Rajiv's Guitar Newbie Blog

Crossing the One Minute Barrier

2010-03-02T21:03:00.000-08:00

Wow, this feels good.

The song remains the same. The picture is of one of my dog's.

More of Stand by Me

2010-02-20T23:49:00.000-08:00

Here's some progress on the previously posted rendition of 'Stand by Me'.

I do feel this sounds quite like it should, albeit the timing problems. So there.

The accompanying pictures were taken from IC818 (Ktm to Del).

A Different Genre

2010-02-09T03:29:00.000-08:00

Still working on the basic that I've gotten from Chris and Dave, I have tried my hands (or should I say fingers) at something different.

This here is Metallica's 'my friend of misery'. A little shy of the 30 second mark, but hey, that's close to double the length of my last post, and that too, fumble free.

A little pat on the back, and then I'm off.

p.s. the picture in the last post, the moon.

Stand by me

2010-02-05T00:50:00.000-08:00

I liked what I heard so I simply have to subject you to the same. I know the going continues to remain tough but I do hope to convert these 15 seconds in something more concrete.

My pace does continue to be in tandem with my hectic schedule, but since I am making progress, I'm actually quite comfortable with this set-up.

So while I continue with my getting to play a full fledged song, do stand by me.

and in case you're wondering what the picture is, go figure (or simply ask).

Fingers Hurting

2010-01-31T19:46:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-25T09:10:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-20T19:52:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-17T19:59:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-13T19:49:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-10T19:31:00.000-08:00

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.

One of the many benefits of an online tutorial

2009-12-26T01:51:00.000-08:00

I haven't been able to dedicate enough time toward learning how to strum. Luckily, I do not have my master breathing down my neck about the progress (or lack of it).

I do intend to get back to my lessons full time starting the first week in Jan; and my apologies to everyone who was looking forward to my Rome.

Rome was not Built in a Day

2009-12-15T00:56:00.000-08:00

That's pretty much what I'm telling myself when I think about how long it might be before I play my first song.

This here in me trying to better the way the computer's camera picks up the guitar's sound. A little headphone here.
Not perfect, but will eventually get there.

Here is me strumming the eight notes, and then following my master's instructions to play around. Not a good job I'm afraid, but hell, Rome really wasn't built in a jiffy.

A start, finally

2009-12-12T05:03:00.000-08:00

12 Dec. 09

Just got my access to ‘guitarsuperstars’; my first guitar guide.

Not knowing what to expect, finding different masters to choose from comes as quite a pleasant surprise. So these guitar gurus are masters of their respective genres, and I definitely will be referring to all of them at some point or the other.

I’m starting with Chris Nicholson, a master in the classical and acoustic forms of guitar playing. Having gone through the first two video tutorials, I know what the different strings are called (E,A,D,G,B, and E again), how to 'pluck' on the strings, and the basic 'good' guitar playing posture.

I now need to master playing the eight different notes that I’ve seen played using the first three strings, and once I’m done doing that, we’re on to the next level. Until then, it’s G, A, B, C, D, E, F, G.