Ah, that must be it. The only one note picking I do is betwixt and between strums to put some bouncy country rhythm to the strumming. I just started practicing scales on my electric so that I can do put some blues riffs in now and then.
- Zurf
5,226 2009-08-28 12:50:09
Re: switching from finger picking to a pick (13 replies, posted in Acoustic)
5,227 2009-08-27 14:54:11
Re: Some "simple" questions (5 replies, posted in Acoustic)
To this question: "Are there any lead acoustic guitar players out there? It seems like it is more satisfying to kick out some chords and sing along to your favorite songs. Later on when I get a lot better can I try to throw in some cool lead guitar tricks to make the tune pop?"
We had a little jamm session at my house a few months ago with Jets60, Detman101 and I. We all had very different style of playing. I fingerpick and use the bass notes to drive the music (I'm a reformed bassist), Jets60 strums softly and sings softer and maintains a wonderful rhythm, but Detman101 played just exactly the way you asked about. He was pulling lead licks out on songs he'd never heard before, just by getting into the chord progression and applying his knowledge of scales, arpeggios, and inversions over the chords in the structure. He did it all by ear, and did it all the first time through on the songs. So, if you want advice on how to do what you ask, I'd suggest that you learn your scales well and how to pick a melody out of the scale just as Detman101 did it. www.justinguitar.com has a video lesson on that very thing on his web-site. I just started using the lesson this week (I'm a slow learner, should have done it the very afternoon Detman101 showed off the versatility of this style of playing), so I can't really speak to how well it will work over time. But it's out there, and it's free, and Justin is a terrific instructor.
- Zurf
5,228 2009-08-27 14:42:13
Re: How soon did you “outgrow (29 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Cedar's got a nice tone. Good pick there tbronaugh.
Rstauffe - I've got a couple friends and acquaintances in the Nashville music scene. The song "Nashville Cats" got it right.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt1Ie0ErMKo (for Del McCoury version, just because Del McCoury counts as one of those Nashville Cats who plays 'clean as country water')
- Zurf
5,229 2009-08-27 14:35:18
Re: switching from finger picking to a pick (13 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Get a soft pick.
Sorry for giving exactly the opposite advice as StranSongs.
I also fingerpick mostly, and when I use a pick I horribly abuse and beat upon my guitar. I've found that a thin/soft pick helps. StranSongs' advice is probably better in the long run, though. Learning to gently strum would be better than continuing to pound on the poor instrument.
- Zurf
5,230 2009-08-27 14:32:08
Re: Acoustic/Electric 12 String advice needed. (2 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Breedlove and Taylor both have good reputations and build good guitars. The store I frequent has stopped carrying Breedlove because in the words of the proprietor, "They are getting too big for their britches." They require large initial orders, require large on-hand stocks of their dealers, etc. Small dealers have a hard time carrying them because their space and inventory requirements are too high. However, you're not a dealer so you don't care about such things. I just bring it up because it may indicate something about Breedlove's go-to-market approach of using large dealers and catalogues, and that does affect you. That said, everyone I know who has a Breedlove likes it. I have played them, and like them too.
There aren't enough good things to say about Taylor. They've been around for a long time, for a short while they had a quality problem with neck separation but they extended their warranty to cover that problem at no cost to original owners even if the rest of the guitar was out of warranty - which says a lot about their idea of customer service. Playability is excellent on every Taylor guitar I've ever tried. They tend not to have a lot of low end reverberation like Martin's do, but they ring like bells on the mid-tones and high. Never tinny (unless the strings are worn out). If I had the money, I'd go out right now and buy two or three Taylor acoustics for different applications. Taylor is the only guitar brand I'd consider buying on credit over time, but that's just me.
AMS is a reputable catalog/internet dealer. I've dealt with them before and it was a positive experience. You may also want to check out Music123. Sometimes they offer financing deals.
- Zurf
5,231 2009-08-27 14:22:47
Re: Travel guitar (41 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Everyone has their own window on the world. I'm 6'3" with "piano player's" fingers. I'm guessing that I may think of your hands as "small hands", even though I'm sure they suit you perfectly.
Some other things to think about are 'concert' body guitars rather than 'dreadnaught' body style. They don't throw as much sound, but are still fine for the sort of backporch/campfire picking & strumming you described as being your interest.
