I Want to be more Active Here on SGS

[Andrew Fernandes]

I just watched, syns and ricks live video. It really inspired me. I feel like I need to be more active at the sg school. I just lack motivation sometimes, I have been working on my motivation with a psychologist as I suffer from some issues from mental health. Sometimes I see posts with various users and comments even, I feel a bit overwhelmed when it comes to reading the long paragraphs. I think I missed something from Jaks homework post I think, which is bad I think I missed something really important and exciting. I’m now going to try really push myself to be more active in the school. I also find I may be a bit apprehensive commenting sometimes, as my guitar theory and playing ability could be a lot better and knowledgeable.
Does anyone have any tips on being more active at the school?

 

[Jak Angelescu]

There is so much to acknowledge in this post. But don’t let this paragraph response overwhelm you Just take a deep breath and read it. First of all, I’m super happy to know that the video inspired you. That’s what it’s suppose to do. But Andrew in all seriousness, I think you need to find a better direction of motivation, or actually zone in on what your motivation is. There have been plenty of times I’ve spoken with you privately where I can see that you seem to be on a journey of finding “self worth” and you look for your sense of self worth by whether or not you are “good enough” in someone else’s eye. You have your YouTube channel and your covers, which ultimately, is not you. I’m giving my tough love here. It’s not YOU. Your YouTube channel is nothing but an entertainment channel based off of another artist. And your covers are ultimately the same thing. You’ve expressed your concerns to me numerous times about when someone insults your YouTube page or your covers. These are the two biggest things that listeners have something they can compare it to (example: Someone else’s cover is better, you play nothing like Syn or this person’s YouTube page of their content is better).
You have nothing that represents YOU. I really hope you start finding your OWN voice as a musician.
I had a conversation with Syn and normally I don’t talk about our conversations but I think this holds a LOT of merit and needs to be said and you should know who it came from because since you idolize him so much, I hope you take it to heart more. In the conversation, I expressed my worries to him that I can’t keep up with the demands and requests of people and I was worried if I didn’t, I would lose respect from him, PG and the school community. He told me, “Fuck that shit. This school is for YOU. If you want to go dark and not respond to people and focus on your own work, then do it. If you feel happy about commenting and wishing people luck or helping them, DO IT. If you need to voice your frustrations about life on the forums, DO IT. This school is for you, and ONLY you, however you see fit.”
If you don’t respond or comment or post, no one hates you. But if you’re looking to get better it’s the BIGGEST thing that will help! As far as my homework assignments go, they are there at YOUR leisure and can be completed whenever you wish! They’re just a motivational tool to help students stay focused.
Syn has said it numerous times that he himself has learned a lot from beginners. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t that good with theory or if you feel your playing is terrible. I have learned the biggest life-changing techniques from two beginners on here. And sometimes they give me amazing MENTAL advice as an approach to practicing. EVERYONE HERE has something they can offer. And believe it or not, you may think you don’t contribute a lot but you do. You participated in the birthday video, you participated in the testimonial video, and you are ALWAYS giving other students praise which is so desperately needed when we feel low. You give great feedback. I don’t care what you say.
You do have MOTIVATION because the WILL is there, the problem is enacting on it. I hope your therapist is helping. As I know mental struggles are hell to deal with. But I’m here for you and so is this entire community. We all love you.

 

[Andrew Fernandes]

Thanks, Jak. I am doing now like a reggaeton song. So far it has like a little bit of guitar but I plan to add more after. It is my original song. I like a7x but I also have a very eclectic taste in music and was inspired by Enrique Iglesias. I was originally going to do like a metalcore song like a7x but thought let me make something that is easier to make and that everyone will like. Btw I’m doing this track at the mental health charity studio called keychanges. So I working with another artist also. Thanks for reminding me about the other stuff I have done in this community, I shouldn’t have forgotten about those things. My original plan when I started the youtube was to branch out into covers once I had gained a following, but your right that’s not my own stuff. I did manage to read everything I hope I answered back best as possible.

 

[Andrew Fernandes]

If you wanna listen to my Enrique Iglesias inspired track its here. My acoustic melody riff was inspired by chapter four I asked the artist I was working with and he said its different from chapter 4 so I think I didn’t copy it.

 

[Calvin Phillips]

Hey Andrew. I hear you. And I have some suggestions for you.
1. Maybe a small break helps. I’ve gone back and forth my whole 12 years playing. Nothing wrong with stepping back you may end up missing it more then you think.
2.jak suggests being more original. If you’re having issues being creative I might be able to help. I feel people think they need to over complicate music when writing a song.i can give help there if youd like.
3. Stop the covers all together. I barely play covers myself. Learn what you’re habits are. Trust me it wont take long to find your comfort level. Then just jam. Dont think about it. Just hit record and jam and listen back. Youd be surprise the riffs you create.
4. Lots to do here. I mean our projects die fast but theres so many to jump on. The last one was videos of whatever it died down and now we got the homework thing. I’d jump on it. Theres so much to do here. Just gotta look around
I hope you start feeling better soon.

 

[idssdi]

My ‘trick’ so to speak to be more active really is simply go to the forum and hit subscribe. If you do that you get an email every time a new forum topic is started which makes it easier for you to keep up with new stuff.
Also, you are a pretty good guitar player so I’m sure you can help some people out here!