How was it? What keys did they have you play in? What kind of prep did you do / aside from reinforce that heck out of the 12 bars… lol. 😂 I’ll message you the first cut next week.. my local teacher/friend keeps pushing… blues jams, opening act for others.. coffee shops, breweries…. So now gotta learn to sing😬🙄 so in vocal academy. It’s physically demanding 😥

@John Donahey that’s interesting. Not the disaster (I’ll bet it wasn’t that bad dude - unless u stopped!) 😎 It’s interesting because my teacher (local) does (taught me) this exercise. Put on the radio ( so to speak), listen for the I and determine major/minor and all the other ear training. I’ve yet to do it by myself except putting on backing tracks. Totally different. It teaches you to be ok with the feeling not ok. So he peppers-aids me with a chord in the progression or will accompany me on the keys. It’s actually fun I’m just not exactly sure how to work out a routine. But I see him Wednesday so I record and post it. So you can see it vs me trying to explain it. It’s a good skill to learn ( from what I’m told) and develop.

@Eric Beaty Steve’s message is always dead-on. I think sometimes people hear what he says but do they actually listen? That is the single most important thing I’ve learned from Guitar Zoom. Caveat - I’m a former student and definitely going back 💯. But I had to chime in here esp since Eric asked. 🤘 I found when I have a practice session for improvisation I’m leaning on pentatonics and chord tones big time. That was my “guitar brain” controlling my play not my musical brain! Wow !!! Big ah-ha moment. I’m referring to the art of listening. I say art bc there is a system to follow but there’s more than one way to learn it. Meaning, from what the video highlights is using your “musical brain”. I’ll speak for myself when I say mine “musical brain” hasn’t been developed like my guitar brain - balanced. However, what hit me is exactly what Steve breezed thru “ what is the music asking for?” - finally got it Steve thx 🙏 It’s like being in a circle with friends, strangers, no matter, except they are speaking so you do not ignore them and you respond with the appropriate response. Right! Someone says “ Hey, how’s it going?” and normally everyone responds with “good” or something back. Right! I’m starting to listen to the music (not live at a gig) when I practice and really listen to Groove that’s developed . Then I’ll think how can I add something to what I just heard and will make it sound even better? I’ve been practicing like this for a bit and I’ve noticed a whole new side of playing. Seriously, try it out for those like us and see if you have positive results? Post them back to us! Make your own harmony or use a backing track but, listen to the track before you even touch your instrument. Movement is best(clapping, stepping, saying) developed first without your guitar. Truth. It’s a different perspective and may feel uncomfortable or awkward at first. However, if you internalize the rhythm that’s like 90% of it. Thx for the video and as always the guidance!

@Eric Beaty hey thanks Eric. Yes, guitar is now part of me. You know! I’m putting a setlist together and need to sing and play, solo act. My local teacher/friend(befriended thru lessons) gave me a few and I have a few. Not sure of the order yet; 1. Stand by me 2. Thrill is gone 3. Glycerine 4. When I come around 5. Man who sold the world 6. Midnight rider 7. Machine head 8. Creep (STP or Radiohead) learned both 9. Californication (acoustic instrumental) Kind of along these lines https://music.amazon.com/albums/B00HAMU524?do=play&trackAsin=B00HAMUE70&ts=1775680940&ref=dm_sh_TA9kiBSUjN0zOJDZFM8H4t1gC The good news is I can open for a few bands that already know me. The bad news I need to learn to stay in key vocally and play collectively 😬. Great hearing from you! Hope that 2nd album is going 🤘

I’d love to hear one! Just to see how you approach writing. I have this sheet of paper with your name on it. It was from a long time ago but I kept it bc you were discussing an exercise you created. It was a permutation of the spider exercise except you had a very unique way of doing it. - for dexterity and control. Shot in the dark?love that song.. Do you happen to remember what I’m referring to?