2,776

(55 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Here's another thread on the subject, maybe there's something there for you. But I'm struggling too and the only real answer is practice, practice.....

http://www.chordie.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=5637

LOL bonedaddy - Stay out of my garden! smile

2,778

(2 replies, posted in Bands and artists)

Doc - I had to look up Dirty Mac - that was a dirty trick, just a get together covering a couple of tunes really - not a "real" band - but still, what an assembly of talent. Here's a link to Dirty Mac doing yer blues:

http://www.stage6.com/user/adama1/video … Hendrix-Ba

Just an amazing time back then - and these bands were so intertwined, aware of and appreciative of each other even substituting for one another if there was an illness or conflict. I remember reading somewhere that the Who in support of the Stones getting busted entering the country with some pot, did a few concerts only covering songs of the Stones. How cool is that?

Another anecdote I remember reading, when Clapton first saw Hendrix, actually after playing together on the same stage, Eric was near tears. After years and years of his legend growing, with the "Clapton is God" graffiti all over London - Clapton said something like "If I am God, who is he?" Truly in fear of his own skills / ability. We know now that was room for both of them.

jaygordon75 wrote:

I grew up in the sixtys and remember well the British envasion! Lots of incredible talent with minimal equipment by today's standards. I've noticed that lots of the college aged folks here are really grooving to Led Zepplin, Early Clapton, and Beatles...

I agree jay - I have a 16 year old son - as a youngster he went through a pop (rap really) stage when he was 10 or 12 that made me sick. Now he is all about the old classics, Zepplin, Sabbath, Aerosmith, etc. I think maybe the game Guitar Hero has had a big influence. Most of the songs on those games are old rock. I am very grateful!

2,780

(6 replies, posted in Bands and artists)

Guitarpix wrote:

Topdown, I'm in for MerleFest! Even if no one else is interested give me a call and we'll head that way if ya want! I plan on hitting Monroestock this spring also if your interested let me know. Peace!

Sounds good Pix - I searched for info on Monroestock, couldn't find anything. You got dates or a link?

2,781

(7 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Russell_Harding wrote:

topdown it could be that the reason it "clicked" and you got a "feel" for the music was that you understood what you were doing

I agree Russell and I could be leading someone in the totally wrong direction (but I hope not). What I was was trying to say is that for me at least, it's not so important to match the original strum pattern exactly, but more to strum what sounds and feels right to you. That said, there are certainly songs that the exact original strum pattern is critical in making it sound right (Jack Johnson comes to mind). But oftentimes, especially on older classics that are covered by many, the strum pattern is not so important as just getting a feel for the song. So don't get hung up on an exact pattern, experiment until you find something that sounds good and 'er rip.

2,782

(31 replies, posted in Electric)

All I know is this thread could lead to some great metal band names. A few off the top of my head:

Homicidal Rodents
Lost Inamaze
Neural Deafness
Spastic Hamsters
Wasted Grants

I could see a metal competition – what band could turn the mice homicidal the quickest? Winner gets a record contract.

2,783

(7 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Here's a link to a strumming lesson that I used.

http://www.heartwoodguitar.com/WordPressBlog/?p=10

I struggled with strumming when I first started too - trying to find the exact strumming pattern for the song I was playing. Then after a while, I just listened to the song, got a "feel" for the music and strum it in a pattern that sounds good and works for me. It's still much more of a feel thing for me than a technical count 1 and up / down, etc. It just "clicked" one day- keep at it and feel the rhythm, you'll get there.

2,784

(9 replies, posted in Acoustic)

robhenb wrote:

am i dumb when i ask what on earth high action means???!
im so new at this. : /

Hey rob - "Action" is referred to as the distance between the frets and the strings. A high action is generally undesirable as it makes it much more difficult to play your guitar - you gotta push down on the strings really hard.

Here's a link that will 'splain in much more detail. Spend a bit of time cruising this site, it'll really help you understand guitar construction, set ups, etc.

About half way down the page on this link, you'll see him measuring the action at 8/64" at the 12 fret which he describes as "stout".

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musicia … ion01.html

2,785

(22 replies, posted in Songwriting)

daddycool wrote:

hi bonedaddy great song and a good response all round,have you heard about EMI they are chopping jobs dropping bands and artists are withholding their new albums in protest,...stay cool

Daddycool - I saw that about EMI. It was especially interesting to me because I just finished reading Clapton's autobiography. This is from the very last chapter in his book (emphasis mine):

The music scene as I look at it today is little different from when I was growing up. The percentages are roughly the same - 95% rubbish, 5% pure. However, the systems of marketing and distribution are in the middle of a huge shift, and by the end of this decade I think it's unlikely that any of the existing record companies will still be in business. With the greatest respect to all involved, that would be no great loss. Music will always find its way to us, with or without business, politics, religion, or any of the other bull**** attached. Music survives everything......

