Jen

April 26: Sing-along

Mountain king went much better today. Not a high score, but better than yesterday. (Not a high bar, tbh)

I only played two of my songs today, Get to Know You and the ballad. My son sang along with me for the first (I knew he knows the words because it’s one of his bedtime songs) and my daughter sang along with me for the second.

I didn’t realize she knew so many of the words? Like, the chorus is easy. That’s the whole point of the song, that the chorus is easy and gets stuck in your head. But she knew some of the verses.

So that was pretty cool.

April 27: Rhythm

When I was first learning an instrument in grade 7, the teacher evaluated our rhythm, if we wanted to play drums.

I didn’t want to play drums, thankfully, as my rhythm was atrocious.

It has gotten a lot better. I paid attention to it during my 3 songs and I was able to keep the rhythm throughout, much to my delight.

I played Cody Simpson’s La Da Dee for the first time in a long time and it made me so happy.

The kids danced and sang the entire time I played today. My son even pulled out the xylophone.

I love the atmosphere we’ve created of positive music influences. It’s great.

April 28: New challenge

There was a new challenge in my app. I don’t always do the weekly challenges, but this one looked interesting. I actually did pretty well! Not amazing, but I’m happy.

Then I played sugar plum fairy and mountain king. I did decently on both of them.

I played all three of my songs and my shoulder started complaining at the end of the ballad. Sigh.

April 29: Tiktok premiere

I made a Tiktok video! My very first! And it’s the chorus of my ballad, so if you want to hear it, check it out!

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLGdABTN/

Also, my husband asked me to explain the rhythms of my songs to him, so I need to figure out how to write those down.

April 30: Duet

Today was super fun and complicated.

My husband and I sat down together and played my songs together.

Please note, I don’t know how to properly write rhythms.

So I had to spend most of the time explaining my rhythms and counting strums because I don’t have them written down.

It was still a lot of fun to play songs that I wrote with someone else.

May 1: Had fun

I played a bunch of different songs today from my books. My son decided what to bring me for my practise session today, so it was mostly Disney stuff.

And then I made another Tiktok!

I introduced my guitar and my son, sorry, I mean the Doctor.

You can check it out here:

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLGoWy7P/

Of course I also played my songs. I’m getting a weird buzzing when I play “Get to Know You,” so I’m going to have to figure that out.

April 20: Too much

I was too enthusiastic during the ballad. My shoulder hurts a bit more today.

But my kids were dancing and singing along with me.

That’s a good excuse, right?

April 21: Do I know what I’m doing?

Spoiler: I don’t.

I did one of the app challenges this week. It was chords. I forget how exacting this app is for chords. My fingers hurt a bit.

Then I did Sugar Plum Fairy and Mountain King. I did… Alright.

Then I tried Get to Know You in a couple different ways. It’s starting to sound wrong and I don’t know what to do about it.

April 22: Changes

I mostly played Get to Know You today, trying to figure out the additional chords. I ended up removing most of them… They just didn’t sound right.

I practised mountain king through the app. Meh. Could have been better.

I played the wedding song and the ballad, trying to pay attention to dynamics. I should maybe consider writing those down…

April 23: Discordant

I had a lot of trouble with mountain king today. I played it twice, hoping that would help. It didn’t.

Then I played my songs, while my daughter accompanied me on the soprano ukulele.

I honestly thought she’d get bored after one song.

She didn’t. She played all 3 with me.

Which is great. I love that she’s so into music.

But she doesn’t play chords or anything… It’s just strumming.

So it ends up being cacophonous discordant accompaniment.

I consider it training my ear to not listen and sing what I know are the notes. I definitely need the practise.

April 24: Feeling better

Mountain king was as difficult as ever. So frustrating.

I played Get to Know You and the wedding song. They both sounded good.

My son requested Disney music after that and I played a bunch from one of my books.

I actually ended up playing for about half an hour and my arm didn’t hurt at all!

And then I tripped coming up the stairs and jarred my arm again… Hopefully I didn’t hurt it too much. I’ll know tomorrow.

April 25: Beginner vs intermediate

Mountain king didn’t go well today. I don’t know why. Lowest score in a while. Bleh.

