The Player's Check in - Apr 2022

V8 · Apr 20, 2022

I think 6mths after October's check-in is about right?

So where is everyone at?

I'm finally back into ''proper' guitar (some shreddy rhythm vibes). In attempting to maintain a 'decent' guitar posture (back, shoulders, wrist) the last 3 mths, I've ended up with a fairly ouching tennis elbow

I reckon it's due to overstrengthening my grip (I've been working on it steadily since lockdown) and not working on the surrounding muscles.

Which kinda of amusing because I spent a fair amount of time on bass getting stronger and since I started back up on guitar I've felt I've had noticably less dexterity and I was crushing guitar strings into the fretboard! So been working on guitar posture, particularly with the wrist & thumb position and lightening up the grip.

And that's the only really bad news - otherwise it's been a lot of fun scoopin' da mids 'n diming the gain - revisiting the teens with slightly better taste.

The pimpocaster got converted to H/S and for me, it's brilliant (GTP could of told me so...). Also found a cheap Digitech distortion factory DF7 pedal - is fragile compared to a BOSS - but is surprisingly useful.

Looking fwd to this month's challenge, got 2 competing idea's ️

guidothepimmp · Apr 22, 2022

Shoooowee. So playing wise I have actually gone backward a bit. Have played less than I would like. No particular reason though. Just.. stuff has been happening and been busy.

I get sidetracked easily, so whilst play time has reduced, build time has improved and I fjnished a build in Feb. Also started a new build.

Missed a couple of the last challenges, so hoping to get back in the saddle again with these.

And finally.. and i cant say why.. i am looking at unloading some gear. I seem to have the opposite of GAS. We are looking at renovating the place so I am looking at upping the ante with my jam room / makeshift recording space.

klaasvakie · Apr 23, 2022

I've been struggling to keep regular practice sessions going. Work has been super busy and the little girl is at an age where she doesn't play well on her own so my guitar playing has mainly been relegated to short 5 minute couch sessions on the acoustic when I can find a gap.

I think my biggest hurdle at the moment is that I don't really have a big target painted in front of me. I should really focus on a couple of songs to learn properly - maybe a Garage Days is the appropriate kick in the bum, I actually played quite a bit more in the run-up to the last.

Only "skill" I've developed so far in 2022 is getting pinch harmonics consistent-er-ish - at the start of the year I could get maybe 3 of every 10 tries to squeal nicely, and at the moment I'm probably hitting 9/10 properly. Thanks Pantera!

In terms of gear nothing much happening but not gassing hard either, so for once things are in balance.