So what (out of the norm) are you learning right now?

flatfourfan

Now this isn't a thread about what you're learning that is normal to you, but what you're learning that is out of your normal comfort zone. i.e.

I'm a die hard metalhead and love hard rock.....but after reading an old issue of guitarist, I've picked up the guit and started on Greensleeves. Now with big chubby fingers it's a bit of a mission as well as the fact that I'm a power chord kinda guy and never bothered leaning any type of finger picking or anything classical.

But it's given me a new kind of enjoyment and accomplishment that I don't or at least haven't had in a while. Actually since I started playing with other members instead of staying locked up in a room by myself.

I've managed to nail the first 8 bars and I did it in a little under an hour. And it's listed as intermediate.

I'M OFFICIALLY AN INTERMEDIATE..........LOL.

(well according to guitarist magazine)

Squonk

The Martin Taylor lesson? I also did the first lesson when it came out

singemonkey

Like I mentioned last night, I spent a good long time trying to learn the Johnny Cash "boom chick," strumming. It's a lot harder than it looks. Very useful and (in SA at least) quite unusual style. I need to remind myself on a regular basis that the guitar isn't just for playing lead on. It's also great accompaniment.

I have a session every week with some mates where I do a lot of travis picking and I'm getting comfortable with that. But I realise I don't know much about strumming the guitar. There are things I can do, but there's not much variety there. Strumming is like a whole discipline on its own with guitar playing that shouldn't be ignored.

flatfourfan

Squonk wrote: The Martin Taylor lesson? I also did the first lesson when it came out

yebo.........that's the one, issue 309 I think. I actually have 5 out of the 6 mags, so I have something to keep me busy for a while. I went through the mags initially and never really bothered doing anything else. I had some time this afternoon and then decided to give a shot with some of the lessons. I need to go through the CD's and DVD's as well.

Next it to nail Johnny B Goode.

cfcjim

I'm a closet Rockabilly fan.....Over the last few months I've been learning Brian Setzer stuff: various Stray Cats plus his versions of RocknRoll classics; I Fought the Law, Something Else etc. etc.

It's hard and I think he has nine fingers on each hand - I did get the Live in Brixton DVD for my birthday earlier this year, which reinforced my will to learn. And I realised he only has the normal number of digits per hand. He just uses them very efficiently!

Cheers,

J

Squonk

flatfourfan wrote:
Squonk wrote: The Martin Taylor lesson? I also did the first lesson when it came out
yebo.........that's the one, issue 309 I think. I actually have 5 out of the 6 mags, so I have something to keep me busy for a while. I went through the mags initially and never really bothered doing anything else. I had some time this afternoon and then decided to give a shot with some of the lessons. I need to go through the CD's and DVD's as well.

Next it to nail Johnny B Goode.

I think I have the whole set, so if you need a photostat, let me know.

Jazz is out of the norm for me, I am busy working through Jody Fishers Book on learning Jazz Guitar, and it's quite difficult for me as I have zip knowledge on theory.
Most of what I play is based on what I hear ( by ear then). So I have to stop going on ahead and learn from scratch again. But at least I will know what I am playing.

singemonkey

cfcjim wrote: I'm a closet Rockabilly fan.....Over the last few months I've been learning Brian Setzer stuff: various Stray Cats plus his versions of RocknRoll classics; I Fought the Law,

Brian Setzer stuff is really hard - even with tab for assistance. Amazing guitar player. I'm still struggling to get rock this town down.

cfcjim

What's so annoying about Mr Setzer is he makes it all look so easy and sound so melodic, lulling you into a false sense of security thinking "Yeah I could do that." And then you try......oh dear...

But, the sense of accomplishment when you finally struggle through a complete song - Rock this Town being a perfect example - is incredibly satisfying.

His slides and picking are astonishing.

Glad I'm not the only one struggling!

arjunmenon

Couple of things i'm busy with:

1. Hybrid picking a la Steve Morse.
2. Octaves a la Wes Montgomery.
3. Wide interval tapping with a bit of chromatics.

Squonk

Got motivated by FFF and tried the Greensleeves lesson by Martin Taylor and went through the first 3 parts last night.

