MrSamson
July 20th, 2000, 10:52 AM
I received this email the other day...and I removed all identifying information...and decided to bulk answer his questions here rather than reply and only one person receives the info....
Hey MrSampson. About a month and a half ago, I decided to pick up the guitar and
try it out (I am currently 15). I tried it out when I was about 12 and just got
too frustrated. I have grown from then :). Anyway, I just discovered this
amazing "realm of Stonedragon and MrSampson". So far his lessons and your guides
have helped me very much and it is extremely organized. I especially like how it
is seperated into the theory, drills, and music. Anyway, to my questions:
I already know your background on how you started playing from your website, but
I ONLY know that much. I was just wondering the time spans of your playing.
How long have you been playing?
I have been playing almost exactly 2 years...but don't tell anyone here in Portland that...I usually tell people I have been jamming for almost 4 years...and people believe it...I am getting to the point now where my playing abilities are such that 4 years is believable...I have found before that there are some people that prejudge how good/bad you are if you tell them you have been playing for a short amount of time...and they apply "average guitar player" playing progression abilities...but...honestly...I walked home with my Ibanez (first guitar) and practice amp 2 years ago...
When you started, about how often did you practice a day? (I know it may be hard
to estimate, because I usually break up my sessions to whenever I feel like it
during the day)?
I usually practiced a minimum of 2 hours a day...then after a month...I had met Stone...and he had given me some stuff to practice...and it went to about 4 hours a day...and then on peak days...even 8 at times...I have since toned things down...and now let life "things" interupt practice...and I don't get all upset about it...like I used too...especially with summer here...
BUT..as an absolute minimum...30 minutes a day...most of the time..that is with no amplification device at all..just straight up electric guitar...on these short days I will do the guitar fitness exercises...or scales...or a familiar song...doesn't matter...I just dont want fingers to forget about guitar....
How long did it take you to successfully surpass Lesson 1,2,etc.?
I am still on them...seriously...these lessons are up for constant review...ESPECIALLY THE ADVANCED THEORY LESSONS...I am not going to give you a timeline...that would be cheating you...without looking...to get comfortable with going between the open chords without effort and error...the magic "6 months"...someone told me...you make it through the first 6 months...you have made it through the hardest...most discouraging part...I cannot tell you how true it is!!!Keep with it baby!!!
Also, when do you think you will have the practice regimen and the other stuff
up online?
Well, there is both good news and bad news here...
the good news-->I now directly control the practice pages...I used to upload to Stone...and he uploaded the pages...we have cut out the middle man...and I am directly uploading to server...so, things should be faster...
and now..the BAD news-->I am going to take on a manual labor job starting Monday...so I will not have access to a computer for writing html code again until the end of August...BUT
as of now...the links for
1)My list of tab guitar books with reviews
2)learning to play guitar in the 21st century
These are both techniqually DONE...I am going to try and get those loaded up today...
AS for the practice regimine...that is my most requested link to finish...and for me...the most daunting...because I do some pretty intense stuff...cramming many things into a "session" of practice...
Anyway..this is my most intimidating link to start and finish...because I want it to be understandable...I have it currently loaded at another site...but no one could understand it now...it took me a while to explain it to stone...so...when I do that..i want people to be able to actually duplicate it...I am planning to tackle that when I hop back in the saddle at the end of August...and there is a lot of information to put there...(4 hours of guitar practice)...anyway...the exciting thing is it is going to be ever changing...like current songs I am trying to tackle...along with my CURRENT regimine...so...I foresee it as something that each person can visit and take what they need...not necessarily duplicate...it will not be very appropriate for the absolute beginner...
Sorry for bothering you, but Id appreciate a response if you have a chance.
Hey bro...no problem at all...I would also like to include links to other resources out there ... "MrSamson's guitar link favorites"...or something...that way some organization to direct people to the good sites out there can be accomplished....even if that means...(heaven forbid) venturing outside of Inside the Music... :)
Anyway...keep Rockin'!!!...hope this answers your questions....
