Blackbird - update with metronome

[goldleaf]

Great finger picking, I hope I can get mine down to where it sounds close you what you are playing, also you make the chord changes look very easy, I know they are not so good on you. Keep up the good work. Hope to have a vid out soon, but it won't be finger picking yet. Gary

[jayswett]

wrench wrote:

Jay,

That looked and sounded great!

I can see improvement in your hand position over your earlier vids, and I'd love to hear your comments on how you are holding the guitar.

One thing I think may help on the string noise is arching your thumb backwards. This keeps the tip of the thumb off the neck, which reduces the unintended force on the strings. You may also find it generally easier to move up and down the neck. I don't think Neil actually mentions this, but when you watch his video on squeeze and lift chord drills, he demonstrates the squeezing motion with his thumb arched slightly backward.

A great follow up vid, and thanks for posting. I am looking forward to more of your work, but I am getting anxious to catch up to you.

wrench

I don't normally hold the guitar like this, but I read a comment on one of these forums suggesting that holding it more like a classical guitarist helps with stability. I gave it a try last night just for grins, and to be honest, I liked it. It takes a little getting used to initialy, but I find that the neck does not move around as much and I can move my left hand more freely. Not sure if I will stick with this, but for now, I'd like to explore this a bit more.

[AcousticAl]

jayswett wrote:

AcousticAl wrote:

Hi Jay,

I watched your first video again before watching this one. It was good before- but getting even better! Also really good job keeping up with the metronome.
I didn't find your string noise objectionable.

Question for you-
In measure #9 (Neil's tab), there's a tough change to pick smoothly. You seem to be playing that measure a little differently (easier?) and it still sounds good. What are you hitting there?

You are correct in that I do play it differently as recommended by a friend of mine. I was having a hard time doing it the way Neil does it. In the middle of the 9th measure, rather than hitting the strings fretted on 3 and 4, I instead go back to the 2nd and 5th strings fretted on 8 and 7. This is a much easier transition and sounds OK. The purists out there may not like it, but it seems to work reasonably well. I hope that makes sense.

Thanks for the explanation, Jay. I'll give it a try and see how it feels.

[AndyT]

I always heard the squeeking of the strings was called 'String Talk'. Some people think its not guitar music without it. I wouldn't worry too much about it. With practice most of it will go away.

[AcousticAl]

I won't go too much into it- but my wife likes when I play songs that have string noise in it. Thinks it's sexy?

I know.. t.m.i.! (too much info)

[regisalumni]

Hi Jay,

Wow! That was terrific!

I've been practicing more with the metronome and it really gets me all twisted up. I either get lost at where I'm at in the song listening for the beat or I get ahead or behind.

Jim H.

[AndyT]

Jim,
Try practicing basic strumming with the metronome to get your timing down solid.

Al, Waaaaaay too much info! Scary even! But I'm happy for you. :laugh:

[neverfoundthetime]

Squeaky guitar strings was the sound of my youth... not from me... mum was learning the Spanish guitar.

[tovo]

Al, my advice would be to find a gadget that guarantees more string noise.

Jay I thought the first version was good and you have made more progress. Well done on the pinkie, are you finding it more comfortable now without it?

Very nice work, I reckon there has been a bit of a surge in videos on the site lately which is great to see in my opinion.

[AcousticAl]

tovo wrote:

Al, my advice would be to find a gadget that guarantees more string noise.

Jay I thought the first version was good and you have made more progress. Well done on the pinkie, are you finding it more comfortable now without it?

Very nice work, I reckon there has been a bit of a surge in videos on the site lately which is great to see in my opinion.

That's funny Tony!

I'm working on the first ever ALL STRING NOISE song. Should be done writing it this weekend!!

:woohoo: