-
I hit the wrong string, hit the right one but fret the wrong one, both hit *and* fret the wrong one together, and separate. Sometimes I think my mistakes sound better than what's written.
It does get easier, though, so does the evenness. Just be glad you're not learning violin - sounds much worse at the scratchy stage (apologies to anyone learning violin).
-
01-04-2012 04:55 AM
-
wow, I can see everyone's been busy. My contribution for today is fep's ho ho ho duet. I recorded the first part, then recorded the second part on top (probably not the best way to do it...)
ho down duet.mp3 - File Shared from Box - Free Online File Storage
Nice going, fep, it's all good practice.
Well-guessed, Tony, I'm Scottish. Eraser is a word that doesn't come naturally to me.
To reply to fep, I am absolutely suggesting paper and pencil, rather than software to those who are new to music-reading. The reason? First, software does so much of it for you. Second, reading is all about instantly recognising, and that is a *passive* activity - but writing is an *active* activity, so by writing, you can make the notes your own.
I want to write a G, so I need to think about where the G goes and put my circle in the right spot. I need to deal with how big to make the circle, and getting the line through the middle, and working out which way to put the stem. (With my software, I type G and the software does it for me).
we don't need to make fabulous compositions, but stringing a few notes together, making them obey the rules, then playing them, and hearing what they sound like - I think it's a good idea.
-
Just to say I think both C stroll and C-saw are great! Well done to Strumcat and Tony. They follow the rules and I really like the harmonies.
I recorded C stroll (just worked out how to mix and align tracks in audacity):
C stroll.mp3 - File Shared from Box - Free Online File Storage
Apologies for the inaccuracies in picking, twas the best I could do! I will try to record C saw tomorrow.
My update: I find I can now play without pain so I think the acute problem with my r thumb is over. However, the whole thing has left me very careful about rh technique, and I am careful now to hold my rh straight and relaxed, not to let it anchor *anywhere* for the sake of accuracy. This leaves me picking a lot of wrong strings but i would rather make mistakes than screw up my hand again.
I'm also rationing practice time.
I'm just glad I can play, really, I am.
-
I think you're doing great. Both right-hand and left-hand coordination will improve with practice. I wish I had half your determination, self-discipline, and musical knowledge.
Originally Posted by ten left thumbs
A rule of thumb (pun intended) is: "If it hurts, ease off." Good to hear you playing. Originally Posted by ten left thumbs
-
thanks, guys.
when i recorded to the click, each part sounded in-time on their own. but when combined, you can really hear the little things that make them not in-time. i expect this to become a larger problem as the pieces become more difficult.
-
I've been working on the arpeggios that are presented from the chords and memorizing the scale and it's relationships.
W-W-H-W-W-W-H C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C
More Specifically I am trying to memorize what the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th of the scale is. c-e-g-b-d-f-a In that order. I think this kind of study for myself will pay off in the long run. We don't change into another key until pg 27 where we go to G Major. So, I should have it down pretty good by then.
-
Greetings!
I found this thread on Monday and was motivated to join in. Thank you to everyone that has contributed!
Years ago I made it part way thru MM Vol. 1 but gave up for some reason. I think it was lack of discipline and sheer boredom. Hoping this thread solves both of those problems.
I'd describe myself as an intermediate reader, been thru Hal Leonard books 1 & 2 with students more times than I can count, and I need to get better at sight reading and position playing.
Marty
-
Just some words of encouragement. The versions of C-Stroll were all extremely acceptable and even enjoyable to listen to. Kudos to the composition and playing. Well done all (I think Rock, TLT and Lvdz).
Rock - when I was successfully doing computer-based multi-track recording a few years ago, I found that I had to use the metronome or a drum track for the first guitar part. Then, my software allowed me to play back the first part so I could hear it, also hear the click (although it wasn't recorded), AND then record the second part as a separate audio file. In this way, the two parts were as much in time as I was capable of, but there was no lack of synchronisation between the parts. Sorry of that all sounds a bit unclear, but it's just to suggest that maybe there might be an alternative way for you to record.
Pirate - just downloaded C-Practice and it looks good. I'm going to try it out just as soon as I get the guitar in my hand.
-
I took a shot at Tony's C-Saw Originally Posted by tonyknight
-
Wow, Frank - that made my day! You did a great interpretation of the tune - timing and tonality were both excellent.
I can't wait to try it myself: I'm playing each part of course, but without the backing part and I'm certainly not capable of playing both parts at once :-)
-
sorry do you mean this one? Originally Posted by peejay
easy guitar duet.PDF - File Shared from Box - Free Online File Storage
I changed a note, so i removed the old file.
I wrote another today, will try to get it up on boxnet.
-
I think this sound brilliant! And if I may add a little theory without getting too deep. All we have learned so far is the notes of the major scale. And if you put the notes of a major scale together, they sound good. Sometimes harmonious, sometime crunchy, sometimes juicy, but really, fairly much always good. And - you don't need a PhD in composition to do this.
Originally Posted by fep
-
OK, so I wrote a little blues progression earlier and recorded and mixed it just now.
sheet:
I got D blues.PDF - File Shared from Box - Free Online File Storage
separate parts:
Got D Blues pt 1.mp3 - File Shared from Box - Free Online File Storage
got D blues pt 2.mp3 - File Shared from Box - Free Online File Storage
and full mix:
I got D blues.PDF - File Shared from Box - Free Online File Storage
It is a blues progression, however without swing quavers and without the blue note, it comes across more as modal. Listening to it mixed for the first time, I get images of a dank medieval castle with no central heating, and an angry king about to execute his lute-player...
I am pleased with the title, though.
-
On this point I think it's worth quoting from the introduction to Mr. Leavitt's book:
This book has been specifically designed to accomplish two things...
