wrentheseedling

Both these songs were really tough for me this week. But at least I got them both up to 75%. Got to say I feel like I mostly cheated on the rhythm one. Couldn't figure out all the G chord changes, so I played straight G chords which sounded find. Doesn't sound too bad if I boil it down to a G C and D chord. Maybe if I get a little more time this week I'll be able to kick it up a bit more. I just keep focusing on the lead, because I still can't get that first riff right. Proudly failing and improving. --Wren

Trying the Monkees lead and I need some help here, can't get my speed past 85. How do you guys go between the C and the F? Are you just fretting both notes or do you move your pointer finger between the two notes? Sad when I'm more comfortable with the hammer ons then on moving my finger one string. But it seems to need to move between the two strings accurately or just fret them both. And my hand doesn't like to hammer on while holding both. So which method are you guys using?

Doesn't have to be your favorite music to play or listen to. Just someone with skills or someone that inspires you. Got thinking about this topic when flipping through Stevie Ray Vaughan stuff. Great player don't listen to all that much of his music regularly but every time I do I'm impressed. Then I ran across a clip of him handling a broken string. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIFdMbhCa94 So who's skills keep you coming back? --Wrenth

Alright here's my last Lola work this week. Next week I should have my bass back. My power chords are killing me from this, but my transition between strings got a lot better. I see lots of being crappy left to go in my future. Seeing my wife laugh as I drop the f-bomb thirty times while practicing a song or when I'm yelling at my fingers to stretch a little further you lazy b-ches is worth it. Got both lead and rhythm over the 90% mark! Hooray for feelings of self accomplishment. Now to rock out on mary had a little lamb. Thanks for keeping this thing going guys! --Wrenth

Whelp, 10 point jump on the lead and nearly a 1 point jump on rhythm. Hopefully I get some more practice on friday and be able to take both of them over the 90% mark.

Alright so two guitars and a bass. The bass is a Yamaha that's currently at the shop for some fret work and getting a new nut. And yes it's one of those guitars that I've spent more on parts and repairs than I paid for the bass itself, but I'm told we all blame things on sentimental value from time to time. The guitars are my first guitar, a Yamaha pacifica 112j. And one I got because it just felt great in my hand and had a tone I liked without breaking the bank, a squier classic vibe 50's model. --Wren

Well, I like that I'm getting a ton of practice on power chords. I figure neither of these scores are that bad for a beginner on their first day of practicing a song they've never heard before. I'm to the point on lead where I can play each section individually at 100%, but the transition between them keeps catching me up. Lots of fun learning this stuff guys. I really do appreciate the Championship, great way to focus on a single song for a week. Alright so Lead, Transitions definitely bringing me down. But after practicing the lead part so much it makes the rhythm side much much easier. --Thanks for the Extra Motivation to all Participants and Organizers! ---Wren

Well I got it a little better with practice, I think I've played this song enough to make myself sick at this point. I remember the original sweet dreams are made of this song, and marilyn manson's singing is kinda like listening to fingernails on a chalk board to me. Too bad because it's got some nice riffs in it. Where's the mute button . . . But here it is for what is worth.

I've been playing for about 4 months now, I definitely consider myself a beginner. Some songs are easier for different people as well. I started with a couple websites and a couple books then picked up the rocksmith. The songs I've had "luck" with so far (better than 80%): Lead Incubus - I miss you Billy Idol - Mony Mony (Thank You Championship for getting this one in my list!) Blitzkrieg Bop - Ramones Birdhouse in Your Soul - They Might be Giants Rythm Black - Pearl Jam Three Little Birds - Bob Marley Lucky for me I've been playing music for 30 years now, just recently starting guitar though. The more you play the more familiar you will get with the instrument as well. When I started out when something said it was on the 9th fret, 8 or 10 notes would go by before I found it. Now I find my frets with a glance and from time to time without looking at the fretboard. So I think a lot can be said for practice to get familiar with the instrument. Finger Warm Up 1 and Finger Warm Up 2 - both CDLC under the artist You, have been great. I only use them in the riff repeater and I turn it down to 10 speed (or lower) and let it go up in increments of five. Hope any of that helps, again I'm just starting out myself.

Song feels much easier for me this week, now to try to squeeze another 5-ish % out before the end of the week.

I use a gibraltar drum throne personally, got it pretty cheap and it's pretty comfortable if I'm sitting with either my guitar or bass for an extended period. I don't use a back support on it, but they do sell one that attaches to most of their thrones.

Guess the image would help . . . https://imgur.com/a/6kT7h

Well I figured I'd give this a try since I'm just beginning my guitar journey. Suprisingly enough I started this week only being able to get 14%.