Back at It - My own space

Hi -- Just a quick post to say I am back at it.  My wife was very nice to me for the holidays.  She asked me what I wanted for Christmas, and my response was "Time and Space."  Having to work full time and having a large family cuts down on the opportunities to play music.  She did some re-arranging of our house and I now have a 4 x 4 space in our walk in closet for my desk/computers/recording equipment that our children will not touch.  It was always so very hard to take things out and put them away again where the children would not get into it.

I have named my new space "Four Foot Studio."

Its small, but much better than pulling the Warr Guitar and equipment out of the closet and setting up and then trying to fend of little hands and then trying to play.

Pictures soon!

Happy Holidays/Merry Christmas to all.

I just want to express my wish for a happy holiday/merry christmas to everyone.  I try and remember what I love about music and the holiday season.

My gift to people that inspire me this year was the fantastic DVD by Billy McLaughlin "Coming Back Alive."  Billy's story touches me deeply and I wanted to share his music with everyone.

You can get the DVD and find out about his remarkable story at his website: Billy McLaughin's place

Merry Christmas and a Very Tap-Happy New Year

Frustration

I am trying to play more with the metronome, and keep in time.  It is extremely frustrating to me right now as I always seem to slip up and end up with the metronome click on the up beat instead of the downbeat.

I guess that is why they call it practice.  I am trying to get my touch (no pun intended) back and move on on actually making some music.  I am trying simple two handed patterns and it is just not coming along right now.

My friend and teacher Jim Wright gave me some exercises that I am trying to be able to do in time.  The left hand is simple, play I V Oct V pattern and then play held chord to match the bass note in right hand.   It is just not flowing today.  Maybe I need to take a time out and see what is up.

Some days I have a serious case of Brain can go faster than I can actually play.  I have to slow down sometimes and just try and play what I can play

8 String Startup -- Again

Well -- Started up playing my guitar again.  8 String Warr Guitar.  

Practiced today for about 1.5 hours.  I am trying to follow good practicing habits this time rather than just noodling/jamming along.  I used a metronome set at 60 beats per minute to try and practice some two handed arpeggios.  I realized how much I drift time.  Must stay focused and use metronome to practice more often.

Must learn to stay on time when moving positions and strings.  Left arm feels OK so far, but going to stretch and make sure to take care of it 

Here is my Guitar - I am in awe of the craftsmanship and tone of this beauty.   Tuning is (B E A D G C F Bb) from low to high.  The sound is magnificent and I hope to have some sound files up soon.