Search options (Page 70 of 279)

I wish I could write songs, and I wish I had a Triumph motorcycle, or a Spitfire 1500 convertible in British racing green, gold pinstripes, and a camel hair top (not that I've thought about it or anything).  Cool meet up.  I hope you get to jam with him again.

We always called it Billsville.

Thanks for the recommendations!

I've been wanting to get to British Columbia for trout and steelhead fishing.

Some random thoughts.

1. Some people find nylon strung guitars to be easier to start with.  If you choose nylon strung guitars, unless you plan to play classical music get a folk guitar with nylon strings. If you plan to play classical music, by all means get a classical guitar. 

2. You don't have to get a guitar with nylon strings.  Some people think it cuts down on the sore fingertips at first, but I don't think there's any way to reduce the sore fingers.  The callouses you develop will be a badge of honor that you earn for persevering through the initial stage. 

3. All you need is a guitar and a tuner.  I like the clip on tuners.  Snark makes a good one, but there are some other brands out there as well.  Don't cheap out.  A really, really good tuner is only US $20.  Don't get one for US $8 that you'll hate and won't tune your low E string. 

4. It cannot be overemphasized that attitude is the main thing.  Make it not just your wish to play guitar, but your burning desire.  You need to put in practice time.  For the first six months, you will want to quit every day.  One magic day, you're going to realize that you can play that pesky D chord without even thinking about it, and why was A so hard in the first place?  For the six months after that, you're going to be getting better but your eyes will be opened to just how much there is to learn.  At a year, you're going to be sounding pretty good to yourself, and you're going to not only practice guitar but play music on guitar for relaxation and self-gratification.  At two years, people are going to be asking you to bring your guitar with you when they invite you over.  It's a slow road, but very gratifying, and lots of fun along the way (except the part up to the Eureka moment). 

5. You need a hat.  Not a baseball cap either.  It won't do not to look cool.  Hawaiian shirts are not out of the question, either. 

6. You can pick up accessories along the way.  Cleaners, cloths, spare strings, capo (would be a good first accessory to buy), music stands, stuff like that is all helpful to have. 

Have fun.  Enjoy the ride.  We're here to give and receive advice, and for your encouragement. 

- Zurf

Unclejoesband - This isn't public so much as it is my back yard, or if the weather is poor in my basement (it's finished and comfortable).  You'd be welcome to join us.  I drive to Gettysburg frequently.  It's roughly an hour's drive from here to the outlet malls, so adjust your distance accordingly to make your decision.  It's an easy drive on good roads down route 15.  I don't know how many are coming, but I know you'd have a good time. 

Where's the family reunion?  I know some parts of northern PA, too.  My family's from Elk County and my sister lived in Cowanesque for quite some while.

If you want to meet up in Gettysburg sometime and pick a few tunes, let me know.  I'd be up for that.  I'm sure we can find a piece of grass somewhere to set up a camp chair and pick.

Happy birthday gents.

It looks fantastic.  I know Larrivees always sound good.

Happy birthday NELA.

I would like brass on one of my guitars.  I have found a HUGE improvement in sound going from cheap junk plastic dead junk to bone or ebony.  Boomer has bone.  Tiny has ebony.  Ol' Reliable has ebony.  I want brass on Ol' Reliable to brighten her up. 

Anyway, slotted, hard, natural goodness is what you want.  Get bone if you can.

I bet you didn't expect to be running your fingers all over a 25 year old, did you?

No, I don't think it's the tuning peg. I'm pretty sure it's me.