OP
alde
Member
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.
Really enjoying my guitar lessons
- Thread starter alde
- Start date
Smith357
US Veteran
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.
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.
OP
alde
Member
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 told you about having enough money for retirement, once again I was right.
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.
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
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
Attachments
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TomkinsSP
Member
So very true.
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
Member
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
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
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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!
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
US Veteran
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.
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.
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OP
alde
Member
For teaching all the left hand digits to work together I found a very simple fingerstyle version of Shortning Bread all based off a G-Cord. You anchor the index and middle finger's for the base line and use the other two fingers to play the melody. It was easy to learn and remember and really gets the pinky going. There are plenty of simple little tunes like this that make great exercises.
Broke Hoss
Member
This thread must've sparked a bit of a fire. I pulled out my Martin & played along with tunes on youtube for about 2 hours last night. My fingertips are so sore today I can barely type.
Is this us, or what?
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eFjjO_lhf9c[/ame]
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eFjjO_lhf9c[/ame]
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fr6KVNt-1Ek[/ame]
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q6F7xMRWB10[/ame]
We were very musical....
....all of our lives until we were beset by a string of events both stressful and tragic. We haven't felt like singing in a long time, but we talked to a friend today and she asked if we could do some Christmas music at her church. Also, my beautiful grand piano is sitting covered in the front room. I tried playing some lately, but it hasn't 'taken' to me. I've very reluctant to sell it because it's a cream puff. Anyway, to answer your questions, maybe I'll have a change of heart and become musical again even if it's a krumhorn, trumboon or hardart.
Good for you for sticking to your lessons. It's very rewarding. If I would just catch on fire again.
....all of our lives until we were beset by a string of events both stressful and tragic. We haven't felt like singing in a long time, but we talked to a friend today and she asked if we could do some Christmas music at her church. Also, my beautiful grand piano is sitting covered in the front room. I tried playing some lately, but it hasn't 'taken' to me. I've very reluctant to sell it because it's a cream puff. Anyway, to answer your questions, maybe I'll have a change of heart and become musical again even if it's a krumhorn, trumboon or hardart.
Good for you for sticking to your lessons. It's very rewarding. If I would just catch on fire again.
No guitars for me. A few years ago, Conchita surprised me on Xmas with an accordion. I had never given it any thought, but I was tickled pink. I took weekly lessons for about a year, making slow progress due to a lack of musical talent. Then I dislocated my shoulder in a dirt bike tumble and had to put it down.
Reading this thread makes me think I might pick it up again.
Reading this thread makes me think I might pick it up again.
jag312
Member
Two banjos, a standard 5-string and a 10-string, and my Mosrite 12-string guitar. I always tried to play like Roger McGuinn, but I didn't have the talent. I know Mosrite 12-strings aren't common, but sometimes I wonder if I have the only one left in existence. Back in the day, when anyone bought a 12-string, it was usually a Rickenbacker.
Good for you. Some of the most fun I've ever had was doing zydeco. Those bands couldn't exist without a squeezebox.
labworm
US Veteran
Ole Joe Clark
Absent Comrade
We have a regular jam every Tuesday evening at the Community Center. Sometimes it's great, sometimes it's ok, and sometimes it stinks.
Have a blessed day,
Leon
Have a blessed day,
Leon
Are you Jimmy Sturr?
Apparently you missed the part that said "lack of musical talent".
Not Dick Contino either.
YouTube
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They have amazing amps......
Maybe you are looking for a sound or vintage, but you can get a LOT of amp these days for a little money. I got a Spider amp for about 80$ and the thing had effects coming and going to get all kinds of sounds. It was amazing, when many years ago for almost the same money you could get a Sears Norma amp with a tone knob.
Maybe you are looking for a sound or vintage, but you can get a LOT of amp these days for a little money. I got a Spider amp for about 80$ and the thing had effects coming and going to get all kinds of sounds. It was amazing, when many years ago for almost the same money you could get a Sears Norma amp with a tone knob.
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OP
alde
Member
Absolutely, I picked up a 20 watt Fender Mustang amp with all kinds of tones and effects for around the same money. It's plenty loud for the house and then some. It sounds great with the pawn shop Strat.
OP
alde
Member
Can you more experienced guitar guys suggest a small body acoustic that I can keep handy in the living room to just grab while watching tv? Doing research the Taylor GS mini and Fender PM-2 look good. The Fender is all solid wood and the Taylor is solid top and laminated back and sides. I was thinking mahogany for a bluesy sound. The Fender comes in a deluxe model with a slotted headstock which I think is pretty cool and the Taylor has a great reputation. There are plenty of others too.
Al, there are a lot of inexpensive Grand Concert sized guitars out there. Go out and play some. If it's just a couch guitar for noodling, I wouldn't spend a lot on it.
Save your money for all the touring cases and autographed picks you're gonna need.
Save your money for all the touring cases and autographed picks you're gonna need.
OP
alde
Member
I've been looking in the pawn shops for a small acoustic but they are all junkers. I want something decent and they are out there for around $400 or so. I had my heart set on the Taylor until I saw the all solid Fender for the same money but I haven't played one yet. They sound good on the videos I've seen but the Taylors do too. The GS mini sure seems to have a following.
I like to play or at least play around. I have a Telecaster and a Gibson SG and Marshall amp. Love the sound of both but prefer the scale length/fret length on the SG since I have shorter fingers.
Hey Alde, Mrs. Native bought me a Martin Backpacker quite some years ago.
No idea of the price then or now but perfectly adequate for my fumbley self.
No idea of the price then or now but perfectly adequate for my fumbley self.
