Day 85. Autumn Leaves

Today I started practicing the next three combinations of 1234s, repeated the scales and All of Me at the same speed as yesterday and started to play Autumn Leaves.

1234 exercise

As always it’s fun to start practice new combinations, because the brain and muscles just don’t behave at the beginning and there is a way I need to go through until they get used to these new movements.

Surprisingly, for these it was harder to move up the strings, not down. But I think I managed to teach myself how to play them. Tomorrow I’ll increase the speed.

4123 on the 5th fret

8th notes @ 120 bpm

4132 on the 5th fret

8th notes @ 120 bpm

4213 on the 5th fret

8th notes @ 120 bpm

Scales

Still trying to improve my performance at that speed. Step by step.

Major scales

16th notes @ 90 bpm

Minor scales

16th notes @ 90 bpm

Strumming

Module 17 pattern [All of Me]

Trying to clean up the sound, especially with the barre chords. I think a few more days and it’s gonna be clean enough.

Open chords

150 bpm

Barre chords

150 bpm

Module 18 pattern [Autumn Leaves]

Just started playing this one, nothing special. The chords themselves aren’t that hard to play, but remembering the whole progression is a task and a half.

Without the metronome

70 bpm

Songs

MGMT – Kids

Well, 1-2 days ago I started learning the solo for Kids by MGMT. My friend and I want to cover this song and my part includes it. Well, now I only managed to play it at the half speed of the original, and not very consistently. So the next few days/weeks/months I’ll be practicing this solo in order to increase the speed to the speed of original.

Anyway, here’s me playing it at 123 bpm as 8th notes (in the original it’s played as 16th notes).

And here’s one of the takes in which I managed to play the whole solo at once.

Summary

Everything is slowly but surely moving forward, which is great and how it’s supposed to be. The solo thing is very interesting yet really tricky. It’s harder than everything I played before. So it will be a giant leap forward in my skill when I’m able to finally play it at the original speed.

Routines

4123 – 5th fret – 120 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
4132 – 5th fret – 120 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
4213 – 5th fret – 120 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min

Major scales – 1-12 frets – EADG strings – 90 bpm – 16th notes
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – EA strings – 90 bpm – 16th notes

Strumming – All of Me – Open chords – 150 bpm
Strumming – All of Me – Barre chords – 150 bpm

Strumming – Autumn Leaves – 70 bpm

Day 84. 3***s complete

Today I repeated everything I had played yesterday in order to increase my ability to play it and get a better sound.

1234 exercise

3124 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3142 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3214 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3241 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3412 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3421 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

Scales

Major scales

16th notes @ 90 bpm

Minor scales

16th notes @ 90 bpm

Strumming

Module 17 pattern [All of Me]

Open chords

150 bpm

Barre chords

150 bpm

Summary

Yesterday I learnt the solo of Kids by MGMT and kinda played it at half the speed of the original song. Today I repeated it a few times. Still need to work on consistency at that speed before increasing it. Anyway, let’s summarize the week.

Routines

3124 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3142 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3214 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3241 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3412 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3421 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min

Major scales – 1-12 frets – EADG strings – 90 bpm – 16th notes
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – EA strings – 90 bpm – 16th notes

Strumming – All of Me – Open chords – 150 bpm
Strumming – All of Me – Barre chords – 150 bpm

Day 83. Getting better

Today I finally semi-decently managed to play scales at the reached speed and increased the speed and consistency of All of Me playing.

1234 exercise

3124 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3142 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3214 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3241 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3412 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3421 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

Scales

Major scales

16th notes @ 90 bpm

Minor scales

16th notes @ 90 bpm

Strumming

Module 15 pattern

1 5 6 4 chords

150 bpm

1 5 6 4 substitutes

150 bpm

6 4 1 5 chords

150 bpm

6 4 1 5 substitutes

150 bpm

Module 17 pattern [All of Me]

Open chords

120 bpm

150 bpm

Barre chords

120 bpm

150 bpm

Ear training

Still can’t get back to the level with 7 intervals. Don’t know what to do. All is left is to practice more ??‍♂️

I accidentally stopped the practice in the beginning, but it’s a good chance to show how consistent I am in identifying simple intervals.

And here’s the full practice.

