2,176 Reply by mekidsmom

(24 replies, posted in Acoustic)

well, after this past weekend I can say... my strings are still too high.  Pix actually handled my guitar but only for a minute and straight away said that the action was quite high... so I'm off to the sanding block some more.  Interestingly enough, I didn't notice a lot of buzz over the weekend after the little bit of lowering I had already done. 

So Bill, I think you and I are simply in need of some more tweeking to our guitars.  No doubt a professional set up would help, but that takes all the fun out of it!  LOL!  BEST WISHES!

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2,177 Reply by mekidsmom

(14 replies, posted in Electric)

email to me jcellini, I'll put 'em up for ya!  smile

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2,178 Reply by mekidsmom

(3 replies, posted in Songwriting)

A lovely Ode... and it includes the Raccoon and Possum which very much deserve credit in the River Jam as their presence made it all something more to talk about.  By this time next year they'll be a legend that walked up and started picking with us!  smile  LOVE IT!

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2,179 Reply by mekidsmom

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

"I want to have a baby!" ... because that led to "I do" which lead to THREE babies!  I only wanted one, I should have just waited and let things roll as they would.  I don't regret any one of my kids, but... I wish I hadn't pushed things for sure!  smile  Add to that, "Let's buy a house."  Because here we are stuck in "The Money Pit".

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2,180 Reply by mekidsmom

(48 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Zurf is right... this style of written music (words and chords and NOT standard notation) doesn't lead to a simple read and play.  You really should start with a song that you know well.  If you can listen to a recording, try to hear where the chord changes are.  With some songs they'll be after a strum cycle every time, some songs will be in the middle of a strum cycle, it's different with each song.  Chordie simply pulls the songs together from other places on the net and tries to make them more easy to find and read.  It's not foolproof, it's not always correct, and guitar certainly isn't always easy as you know. 

I was going to say to stick with "Leaving on a Jet Plane" but I'm not really sure it's your "style" that you'll enjoy it enough to stick with it, but that was the first song I learned.  I can honestly say that I played that song to death while learning it that I almost never ever play it anymore LOL!  BUT... it's a simple song, you play each chord for an entire strumming pattern and play the E twice through the strum pattern (well that's what I do) and you can use a really simple pattern or a trickier one.  I had a video up at one point but I took it down as I felt I was more confusing than helpful.  Pix will get you going on the right track!! 

For your amusement, my youtube name is the same as my username here on Chordie.  If there's any junk I've done on there that you'd like me to slow down and explain, I'd be glad to.  I've learned a lot more songs, but most of those up there are from my first year playing... I'm coming up on my official year two mark here in a few months.  If you live and breathe guitar for a while, you'll get it!!  Stick with it, I look forward to seeing more posts from you on your progress!  OH... and, WELCOME TO CHORDIE!!  smile

Amy

Go to forum: Acoustic

2,181 Reply by mekidsmom

(14 replies, posted in Electric)

Congrats!  Yes, a NGD generally is a good day, AND calls for pictures to be posted if you are capable!  smile

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2,182 Reply by mekidsmom

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

Well, if they keep asking about money and keep spending their time meeting with you, then it sounds like you've got a good chance to get what you are worth!  smile  Keeping the fingers crossed for ya Nela!

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2,183 Reply by mekidsmom

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

Dino - you are very welcome!  I'll put together something on Youtube with a few of the sound files so you and those others that can't get the downloads can at least get a sample of the samples I have!  smile

Zurf - please pass along to Kent my great appreciation of his work!  AMAZING pictures!  While Normtheguitar has those fish in his hands that he's just caught, doesn't he just look like a kid in a candy shop???!!!  LOVE IT!  Beautiful pictures, truly!