I played all three of my songs today. I need an allergy pill. My voice was all over the place. It’s kinda hilarious.

I played Get to Know You multiple times; intermediate, beginner, intermediate again. The beginner sounds way too easy and a little weird now. It’s kinda funny.

Makes me glad that I decided to make a version that was a little more complex.

Oh, and yeah, my arm hurts again. Trust me, I’m annoyed with myself.

April 14: Almost

I almost beat my high score on mountain king. I’m so close!

I played Get to Know You. There’s something off about the chords. I’m not sure what it is. I’ll figure it out eventually.

I then played The Rose. I love this song. It’s fairly easy to play and I know the tune really well, so even though I haven’t played it in months, it sounded great. IMHO.

Oh! And I have good news! I signed the contract for Crushing It to be published by Renaissance Press! Get to Know You will be out in the world in spring 2023!!!

April 15: Harumph

I played a very little bit today, not even bothering to set up my music stand.

It is very difficult to play from the learning app with my phone on my knee. I didn’t do very well, but that was to be expected.

I know Get to Know You well enough to be able to play without my sheet music, even with the added chords.

I think the first verse is better without the added chords, and that bothers me, because it feels unfinished. (For the intermediate version. It’s fine for the beginner version.)

Bah. I don’t know.

April 16: Yeah no

We had family over for most of the day, plus a bbq shopping fiasco, so guitar playing was not done.

I completely forgot about it.

April 17: I played!!

I actually played today!

I did mountain king… I did okay.

I played Get to Know You, both the beginner and intermediate versions. I’m still undecided on the extra chords.

I even played the wedding song! (What?) My shoulder hurt a bit after that, but not too much, so I didn’t push it too far.

That one, I feel almost confident enough to record. But not the first one.

Maybe I’m overthinking it.

April 18: Shake it off

I played a little more than I should have, but Pegasus was jamming along with me and we were having fun.

I played Mountain King and did very well, score-wise, somehow.

Then I played Get to Know You and the ballad (at Pegasus’s request).

And then I played a bunch from the new guitar book.

My arm doesn’t hurt too badly now (although it did right after playing). I think that’s an improvement?

April 19: Fun

I played all my usual practice session today!

That means mountain king (which I got almost a high score on, somehow), my 3 songs, and the French song!

It was nice to play the full set again.

I may have pushed it a little far.

I don’t want to physically suffer for my art.

But my kids were both singing along with me and it’s hard to stop when that happens.

Apr 8: Cacophony

I was on hold for work while I practised my guitar today.

So that was… Grating.

I played mountain king first. I got gold stars on the first part (again, but I haven’t been able to in a while). I also did better on the second two parts than I have in the past little while, so I feel very accomplished.

I tried the new chords on Get to Know You. I’m unsure about them still, partially because of the hold music. So I’ll try again tomorrow.

Then I played the wedding song. I definitely hold my shoulder stiffer on this song (not even mentioning the ballad) and I need to be more careful with that.

When I stopped playing, my shoulder hurt a lot, but it’s been almost two hours since then and it’s back to its low level of pain.

Apr 9: Feel the burn

I was perhaps a little ambitious.

I played sugar plum fairy and mountain king from the app. No high scores, but I’m very happy with how well I did.

I played Get to Know You a bunch of times, fiddling with the chords on the verse. I think I’m happy with what I’ve got. I’ll know better tomorrow.

I then tried to play the wedding song with a more relaxed arm. I mostly succeeded… It translated into playing it a little slower than I should’ve, so that’s frustrating.

And I played the ballad for the first time in a week or so. I did not succeed in keeping my arm relaxed. My muscles ache now. Hopefully it’ll feel better soon.

Apr 10: Accompaniment

I had enthusiastic accompaniment for my practising today.

Pegasus pulled out the xylophone and then Dragon requested permission to play the soprano ukulele. Both of them were very quiet while I tuned and did the app song challenge, which is better than I had expected while they had instruments in front of them.

Then they played and sang enthusiastically along with me throughout both Get to Know You and the wedding song.

I’m so glad they have a love of music.