- Zurf
5,232 2009-08-27 14:16:16
Re: Remembering chords and lyrics? (28 replies, posted in Acoustic)
crevs.1972 wrote:
I've been thiniking of putting some "que stickers" on the top edge of my guitar with some chord progressions so at least I'll have a little help or is this still relying on notes too much?
Anyone else do this?
I did that on the bell of my trombone when I was in a Dixieland band.
- Zurf
5,233 2009-08-26 22:19:22
Re: Movie thread (54 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
KAP54, if you live campy, then you have GOT to check out Armies of Darkness. My favorite line is "Good? Evil? I'm the one with the boomstick." The boomstick is a cheap hunting rifle from a K-Mart/Walmart sort of store that gets transported to a fantasy middle age sort of place along with a store clerk. That's right, a Walmart(y) store clerk with a cheap hunting rifle has to save all of civilization from zombies. It's a campy movie worth watching. A pizza, a couple guys, and a six pack (or two depending on how many guys you have over) helps. It also helps if you start it at, like, 10:40PM on a Friday after a rough week at work.
I like the category thing, so I'm going to nominate Payback with Mel Gibson as a good revenge movie. My favorite line from that movie "Now that's just mean."
- Zurf
5,234 2009-08-26 18:53:12
Re: Guitar and Singing Combined (21 replies, posted in Acoustic)
There's a few women around Chordie, and more are surely welcome. It's an equal opportunity playground. Thanks for the bit of advice. Keep it coming.
- Zurf
5,235 2009-08-26 18:50:08
Re: Travel guitar (41 replies, posted in Acoustic)
mekidsmom wrote:
I'm very new and looking for a "right" guitar for me (rather than using my hubby's)... I was thinking since I'm a small person this might work well for me... but alas I will continue searching. I didn't think from pictures that the body of this guitar was THAT small! Thank you very much for the video, it helped a lot in making my decision to skip this -- although I do like the sound (for what it is) and it looks like it'll be wonderful for camping! Enjoy!
Take a look at a Taylor Big Baby if your finances are such that you can afford one. It's a 15/16 size guitar (just slightly smaller than a "parlor" guitar), has true Taylor sound, and is very nice for folks with small hands. Unfortunately, along with the Taylor sound comes the Taylor price. It's not thousands of dollars like some Taylors, but it is several hundred.
Link to a U.S. company that sells the guitar: http://www.music123.com/Taylor-Big-Baby … 3.Music123
- Zurf
5,236 2009-08-25 18:15:02
Re: H1N1 Flu Avoidance PSA Contest (12 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Yes. H1N1 = Swine Flue. Apparently the pigs complained about the name and it was changed in the U.S.
5,237 2009-08-25 15:19:09
Topic: "Time makes you bolder and even children get older... (3 replies, posted in Song requests)
And I'm getting older too."
What is the title and artist of that song? Is it Fleetwood Mac? Or Stevie Nicks in a solo career? I would like to get a copy of it and learn the song, but darned if I can remember the artist and title.
Thanks for your help.
- Zurf
NEVER MIND. I found it using the new search feature in songs. Pretty nifty.
5,238 2009-08-25 14:46:55
Re: Guitar and Singing Combined (21 replies, posted in Acoustic)
crevs.1972 wrote:
Zurf, the only problem I see with your "you drunker you get, the better I play" philosophy is that my will power isn't very good. If the beers are being cracked open I wouldn't be able to resist and no matter how drunk my friends are, I don't think they'll cope with me singing and playing after a six pack..or two!
Every chain has a weak link. I guess you found the one in my plan. I'm with you on that. More than a couple of drinks and my fingers forget which hand they are attached to, and my voice starts singing verses out of order.
- Zurf
5,239 2009-08-25 14:42:57
Re: My Brother . (26 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I'm sorry for your loss. I will continue to pray for you, and for mercy and peace to be granted to your brother's soul as well.
- Zurf
5,240 2009-08-25 14:40:34
Topic: H1N1 Flu Avoidance PSA Contest (12 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
My nephew Jesse and one of his friends put together a couple of entries for an H1N1 Flu Avoidance competition. They are a fifteen second and a thirty second video. The more views the better. So give them each a view.
