Really enjoying my guitar lessons

[Broke Hoss]

I took some lessons & learned my open chords back in the 70's. I sold everything when I left for the army. In the 90's a couple of co-workers would get together & jam and I got the bug again. I do enough to bring a special in church fairly regularly (The Psalms says "joyful noise" it doesn't say it has to be good).

I go through phases: I'll do monthly jams with the local bluegrassers and start improving. But then I'll let other things hold me back and fall out of practice again. After a few months, I gotta start back over again.

1 of my retirement goals is to take some real lessons and actually do some flat picking.

 

[madmikeb]

I'm 58 and am in the process of trying to teach myself how to play with some online lessons. Time constraints are my big hurdle, but I try to play some every day.
Between guns and guitars it does tend to eat up some cash!

 

[alde]

Between guns and guitars it does tend to eat up some cash!

I know just what you mean. Pawn shops are a killer. In the last few weeks I bought a candy apple red Strat and a Gresch Electromatic along with a Fender amp.

 

[jmr986]

Funny, guitars are as addictive as guns. Started with a Schecter, then got a Fender Custom Shop, Taylor 814ce, Epiphone Casino. And still play my 1964 Epiphone Granada. Only have one amp. But want to get an all tube amp.

 

[labworm]

I know just what you mean. Pawn shops are a killer. In the last few weeks I bought a candy apple red Strat and a Gresch Electromatic along with a Fender amp.

I told you about having enough money for retirement, once again I was right.

 

[Imissedagain]

I stopped playing for about 10 years, after selling my Gibson Super 400. Wished I had never stopped playing and selling the Gibson.

Now I play acoustic only, bluegrass, gospel and some old country, no drinking or chasing stuff though. Have two Martins that are really nice guitars, I'm still finding notes that I didn't know was there.

I love to play rhythm for the hotshot pickers, and like to add some diminished and 9th chords in if it sounds ok. Drives the bluegrassers crazy.
I think I'm crazy sometimes because when I hear a song I really like, I start listening to the chord progression and the structure of the tune.

Keep working on it and play with another musician whenever possible.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

Met a Brooklyn jazz guitarist who was so big that his Super 400 looked like a ukulele!
Restoring a 1933/34? C1 Martin.
Glad whoever did this work does not do Gunstocks.
Reshape neck, non-adjustable truss rods, ebony board.
Will sound like a Martin with a bit more cello in it's tone than when first made.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

My dad gave me his near perfect 1953 Martin D18 that he bought in 1954. He's been playing his D28, and Gibson Mastertone lately.

I honestly think I have some tendon damage in my left hand, because after 2 years I still can't switch cords fast at all.

Please take care of that D-18, not only because it belonged to your Dad, but it is a valuable instrument. It's not really old but bluegrass pickers love to have those guitars because of the tone and volume. It's beautiful.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[DeathGrip]

I was down to six until Tuesday when I brought five more home.

I kinda quit playing regular because of nerve damage.

When I first moved up here 1.5 years ago I ran into a guy doing repair and we got to be good friends. So, I've been doing repair work on my projects and helping him on his. He even dedicated a bench in his shop to me but I do most of my work at home.

The five more were an old friends projects that died last Friday in a freak accident, He got run over by his own truck.

I'll start another thread about it all when I feel up to loading pictures and such.

 

[500SNW]

Funny I should find this thread. Just the other night I had another "guitar dream." I have them from time to time, and the guitar is always a sort of "forbidden fruit" like something I'm not supposed to have. I guess that theme has a parallel with my real life, because I'd really love to own a guitar AGAIN...yet I have neither the money, nor the time and setting for a guitar. Back in the early 90's I had a "Forest Green" G&L S-500 and a Marshall 2x12 Valvestate Chorus. No, it wasn't a tube amp, but it rattled the windows and you could feel the sound in your chest. I called it the "buzz bomb." I miss it dearly and would give anything to have it back...along with a peaceful and private place to play it. Taking care of elderly parents with health issues...it is just something I can't do right now.

Maybe someday....

 

[TomkinsSP]

...BTW that guitar that my brother gave me was a beautiful 1970's American made Stratocaster. If I remember right I traded it for a set of goalie pads. Not too bright eh?

I don't know. Is your last name Parent or Reindeau?

 

[alde]

I don't know. Is your last name Parent or Reindeau?

The worst part of the trade is I don't have the guitar, the goalie pads or the brother any more. Material things are easy enough to replace.

 

[Smith357]

I have been playing on and off for 45 years. I will play for a few years, get some gear, then loose interest sell of most of the gear and then start over again a few years later.

I am currently in the playing and accumulating swing of this pattern.

This is my current lineup.

And here is a special project I am working on, it should be finished in time for the Southwest Bunch BBQ.

 

[alde]

I told you about having enough money for retirement, once again I was right.

You were right. My standard of living really hasn't changed much with retirement. Of course I've never had an extravagant life style. I still go out to lunch with friends now and then, buy books and take my guitar lessons. I sure don't miss work one little bit. I go the the range when I want, play my guitar when I want work on projects in the garage when I want and take a nap when I want. I don't know how I had time for work all those years.

 

[Imissedagain]

Back in the early '70s a mighty fine guitarist, just back from the Jungle, took his Strat and made it sorta look like an M16.
I advised him as where not to cut.

Playing in a rough biker bar, shortly after his mod..... downtown Broadway in NYC, they liked our music so much that they refrained from the normal mayhem and listened and danced.

Start them young.... 28 days old and the kid has a custom
Les Paul.

Making two four string bass guitars for that kid's Dad and my great nephew.
Cello length scales at 695mm/27.4"
Gaboon Ebony boards on maple and rosewood necks.
Couldn't buy guns in NYC but sublime woods for string instruments kept me poor.

Stormy Monday in one sharp works for me!!!
Anyone need a chord chart?
Dom7
Dom9
Min7

 

[TomkinsSP]

... Material things are easy enough to replace.

So very true.

 

[joe44va]

Unfortunately arthritis has taken its toll. I still have a 1957 Gretsch Country Club under the bed and a black Strat in a corner.

 

[NeoBuckeye]

I a, 47 and never played a musical instrument. I woke on a Sunday and thought it would be neat to have a guitar. The local Sam Ash music store was having a sale, so i ended up spent just of $500 on an ESP Model 10 guitar, Fender Mustang 2 amp, cable and headphones. I started watching some on-line Youtube lessons.
I am a big fan of the Seattle "grunge" sound, like Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and some punk bands of the early 90's, Socail Distortion.
I have the ESP tuned to " Drop D"
Then on a trip to Pensacola, I stopped into a pawn shop. They had a blue Fender Squire strat on the wall for $35. I got that one for $25, it needed new strings.
I really enjoyed learning how to restring it, and set the "action height"
The two issues I have, getting my pinky finger on my left hand to get with the program on the strings, and the internal discipline to stick with a regular practice time.
As mentioned in other posts, my other hobbies with firearms, and collecting and shooting film cameras, there is not enough time in the day. Google Photos

 

[Rustyt1953]

In time, the pinky will learn to cooperate with the other digits.

As for practice, try not to force yourself to do it when you are not in the mood. Put on some tunes and get motivated. If your heart is not in it you won't retain much.

Every now and then put the chord charts, tab and scales aside and experiment. You will accidentally hit on something and think: "ooh! That's how they did that". The juices will start flowing and off to the races you go.

When you're watching tv just hold the guitar and play it unplugged. Get familiar with how it feels in your hands until it feels like it belongs there.

PS: learn how to do a set-up. If one has to fight the strings the joy won't last long.

I applaud all who are taking it up again. Knock 'em dead!

 

[Tradewind36]

As I mentioned in a previous post I bought a new Strat last week. Today I was given a new Fender Jazzmaster, a guitar I've wanted since I was 15. My brother had titanium rods removed from his back 2 months ago that he's had for 23 years, I've been taking care of him daily since the recent difficult surgery and he knew the Jazzmaster is my favorite guitar. He's a Gibson guy, bought himself a new Les Paul and bought the new Fender for me for taking care of him. I love this guy.

 

[Imissedagain]

I have been playing on and off for 45 years. I will play for a few years, get some gear, then loose interest sell of most of the gear and then start over again a few years later.

I am currently in the playing and accumulating swing of this pattern.

This is my current lineup.

And here is a special project I am working on, it should be finished in time for the Southwest Bunch BBQ.

Books tell a story and some have guns between the covers.
Guitars are no different in that if you ain't telling a story you're just making noise!!! What gun is fitted into that guitar?

Nice gear above!
When classical musicians whine about lack of students and blame everything.... the real culprit is the Electric Guitar. It's just that simple!!!
Got a great Ibanez story about their first attempt at double neck SG type.
Japan came to Brooklyn's SamAsh and went home with the knowledge of our three Jimmy Ds and some Lloyd Loar.