For my 2013 Challenge, in February, I posted about learning Ewan Dobson's "Time 2". At that time, I was still struggling with getting the speed up to where he plays it, which is around 140BPM.
This weekend, I decided to try and achieve 'racing speed' with this song, and recorded myself on video playing it through.
In my opinion, it is still a bit sloppy and could use some tidying up, but I am pleased that I managed to keep the tempo and momentum going for the whole song.
Australian Guitarist/Composer Owen Van Larkins
Continuing my challenge to learn one new acoustic piece and record it for every month of the year, this month I have gone closer to home and picked a wonderfully beautiful piece from Australian guitarist/composer Owen Van Larkins. This short piece, simply titled "Freyah's Song" was one I saw on Youtube and as soon as I heard the first three or four bars, I knew I had to learn it.
It is really interesting how this song sounds almost like two guitars, but it is only one guitar here. The cleverness of the composer shines through in very good note choices that complement the guitar, and the open (DADGAD) tuning very well.
This was the first song I've ever played with the capo so high up the neck - on the 6th fret !! So I was glad I had the top of the line G7 capo, because they really get out of the way, as well as being easy to put on and remove.
This was the first of my acoustic songs that a friend in New York asked if he could download as an MP3 so he could listen to it while riding his bike...
I have a confession... You know those songs I have been posting on here for the 2013 challenge I set myself? Well, I cheated. Sort of.
You see, one thing I really struggle with is the ability to play a song through from start to finish note perfect, without missing a beat or playing the wrong note. I don't think I have EVER played a whole song through without at least one small mistake in it.
If you listen ever so carefully to those clips I posted, you can hear every now and then a subtle click or pop where I spliced together different takes. On a good one, there will only be one or two splices, but on some, there up to six or seven splices. Don't even ask me how make takes I went through to even get to that point.
There is something about hitting that 'Record' button that puts that extra pressure on me to get things note perfect. Of course, I then tense up and make even MORE mistakes.
However, this is something I have been working on diligently this year. I want to be able to play songs without making as many mistakes as in the past. I know asking for total perfection is a bit unrealistic, but I would at least like to be able to put in a performance level effort every time I pick up the guitar.
In analysing my playing, I found that my mind tends to drift to a myriad of other subject while I am playing, instead of focusing on the music. I will catch myself thinking about inane things to do around the house or work problems that I am having. Obviously, I will have to quell this noise a lot more if I am to improve my playing.
In essence, I have to find a meditative state whilst playing. I need to focus myself on each and every note and nuance, as well as the tempo and maintain a relaxed state of body so that I can adapt to the music a lot better. This is my goal for the next few months.
I am hoping that when it comes time to do the 'professional' takes for my songs later in the year, that I can walk into the studio and play them with as few retakes as possible. It makes sense from an economical viewpoint as well, as I will be paying for studio time by the hour and thus quicker takes will cost me less.
Douglas Adams (1952-2001)
I'll admit that I have never ever read a 'fan fiction' novel, as I have never found that anyone else can emulate the original author's take and sheer writing style. It's always seemed like a lesser version - a somewhat poor cheap imitation of a masterpiece.
But a couple of years back, I was seized by an unnaccountable urge to write a novel in the style of my all time favourite author, Douglas Adams. I even wanted to go as far as writing the next installment of his 'Dirk Gently' series, which he never finished due to his untimely passing from this life.
I know that there is an unfinished book that has been published which is little more than some ideas he was throwing around for the 3rd book, and I wanted to leave that as a testament to his final moments on earth, and not sully it by trying to predict where he was going with it all.
Last night, I had a very vivid dream, which was an entire plot that was strange and funny and just crazy enough to be of Douglas' invention. I woke up at 4am immediately after having this dream, and just lay there, trying to remember and place the whole story in context. I remember thinking at the time that the subject of the dream would make a good continuation of the Dirk Gently (nee Svlad Cjelli) series.
When I actually woke up later in the morning though, it didn't seem like SUCH a good idea any longer, but still, there was a germ of an idea that could be worked on. I quickly sketched out a rough diagram of a plotline and characters. Over the coming weeks, I will refine that a bit more and who knows, perhaps start writing the first chapter or two?
Mind you, this is coming from someone who has started the NaNoWriMo (National November Writing Month) challenge a couple of times now, and failed to put down more than a thousand words or so.
But lets see, shall we? Perhaps I will post snippets of the book on here as it evolves and emerges from incubation...