The name of the contest is "find a better way".
Fifteen second spot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSfTuY5_uWs
Thirty second spot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlWWw748MsQ
Thanks for your clickage.
- Zurf
5,241 2009-08-24 13:44:19
Re: I need easy songs to practise playing and singing (7 replies, posted in Acoustic)
What I have done is to pick some songs that I very much want to learn and recorded the originals to a CD. When I drive around, that CD is in the truck radio. I sing along, but not just sing. I concentrate on what verse is coming up, whether there's a musical interlude, where the bridge is, the order of the verses, whether the chorus changes lyrics to move the story along, etc. It is something that you can do without endangering others around you and really get to know the lyrics.
- Zurf
5,242 2009-08-24 13:42:16
Re: Guitar and Singing Combined (21 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I don't know. I recently heard myself in a recording and while the guitar playing was so-so, my voice was simply awful. It isn't going to stop me from singing though, and I think that's the key. (unintentional pun, but I like it so left it in)
If you are of an appropriate age, tell anyone listening to you what I do, "The more you drink, the better I sound." Of course, use caution as we don't want to be responsible for road accidents or unfortunately placed tattooes. Stop singing before they get too blotto.
- Zurf
5,243 2009-08-24 13:24:05
Re: You'd think musicians would know how to hear (10 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
flester wrote:
I'd agree with DOUG_SMITH, just get a competent woodworker (yourself ?) to build a new case, out of solid wood instead of MDF. Once you've given up on the insurance route, that is. I accept that insurance employees are just doing their job. However from my dealings with that industry, it seems to be structured so that you just give up after a while unless the amounts are huge.
I am a professional negotiator who once made a tax attorney working for a state revenue office cry. (really, I did) Giving up on the basis of annoying administration is not in my nature.
And to be clear, the frustration I am having is not with my insurance company. They have been treating me fairly. The frustration is with the repair technicians who won't put down on paper what they have just told me as a customer - that the amp is damaged in such a way that the damage cannot be repaired. Why would they be willing to tell me face-to-face something that they refuse to stand behind? And if they are willing to stand behind it, why won't they? It's annoying.
I'm not going to get a new case built. The loudspeaker still goes thump, thump, thump, but it is damaged as well. It is at least stained, and the center portion is pushed instead of sticking out. So it doesn't go thump, thump, thump with the fidelity it is supposed to. It could be used as a stage throughput, which is how I used to use it, but it will mildew in time and it already smells funky, as MDF will do once it gets wet. Funky in a bass practice amp is only good for sound, not for smell.
- Zurf
5,244 2009-08-23 00:23:55
Re: best wishes and condolences from england (11 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
A condolence site? Bizarre. Is there nothing that people won't spam?
- Zurf
5,245 2009-08-22 19:08:39
Re: You'd think musicians would know how to hear (10 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
As far as them wanting the unit, that'd be fine. I'd have no problem with that if they compensated me for it.
Riddler - good analogy. I'll use it if this comes up again. Sure, the body's all banged up, but the car still goes. You got it to go didn't you? So what's the problem? Perfect. Love it.
- Zurf
5,246 2009-08-22 14:05:49
Topic: You'd think musicians would know how to hear (10 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
So I've mentioned on here before about the water damage to my basement. One of my bass practice amps was on the floor and the case of it was damaged by sitting in water. The electronics, which are at the top of the cabinet work. But the cabinet is made of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF). It absorbed water and swelled. The glue holding the cover on has failed and the cover is coming off. The front cover is stained. The bottom of the paper cone has miraculously survived (perhaps it only looks like paper).
So my insurance properly covers me if something is damaged. They will pay to repair the damages, or they will pay to replace it if the damages cannot be repaired. This is what I contracted them to do, what they agreed to provide, and what I have been paying premiums to receive. It is all proper, honest, above board, and practically blooming over with integrity. It is, in short, the usual and customary reason one pays for insurance in the first place.
Now, it's not all on my honor. Anything over $250 requires me to have a repair estimate, or a statement from a technician/repairman saying that the damages cannot be repaired. This is fair because they pay for the estimating fee.
