I've been thinking about my music.
I think it is God's will that I met with Jose and him having to correct my picking technique. Correctly my 'timing' issues and get me particular about sound. or being particular about everything.
but.. there's always a but...
I really feel that i need someone to open new musical doors for me to explore. and honestly following a certain technique of picking really isn't helping. (though the technique is gonna help me go further in terms of speed and all that)
It really boils down to me. I've been asking ppl this question and not to myself. where do i wanna go with my music? I think i should decide on that. and then transcribe an artist closest to that. I spoke to Anson briefly and he is okay with spending a lil bit of time each week with me helping my transpose and explaning to me the notes and all... that sounds like a good idea. Plus i'll be getting help for all you guys who read my blogs right? Some materials to work my way up. What do u think guys?
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
jose's not free
Jose Thomas isn't free last week, and looks like he is gonna be busy this week also. Also, Since I'm only free on monday nights, I don't think I will be able to see him this week.
Anyhow, I've been working on my picking, and it's coming along slowly.. very slowly. I'm also working on all my major scales in cycles of fourth at 80 bpm. I think I'm pretty comfortable with that now, so I'm doing some 8th notes as well. I am trying to familiar myself with the all the major scale everywhere in the fretboard. That means about 4 formations for each scale within 1-12 frets. I'm gonna practice these 4 formations for all the scales in cycles of fourth.
I guess I've been lazy to get down to all these up to this point. But I am thinking, if I am to learn how to play jazz well, knowing the fret board inside out is definitely a must to begin with.
Also, the last few weeks of practicing scales, I'm amazed that I'm actually hearing new things from the scales. I think the repetetion does something to our minds. (it's called brainwashing) I'm hearing new lines.
Rediscovering the guitar is a fascinating experience. It makes the pain of re-learning almost bearable.
Anyhow, I've been working on my picking, and it's coming along slowly.. very slowly. I'm also working on all my major scales in cycles of fourth at 80 bpm. I think I'm pretty comfortable with that now, so I'm doing some 8th notes as well. I am trying to familiar myself with the all the major scale everywhere in the fretboard. That means about 4 formations for each scale within 1-12 frets. I'm gonna practice these 4 formations for all the scales in cycles of fourth.
I guess I've been lazy to get down to all these up to this point. But I am thinking, if I am to learn how to play jazz well, knowing the fret board inside out is definitely a must to begin with.
Also, the last few weeks of practicing scales, I'm amazed that I'm actually hearing new things from the scales. I think the repetetion does something to our minds. (it's called brainwashing) I'm hearing new lines.
Rediscovering the guitar is a fascinating experience. It makes the pain of re-learning almost bearable.
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Cedar Trees
A couple of days ago a friend was telling me what he learnt about the cedar tree.
Apparently the Cedar grows slowly in the first 10 or so years. During this time, it is building it's root. It is searching for the underground water table. When it's foundation set, boom, it grows. Tall. I haven't been able to verify this from sites in the internet, if someone could help that would be great.
But what I did find what that the Cedar of Lebanon can only bear fruit to reproduce at about 25 to 30 years old. It grows better in mountanious region, it gives better wood. The ones used for Solomon Temples are these types. (http://www.2020site.org/trees/lebanon.html)
I heard that, (another myth?? please help verfiy), some bamboos also grow very slowly at first. Until the roots are firm, boom, it shoots up real fast.
Learning from nature, building roots and foundation is slow, grueling and no fun. On site, it's also difficult to impress the clients after the foundation is laid. Visually, there's 'nothing' to be seen. But everyone know how crucial foundations are in building. So it is the word of God, in the foundation of our lives.
Visually, there's 'nothing' to be seen.
However, when it starts to grow... BOOM. The same forces/principle of physics that can topple a building is keeping it up. The forces remains the same. But the building just got higher.
Life is the same thing, govern by God's principals. Don't believe me. Try it. It either pulls u down or push u up.
I pray that I'm growing and maturing, by growing deeper with the knowledge, experience...etc of Him and His love.
Apparently the Cedar grows slowly in the first 10 or so years. During this time, it is building it's root. It is searching for the underground water table. When it's foundation set, boom, it grows. Tall. I haven't been able to verify this from sites in the internet, if someone could help that would be great.
