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August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | I've started learning a song which I always considered way above my ability level -'Wondering Where the Lions Are' by Bruce Cockburn. The chords are REALLY simple, the difficulty is in the picking patterns.
For the last few nights, I've concentrated solely on the picking patterns. This is very different to my old style of 'practicing', which consisted of just playing the songs, taking as many shortcuts as necessary. Now I'm focused on particular outcomes. A lot of you are saying "yeah, that's obvious" but I've been avoiding the obvious for years.
I'm still months off nailing this sucker, but every night, I feel it's coming that little bit closer. And I'm not bored of the song yet.
The other good thing about learning this particular song is that it makes my other 'project' - Never Going Back Again - seem like a walk in the park.
The point I guess I'm trying to make is... I feel good. It's the best I've felt about my guitar playing in YEARS. |
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October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | good on ya' muzz. proves that us old dogs can be taught new tricks. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | That's a good tune. Just heard a version by Buffet.
I'm not a big Buffet fan but since Sirius totally fucked up the XM programming one of the less revolting stations is Margaritaville. |
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August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Muzza - it's pretty cool isn't it? I'm working on one of the "Peppino" challenge songs and I'm really close. I play it so much I'm starting to dislike it, but I'm definitely improving.
And as you said, it makes learning other songs that you thought were difficult, much easier.
Nice going! |
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January 2007
Posts: 672
Location: New South Wales, Australia | Good stuff Muz...maybe your inspiration can inspire me :D |
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April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | I've been on this tack for most of the year with Crazy on You. I can actually get through the introduction in a constant stream at about 60% of the actual pace. I'm still making a mistake every time I go through, but it's not the same mistake. Now I'm starting to learn the strumming bits, which are also quite tricky. It does feel good when you learn something really difficult. |
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September 2008
Posts: 757
Location: Melbourne Australia | Go for it Muzz - maybe post some before's & after's so we can see/hear how you are progressing. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6994
Location: Jet City | Good goin muzza. That's the only way we get better. I do the same thing, and especially with songs that have special fingerpicking patterns. I think maybe I'll go try some Croce stuff again. |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Originally posted by flacky:
Go for it Muzz - maybe post some before's & after's so we can see/hear how you are progressing. Aint NO WAY you're gonna get a 'BEFORE'! |
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September 2008
Posts: 757
Location: Melbourne Australia | :D HAHAHAHA :D |
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February 2008
Posts: 747
| Good on ya cobber.
I'm doing stuff like this one because it's real simple to play and it's about South Ontario farm country which is where my neighbours live. Big open country and there's always a lot of cars on the driveway when something happens good or bad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRjyeStRdOw |
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April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Good one Muzza!
Thats my technique - after years of playing Stefan Grossman type stuff I got my first Ovation. The obvious thing to play on it was Adrian Legg stuff, stuff that I've always considered WAY above my level. Anyhow can play 4 of his tunes up to performance speed (2 of them are finger picking tornadoes) and now moved on to other pro's pieces including Bruce Cockburn. These are really good pieces by him that you ought to check out too...
Foxglove
Sunwheel Dance
Recently someone posted soem Peppino D'agnostino pieces. I started with Born In The Sea. At first glance it looked prety straight forward but there are some really quite advanced left hand patterns needed to give the piece the right feel (he lets strings ring so you have to REALLY economical with your left hand movement. Anyhow after a few weeks on it can play well enough for it to make the cut for the 1st album (coming soon).
So after that ramble I guess I'm saying I find the best approach to pick some pieces to learn that are above my current level and keep at em.
Keep picking. And consider another technique, not just breaking down the piece into say 2 bar chunks but this...
1. Learn it from the end to the beginning, i.e. learn bars 99 - 100, then 97 - 98 etc, else you end up knowing and being able to play the start really well and the end not so well.
2. Concentrate your practice to the difficult bits so they are seamless. So if you play through and stop at a particular place, practice that bit 10 times in a row then try again.
3. Be hard on yourself, strive for GOOD TONE and make sure the melody isn't dominated by the bass. The bass is more often than not just accompaniment
4. ALWAYS USE A METRONOME!!!
Enjoy! |
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Inspired to push myself