Summary

I’m not happy with ear training at all, but other stuff seem pretty decent for me, so I’ll continue the practice at the same manner.

Routines

3124 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3142 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3214 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3241 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3412 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3421 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min

Major scales – 1-12 frets – EADG strings – 90 bpm – 16th notes
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – EA strings – 90 bpm – 16th notes

Strumming – Module 15 – 1 5 6 4 chords – 150 bpm – 3 min
Strumming – Module 15 – 1 5 6 4 substitutes – 150 bpm – 3 min
Strumming – Module 15 – 6 4 1 5 chords – 150 bpm – 3 min
Strumming – Module 15 – 6 4 1 5 substitutes – 150 bpm – 3 min

Strumming – All of Me – Open chords – 120 bpm
Strumming – All of Me – Open chords – 150 bpm
Strumming – All of Me – Barre chords – 120 bpm
Strumming – All of Me – Barre chords – 150 bpm

Day 82. Finally some decent practice

Today I increased the speed of 1234s to the final 150 bpm, my goal speed for this week. Also I once again tried to play scales as 16th notes at 90 bpm, which didn’t go as well. And I returned to All of Me and played it at 120 bpm today.

1234 exercise

I’m really relaxed during these, which is great. But sometimes this approach leads to some dead notes, which I’ll be working on.

3124 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3142 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3214 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3241 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3412 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3421 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

Scales

Woah… Too fast 🙂 I’ll try for a few more days and hopefully get used to playing at that speed, but now it’s really rough.

Major scales

16th notes @ 90 bpm

Minor scales

16th notes @ 90 bpm

Strumming

Module 15 pattern

I think I’m not gonna play these after this week ends. Maybe later or someday when I’ll confront a musical situation in which I’ll need some of those.

1 5 6 4 chords

150 bpm

1 5 6 4 substitutes

150 bpm

6 4 1 5 chords

150 bpm

6 4 1 5 substitutes

150 bpm

Module 17 pattern [All of Me]

The chord progression is pretty much memorized by now, so I just need a bit more practice to maintain cleaner transitions and play all the chords correctly.

Open chords

100 bpm

120 bpm

Barre chords

100 bpm

120 bpm

Ear training

I became worse again… This level is so hard to pass for me. Major 2nd, Minor 3rd and Major 3rd are really close to each other and it’s hard for me to differentiate them… Today I practiced twice and never passed this level 🙁

Summary

It’s great to return to the solid practice after two days of only dexterity exercises. Today I’ll decide what to learn and play with my friend so it’s gonna be fun.

Routines

3124 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3142 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3214 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3241 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3412 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3421 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min

Major scales – 1-12 frets – EADG strings – 90 bpm – 16th notes
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – EA strings – 90 bpm – 16th notes

Strumming – Module 15 – 1 5 6 4 chords – 150 bpm – 3 min
Strumming – Module 15 – 1 5 6 4 substitutes – 150 bpm – 3 min
Strumming – Module 15 – 6 4 1 5 chords – 150 bpm – 3 min
Strumming – Module 15 – 6 4 1 5 substitutes – 150 bpm – 3 min

Strumming – All of Me – Open chords – 100 bpm
Strumming – All of Me – Open chords – 120 bpm
Strumming – All of Me – Barre chords – 100 bpm
Strumming – All of Me – Barre chords – 120 bpm

Day 81. And again…

Today I increased the speed of 1234s once again and tried to play scales at the speed I got them to yesterday.

1234 exercise

3124 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 140 bpm

3142 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 140 bpm

3214 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 140 bpm

3241 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 140 bpm

3412 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 140 bpm

3421 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 140 bpm

Scales

Major scales

16th notes @ 90 bpm

Minor scales

16th notes @ 90 bpm

Summary

Still didn’t manage to play for a decent amount of time. But tomorrow there will be some time for sure.

Routines

3124 – 1-12 frets – 140 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3142 – 1-12 frets – 140 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3214 – 1-12 frets – 140 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3241 – 1-12 frets – 140 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3412 – 1-12 frets – 140 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min
3421 – 1-12 frets – 140 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min

Major scales – 1-12 frets – EADG strings – 90 bpm – 16th notes
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – EA strings – 90 bpm – 16th notes

Day 80. Repetition only

Today I had time only to repeat everything I played yesterday. So there is my practice.

