2013 Challenge - June

Craig D'Andrea

Another back dated post here - sorry! :)  This month, I have studied and rehearsed the song "Falling For Twelves (and the B.L.Ts)" by Craig D'Andrea. 

Stylistically different from most of the other songs I have played to date - this one caught my attention because of the unique rhythm to it.  However when I started to learn it, I came across a massive, what I thought insurmountable, problem that had me perplexed for a while.

The main verse of this song actually requires a 'thumb slap' on the strings in the middle of the bar.  No problem, I've done thumb slaps before with no issues.  However, in this piece, the thumb slap was accompanied by a plucked note with the third finger.  A combination that I found impossible to play. 

So, I worked around my limitation.  What I ended up doing was instead of thumb slapping, I slapped the strings with the back of the nails on the index and middle fingers of my right hand.  I made sure that I slapped the string with the note to be played.   This resulted in a slight strum of the string which accentuated the note that Craig intended the guitarist to play.

I think it worked.  Or maybe not.  I'll let you be the judge.

Songwriting Workshop

Last weekend, as part of the Festival of Darwin, a free songwriting workshop was held by Danielle a.k.a. 'Mama Kin' .

Danielle spoke to use about her own musical journey, and the techniques she uses for songwriting these days.  She explained, and got us to do some exercises on 'Objective Writing', where you pick a random object and then do a type of guided 'stream of consciousness' writing to describe the sight, sound, smell, taste, feel, body and emotion of the object. 

It was certainly eye opening to see the sorts of creative juices that a (time limited) objective writing session can give you - it really gives you the impetus and momentum needed to do deep within yourself and write songs that will connect with people because they use these 7 basic senses. 

I don't write lyrical songs at the moment, because I cannot sing myself, but one day I hope to write a song with lyrics that someone else can sing. 

Danielle a.k.a. 'Mama Kin'

(Re)Finding My First Guitar

This weekend, I was rummaging around the storage lockup under our house, and I came across my very first guitar stashed under some boxes and other debris.

It was an old Som D'Ouro classical guitar that I got back when I was about 15.  My high school guitar teacher, Ms. Dunlop, picked this one out for me, and I have played it and loved it for all of my life since then (over 30 years!). 

Sadly, a few years ago, the bridge came off it, and I put it away in storage intending to fix it 'one day'.  Well, it had been sitting underneath stuff and exposed to dampness and dust for years, so when I found it again, it was in a very sad condition. 

The top of the guitar seems to have swollen and split, and I think I can hear some braces rattling around under the top too, so I don't think it will ever be playable again.  I decided to give it a bit of spit and polish to see how it cleaned up. 

(Note: Virtuoso Cleaner and Polish really is wonderful stuff.  I wish I had taken some 'before' pictures). 

A Proud Dad Moment

Last Friday, my son was asked to give a short performance in front of his middle school assembly in order to promote the talent quest at his upcoming school fete. 

I helped him set up his rig, and was fortunate enough to be able to record his warm up/rehearsal session.  He elected to play Eddia Van Halen's "Eruption" solo, as he is a big fan of EVH. 

This was definitely a milestone event for me, watching him play a piece of music that came out more that two decades before he was born!