mcarlson_sb
Forum Replies Created
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@sheppy When you do get back to it – try this
I want you to *intentionally* do it wrong.
Watch yourself doing it wrong.
Slowly and in control do it wrong.
make the mistake – but intentionally make the mistake.
And while doing this – be aware of yourself as a detached observer.
Notice what’s tense.
Notice what’s a bit off with form
etc.
Look at yourself not as the player, but as your own coach.
Then, if you feel like it, reply back and tell us what you noticed.
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@trevor_finally_learns_guitar 1 thing I’ve changed, 1 I’ve added, and 1 I’d do differently
Changed : gave up on the raspberry pi for the recording machine and bought a cheap tiny windows machine (not much bigger, works easily with all my equipment).
Added : nanokontrol2 midi control board.
Makes it WAY easier to start/stop recording, arm tracks, do multiple takes, etc.
Do differently : I would have picked up the 2i2 instead of the Solo.
Not much more money – lots more flexibility for recording with multiple mics/inputs
So, there is my update 😁
Cheers
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Thank you everyone for the encouragement.
@Loraine yes. It is. It’s voice is so much better for this song.
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congratulations!
That’s a very big/small win 😁🎉🎊
keeping going!
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That’s amazing.
I also kept myself from buying “a good guitar” until I am “good enough for it to make a difference”
Today was that day for me too.
It must be something in the wind.
Congrats and keep playing!
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@ChuckS – I needed pretty much everything (condenser mic, xlr cable, studio headphones, audio interface) – so I found a bundle with all of it on sale.
I also picked up a horizontal tripod stand that holds both the mic and my phone for recording.
The condenser mic does a great job when placed 6 inches to a foot in front of the sound hole on my Goya folk guitar.
I replaced the endpin on my Washburn Rover with an endpin jack pickup a long time ago so now I can use either that or condenser mic to record that guitar. That endpin internal mic works well and sounds great but does hear every touch. I love that I can choose which to use.
And my Epiphone Les Paul Special just plugs in and sounds great.
I like that it’s easy to record all of my guitars.
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Background :
I’m a professional technical coach (software skills). I don’t teach guitar, however, I can tell you that the skills acquisition patterns (especially mixed physical/mental skills) are very similar.
The first important thing is that as we gain skills we move from large improvement to refinement. Large improvement feels like we are “learning fast” because the difference is very visible. Refinement can feel like a wall if we aren’t used to observing fine differences.
Key concept : as we improve at a skill it’s important to also improve our observations of the skill so we can see ever smaller differences.
It’s those small differences that separate an average good player from an elite player (whether in sports, music, martial arts, etc.)
The second important thing is balance.
Our ability to perform a skill is limited by our weakest fundamental.
Tony has broken the complex skill of playing guitar down into five fundamental skills. If one of these five is out of balance we can feel like we’ve hit a wall. The more out of balance these skills the higher the wall feels.
That wall is the current limit of our ability to perform actions quickly and under control.
And the only way to get past it is to identify the fundamental skill that is the limiter and bring it back into balance.
Example:
Maybe I worked really hard on my scales and improv and got REALLY good there. But at the same time let my chord changes lag. I’m going to have great control with solos but struggle to play “up to my ability” with the rest of the song.
But once I raise the lagging skill the whole of my playing will improve. Often even my best skill, because it was also being held back by being out of balance.
key concept : balance is fundamental. improving balance increases our overall ability to perform skills with quick easy grace.
The third thing is to make sure you find your “learning zone” – where you are pushing the edge of “quick easy grace under control” over into “haste and mistake”
(as we improve balance, that edge will move. so we need to check it every once in awhile to find it again)
Once we find that edge we want to dial it back to the controlled side.
But not so far that it’s easy and boring.
To learn quickly we have to push ourselves enough to be a little frustrated – but not so frustrated we quit.
Just enough to enjoy and celebrate the success when we push through.
Those are my best tips as a professional coach.
Cheers
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Yes. @Cadgirl the Rover is great. I’ve taken it with me as carry-on on several flights (and more coming up this month)
It was actually my first acoustic guitar.
Used to be my hardest to play – but with a proper set up about a month ago, and some tips on using the strap, it’s become one of my easiest.
Great for hotel room playing.
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Awesome achievement!
I just hit 40 days straight and am encouraged and inspired by you.
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Thank you!
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LOL
I’ll have to work on refining that argument.
something something.. guitars are set up for a certain type of strings.. and this other type over here is what I WOULD replace it with… so you see its important I find one that takes them.. something something
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And even before 30 Days, find the TAC Quick Start course in the Skills area and go through it.
It really does set the stage.
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You might want to check out the Flat Picking Jumpstart in the skills courses.
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I’d suggest starting with the “30 days to play challenge” – it’s a solid starting point.
To get there go to the menu and choose Skill Courses.
You should find 30 Days to Play listed.
Congratulations on showing up!
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One of my favorite artists who uses a looper is Tash Sultana.<div>
She really shows what can be done with a guitar, a looper, and a love of music
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