My top 10 in 2020
Talk about a dream, try and make it real.
And I’m back..
I started doing a top 10 list 5 years ago, but I took last year off, 2019, to re-evaluate. I wanted to make sure I was still doing the list for me, for the right reasons. When you wake up every day for 4 years with specific goals, you'll crave for some time off to just see where the day takes you.
In my year off I learned that I do more and feel better about my life with the list. Ambition can be frustrating if that energy isn’t beamed into the things that will make you feel like you're moving towards what you want to become. Or another way to put it would be, to do the things that you actually want to be doing every day. You have the energy, you want to get up every day and do, but with no plan, most of that vitality may go to waste, or to trivial tasks like emailing, eating bad food and in desperate times, watching terrible tv. Without my lists guiding light, I feel kind of frustrated and vulnerable to distraction.
A big recurring idea that I constantly thought about was 'balance'. I've tried to build a life where I have the freedom to do the things that I want to do, whatever it is. The issue is that you don't have a lot of restrictions, like a normal lifestyle may have. For instance I could decide not to work that hard on my business or not to work on it at all and to use that time to become a better rock climber. So now I'm . a way better rock climber, but uh-oh, I have a few less clients and am now stressed about paying bills. There's a million examples, but the point is, is that I thought a lot about values and balance. What is negotiable, what is not and where I want to spend time, where I don't etc. In previous lists I may have just thought about some cool shit I wanted to do, now I think more about building a balance lifestyle and building the skills that will make it all work,.
My final big thought during my year off was that, in recent years, I foolishly abandoned art. It's hard to admit that I USED to play guitar every day and I USED to take pictures and USED to make videos. We get older and abandon all these things that really matter. We don't see them as important endeavours or maybe that to let these thing go is natural. Well, that's a real tragedy. All humans are artists. There's art in everything and we just need to keep it alive and foster that desire to be creative. I'm getting back to it this year.
My final small thought, is that I missed being a bit vulnerable. Publishing what you want to do and who you want to become is hard (even if only a few people read this). I'm going to finish with the quote below.. I guess even in 1910 people everywhere were judging loudly from the sidelines and talking about what they did or what they will do. What matters most is to be in the arena. Be in it. Actually live the idea. It’s the hardest part...
Roosevelt in the year 1910, Paris France:
"Citizenship in a republic"
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.
And I’m back..
I started doing a top 10 list 5 years ago, but I took last year off, 2019, to re-evaluate. I wanted to make sure I was still doing the list for me, for the right reasons. When you wake up every day for 4 years with specific goals, you'll crave for some time off to just see where the day takes you.
In my year off I learned that I do more and feel better about my life with the list. Ambition can be frustrating if that energy isn’t beamed into the things that will make you feel like you're moving towards what you want to become. Or another way to put it would be, to do the things that you actually want to be doing every day. You have the energy, you want to get up every day and do, but with no plan, most of that vitality may go to waste, or to trivial tasks like emailing, eating bad food and in desperate times, watching terrible tv. Without my lists guiding light, I feel kind of frustrated and vulnerable to distraction.
A big recurring idea that I constantly thought about was 'balance'. I've tried to build a life where I have the freedom to do the things that I want to do, whatever it is. The issue is that you don't have a lot of restrictions, like a normal lifestyle may have. For instance I could decide not to work that hard on my business or not to work on it at all and to use that time to become a better rock climber. So now I'm . a way better rock climber, but uh-oh, I have a few less clients and am now stressed about paying bills. There's a million examples, but the point is, is that I thought a lot about values and balance. What is negotiable, what is not and where I want to spend time, where I don't etc. In previous lists I may have just thought about some cool shit I wanted to do, now I think more about building a balance lifestyle and building the skills that will make it all work,.
My final big thought during my year off was that, in recent years, I foolishly abandoned art. It's hard to admit that I USED to play guitar every day and I USED to take pictures and USED to make videos. We get older and abandon all these things that really matter. We don't see them as important endeavours or maybe that to let these thing go is natural. Well, that's a real tragedy. All humans are artists. There's art in everything and we just need to keep it alive and foster that desire to be creative. I'm getting back to it this year.
My final small thought, is that I missed being a bit vulnerable. Publishing what you want to do and who you want to become is hard (even if only a few people read this). I'm going to finish with the quote below.. I guess even in 1910 people everywhere were judging loudly from the sidelines and talking about what they did or what they will do. What matters most is to be in the arena. Be in it. Actually live the idea. It’s the hardest part...
