I've been challenging myself to learn the Second Solo (Leavitt p. 25) the last few days, and since Tomo invites us to share our progress in his video on that one, here's where I'm at. I recorded myself doing it a bunch of times. I learned a lot of things from watching and listening to the recording, including:
- Lengthening notes — I'm trying to keep the notes as legato as I can. It's hard with muting!
- Full strumming chords — a bunch of times I failed to strum through to the highest note in the chord (especially during the middle section)
- Resting the neck — I seem to have a habit of resting the neck on the ball of my index finger. This might be because my Telecaster has a semi-hollow body ("chambered") so the neck dives down a bit. I adjusted my strap and used my knee so that the neck is supported more.
- Weird face — I pucker my lips in a way that I find really disturbing to watch. I'm trying not to do it, but it's hard. I think it might be a habit from playing trombone all my life.
I wanted to keep on working on this one before posting but my wife and son told me they have heard Second Solo so many times that they might make me move out of the house if I keep playing it.
Hey Andy, great performance! You played beautifully. It’s clear you’ve been practicing diligently.
Your playing is such an inspiration! Please keep up the good work—and make sure you don’t get kicked out of the house!
Sounds so nice Andy! Great etude to practice. I would work on "thumb position" more with each phrases. You can practice much slower so you can control your muting and picking technique. Please be proud yourself being able to play this etude from reading music! Excellent job! While you are playing, try to breath normally. Your tone is so good! Please keep going! Press softer (0:34) Your family heard this many times... great sign!
Tomo
Wow Andy - that was great. I'm not there yet, but it gives me something to look forward to - but maybe not my family.
Thank you, Tomo! My wife and son are out of the house today so I will be practicing it slowly to get cleaner muting and picking and to work on thumb position. I will also practice breathing normally.
Thanks for your encouragement, Tadashi. It means a lot to me.