Forum menu
Ta, I've since learned the solo further down the neck which makes it easier to play on an acoustic and improves timing as I move positions.
You keep saying that you find it hard to persist and get distracted by something, that's not a bad thing if you keep going back to the old ones. I often find things I was struggling on come easier after a break, some things have become automatic so I can concentrate on the things that aren't automatic. You're videos are getting better and better - try playing one for an hour every week till it's automatic then post another vid.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_memory
I often find things I was struggling on come easier after a break
I read a science paper on this (popular press summary, rather than the paper) - related to sports coaching but same rationale.
It's part of learning. To get the brain synapses to join up you first make connections, that's where doing it slowly <span style="text-decoration: underline;">but accurately</span> is important, over and over again, until the pathway is established.
Once that's in place, it's learned, the next step is laying down insulation so the signals get stronger. But that also happens when you aren't doing it, the brain actually grows the myelin even after practise ends. And so rather than continue to speed up to the point of inaccuracy, better to work on accuracy for a finite length of time and then stop before boredom speeds you up or fatigue adds inaccuracy.
And then come back another day and miraculously you got better 'without trying'
Once that’s in place, it’s learned, the next step is laying down insulation so the signals get stronger. But that also happens when you aren’t doing it, the brain actually grows the myelin even after practise ends. And so rather than continue to speed up to the point of inaccuracy, better to work on accuracy for a finite length of time and then stop before boredom speeds you up or fatigue adds inaccuracy.
+1
I was also told that if you do something wrong half a dozen times, then well done, you've started to learn to do it wrong and it will take a LOT of doing it right to overcome that.
This week I have been giving Under the Bridge a go. It makes my fingers hurt!
@simondbarnes have a go with the thumb over rather than the barre chord. That's how Frusciante plays it.
Worth learning the other parts too as they're quite simple after attempting the finger busting intro !!
It's a great entry into Hendrix style chord embellishments too.
I can't do the thumb over thing I've tried. The problem with learning something and then going back to it at a later date is that I've usually forgotten how to play it 🤣
I've had another attempt today and will keep working on it.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PIT6bxyiW8g
Looks like 50/50 thumb over/barre there 🙂
It's a really tricky part I think - way harder than it sounds. Yours is sounding pretty good.
Yeah that sounds good Simon!
The verse part of that song is where the real magic is, though 😉
The verse part of that song is where the real magic is, though 😉
I'm struggling with that at the moment:-)
It's definitely worth persevering with - the mix of melody and harmony on one instrument is just perfect IMO, it's why the guitar is such a fantastic instrument. Hendrix/Frusciante/Mayer/SRV were all masters of this.
It's also the Axis of Awesome chord progression so you can use those chord transitions in a million other contexts.
Anyway, well done for posting these, I enjoy listening. I should post more actual music.
i may be getting a new guitar very soon (just have to sell my guitars that i have atm and hope it is still there when i have done).
it's not a super expensive guitar i must add but it is a bit more than what i have spent on a guitar for a while so need to find the funds for it.
tbh i would just like one guitar that i can gel with as they say than a few guitars that i don't fully gel with if that makes sense?
Sounds a good idea. I'm selling my Strat as since I got the Tele I don't bother picking it up. I play the baritone more than the Strat.
I'd be happy with just the Tele but I'm keeping the Line6 Variax as I wouldn't get from anyone the value of what it is worth to me.
@simondbarnes Check out Dave Simpson on Youtube, he has some great "Play like Frusciante" videos up.
I’m selling my Strat as since I got the Tele I don’t bother picking it up
I've an LP, a Tele and a Strat. I go through phases of playing one and not the others, then other times when I'll have all 3 on the go - depending on the current project.
I just know if I ever sold one of the 3 I'd live to regret it !!.
I know the feeling but I simply don't have any interest in the Strat anymore.
I can't believe it myself.
I have one in storage as part of a pension pot and I'm tempted to get it out and play it or finally sell that one too, but its been in storage since 2004. Not like I've missed it.
I've just posted my Kemper in the classifieds under the new Musical Instruments category.
Now I know it works I'll be banging my pedals and pickups and bits for sale in there first. Also guitars, basses and stuff. These will be cheaper than I'll be advertising the items elsewhere.
If you want to get rid of gear why not advertise it here to get some sales rolling?
ha the guitar has been sold so bang goes that idea lol
it was the new cort g300 pro in a raw natural finish (and peach guitars had a lovely one with a real nice figured top)
https://www.peachguitars.com/cort-electrics-g-series-g300-raw-natural-satin.htm
oh well as peter green once sang (i still have y eye on one though tbh in future they are meant to be fantastic for the money)
Ouch. That's a shame, it does look rather fine.
Anyone got a 3 string Cigar Box Guitar? And if so where did you buy it? I’m looking for recommendations as I think its time I bought an acoustic (with a pickup) and this all I think I’d actually want to play.
I've got a kit from https://www.chickenbonejohn.com/ on the way but he sells ready-built as well. I can't speak to the quality yet but going by his videos on how to make them it's all good stuff and 'supporting small business' etc.
My Ivison Dakota turned up this weekend
Lovely it is too
https://www.ivisonguitars.com/the-dakota
Mine is in heather mist
Wow that Dakota is a stunner - not cheap but I guess the quality makes it worth the price of entry - how does it sound?
Love that Dakota!