As for the "Fire Circle Gang" ... it seems everyone has been truly impressed and blessed by everyone else there.  Zurf has it right, "Now follow THAT" was going around quite a bit.  In fact, I'm going to look now for chords/words to Jet's Granddaughter's song that he wrote as I've had it stuck in my head for days now (I hope he's posted it in the songwriting section).  I agree wholeheartedly with BassViking's words about DE, "If you are or have made mistakes, your confidence and your own words so overshadow them..."  It is so true!  DE is a natural born story teller and is comfortable performing (if he's not, he sure does fake it very well!).  My husband really did quite well considering.  That IS the first time I have even heard him play and sing at the same time, so the fact that he did it in the group is truly impressive!  Zurf just looked as comfy as could be picking away as though there was no effort required.  Normtheguitar... well, I will say it again, I want to grow a few more fingers so that I can play like he does.  The man just strums away and it sounds like rhythm and lead in one and I can NOT for the life of me figure out quite how he does it (and his fingers go 90 miles per hour along the fretboard while his rhythm is grooving along). 

The one thing that I can say with certainty is this, each person has their own unique style which was appreciated and admired by each other person there.  Now THAT is something that just puts me in awe.  I'd say it makes me speechless, but clearly I rarely am at a loss for words!  LMAO!

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2,184 Reply by mekidsmom

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

Oh no!  Seems you're going to just need to look into finding a good waterproof guitar instead with all those boats!  LOL!  Well, if you ever need to dump one of your beautifully adorned guitars I would gladly take it off your hands.  We have an old beat up canoe that seems to just sit there and be a nice shelter to the chipmunks.  As you know, we'd rather have a few drinks and chow on dead cow.

happy NKD!  I'm quite sure you'll enjoy the heck outta it!

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2,185 Reply by mekidsmom

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

My desktop died recently and I did just what bunbun said.  I turned the hard drive into an external HD.  Sadly, it's almost just as cheap to buy a new external hard drive than to buy the enclosure for your used one, unless perhaps you're patient and can wait for one via e-bay for five bucks!  smile  The good news is, you WILL be able to get everything off of it that way, and then you'll have something to use as a back up so you don't have to worry next time in the event it's the hard drive that gets fried! 

Best wishes for a good chunk of money so you can get a new laptop and the info off of your hard drive!
Amy

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2,186 Reply by mekidsmom

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

I must say, I was looking at some of the lower priced guitars Martin makes (the Little Martin, similar to the Taylor Baby), but after learning that they're made in the Mexico factory (and just what HPL IS) and seeing how things are run in the PA factory, there's no way I'd want to give up the value received from a guitar made in the US to one made elsewhere just for the name.  A lot of care, time and dedication goes into these.  They said that they finish about 200 guitars per day and considering just how many guitars are IN production while walking around the factory, 200 doesn't actually seem like a lot.  Also keep in mind, they string the guitars tune them, put them in their case, then let them set for 8 days before re-tuning and finally sending them off for sale. 

I'm glad you all enjoyed the pictures!  Pete, the Hygolet was one of the highlights!  LOL!  What I didn't get a picture of is the really neat entrance or the enormous guitar art in the factory.  There's much more than the pictures.  If you're close enough, you absolutely should make the trip DE, or anyone!  smile  The best part is they really do get you right in for the tour and there's  plenty to see and touch while  you're waiting!  The museum is AMAZING too, especially for History buffs!

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2,187 Reply by mekidsmom

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

from what I understand, cortisone is generally only a temporary help... effectiveness wears with each shot... eventually surgery happens.  I would check into the side effects for sure, and ask the doctors to explain and start looking into the long term solutions (surgery) now.  I don't know about "frozen shoulder" either, but I know "something" isn't right with my shoulder.  I've adjusted my activities so that I'm not in pain.  I imagine someday I'll end up with the cortisone shots and some surgery as well though.  Best wishes for your wife!

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2,188 Reply by mekidsmom

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

Well, on our way to the July River Jam in VA, my husband and I DID go to the Martin Factory and take in the tour and I took lots of pictures.  I uploaded them to my facebook account but I think with this link you should be able to check them out:  http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= … amp;type=1

If you check out the July River Jam thread, there's a link to pictures of the Jam and the Martin Guitar Factory MUG I bought while at the factory as well.  The factory tour was just as Jcellini said... you walk in, tell them you'd like a tour, get a sticker/number, go through and see the guitars being made (be tempted to grab one and run as fast as you can out the door, yet know you can't as you'd never make it out in time before someone grabbed you LOL) and drool over the guitars in the museum.  Just AMAZING and worth the trip!! 

