My six month progress MP3 uploaded

[rjgoos]

After six months of having a Stick, I recorded my progress, mistakes
and all. You can find the MP3, along with MP3s of my first and second
month's progress can be found at:

http://members.ifmcs.net/rjgoos/Public/Music/Stick-Music/


I also found a copy of Jimmie Webster's album in good shape. I made
two short MP3s with very short excerpts of the songs on the album. I
tried hard to stay within the 10% fair use rule for copying songs. I
know his place in touch/tap guitar history is debated, which simply
made me very curious to actually hear his music. I really only liked
one or two of the songs. Some of the pieces are really odd.


http://members.ifmcs.net/rjgoos/Public/Music/JimmieWebster/


RJ Goos

[Antonio]

You are doing really well for playing such a short period of time. Keep up the good work! Your phrasing is excellent for someone who has only been playing 6 months.

[rjgoos]

Thank you for the kind words, Antonio. I only wish my progress since then was as rapid.

It is hard for me to progress, as I live in an isolated part of the USA, with no real opportunities for instruction.

It would be interesting to know how others deal with this.


Jay

[Antonio]

Hi Rjgoos,

I know that it can be disheartening when you hit a plateau, but sometimes plateaus are necessary for progress. I never really had any instruction in two-hand tapping and I really feel that I am better off for it, as I was never fettered by conventional ideology. It is rather scary how quickly conformity integrates into a “method.” For example, Segovia is said to have revolutionized the classical guitar, and now almost all ideas about classical guitar spring from Segovia, so every new player sounds to a great extent like a copy of Segovia. I really feel that two-hand tapping is following suit, as almost every stick player is using “Emit's Method.” I am not knocking anyones work, as I think there are many sensational players using these methods, but there are several things that I have found to be true that these players never use. An example would be right hand technique, as I don't place the thumb of the right hand on the back of the neck. The thumb on the left hand does really seem necessary to stabilize the instrument, but there is no rationale for the thumb on the right hand to be placed on the back of the neck. All this serves to do is to contort and tense the muscles of the hand and thus making agility more difficult. With the hand loose---speed, agility, and stretches that were not otherwise possible are now achievable. What I am saying is don't be afraid to experiment and think outside the box. Perseverance and intelligence will get you farther than lessons. I really meant what I said...I was quite amazed by your playing skills for someone only playing a few months, and you have a real sense of legato and polish that many players never achieve. Don't be discouraged!!!

Cheers,

Antonio