Leaderboard

Ok so more done today. I've been sanding the wood back down again - going from a 220 to a 400 to a 600. The instructions with my guitar said that was fine enough for this stage. I then started to cut out the pick guard with a mix of the jigsaw and some hand saws. Unfortunately the WD40 I was using as a cutting lubricant was slowly dissolving the pen'd outline to the shape, in the end I had to call it a day. I'll have to reattach the pickguard to the metal sheet and draw round it again.

I'm using the Hercules ones with the wooden bases, one of them has had my McIlroy hanging from it for 13 years and no marks at all, the other has had a variety of instruments with all different finishes (including Nitro) and no marks on those either, i'm using the Hercules floor stands as well which have the same materials with no marks. I did bin the supplied screws and fit with good quality anchors and they've held up to everything including my 1970's P-bas which weighs the same as a small planet. Hercules wall hanger Matt

Good advice from all above, the only thing I would say is that for me playing along to a metronome is slightly less boring than watching paint dry. Playing along with drums can make things a bit more interesting, plenty of free apps available on the t'internet. Also playing along with songs can be good as this will also work your 'ear' as you find the key and how to fit the licks.

I agree with Dad3353, control and quality of playing is more important than speed. So yeah, slow it down, work on your notes, get control of the piece and then play slightly faster until you make mistakes. Once you make a mistake, stick at that speed for a while until you get control again.

The fastest way to build up speed is to slow down. Get a metronome (or similar 'app' type of thing...), and play the licks, scales, runs etc at a comfortable speed. Every week, turn the metronome up 5 bpm, rinse and repeat. Do not try to play fast. Play at a regular speed, and increase it slowly. That's the fastest, and most sure-fire, way to build up speed. Disclaimer : a medium-sized bucket of Patience is required; it helps a lot. Renew whenever it runs out (as I suspect it might ...).