Its the end of they year, but really who gives a shit? It is my brothers birthday though and that is something I do give a shit about! So happy birthday Mark! Bend this year over and make it your bitch!!
-Billy Tough
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Monday, 23 December 2013
Mr. Jeff Beck
I think I am as impressed by him as I am by Mr Tommy Emmanuel(his classical gas is just beyond awesome watch and see)
Tommy Emmanuel
I did not know that Jeff Beck used to be in the Yardbirds with Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. I am also wondering how did I not know this, and I feel like I've been missing out. Mr Jeff Beck plays with an amazing electric fingerstyle, and shares initials with Tenacious D's front man, and I absolutely love the feel of this song..
Jeff Beck
Still working on my own progress and going sometime this week to some open mic to see if I can play in front of the people a little more relaxed, and a little better!
-Billy Tough
Wednesday, 18 December 2013
Guitar Warrior Ewan
A man I suspect to be the highlander, but this is truly awesome good job Mr. Dobson
-Billy Tough
Monday, 16 December 2013
When it's Cold
Hey there fellow guitarists, practicing and potential! The weather has been getting colder and colder as you may have noticed. Hopefully, most guitarists are storing their instrument in its case, or have some method to keep it humidified (I use a humidifier I got from my local music shop which is basically a plastic case with a sponge inside that is slightly damp and goes between 2 strings over the sound hole). The dryness caused during winter can damage your guitar from water leaving wood too quickly(especially in newer instruments)
Although that is not the only issue with winter, your hands are at risk too! It is very important, to let your hands warm up before playing, for the sake of your tendons. So let them warm up to room temperature to avoid unnecessary injuries, and while you're at it stretch your hands. I looked at a few good videos on youtube for avoiding Carpal Tunnel, Arthritis, etc.
I'm no expert on this subject in any way but these are things I did not know about until recently, so you have been warned, my recommendation is to go to www.google.com and/or www.youtube.com
186 days, and preparing for next Open Mic. Tonight I'll be trying out a video at lesson at home, from Tommy Emmanuel on his version of Classical Gas which is leaps and bounds past the original Mason Williams version. If I can learn the intro riff in the next week I will be surprised!
Peace!
-Billy Tough
Although that is not the only issue with winter, your hands are at risk too! It is very important, to let your hands warm up before playing, for the sake of your tendons. So let them warm up to room temperature to avoid unnecessary injuries, and while you're at it stretch your hands. I looked at a few good videos on youtube for avoiding Carpal Tunnel, Arthritis, etc.
I'm no expert on this subject in any way but these are things I did not know about until recently, so you have been warned, my recommendation is to go to www.google.com and/or www.youtube.com
186 days, and preparing for next Open Mic. Tonight I'll be trying out a video at lesson at home, from Tommy Emmanuel on his version of Classical Gas which is leaps and bounds past the original Mason Williams version. If I can learn the intro riff in the next week I will be surprised!
Peace!
-Billy Tough
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Tough Crowd
Last night I held true to my word and played a couple songs at an Open Mic in Ottawa. I was pretty nervous but not anywhere near the level I thought I would be, although I was scheduled to play during a hockey shoot out. The song I went for was Classical Gas by Mason Williams
So it was a little rough of a start but definitely made me feel more at ease on stage for the future.
-Billy Tough
Tuesday, 10 December 2013
Less is more
Often I find that saying (less is more) annoying, I suppose I hear it too much, but when it comes to guitar and most things it's very true. What I mean is playing mindlessly for hours on end is not anywhere close to 15 min to an hour of efficient practicing with goals in mind (working on scales, chords, or even identifying a problem area and proceeding to correct it).
Another reason to keep playing session's shorter is preventing injuries (carpal tunnel etc.) which in the long run will keep you from playing at all, I have been doing some stretching now after reflection and youtube has some great videos on the subject.
Heading up to Ottawa tonight to attempt playing in front of an actual crowd, should be fun!
