New Week, New Goals -16th August

Great joy! Had time with a friend on Skype this weekend encouraging her to finally get her guitar out of its case! We shared some chords and some songs. I hope we can encourage each other on a regular basis! I look forward to meeting up again and actually playing together.
So here are three goals for this coming week:

• I am working on several lovely classical pieces, which should I ever have the Lute restored, will be perfect for it! Will try and master one by heart.
• Having started to learn the notes on the fretboard, using the barre chord and the A shape I need to consolidate this and develop the ability to find the chords easily.
• On the classical front, I need to develop my knowledge of the notes in the second position so that I can improve my sight-reading.

August 25th

• I have nearly learned by heart a simple 'Moderato' by Mauro Giuliani b. Haven't done much else though! 
• Found the chapter on the second position in the text book I am using. So I will have a go at some of the exercises here later on. Will also have another look at the Fretboard DVD from Guitar Alliance.
• Done some more vocal work - started to study Summertime. Listened to Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong performing this on Youtubes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIDOEsQL7lAWhat a stunning rendition! I also found some guitar versions which could be interesting to play around with....

August 28th 

• Just had a really good work out! Sung out and fingers played out! Had a go at one of the simplified chord arrangements of Summertime. This has possibilities - can't wait to work it through when my lessons start again! 
• Came across an interesting E7 chord variation which threw me. Spent some time on GA browsing the chord section, and sure enough there are a whole range of ways of playing E7, each with theri own particular colour.
• One thing led to another, and I found myself working on the Barre C chord pattern.....  no wonder fingers are a little sore!
• Visited Youtube again and found some other versions of Summertime by Ella. From her Berlin concert 2007 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j6avX7ebkMThis one is so slow and passionate - accompaniement exceedingly simple, which made me think the guitar version has real possibilities. Either way it is really yummy!