Vacations and Practice

I was happy that while taking The Big Family Vacation this year I managed to keep playing guitar. There was two days I either missed practice or played for only a few minutes. Those are the only two days this year I haven't played guitar for 45 minutes.

That's pretty rad. I'm hoping I can keep it up all year. I feel I'll be a decent guitar player when it's all said and done. I'm looking into some kind of music lessons for my son as well: piano or voice. He's got quite a bit of natural talent that I feel we don't tap into enough. He could use the outlet for his energy.

The band. . .I'm not sure what they did in my absence. Robb said he wasn't feeling well and Guy had scheduling conflicts. They were supposed to start recording our stuff. I'd like to get some recordings done, so that at the least we can see what it would sound like to get our stuff out there.

I've been learning new songs, but I'm not sure the guys will like them. I've been leaning toward learning some acoustic numbers and trying to hit some open mics. Maybe if the band can't get rolling I can get a gig on my own to get some extra cash.

-Merlin out

Inauspiscious Beginnings

I haven't quite figured out my update schedule for this blog. I feel like daily updates without substantial content is silly, though perhaps a "journaling" tone might be fun for a bit. Weekly seems to be what I will do for the time being, with most updates on Wednesday evenings.

Last week was a good one for my personal practice but not for the bands' rehearsals. We missed a bit over the holidays and then had to cancel again last night as quite a few of us are dealing with illness, family, or family illnesses. I don't like missing practice, and as the Ugly Americans tend to get a lot done while Eric is out missing that chance was rough too. Perhaps we will get together this weekend.

Personally, I've decided to let my kids choose some songs for me to learn. Austen didn't quite understand the question, but I will probably learn some Raffi song or other for her. Harper asked that I learn another Neil Diamond song, Forever in Blue Jeans.

I have the basic chord structure down; it's simple enough. The pretty part in the introduction is tabbed a half dozen different ways on line. I'll probably pick the easiest and get it down, as I won't be playing this for the Ugly Americans any time soon.

I also spent some time with Judith by A Perfect Circle and Sweet Child O Mine by GNR. Those are both technically difficult songs made more so by the fact that I'm also singing them. I have most of both down (I am going to have to dump hours into the big solo for Sweet Child) on guitar but bringing it all together will take practice, and full band practice at that.

I'm continuing to work with our low-tuned songs for next practice as well. Fat Bottomed Girls is weirdly timed.

-Merlin out