Recent content by AMOlson

Lets see ... Because classical and metal are kissing cousins Leverage on super heavy strings/extra long scale Easier to move around on the fret board with the neck up like a double bass, especially above the 18-20th fret Far easier to tap, especially if you're using both hands over the fret...

I was talking about being on your feet for 8 hours a day. Feet hurt. Try learning to ride a horse. Even if you only start with 15-30 minutes at a time, you are going to have some seriously sore muscles. If you're experienced (or very fit/young) it's not a big deal and quickly forgotten, often...

This is all great, but I bet its still the fact that its hard to remember just how uncomfortable learning a new physical skill is, not some freaky weird 'doing it wrong' issue. Pain is part of exercise, even the lowest resistance, highest repetition variety. Take walking. Easy, right? Now do it...

Ok, we're talking about a different kind of pain. One is where you're breaking things, such as trying to play something too fast. Yup, bad pain. The other is the kind you get from running, for example. It's flat out unavoidable, simply because that's how bodies work. It's not that the passage...

My five string is definitely softer and easier, but if I'm doing the same motions over and over, such as in Rock This Town, my muscles protest even on it. I come from a different time when exercise wasn't a dirty word and for some things that require a lot of repetitive effort, it doesn't feel...

Yes, this is true if you've been playing for years. However, until you get to that point, it's going to take effort, which means muscle stress. ANY repetitive muscle work, no matter how light, is going to cause stress. If it doesn't, then you're not getting anywhere. In order to build muscle and...

I generally use the last. I've actually ended up so wrapped around going after high frets on the E string my thumb will end up almost above the fretboard, especially above the 19th fret. However, 2 things, 1) I sit and hold my bass on my left leg so I can tip the head and neck way up if I need...

As a really tiny handed kinda person, I cheat when I get really far down on the E (and B) strings and let my whole hand come around toward the front of the neck. It's not traditional, but when I'm hunting those really low notes, it's about the only thing I can do. And yes, I sit and play in...

I'd think a lot of his fugues as well. Trying to teach a computer to complete those ... fun! It's actually one of the common puzzle problems in machine learning. Huh, thinking about it, I've done that and know those pieces. At least SATB makes sense, particularly in picking out places to camp...

Heh, I so don't have that kind of money and never will. Which really brings us back to the OP. How much money is it worth for the efficiency of learning these things quickly? I can't justify the expense for a hobby. Even books. If I can't get it from the library or used, then it's not happening...

Heh. Yes, well, Pasi Kauppinen of Sonata Arctica actually frets the B string with his thumb. I saw that and was stunned. Whatever ... at that point, if you're making a living with your playing, ok. But then he's a big guy. Interesting about muting with the thumb. I've done that quite a bit...

Heh. Well. I have a guitar and that will have to do. Found a good one cheap so now I guess I need to learn to play it and that I sorta have lessons for. Still doesn't sound like music. Although it is fun to be able to span 5-6 frets without really working at it. :cool: It feels like a ukulele...

Actually I do want to learn chord theory, but to my ear it sounds like a kid banging on a piano. Random noise. However, without being able to name them, I can recognize pretty much every scale used in the classical canon from JS Bach to Shastakovich. Intervals as well, with the actual notes if I...

Hmmm, one thing I'm seeing here is the assumption that rock/pop/jazz/blues are the 'one true way' to play. If you play to written music, you don't need much theory. Rather like ABBA. They didn't know English, even though they sang all their songs in English. If you're performing a piece of...

My own take is to stick with something I learned from Suzuki as a kid ... learning to play by ear. It really does work for the fretless instruments. Or at least I'm still improving and haven't gotten stuck yet.