Guitar Musings

I’ve been back from camping for a few days now, had a wonderful Father’s Day and found some new life in my playing.  Even worked out a couple more measures in a piece I’m writing.  I was joking to my

wife that, at this pace, I might finish it in another year or so.

Anyway….

In my “Back To Basics” post, I mentioned that I needed to work on technique for a bit because I was stuck in a rut and needed to change my practice formula.  Last weeks obstacle was focusing on one song and forgetting the others.  At one point I was saying to myself, “You’ve been playing for 20+ years and you can’t play shit!”   (insert primal scream here).  Just a bit of unnecessary negativity to keep me from playing my best but I’m better now.

Moving on…..

So fresh off of my trip, I come back more relaxed and with a fresh head.  I decided to write down all of the songs that I’ve been working on the last 6 months.  Next thing you know, I had ten songs on that slip of paper to prove that I just might might be able to play this guitar I was cursing last week.   I’m now using this list as a guide for my practicing, treating it as a kind of set-list of sorts.  After finishing the list, I feel a sense of accomplishment and I’m more focused and don’t ignore the other songs.

Lesson Learned?

I’ve read and been told many times to keep a journal of your practice and structure it so this revelation is nothing new.  I used to be able to keep track of everything I do in my head and it was easy but as I grow older and have more things to keep track of, my mind is beginnings to let me down.  I try with the best intentions to keep a log/journal of my playing with bit of success but always fall back into the same old bad habits.

Will this be the start of a continuing good habit or will I be like a dieter falling off the wagon who binges on doughnuts and milkshakes? I can’t say, knowing me, I’ll improve a bit and then stop and have the idea all over again.  We’ll see, but now I’m craving doughnuts.

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Guitar Meditation

In previous posts, I have complained about miscellaneous aches and pains that I have been experiencing from playing so much.  It became apparent to me that the only time I would get relief was to not play and lay off of the computer for a few days. 

The little light came on above my head and I had an idea when watching Muriel Anderson on YouTube.  I noticed that she was using the classical position using a foot rest or crossing her legs.  Trying to emulate Tommy Emmanuel’s style of both feet on the ground stomping away,  I strayed away from using the classical position.  My foot stool collected dust while my aches and pains began to grow.  The guitar wasn’t supported well enough and I had a tendency to slip on my lap.  I would then contort my body to keep it steady which put a lot of pressure on my arms and back.  After a few songs, I noticed that I began to ache and needed a break.  The frustration as began to grow as well.

After my moment of enlightenment I dusted off the old foot stool and began to play the classical way.  I immediately noticed the difference and was able to play a lot longer and was able to relax.  I have to keep in mind that I always play a bit better when I make a change so we’ll see how this holds up in a week or two.  I’m pretty hopeful that my aches and pains will subside.  Will keep you posted.

I was sitting on the porch enjoying another beautiful Colorado evening and decided to bring out the guitar for the first time this Spring.  I have to say that a change in venue, as little as it seems, really does help get the creative juices flowing.  Playing outdoors gave me some new ideas and my playing felt fresh.  I was reminded of a couple issues, however, that I fight with constantly. 

1. I need to make a real attempt to finish/develop an idea.  I was playing well and was happy but I was playing a bunch of licks and nothing else.  My playing was all over the place. 
2. When playing a song, I must finish it.  My wife noted that I will play the first minute or so and then stop.  It definitely annoys her and is a pretty big reason why I struggle with the endings of songs.

One more lesson worth noting, not on the list, but still worth mentioning is that Adirondack chairs were not made for guitar players.  They are comfortable but there is no way to play a guitar with those arm rests getting in the way.  Regardless, it was a good guitar day and it’s days like this that motivate me to keep on playing. 

Happy day after Memorial Day!  I hope you all had  wonderful holiday.  I was lucky enough to have an extended holiday up in the mountains at my parents cabin where I could just relax and have fun. No Internet and no guitar and I needed to take a break from both.

My thumb on my left hand has been really hurting lately, probably because I’m gripping the guitar too tightly when I’m playing, so stepping away from the instrument help me re-evaluate some technique like I vowed in a past rant, “Back to the Basics.”  Anyway, I just picked up the axe this evening and it felt good!  Didn’t really worry about how well I played because I broke a nail last week and still getting used to picking with skin instead of nail.   I did become aware that I’m contorting my thumb a bit behind the neck which is possibly contributing to my problem.  I read somewhere that when you play, you should keep your thumb in line with your index and middle fingers.  For a better analogy, act like you were holding a piece of paper between your fingers.  What I was doing was moving my thumb way out of place putting a strain on the muscles.  That along with gripping so tight, I did a little bit of damage but I’ve had these issues before and must have fallen into bad habits again.  Yet another reason why I should start taking lessons again.

So the mantra this week is to play relaxed, play relaxed, breathe in, breathe out…….. Ahhhhhh…… much better.

If you have read Guitar Musings for the past couple of months, you might have noticed that I’ve been on a huge Tommy Emmanuel kick.   When I listen to the “Live One” CD’s, I get inspired/motivated to keep plugging away and keep working hard at guitar and wanted to learn all about him and his playing.  However, you can get too much of a good thing.  What do I mean by this?  I was so focused on T.E. songs, that my playing narrowed to a point where it has been a bit stagnant.  I neglected my theory and exercises that helped me take my playing just a level higher.  This isn’t the first time this has happened.  I have had Bruce Cockburn, Eddie VH and Eric Johnson obsessions as well.    What happened in the past, is that I would stop playing for anywhere from week to many months but not anymore.

So I’m taking step back and pulling out my chord progression book and scales book and remember to work on those more.  I recall reading an interview with studio musicians where they talked about how they didn’t work on learning songs but theory and progressions when practicing.  This was so they were always prepared for any piece of music that was brought to them to play for recording.  This has helped me quite a bit and maybe, just maybe, this will get me a step closer to that elusive YouTube post.