#1. To teach the student to READ music.
#2. For the gradual development of dexterity in BOTH hands.
This is the physical part of learning to play the guitar and as
such cannot be rushed. Practice all material slowly enough
to maintain an even tempo. Do not skip or "slight" anything,
and also do not attempt to "completely perfect" any one lesson
before going on. Playing technique is an accumulative process
and you will find each time you review material already studied
it will seem easier to play. (Slow, steady practice and constant
review will eventually lead to speed and accuracy.)
I refer back to this often!
-
point #2 is so very important. i'm working a little further in the book right now, and there's one exercise that's giving me fits. it's not that i can't play it, but my fingers just don't want to move in a certain way at a certain point. you've got to train them to move they way the brain wants, instead of the way the muscles want. and nothing will do that for you other than practice over time. Originally Posted by leonard_c
-
This is really a pretty tune. I took a shot at recording it and I wanted a rit at the end; so without a metronome: Originally Posted by strumcat
-
Thanks, fep. That really made my day, man. You play beautifully. Originally Posted by fep
The third beat in the 10th and 14th measure is hard to play with a pick (requires muting the D string). I forgot that we're using pick only. But the C on that beat can easily just be left out.
Thanks again. Hey, now I know what a 'rit' is.
-
Folks, make sure that your expectations are realistic. Reading chords takes quite a lot of time, it's exactly like reading words, it takes quite some time reading single syllable words before one has a chance to immediately recognize long, complex words. You are not only learning a new language, but, in essence, a new way of "speaking", with all of the mechanical and coordination challenges to overcome just to speak in simple terms.
-
Looks like a lot of you have moved onto composing! Cool... All I have to offer is yet another Sea to Sea. I recorded the guitar 2 part with my trusty Olympus recorder (which I highly recommend) at 80bpm. Still find it odd to strike just 3 strings with a flat pick so I get a little inconsistent on how long the chords ring. I also probably should have turned up the G2 part. Anyway, thanks a bunch for listening!
-
hi mjsarlington (I had mis-read your name as 'miss arlington' - and therefore expected less facial hair, but hey, nice to meet you!)
Nice going on the recording. I thought your rh technique looked pretty solid, but if it doesn't feel that way, then I think you're in good company! I felt you were rushing the metronome a little (I do exactly the same thing), maybe if G2 was turned up more, it would be easier to feel the beat?
As an aside, is anyone else overwhelmed by Modern Method's youtube presence? This book seems to be a bit of a rite of passage.
-
Compositions can be kind of personal, so I wasn't going to say anything regarding the material other than what I wrote in the post where I initially prompted those that felt incline to try to write tunes. Originally Posted by strumcat
Any writing is good writing, it's creative and it's a 'play' activity, at least to me. I like the image of kids playing in a sand box. And some of you ran with your compositions and let them take you were they may. That's cool from a composition and a 'play' perspective.
But since you asked...
I was trying to write something that would be as easy to play as Sea To Sea. I wanted to create some appropriate supplemental reading material for where we are at right now in Leavitt's book. Remember the objective of these threads is to study MM1 to learn/improve reading skills and our dexterity. The compositions are a supplemental idea to have some fun but to also support those primary objectives. I also think composing, while helping the group by providing additional material, is also a way to keep the more advanced students interested/busy as we work through the first part of the book.
In doing that I only included chords and chord fingerings that Leavitt had already introduced. Since chords are hard to read and one needs to be able to 'see' them like they see a word, I didn't want to introduce any new chords. Also from a composition perspective, harmonically we are starting with a I IV V, a very logical place to start.
As far as new material, rhythms, chords, etc. I'll leave it to Leavitt to introduce it through the book.
I also think limiting oneself to these basic materials is a good composing exercise. As additional material is introduced we will be able to grow from basic to more advanced compositions in a logical sequence. And, perhaps writing tunes will help our ears to grow in this same logical sequence. Kind of like learning to walk before you try to pole vault.
Just my 2 cents and that's what I plan on doing. But I don't want to dictate that on anyone else.Last edited by fep; 01-07-2012 at 01:14 PM.
-
Nice job. Everything looks to be right on track. Thanks for posting a video. Originally Posted by mjsarlington
This playing chords on inside strings with a pick is a bit awkward for me also as I usually use hybrid picking or fingerpicking for that. But I'm working on it. Looks like you're doing well at developing that technique.
Is that a rest stroke you're using? I think that is what I see, but even with a video it's a bit hard to be sure.
As Ronjazz wrote in post #40, rest strokes are the way Leavitt intended for the chords to be played.
-
Yeh, and I think I've been letting the composition thing distract me from what I really need to be doing, which is spending more time on the exercises. So I'm swearing off for a while and getting back to the straight and narrow. It's the only way to achieve what I want out of this: 1) learn to sight read to some decent level if I can, and 2) to be able to play fluently whatever sequences and/or combinations of notes that come into my head, on the spot. Originally Posted by fep
-
Originally Posted by HighSpeedSpoon
Funny, I interpreted it quite different. When I tried the arc I noticed I was doing something very different from a rest stroke. I don't think the rest stroke idea is intended as 'this is how you should play through your whole guitar career' - just 'this is how you should start'. As soon as things speed up, there is no resting!
The arc has more rotation of my wrist (which was impossible when I was anchoring).
i've been through so much with my rh just in the last week, it's all quite exciting.
Question for ronjazz - could you please clarify re rest strokes and the arcs you mentioned? thanks.
-
Between this video and Ron's post, perhaps we can piece this together. I also searched for Van Eps but I could only find him playing chords fingerstyle. Originally Posted by ronjazz
Reply With Quote
4 Micro Lessons, all under a minute, no talking.
Today, 05:16 PM in Theory