Sup fooz! Okay We've all fallen off the blog bandwagon lately but I figure a blog shared by three people! That shits gotta get updated!
Lately the Missus and I have determined we waste too much time "Smurfing de Weeb" and playing games (in my case) and blogging (obviously in hers, not mine.) So I actually threw together a schedule for the week which lets me address some of the other things I should be doing in a week. Things like working on my degree, learning French, Rollerblading and of course Guitar.
I've put in about 1.5 hours this week, basically just working on Don't Speak by No Doubt again. The verse is a piece of cake, the chorus is starting to smooth out a little but all those quick changes of barre chords are playing havoc with my wrist, right now I'm trying to really nail down the solo. I have the pattern in mind and I found a couple of short cuts to take some of the teeth out of it. I'm going to keep trying it 'til I can play the whole song (Something I always fail to do with guitar playing.) I don't think tonight is a dedicated guitar night, but we'll see what happens.
Until next time Rawk out!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Monday, January 15, 2007
I've got the power.
I can certainly tell I have a new job. I have money. Money to spend on a BOSS DS-1 Distortion pedal. The TO100, you see, is actually a Tube Overdrive pedal.. not distortion. Although I can create a bit of a distortion with it, it's not enough. I need some serious, serious distortion. TheWife was most impressed with the sound I was producing with the small orange box.
I was actually hoping to find another cheapie Behringer at Macaulay's, but alas it wasn't meant to be. The BOSS wasn't a bank breaker though, retailing at $70. I didn't feel like driving up to Long and McQuade's, as the roads were a rink. Hopefully I didn't get hosed.
So, after unboxing the mutha and finished just toying with it, I started playing Fire, Water, Burn. Courtesy of Grindy's "power chords" lesson the last time we jammed together, I was able to get a little bit of a groove going. I'm not fast enough to keep up with the actual track yet, but I have a good handle on the theory behind it. Hopefully it won't take too long to get a complete handle on.
Lastly, I've continued trying the position provided by Philipi Hii (see my last post), and that does seem to help. It's taken a bit of the pain away-- which is a good thing. I'll try fiddling with barre chords again later. For now, I'll just enjoy the tasty sounds of my distortion pedal.
I was actually hoping to find another cheapie Behringer at Macaulay's, but alas it wasn't meant to be. The BOSS wasn't a bank breaker though, retailing at $70. I didn't feel like driving up to Long and McQuade's, as the roads were a rink. Hopefully I didn't get hosed.
So, after unboxing the mutha and finished just toying with it, I started playing Fire, Water, Burn. Courtesy of Grindy's "power chords" lesson the last time we jammed together, I was able to get a little bit of a groove going. I'm not fast enough to keep up with the actual track yet, but I have a good handle on the theory behind it. Hopefully it won't take too long to get a complete handle on.
Lastly, I've continued trying the position provided by Philipi Hii (see my last post), and that does seem to help. It's taken a bit of the pain away-- which is a good thing. I'll try fiddling with barre chords again later. For now, I'll just enjoy the tasty sounds of my distortion pedal.
Technorati Tags: guitar, guitar theory, Pedal, BOSS DS-1, Review
Monday, January 8, 2007
12 Pains of improvement.
Catchy title huh? It's just that though. Well.. not completely.
I was looking at what Grindy was working (ie don't speak, which led me into trying out power chords and more barre chords. I decided to investigate what Ultimate-Guitar had to say about the subject, as I'm all about the self-edumacation. I went from
-----
-----
--5--
--5--
--3--
-----
to
-----
-----
--5--
--5--
--3--
--3--
and experienced new pain. Sure, it looks similar, but I moved my left third finger in such a way that a sudden shock up pain run up and down through the digit. I tried to do it again, and blammo, it happened again. Once again, I believe that I have to be schooled in hand placement. It's one thing to get pains in your wrists (which I did), but getting them in your fingers too? Something has to be wrong. And as I once heard someone say, "pain is nature's way of telling you you're doing something wrong."
I continued my edumacation by looking for proper techniques. The best I could find was this by Philipi Hii. Something about this doesn't feel right though. I may have to try it out a little more and see how it goes.
To sum up, I didn't really get anything accomplished today other than pain. Perhaps tomorrow will be less pain and more gain.
I was looking at what Grindy was working (ie don't speak, which led me into trying out power chords and more barre chords. I decided to investigate what Ultimate-Guitar had to say about the subject, as I'm all about the self-edumacation. I went from
-----
-----
--5--
--5--
--3--
-----
to
-----
-----
--5--
--5--
--3--
--3--
and experienced new pain. Sure, it looks similar, but I moved my left third finger in such a way that a sudden shock up pain run up and down through the digit. I tried to do it again, and blammo, it happened again. Once again, I believe that I have to be schooled in hand placement. It's one thing to get pains in your wrists (which I did), but getting them in your fingers too? Something has to be wrong. And as I once heard someone say, "pain is nature's way of telling you you're doing something wrong."