I look forward to them being able to read it.

Apr 11: Ten minutes

I had a very short practice session today because we had a meeting with our publisher for Assassins! Accidental Matchmakers.

So I didn’t play from my app. I didn’t set up my music stand.

I played Get to Know You from memory, including the chord additions.

It sounds pretty good, if I do say so myself.

Apr 12: Satisfied

I played for about half an hour today. My shoulder doesn’t hurt worse than before I started, so I’m taking that as a win…

I played mountain king. Not very well, though. Lots of mistakes.

I tried playing standing up for my first song.

Let me preface by saying that I’m falling apart; my back hurt more and my shoulder also hurt. Sooooo I’m not going to do that again for a while.

I replayed Get to Know You while sitting down. It worked much better! I even worked out the bonus chords. I think there’s two versions of this song, tbh. The one that Tommy plays initially, when he’s had no time to go over the chords and figure them out, and the one that he embellishes on when he’s older. Beginner and intermediate. I’ll make both.

I also played the wedding song and the ballad. They both went well. I’m really happy with how they sound.

Apr 13: New music

I played a little more than I should have today.

I started off with mountain king. That was frustrating.

Then I played Get to Know You. I’m not happy with one of the chords. I’m not sure how to fix it right now. Hopefully something will occur to me tomorrow.

We ordered new music books the other day and they came in last night.

I’m not sure what they mean by “really easy” because there are numerous songs in this book that I cannot even hope to play. The chord choices suck in some cases. And it’s practically impossible to read.

I don’t recommend.

That being said, there were some songs that were super enjoyable to play. I especially liked “Can’t Stop This Feeling.”

Apr 2: Nope

Too much pain in my shoulder today. I couldn’t lift my arm so I thought it was wise to not aggravate it further.

I did put a heat pack on it and that helped somewhat.

Apr 3: Short

I played for about fifteen minutes today.

My shoulder still hurts, but nothing like yesterday.

I played two songs from the learning app. I did okay on them.

Then I played my first two songs. I decided not to play the ballad because it’s got a LOT more strumming and I hold my shoulder with more tension than I really should.

Apr 4: Slow recovery

My shoulder is feeling better, but not even close to 100%.

So I played mountain king (with great success. Not a complete pass, but I’m very happy with my progress) and my first two songs.

Apr 5: Pretty

My shoulder still aches, so I did minimal practising today.

Mountain king did not go as well as yesterday. Very frustrating.

My songs sounded really pretty though.

I’m thinking of adding some chords to Get to Know You. Not the version that my character plays, obviously, since he’s making it up on the fly, but to the “professional” version. I find it very repetitive right now, with just C chords. So I’ll try mixing it up a bit and see what happens.

Oh, and irl news; last night I was poking about on the internet and I found the pre-order link for Assassins! Accidental Matchmakers on Indigo!! (For those of you not in Canada, that’s our national bookstore chain.)

I’m not sharing the link here yet because there’s no cover on it, and no ebook version available yet, but it’s there!! In print!

I knew it would be exciting, but I didn’t expect it to feel quite this overwhelming.

I also found out, after talking to the publisher, that the cover reveal will be happening at the end of April*. There’ll be a virtual party. You’re all invited. 🎉

In light of how excited I am about seeing the pre-order, I’ll do another AMA about my book. So AMA! I want to talk about it!!

*Pre-launch party will be happening in August, not April. Details to come.

Apr 6: Another break

I’m sorry my posts are so boring this week. I’m trying really hard not to overwork my shoulder and yet it’s still hurting. 🙁

Apr 7: Back at it

I played for about ten minutes today and my shoulder is aching a bit.

I played mountain king first. I almost failed because my son grabbed the fretboard and that messed me up for way longer than it should have. I’m more annoyed with myself than him.

He knows that if he wants to play with my guitar, he needs to ask first. Two year olds. 🙄

Then I played Get to Know You. I messed about with the second verse, trying to figure out some different chords to insert into it. I pencilled some in. I’ll see what it sounds like when I play it tomorrow.

Then I thought I’d be okay to play the wedding song.

I probably shouldn’t have pushed it.

This is so frustrating.