Candle Metronome

Filed Under (General, Other Resources, Random, Random Thought) by Frank on 10-01-2009

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I saw this post on WonderHowTo.com and I thought that it was clever. Now, obviously, it is not practical but it is still a need idea with cool, interesting results.

Check out the Candle Metronome:

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-make-a-metronome-with-a-candle-50393/

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Guitar Exercises

Filed Under (Other Resources, Practice) by Frank on 29-12-2008

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Guitar Exercises @ MadStratter.com – http://madstratter.com/2008/12/finger-exercises-practicing-guitarist/

[See the link...]

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Thoughts…

Filed Under (General, Other Resources, Practice Session, Random, Random Thought, The Music Room) by Frank on 26-12-2008

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Do you know how to drive a stick shift car or anything with a manual (normal) transmission? If you at least understand the concept of driving a manual transmission car then you’ll probably understand the following analogy.

My guitar education feels like I’ve been stuck in first gear with my engine over revving to making up for the lack of gears. I’ve occasionally made it to second gear but either way I’ve been pushing hard and I feel like I’m not getting very far. I feel like no matter how hard I push each practice session I can only get so far — never where I want to be…

I’ve got two more prepaid lesson left at The Music Room. While they’ve been great, I’ve decided not to renew with them. It is important for me to mention that my teacher is/has been excellent but I feel like I should have progressed further than I have. I attribute this not to the teaching but my inability to focus as much time on guitar as I’d like. Quite simply, guitar is over-occupying my time (even though I want to put in more time). I figure if I’m not in weekly lessons I can focus a little more on other things (like Design Patterns or how Firefox works)… In addition to guitar

My guitar studies will continue and I will continue to run Understanding Guitar.  My plan, in regards to The Music Room, is to take the “ad-hoc” options. With this option, I’ll have to call in to schedule an appointment every week or two. I’m considering this plan a half self-study, have lessons plan.

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Guitar, Music and Stress!

Filed Under (General, Other Resources, Random Thought) by Frank on 10-12-2008

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I was right! Guitar and music in general does reduce one’s stress! Check out the article at Dy-sphoric:

http://dy-sphoric.blogspot.com/2008/12/guitar-music-and-stress.html

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“Hurt” as recorded by Johnny Cash

Filed Under (Barre Chords, Chords, Other Resources, Practice, Random Thought, Song) by Frank on 14-11-2008

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Another simple song you could learn to play is “Hurt” which was originally by Nine Inch Nails, but Johnny Cash re-recorded his own version of the song. I’m with the group that feels that this version is superior — not that I didn’t like the NIN version of the song, I just really like how the guitar goes in this version.

Below are the videos for both versions. First, Cash’s version then Reznor’s. If you’ve never heard this song before, be aware that the song is of a dark nature. The Reznor video is particularly “dark”…

Cash:

Reznor -- Live:

You Play It

Now that you’ve seen the video, below are the links to the internet guitar tabs. I believe these tabs are correct, otherwise I wouldn’t post them. This song does use barred chords during the chorus so it can be a little difficult but it is manageable.

http://www.fretplay.com/tabs/c/cash_johnny/hurt-tab.shtml

http://www.guitarmasta.net/c/cash,_johnny/234354.html

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Popular Songs to Play

Filed Under (Chords, Note To Self, Other Resources, Random Thought) by Frank on 11-11-2008

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Over at  “A Guitar Teacher’s Lesson Notebook” (a blog), Robs interpreted and published chords and rhythms (strum patterns) to a bunch of songs:

http://www.heartwoodguitar.com/WordPressBlog/?p=103

Some of the songs include

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“Foundations for Guitar” author posts about Time and Rhythm

Filed Under (Other Resources, Random Thought) by Frank on 10-11-2008

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It is important, in my opinion for beginning guitar players to properly understand time and rhythm as that is arguably the foundation of music.

A little bit ago, I stumbled upon this blog post and video by Mark Wein, the author of “Foundations for Guitar“. I wanted to share it. If you’ve not spend much (or any!) time studying and learning how time works within the world of music, I’d like to make a friendly suggestion that view the video and check out the post.

http://blog.markwein.com/2008/08/28/time-and-rhythm.aspx

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My Lessons Continue with ‘The Music Room’

Filed Under (Other Resources, Practice) by Frank on 17-10-2008

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The Music Room, Universal Language Spoken Here

The Music Room, Universal Language Spoken Here

If you’ve followed this blog last winter, you might have know that I had been taking guitar lessons and at some point, decided to discontinue lessons. At that time, I had decided that for a mix of reasons.

About a week ago, I stumbled upon a music store called “The Music Room.” I was, as my wife will attest, very excited. Why the excitement? Well, because The Music Room is what I consider a real music store. Their retail store isn’t filled with thousands of guitar hanging on the wall with Amps plugged in and turned up. No, no. They, in my opinion, focus on actually playing the instrument (and many more types of instruments).

They have professional music teachers which is what I’ve been looking for. Their teachers have professional education in music from major universities, furthermore this is what they do for a living — teach music to others. (I’m sure they gig and play elsewhere but you get the idea).

I’ve signed up for lessons and am anxiously waiting for my first lesson. My self-teaching method simply doesn’t work. It is too unfocused and I don’t stick to a regular schedule, nor do I know when to push forward or keep practicing something when I’m stuck.

I suspect working with a teacher will solve problems like this.

I must mention that when I stopped in to sign up for lessons, the gentlemen who helped me left me with a great impression of the place. He was patient and answered all my questions. The shop is clean and obviously geared toward learn to play music; not to push gear out the door. Anyway, like I said — So far, I’m very impressed and have high hopes!

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“Improve Your Playing” Post By Pickstroke

Filed Under (Note To Self, Other Resources, Random Thought) by Frank on 02-09-2008

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Guitar Practice by Lucas

I’m always interested in how other guitarist practice. There are a bunch of different schools of thought on the topic.

Recently Tim of Pickstroke.com did a post about how he spends his time, what little time he has, practicing. Tim admits to not being a guitar god — I can relate! I encourage you to compare Tim’s description with how you spend your time practicing? What are the differences? Do you think the differences are good or bad? Based on that (you don’t have to post your thoughts) adjust your practice to improve.

Check out the article here: http://www.pickstroke.com/?p=278

You not only want to improve your playing but your effectiveness in praticing to play.

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Cyberfret.com: Guitar Improvisation – Improv 101 Article

Filed Under (Improvisation, Other Resources, Random Thought, Scales) by Frank on 23-08-2008

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Fretboard - "Scales"

If you follow this site at all (you can easily follow it via RSS :-) ), you’d know that I’ve been doing a series on Pentatonic Minor Scales and Improvisation.  While I was researching my posts on the topic, I came across another article.

http://www.cyberfret.com/improvisation/101/index.php

This article is also based on the A Pentatonic Minor scale. It is a great article and goes along with what I’ve been writing about. Check out their “Lick #1” and “Lick #2,” they are good examples of the quick improvisation you can do. They sound good and can fit in a variety of places in a song or chord progression.

Please let me know if you find this useful! Enjoy and thanks for reading!

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