2,786

(9 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Id take that guitar to a music shop. It can probably be adjusted (or "set up" as they say). A set od strings and a good tweaking and it'll be better than new. While there, strum around on their other guitars. You'll be amazed how they all have their own "personality" (sound and feel). There are real nice guitars available here in the $400 - $600 (USD) range. 1,500 Euro (= $2,250 roughly?), that'll get you a high end acoustic.

2,787

(22 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Any song that brings up this amount of debate / discussion has to be great. That's what music is all about. Good job Bonedaddy!

2,788

(22 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Here’s what wiki has to say about the “feud" . It seems like the Dixie Chicks drew first blood with their “ignorant"  comment. By the way, Toby has also stated he was against the war.

On March 24, 2001, Keith’s father, H.K. Covel, was killed in a car accident. That event and the September 11, 2001 attacks prompted Keith to write the song "Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American)", a song about his father’s patriotism and faith in the USA. At first, Keith refused to record the song and sang it only live at his concerts for military personnel. The reaction was so strong that the Commandant of the Marine Corps James L. Jones told Keith it was his duty as an American citizen to record the song.[2] As the lead single from the album Unleashed (2002), "Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue" peaked at number 1 over the weekend of July 4.

ABC invited Keith to sing "Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue" on a patriotic special it was producing. However, the host of the show, newsman Peter Jennings, requested that Keith soften the lyrics of the song or choose another song to sing.[citation needed] Keith refused both of the requests and did not appear on the special. The rift gave the song a considerable amount of publicity, which led to many national interviews and public performances of the song.

Feud with the Dixie Chicks

Keith had a public feud with the Dixie Chicks over the song "Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue", as well as over comments they made about President George W. Bush on stage during a concert in London. The lead singer of the Dixie Chicks, Natalie Maines, publicly stated that Keith's song was "ignorant, and it makes country music sound ignorant."[3] Keith responded by belittling Maines' songwriting skills, and by displaying a backdrop at his concerts showing a doctored photo of Maines with Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. On May 21, 2003, Maines wore a T-shirt with the letters FUTK on the front at the Academy of Country Music Awards. [4] While a spokesperson for the Dixie Chicks said that the acronym stood for "Friends United in Truth and Kindness," many including host Vince Gill took it to be a shot at Keith ("Fu** You Toby Keith"). In August 2003, Keith publicly declared he was done feuding with Maines 'because he's realized there are far more important things to concentrate on'.[5] However, he continues to refuse to say Maines' name, and claims that the doctored photo was intended to express his feeling that Maines' criticism was tyrannical and a dictator-like attempt to squelch Keith's free speech.[6]

I’m not taking sides either way – I enjoy both the patriotic songs as well as the protest songs.

2,789

(22 replies, posted in Songwriting)

No Old Doll, I am not saying that at all. It's purely Marketing. That comment hurt their careers immensely - they should have known better. Then they expounded on the problem by publicaly battling with Toby Keith - a very popular country singer.

Again, I really like their music. My wife owns every one of their CD's both pre and post controversy.

2,790

(22 replies, posted in Songwriting)

They are not "banned" by any government entity. Many stations have chosen not to play their music because the majority of their listeners patriotic, pro-military, whatever you want to call 'em were and possibly still are upset with the chicks' statements. I agree - I like their music, but they should have been smarter in knowing their audience before spouting out at the mouth. I read a quote from Michael Jordan once regarding politics - his response was something like he doesn't get involved because Republicans buy shoes too. Smart statement.

I do like the song Bonedaddy. The chicks would have been better served if they did "Shut up & sing, shut up & sing". smile

2,791

(54 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Ed was in trouble. He forgot his wedding anniversary. His wife was really angry.

She told him, "Tomorrow morning I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in less than 6 seconds AND IT BETTER BE THERE!!!"

The next morning Ed got up early and left for work. When his wife woke up she looked out the window and sure enough there was a box gift-wrapped in the middle of the driveway.

Confused, the wife put on her robe and ran out to the driveway, and brought the box back in the house. She opened it and found a brand new Bathroom Scale.

Ed has been missing since Friday Please pray for him.

I just finished reading Eric Clapton's autobiography and the thing that stood out to me was the incredible music movement that took place in England in the 60's. Yea, we've all heard and know of the "British Invasion", but reading in his book about the concentration of truly remarkable talent - what a time to be alive in London! All of these fantastic "Supergroups" apparently springing up over night and all concentrated in a single location. I could just imagine seeing  The Yardbirds, The Stones, The Who, The Kinks, The Beatles and on and on - playing in CLUBS - sometimes together, on the same night! I don't think the world has ever seen such an assemblage of talent nor will it ever again. Absolutely incredible.

Now did the Rock movement start in America - I like to think so. Certainly Buddy Holley, Elvis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, were pioneers. But for some reason the Brits picked up on this and moved it to a whole other level. I was born in 1964 so I missed much of this "movement", but even growing up, my Mom was a huge music fan, so I must have been influenced even as a child.

