5,851 Reply by Zurf

(12 replies, posted in Acoustic)

I think you need to do both.  When I was learning to play tennis, at the end of the "Introduction to tennis" section told us this.  I have used it in as many aspects of my life since as I could.

He told us, "Kids, you have now learned something and accomplished something by finishing this class.  To improve, you need to find people better than yourself and play with them.  To give back, and to ensure that there will always be a better player willing to play with you, you need BE the better player and help out others who haven't learned as much as you." 

So, be both an ambassador by playing with people who are learning the basics, and also a student by playing with people who are better than you.  This works best if you only go one or two steps better or worse.  I wouldn't expect to be able to sit in and play with Doc Watson, and probably wouldn't learn much from him because he is SO far advanced that I wouldn't have even a chance of figuring out what he's just done.  (No comment against Doc Watson, whom I have heard is among the nicest kind of people). 

- Zurf

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5,852 Reply by Zurf

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

LesPaulGuy wrote:
Zurf wrote:
LesPaulGuy wrote:

The Clark Brothers were amazing ... a lot of talent with those guys ... I've seen them as the back-up band on American Idol as well ... speaking of Christian Bands, I loved Stryper too

My favorite band is U2 but I'm also partial to old metal bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, etc.

I used to run the sound board for a praise band where the guitarist was formerly the lead for Stryper.  He was a gentle man with lots of kids and a crazy good guitarist. 

- Big D

Wow that's pretty slick Zurf ... I remember the lead guitarist was VERY talented

He is at that.  It's also nice to meet someone who has made it big (at least for a while) and continues to live modestly and in accordance with his beliefs. 

- Zurf



p.s.  Sorry about the name thing.  I use Big D on other boards, but it was taken here.  I also go by halffastpaddler.

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5,853 Reply by Zurf

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

The distance is making less difference in sounds over time.  With the advent of You-Tube and CD Baby, anyone can get any kind of music anywhere.  Plus, there's a lot more regional movement of people.  I don't have any evidence to support it, but I suspect that people are following jobs a lot more readily than they used to when three or four generations would live on the same street in the same town. 

Anyway, Chicago blues relies heavily on harmonica and repetitive bass lines upon which are built interesting (at least to me) variations in the lead electric line.  At the other end of the river (OK, three rivers: Chicago River to Missouri River to Mississippi River), the Delta blues has strong zydeco and cajun influences and often uses concertinas in lieu of harmonicas and washboards aren't unheard of. 

I agree with bensonp in liking them all.

To get a good flavor of local music, you have to hit the bars on open mic night.  The regions can be very, very small.  I can think of one road where there's large towns every 20 miles or so.  Start at the eastern most and you find a lot of party rock bands, in the middle town you'll find more folk music, and go to the western most town you'll get a lot of country and bluegrass.  You can find any of those kinds of music in any of those towns if you look, I'm just talking about generalities. 

- Zurf

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5,854 Reply by Zurf

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

The building wherein I have my office has 18 floors, including a 13th.  I think it's more common in hotels than office buildings, and also less common among newer buildings than older. 

Of course, in any given building with enough stories, there is a 13th floor.  The only difference is whether it's CALLED a 13th floor.  I don't believe in luck, or rather I believe in making your own luck.  I'd live in apartment 1313 on the corner of 13th and M Streets (M is the 13th letter) if I got a discount. 

- Zurf

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5,855 Topic by Zurf

(1 replies, posted in Electric)

I was playing on my electric this morning.  It's an Ibanez G10, which is a low-cost GS knockoff.  It has passive dual humbucker pickups.  Now, I was playing a sissified 70's folk/pop song, as is my wont.  I understand that GS's are meant for roots rock, Beatle tribute bands, and surf music, but my acoustic was upstairs and I'm lazy and the Ibanez was right there on the wall...  Anyway, there is possibility that the guitar suddenly stopping sending a signal to the amp was self-induced to keep from having to play a song first performed by a sensitive new-age frog. 