But what I did find what that the Cedar of Lebanon can only bear fruit to reproduce at about 25 to 30 years old. It grows better in mountanious region, it gives better wood. The ones used for Solomon Temples are these types. (http://www.2020site.org/trees/lebanon.html)
I heard that, (another myth?? please help verfiy), some bamboos also grow very slowly at first. Until the roots are firm, boom, it shoots up real fast.
Learning from nature, building roots and foundation is slow, grueling and no fun. On site, it's also difficult to impress the clients after the foundation is laid. Visually, there's 'nothing' to be seen. But everyone know how crucial foundations are in building. So it is the word of God, in the foundation of our lives.
Visually, there's 'nothing' to be seen.
However, when it starts to grow... BOOM. The same forces/principle of physics that can topple a building is keeping it up. The forces remains the same. But the building just got higher.
Life is the same thing, govern by God's principals. Don't believe me. Try it. It either pulls u down or push u up.
I pray that I'm growing and maturing, by growing deeper with the knowledge, experience...etc of Him and His love.
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Uncle had a successful heart surgery
My uncle, who had an heart 4 weeks ago, went for this bypass surgery on tuesday 2 days ago.
Praise God everything went on smoothly and he is already talking and had his first meal after surgery yesterday -- Waltz Ice-cream.
He not only had a 'heart surgery' in SJMC, my uncle who is kinda a nominal christian must have had a 'heart surgery' from God also. He is praying and seeking the lord more. He even ask me to pray for him before I left. This has never happenned before !! did I say never? My aunt was happy that my uncle is changing. Uncle also told me that after this, his priority is going to change. I suspect more towards relationship with his family, God...etc and I think he'll be going to church regularly.
I felt previledged to be able to pray for my uncle. I thank God for it because I'm looking forward to the day where my whole family - extended included - can worship together in the same place. shh.. chinese new year will be a massive time of worship!!!
Though my uncle is in the ICU, my uncle and my aunt had a quiet joy in them. They are just happy being together... hahaha like young love birds.
One last thing before I blog-off.
I also had a chat with my aunt during my visit. (the nurse was tending to uncle and we had to wait outside) My aunt who isn't very educated academically has an AMAZING understanding of biblical concepts of love. She can't understand much english... I think her only bible is one of those with pictures!! (hahahaa! she laugh at it when she told me) But as she was talking about love, about family, about parents and about children... simple lady, simple truths hit home with me.
Praise God everything went on smoothly and he is already talking and had his first meal after surgery yesterday -- Waltz Ice-cream.
He not only had a 'heart surgery' in SJMC, my uncle who is kinda a nominal christian must have had a 'heart surgery' from God also. He is praying and seeking the lord more. He even ask me to pray for him before I left. This has never happenned before !! did I say never? My aunt was happy that my uncle is changing. Uncle also told me that after this, his priority is going to change. I suspect more towards relationship with his family, God...etc and I think he'll be going to church regularly.
I felt previledged to be able to pray for my uncle. I thank God for it because I'm looking forward to the day where my whole family - extended included - can worship together in the same place. shh.. chinese new year will be a massive time of worship!!!
Though my uncle is in the ICU, my uncle and my aunt had a quiet joy in them. They are just happy being together... hahaha like young love birds.
One last thing before I blog-off.
I also had a chat with my aunt during my visit. (the nurse was tending to uncle and we had to wait outside) My aunt who isn't very educated academically has an AMAZING understanding of biblical concepts of love. She can't understand much english... I think her only bible is one of those with pictures!! (hahahaa! she laugh at it when she told me) But as she was talking about love, about family, about parents and about children... simple lady, simple truths hit home with me.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Guitar Lessons with Jose Thomas week 2
"Oh.. eric! your timing is bad. you have a lot to work on your timing"
"Equal volume on your down and upstroke"
"Watch your wrist"
"timing! timing! timing!"
"you're... rushing!....(pause) rushing again!"
So on week 2, I discover that my wrist is getting better acquianted to the down/up motion. But I have trouble with my uniformity on my downstroke/upstroke picking.
