Search options (Page 240 of 279)

Good to see so many folks getting started.  Have a blast everyone!  While you're picking those beginner songs, pick some "stretch" songs too.  Don't start working on them yet, but know that you WANT to do those songs.  As you learn, pull them out from time to time, see what you have to learn to be able to play them.  Work on those skills.  Someday, maybe next week or maybe three years from now, but someday, you'll be playing that "stretch" song and you'll think back to when you didn't know squat. 

Congratulations on starting what I hope will be a fun and rewarding trip for all of you.

- Zurf

I think it would be responsible and right for you to inform the person that the guitar may be valuable, that older Martin's are well sought after instruments.  If they don't care or continue to want to give it to you, then you are free to accept the instrument with a clear conscience. 

This situation is an interesting metaphor for Christian faith.  I can't speak to other faiths, because I don't know them well.  But Christian faith relies upon a gift (Jesus' sacrifice) and someone being willing to accept that gift (forgiveness of their sins).  Many people do not wish to accept the gift because they think they are not worthy of it.  The thing about gifts, though, is that you don't have to be worthy in your eyes but only in the eyes of the giver.  If the criteria this person has set for the guitar is that they want someone playing it, and you would in fact play it, then you have met the criteria of worthiness in the giver's eyes.  There is no cause for guilt.  Just accept the gift and be grateful, with the caveat that you first have informed them of the potential value of the guitar. 

- Zurf

Start with Forever and Ever Amen, then probably Tin Cup Chalice, then maybe Ain't No Sunshine, and then whatever someone who flips through my songbook asks "Hey! I love this song.  Can you do that one?" asks for. 

Sometime in the night, while sitting along a river in West Virginia, it is a necessity to play "Take Me Home Country Roads". 

A few of the guys there are retired Navy, so I am working on (won't say I've learned it yet) "They're Sending the Old Man Home." 

Flesh and Blood will likely make an appearance for no other reason than I can play it half way through with only slightly embarrassing myself. 

But two songs that will absolutely, positively get played, probably more than once, are Herschel's Campfire Song and My Life Revolves Around Pee (The Tinkle Waltz). 

- Zurf

It won't be a problem.  I'm 6'3", weigh 240 pounds and can whip up a bad attitude real fast.  I won't have to worry about them being armed either, 'cause I'm likely to be bulletproof through much of the weekend. 

- Zurf

It's not blackberry jam.  The blackberries are preserved using a more liquid form of preservative. 

I don't eat my catch, preferring for catch & release on sport fish, but I will be eating very well nevertheless.  I may try for some catfish and would eat that, though.  Hmmmm, now you've got me thinking.  I should probably take some corn meal.

I grew up in Pennsylvania to the West of you in the Appalachians. 

- Zurf

Haven't met many stars, but the ones I've met were nice.  When I used to be into sports cars, Paul Newman was still driving.  Even though it was his team, and he was a huge celebrity, I didn't see that he asked for any special security at his station at the track or ask for any special favors.  As far as he was concerned, he was just another driver.  I liked seeing that.  He took what he got and was happy to have it.  He didn't socialize with the track crew and volunteers, but plenty of the drivers didn't.  They were busy with their cars, going over strategy with their crew chiefs, or making sure that they were properly rested for the race.  All understandable reasons not to socialize.

President Bush's (the first one) favorite restaurant was a restaurant that used to be in my neighborhood.  At first, he'd call ahead to make sure there was a table for him, but he took a table like anyone else.  He just didn't wait in line.  Eventually, the owners put up a screen around his favorite table to give him privacy and left it there all the time so folks wouldn't know whether the President was dining there or not.  Still, that was the owner's idea not the President's.  I suspect the Secret Service put him up to it.  You wouldn't believe the place if I showed it to you.  It's a little hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant in a run-down strip mall.  It's between a laundromat and a thrift store, but the restaurant is fantastic.   It's also "Ahnold's" favorite DC area restaurant from what I hear.  There are pictures of he and Ms. Shriver there anyway. 

- Zurf

Why not just add that information to the profiles?  If you want to know about someone, just click their profile.  I think a thread would get cumbersome.  I'm not against it, I just doubt that I'd ever refer to it.    It seems like profiles would be an easier and more direct way to share and reach that information about a particular person. 

- Zurf

I don't know.  Never have been able to figure out tab well. 

As far as chords, I use the chord chart on Chordie, especially if I've picked a song from the listing.  You can click on the chord pictures and get alternate fingerings.  Very helpful.

I'm teaching myself as well.  The major problem I have found with teaching myself is that I have a terribly ill-informed instructor and my student is a stubborn knucklehead.

- Zurf

I clean it sometimes.  My hands are usually clean.

- Zurf

I prefer D'Addorio Light gauge strings on my guitar.  If I had it set up professional to use Medium strings I would.  I think the Medium strings give a fuller tone.  But the guitar has to be ready to accept them.  In general, I would recommend Light strings.

As far as brand, that's all a matter of preference.  Like I said, I like D'Addorio Silk & Steel strings.  I like them because they are very bright and I fingerpick mostly.  Problem is that I can't keep fingernails well, so my fingerpicking is kind of dull sounding, so using bright strings helps make it sound better.  When I'm going to strum a lot, I use D'Addorio Phospher Bronze because I like the warmth of them, and the pick gives enough brightness to keep it interesting.

The professionals I know use GHS strings, but that may be because they're sponsored as much as that's what they prefer.  Others like Martin strings for acoustics.  I don't, but many, many people do. 

I'd recommend that you try a variety of different strings.  As you put each set on, take notes.  You'll have forgotten what you like about that set by the time they're worn out.  So, try some different types over time and keep notes and you'll find what you like best.  In the meanwhile, you're playing guitar so it's all good.

There are on-line tutorials on changing strings.  Try Googling "How to change guitar strings".

- Zurf

Southpaw, you owe me some Windex and a paper towel to clean all this coffee off my screen.  If dude doesn't use that, I will!  And I don't even have a band. 

Along those same lines:

Toker the Clown

- Zurf