So many of these musicians / bands broke down doors, created their own sounds unique to them and had never been even attempted before. Would Metallica be here without Black Sabbath? SRV without Clapton & Hendrix?  In many ways artists after this period were copies. You can make a case for disco being new (throw up), and even punk / new wave / grunge / alternative - whatever you want to call 'em - but in many ways on many songs at least, you still hear a "new" band and say - that kinda sounds like (pick a '60s or '70's band). I guess the bottom line is ground can only be broken once, after that you're just turning loose dirt. Now I appreciate new artists that have their own sound, so don't get me wrong - It's just seems like back then they all had it.

2,793

(20 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Here's how I did it (or am doing it really). Use a metronome, here a link to a free one on-line

http://www.metronomeonline.com/

Just start with 2 chords, say C&G, or C&D. Start slow, say 50 or 60 BPM just changing back and forth between those 2 chords. As you get it, raise your speed. Once you get switching between those 2 at 100 BPM or better, add a chord and go back to 50 BPM. As you keep adding chords, repeat the process staring slow each time. I would do this for hours every night just watching TV, if you find a particular progression that you are struggling with, you might want to scale back to those 2 chords and concentrate there until you get it down.

The key for me was the metronome. Using that allows you to track your progress and see improvement each night. Is 1/2 an hour enough? That's up to you - practice is the only way to improve. I probably play 3 or more hours every day. Practice, practice, practice is the only answer, nobody was born with Clapton skills - he would practice till his fingers bled.

2,794

(8 replies, posted in Songwriting)

I agree with the others also. I enjoy reading all of the songs here. And Doc - Your command of the English language is just fine. Once in while you just put a special twist on something, but that just makes it all that much more personal and actually adds to, never distracts from the lyrics. I assure you there are thousands of songs out there from American "artists" that destroy the language on a regular basis (like pretty much every Rapper). Keep 'em coming!

2,795

(6 replies, posted in Bands and artists)

Man, I really dug that. A definite on the buy list. Checked out their site, and guess what - they're playing at MerleFest! The only tour dated listed so far for 2008.

http://www.crowmedicine.com/

Thanks SouthPaw!

2,796

(74 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

upyerkilt wrote:

im a ten minute walk away from Loch Lomond which is in  balloch which is part of alexandria which is in West Dunbartonshire, which is in Strathclyde area on the west of Scotland which is that wee great country just north of England which is in the UK, west of Europe.

But I do not want to be too precise where I am lol

lol


Ken

p.s. Ye can see my house on google earth

Ken - I just checked it out on Google Earth - You live in that castle? Nice pad!!

It looks like beautiful country.

I'm a few hundred miles south of Zurf. Lewisville, North Carolina

2,797

(35 replies, posted in Acoustic)

I learned how to change from justin sandercoe video lesson:

http://www.justinguitar.com/html/genera … tring.html

He addresses the issue at about 6:35 of the part 2 video. Says it's ok to change them all at the same time as long as you don't leave the guitar without strings for days. Makes sense - it's always recommended to loosen your strings all when traveling, so I don't see how 10 15 minutes could really harm anything. That said, I have a cheap guitar and may feel different if it was a $3,000 investment.

2,798

(1 replies, posted in Song requests)

Here ya go M4J, give these a try

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/c/c … am_crd.htm

2,799

(22 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

I'd be glad to help plan a "mini-chordi-stock" for the MerleFest bluegrass festival held here in NC. It's April 24th - 27th. Although billed as bluegrass, there is usually a pretty good mix - Last year Elvis Costello played, and Levon Helm is on this year's line-up.

Check it out:

http://www.merlefest.org/MerleFestCMS/d … 28_btnlink

I realize it is kind of short notice to pull something off this year, but maybe there are some in the area that are interested. This is a pretty popular festival and it's kinda late to start planning, so I don't know if we could get any group discounts at this point (kinda doubt it). But if folks would respond to this thread and / or shoot me an email I would be happy to gather the names and make some phone calls.

The link above has links to area campsites and hotels (although all of the local hotels appear full already). The festival is in Wilkesboro, NC - not much there really, but it is only about 45 minute drive to Winston-Salem to the east (where I live) or Boone / Blowing Rock to the west (beautiful mountains that we really enjoy) - Honestly if I were coming from out of town this is where I would stay anyway. Enjoy the mountains, a day trip to the festival (by bus to avoid the hassles) that would be the ticket. Lots of lodging in the boone / blowing rock area. Bus Route:

http://www.partnc.org/us421.html

Again, if anyone is interested, shoot me an email or just post here with dates you would like to travel and preferred accommodations. I'll gather the names and judging by the interest, we can go from there.

Maybe the first of many "mini-chordie-stocks" - Gotta think of a better name and get some T-shirts. smile

2,800

(1 replies, posted in Song requests)

Here ya go Blake, give these a shot

http://www.e-chords.com/guitartab/idmusica/67845.htm