Later,
http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/devil.gif
Hey MrSampson. About a month and a half ago, I decided to pick up the guitar and
try it out (I am currently 15). I tried it out when I was about 12 and just got
too frustrated. I have grown from then :). Anyway, I just discovered this
amazing "realm of Stonedragon and MrSampson". So far his lessons and your guides
have helped me very much and it is extremely organized. I especially like how it
is seperated into the theory, drills, and music. Anyway, to my questions:
I already know your background on how you started playing from your website, but
I ONLY know that much. I was just wondering the time spans of your playing.
How long have you been playing?
I have been playing almost exactly 2 years...but don't tell anyone here in Portland that...I usually tell people I have been jamming for almost 4 years...and people believe it...I am getting to the point now where my playing abilities are such that 4 years is believable...I have found before that there are some people that prejudge how good/bad you are if you tell them you have been playing for a short amount of time...and they apply "average guitar player" playing progression abilities...but...honestly...I walked home with my Ibanez (first guitar) and practice amp 2 years ago...
When you started, about how often did you practice a day? (I know it may be hard
to estimate, because I usually break up my sessions to whenever I feel like it
during the day)?
I usually practiced a minimum of 2 hours a day...then after a month...I had met Stone...and he had given me some stuff to practice...and it went to about 4 hours a day...and then on peak days...even 8 at times...I have since toned things down...and now let life "things" interupt practice...and I don't get all upset about it...like I used too...especially with summer here...
BUT..as an absolute minimum...30 minutes a day...most of the time..that is with no amplification device at all..just straight up electric guitar...on these short days I will do the guitar fitness exercises...or scales...or a familiar song...doesn't matter...I just dont want fingers to forget about guitar....
How long did it take you to successfully surpass Lesson 1,2,etc.?
I am still on them...seriously...these lessons are up for constant review...ESPECIALLY THE ADVANCED THEORY LESSONS...I am not going to give you a timeline...that would be cheating you...without looking...to get comfortable with going between the open chords without effort and error...the magic "6 months"...someone told me...you make it through the first 6 months...you have made it through the hardest...most discouraging part...I cannot tell you how true it is!!!Keep with it baby!!!
Also, when do you think you will have the practice regimen and the other stuff
up online?
Well, there is both good news and bad news here...
the good news-->I now directly control the practice pages...I used to upload to Stone...and he uploaded the pages...we have cut out the middle man...and I am directly uploading to server...so, things should be faster...
and now..the BAD news-->I am going to take on a manual labor job starting Monday...so I will not have access to a computer for writing html code again until the end of August...BUT
as of now...the links for
1)My list of tab guitar books with reviews
2)learning to play guitar in the 21st century
These are both techniqually DONE...I am going to try and get those loaded up today...
AS for the practice regimine...that is my most requested link to finish...and for me...the most daunting...because I do some pretty intense stuff...cramming many things into a "session" of practice...
Anyway..this is my most intimidating link to start and finish...because I want it to be understandable...I have it currently loaded at another site...but no one could understand it now...it took me a while to explain it to stone...so...when I do that..i want people to be able to actually duplicate it...I am planning to tackle that when I hop back in the saddle at the end of August...and there is a lot of information to put there...(4 hours of guitar practice)...anyway...the exciting thing is it is going to be ever changing...like current songs I am trying to tackle...along with my CURRENT regimine...so...I foresee it as something that each person can visit and take what they need...not necessarily duplicate...it will not be very appropriate for the absolute beginner...
Sorry for bothering you, but Id appreciate a response if you have a chance.
Hey bro...no problem at all...I would also like to include links to other resources out there ... "MrSamson's guitar link favorites"...or something...that way some organization to direct people to the good sites out there can be accomplished....even if that means...(heaven forbid) venturing outside of Inside the Music... :)
Anyway...keep Rockin'!!!...hope this answers your questions....
Later,
http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/devil.gif