The first Lesson he has a very basic interpretation of Greensleeves, basically the bass and melody line. The 2nd Lesson he adds a slight variation, which makes you feel like you are really going places.
In the 3rd lesson he starts adding a bit of Jazz harmony to the Bass line and Melody, and it took me a while to get it, but hell it sounds good, I am almost half way to playing in restuarants ?

I am going through a Jazz Series by Jodi Fisher, which is good stuff but quite involved, So lots of new territory.

On the side I want to start learning songs from beginning to end, I am so miffed about only knowing bit's and pieces here and there. I suppose playing in a band helps ???

My first project will be "Waterloo Sunset" by the Kinks, well my second project really, last year I worked out 'Lines on my face" by Peter Frampton. I did cheat by watching live youtube videos to see how he actually did some fingerings.

Motivation is high at the moment

flatfourfan

Squonk wrote: Got motivated by FFF and tried the Greensleeves lesson by Martin Taylor and went through the first 3 parts last night.

The first Lesson he has a very basic interpretation of Greensleeves, basically the bass and melody line. The 2nd Lesson he adds a slight variation, which makes you feel like you are really going places.
In the 3rd lesson he starts adding a bit of Jazz harmony to the Bass line and Melody, and it took me a while to get it, but hell it sounds good, I am almost half way to playing in restuarants ?

I am going through a Jazz Series by Jodi Fisher, which is good stuff but quite involved, So lots of new territory.

On the side I want to start learning songs from beginning to end, I am so miffed about only knowing bit's and pieces here and there. I suppose playing in a band helps ???

My first project will be "Waterloo Sunset" by the Kinks, well my second project really, last year I worked out 'Lines on my face" by Peter Frampton. I did cheat by watching live youtube videos to see how he actually did some fingerings.

Motivation is high at the moment

AWESOME...............I also thought that the first one was a bit basic and was squaffing a bit until I saw #3, so Squonk yes dude, I'd love a photocopy of the lession if it's doable? I may need 2 as I think I'm missing #4 as well.

ps, playing in a band helps zillions with learning full songs..........

Jacquesg4j

I am actually learning a few chords on the piano! have one standing around so the other day I thought what the heck! ... It sucks feeling useless playing an instrument again!

Norman86

Out of the norm?! hmm...
well.... normally i try and learn easier chord songs...
but, inspired by my guitar techniques magazines and good old Mark Knopfler on the cover, i am trying to learn money for nothing...
Can kind of play the intro, but lose it after that, it starts sounding not like the song?! but maybe im not playing fast enough!
Im also trying to learn scales :-[ yes, probably should have started that long ago, but i wanna talk a little before i learn why and how im constructing my sentences ?
then...
So the basic C scale...
Fur elise by Beethoven...
The battle hymn of the republic... by ear.
and while i cant tap for shit, im tryng the phygrin dominant tapping shred lick in issue 191 pg 9 of guitar techniques. not by tapping, but by plucking!
and making it more melodic to my ear!
and i try and learn a lot of little licks/riffs by ear!

Oh yeah, and i dabble a little on the keyboard and piano too ?

domhatch

Jacquesg4j wrote: I am actually learning a few chords on the piano! have one standing around so the other day I thought what the heck! ... It sucks feeling useless playing an instrument again!

my study is still in boxes, and the guitars are in there somewhere. i think someone dropped the head of the little vox, coz i'm having issues with it - might be a tube thing. man, i can't wait until i can get in and convert the outside room into a studio. the clavinova is downstairs in the dining room, so i'm spending most of my time trying to remember as much as i can about playing the piano. plus, it has a headphone jack, so the missus ain't complainin' and i'm not keeping the kids up 'til all hours. does that count as something different? or just as something old? i dunno.

i'm also learning that perhaps i have too many guitars. i love 'em all, but i can't play 'em all. ah, screw it. i'm keeping them. and probably getting more along the way. and amps, and pedals, and other miscellaneous associated items. coz that's the nature of the thing...

peace
dh

guidothepimmp

hmmm... on my wishlist for years now, and every time I start on it I end up quitting because it just depresses me tat I cannot get IT..

IT = The Asturias