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Day One Hundred Forty Six

More Matthew Sweet today. This time, "Divine Intervention." He played it acoustically on that interview I watched yesterday, and while that didn't give me all of the gloriously intertwining electric parts that made the record, it DID give me a basic blueprint off of which I can try and decipher the electric parts should I wish to. There's so much to learn about constructing songs and layering parts from that album. In fact, between that and the Beatles complete scores, you could probably teach a master class. I'm exaggerating slightly, but the point is there just the same.

I ran a few more scales before work too. I'm trying to get my hand to loosen up, and trying to concentrate on breaking bad habits I've built up over 15 years. It's working. "Girlfriend" is helping break down some of those walls as well, helping stretch out my fingers when it comes to chording and reaches and the like. I need to stop my hand from tensing up when it comes to scales/lead playing. Lots of practice and familiarity will help that, I think.

Also, one of the cool things about working where I do is the ability to preview music before you purchase it. That being said, I checked out "Farmer's Daughter" by Crystal Bowersox tonight. It came out Tuesday. While the American Idol crowd isn't usually my scene, I've gotta say that the clips we have at work sounded pretty solid. A little "same" sounding in places, but not too bad. If I could find it cheap, I'd consider picking it up, I think. I'll say this for Crystal, she's got a hell of a voice, and I think that, if she stays true to herself and doesn't let the music business machinery get in the way, she could be around for some time.

I go in to work an hour earlier than originally planned tomorrow, which means I'm done sooner. Maybe that'll mean I can get to those backing tracks. We'll see what else comes up as well.

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