Learning Brazilian Guitar › Forums › Introductions › Aloha, Anthony from Hawaii
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Hi! Im Anthony Maxfield, I’ve been playing guitar since I was a teen about 50 years. Its been an on and off Affair with a long break of 20 years while my wife and I raised our family.
I’ve never had any basic guitar training nor have I learned to read music. In my late twenties and early thirties, my wife and I would perform bossa nova music weekly at a small private club. I learned the Portugese lyrics(by ear)and Gwen would sing the English versions.
I fell in love with the Getz/Gilberto album and learned most of the tunes on that record. Also the movie Black Orpheus was a huge influence on me.
So, here I am 67 years old and I feel like I’m in Kindergarten!! I’ve been studying Renato”s site for 6 months and the more I study the less proficient I feel! I’ve gone thru most to the beginner’s level and thought I was doing well until I purchased a Beat Buddy drum machine. It has some great Bossa Nova and Samba drum patterns. Unfortunately I have found that my rhythm is horrible. So back to the beginning.
I have been familiar with many of the chords used in this style of music and learning the actual rhythm patterns has been a challenge. I would almost always lead with a bass note as opposed to sounding the chord and following with the bass. The attention to detail is something that is stressed in these lessons and is where I am find that I make the most improvement.
So, I have to improve my left hand dexterity in order to play the chords well as well as try to get some agility in my fingers to attempt the solo parts that are coming in the intermediate level.The same is true for my right hand ,I mostly pluck with 3 fingers and use my thumb for the bass. I’ve started with a book called Pumping Nylon as a way to improve my technique and gain some finger independence.
In summation, I’ve got a full plate and I’ll be busy a long time, At some point, I’d love to have a lesson with Renato, I’d just like to be in a place where I have some questions he hasn’t already fully explained on this fantastic website!
Below is a link?? to a xmas video we did in 2020 that illustrates my guitar playing and skill level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZP1NZvUzLYHi Anthony,
Beautiful life story! I could feel your passion for music while reading your post. Thanks for this!Your rhythm is not horrible. Perhaps you only need to get used to playing along with a drum machine.
To really feel comfortable with any kind of rhythm, we have to develop an internal feeling of tempo. It is as if we have a pendulum clock within us that allows us to not only count the beats, but also to feel them. Rhythm is movement, whether internal or external. We can have our bodies completely immobile and yet a universe is moving within us. The hands, the guitar, are just tools. Music lives somewhere inside. Open your mind, your heart, feel the rhythm as you walk, as you speak, the rhythm of the language, the rhythm of your heart.Watch this documentary when you have time. It is amazing.
Hi Renato,
Thank you for your kind words and the link to this excellent video. Wow! I loved watching it, I got up and danced! While dancing I had a revelation, and became immersed in the rhythm, just the feeling I needed to understand the samba and bossa in my playing.
I’m looking forward to the time when I will have my 1st lesson with you, thanks again for sharing your knowledge of this beautiful music.
Aloha, Anthony MaxfieldHi Renato,
Checking in to let you know that I’m still practicing every day! The lessons we’ve had have been very valuable to me and my playing is improving. I plan to start lessons again in the new year, there is so much to work on after each lesson, so I’ll continue with the 2 pack and space them with leaving a month in between for practice. Meanwhile I’m studying from your lesson plan and working on improving the songs we discussed during our lessons.
Hope all is well with you and yours, Aloha, Anthony MaxfieldHi Anthony, it’s good to hear from you!
That’s it, practice leads to perfection! I’m really happy that I’ve been able to help you with your playing, this is all I want when I teach my students. I look forward to talking with you again!
Hope all is well with you and yours as well!Aloha!
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