Roosevelt in the year 1910, Paris France:
"Citizenship in a republic"
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.
The List:
1) The 6 - 30 Day Challenges:
It's funny how us humans want to add things or subtract things to our lives, but then don't. We're habit machines and for whatever evolutionary reason, we don't like to change our habits, even if they're bad for us. Even if they're killing us in fact. A 30 day challenge could be a great way to introduce new habits and in doing so, most likely force out the bads, without concentrating on the negative.
Last year I read Atomic Habits. If you you want to change anything in your life, you should read it.
I vow to do the following 6 - 30 day challenges in 2020. For each challenge I'll post a video and publish a journal of how it went.
It's funny how us humans want to add things or subtract things to our lives, but then don't. We're habit machines and for whatever evolutionary reason, we don't like to change our habits, even if they're bad for us. Even if they're killing us in fact. A 30 day challenge could be a great way to introduce new habits and in doing so, most likely force out the bads, without concentrating on the negative.
Last year I read Atomic Habits. If you you want to change anything in your life, you should read it.
I vow to do the following 6 - 30 day challenges in 2020. For each challenge I'll post a video and publish a journal of how it went.
a) Wake up at 5am for 30 days
I'm definitely a morning person, but 5am is bonkers. This is something I've wanted to do for awhile. I find that I'm really psyched in the mornings and always get a lot done. I tend to just eat terrible food and watch terrible TV after 9pm, so why not just trade those fat zombie hours for something that will bring me joy.
b) 100 Pushups / day for 30 days
Due to my work and travel schedule, I tend to binge and purge on fitness. In an attempt to stay fit at all times, so I don't lag when I get back into climbing objectives etc after some time away, I'm going to try the ancient, timeless, classic pushup/situp routine.
c) 100 sit-ups /day for 30 days
Above
d) 30 days of sobriety
Do you ever say "Meh, I'm not gonna drink tonight when I go out", but then you do cause you think it will be more fun and everyone else is doing it? I can admit that I do. That would all be fine and dandy, but I feel like alcohol can really zap my energy. Sometimes I even eat pizza and every once in awhile, get this, I wake up with a headache! I think alcohol has it's place and I really enjoy some beers with the lady, some fine wines with the family and even a whole night of debauchery with the lads, but I do feel like less would be more. In light of all that, why the heck not call it quits for 730 hours in a row (not counting).
e) yoga everyday for 30 days
Every time I do yoga, I proclaim "Oh hell yes! I'm doing this every day cause I feel greeeeaaat!" Then a bunch of days go by with nary a downward dog. I know I'll be in some weird places with no yoga mat and no room for doing it, but I can make this work for 30 days. I'm psyched!
f) Of trying to say 0 negative things
Recently I've noticed how much negative crap is coming out of my mouth. Socially, people want to commiserate with whatever you're bitching about, which just turns into a bitch fest and everyone's unhappy (go on Facebook and see!). There is always a positive spin and being negative is 100% a choice. Being happy or not is a choice. This is a bad habit of mine and I really want it to end. I'm going to journal every instance of negativity that comes out of my mouth for the 30 days and try to bring that daily count to zero.
I'm definitely a morning person, but 5am is bonkers. This is something I've wanted to do for awhile. I find that I'm really psyched in the mornings and always get a lot done. I tend to just eat terrible food and watch terrible TV after 9pm, so why not just trade those fat zombie hours for something that will bring me joy.
b) 100 Pushups / day for 30 days
Due to my work and travel schedule, I tend to binge and purge on fitness. In an attempt to stay fit at all times, so I don't lag when I get back into climbing objectives etc after some time away, I'm going to try the ancient, timeless, classic pushup/situp routine.
c) 100 sit-ups /day for 30 days
Above
d) 30 days of sobriety
Do you ever say "Meh, I'm not gonna drink tonight when I go out", but then you do cause you think it will be more fun and everyone else is doing it? I can admit that I do. That would all be fine and dandy, but I feel like alcohol can really zap my energy. Sometimes I even eat pizza and every once in awhile, get this, I wake up with a headache! I think alcohol has it's place and I really enjoy some beers with the lady, some fine wines with the family and even a whole night of debauchery with the lads, but I do feel like less would be more. In light of all that, why the heck not call it quits for 730 hours in a row (not counting).
