I know I've been away for most of the time during the last few months, and I'd like to post this update on why that was. I know I've foregone most of my responsibilities here, hence this explanation.
During the summer holidays, I had to retake a few exams, which consumed most of my time back then. Afterwards, I moved to a new uni (the master course wasn't available at my previous uni), and both the process of moving to a new appartment and getting used to the organisational system at this new uni (or rather, the lack of it sometimes!) were rather time- and effort-consuming for me. Add another exam to that equation (I've just finished that one last Friday) and you know what I've been doing over the last few months that kept me away from UG!
As for now, I'm a bit more relaxed. There will be exams not very long from now, but I'm confident I can handle them, and have sufficient time to spare to attend to my UG duties. In short, I'm back!
Sad news... this is the last update I'm posting on newly featured chapters of the UGG, since the last one just got featured! Here is the UGG's epilogue, finishing the Guide off for good:
It's been an honour writing for UG, both for the Russian UG management and for the UG readers... I'd thank you all personally if I could! Thanks for sticking by me all the way through the creation of this Guide! It's been an experience, as much for me as I'm sure it was for you all...
After I got plenty of reactions on my "UGG: Interest check" blog, I've decided on an outline of upcoming chapters in the Ultimate Guide to Guitar. That's right, I am going to finish it, and I'm going to do it with the chapters that you've chosen.
Here is the chapter outline, which I decided on with the help of your numerous comments and suggestions:
Theory lesson on diatonic modes: there was plenty of interest for a lesson on modes. Some people say there are plenty other lessons already; but others claim that those lessons create a huge incomprehensible clutter... so, I'm planning to try and bring order into the chaos and make 2 articles on the diatonic modes: one theoretical and one practical lesson.
Theory lesson on modal chord progressions: the lesson I was most reluctant to write, but it seems to be the most wanted subject! It's going to be a hard one to write and I'm pretty sure it's going to take some time to get everything as accurate as possible (not to mention it's going to need proofreading, and lots of it) but I'll try to make the best of it. I'm going to pack the subject of modal progressions into a larger lesson, which also contains some info on changing keys mid-progression, etc.
Technique lesson on sweep picking: there's some interest for this lesson but not too much, since there are many good articles about this subject on UG already. However, I've always looked forward to making this one, and I'm confident that I can do better than the existing articles! (I wouldn't have bothered starting the UGG in the first place if I didn't...) So, I think I'm going to do this one as well, as the "finishing touch" to my guide.
So, this outline promises you 4 new articles in the UGG, which I will start uploading either next Monday (August 31st) or the Monday after (September 7th). I'm looking forward to seeing your reactions!
Thanks for the numerous comments on my interest check, you guys helped me a lot!
After a few months of absence (sorting out personal problems) I am back on UG, and contemplating finishing what I started almost 1 year ago: the Ultimate Guide to Guitar. Before I do this, however, I'd like to know from you guys what you'd like me to do, what you're interested in most...
So basically, like I said, there's only a few articles I had left planned out, all belonging to "Part IV: Advanced players":
Diatonic modes(2 theory articles)
Modal chord progressions(theory article, although I'm not too sure if I'm still doing this one)
Sweep picking(technique article)
I'd like to finish the UGG once and for all by completing these articles, but first I need to know if there's going to be an audience for them. That's why I'm asking you, the readers: which of the above articles would you like me to write most? Are you interested in an article on sweep picking more than you're interested in modal chord progressions? Or would you like to understand the diatonic modes above all else?
If as many people as possible could just comment on this blog and tell me which articles they'd like to see done the most, I'd be one step closer to completing my UGG. It's a guide for the public, after all, so the public should be able to decide what in there!
After I complete the remaining articles, I'm considering a total rewrite from Part I, Chapter 1 onwards... More information on this rewrite will follow once I've succesfully finished off the remaining articles. Check out this blog regularly if you want to stay informed!
I'm sorry to inform you that I won't be posting new UGG chapters this week and the next week. On Friday, I will take the first of 2 exams, the second one coming the Monday after... Therefore, I'll be studying until Monday next week (March 30th), and until then I don't have time to write more articles.
This is going to be the last break UGG is going to take, because after this I'll be posting the final stretch of articles all in a row, after which there will be no more UGG! So, stay tuned, we'll be finishing the Guide together before you know...
After yesterday's server problems, it looks like the forums are up and running again, and that the servers are going to be fixed for good. So, now that everybody is able to log in and rate and comment my articles again, I bring you the newest UGG: The Ultimate Guide to Guitar. Chapter III-5: Technique - Economy Picking
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