1234 exercise

3124 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 130 bpm

3142 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 130 bpm

3214 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 130 bpm

3241 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 130 bpm

3412 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 130 bpm

3421 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 130 bpm

Scales

Major scales

16th notes @ 90 bpm

Minor scales

16th notes @ 90 bpm

Summary

Nothing particularly new today. Tomorrow I’ll finally get some time to continue practicing All of Me.

Routines

3124 – 1-12 frets – 130 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3142 – 1-12 frets – 130 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3214 – 1-12 frets – 130 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3241 – 1-12 frets – 130 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3412 – 1-12 frets – 130 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3421 – 1-12 frets – 130 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min

Major scales – 1-12 frets – EADG strings – 90 bpm – 16th notes
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – EA strings – 90 bpm – 16th notes

Day 79. Ievan Polkka

Today I practiced after midnight so I just did 1234s and scales as they are quieter than strumming. Also I learned new melody by ear – Ievan Polkka. I’m not sure if it’s 100% correct so I’ll check myself with some tabs, but still learning and playing it was fun.

1234 exercise

3124 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 130 bpm

3142 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 130 bpm

3214 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 130 bpm

3241 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 130 bpm

3412 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 130 bpm

3421 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 130 bpm

Scales

Major scales

8th notes @ 180 bpm

Minor scales

8th notes @ 180 bpm

Ear training

Finally I returned to getting to the level with 7 intervals again. Hopefully this tendency will remain for the rest of the week.

Songs

There is Ievan Polkka at 160 bpm. Still trying to perfect it.

Summary

Todays practice felt very undone after the time I put to the practice yesterday. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be able to spent more time playing.

Routines

3124 – 1-12 frets – 130 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3142 – 1-12 frets – 130 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3214 – 1-12 frets – 130 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3241 – 1-12 frets – 130 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3412 – 1-12 frets – 130 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3421 – 1-12 frets – 130 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min

Major scales – 1-12 frets – EADG strings – 180 bpm – 8th notes
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – EA strings – 180 bpm – 8th notes

Day 78. All of Me

I’m off to a great start of the week! What a day it was. I started practicing all six 1234 combinations across the neck, continued working on consistency and relaxation of scales, played strumming patterns in order to develop endurance with barre chords and substitutes and started All of Me routine. Wow. Just wow 🙂

1234 exercise

My initial thought was to practice three combination at a time but then I decided to do all six of them at once. I’m getting closer to my 1234s ultimate goal, so I really want it to happen. Also I’m far more relaxed now so I can play for a longer period of time without getting tired, which is helpful.

3124 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 120 bpm

3142 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 120 bpm

3214 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 120 bpm

3241 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 120 bpm

3412 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 120 bpm

3421 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 120 bpm

Scales

I’m far more relaxed now, and maybe I’ll increase the speed even more tomorrow. These shapes are really almost my second nature at this point 🙂

Major scales

8th notes @ 170 bpm

Minor scales

8th notes @ 170 bpm

Strumming

Module 15 pattern

I’ll continue this practice until I could play it without any tension for a longer period of time. I’m already quite good at barre chords but substitutes are just killing me still… Also my C major chord with the pinky already sounds much better, but I still need to work on the pressure amount I apply while playing it.

1 5 6 4 chords

150 bpm

1 5 6 4 substitutes

150 bpm

6 4 1 5 chords

150 bpm

6 4 1 5 substitutes

150 bpm

Module 17 pattern [All of Me]

These 7 chords are not particularly hard, the trickiest part is just to memorize the whole progression, which I’ll do at one point. So I started at 80 bpm and then increased the speed to 100 bpm. As soon as I memorize the whole thing I’ll increase the speed to 120 bpm or even more.

Open chords

80 bpm

100 bpm

Barre chords

80 bpm

100 bpm

Summary

The start of the week is awesome. And I really see the progress with the tension reducing now. Hopefully, I’ll get the same amount of time every day of the week. Then my progress will be really significant.