A bit more practice for me on the Under the Bridge intro. I'm going to leave this part alone for a bit now and try and learn some other parts of the song. I didn't even think I'd get to this level without giving up so I'm quite pleased.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KaM8yRPhEm0
Golly @plumber that is stunning. I think i remember you ordering it. How long did it take to be built?
I love the Firebird references...
i will soon be a member of the dentists club https://www.peachguitars.com/prs-se-standard-24-08-tobacco-sunburst.htm?opt=37697 love the fact that it has the mini switches for 8 different tonal options and it comes with a nice gig bag too which is great.
this will be my first prs guitar (both to own or play). i just happened to see it on the peach site reduced from £675 to £499 also so had to buy it (it is a pre order so no idea when it will be delivered) but have heard good things about them.
after the cort being sold before i could buy it, maybe it was fate to go for the prs in the end.
cannot wait to start playing it 🙂
Winner!
cannot wait to start playing it
Hope it arrives quickly!
this will be my first prs guitar (both to own or play). i just happened to see it on the peach site reduced from £675 to £499
I get twitchy every time I see an offer like this! I've never owned an electric guitar and would jump at one of those, but at the moment there are noise constraint problems in my house. (ie a wife who might murder me if I make too much...)
I'm picking up a very cheap guitarlele on the weekend. Don't judge me! 😀
headphone amps are the solution. Something like this is very affordable and works well:
Fender do their mustang version which is much more sophisticated and under £100
Or there's plenty of practice amps with a headphone out / ways to play through garage band on your phone.
Honestly although i have three lovely valve amps, 90% of my at home playing is thourgh one of those little vox amplugs for noise restraint reasons ( wife is averse to loud noise and daughter is revising for a levels!)
Also, finally got around to buying a proper pedal board / case for my “live rig” ( sounds a bit grand for a dadrock covers band ) but we cover a lot of musical ground and I like toys! 🤣
Should be much better than the two bits of old floorboard I was using & much less chance of stuff getting damaged knocking around in the back of the car!

Nice board!
How's the Hungry Beaver? Been following Sound Lad on Instagram and his pedals seem like great value
https://instagram.com/soundladliverpool?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Its really good and his pedals are very underpriced in my opinion.
Its a really versatile fuzz, one of the dials controls the voltage thats going through so it will take you from the full roar of two different muffs on at the same time, through proper scratchy fuzz right on to basically doctor who robot noises!
The scran looks like an amazing drive pedal as well.
TL:DR buy one!
Yay, the Kemper has sold. Time to buy a Cigar Box Guitar.
headphone amps are the solution. Something like this is very affordable and works well:
Thanks ceepers. I always forget that there's tech available for electric guitars that's not there in acoustics. 😀
Nice looking board @ceepers. I have just built a board out of.... well, not quite old bits of floorboard but not far off 😂
How is the Tourtech case?
And while I'm here.
We do occasional recordings of rehearsals for reference later, and we currently use a smartphone propped up on a cab to do this.
That works, to an extent, but I'm wondering whether there's a better approach that could get more fidelity without spending the earth. Something like one of the Zoom H-series recorders maybe?
Anyone have any suggestions?
Decent USB microphone, laptop.
That's a good shout. I guess USB mic plus phone might even be a good step up without having to source and cart around a laptop.
Used to use a Zoom but lost it. It was really good. Currently use a phone as far from the drummer as possible, it's shit because the recording level responds to volume.
Using a laptop has the advantage you can set the recording level manually. Any microphone that can handle the volume you're playing at will do.
@tomparkin tour tech case seems perfect for my needs so far and good value for £50. Feels pretty sturdy.
I think if I went for a laptop I might just use my audio interface and a couple of dynamic mics I could place accordingly.
The low-faff nature of a Zoom-type device appeals just because it's seemingly about as quick as the phone but should yield better results.
I might be overthinking this of course 😂
If I ever get any better then I may get a mic to plug into my phone, maybe even something to hold the phone too!
Finding learning the verse parts of Under the Bridge quite frustrating. I must persevere though.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4VmyugNXzyY
It's sounding good so far @simondbarnes! Playing it fluently is something I always struggled with, I think I got it good enough for my purposes and that was good enough for me. It's a really nice part though.
Spent an hour trying to get my bass posted in the classifieds.
I'll have another go later when my blood pressure drops.
Here are the basics:
This is a beautiful condition 2008 Fender Standard Precision Bass. It is finished in Lake Placid Blue with NO scratches, wear, chips or belt buckle rash.
Initially supplied with a white pickguard by the time it landed in my hands it had a plastic mirror one. Too bright for me so now it sports a gold anodised guard. The mirror guard is included if you want to swap back.
A Fender ABS hardshell case is included, as is a new TGI Extreme padded backpack bag for those days when you're just gigging at the pub. Spotless and a real head turner.
According to Fender it was built in November 2008 but also according to them it is to the spec listed as 2010 -2012.
Happy to post or you can collect from Ash (Surrey). £590





Lovely looking bass Eddie. Hopefully goes to a good home 🙂
just as an update i have paid off the prs se now and just waiting for peach to let us know when they will be getting it (so they can set it up etc before delivery).
i have to admit that i am really looking forward to getting the guitar as it will be my first prs both to play and own.
now i just need to know how to play properly (have been wishing that for the past 25 odd years lol)