for the amount of time I've been playing, I should be much better than I am. Unfortunately I took a very long sabbatical from music and only picked up a guitar again 2 years ago. My biggest current obstacles are that I don't have a proper practise regime, I am inconsistent in that I will go through periods of playing every day, and then can't/wont pick up a guitar for a couple of weeks, and finally because I'm battling to find inspiration, mostly because I don't have anyone to jam with, I suppose.
You and me both.
My next challenge is actually hearing what I am playing. I recorded that clip with a set of HD202 headphones plugged into the ipad so I could hear the backing track. The problem is, the headphones almost totally block out the sound of my amp at the volume I was playing, so I was playing totally "unmonitored", if you will.
I bought a new set of circumaural Sennheisers too. They are great but they also block outside sounds. It'll be interesting to know how you get around this one, besides cranking the amp ? My interface has a monitor option but its not very loud, even with the volume up full. Maybe use the cans with only one side on your ear and the other off?
I just wanted to add, that I think you all entering the challenges are very talented and I've enjoyed listening to your entries when I've had the chance, which unfortunately is not all that often. The monthly challenge seems like serious business, and to be honest I'm a little daunted by the "original music only" thing which seems out of my reach currently, and so I won't be entering at this stage.
This is true and untrue. You don't need to have the full studio capabilities / backtracking / shred skillz to enter the comps. The challenges are decided by votes though, and I guess you need to show at least some production capabilities to get votes. Not a perfect system but you shouldn't NOT enter because the others are good, that's why you should enter. I'm also entering again. This month its ROCK. That's the easiest competition theme in the history of GFSA competitions. This one is your ticket to an an easy intro to them.
If you think you need to get better to "be as good as some of the others" you will never enter because, let's face it, people who do guitar in their spare time like you and me will find it hard to catch up to the pros. The point of the competitions firstly is not to win or show off, but to do something outside your playing comfort zone, and that will teach you something about playing guitar you didn't know before. I'll be entering beginner (the standards have risen a bit lately ? )
