J
Jak Angelescu
Guest
Hello everyone...
As most of you know, I have been very quiet for the last three weeks taking some much needed time to myself. But with it going in to the new year, I couldn't keep a big achievement to myself and I'd love to finally pass it on to all of you.
I use to shun the Etudes. I use to frown upon students who did nothing BUT the etudes. Well, I actually scoffed at students who would blow their hands off obsessing over the etudes, ignoring the lessons, and wondering why they can't get the etudes right when they don't even know how to hold a pick properly. I'll admit I started to get bored with JUST the lessons and JUST improvising over backing tracks. So I conjured up a new practice routine that I have been sticking to RELIGIOUSLY and it has been paying off TONS. According to classical repertoire, you shouldn't spend anymore than 10-15 minutes doing warmups because you don't want to fatigue your hands before your actual practice begins. And just because I can't do the ENTIRETY of an etude, I have picked out certain measures I CAN do and work on that measure alone to practice it.
Each day, I have been learning a new section of a beginner etude, getting better with it, and learning the next one. At first, I could only do part of Alt Pick 1 and part of Eco Pick 1. Now I'm on a part of the first pentatonic.
Here's the kicker though...
I spend one hour doing my warmups, then I work on THOSE SMALL SECTIONS OF THE FIRST ETUDES I CAN DO, and I practice those over backing tracks and in different keys (like Syn says to do in his tips). Those are my TECHNIQUE practices. I now am better with sweeping, eco, alt picking, and more. Now when I go to practice my lessons and it's time to improvise, I now have both the techniques and the theory and fretboard knowledge under my belt. Let me tell you, my solo writing, song writing, improvisational and even KEY theory knowledge has improved dramatically combining those two.
Then I spend about an hour working on ACHIEVABLE songs I can nail in a week. Afterwards I practice my own music. I actually write better music.
Also, I have made it a point to go to a jam once a week this year. And I invite you all to do the same.
So this is what I would like to pass on to you all...
Don't be afraid of the etudes. If you need help finding a section of the etude that would be achievable for your level, reach out to me. Only pick ONE part of the etude, even if it's just one. Work on it, add it over different backing tracks. When you can comfortably play that exercise STANDING UP up to speed, add another etude technique section and keep building. Don't do more than that. Less is better. You don't want to overwhelm yourself. Do a warmup first, and don't beat yourself in the face over how long you do it. It can be one simple exercise. Just do it. Also, work the etudes in with the lessons. Practice the scales your taught utilizing the etude techniques.
Pick a SMALL amount of a backing track for you to write a solo and jam over. Less is better. You don't want to overwhelm yourself thinking you have to pull a Angel Vivaldi and shred over a 7 minute long song. If you need help with this, reach out to me. I can cut a sample of the song out you want and send it to you. This would be good for beginners. Write music. And stick with it. Find songs that are achievable with what you're learning (beginners, the 90's era is the perfect era for you to delve into) and practice them. Practice standing up. And lastly...
Find a jam band/house band you can go and sit in with. Every major city and second major city has SOMETHING. Don't whine about it being an an hour away (unless you can't drive or don't have a car). It will benefit you MASSIVELY. You need to get out there and play. Hell, I remember sitting in with a house band for blues out in Los Angeles and a guy came up to me and said, "You ever thought about being in an all-female band?" Sure he was a fucking weirdo creep, but the point is you never know WHO will be watching that night. Also, a majority of these cats love when people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities and gear get up there and have fun. So don't be shy.
Stop being stuck on your computer upset about not going anywhere with your music. Get your shit off of YouTube and out in the real world. The music industry needs it this year. This school has been up for two years now. It's time for us veterans to take the jump into the next stages. So many of you are amazing songwriters, or you would make excellent studio musicians. The world is yours....go grab it by the horns.
In other news... I'm doing better than I have ever been. Staying off social media has been amazing for me. I've had three people who have been helping me along this nasty roadblock: Holly, Rowan, and Syn.
Yes, even Syn. When Rowan posted that status on my behalf, I got a text about five hours later from Syn saying, "If you need to talk, I will carve time out for you." I took the opportunity and even with sick kiddos and such a busy schedule, he was so incredibly kind and helfpul as I spilled out my guts to him. It was a moment where halfway through I said, "I just realized I'm literally barfing my life's trauma on to my idol and I feel so fucking awkward." I was terrified of him and Rowan judging me. They both know the same shit as Holly now. And none of them judged me. I can't believe they both listened to every word. It really meant gold to me because I was fucking at my wits end. Rowan in turn sent me and Holly some amazing home harvested honey, and a fucking amazing letter I'll never get rid of. Syn gifted me a book he has read which he thought would be helpful right now. It was. I'm just about finished and it has changed my life.
If you can, pick up the book "Essentialism" By Greg McKeown. I had no idea how much time I was wasting on shit that didn't matter. I was always in a rat race trying to think 10 steps ahead. Please read it. It's been a life saver, especially going into the new year. I read every thoughtful lovely message from you guys. And if I haven't responded to your texts, messages, or emails, it's not because I'm mad at you. I absorbed everything. But I'm still on the downlow. You all are fucking great. I know this was long, but I couldn't think of a better time to write.
To Holly, Rowan, Syn, Papa, and you all... I give my heart to you. I will be an active musician with extreme music consuming my life. I hope you all find peace this year. Much love...
