Welcome back Adam,
How was the trip?... any pictures?

no pics?

Hey there Hammerhead

Apologies for my recent AWOL, I've been quite the busy man of late which has inevitably had an effect on how much time I've had to keep up to date with dear old GMC. It's sad indeed! But the recent time off COULD have provided me with a job that is only 3 minutes away from my house, and is perfect! So wish me luck with that.

As for pictures, my fiancee has all of the pictures she took on her SLR at the moment, still waiting for her to send them over to me.

I have one however that she emailed me, and just for you here it is

Besides that, How are things going on the guitar man?

Hope you had a great easter!

Rock on!

Adam,
Good luck with the job! I know what it's like to work close to home, I don't at the moment and REALLY wish I did. I know what you mean about being busy, so I hope it slows down for you. Thanks for the picture, that is a great shot. I really like the mood it sets! if you get your hands on more I'd love to see them.

My guitar has kept me busy. I do a pretty good job of following my practice agenda, and I'm still out the door each morning by 4 a.m. so I can fit in an hour of guitar each day. it's a lot though, my daughter complained to me that I'm not spending as much time with her and her brother lately... So I have to figure out how to make it all work. The truth is I forced an extra hour out of each day that isn't really there. Any how I am swamped with the amount of "learning" that I'm doing. This seems to take the most time. I have the first 3-4 positions for the major and pentatonic scales down. I'm playing both, over the same chords/ progressions, and really learning to hear the different sounds. It's amazing really. They set a different mood! Any how I'm still working with the speed work (legato slide) and have created a legato style slide for the major scale as well as the pentatonic. I'm struggling with some of the CAGED theory. I'm making some improvements... but there is just not enough time to cover everything I want to get done!. So I keep chipping away at it. I recently read about the REC. program at GMC. I think that's what it's called... but I think I might try to learn some of the lessons and get graded on them and try to advance my rank.( I think that's the idea). It's really hard for me to play something exactly like someone else has played it. I'm sure this is because I play by ear and have never really learned too many songs. It would be a challenge for me so I'll see, I still can't record into my laptop so I either have to but an interface or not record. The problem seems to be money at the moment.

Hey I looked for your Malmsteen contribution... you really have been busy! Any way let me know if you do any collaborations, I'm interested in hearing you play.

Good Luck with the job and congrats on the marriage proposal! Before you know it you have children and...

I got a lot of the photo's from the fiancee, and posted them in the Chill Out forum, if you want to check more out

I am hopefull with the job, I have little experience and am currently unemployed so it really would be fantastic news if I got the job. We'll just have to wait and see.

Sounds like you're putting in some hard work mate, and I can appreciate it must be difficult fitting it all in. I'm a relaxed guy when it comes to practice reigme's so I'm in admiration of your ability to keep up a schedule.

If you are finding it hard to "fit it all in", remember there is no definitive daily/weekly/monthly time you MUST contribute to guitar practice in order to improve. In fact I strongly believe 10minutes a day is enough time to see some great progress over a few weeks. As long as its fitted around exercises and playing, granted that theory knowledge might take a bit more time to read up on and try to incorporate into your own playing.

The important thing for me is to keep it fun, its a hobby and a joy - not a job. Its great to have goals in mind, and structured learning to get you there.

Just remember little and often in a relaxed atmosphere is mountains better than lots infrequently in a stressed environment.

As for the REC program, why don't we aim towards something? You could pick something out and I'll gladly help you out through the learning process.

Good to hear from you, and sorry that its been a while

Thanks for the advice Adam, and I know you're right. I just need to play to enjoy and fit in what practice I can. I've listened to my daughter and I began to focus a bit more on my children and it feels great. I took a few days off from guitar to catch up on projects around the house that have been slipping past, and that feels good too. I will take a look at the photos, I appreciate the heads up. I enjoy photography so it's always fun to look at pics . I will pick a lesson for the REC program, but I still can't record. I need to get off my ass and buy an interface but the one I want, it's a bit expensive ... give me this week to figure out how to get my recording back up... and we can talk lessons. It sounds like fun. I've got a couple in mind... you can give me your opinion. I have to look them up and come back to the forum though. If you have suggestions send 'em my way.

Robert

Aloha Adam,
I think I'm gonna try the REC program. It sounds like fun. I'm gonna start working on the
# Blues Phrasing
lesson by David Wallman. I think that's his last name. Great lesson with a great sound! Is that just a deep delay that gives him such a rich sound... besides the killer tone? any how I still can't record, but that wont stop me from practicing. I'm just stuck for the money to buy the interface still, but I'm saving for it... by the time I'm ready to submit, I should have something in place. I might be able to just record with my camera? the sound should work? I'll check and see. I hope your schedule is a little more sane!
I'm still up early but spreading my time around a bit more equitably with my children... they are happier!!!

RObert

Hi there Robert

Thats good to hear, I was going to recommend trying to get involved on REC program if you have been working on any lessons.

At the moment most of the uploads to the REC program are done by webcam recordings on youtube, this includes the sound also.

So if you are thinking of getting yourself prepared, all you need is a reasonable webcam (which has an OK built in microphone) and you're set! Play the backing track and your part together whilst recording via the webcam and the mic should pick up the sound too.

Sometimes there are complications with synching up audio and video, but there are plenty of people here who can help if this becomes a problem for you.

So it doesn't have to cost a lot to be able to record some things for the REC

Could you post me the lesson you were talking about? I've looked in David's lesson list but he has A LOT!! and couldn't find the one you're referrring too

Cheers,

Adam

Adam,
I will look for the lesson... I think I put a copy of the link in my practice agenda.... just the same when I can I'll copy it here... I'm in the car at the moment taking a weekend trip to lahina. west shore maui. I'll check it and get back to ya!

here is the link I think....{https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/blues-phrasing/

Robert

hey Adam,
I hope the link worked for you... I have good news for you... I did manage to get the audio interface taken care of... it's in the mail (Audio Kontrol 1). I'm also the proud owner of a new Malmsteen stratocaster! I've been waiting for this for a couple of months. Any how I'm working on the lesson and should record it next week. perhaps this weekend?
Thanks,

RObert

Adam.....
I could use some direction. I'm trying to sort out the relative minor scales. I'm working with the different modes and I understand that. I'm having a brain hemorrhage trying to figure out how the relative minor is discovered? I've done some digging and can't find the straight up answer: ex The relative minor will always be the 5th of the major... or something. Any direction would be great

RObert

This post has been edited by Hammerhead: Jul 25 2009, 08:50 PM