Music Study Journal: Three Month Review

I’m about three months into my two-year music study plan. Feels like a good time to reflect on it.

It’s taken around 8 weeks of semi-regular practice, but I’ve made some headway in my sight reading exercises. I can now – at most tempos – read and play up to eighth notes in the fifth position on the guitar. (3/4 and 4/4 meter.) Tonight, I started looking ahead and practicing some simple sixteenth note exercises. I know, this is some basic stuff. Go ahead and chuckle. 

I’ve finished two books on music theory and feel like I’ve got a solid grasp on the fundamentals: key signatures, intervals, scale modes, chord construction, etc.

I’m also focusing on composition and I’m halfway through one of two books on the subject.

For recording purposes, I’ve been using Garageband and Logic Express and I’m starting to feel comfortable with them. Maybe in the next few months I’ll have something I can upload to Soundcloud and share.

I’ve been spending a great deal of time on ear training. Specifically, intervals such as minor thirds, perfect fifths, sixths, etc. I’ve been incorporating some solfegé for voice – which helps – but it’s been frustrating. Progress has been s-l-o-w.

Overall, it’s been a unique and exciting experience returning to my roots in music. I’m more focused and intentional than I was in my youth. Maybe it’s because I’m older, but I don’t mind the mental and physical roadblocks that come up, and when I overcome them, I cherish the results that much more.

I’m thankful to Our Lord for the progress I’ve made so far.