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Hello from Montréal, Canada!

Hi there,

I've been playing music since I was 7 (now 47). My main instrument is the recorder (the thing you learn here in elementary school).

Then, at around 13, I began to play keys and I'm mostly self-taught except two years in college (Music cursus to become music teacher).

In 2006, I had to learn guitar basics to be able to teach it to the kids where I worked (I'm a music teacher in elementary school since 1997). I'm still a hack guitarist as I didn't invest a lot of time practicing and had only a few basic lessons from a friend.

In 2014, just for fun, I've bought a drum and began learning by myself with the help of the internet. The drum is now residing at my school and I've since bought a better drumset (Gretsch Catalina Club) and a bunch of snares and cymbals (I also suffer from GAS!!). Even if I'm self-taught, I think I'm not too bad.

September 2019: quit drinking so had to do something to occupy my mind. First was a half-decent tube amp for my Godin electric guitar (bought in 2006). The amp is a 5 watters Pepco built here in Montréal in the 60's. Then, a multi-fx Zoom G1X-four... and another amp, a Fender Pro Jr. Followed a few weeks later by a Telecaster copy made here! Talk about GAS!

For the record, it was out of question to have anything else than tube amplification as I only listen music on old tube hifi gear (Scott, Heathkit, Eico, Fisher...).

December 2019, decided that I could try to learn bass. So, in one week-end, a Yamaha BB-234, a poor man's bass tube head (Traynor YVM-1 PA, 40 watts) and an homemade cabinet with a 15 inches CTS. Later, a Zoom G1X four and an EHX 22500 looper. Then, made my own pedalboard to put all the stuff I acquired: the two Zoom, the EHX and an old Boss CE-3 used to split guitar signal between the Pepco and the Fender.

Two weeks ago, GAS again: a Squier VM 77! Yesterday (in fact, today morning at 2 AM), I've bought an used English Muff'n 'cause I need something tube to get a gritty bass sound (as heard on several records fron the 70's, mainly John Wetton and Ray Shulman... and even McCartney). The Traynor is fine power-wise for me as it is just for home practice and for fun. However, this thing is so clean. Perfect for jazz but not for more meaty music.

So,here I am, with a good knowledge of theory (chords, rhythm, sight reading) but struggling to learn where are those $&!?:;.@ notes on the fretboard (so easy for me on a piano) and being able to mute the notes with my left and right hands...

Using now a mix of floating anchor thumb and real floating thumb but my left hand (weakest obviously) has a hard time muting the strings above when I mainly play on E or A or fastly switching strings...

My goal is not to gig but having fun at home and being able to play my own stuff (DAW) and eventually impress my students...;)

Patrice
 
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Hi Patrice - there are a bunch of Montreal'ers here, you are in good company.

"hard time with the left hand" you say?

Anchor that thumb and get to running your scales up and down all four strings in position. You will quickly build up the strength/muscle memory.

I used to like to start the kids doing basic G majors/minors starting on the E string (3rd fret) going up and down without moving that anchored position. If hands are too small or aching, start lower down on A or B.
Once that position is learnt, run it following the scale always starting on the E string.

That simple exercise will teach you the position, the needed finger arc to get the notes to ring/mute properly, and the very soon-to-be-needed fluidity of going across all four strings forward and backwards.

If that is too much for your hand to start, appregio's are a good substitute - but make sure to still hold position.

The trick here is to start slow so that you can pay attention to WHEN pressure is needed - people often over-stress ALL their fingers (and related muscles) unnecessarily, when they are not being used - being conscious of when/how they can be relaxed while in position, is a life-long skill that will pay big dividends.
 
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