[Moonhare]

Hey there. Just wondered if you had tried writing your own tune or song yet? This might seem daunting but actually writing your own music is a quite involved process and as you work through it you spend such a long time playing and rewriting little bits that it locks in. Obviously with no sheet music available this takes you in a different direction with your instrument. It doesn’t have to be Lennon and McCartney but it is such good fun.

I mostly write instrumentals but this week I’ve written a blues song which I intend to play at the next SCONES Virtual Open Mic session. This was a goal I set myself at the last 90 day progress party and of course with the blues at least you already have a chord structure to work from. It will be the first time I’ve played my guitar live to an audience since joining TAC in April. Nervous? Damn right! Whether you go down this route of writing a song or not I wish you all the best. You sound like you’ve just plateaued off for a bit rather than going backwards and this is natural. Push off in another direction, mix it up, perhaps tune your guitar to drop D or DADGAD and you never know what might happen. 🤘😎🎸

[Moonhare]

Just want to add my support to the great comments above and say you are not alone at all in this experience. Keep moving forward, don’t aim for perfection. There are no rules here that you have to ‘complete’ one thing before the next. Also if you spend hours struggling on one thing then that’s no fun. If you find another that you get after 10 minutes you can start to feel good about where it’s going. I started in April, was really difficult doing the 30 Day Challenge but carried on with TAC then to see how I was doing I tried again in December and hit them all at 2x speed. I was thrilled. It just takes time and the daily routine but a few months down the line you will have one of those lightbulb moments too. Take care and welcome to TAC!

[Moonhare]

That was really fine playing. A wonderful range of techniques from slides, hammer ons and pull offs. That felt really fluid. I think you should be really pleased with tyat performance. 🤟😎🎸

[Moonhare]

I can categorically announce that I won’t be getting a new Larivee unless I stop planting hedges for a wildlife charity and get a job as a hedge fund manager! Although I did get a new Paul Reed Smith Standard SE electric for my birthday last month… and a guitar rack from the wife…. so yes I guess you’re right.

But seriously that sounds epic. I hope you really enjoy it and look forward to seeing a Play for Us post soon. 🤟😎🎸

[Moonhare]

Great stuff and I couldn’t agree more (plus I’m on a 75 streak so catch me if you can!!! Haha). The community is the glue that keeps us on track when we get those periods of not really feeling it. We’ll all stall occasionally but pushing through is easier with encouragement. We may all be on different journeys but at least we are all moving forward together. Nice geeetar by the way. 🤘😎🎸

[Moonhare]

That’s great. It does start to work when you push outside your comfort zone without a doubt and I hope your progress continues.

Just a quick thought, it would be nice to be able to see what your small win was from the title, rather than just calling it Small Win so we can instantly see what it is. (Like Double win on the Dailies or something). Certainly helps me when I’m scanning through the forums to know if I’ve already commented on a post or not.

[Moonhare]

I had no idea that was even a thing. But are we allowed a right of appeal if we’re not keen on being stuck with you 🤔

[Moonhare]

Beautifully played and sung as ever. I love this track but I wasn’t aware of the Indigo Girls version so I’ll have to look that up. Your one still had all the feel and elegance of the original although as you say you were channelling the new(er) version. I think the jingle bells refrain worked really well on guitar – it was played on piano in the original if I remember right – just a lovely touch. Thanks for treating us to this one.

[Moonhare]

Such a beautiful slide show. The music came across really well and I love the almost mandolin like little fills just after the scooter video. So I guess it begs the question if you were to redo it now what would you come up with? 🤔

[Moonhare]

In the end I went for the Peterson and I have to say it is great. So easy to position on the headstock, nice clear display so thanks for the recommendation @ted_h .

[Moonhare]

Well done on your songs routine. I’d say the small win on the daily challenge for me is really just trying to do it (at whatever speed) and not feeling disheartened if I can’t get it. I play about 50-60% each month at normal speed but that is up from about 20-30% when I started last April so it does start to filter into your technique. It will also turbo charge the playing by ear thing you’re doing and bring new ways to interpret those tunes into your playing.

[Moonhare]

So cool. That is the payback isn’t it? I’m hoping to go to my first VOM this Thursday. Don’t know if I’ll be playing but will be good to see how it all works.

[Moonhare]

Thanks. I really enjoy playing around with those open tunings.

[Moonhare]

Broke a string as I was tuning back up to standard afterwards 😮but it was worth it!

[Moonhare]

Thanks so much. Yes I thought I was going pretty fast until I watched the latest song from @TMutter – Spinning from a VOM on Jan 29th. If you haven’t seen it yet check it out. I am definitely cycling in the slow land as he flashes past in a Ferrari!