While I was playing, I got some popping, then no sound at all.  The chord works in a different guitar on that amp, so it's something with the guitar.  The input jack is loose, so I figure it's just a connection that's disconnected from some wiggling. 

I know nothing of guitar repair, but a little about electronics (ran a computer repair shop for a while).  Will I screw up the guitar if I go in with my usual level of cluelessness and bravado, do I have a good chance of being able to repair the connection and getting back underway.

If you help me out, I promise that the FIRST song I play on the repaired guitar will be Not Fade Away or something similarly GS-y.  No promises thereafter. 

- Zurf

Go to forum: Electric

5,856 Reply by Zurf

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

LesPaulGuy wrote:

The Clark Brothers were amazing ... a lot of talent with those guys ... I've seen them as the back-up band on American Idol as well ... speaking of Christian Bands, I loved Stryper too

My favorite band is U2 but I'm also partial to old metal bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, etc.

I used to run the sound board for a praise band where the guitarist was formerly the lead for Stryper.  He was a gentle man with lots of kids and a crazy good guitarist. 

- Big D

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5,857 Reply by Zurf

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

Ken -

Fourth Thursday in November.  Friday is the traditional kick off to the Christmas shopping season and is known in the retail trade as "Black Friday".  Often 1/3 to 1/2 of the entire year's revenue comes between now and Christmas.  Many retail personnel spend 14 hours or more on their feet without breaks on Black Friday.  I am SO glad that I'm out of that line of work. 

- Zurf

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5,858 Reply by Zurf

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

Let's remember what the first Thanksgiving was about.  It was giving thanks that they were still sucking air.  Things were not that great.  Lots of the first wave of settlers had died.  Others had taken sick and recovered but were weakened.  They were happy just to be alive, and more than a little unsettled at the thought of another winter.  So, what'd they do?  The sensible thing.  They had a party. 

If you are alive to read this message, then you have something to be thankful for.  Have a party.    Patuxet are optional.   Pumpkin pie is mandatory. 

- Zurf

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5,859 Reply by Zurf

(8 replies, posted in Acoustic)

It might be humidity rather than temperature.  The guy at my shop says to keep guitars at 50% humidity.  In our area, that's just the winter that's a problem.  The summers are all higher than that level. 

- Zurf

Go to forum: Acoustic

5,860 Reply by Zurf

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

We had Stellar Kart at a graduation celebration last fall.  One of those crazy things where they were in the area, had a gig cancel, were looking for some volunteer activity to do, someone knew someone who knew someone and everything all worked out.  Soemthing like 30 people claimed to convert at that celebration. 

For my favorite band, it changes from time to time.  However, I always enjoy the live tunes we sing and share around riverbank campfires after a long day of paddling.

- Zurf

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5,861 Reply by Zurf

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

It is not wrong to play it your way.  Artists who first perform songs don't play it the same way every time.  Listen to James Taylor Live, one of my favorite albums.  He changes up his own songs quite a bit. 

- Zurf

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5,862 Reply by Zurf

(8 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Practice to allow yourself confidence enough to enjoy yourself.  If you are comfortable and smiling when you play, the fun you're having will come through the instrument and your audience will pick up on it. 

- Zurf

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5,863 Reply by Zurf

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

"De doo doo doo de daa daa daa" by The Police

And since we seem to be on a Buffett kick, how about "Vampires, Mummies, and the Holy Ghost"

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5,864 Reply by Zurf

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

Perhaps he met the gal in the brown shirt.

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5,865 Reply by Zurf

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

That's funny you'd mention that, because I have a 200 piece orchestra and a chorus hanging out at my house tonight, and they tell me that they're just aching to get a gig in the Redneck Riviera.  In the meanwhile, I have a LOT of chili bowls to wash...

- Zurf

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5,866 Reply by Zurf

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

Jimmy Buffett's ballad "If the Phone Doesn't Ring, It's Me" is a contender. 