-Billy Tough
Another reason to keep playing session's shorter is preventing injuries (carpal tunnel etc.) which in the long run will keep you from playing at all, I have been doing some stretching now after reflection and youtube has some great videos on the subject.
Heading up to Ottawa tonight to attempt playing in front of an actual crowd, should be fun!
-Billy Tough
Friday, 6 December 2013
Next Tunesday
A friend and I will be attending Open Mic next Tuesday, this update is fairly quick but I'll expand while I have a moment to sit and write this out.
I'm not nervous now although I am prepared for the nerves that are sure to arrive on the upcoming Tuesday when I am scheduled to perform. It is just another step on the road to becoming awesome with guitar.
-Billy Tough
I'm not nervous now although I am prepared for the nerves that are sure to arrive on the upcoming Tuesday when I am scheduled to perform. It is just another step on the road to becoming awesome with guitar.
-Billy Tough
Thursday, 5 December 2013
197
Time until the day is dwindling away, faster and faster, closer, and as I continue preparing I feel the deadline approaching rapidly. Which I have no problem with whatsoever!
My nerves although still high, have lessened, and now I truly feel an actual Open Mic is something I can do, without shakiness comparable to an electron(not sure if they actually jitter). Or maybe I will be frozen like a deer in the headlights of oncoming doom, and that will be okay, as this is all part of my plan to become (seemingly)fearless on stage.
When I first started NorthGuitar, I'd nearly pass out I was so tense (breathing became especially rapid and extremely shallow) and my hands shook and moved like they were gloveless in an Alaskan Winter. On top of that, my brain stopped working to any useful degree, and songs I had memorized more so than the alphabet, began to be jumbled(some parts skipped over and others played twice). And to top it off my body would be drenched in terror sweat
After a few times online this lessened greatly, so if my first Open Mic is similar that is fine with me, as long as I can overcome it before 197 days from now. Which I fully intend to do!
-Billy Tough
My nerves although still high, have lessened, and now I truly feel an actual Open Mic is something I can do, without shakiness comparable to an electron(not sure if they actually jitter). Or maybe I will be frozen like a deer in the headlights of oncoming doom, and that will be okay, as this is all part of my plan to become (seemingly)fearless on stage.
When I first started NorthGuitar, I'd nearly pass out I was so tense (breathing became especially rapid and extremely shallow) and my hands shook and moved like they were gloveless in an Alaskan Winter. On top of that, my brain stopped working to any useful degree, and songs I had memorized more so than the alphabet, began to be jumbled(some parts skipped over and others played twice). And to top it off my body would be drenched in terror sweat
After a few times online this lessened greatly, so if my first Open Mic is similar that is fine with me, as long as I can overcome it before 197 days from now. Which I fully intend to do!
-Billy Tough
Monday, 2 December 2013
NorthGuitar
Never have been that great with technical equipment, and I usually fumble my way through things. Recording myself playing games etc has not always been all that successful. So I have no vids worth posting on here.
On a positive note I have set up a room on camfrog(a free video chat) where you can come see me play, or show off your own shredding skills.
The room is called NorthGuitar and I am expecting to see some goddamned people soon!
NorthGuitar at www.camfrog.com
-Billy Tough aka "MisterTough"
On a positive note I have set up a room on camfrog(a free video chat) where you can come see me play, or show off your own shredding skills.
The room is called NorthGuitar and I am expecting to see some goddamned people soon!
NorthGuitar at www.camfrog.com
-Billy Tough aka "MisterTough"
Tuesday, 26 November 2013
207
Yes 207... which happens to be the number of days I have left to get into musical shape.
So last night I continued my guitar training, with some Rocksmith 2014, which I highly recommend not only for the "Guitar Hero" type of learning songs, but for Session Mode, Lessons, and Guitarcade. (I will be doing a post solely on RS 2014 because it is truly beyond AWESOME on my iMac (felt laggy on my pc))
After that I was on a Video Chat called "Camfrog" which I is primarily a dating site but it has a few rooms dedicated to playing music. (My favourite room was recently closed "Midnight Musicians Cafe" so I tried another called "II MusicAlley Inclined II" which had a very positive/friendly vibe) I played a couple songs, well I tried but (not to my surprise) my breathing was shallow(at best), hands were shaking and overall I felt as though an Ethereal being was attempting to hinder my playing. On a positive note, at the end of my session I felt less nervous and one (tiny) step closer to being capable on stage.
