Don't worry everyone, Herbie is very much alive, he just sleeps like that.
May 17, 2008
Herbie takes catnap while Stevo practices guitar
Don't worry everyone, Herbie is very much alive, he just sleeps like that.
May 15, 2008
Todays thoughts...
1 - I've been practicing up a storm this week. Also working more on song writing. Its interesting how a tempo change or moving the song a half step can make all the difference in the world. I've learned a lot about tempos, recording and writing while being around Ottmar. I've felt like one of those sponges that soaks up... actually, I don't really know what a sponge feels like, but if I did! That's what I would feel like -Soaking up all kinds of good guitar knowledge. Anyway, moving right along to thought # 2
2 - I gave a guitar lesson earlier this week. I think I did pretty good and fortunately I didn't freak the student out too much, I tried to be as normal as possible (which sometimes can a bit a bit difficult for me, especially after having my morning coffee). Anyway, I taught some rumba rhythms and he picked them up really quickly, he already seemed to have a grasp on the rhythms to begin with. I think I enjoy teaching and maybe I'll try to do more. However, if you want to know how to read or where the notes on the guitar neck are, I'm not your man. I play everything by ear - always have, always will.
3- When I get the extra time down the road, I would like to post a short rumba guitar lesson with a small video clip on here. I'll have to try it and see how it turns out first. Knowing how things go over here, the cat will jump up into my lap as I'm trying to show the technique. And knowing me I'd probably leave that in the footage because it would be pretty funny.
4- Yumiko, I haven't forgotten to post the upcoming "Midnight snack" for the Guacamole. I'll get to it as soon as I can!
SD
2 - I gave a guitar lesson earlier this week. I think I did pretty good and fortunately I didn't freak the student out too much, I tried to be as normal as possible (which sometimes can a bit a bit difficult for me, especially after having my morning coffee). Anyway, I taught some rumba rhythms and he picked them up really quickly, he already seemed to have a grasp on the rhythms to begin with. I think I enjoy teaching and maybe I'll try to do more. However, if you want to know how to read or where the notes on the guitar neck are, I'm not your man. I play everything by ear - always have, always will.
3- When I get the extra time down the road, I would like to post a short rumba guitar lesson with a small video clip on here. I'll have to try it and see how it turns out first. Knowing how things go over here, the cat will jump up into my lap as I'm trying to show the technique. And knowing me I'd probably leave that in the footage because it would be pretty funny.
4- Yumiko, I haven't forgotten to post the upcoming "Midnight snack" for the Guacamole. I'll get to it as soon as I can!
SD
May 10, 2008
Song writing / Taking a quick break...
Taking a quick break from song writing to grab a bite to eat. For some reason I've been way into fixing sandwiches this week, kind of new for me. Speaking of new, spending time writing songs with the guitar before I record is new for me too. On the Thira album, I wrote as I recorded. Didn't really have any songs written before hand, only a few possible song ideas I recorded. Spent a lot of time writing the music on the keyboard for that album and I think more so then on the guitar. Right now I'm trying to push myself a bit as I hear ideas in my head that I can't necessarily play as well as I'd like. Some of the ideas call for some new technique as I figure out these songs. Trying to find that fine line of playing things that challenge me but at the same time, I don't want to make things too difficult so that I wont be able to play my own music. Like I said, it's a fine line.
Anyway, gotta get back to work. In the mean time, check out the post below, it's a good one!
Anyway, gotta get back to work. In the mean time, check out the post below, it's a good one!
Everything in moderation. Then again, maybe not....
Getting back in the groove after spending the last few weeks unpacking and getting settled. Made some coffee this morning and sat down to practice a bit. Cosmo seems to be back into her schedule of wanting her morning petting before I practice. I was actually up before she was today which is rare. I called out to see where she was. 30 seconds later she came out from under the bed, her eyelids half open and quietly mumbled a meow as she staggered slowly past me towards her bowl. She must have been up late partying or something.
I'm enjoying the new material I'm coming up with. Some of it I can't play as well as I'd like but that will come with time. I can't stress enough how important it is to slow down if you are having trouble with something. Patience is very important when wanting to improve. When I was younger, I'd be learning something new and think "hm, wonder how fast I can play this?" I'd try playing it at blazing speeds and of course not sounding good at all, but I had to try! Who the hell knows why really, I guess it's human nature, or maybe too much coffee? (Yes, I know you've tried this too. HA, almost caught you denying it there buddy!)
Now days, I won't do that, I'll speed the playing up to the point where the technique gets hard to play or a bit sloppy to know my boundaries. I do think difference in speed and knowing what you can and can't do is important. Keeping a tempo is key in everything you do when playing an instrument. Don't forget to be honest with yourself too. You don't want to get stuck thinking you can speed things up before you're ready.
And of course have fun. I do take my practicing seriously but it's nice to just sit down and play with no boundaries as well. After all, I'm not running a military unit over here. As they say, everything in moderation. Then again, maybe not if you want to get good at something.
I'm enjoying the new material I'm coming up with. Some of it I can't play as well as I'd like but that will come with time. I can't stress enough how important it is to slow down if you are having trouble with something. Patience is very important when wanting to improve. When I was younger, I'd be learning something new and think "hm, wonder how fast I can play this?" I'd try playing it at blazing speeds and of course not sounding good at all, but I had to try! Who the hell knows why really, I guess it's human nature, or maybe too much coffee? (Yes, I know you've tried this too. HA, almost caught you denying it there buddy!)
Now days, I won't do that, I'll speed the playing up to the point where the technique gets hard to play or a bit sloppy to know my boundaries. I do think difference in speed and knowing what you can and can't do is important. Keeping a tempo is key in everything you do when playing an instrument. Don't forget to be honest with yourself too. You don't want to get stuck thinking you can speed things up before you're ready.
And of course have fun. I do take my practicing seriously but it's nice to just sit down and play with no boundaries as well. After all, I'm not running a military unit over here. As they say, everything in moderation. Then again, maybe not if you want to get good at something.
May 8, 2008
News + Journal page
After trying different looks for my blog this week, I've decided to go with this for now. I like to change things up every once and a while.
May 6, 2008
May 2, 2008
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