Eliana
What to practice: The Thrill is Gone – BB King (lead/rhythm)
Recommended practice time: 15+ minutes daily
Keys to effective practice: For what we are doing currently, the key will be to be using your ears, and trusting them. While playing rhythm experiment with different ways of mixing up the progression in terms of vamping versus extending the chords, then take note of what works and sounds good to you. Remember that while playing rhythm your key is to have good time and, well, rhythm! – try locking in with the recording. While playing the solo start things off a bit slower (maybe 60-70% tempo) and get it down at this speed, paying attention to bending the notes the right amount up (1/4, 1/2, full), and playing with good time.
BB King explaining vibrato and bending. Jump ahead about 2 minutes and enjoy!
Aarnav
What to practice: Up to and including page 12 of Hal Leonard’s Guitar Method!
Recommended practice time: 10 minutes daily
Keys to effective practice: Because we have just jumped into adding a new string, be sure you review the beginning of the new chapter and the studies leading up to the music on page 12 (double check your G and A notes). Especially take a moment and play the three string review at the bottom of page 11, both up and down! Once you do this go ahead as usual counting along as you play!
Aarna
What to practice: Up to and including page 12 of Hal Leonard’s Guitar Method.
Recommended practice time: 10 minutes daily
Keys to effective practice: Review the notes at the beginning of the previous two chapters, and then take your time going over the practice studies at the beginning of our latest chapter. Because we are entering into some new territory with the 3rd string (G) take some extra time with the studies in chapter 3, as well as the 3-string review at the bottom of page 11 (play this up and down!). Then go ahead and play as per usual counting along with the songs on page 12!
Simon
What to practice: BB King – The Thrill is Gone (Rhythm/Lead)
Recommended practice time: 15+ minutes daily
Keys to effective practice: Listen to the studio recording for time and groove, and check your dropbox folder for a playthrough video at different tempos of myself playing the solo isolated. Zero in on the hard parts and the transitions and cultivate your confidence with them. For the rhythm playing aim for good timing and rhythm, but also explore the different vamps and extensions to see what you like and try to come up with some of your own to boot!
BB King explaining vibrato and bending. Jump ahead about 2 minutes and enjoy!
Albert
What to practice: Hotel California
Recommended practice time: Aim to play through the progression at least twice a day.
Keys to effective practice: You’ve got all the fundamental keys down – moving your fingers in groups, pivot fingers/anchoring, remembering the chord shapes and names, arching your fingers, playing more or less on your finger tips as needed to let all the notes ring out, etc… – now you just have to tackle it consistently for a bit! Keep at it each day and you’ll see great results!