I continued my edumacation by looking for proper techniques. The best I could find was this by Philipi Hii. Something about this doesn't feel right though. I may have to try it out a little more and see how it goes.
To sum up, I didn't really get anything accomplished today other than pain. Perhaps tomorrow will be less pain and more gain.
Technorati Tags: guitar, guitar theory, Pain
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Don't Speak: A Spain in my ass
Don't Speak by No Doubt is a very cool song, I would say one of No Doubt's better joints fo sho. I thought the guitar in this song was catchy and sounded like a good Intermediate tab to sink my teeth into.
This song is actually finger-picked which is definitely a skill I need to work on. This is my second finger-picking song in a row which is a personal best. Anyway I got the verse down without too much difficulty :
---------------------------------------------------------
4-4--3---3--1-1---3--3--3---3---4---4----1---1---3---3--
4-4--3---3--1-1---3--3--3---3---4---4----1---1---3---3--
-5--5--5--5--3--3---3--3--5---5---5---5----3---3---3---3
--------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
The 445 progression is immediately identifiable as the "intro" and when you play through it a few times the rythm comes pretty natural. The chorus is comprised of everyone's favourite: barre chords
-8-------------------------8----
-9--------6------------6---9----
-10---6---8---8----6---8---10---
-10---8---8---10---8---8---10---
-8----8---6---10---8---6---8----
------6-------8----6------------
Once again not too difficult. The strumming is unique but it comes natural after a little practice. Then comes the solo (booo)
E---------1-3-1--------------------1-3-1--3------1-3-1-----------
B-4--1--4--------3---------(1)-1/4-----------1-4--------3--------
G-------------------3-0-1----------------------------------3-0--1
D----------------------------------------------------------------
A----------------------------------------------------------------
E----------------------------------------------------------------
When you start playing this you think, "Ya I think I got it." Then you hear the actual recording and think. Oh crap I'm screwed! The pacing is incredibly fast. Not only that it's set to a flamenco-type cadence. It's basically fast intermixed with flurries of turbo-fast. I have a long way to go to get this down, I hope it doesn't end up on the cutting room floor like my other horrible failure this year.
This song is actually finger-picked which is definitely a skill I need to work on. This is my second finger-picking song in a row which is a personal best. Anyway I got the verse down without too much difficulty :
---------------------------------------------------------
4-4--3---3--1-1---3--3--3---3---4---4----1---1---3---3--
4-4--3---3--1-1---3--3--3---3---4---4----1---1---3---3--
-5--5--5--5--3--3---3--3--5---5---5---5----3---3---3---3
--------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
The 445 progression is immediately identifiable as the "intro" and when you play through it a few times the rythm comes pretty natural. The chorus is comprised of everyone's favourite: barre chords
-8-------------------------8----
-9--------6------------6---9----
-10---6---8---8----6---8---10---
-10---8---8---10---8---8---10---
-8----8---6---10---8---6---8----
------6-------8----6------------
Once again not too difficult. The strumming is unique but it comes natural after a little practice. Then comes the solo (booo)
E---------1-3-1--------------------1-3-1--3------1-3-1-----------
B-4--1--4--------3---------(1)-1/4-----------1-4--------3--------
G-------------------3-0-1----------------------------------3-0--1
D----------------------------------------------------------------
A----------------------------------------------------------------
E----------------------------------------------------------------
When you start playing this you think, "Ya I think I got it." Then you hear the actual recording and think. Oh crap I'm screwed! The pacing is incredibly fast. Not only that it's set to a flamenco-type cadence. It's basically fast intermixed with flurries of turbo-fast. I have a long way to go to get this down, I hope it doesn't end up on the cutting room floor like my other horrible failure this year.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Pedal to the Metal
Today I journeyed even further into the realm of electric guitar-dom with the purchase of my first distortion pedal. No electric guitar is complete without one, so I went with the economical Behringer TO100 Tube Overdrive, purchased at none other than Long and McQuade's. Now, I'm not a professional player. I wouldn't even consider myself much of a novice for that matter, but I will say you can't go wrong with $44.99 CAD. The MSRP is sitting even higher at $54.99, so I consider it a "great deal" (thank, you Mr. Mandel).
