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 April 15, 2008 | FFcP Testimony
We like hearing when discipline and diligence pay off, especially in regards to some of the techniques taught on this site. Once in a while, we get feedback we want to share as encouragement for those who are just starting out, like this wonderful note from J.K.:
"I retired last August to live on an Island in Lake Superior, where my wife has lived and worked for the last ten years. It was time to put familly before career. I have played guitar for over 40 years and have been stuck in a kind of advanced intermediate range for at least the last twenty five years. During that time I have tried many times to move from a folk-acoustic fingerpicker to a jazz style player. The combination of career and remote location limited my time and resources so that I never really gained any fluency in the genre. In October I decided to learn to play a Kentucky mandolin that someone had given me along the way. I picked up some books and made pretty fast but basic progress until January.
It was then that I discovered your FFcP scales. I decided to test your promise that working with these for "a few months" would increase the mobility of my fingers. Three months later I am amazed at what I can play. Of course I have availed myself of many of your other resources now and am working on II, V7, I turnarounds and "Pentatonics for Jazz" but I still use the "Super FFcp" workout for at least twenty minites a day. The other day my wife, who has learned to ingore any musical sounds from me over the years, said" you sound really musical today, what are you playing?"
"A scale workout..."
Best compliment I have had in a long time. All I was doing was using the super warmup and changing some rythmic and dynamic emphases along the way.
When I approach new music now (I do read standard notation because I also play moderate piano} I am amazed at what is within reach of my fingers at first run through. I already have more fluency on the mandolin than on any other instrment I have played. I have a long ways to go, lots of time to practice, and a heart full of gratitude for you and this site. You have brought the world of Jazz to me even out on this little island.
Thank you,
J.K."
We live for feedback like this (thanks J.K.)! Feel free to share your story with us: Contact
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Posted by Ted at April 15, 2008 5:02 AM
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any fool with a computer, a modem, and an idea can
become a self-professed 'expert." This site does not
come equipped with 'discernment.'
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