Jak
As most of you know, I have been very quiet for the last three weeks taking some much needed time to myself. But with it going in to the new year, I couldn't keep a big achievement to myself and I'd love to finally pass it on to all of you.
I use to shun the Etudes. I use to frown upon students who did nothing BUT the etudes. Well, I actually scoffed at students who would blow their hands off obsessing over the etudes, ignoring the lessons, and wondering why they can't get the etudes right when they don't even know how to hold a pick properly. I'll admit I started to get bored with JUST the lessons and JUST improvising over backing tracks. So I conjured up a new practice routine that I have been sticking to RELIGIOUSLY and it has been paying off TONS. According to classical repertoire, you shouldn't spend anymore than 10-15 minutes doing warmups because you don't want to fatigue your hands before your actual practice begins. And just because I can't do the ENTIRETY of an etude, I have picked out certain measures I CAN do and work on that measure alone to practice it.
Each day, I have been learning a new section of a beginner etude, getting better with it, and learning the next one. At first, I could only do part of Alt Pick 1 and part of Eco Pick 1. Now I'm on a part of the first pentatonic.
Here's the kicker though...
I spend one hour doing my warmups, then I work on THOSE SMALL SECTIONS OF THE FIRST ETUDES I CAN DO, and I practice those over backing tracks and in different keys (like Syn says to do in his tips). Those are my TECHNIQUE practices. I now am better with sweeping, eco, alt picking, and more. Now when I go to practice my lessons and it's time to improvise, I now have both the techniques and the theory and fretboard knowledge under my belt. Let me tell you, my solo writing, song writing, improvisational and even KEY theory knowledge has improved dramatically combining those two.
Then I spend about an hour working on ACHIEVABLE songs I can nail in a week. Afterwards I practice my own music. I actually write better music.
Also, I have made it a point to go to a jam once a week this year. And I invite you all to do the same.
So this is what I would like to pass on to you all...
Don't be afraid of the etudes. If you need help finding a section of the etude that would be achievable for your level, reach out to me. Only pick ONE part of the etude, even if it's just one. Work on it, add it over different backing tracks. When you can comfortably play that exercise STANDING UP up to speed, add another etude technique section and keep building. Don't do more than that. Less is better. You don't want to overwhelm yourself. Do a warmup first, and don't beat yourself in the face over how long you do it. It can be one simple exercise. Just do it. Also, work the etudes in with the lessons. Practice the scales your taught utilizing the etude techniques.
Pick a SMALL amount of a backing track for you to write a solo and jam over. Less is better. You don't want to overwhelm yourself thinking you have to pull a Angel Vivaldi and shred over a 7 minute long song. If you need help with this, reach out to me. I can cut a sample of the song out you want and send it to you. This would be good for beginners. Write music. And stick with it. Find songs that are achievable with what you're learning (beginners, the 90's era is the perfect era for you to delve into) and practice them. Practice standing up. And lastly...
Find a jam band/house band you can go and sit in with. Every major city and second major city has SOMETHING. Don't whine about it being an an hour away (unless you can't drive or don't have a car). It will benefit you MASSIVELY. You need to get out there and play. Hell, I remember sitting in with a house band for blues out in Los Angeles and a guy came up to me and said, "You ever thought about being in an all-female band?" Sure he was a fucking weirdo creep, but the point is you never know WHO will be watching that night. Also, a majority of these cats love when people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities and gear get up there and have fun. So don't be shy.
Stop being stuck on your computer upset about not going anywhere with your music. Get your shit off of YouTube and out in the real world. The music industry needs it this year. This school has been up for two years now. It's time for us veterans to take the jump into the next stages. So many of you are amazing songwriters, or you would make excellent studio musicians. The world is yours....go grab it by the horns.
In other news... I'm doing better than I have ever been. Staying off social media has been amazing for me. I've had three people who have been helping me along this nasty roadblock: Holly, Rowan, and Syn.
Yes, even Syn. When Rowan posted that status on my behalf, I got a text about five hours later from Syn saying, "If you need to talk, I will carve time out for you." I took the opportunity and even with sick kiddos and such a busy schedule, he was so incredibly kind and helfpul as I spilled out my guts to him. It was a moment where halfway through I said, "I just realized I'm literally barfing my life's trauma on to my idol and I feel so fucking awkward." I was terrified of him and Rowan judging me. They both know the same shit as Holly now. And none of them judged me. I can't believe they both listened to every word. It really meant gold to me because I was fucking at my wits end. Rowan in turn sent me and Holly some amazing home harvested honey, and a fucking amazing letter I'll never get rid of. Syn gifted me a book he has read which he thought would be helpful right now. It was. I'm just about finished and it has changed my life.
If you can, pick up the book "Essentialism" By Greg McKeown. I had no idea how much time I was wasting on shit that didn't matter. I was always in a rat race trying to think 10 steps ahead. Please read it. It's been a life saver, especially going into the new year. I read every thoughtful lovely message from you guys. And if I haven't responded to your texts, messages, or emails, it's not because I'm mad at you. I absorbed everything. But I'm still on the downlow. You all are fucking great. I know this was long, but I couldn't think of a better time to write.
To Holly, Rowan, Syn, Papa, and you all... I give my heart to you. I will be an active musician with extreme music consuming my life. I hope you all find peace this year. Much love...
Jak
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Glad to see back and kicking ass !
