.

Tuesday

I recently did not follow diet as well as I would have liked. I shall forge ahead anyway! Did my 1/2 hour on exercise bike this morning.

Finished watching Aebersold's DVD about improvisation. Worked on the one octave major scales in the Aebersold book.

Back to scales

Did my 1/2 hour on exercise bike; lost 16.8 pounds since January 5th. Started working yet again on Aebersold's book 1 for guitar. Learning the major scale.

Super Bowl

The Super Bowl didn't finish the way I would have wanted it to, but it was a good game with an unbelievable last minute or so.

Practiced patterns today. Time to get serious with the Aebersold book.