e) yoga everyday for 30 days
Every time I do yoga, I proclaim "Oh hell yes! I'm doing this every day cause I feel greeeeaaat!" Then a bunch of days go by with nary a downward dog. I know I'll be in some weird places with no yoga mat and no room for doing it, but I can make this work for 30 days. I'm psyched!
f) Of trying to say 0 negative things
Recently I've noticed how much negative crap is coming out of my mouth. Socially, people want to commiserate with whatever you're bitching about, which just turns into a bitch fest and everyone's unhappy (go on Facebook and see!). There is always a positive spin and being negative is 100% a choice. Being happy or not is a choice. This is a bad habit of mine and I really want it to end. I'm going to journal every instance of negativity that comes out of my mouth for the 30 days and try to bring that daily count to zero.
2) 200 Skydive’s
Today, I have 112 skydives. That might sound like a lot to you, but in the world of Skydiving, it's not many at all. I really love this 'sport' and the reason I don't have more accomplished is because I haven't dedicated my time to advancing and I'd like to. Skydiving season is unfortunately also climbing (and awesome Squamish weather) season and getting out to the D Zone hasn't been top priority.
Why 200?
Your 200th skydive unlocks a lot of doors and is a rite of passage for skydivers. 200 allows you to wear a camera, learn to wingsuit and learn to base jump. Wingsuiting is something I'd love to work on, so 200 is something I really want to get done. Plus, I've missed a lot of hilarious moments I haven't been able to film.
Today, I have 112 skydives. That might sound like a lot to you, but in the world of Skydiving, it's not many at all. I really love this 'sport' and the reason I don't have more accomplished is because I haven't dedicated my time to advancing and I'd like to. Skydiving season is unfortunately also climbing (and awesome Squamish weather) season and getting out to the D Zone hasn't been top priority.
Why 200?
Your 200th skydive unlocks a lot of doors and is a rite of passage for skydivers. 200 allows you to wear a camera, learn to wingsuit and learn to base jump. Wingsuiting is something I'd love to work on, so 200 is something I really want to get done. Plus, I've missed a lot of hilarious moments I haven't been able to film.
Me on a skydive in Arizona..lookin all Superman n shit!
3) Complete 10 MasterClasses
https://www.masterclass.com/homepage
As you know, I'm a huge fan of learnin'! When I first heard of MasterClass, I couldn't believe it. This year I purchased myself an all inclusive pass to learn from the best. So I vow to take 10 MasterClasses this year. They are..
https://www.masterclass.com/homepage
As you know, I'm a huge fan of learnin'! When I first heard of MasterClass, I couldn't believe it. This year I purchased myself an all inclusive pass to learn from the best. So I vow to take 10 MasterClasses this year. They are..
a) Jimmy Chin - Adventure Photography
"In his first-ever online class, acclaimed adventure photographer, professional climber, and Free Solo co-director, Jimmy Chin teaches the essential photography skills he used to capture breathtaking images from the harrowing peaks of Tibet to the unforgiving Antarctic tundra."
Matt: I spend a lot of time outdoors and in the same type of playgrounds Jimmy Chin spends his time capturing the photos and videos we have all come to love. I don't want to be a professional photographer or videographer, but I do want to learn more and improve my photography and video skills, so when I'm out there, I capture the best material possible.
b) Tom Morello - Guitar
"Grammy-winning musician Tom Morello will teach you the guitar techniques, rhythms, and riffs that define his signature style."
Matt: I grew up playing guitar and Tom Morello always blew my mind with how he took basic blues riffs and made them epic anthems. I'd like to get back to being a musician and becoming a learner once again.
c) Gordon Ramsey - Cooking
Take your cooking skills to the next level with Chef Ramsay's most comprehensive cooking classes ever.
Matt: In 2018 I cooked every recipe in a cook book and it changed my life! I learned so much and I look at food, flavour and eating in a much better way. I'd like to continue this journey with one of the greats.
d) Dr. Jane Goodall - Nature Conservation & Activism
Insights into animal intelligence, conservation, and activism.
Matt: In 2018 I started a little company called Tembo Climbing Co. One of my goals within that project was to adopt endangered animals with proceed$ from the sales. The company has made some $, but hasn't quite taken off yet. In preparation for that, I'll learn from one of the greats.
e) Malcolm Gladwell - Non Fiction Writing
The author of Blink and The Tipping Point teaches you how to find, research, and write stories that capture big ideas.
Matt: I struggle with staying undistracted for enough time to write. I'm going to keep trying to write more. Gladwell is a favourite thinker of mine. He's a master, a genius at seeing what others do not and that makes for interesting stories. In hopes of inspiration..
f) Sarah Blakely - Self Made Entrepreneur
Spanx founder Sara Blakely teaches you bootstrapping tactics and her approach to inventing, selling, and marketing products that cumers love.
Matt: I really like this entrepreneur's story and feel like there's a ton of inspiration and golden nuggets I might be able to apply to my own work adventures. She had an idea and made a product from scratch. (What the heck are Spanx? :)
g) Chris Hadfield - Astronaut
To become an astronaut, you have to become an expert on everything. Chris outlines the scope of an astronaut's training from leadership skills to survival skills
Matt: I initially had no real interest in doing this MasterClass until I watched his intro video. I'm really excited about doing this one. Watch the video that inspired me: https://www.masterclass.com/classes/chris-hadfield-teaches-space-exploration
h) Annie Leibovitz - Photography
The legendary photographer for Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and Vogue teaches the art of creating timeless images.
Matt: It's hard to admit that I used to love photography. I still love it, but I don't feel like I can say it, because I don't practice like I used to. I used to take classes and shoot with a 35mm. Now I use my phone while my camera collects dust and the photos I do take never see the light of day. I'd like to get back to being more of an artist. I love Leibovitz work because it's so inspiring. When I saw she was doing a class, I knew I would take it.
i) Neil Degrasse Tyson - Astrophysicist
Renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson teaches you how to find objective truths and shares his tools for communicating what you discover.
Matt: I love Neil Degrasse Tyson.. (Although I hate listening to him being interviewed as he's a real inturrupter:) He's an amazing communicator and since I'm pretty dumb, he makes fascinating and complicated things easy to understand.
j) Samuel Jackson - Acting
You know Samuel L. Jackson from iconic films like Pulp Fiction and Die Hard with a Vengeance. Now he’s your acting teacher. Sam shares his goals for his MasterClass, as well as his mindset toward acting: it’s an adventure.
Matt: In my quest this year to dare greatly, be an artist and get in the arena, I'm willing to admit that I've always wanted to try acting. I'm probably terrible, but I'd like to find out how terrible. I'm hoping to get some inspiration and perhaps some skills.
"In his first-ever online class, acclaimed adventure photographer, professional climber, and Free Solo co-director, Jimmy Chin teaches the essential photography skills he used to capture breathtaking images from the harrowing peaks of Tibet to the unforgiving Antarctic tundra."
Matt: I spend a lot of time outdoors and in the same type of playgrounds Jimmy Chin spends his time capturing the photos and videos we have all come to love. I don't want to be a professional photographer or videographer, but I do want to learn more and improve my photography and video skills, so when I'm out there, I capture the best material possible.
b) Tom Morello - Guitar
"Grammy-winning musician Tom Morello will teach you the guitar techniques, rhythms, and riffs that define his signature style."
Matt: I grew up playing guitar and Tom Morello always blew my mind with how he took basic blues riffs and made them epic anthems. I'd like to get back to being a musician and becoming a learner once again.
c) Gordon Ramsey - Cooking
Take your cooking skills to the next level with Chef Ramsay's most comprehensive cooking classes ever.
Matt: In 2018 I cooked every recipe in a cook book and it changed my life! I learned so much and I look at food, flavour and eating in a much better way. I'd like to continue this journey with one of the greats.
d) Dr. Jane Goodall - Nature Conservation & Activism
Insights into animal intelligence, conservation, and activism.
Matt: In 2018 I started a little company called Tembo Climbing Co. One of my goals within that project was to adopt endangered animals with proceed$ from the sales. The company has made some $, but hasn't quite taken off yet. In preparation for that, I'll learn from one of the greats.
e) Malcolm Gladwell - Non Fiction Writing
The author of Blink and The Tipping Point teaches you how to find, research, and write stories that capture big ideas.
Matt: I struggle with staying undistracted for enough time to write. I'm going to keep trying to write more. Gladwell is a favourite thinker of mine. He's a master, a genius at seeing what others do not and that makes for interesting stories. In hopes of inspiration..
f) Sarah Blakely - Self Made Entrepreneur
Spanx founder Sara Blakely teaches you bootstrapping tactics and her approach to inventing, selling, and marketing products that cumers love.
Matt: I really like this entrepreneur's story and feel like there's a ton of inspiration and golden nuggets I might be able to apply to my own work adventures. She had an idea and made a product from scratch. (What the heck are Spanx? :)
g) Chris Hadfield - Astronaut
To become an astronaut, you have to become an expert on everything. Chris outlines the scope of an astronaut's training from leadership skills to survival skills
Matt: I initially had no real interest in doing this MasterClass until I watched his intro video. I'm really excited about doing this one. Watch the video that inspired me: https://www.masterclass.com/classes/chris-hadfield-teaches-space-exploration
h) Annie Leibovitz - Photography
The legendary photographer for Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and Vogue teaches the art of creating timeless images.
Matt: It's hard to admit that I used to love photography. I still love it, but I don't feel like I can say it, because I don't practice like I used to. I used to take classes and shoot with a 35mm. Now I use my phone while my camera collects dust and the photos I do take never see the light of day. I'd like to get back to being more of an artist. I love Leibovitz work because it's so inspiring. When I saw she was doing a class, I knew I would take it.
i) Neil Degrasse Tyson - Astrophysicist
Renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson teaches you how to find objective truths and shares his tools for communicating what you discover.
Matt: I love Neil Degrasse Tyson.. (Although I hate listening to him being interviewed as he's a real inturrupter:) He's an amazing communicator and since I'm pretty dumb, he makes fascinating and complicated things easy to understand.
j) Samuel Jackson - Acting
You know Samuel L. Jackson from iconic films like Pulp Fiction and Die Hard with a Vengeance. Now he’s your acting teacher. Sam shares his goals for his MasterClass, as well as his mindset toward acting: it’s an adventure.
Matt: In my quest this year to dare greatly, be an artist and get in the arena, I'm willing to admit that I've always wanted to try acting. I'm probably terrible, but I'd like to find out how terrible. I'm hoping to get some inspiration and perhaps some skills.
4) Running 30km/week - Starting February 1st
"I run, therefor I am" - Never understand that one.. I respect those ultra marathoners and such, but that shit is so crazy! I like to run to keep a baseline cardio fitness and I ramp it up to fight altitude sickness before a mountain climb. I do want to be a runner and science says cardio gives a higher baseline of energy - https://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness/workouts/boost-your-energy-level-with-exercise.aspx.
Follow me as "Matt Fudge" on the Strava app to keep track of progress or be friends!
"I run, therefor I am" - Never understand that one.. I respect those ultra marathoners and such, but that shit is so crazy! I like to run to keep a baseline cardio fitness and I ramp it up to fight altitude sickness before a mountain climb. I do want to be a runner and science says cardio gives a higher baseline of energy - https://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness/workouts/boost-your-energy-level-with-exercise.aspx.
Follow me as "Matt Fudge" on the Strava app to keep track of progress or be friends!
5) 10 Monthly Posts w/the cool shit
On the first of every month, for 10 months, starting March 1st, I'm going to do a post with things I did, things I found, things I heard and saw. It will be totally awesome and YOU should read it. In my quest to be more of an artist, I'd like to make writing part of my routine. I'm doing this to keep track of all the things I did, found, heard and saw.
Wanna read it? Subscribe below.
On the first of every month, for 10 months, starting March 1st, I'm going to do a post with things I did, things I found, things I heard and saw. It will be totally awesome and YOU should read it. In my quest to be more of an artist, I'd like to make writing part of my routine. I'm doing this to keep track of all the things I did, found, heard and saw.
Wanna read it? Subscribe below.
6) 1 Second Everyday Video
Life is made up of a lot of things and those things were made up with seconds. I'm going to film 1 second every single day of 2020.
I'm hoping I can watch this video at the end of the year and:
a) Remember every single day of 2020
b) Have some sort of deep revelation about how I'm spending my life
c) Share and enjoy with friends and family
Even though it's just 1 second of video. It is a creative outlet and I'm making a movie
Life is made up of a lot of things and those things were made up with seconds. I'm going to film 1 second every single day of 2020.