So each place I've taken this combo amp, the technician has said, "Oh. I can't get a replacement case. I can staple the cover back on, but it's always going to be swollen up like that."
"Fine," I say, "can you just put that down in writing so that I can submit it to the insurance company." Each has refused. They don't want to be liable. Liable for what? For stating the truth? "Well the amp still works", they say. "Yes, it works. But is it damaged?" "Well, not really." "So, that cabinet isn't swollen up and stained from sitting in water?" "Sure it is." "And you think that isn't damage?" "But the amp still works."
Round and round it goes. Simply amazing. It's as if they aren't willing to stand behind their own statement that they HAD JUST MADE TO THEIR CUSTOMER!!!
They all seem to want to interpret my insurance claim and policy without having seen either one. All their being asked to do is to put down in writing what they had just told me. The absolute and obvious truth, verifiable photographically. Truth I would swear to under oath in a court of law. The cabinet is damaged and cannot be repaired. It is a combo amp, and so the cabinet is an integral part of the amp. That the amp still makes the speaker go thump, thump, thump does NOT mean that the combo amp is not damaged or that the damage can be repaired.
Bizarre. And incredibly frustrating. I'm not trying to rip off the insurance company or defraud anyone. I'm trying to get what I'm due, in accordance with the right and proper terms of the policy.
- Zurf
5,247 2009-08-22 11:42:53
Re: best wishes and condolences from england (11 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I have too, apparantly. What disaster has occurred?
- Zurf
5,248 2009-08-21 12:32:03
Re: FROM HEAVEN TO HELL (6 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Don't think of it as a musician. Think of it as a doctor. They were all stoned, severely and frequently. It made them feel good, but it damaged their bodies, minds and spirits. The good feeling is ephemeral and diminishes with frequency. The damage is permanent and cumulative. No way it could last.
5,249 2009-08-21 02:25:47
Re: approach to learning songs (9 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Sounds like a good plan.
Teaching yourself guitar (as I have done) can be quite a chore. It's tough to learn something from a teacher who is as ignorant on the subject as the pupil. Books are good. There are a bazillion good lessons on Youtube (and a few bazillion more really bad ones). There are pay sites like Jamplay.com that's associated on Chordie, and free/donation sites like Justinguitar.com. I can't speak for Jamplay never having used their lessons, but Justinguitar.com is a very good site for beginners. His beginner drills are awesome. I just wish that I had the discipline to follow his advice (and my own of using his). My sissy teacher (me) keeps letting me (the student) off the hook.
- Zurf
5,250 2009-08-20 16:16:05
Re: approach to learning songs (9 replies, posted in Acoustic)
A few things.
1. Welcome to Chordie.
2. Seven songs at once is probably not too many. However, if you're brand new at this, determine whether you are learning to play songs or learning to play guitar. Neither way is right or wrong in my opinion, but it makes a difference in how you practice.
2a. Learning songs: You get the chord structure down, you learn a few riffs maybe, you learn the lyrics, and you strum it out when you want to. This is what I do most of the time.
2b. Learning guitar: You learn not only the chords and structures, but why they go together. You don't learn just the riff, but you learn the scale upon which the riff is based so that when you need to you can adapt it to other songs or adjust riffs to suit your mood rather than the mood of the composer. You don't just sing the words of the song, you learn the melody and how it fits and be able to pick out the melody on the guitar and make your guitar sing. This is a lot harder, but I am told more satisfying.
These styles, 2a and 2b, are not hard and fast. You can do both at the same time. But you can't do both in the same practice session. They are radically different approaches to practice.
My suggestion to you is to split your practice session up. In the first part of your practice session, have particular goals. Run scales that relate to your style of music (major pentatonic for country song, pentatonic blues scale for blues and rock, etc.). Learn arpeggios and inversions (which are different ways of playing chords note for note instead of all together). Practice some theory. Learn how it sounds to use a relative minor, and what a relative minor is. That's the first half. In the second half, bang out some songs.
Over time, the 'banging out some songs' portion will expand. You still need to practice the basic structures of music on your particular instrument, but instead of practicing it individually you'll be applying it to songs and making the songs sound like you are playing them rather than some tribute band reproducing an original artists rendition note for note. Even the original artists get bored with doing that.
- Zurf