Week's Goals Friday 30th July - Friday August 6th 2010

Now I've created the background notes for posterity, it's time to start setting short, achievable (I hope) goals. So for this week here's what I want to do:
1. Learn how to make a basic recording using the new Audicity software I have just down-loaded.
2. Learn to play the Barre F chord easily, and then the full set of chords for Streets of London ( a song I used to be able to play well!
3. Tick off one learned item on my repertoire.
4. Improve one classical piece on my guitar (I've got three in preparation).

To achieve this I need to work at my strength building exercises on the guitar. Some breathing exercise revision would not be a bad idea either!


So how did I do?
Friday 30th July

• I had a really good session today! At least my sore fingers would indicate so.... I was able to play Streets of London, but I think I need to explore the use of the pick to make this a better accompaniment.
• Experimented with 'Audacity' and managed to record my song. I am not happy with the sound levels though, and can't yet find out how to improve them. A friend I met today (Saturday) reckons Audacity is not terribly good. Still I was relying on the built in microphone on the computer. Maybe I need a separate mike. Will post a query on the forum for some advice.
• Classical pieces went better, and sound was cleaner. 
• One song in my repertoire is as good as I can get it short of having a live band to work with! St Louis Blues is ready to perform.

Saturday1st August - Tuesday 3rd August

• Not a great deal to report so far, except that I have finally put all my repertoire texts into one folder so I can access them easily!
• Had quite a profitable sing through some items to keep them fresh, but CD kept jumping which made practice very frustrating! I guess I need to clean the laser and the discs.
• Barre chords coming along : I can now find F, G, A & C using the fretboard inlays. Need to work on changing chord more fluently.
• Added some old favourite folk number to my guitar repertoire and started working on those.

On reflection not too bad - I seem to have achieved more than I thought I had! Just shows the value of noting it all down!

Friday 13th August


It's been such a busy week with many different things going on that I have not had a chance to return to my practice on a regular basis until yesterday evening.

• I was really pleased to find I could play a short classical piece without too many mistakes! The finger exercises on the fretboard are paying off slowly but surely.
• Three songs are now being worked on - I've got the initial chords sorted, but I have got to work on placing my voice properly! I may have to look at transposing the keys - they feel a bit 'squeaky', but this could also be due to bad breathing again! So I think one target for this next week is going to have to be a return to some basic breathing exercises.

The songs: Streets of London, My Grandfathers' Clock, The Marvellous Toy.