Plantsman13

@Amy Greenblatt Enjoyed listening to your video, nice job! ?

@ak0693 Excellent advice above. It seems everyone has a theory on learning the fretboard. I now believe it is achieved with repetition and time. I personally, utilize Steve's shapes/patterns of scales across the fretboard and only focus on one starting note. For instance, for 6th string C I start the scale with my index finger. Then I use my middle finger, and finish starting the scale with my pinky. Next I find C on the 5th string and repeat the shapes associated with the starting finger. I shift to the 15th fret C to utilize the pinky. Find C on the 4th string and repeat the starting finger regiment. The 3rd string (G) is where I only start with the index finger to finish the pattern on the 1st string C. Each day I pick a new note to repeat this process. My basic understanding of the fretboard is progressing. Another method I've tried is to select a note, say G, and try to locate its occurrence on each string and play it (don't overlook frets above 12). Over time, my need to "count up" a string is diminishing. An electronic app I've experimented with is Fret Tester. You can select a range of frets and it will play "guess this note (and tone)". I find it helpful when I don't have a guitar in my hands. I'm sure there are other apps as well. Be patient, and things will come along for you. Bryan

Here's a link from Acoustic Guitar on 12 bar blues using key of F: https://acousticguitar.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4130e905b057bee1b2196ad0&id=7848d9e6a3&e=ed7eab0c3f I apologize for the Elixir commercial side of the video! Enjoy

Good evening. Interesting opinion from the latest Acoustic Guitar on the benefits of oiling the fretboard. I recall Bob Taylor claiming the first year he liked two applications with subsequent years getting one application. I'll continue to dress up my fretboard, but this makes me stop and reconsider my opinion on the topic. OBTW: I included a second page from the issue declaring a new recording from TE and John Knowles after the first of the year...kind of close to the Finger-style Retreat attendees. Paul Simon is the featured artist and interesting reading to be had. The sidebar on his guitar sideman of over twenty years really makes the eyes roll. The song, Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover seems like only yesterday...talented artist for sure. Enjoy. AG313.pdf

Sweet! May it treat you well in your music endeavors.

@Dave White Seems like a great method to me! ?

49/49 with the help of a couple of hints...so crib sheets mean the result should be thrown out! ?

@WATSON43 Thanks for your input. Your answered my question of whether the computer (and keyboard) are directly involved with your practice. Transcribe is on my list of things to investigate.

Thanks to all for their input. I struggle with video that doesn't have tab to go along with it; so finding ways to "show me more than one time" are necessary. I have not explored the improved video features on Tru-Fire to any degree because I feel they interfere with the task at hand. I see there is potential software and a learning path that awaits me. When it comes to backing /jam tracks I'm looking for ways to reduce their interruption in my routine and let them become a seamless part of my practice. Right now, they are the pebble in my shoe during practice. I had not considered SD cards in that regard, so another door opens. I have an amp that accepts them, but never considered it. I think my mindset follows @Oldjock to the letter in most regards. I feel a need to learn to play the instrument and better appreciate its mysteries come first and foremost; the reasons I set out on this journey. However, it's the creative minds from fellow pickers that I hope will continue to open closed doors for me. Thanks again

@WATSON43 Thanks. Are you running the software on your computer during your practice with guitar in hand? If so, how do you have things arranged around you?

I just can't seem to sit in front of a computer screen and do on-line courses.. but for some strange reason I can sit in front of a 50" tv and do Steve's.. go figure? @Eracer_Team-DougH This response in the On Line Sites topic started me to question just how many of our GG group use aids / electronics to assist in practice. I'm not looking for a BEST guitar, pedal, DI, or amplifier discussion; but creative methods for how we focus during practice sessions on a task and follow through on them. Using Doug again, he has discussed his "practice set-up in the car over lunch" in the past. I personally do not have an electronic system in place when I "woodshed". I try to use an iPod with speakers for jam track playback because earbuds get in my way. I own a Ditto looper but have yet to really blow the dust off of it. Other members have mentioned video playback software that can slow things down. Can fellow GG inspire other members to change the way they practice (for the better) by creative ideas? Bryan