So my goal for tonight is nearly the same as yesterday's with one added part, which is to tape some of my training on "II MusicAlley Inclined II" so you can see for yourself.
-Billy Tough
So last night I continued my guitar training, with some Rocksmith 2014, which I highly recommend not only for the "Guitar Hero" type of learning songs, but for Session Mode, Lessons, and Guitarcade. (I will be doing a post solely on RS 2014 because it is truly beyond AWESOME on my iMac (felt laggy on my pc))
After that I was on a Video Chat called "Camfrog" which I is primarily a dating site but it has a few rooms dedicated to playing music. (My favourite room was recently closed "Midnight Musicians Cafe" so I tried another called "II MusicAlley Inclined II" which had a very positive/friendly vibe) I played a couple songs, well I tried but (not to my surprise) my breathing was shallow(at best), hands were shaking and overall I felt as though an Ethereal being was attempting to hinder my playing. On a positive note, at the end of my session I felt less nervous and one (tiny) step closer to being capable on stage.
So my goal for tonight is nearly the same as yesterday's with one added part, which is to tape some of my training on "II MusicAlley Inclined II" so you can see for yourself.
-Billy Tough
Monday, 25 November 2013
It's a long way to the top...
...if you want to Rock'n Roll
28 years old, living in Canada, and dreaming of being (one day) a master guitarist. I have played on and off for ages, but over the last year at least an hour a day, most times significantly more.
This upcoming June 21st will be my first time playing in front of a crowd (for a friends wedding) and its a song for her walk down the aisle, and another song for the bridesmaids (so that's 2 if you're keeping track). To some it wouldn't be a big deal, but it really means the world to me and I plan to make the bride really happy she asked me.
So before I get to call myself a master, or play at this wedding, I know the first obstacle I'll need to overcome is stage nerves, not that I am shy. I've always loved audiences, but cannot deny that I get some level of shakiness from having to perform in front of masses( nothing I couldn't overcome), thus part 1 of my plan begins...
Open Mic
Sometime in the next couple days I will be heading about an hour West to Ottawa and will go try and perform at one of its many venues that have Open Mic nights, I may crash and burn or I may simply just struggle through a song which I play effortlessly at home. I know this because when playing in front of people, even just a few, I make more mistakes and feel my nerves much more.
Since I'll be alone this time I am going to bring my steel string Larivee, my guts, and I'll play 1 or 2 songs until then....
-Billy Tough
28 years old, living in Canada, and dreaming of being (one day) a master guitarist. I have played on and off for ages, but over the last year at least an hour a day, most times significantly more.
This upcoming June 21st will be my first time playing in front of a crowd (for a friends wedding) and its a song for her walk down the aisle, and another song for the bridesmaids (so that's 2 if you're keeping track). To some it wouldn't be a big deal, but it really means the world to me and I plan to make the bride really happy she asked me.
So before I get to call myself a master, or play at this wedding, I know the first obstacle I'll need to overcome is stage nerves, not that I am shy. I've always loved audiences, but cannot deny that I get some level of shakiness from having to perform in front of masses( nothing I couldn't overcome), thus part 1 of my plan begins...
Open Mic
Sometime in the next couple days I will be heading about an hour West to Ottawa and will go try and perform at one of its many venues that have Open Mic nights, I may crash and burn or I may simply just struggle through a song which I play effortlessly at home. I know this because when playing in front of people, even just a few, I make more mistakes and feel my nerves much more.
Since I'll be alone this time I am going to bring my steel string Larivee, my guts, and I'll play 1 or 2 songs until then....
-Billy Tough
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