Slackware64 13.1 on an HP Pavilion dv8000

My in-laws got a new laptop, so they wanted to know if we wanted their old one, an HP Pavilion dv8000 (ummmm, yes!). Yesterday I installed Slackware 13.1 on it. I expected to fight with the wireless and the graphics drivers. The drivers that are used automatically (kernel DRM?) work well for 2D stuff. 3D works somewhat. Not sure if that's a driver issue or the fact that the ATI Radeon Xpress 200m is nothing to write home about.

I was able to get the wireless working relatively easily. It uses a Broadcom chipset. I just had to follow these instructions to get the firmware for it installed. After that, it fired up just fine. Very impressive for something that used to be a major PITA.

There are still a few things I want to tweak, but the installation was surprisingly painless.

Exercise 7

OK, here's my attempt at playing Sweep Pick Mechanics Exercise 7. Obviously it lacks a bit in the smoothness department, but I was pretty pleased with how it turned out--on the first take, no less! I also have to roll my finger more consistently on the one barre pattern so that multiple notes don't sound. Progress!

I find it interesting, though, that there's only so many times I can play these exercises in a row before the law of diminishing returns kicks in. It seems that after a point, I actually start playing them worse. So, I just put the ol' guitar down for a bit and come back to it later.

On to Exercise 7

I'm working on exercise 7 in Sweep Pick Mechanics. It combines the first four three-string arpeggios you learn into one progression. Yesterday I mapped it out so I could make it clear to myself which arp went where. Today I've been working on playing it in the right order. I can do so . . . very slowly. Now it's just a matter of repetition to build up the speed.

First Recording

Well, here it is. The moment you've been waiting for. This is my first clip of me trying to play exercise 4 of Sweep Pick Mechanics. I have played it smoother and more fluidly than this, but this is the best I could get for now. I recorded it using TapeMachine on my HTC Desire phone. I edited (just for length, no other processing) and converted the resulting WAV into an MP3 using Audacity.

Exercise 4

For what it's worth, the signal chain looks like this: Jackson DK2M->modified BYOC OD2->Boss DD-6->Jet City JCA20H head->Jet City JCA12S cab

Minor Breakthrough?

I was playing my guitar unamplified last night whilst watching T.V. I was working on exercise 4 of Sweep Pick Mechanics. To my amazement, it actually sounded like I was sweep picking! I've been taking my time with this, making sure that I don't mess up the left hand fingering while also making sure I'm picking properly and not "cheating." Despite having two eyes, it's hard to watch both hands at the same time. Nevertheless, there seems to be progress! I need to post some clips . . .

Road to "Freaking Awesome"

I just picked up a new DVD from Metal Method called Sweep Pick Mechanics. I've always been interested in sweep picking but didn't know the ins-and-outs. At the end of introductory video, Dan Mumm (the author), says somewhat jokingly that if you consistently practice, in a year you'll be "freaking awesome." I don't know if anyone would ever call me that in regard to anything, much less sweep picking. So I decided I'd take him up on it. I'm going to resurrect my blog here to track my progress, including posting clips. Use the label "R2FA" (see the title of this post for an explanation) to follow along.

Here's the intro video I mentioned: