Evolone's recent activity
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
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Comment on Any RSS feed recommendations that aren't news? in ~tech
Evolone LinkI know am WAY late to the party but I have been trying to get into RSS as a way of decreasing the amount of time I spend “wasting” on social media, but still wanting to get that little dopamine...I know am WAY late to the party but I have been trying to get into RSS as a way of decreasing the amount of time I spend “wasting” on social media, but still wanting to get that little dopamine hit from opening up an app and learning new stuff or seeing new content. I’m not super familiar with RSS feeds, beyond them being “content aggregators”, and I have been kind of overwhelmed with trying to get started.
What is the best RSS reader for a “beginner”? And what is the best way to get one started for myself? Say I want to add all the links posted in this topic…do I just add them all into the reader and then I’m good to go? How do I go about filtering the content and siphoning through the clutter that I end up not wanting to view?
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Comment on Bought my first Steam Deck after seeing the deep discounts on refurbs...what should i know as a first time Steam Deck/PC gamer? in ~games
Evolone Link ParentThank you for this! I signed up for Humble Choice and am excited to dive into gaming with the Deck. One question: what’s the best way to start emulating games on the Deck? And where do you...Thank you for this! I signed up for Humble Choice and am excited to dive into gaming with the Deck.
One question: what’s the best way to start emulating games on the Deck? And where do you recommend gathering ROMs from?
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Comment on Bought my first Steam Deck after seeing the deep discounts on refurbs...what should i know as a first time Steam Deck/PC gamer? in ~games
Evolone Link ParentYeah, I got it off of the Valve website. Bought it the day the OLED was announced but I think they’re out of stock now. They apparently restock often though. So far it works like a dream and you’d...Yeah, I got it off of the Valve website. Bought it the day the OLED was announced but I think they’re out of stock now. They apparently restock often though.
So far it works like a dream and you’d never know it was refurbished!
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Comment on Looking for a recommendation similar to Uprooted by Naomi Novik in ~books
Evolone LinkThis may be a bit more “advanced” than Uprooted, but Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice trilogy is one of my favorite series I’ve read this year. Deep and moving characters, a large and believable...This may be a bit more “advanced” than Uprooted, but Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice trilogy is one of my favorite series I’ve read this year.
Deep and moving characters, a large and believable world with just enough lore and back story to keep you reading; tons of moral dilemmas; light love stories; sweet and moving relationships with animals; magic and mysticism and stealth warfare.
I really enjoyed them.
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Bought my first Steam Deck after seeing the deep discounts on refurbs...what should i know as a first time Steam Deck/PC gamer?
As title says, once Valve announced the OLED deck, I saw the refurbished originals go on a deep discount and figured it was time to buy in. So I ordered a refurb 512GB and I’m so excited for it to...
As title says, once Valve announced the OLED deck, I saw the refurbished originals go on a deep discount and figured it was time to buy in. So I ordered a refurb 512GB and I’m so excited for it to arrive! Been in a gaming rut for a long time now and, having never been a PC gamer, I’m look forward to checking out a bunch of games I’ve never played before.
What tips do you have for a first time Deck owner?
Any essential games I should be sure to get?
And finally, is it possible to get games I own on the Epic Games Store (I collected all their free games over the years) or Xbox Game Pass PC games on my Steam Deck?
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Comment on For those with adult ADHD...how do you get by? in ~health.mental
Evolone Link ParentThanks for sharing that video about time-blocking, I'm excited to check it out! How did you get started with doing that, though? Like...I can see how useful it is, and I'd love to be able to see...Thanks for sharing that video about time-blocking, I'm excited to check it out! How did you get started with doing that, though? Like...I can see how useful it is, and I'd love to be able to see that satisfying array of blocks across my digital calendars, helping me stay on track and know what I "should" be doing and when...but I can't even get my head straight enough to focus on what to insert/input as time blocks...and like...I may schedule the first hour of tomorrow morning for one thing, but then something may happen at the end of today that totally throws that whole schedule out of whack and then I just get overwhelmed that I screwed up my "plan"...
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Comment on Would folks here be interested in an album of the week/album listening club? in ~music
Evolone LinkAbsolutely down. I love seeing what other people are enjoying and finding new things, or gaining new perspectives on records I already know and love.Absolutely down. I love seeing what other people are enjoying and finding new things, or gaining new perspectives on records I already know and love.
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Comment on Apple unveils iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max in ~tech
Evolone LinkI’m currently on an iPhone 14 Pro, and it’s working out just fine. Think I’m going to pass on upgrading to the 15 Pro this time around.I’m currently on an iPhone 14 Pro, and it’s working out just fine. Think I’m going to pass on upgrading to the 15 Pro this time around.
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Comment on Self-taught guitar players: How did you do it? What do you wish you could go back and do differently when you were learning? in ~music
Evolone Link ParentThank you for this response! I would love some details on how to best listen to address the fret board vertically. What do you mean by this? How should I go about learning that? I think my biggest...Thank you for this response! I would love some details on how to best listen to address the fret board vertically. What do you mean by this? How should I go about learning that? I think my biggest hang up is that I can figure out scales, but can’t break out of that melody and create my own solo. Any suggestions?
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Comment on What games do you most wish had a remake, or a sequel or both? in ~games
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Comment on Self-taught guitar players: How did you do it? What do you wish you could go back and do differently when you were learning? in ~music
Evolone Link ParentThanks for the Music is Win suggestion! I will start watching some of those exercise videos to get some additional help. Re: Bernth - a video of his just popped up in my algorithm yesterday...it...Thanks for the Music is Win suggestion! I will start watching some of those exercise videos to get some additional help.
Re: Bernth - a video of his just popped up in my algorithm yesterday...it was like 7 practice routines to improve with...some of those were super cool and I can see how I would benefit from them; others (like sweep picking!) seem impossible to me right now...
Just gotta keep playing and practicing!
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Comment on Self-taught guitar players: How did you do it? What do you wish you could go back and do differently when you were learning? in ~music
Evolone Link ParentThank you so much for this. Seriously. This is extremely helpful. I love the idea of having a fun song and a challenging "learning" song to keep me learning and growing, but not feeling miserable...Thank you so much for this. Seriously. This is extremely helpful. I love the idea of having a fun song and a challenging "learning" song to keep me learning and growing, but not feeling miserable and burnt out.
That chord site you shared is amazing. I am going to start using that and the list of chords you shared with me here in my practice today.
With that in mind, I would be happy to learn more about the difference between the types of chords. For the most part, I get the foundations of theory, but am still trying to piece it all together. My mind works well when I'm gathering information and then able to put it to action and see the results. If you're willing to explain more, I would greatly appreciate it!
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Comment on Self-taught guitar players: How did you do it? What do you wish you could go back and do differently when you were learning? in ~music
Evolone Link ParentThank you for this advice and the encouraging reminder that this is my own journey - I can take it at my own pace, as long as I'm having fun. I am curious about the exercises you learned and...Thank you for this advice and the encouraging reminder that this is my own journey - I can take it at my own pace, as long as I'm having fun.
I am curious about the exercises you learned and focused on...can you share any of these? Do you have any recommended resources that I could review to try and implement a 20-30 minute "technique exercising" period into my practice sessions?
I find that right now, I play the guitar nearly every day, but it usually involves me picking it up, noodling around with a bunch of random chords and attempting to hit some scales (not usually successfully), and then diving into learning different sections of songs I want to know how to play someday.
I think some focused exercise training could actually really benefit me, but I'm curious where the best place(s) to find those are and what to start with.
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Comment on Self-taught guitar players: How did you do it? What do you wish you could go back and do differently when you were learning? in ~music
Evolone Link ParentThanks for this comment! I think that sometimes, I get too in my head with this stuff and want to try to read and learn all about some newfangled technique or learning method that will help me...Thanks for this comment! I think that sometimes, I get too in my head with this stuff and want to try to read and learn all about some newfangled technique or learning method that will help me when really...all I need to get better at guitar is right in front of me...a guitar.
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Comment on Self-taught guitar players: How did you do it? What do you wish you could go back and do differently when you were learning? in ~music
Evolone Link ParentI loved what you said about bargaining with yourself always being wrong. It is easy to justify things to talk ourselves out of doing something, but when we can discipline ourselves enough to sit...I loved what you said about bargaining with yourself always being wrong. It is easy to justify things to talk ourselves out of doing something, but when we can discipline ourselves enough to sit and focus and make sure we are getting things right, the results will be much better!
I've never tried recording or watching myself play, so I will take that advice and see how it helps my practicing!
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Comment on Self-taught guitar players: How did you do it? What do you wish you could go back and do differently when you were learning? in ~music
Evolone Link ParentTotally. I remember when I first started, thinking that I could never get my fingers to work the way I needed them to to make an F chord...and now, I can play barre chords all over the neck.Totally. I remember when I first started, thinking that I could never get my fingers to work the way I needed them to to make an F chord...and now, I can play barre chords all over the neck.
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Comment on Self-taught guitar players: How did you do it? What do you wish you could go back and do differently when you were learning? in ~music
Evolone Link ParentThank you for the encouragement! I knew when I made this post that the most common suggestion would be "keep going, you'll get better"...and I wasn't wrong. That advice rings true because it is...Thank you for the encouragement! I knew when I made this post that the most common suggestion would be "keep going, you'll get better"...and I wasn't wrong. That advice rings true because it is essential. I have already accepted that I will never be Yngwie or Steve Vai, but that I can be the best guitar player that I can be, I just need to stick with it.
I think focusing a bit more on chords and chord patterns and repetitions is going to be a key for getting to a point where all of that sinks in for me. I know all of the "cowboy" chords, and can hit powerchords that I know sound good...but I don't know the names of them, let alone maj7 or minor or A5 or what have you. I definitely could use some help and guidance in getting all of that down and locked into my brain.
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Comment on Self-taught guitar players: How did you do it? What do you wish you could go back and do differently when you were learning? in ~music
Evolone Link ParentThank you for this comment. It is a helpful reminder for me to keep in my head that there will always be something new to learn, some harder song or skill to tackle, and that I can always be...Thank you for this comment. It is a helpful reminder for me to keep in my head that there will always be something new to learn, some harder song or skill to tackle, and that I can always be having fun with guitar. Focusing my practice routines in a portion of challenging, learning material vs. a portion of fun "just for me" stuff is probably a great idea.
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Self-taught guitar players: How did you do it? What do you wish you could go back and do differently when you were learning?
I’ve been getting back into guitar playing and trying to have more focused practice when I play each day. I wouldn't call myself a "beginner", but I don't think I'm near the "intermediate" stage...
I’ve been getting back into guitar playing and trying to have more focused practice when I play each day. I wouldn't call myself a "beginner", but I don't think I'm near the "intermediate" stage yet. I know chords and power chords and can transition between them pretty easily. I've been working on figuring out CAGED shapes, but still really struggle with playing scales and "solo-ing"...partly because (1) I have tried exploring music theory and "learning the notes on the fretboard", but it hasn't clicked for me yet, and (2) my fret fingers feel sluggish and don’t seem to move across the fretboard with the ease that I seem to have when switching chords.
That said, I’m feeling pretty discouraged right now. Looking for some “pick me ups”, so to speak. And wanting to learn to play a few songs all the way through so I can feel more confident in my ability to actually play a song. But I don’t really want to get hung up on a difficult “solo” or a bunch of individual fretting stuff yet.
As I thought about making this post, I figured it might be useful to also ask about some "beginner tips" on how to best stay motivated to stick with learning, practicing, and playing the guitar. If I'm going to keep this up, I want to really invest in it and stick with the guitar. Here are some additional questions/thoughts to hopefully trigger a discussion.
Fellow guitarists:
- What has helped you in the past?
- What helped you get over the "discouraging" first steps of guitar playing and keep at it?
- What were some of the first songs you were able to learn to play all the way through?
- How did you learn the notes on the fretboard?
- How did you learn to play different chords all around the neck?
- What would you say to your younger self to help encourage them to continue pushing through the sticking points of guitar?
- What was the "key" to getting guitar playing to "click" in your brain?
Looking forward to seeing what advice fellow players can offer! Everyone's musical journey is different, and I am interested in learning how you learned to get to where you are now!
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Been really into grunge music lately. Don't know why, but it's been hitting the spot for me. Lots of Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Stone Temple Pilots. I've also been on a big Green Day kick (not grunge, but their late 90s/early 2000s stuff is scratching the itch!)