Crop circles and Day 30

Because of my wonderful mother, I was able to purhase a bass I had been searching for that was getting rare.  My credit was not good enough to get the limit raised, so she let me order it through her credit.  This is how I got in possession of a bass much nicer than I deserved.

Within the first month of owning, I had belt indentations on the back of it.  I did not wear belts back then.  I do however have several cousins that do, and several of them had played the bass.  If you're somehow reading this and suspect you're one of the cousins, then I have to thank you.  I was not mad at the time, and I am not mad or angry now.  I never plan on selling that bass, so retail value means nothing to me.  What happened was good for my psychology.  The first "dent" had been done, and it was over with.  If you ever buy a new instrument that is beyond your means, then you will know what I speak of.

I will enter "zen master" mode again, and tell you that getting a guitar that is so "precious" to you that you're afraid to take it jamming to a friend's house, or even play it without taking a lot of precautions is not a good idea.  I do not expect you to take my advice, as I had gotten it myself from wiser, older players and proceeded to ignore it.

Some people see instruments as a tool and that they shouldn't be vanity objects, but I say you should have something that excites and pleases you.  Unlike that top of the line smart phone you have, your instruments will not become obsolete and unplayable simply due to new models in less than half a decade.  So if there is something you can reach for that is going to make you keep reaching for it day after day, then maybe consider taking steps to acquire it.  Just don't put your livelihood in danger over it.

And brace yourself for it to not be perfect.  You see that part where I said "inspires you to keep reaching for it?"  Yea, being afraid to get a 3,000 dollar Les Paul out of its case, or being afraid that you may "play it too much" and get some ware on it, that's not "reaching for it every day".


Day 30

It has surprised me with how fast I'm learning to use the G chord.  When I first looked at the G chord, or in other times previous, I have thought it was awkward.  I want to use my pinky for that last bit on the high E string.  Due to bass, it is very much strong enough, and right now I just can't see any disadvantage of using it there.  If I need to do a quick change in the vicinity, my ring finger being free would just make it faster.  I guess time will tell.

I still pretty much make a A minor chord to get my fingering correct for the C chord.  I can directly thank Rocksmith for being use to this change as its in the practice track under Chords 201.  I've gotten the changing between A Minor, C Major and G down pretty well, so now I will be working on my intermediate strumming pattern for Simple Kind of Man.

As a quick aside, I played the harmonic game inside Rocksmith, Harmonic Heist I believe it is.  It is similar to the Ninja game for slides, except you do the harmonic and try to avoid being in view while guards are about.  I rather like it, and its not a pain in the ass like the ninja slides are on the low E.  I want to work Harmonics into my playing since I want to do it as a bass player as well, so I can see myself playing Harmonic Heist much more.

Also, I would say that String Skip Saloon is getting ridiculously hard, but if I step back and think about it, it probably means that they are focusing on things I'm less familiar with.  The D and G strings give me trouble because I rely on going to either the A string first or the B string first, and going up or down, I do not go strait to the D or G.  I'm guessing the focus in this area is where the game has taken me, so its good I find it hard, its something I need to work on.