I think it's because I have always used my the 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 as my mark, as a result, I tend to accent on the downstroke. When I need try to play it uniformly, I loose my anchor on the timing and hence can't 'lock' on the tempo. My fingers are esp 'lost' during the upbeats. With all things combine, it sounds horrible to be unable to keep time on the upbeats and the uneven picking volume.
So my task this week is to practice all the major scales starting from G major and rotate around the fretboard in circles of 4th. ie. G - C - F - Bb....etc over and over and over and over and over again.
Its frustrating for me to work on this. because 2 weeks I ago, I was pretty confident that I can pick. run scales. and I thought I had good tones.
Now, I'm brought back to school first by changing my entire picking style and honing on my timing. Which reminded me that
1. guitar playing like any part of life- it's all about fundamental, which really are the building blocks of fun. (I heard this from Edmund Chan tape, people use to go to him expecting something profound, but he said he has nothing profound... just go back to basics. Seems like I'm experiencign the same thing with Jose)
2. choose our mentors carefully - I think most of the people who influenced me in the past paid more attentions to chords, voicings and rhythm comping. Hence I never found any problem with my picking. I urge all new players out there... choose your teachers carefully and learn solid basics.
I
3. It's never too late to break a habit. Change is a pathway to maturity. It's essential to growth. Discipline is need to bring about the transformation.
"Equal volume on your down and upstroke"
"Watch your wrist"
"timing! timing! timing!"
"you're... rushing!....(pause) rushing again!"
So on week 2, I discover that my wrist is getting better acquianted to the down/up motion. But I have trouble with my uniformity on my downstroke/upstroke picking.
I think it's because I have always used my the 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 as my mark, as a result, I tend to accent on the downstroke. When I need try to play it uniformly, I loose my anchor on the timing and hence can't 'lock' on the tempo. My fingers are esp 'lost' during the upbeats. With all things combine, it sounds horrible to be unable to keep time on the upbeats and the uneven picking volume.
So my task this week is to practice all the major scales starting from G major and rotate around the fretboard in circles of 4th. ie. G - C - F - Bb....etc over and over and over and over and over again.
Its frustrating for me to work on this. because 2 weeks I ago, I was pretty confident that I can pick. run scales. and I thought I had good tones.
Now, I'm brought back to school first by changing my entire picking style and honing on my timing. Which reminded me that
1. guitar playing like any part of life- it's all about fundamental, which really are the building blocks of fun. (I heard this from Edmund Chan tape, people use to go to him expecting something profound, but he said he has nothing profound... just go back to basics. Seems like I'm experiencign the same thing with Jose)
2. choose our mentors carefully - I think most of the people who influenced me in the past paid more attentions to chords, voicings and rhythm comping. Hence I never found any problem with my picking. I urge all new players out there... choose your teachers carefully and learn solid basics.
I
3. It's never too late to break a habit. Change is a pathway to maturity. It's essential to growth. Discipline is need to bring about the transformation.
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Guitar Lessons with Jose Thomas
I finally went for my 1st lesson with Jose.
It was an unforgettable experience. I felt like I was the worst player and the worst student in the world.
First lesson, I learn how to pick. Pick completely with wrist action going up/down, without any 'twist' to your wrist. It's a hard thing for me to do because I have to throw all that I've been doing away. So all I have to do this week is practice my scales at beat 70, using F, G, A lydian starting a the 6th string - 1st fret. which is really C, D, E major. Everday for at least 1 hour. (he prefers 2 - 3 minimum)
He is of the opinion that do it his way, or no way when it comes to techniques (and every other thing?), I guess. So 1 hour everyday, here I go.
It was an unforgettable experience. I felt like I was the worst player and the worst student in the world.
First lesson, I learn how to pick. Pick completely with wrist action going up/down, without any 'twist' to your wrist. It's a hard thing for me to do because I have to throw all that I've been doing away. So all I have to do this week is practice my scales at beat 70, using F, G, A lydian starting a the 6th string - 1st fret. which is really C, D, E major. Everday for at least 1 hour. (he prefers 2 - 3 minimum)
He is of the opinion that do it his way, or no way when it comes to techniques (and every other thing?), I guess. So 1 hour everyday, here I go.
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