Fourth week in and not quite yet - Page 2

SteveBurt · #16 04-19-2018, 07:29 AM

I certainly hope so!
Actually the whole group I was with were struggling, it wasn't just me.
Initially he gave us a Beatles number, which was nice, but none of us could play it. 'You are my sunshine' was the easier piece, and he seemed surprised when it took us weeks to get it...

KDepew · #17 04-19-2018, 08:04 AM

I have been working on some James Taylor for a couple weeks now......

rick-slo · #18 04-19-2018, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveBurt

Well, sure.
But just as a for instance. A simple fingerstyle piece such as 'You are my sunshine' took about a week's practice to get the first two bars right.
(i.e. play through multiple times without making a mistake).
Getting the whole thing (which I guess is about 16 bars) took a couple of months, and I still regularly stumble when playing it.
I think I must just be a slow learner

For example this tab of that song:
http://www.lanceallenstudio.com/wp-c...y-Sunshine.pdf
Is that about the complexity of your version?

SteveBurt · #19 04-19-2018, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick-slo

For example this tab of that song:
http://www.lanceallenstudio.com/wp-c...y-Sunshine.pdf
Is that about the complexity of your version?

Yes, that's very similar to the version I learned (eventually)
Took about 2 months to get it down properly, but even though I play it through a couple of times in each practice session, it's rare to get through without at least one mistake.

dkstott · #20 04-19-2018, 01:39 PM

I'm probably at an advanced intermediate level of fingerstyle playing.... There are "easy" songs that I can learn and play within 4 weeks.

But the tougher songs? Heck, I'll work on them for at least 8-10 weeks. During that time, I'm also playing through a dozen or so songs that I already know to keep them fresh. I might even set them aside for a bit to give myself a break.

A lot of my time lately is spent getting the fingerstyle arrangement in my head and eliminating the need to refer to my notes or sheet music.

It's tough to get old

GBS · #21 04-20-2018, 03:27 PM

When I was in my late 20's, I was discouraged because it took me two months to learn John Fahey's "In Christ There Is No East or West", but I got it. I stopped playing for well over 25 years. Now in my late 60's. It took two YEARS to learn Leo Kottke's "Ojo". But I got it. So, there can be a longer learning curve than you wish....

HOF dad · #22 04-20-2018, 05:41 PM

I second the "take a break" method. I know it may not be practical when taking lessons or having any sort of deadline, but it works for me too.
When I have been working on something for a fairly long period of time
(month +) I will tend to get either bored or irritated at slow progress.
I'll move onto something else for a while and when i return, it just feels
different/easier.
Not sure why but it works for me.

Mr Picky · #23 04-21-2018, 10:08 AM

I've played fingerstyle since I was kid, a long long time ago. It recently took me 2 months to get through this....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRhMfX80Pm0&t=6s

...and about another 6 months to get it flowing OK. I have learnt about 6 arrangements like this over the last 18 months and try and play them every day to stay on top of them!