Good morning! It's 9:44 and 67 degrees at the moment on this sun n' clouds Monday. I have three errands to run today, and all of them can wait until I'm ready. Trust me on this one- Mondays are a lot more fun(or maybe just a lot less irritating)when you don't have to work. Retirement is something I wish for everybody.
Music News. I have a new album which just released yesterday. It's called Big Hair, Big Dreams, and is sort of a fusion/Smooth Jazz mix with lots of guitar and keyboard work. You can stream it on YouTube, or download from any number of sites(like iTunes and Amazon).
Most of this stuff was conceived back in February and March of this year. In between a busy January and a very busy April. I am now in another of those in-between periods, so we'll see what gives. If anything. My Muse, I'm fond of saying, is a capricious chick who shows up when she's good and ready, but not before..
Now we're going to descend into Shop Talk, at least for a minute. I discovered something last night while practicing that seemed to liberate my right hand. There is no right or wrong as far as your picking hand, whether you rest a pinky on the guitar or whatever. Whatever gets the notes out.
For me, it works best to have my hand balled up and out of the way. I used to be one of those pinky-resting folks, and then had a couple lessons with Rick Haydon at SIU Edwardsville. Took about a year to feel normal, but he changed my right hand.
The only problem was that I'd still kinda hover over the strings. More mobility than with the pinky resting, but still not quite there. Still some missed notes. But if you elevate your hand just a little bit, and position it right in the center, between the D and G strings. you're there! Found this almost by accident, but it works much better.
Okay. Enough shop talk. Had to share that Secret of the Universe though. Maybe it'll help another struggling guitarist. It sure helped this one.. So thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you, if that's possible! For now, this one's outa here. More later. PS today's pic was taken at Lime Street back in 2014 or so. Subbing for Manley Mallard with Juke House. 2 years in a row. Much fun! PPS today's tune is the title song of my new album. Has kind of an 80s vibe to it, hence Big Hair, Big Dreams. 