Then there's the former top 40 from Kenny Roger's pre-country days, "Just Stopped In to See What Condition My Condition Was In".

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5,867 Reply by Zurf

(7 replies, posted in Acoustic)

So long as you get out the notes, it doesn't matter which fingers you use to do it.  That said, certain fingers at certain times surely do make certain transitions easier. 

Which fingers to use when?  Ask Russell the Mutant.   He actually knows what he's doing, unlike me.

- Zurf

Go to forum: Acoustic

5,868 Reply by Zurf

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

Last band I was in was four.  One acoustic/rhythm guitarist, one electric/lead guitarist (also played acoustic from time to time), one bassist, one drummer.  Both guitarists sang.  They could trade between lead and backup singing.   The combination worked well. 

- Zurf

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5,869 Reply by Zurf

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

dguyton wrote:

Another important question and answer:  What is the difference between a 'skirt' and a 'kilt'?

If the guy wearing it looks like he'll kick your @$$ if you call it a skirt, then it's a kilt.

I have hiked (backpacked, really) in my Utilikilt, and i found it to be very practical.

Saw a guy at Home Depot wearing one of those utilikilts.  Going by the scars on his arms, the creases from hard work and sun on his face, and the breadth of his shoulders, no one has EVER dared to consider that thing a skirt. 

I've got a friend here who has been teaching me to improve my fly fishing.  He's an immigrant from Scotland and enjoys wearing his kilt to formal events.  He's acclimated very nicely to West Virginia though, and his usual casual attire is a flannel shirt with the sleeves cut off and bib overalls in denim.  You'd think he was a native son until he opens his mouth.

- Zurf

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5,870 Reply by Zurf

(8 replies, posted in Acoustic)

I have a chord book with photographs showing someone actually fingering the chords.  Very useful.  Try a music shop - not Guitar Center if you can avoid it.  Nothing against Guitar Center, they're a good store.  I just like it when people can support a local shop is all. 

- Zurf

Go to forum: Acoustic

5,871 Reply by Zurf

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

Saw a hiking kilt for sale in an outfitter along the AT (Appalachian Trail).  It was so hot that day I was tempted, but just couldn't pull the trigger. 

- Zurf

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5,872 Reply by Zurf

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

Good news?  Sure.   You've got work and you like your boss (at least you better).  You've got a warm, dry home.  You've got food in the pantry and a bottle with some whisky nearby.  You woke up on the right side of the dirt today.  Best of all you've got friends and family around to help you enjoy it.   I'd say you're a well-blessed woman. 

- Zurf

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5,873 Reply by Zurf

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

Give a listen to the re-released Johnny Cash album, Live at Folsom Prison.  In it, he performs a song by a young man who's a prisoner there.  The young man had sent the song to Johnny Cash for that purpose.  In the introduction, Johnny Cash mentions that the young man also sent him the sheet music, but he nor any member of his band could read music, so they put their own tune on it.  He did mention that "maybe Helen" could read music. 

So, I suppose if you want to consider Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, and Carl Perkins (who was performing regularly with Cash's band at that time) to be "laughing stocks" of the music world you can.  I wouldn't.  I'd call them "good company."

- Zurf

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5,874 Reply by Zurf

(23 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Definitely all my stuff sounds the same.  Generally I just tell people (adults, of course) to drink until I sound good.  Of course, I usually play for others at a camp-ground so no one is going anywhere and they were going to do the drinking anyway. 

Good luck, and congratulations on recognizing something about your own playing enough to figure out what to work on.  That takes some humility, some patience, and a desire to improve.  With those three things in your favor, it'll be hard for you not to do well.  Keep up the good work.

- Zurf

Go to forum: Acoustic

5,875 Reply by Zurf

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

You know I double checked and I actually don't play it like the picture shows.  Who knew?  I thought I played it that way, but apparantly I don't.  You'd think I would know what I do.  C'est la vie.

- Zurf

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