I cannot watch any screen while I'm working on improving my guitar skills. I find it too distracting. I will watch and review the "visual" lesson; then I will utilize the printed workouts with my guitar in hand. When stumped, I will review the "visual" again in that specific area. I am one with "too many irons in the fire" overall, but I like to focus on techniques and workouts that reinforce them. Steve excels in that category for me. I will say Steve's Finger-style course is one of the best I've worked on to date. I also work on Tru-Fire acoustic blues courses and find them very rewarding. I struggle when the Be Bop and Jazz element push them to levels of sophistication beyond my comfort level. I can add GuitarZoom.com to the instruction list; however, my complaint is the bombardment of sales pitches can become extremely annoying.

@V7#5b9 I must agree there was wandering all over the "road" on this topic. On the topic, I found the discussion of the fundamental differences in the approach (and the environmental changes in their lives) to making Sgt Pepper versus the White Album of particular interest. Ringo's memory of the terrible speakers at EMI after all of these years made me chuckle.

@matonanjin Manual transmissions were far more interesting to use when cars were still "mobile"; versus today's "slow moving commuter parking lots"! Extinct vocabulary, "four on the floor" or "three on the tree". ?

Note on vote: I keep Steve's L&M course materials around as reference and regularly pull out studies to refresh my mind and fingers. I haven't officially finished; however, most of the material was completed along with progressing in the Fingerstyle course. Jazz appears to be my kryptonite. The Fretboard workouts have all been recent works in progress. The Blues course has been the hardest to undertake, not for the difficulty, but the overall "vague" instruction I get from most blues oriented studies IMHO.

@Dave White Tape breaking...not good! And it always involved one of my favorite tapes; probably no coincidence! My deck was mounted under the dash in front of the floor stick. I do recall looking over the dash and feeling my way around while inserting tapes. The invention of the "tape case" sure eliminated the sliding tapes around the passenger seat when those "hard turns with speed" were necessary. ?

8-Track tapes...my mind drifts off to my '66 Mustang convertible rolling down the highway cranked to anthems such as Leslie West playing Mississippi Queen (among many others)! Perhaps that's partly to blame for my loss in hearing. ?

@Dave White Me too...along with all of the "bonus noise" from all of the wear and tear on it!

Today's Chicago Tribune had an article on the re-mixed 50th Anniversary box set of the Beatles' White Album. A little pricey for my tastes, but it contained a number of interesting facts. Enjoy! The White Album at 50!.pdf

I might add it doesn't have to be two people, albeit singer/guitarist or two guitarists. In acoustic blues you can have a melody lick that is then "answered" by the vamp with only one guitarist. I'm sure others here can delve deeper than my over-simplification.

Here's wishing everyone a fantastic guitar collaboration with fall colors in the Nashville area! Keep the rest of us posted. ?

Here's a link to a Tru-Fire course I just viewed. https://truefire.com/blog/guitar-lessons/free-slide-guitar-lessons-from-lee-roy-parnell Enjoy

I've never used a slide, but a recent AG article was interesting to read. She uses the slide above the joint claiming better dexterity. Enjoy the read. Rory Block.pdf

I too have understood acrylic nails can have negative side effects on your existing nails. My wife just concurred wholeheartedly. I use the "pink tube" of Vaseline nail conditioner Steve recommended at a LL; it does seem to reinforce my nails. This raises the question of how fingertip picks are considered by GG members. I see the metal and Alaska tips advertised and used by many guitarists. Any comments?

@V7#5b9 Agreed, just far easier said than done! ? I'm still trying to "lose the training wheels" when it comes to blues...much less, ordering my new Ferrari (but I will keep the poster of it on my wall)!