Routines

3124 – 1-12 frets – 120 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3142 – 1-12 frets – 120 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3214 – 1-12 frets – 120 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3241 – 1-12 frets – 120 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3412 – 1-12 frets – 120 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3421 – 1-12 frets – 120 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min

Major scales – 1-12 frets – EADG strings – 170 bpm – 8th notes
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – EA strings – 170 bpm – 8th notes

Strumming – Module 15 – 1 5 6 4 chords – 150 bpm – 3 min
Strumming – Module 15 – 1 5 6 4 substitutes – 150 bpm – 3 min
Strumming – Module 15 – 6 4 1 5 chords – 150 bpm – 3 min
Strumming – Module 15 – 6 4 1 5 substitutes – 150 bpm – 3 min

Strumming – All of Me – Open chords – 80 bpm
Strumming – All of Me – Open chords – 100 bpm
Strumming – All of Me – Barre chords – 80 bpm
Strumming – All of Me – Barre chords – 100 bpm

Day 77. Improving everything

I had running nose today so it was not so comfortable to play. Anyway I increased the speed for strumming exercises and left everything else pretty much the same as yesterday.

1234 exercise

3241 on the 5th fret

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3412 on the 5th fret

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3421 on the 5th fret

8th notes @ 150 bpm

Scales

Major scales

8th notes @ 170 bpm

Minor scales

8th notes @ 170 bpm

Strumming

Module 15 pattern

1 5 6 4 chords

140 bpm

1 5 6 4 substitutes

140 bpm

6 4 1 5 chords

140 bpm

6 4 1 5 substitutes

140 bpm

Module 16 pattern

1 5 6 4 variations

140 bpm

2 6 5 1 2 6 5 6 variations

140 bpm

Ear training

Again – not even close to the goal…

Summary

Not much to say – let’s conclude the week in the next post.

Routines

3241 – 5th fret – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3412 – 5th fret – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3421 – 5th fret – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min

Major scales – 1-12 frets – EADG strings – 170 bpm – 8th notes
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – EA strings – 170 bpm – 8th notes

Strumming – Module 15 – 1 5 6 4 chords – 140 bpm – 3 min
Strumming – Module 15 – 1 5 6 4 substitutes – 140 bpm – 3 min
Strumming – Module 15 – 6 4 1 5 chords – 140 bpm – 3 min
Strumming – Module 15 – 6 4 1 5 substitutes – 140 bpm – 3 min
Strumming – Module 16 – 1 5 6 4 variations – 140 bpm
Strumming – Module 16 – 2 6 5 1 2 6 5 6 variations – 140 bpm

Day 76. My own chord progression

Today I had pretty much time for practice and finally tried to play something for the Module 16 routines. Not sure if this exercise was about that, but still I pretty much did it. Also I increased the speed of playing scales to 170 bpm.

1234 exercise

3241 on the 5th fret

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3412 on the 5th fret

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3421 on the 5th fret

8th notes @ 150 bpm

Scales

Major scales

8th notes @ 170 bpm

Minor scales

8th notes @ 170 bpm

Strumming

Module 15 pattern

1 5 6 4 chords

130 bpm

1 5 6 4 substitutes

130 bpm

6 4 1 5 chords

130 bpm

6 4 1 5 substitutes

130 bpm

Module 16 pattern

1 5 6 4 variations

130 bpm

2 6 5 1 2 6 5 6 variations

120 bpm. I came up with this chord progression. It sounds pretty familiar but I don’t recognize it, so I’ll just say that it’s mine 🙂

Ear training

Again, didn’t manage to increase the level above the one with 6 intervals 🙁

Summary

Getting back on track. Now I consider my goal on implementing Modules 15-16 routines done.

Routines

3241 – 5th fret – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3412 – 5th fret – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3421 – 5th fret – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min

Major scales – 1-12 frets – EADG strings – 170 bpm – 8th notes
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – EA strings – 170 bpm – 8th notes

Strumming – Module 15 – 1 5 6 4 chords – 130 bpm – 3 min
Strumming – Module 15 – 1 5 6 4 substitutes – 130 bpm – 3 min
Strumming – Module 15 – 6 4 1 5 chords – 130 bpm – 3 min
Strumming – Module 15 – 6 4 1 5 substitutes – 130 bpm – 3 min
Strumming – Module 16 – 1 5 6 4 variations – 130 bpm
Strumming – Module 16 – 2 6 5 1 2 6 5 6 variations – 120 bpm