Fingers Hurting

As with most other things in life my guitar lessons also continue to progress. While the progress might not be as quick as I'd hope for, I can comfortably say that I am well on my way, with no signs of giving up.

Another reason that I believe my progress is alright is because my fingers have started to hurt (finally).

I now use my thumb and my index fingers to strum (the thumb for the bass, and the index fingers for the chords); right master Chris?

My interference with the music that I listen to continues unfazed, and I'm yet to receive my first neighborly complaint. So there!

Out of Town and Out of Touch

Well, I've been out of town for the last three days, and therefore the inability to strum or write about the strumming. This hiatus is to go on for the next 48 hours, and until then I'll have Mr.Barrett (Syd) keep me company.

Peace Loving Man

That is the track that's playing in the background, with me trying to accompany it. The heavy strumming that you hear is me, the absence of which can be noticed half way through the video.

I know it doesn't sound great, but I also know it's quite bearable. With time, I'm a hopeful fella.


I do know that the quality of the video leaves a lot to be desired; do bear with me.

Switch

I'm now doing a shuffle and am learning through both, master Dave and master Chris. Why? Because this way of learning to play the guitar will, I feel, ensure that my basics are in place (especially since that is what master Chris specializes in).

So over the last couple of days I've practiced the 12 bar blues pattern along with the 8 elementary chords, and I must say that they sound like they should.

What I've also started doing is accompanying any music that is playing in the background when I'm not working (however badly that might be). The doggies haven't complained yet, and neither have the neighbors.

I'm bad like Jesse James

That's the track that's playing in the back ground as of now. And I can see what master Dave is talking about when he says the Blues tend to follow a pattern.

Continuing with practicing the 12 bar blues pattern. Have also managed to get the lower three strings (G,B,E) into play. This surely isn't easy for someone who's not a natural (or so it seems). And yes, since I'm not able to give this more than 30 minutes a day, I guess the going will be slow.

But dither, I shall not.

Blue Bird, Blue Bird tell her....

Back

Okay, I agree that was a rather long period of absence. I guess that is one of the drawback of learning to play the guitar in this fashion. Although, I still get to start from exactly where I left off.

So, with guitar in hand I access the videos again, and what I went through the last time around, I go through again. The caper being, I have an acoustic guitar, and the only master teaching the acoustic guitar is Master Chris (who, for what I've seen, is highly proficient); but he is an expert in classical playing, not a form I fancy very much.

So even though Master Dave has an electric guitar in hand, I've now switched over to his form to learning/teaching. Why? he's the Blues Man.

I've started practicing the 12 bar blues pattern, and I must say that even though it sounds far from perfect, I'm liking it.

Here, I must add that I managed to lose my mobile phone/incorporated camera whilst on my extended break, and therefore the inability to post a video of my learning.

I do intend to acquire a new one soon, so videos are surely to follow.