Search options (Page 183 of 279)

Oh Lord, don't throw another body part into the mix.

What MKM said.  The text search on the Artists tab is not just for artists.  You can type in a song title there, or even just a snippet of song lyrics (though that doesn't work very well).  Give it a try. 

- Zurf

Good one.

Phill - that is brilliant.

I heard from my friend directly this evening.  He was taking a walk.  Can you believe that?   The doctors couldn't.  They expected him at most to be able to sit up in bed.  But instead, he was WALKING today, which he was not even able to do before the surgery.  God is good.  And, apparently, so was the surgical team. 

- Zurf

You need both hands to play the guitar.  Just because you're right handed doesn't mean the left hand doesn't work.  If you can play right-handed, then why go to the expense to get a left-handed guitar, and the bother to have to switch everything around in text books and chord charts and whatnot?  That's my $0.02. 

- Zurf

There is no best set of strings.  Strings are relatively cheap and easy to replace.  Plus they wear out fairly quickly, so you get frequent opportunities to try new things.  My recommendation is to start with a set of light phospher bronze strings, probably .11's or .12s from D'Addorio.   Take notes on the sound, whether you like it or not, and then try something different next time.  Take notes in the same notebook about what you think about those strings, etc.  Keep doing that until you find a set of strings that suits your budget and your playing style and pleases your ear. 

Phospher bronze strings ring like a piano and are good for strumming.
For fingerpicking I like silk & steel strings or Elixir nanowebs. 

My go-to brand, aside from Elixir, is D'Addorio.  GHS and Ernie Ball are also popular.  While Martin strings are popular among many, I have never been satisfied with the sound of them on my guitar. 

Ultra-lights on an acoustic, in my opinion, do not sound good.  If you are using ultra-lights .10s or .09s, don't be surprised if you find the sound weak and a bit jangly, with poor depth and resonance.  A lot of 'learner' or 'starter' guitars come strung with ultra-light strings because they take less strength to use.  For me, that's not worth the compromise in sound. 

- Zurf

Is it his birthday today?  I'll have to give him a call.  Great guy.  I wish him many happy returns. 

- Zurf

Curious, for me the lyrics are often simpler.  Your point on another thread about practicing scales and arpeggios works here too.  If you understand which chords go with which keys, it's much easier to figure out the songs.  And a good barre chord in F shape or B shape (heaven forfend!) is useful to figuring out a key when playing along.  Right on.  Keep pushing practice.  It's the only way to improve. 

- Zurf

The other nice thing about a metronome is that once you get the pattern, you can slow down the tempo and practice the pattern slowly, increasing speed over time as you gain accuracy.  With rhythm, accuracy is more important than speed.  Speed will come, but accuracy must be practiced intentionally. 

PapaTom - Good suggestion on drum instruction.  I started out with trumpet, but broke one of my front teeth.  For the period until I could get my tooth repaired, I took drum lessons.  That month or two (I don't remember how long it was) of drumming instruction has been extremely useful to me throughout my musical life.  I had forgotten all about that until reading your suggestion. 

- Zurf

Yes. Each of those could be appropriate means depending on how you're going to use it. 

To me, the most important thing is feel and sound.  If you're going to play it plugged in the most, or if you're going to be playing for audiences most, then the sound when plugged in should be very important to you.  If you're going to plug it in sometimes when the mood strikes you, then the sound unplugged should be at least as important if not moreso.  Of utmost importance should be the feel of the guitar.  Can YOU play it comfortably in YOUR style?  If the answer is no, find another.  There's no one right or wrong way to pick a guitar. 

- Zurf

Bobwill - Yes.  I have and expect that I will continue to have this problem.  There is no shame in using 'a chart' when you play.  If there were, every orchestra musician out there would have cause to be ashamed. 

- Zurf