My dad was a computer scientist, and he would ask me sometimes to be “his janitor…”
Of course, I was puzzled, so I asked what that meant…
Imagine, if you will, that it’s 2:00 in the morning, and you’re at the computer lab working on a problem that you haven’t been able to solve for hours…
Finally, you decide to take a walk down the hall to the vending machine for a quick drink and a snack, and along the way you run into the janitor who is cleaning up for the following day.
He says, “My, you are certainly here late tonight, everything alright?”
And as you begin to explain to the janitor the problem you are trying to solve, the solution presents itself in a flash and all of a sudden you know exactly how to solve it!
Now, having done a few computer classes over the years I can relate… but I can relate better using music…
And you know what will show you the answer to your problem better than anything? (I know you know what I’m going to say, don’t you?)
Counting.
Yep… counting.
Not sure if you’re playing something right? Record yourself playing and counting it slowly and listen back to the recording… it should be obvious.
But in case it’s not, I talked about it yesterday, live on the social media and you can watch this video of it:
15 replies to "The Janitor Story"
Great counting starter lesson should be in your lessons. I’m going to give it a try! Up to now I have a problem with counting out load and playing at the same time. if I count out loud I forget what I am playing. Why, I don’t know! I played in the high school band and all I remember doing was taping my foot and listening to the drummers! I Like your father’s story about the janitor! I have experienced that many times in my work having a problem, then going home from work and going to sleep and at 2 o’clock in the morning and the solution to my trouble shooting electronic problem would pop in my head! Went to work the next day and fix the problem! Great video!
Thanks Griff, I need to work on my timing. I’m really enjoying Blues Unleashed. Even though I’m at the first stages it’s helping me to learn how to play.What more can I ask?
Enjoy the journey.
I hate counting. I hate metronomes– they make me nervous. However, I can’t dispute the need for either!
My Dad was a programmer without a degree . He had a mind for math . Just saying . From a early age my brothers and I would listen to the Beatles a lot . I would have a single drum stick and a thick hard bound book and would keep a beat . My brother Scott started drumming in his youth and I would play guitar along with him. Some would say we sounded like a entire band . I am not saying I do not count but for some it does come naturally . Tapping the foot works . I am guilty I do not and have not counted aloud .
I try not to fight counting anymore because as you know you are correct. If I’m having an issue with anything and I take the time to count it out the problem gets solved. Please keep saying this Griff because for some reason it has not become my natural tendency yet? So thanks for the reminder!
Hey Griff
Good lesson on counting ,think i have wrote before i hate counting lol but i do it and it has helped me so much when doing different time signatures. I have most of your courses but still wondering if all access would be worth it for me as i am getting access to what i all ready have except the live content is there an advantage to all access over just having the courses i’m missing the building blocks lol BTW I love the courses has really changed the way i look at guitar playing it has become fun and not such a chore to practice new ideas, so if your reading this it really makes a difference thats why Griff is the teacher and I am the student keep up the good work TEACHER and keep them coming
John
Griff rocks !!
your side comments are very funny. You do seem to get distracted easily with the Facebook and YouTube, but nevertheless your comments are very funny and keep the whole thing human. Great!
Who doesn’t? 😉
Griff you keep referencing you live chats on social media. How do I get alerted to those??
Thank you.
Me too?
Following
Become a member of Griff’s ALL ACCESS which gives you access to everything in his BGU course catalogue, it also allows you to get on his live feeds (YouTube and FB) every week. Look for the details on the Course Catalogue page at Blues Guitar Unleashed . You’re welcome.