Hand Cramps

Well, I used up my extra hour (Daylight Savings Time) by playing Rock Band until way too late. Justin and I got it out earlier today, and he played drums, while I played guitar. Several months ago, I had worked my way through the solo tour on both Easy and Medium, but had to re-learn everything this afternoon. It comes back pretty quick, though. Justin had a blast on the drums, and caught on fast.

So, I figured it was high time I tried Hard. It turns out, Hard isn’t as hard as I thought it would be. Granted, I thought it would be impossible. I had seen people play before, and I have always idolized their immaculate fretting. I used to play the viola (way back when), and position changing was… you know… hard. But I had sheet music, so I could mark in the changes. In Rock Band, you don’t get sheet music. You pretty much have to sight read everything. And sight reading is… hard.

But yeah, it wasn’t as hard as I thought. I bluffed my way through the first three songs on the solo tour, then I met my nemesis: Mississippi Queen. That song is f*cking impossible. I practiced it for two hours in chunks, and at various speeds, and I still can’t play the darned thing. I even skipped ahead one song, and got through that one okay. But I can’t go any further until I beat Mississippi.

Now I have hand cramps, so I am going to bed. I will tackle this beast again in the morning! Any advice from seasoned shredders out there?