I'm hoping I can watch this video at the end of the year and:
a) Remember every single day of 2020
b) Have some sort of deep revelation about how I'm spending my life
c) Share and enjoy with friends and family
Even though it's just 1 second of video. It is a creative outlet and I'm making a movie
Watch January 2020 below
7) Climb a 7 Summit
One of the hardest quests on planet earth. I was on a real roll with these. In 2015 I climbed Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. In 2016 I climbed my 2nd of the 7 summits, Mount Elbrus in Russia. In 2017 I summited the great Aconcagua in Argentina. Then in 2018, my expedition to Puncak Jaya in the Sudirman Range of the western central highlands of Papua Province, Indonesia was shut down for political/access reasons. In 2019, I got to within 1000m of the summit of Denali before getting shut down by electrical storms. It's been a drought on the 7 summit circuit for 2 years. I'm hoping 2020 is my year for Puncak Jaya, but access to the mountain is constantly changing. We shall see!
One of the hardest quests on planet earth. I was on a real roll with these. In 2015 I climbed Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. In 2016 I climbed my 2nd of the 7 summits, Mount Elbrus in Russia. In 2017 I summited the great Aconcagua in Argentina. Then in 2018, my expedition to Puncak Jaya in the Sudirman Range of the western central highlands of Papua Province, Indonesia was shut down for political/access reasons. In 2019, I got to within 1000m of the summit of Denali before getting shut down by electrical storms. It's been a drought on the 7 summit circuit for 2 years. I'm hoping 2020 is my year for Puncak Jaya, but access to the mountain is constantly changing. We shall see!
Looking out onto the Alaska range before summit day on Denali - 2019
8) Climb 4, 12a rock climbs, without falling
I need to get out of 5.11 land.. badly. I've been climbing the rock climbing grades up to 5.11D for a couple of years now and it's time to move on to 12's. I've certainly plateau'd at 11's and I know I can move on. It's going to take some dedication and some pain I haven't had the motivation to welcome yet. This is the year.
The reason why I want to climb 12's is because:
a) Self respect (this is my 7th year rock climbing ffs!)
b) To escape the crowded crags
c) To say yes to bigger and badder objectives
I need to get out of 5.11 land.. badly. I've been climbing the rock climbing grades up to 5.11D for a couple of years now and it's time to move on to 12's. I've certainly plateau'd at 11's and I know I can move on. It's going to take some dedication and some pain I haven't had the motivation to welcome yet. This is the year.
The reason why I want to climb 12's is because:
a) Self respect (this is my 7th year rock climbing ffs!)
b) To escape the crowded crags
c) To say yes to bigger and badder objectives
9) Write, Record and Share a Song
I love to play guitar and have dabbled in playing most instruments. It's been hard to dedicate myself to making music a consistent part of my life in the past few years. The reason I haven't is basically because things are unbalanced and I get distracted. I simply haven't dedicated the time to it. Music is important to me and this is something I really want to do. It will take a lot for me to able to write and record something that I'd ever want to share.
I love to play guitar and have dabbled in playing most instruments. It's been hard to dedicate myself to making music a consistent part of my life in the past few years. The reason I haven't is basically because things are unbalanced and I get distracted. I simply haven't dedicated the time to it. Music is important to me and this is something I really want to do. It will take a lot for me to able to write and record something that I'd ever want to share.
Me noodlin somewhere on the edge of the Muskokas
10) Guitar Learning & the 7 Greek Scales
I've been playing guitar since I was 16. I've played in bands and recordings a bunch of times, but never enjoyed that as much as just playing by myself. Learning an instrument should be something every human experiences. In my quest to get back to being an artist in 2020, I will:
a) Take Tom Morello's MasterClass (info above)
b) Learn the 7 Greek Modes in the Key of Major C (and record a video of me doing them)
What the heck are the 7 Greek Modes?
"Before we figured out the math for dividing the octave into 12 equal tones, we had to make do with an imperfect system. Modes were the solution. Instead of one all-purpose scale that could be transposed into different keys, there were 7 modes that each had their own structure."
The 7 Greek Modes:
a) Take Tom Morello's MasterClass (info above)
b) Learn the 7 Greek Modes in the Key of Major C (and record a video of me doing them)
What the heck are the 7 Greek Modes?
"Before we figured out the math for dividing the octave into 12 equal tones, we had to make do with an imperfect system. Modes were the solution. Instead of one all-purpose scale that could be transposed into different keys, there were 7 modes that each had their own structure."
The 7 Greek Modes:
- Ionian
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Aeolian
- Locrian
Let's just say Slash knows the 7 Greek Modes very well..
Ok, well there is 2020. I'm very psyched to challenge myself and see how far I can take everything. Maybe nowhere.. Maybe everywhere..
Be in it. Dare greatly.
Matt
Be in it. Dare greatly.
Matt
