[carol m]

Please re-adjust your ears for the following:
Cano's Andante in A minor. Played left-handed after one week.

It is interesting to me that I am making all the 'beginner' mistakes. For example, ignoring the flubs, the things I need to work on are

• Keeping rhythm regular
• Not cutting off the notes while I look where to put my fretting finger next. Interestingly, I find I am doing this also to avoid touching other strings with my fingers while I 'find' the correct fret/string.
• Keeping volume/attack even for every note (unless the piece calls for a difference)

As far as the playing technique goes,

• I know I have to get the left hand (plucking fingers) alternating properly I -M-I-M etc instead of whatever finger I can get to the correct string in time for the next note.
• Also increasing the placement accuracy of the fretting fingers so I don't have to 'see' where to place my fingers (just needs lots of practice to improve muscle/spacial memory).
• Also increasing strength and accuracy of fretting fingers to get a clean and clear note every time.

For any newbies out there, this is a really good beginner's piece because it is only ever one note at a time, uses all 6 strings,and can be played slowly and still sound like music (I hope )

As far as the guitar itself goes, I seem to have a citar effect going there with the top E string at times. This may have something to do with the fact that it is sitting in the quite large groove at the nut where the low E string once was. This makes the action too low on this string (and too high on the low E string). I'm going to look for a local supplier of lefty nuts and bridges tomorrow. Otherwise I may get that one you told me about in England, Chris.

There you go Chris. Gauntlets away, sailor!!!! Lets see what you've got!!

[starsailor]

Nice work Carol, that's a beautiful piece of Music, it's a very good start, I'll put some practice in today so I can put up a response, you've done a great job, your recording set up sounds really good as well, you might be able to fill that groove in and recut it with a modelling Knife but a new nut would be preferable, the guitar sounds pretty good considering it's been adapted.

Carol 1 Chris 0

Surely there can't be a problem finding left handed nuts in Australia, I worked with a few when I was in horse racing

Best Wishes

Chris

[starsailor]

I found this site that sells left handed music books Carol, they might be able to put you onto some suppliers as well.

Brand Site Map for PKs Music, Mirrabooka, Western Australia, Australia,Hal Leonard,Hipshot,Hofner,Hohner,Hondo,

Cheers

Chris

[X4StringDrive]

Very nicely played Carol and your recording sounds great as well. This would make a very good tune for anyone, as the timing{note duration} will make or break it musically.

Has learning to play left handed helped with the pain you were experiencing right handed?

[Fong]

I realised the first 6 notes of that piece, not including the Bass notes that ring, is exactly the same as a System of a Down song I knew.

Took me bloody ages to work that out.

I think it's Lost in Hollywood. But I am not 100% on that.

[coldethyl]

Well done Carol! Left hand after only a week is pretty impressive.

[carol m]

Originally Posted by starsailor

Surely there can't be a problem finding left handed nuts in Australia, I worked with a few when I was in horse racing
Chris

Nice one Chris. I might use that line as my opening pitch when I ring around the local suppliers! It might sort the jokers from the clowns. I'll let you know if we have any of that particular species out here in the colonies.

I'll check out that Western Australia place as well. I've already noticed that there was a big Lefty guitar shop over there but haven't checked if they have any lefty nuts.

I might work on tabbing out that piece if I have time later today. The version I have is in standard notation. It's the 'easiest' piece I know of and would be good for any beginner. It's all uphill from here

[carol m]

Originally Posted by X4StringDrive

Has learning to play left handed helped with the pain you were experiencing right handed?

I don't get any pain because I am not gripping with my left hand at all. The big advantage (to me) is that I don't have to limit the time I can play for. After 3 years of not playing at all, and then 18months of very time limited playing, this is fantastic. The fact that I've gone back to all the beginner's challenges doesn't really matter at all - playing is still playing, no-matter what it sounds like. Actually playing the thing is back in my life again

As far as the recording side goes, I haven't really explored what my new interface will do, or even what the new cheapy guitar will do. I did a couple of sound checks with the guitar's EQ and a knob called Pres and the bass was really boomy and the treble really tinny with everything 'off' or 'high', and settled for volume max, EQ about 1/4 with the mid range higher than the bass and treble. At the moment its the playing itself that requires most of my attention!

How's the sliding going? My plans for doing that in the right handed way with open tunings are on hold now I have this new distraction (and loving it).

[carol m]

Originally Posted by Fong

I realised the first 6 notes of that piece, not including the Bass notes that ring, is exactly the same as a System of a Down song I knew.

Took me bloody ages to work that out.

I think it's Lost in Hollywood. But I am not 100% on that.

I've just checked that out Fong and you are absolutely right!! The first 6 notes of the vocals - at least the same intervals - haven't checked if its the same pitch, but its close. Interesting - well spotted.

[Fong]

Originally Posted by carol m

I've just checked that out Fong and you are absolutely right!! The first 6 notes of the vocals - at least the same intervals - haven't checked if its the same pitch, but its close. Interesting - well spotted.

Cheers i was about to ask you to post the notation if you had it, or atleast the first 6 notes, (A F# D etc etc for instance) cause I wanted to try and work out the rest of the tune by ear as a bit of training.

I been working hard on my ears for a bit so this might be an interesting test.

[carol m]

OK Fong, the first 8 notes as I play it (and the origianal) are A(low and open) A B C, A(low and open) C B A, and its in Harmonic A minor (contains G#) according to my long lost (but not forgotten), guitar teacher. See how you go.

[Aunt Doty]

Carol, Sounds like you are making real progress! Now that's what I call determination! Glad you're able to twang those strings again!

[X4StringDrive]

Originally Posted by carol m

I don't get any pain... Actually playing the thing is back in my life again

Glad to hear that, and I like your determination



How's the sliding going?

I've started if thats an answer, lol....I posted a tad in this same sub-forum if you want to subject your ears to some pain

[fireblade]

Well done Carol & welcome to the world of the left handed player. I think that was a great start. I tried and tried to play right handed ( purely because getting a left handed guitar is so difficult). I even tried playing a right handed guitar upside down! (& still do when trying them out in shops). It's not easy at all playing the wrong way round is it!!

[knight46]

Nice job on the playng Carol and it sounds like the recording thing is coming along nicely.