One of the songs learned (as it was four simple chords) was Lenny Kravits, "Fly Away." I played it on my old acoustic and it simply didn't seem right. It was missing that special something. Now that I have a pedal, I can rock out with the track and then some. Quite enjoyable. Gonna be on the cover of Rolling Stone.
It's nice to see that TheRoss has blown the dust off his guitar. We will all get together soon and rock out. We may, and this is completely speculation at this point, have a drummer.
Grindy and I were focusing on Fire Water Burn from the Bloodhound Gang the other day. It's easy, and fun. Why don't you play along?
One of the songs learned (as it was four simple chords) was Lenny Kravits, "Fly Away." I played it on my old acoustic and it simply didn't seem right. It was missing that special something. Now that I have a pedal, I can rock out with the track and then some. Quite enjoyable. Gonna be on the cover of Rolling Stone.
It's nice to see that TheRoss has blown the dust off his guitar. We will all get together soon and rock out. We may, and this is completely speculation at this point, have a drummer.
Grindy and I were focusing on Fire Water Burn from the Bloodhound Gang the other day. It's easy, and fun. Why don't you play along?
Friday, December 29, 2006
The Least Talented of the Hacks
It's fitting that I am the last one to post on this page, as I am the least talented member of the group. I haven't touched my guitar in about 3 weeks and probably close to six months before that. Seeing as I'm off work today, I'm think I'm going to pull out my axe and lay down some Popular by Nada Surf... c'mon, you remember Nada Surf, right? Well, come to think of it, if you don't know "Popular" then you've probably ever heard of them. I suggest you go and (legally) download it. Go on, I'll wait.
Alright, enough typing I gotta get some pratice in. Later days.
Alright, enough typing I gotta get some pratice in. Later days.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Age of Electric
I was going to continue on my ramblings about my new Yamaha Eterna that I boasted about from my blog but I've opted instead to talk about other guitar related things. No sense regurgitating, right?
The first thing to point out-- as the electric is solid wood, it's heavier. Strap anyone? No, I didn't say "strap-on," you sick f***. The best part of the electric, and what also makes it easier to learn with, is that the strings are more malleable. You don't have to push down on them nearly as hard to create a good sound. I haven't tried to edumacate myself with the barre chords, but by simply playing around I've noticed it feels a lot nicer on the fingers using TheAxe™.
Most importantly to note, you feel more like a Rock Star with an electric guitar and less like a hippie. Very important.
So with the new guitar, I'm also more interested in learning something other than chords. Yes, I'm talking about picking. I want to rock out with some great solos sometime in the future. Of course to do that you'll need to have some serious speed skills. Whilst investigating this whole picking thing, I came across this article about "economy picking". Essentially. "economy picking" is simply utilizing your up and down pick movements to your best advantage. It's a great (and highly rated) lesson complete with some exercises to help you out on your learning adventure. Be sure to check it out.
About a month ago (it's been that long?) Grindy and I were jamming, when along came Nothing Else Matters a la Metallica. I wanted to play it. I wanted to learn. Grindy didn't have it down pat yet, but he had a decent grip on the opening. Of course I'm jealous of his ability, which thus provides a great motivator. This is labelled as an "advanced" tab over at Ultimate Guitar. This means that if I can learn it, I am smrt. Look out Grindy, I'm coming for you. Muah!
The first thing to point out-- as the electric is solid wood, it's heavier. Strap anyone? No, I didn't say "strap-on," you sick f***. The best part of the electric, and what also makes it easier to learn with, is that the strings are more malleable. You don't have to push down on them nearly as hard to create a good sound. I haven't tried to edumacate myself with the barre chords, but by simply playing around I've noticed it feels a lot nicer on the fingers using TheAxe™.
Most importantly to note, you feel more like a Rock Star with an electric guitar and less like a hippie. Very important.
So with the new guitar, I'm also more interested in learning something other than chords. Yes, I'm talking about picking. I want to rock out with some great solos sometime in the future. Of course to do that you'll need to have some serious speed skills. Whilst investigating this whole picking thing, I came across this article about "economy picking". Essentially. "economy picking" is simply utilizing your up and down pick movements to your best advantage. It's a great (and highly rated) lesson complete with some exercises to help you out on your learning adventure. Be sure to check it out.
About a month ago (it's been that long?) Grindy and I were jamming, when along came Nothing Else Matters a la Metallica. I wanted to play it. I wanted to learn. Grindy didn't have it down pat yet, but he had a decent grip on the opening. Of course I'm jealous of his ability, which thus provides a great motivator. This is labelled as an "advanced" tab over at Ultimate Guitar. This means that if I can learn it, I am smrt. Look out Grindy, I'm coming for you. Muah!
Technorati Tags: guitar, guitar theory, Nothing Else Matters
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