...I've been focused on acoustic guitar. I just decided I was going to be a better acoustic player.
Been spending a lot of time developing new chord voicings, using open strings for color. Wanted to explore the neck more for interesting picking patterns. *
As a result, I've written 3 solo acoustic pieces I'm getting ready to record. 2 on 6 string one on 12 (plus a 12 string ditty I wrote some time ago.
I'm at the point, where I'm working fir "perfection" and that's an unattainable goal. So, I set up my mics and will now just record every time I play them. If I get a good take, I'm done.
Also, on acoustic I'm working on a solo jazz guitar version of Billue Holiday's "Am I Blue?" Counting the bridge, there are 27 distinct chords!
I also tuned my piano in December so I've been messing with a cocktail jazz version of Fur Elise.
Finally, I've gotten really into arpeggios in lead playing. So, when playing electric I'm focused on going up in one pattern and back down in another pattern. Plus, exploring sweep picking.
No real ambition or goal in mind. Just to get better & play more interestingly.
* One simple example.
Play a D major chord by;
1st string open, 2nd string 10th fret, 3rd string 11th fret, strings 4 & 5 open. The open E becomes a major 9th, but as the 3rd highest note.
Now, move down so the 2nd & 3rd strings are fretted at the 7th fret. Still have the open E, but now it's the 2nd highest note.
Now just play a regular D chord with E open. Still a major 9th, but with that 9th at the highest note.
As I go back to a D chord throughout a verse, I play the same chord, but it sounds different in all three places.
If playing an arpeggiated pattern, having the 9th move within the chord is really cool.
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