I find all sorts of songs I want to learn, and learn a little bit of them, then get distracted and don't finish it up most of the time. Sometimes I actually get it done all the way. It is better if I do. Then I typically add to my abilities. Having learned the set list for my last little band project really helped me gain some confidence, and improve what I could do. I did not learn every song note for note, but at least I learned the structure and key licks, and was then able to play the songs start to finish, while making them my own a bit.
Now that that project is done for now, my guitar time has again fallen a bit back into fits and starts on songs that interest me, other than keeping up on the set list for when I hope the band picks it up again in the fall. I think to focus, I need upcoming performances, or at least regular jams with others, where I need to be prepared. Just like athletics, it helps if I have at least a citizen level race or event to prepare for. Otherwise, focus is hard to come by.
EDIT: Yeah, like Eric said in his last paragraph in the post above this. Fully agree.
Steve Thompson
Sun Valley, Idaho
Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat, Squier CVC Tele Hagstrom Viking Semi-hollow, Joshua beach guitar, Martin SPD-16TR Dreadnought
Amphs: Peavey Classic 30, '61 Fender Concert
Effects and such: Boss: DS-1, CE-5, NS-2 and RC20XL looper, Digitech Bad Monkey, Korg AX1G Multi-effects, Berhinger: TU100 tuner, PB100 Clean Boost, Line 6 Toneport UX2, Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi, DuhVoodooMan's Rabid Rodent Rat Clone, Zonkin Yellow Screamer Mk. II, MXR Carbon Copy Delay
love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. . .
- j. johnson