THANK YOU so much to Jcellini for the great idea to make our vacation that much better!!!

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2,189 Reply by mekidsmom

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

Very cool Roger!  I guess this makes you a roadie now!

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2,190 Reply by mekidsmom

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

jerome.oneil wrote:
Zurf wrote:

Other people's children screaming does not bother me.  My children screaming gets to me quickly. 

- Zurf

This is me exactly.  When I see some mom struggling with her kids, I have an empathetic reaction.  When my kids get out of line, my fuse burns right down to the nub in about two seconds.  Fortunately for me, I have pretty good kids.

And I will THIRD that!  Actually, since my daughter was diagnosed with a form of autism, I've learned to become even more compassionate and understanding about other people's kids.

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2,191 Reply by mekidsmom

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

I'm glad everyone is enjoying the pics and videos (except Dino!  AHHH!  I'll send you an email with links, perhaps that will help make it easier).  I have been the one jealous for not getting to join in on past Chordie Jams and know how much I loved seeing the pictures/videos/sound bytes etc.  I'm glad to be able to share this with everyone as well as have it all on my computer for remembering the great time had by all.

Zguitar, funny thing is upon meeting Dirty Ed and knowing he was a fisherman friend of Zurf's I couldn't remember for the life of me if I'd ever heard any of his playing before or not.  So there we were, Dirty Ed, myself, and my husband sitting around shooting the breeze.  My husband asked Dirty Ed if he played or not and he said something to the tune of "yeah but not very well".  Sure as shoot did we get a SHOCK when we found the man could pick one guitar and sound like three, writes his own captivating songs, AND has a voice.  I think I had to pick my husband's jaw up off the ground a couple times.  I was quite nervous to play the first night (and as luck would have it, I was following him around the fire circle)!  As for my playing, I've decided that the fact that I can sing a little helps to fool people into thinking I can play.  My voice drowns out the poor playing skills!  LOL!  I'm going to keep my beginner status until I I can play a song and put my capo on and be able to tell people what key I'm actually playing in (or just change the key without a capo)!  Ha ha!

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2,192 Reply by mekidsmom

(30 replies, posted in About Chordie)

rockstarwendy wrote:

Please..I beg of you to put back the Chopro box on the right..so i can format my songs to my ipad 2...now i cant do anything with chordie and all my songs ..i really wish you would not have done that...I was halfway thru the book ..now i am a standstill...not happy!:(

Wendy, did you try re-sizing like WobblyBob suggested?  Or are you talking about strictly WHILE using the iPad you can't see these boxes?  In Google Chrome I can still see that box, and I believe with firefox WobblyBob simply re-sized his page to get those links to show.  The admin has been working on the iPad functionality so it may be a matter of the browser and size as well with that. 

Admin will be looking into the issues when he can, but any feedback I'm sure will be appreciated.  smile  Please be patient as this is all a work in progress.

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2,193 Reply by mekidsmom

(12 replies, posted in Music theory)

Personally, I find whatever shapes suit me best (simple open cords) and then put the capo where needed to suit my voice.  There is a chart in the acoustic section if you want to know what chords you're actually playing with the capo on while using those easier chord shapes.

NELA is right though, I did some research when I first started to play the guitar because I was desperately trying to find a way around cutting my nails.  Dolly uses tuning that makes it easy, but you can't go by standard chord charts.  I simply gave in and cut my nails and haven't looked back since.  smile

Welcome to the Chordie forum Jools!  I see you've been a member for a while, stick around the forums and you'll find a host of friendly folks ready willing and able to help you along your guitar journey.  smile

Go to forum: Music theory

2,194 Reply by mekidsmom

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

Zurf wrote:
mekidsmom wrote:

Ok folks, download this folder:  https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?ci … 7720C!356, grab a few beers or a Jack and Ginger (My husband made it up), or a Jack and Coke, or perhaps a Rum Punch, or even just a plain old Coke or cup of coffee and listen to your hearts content and pretend you're there.... this "album" shall now be my relaxation go-to music!

I don't mean to disappoint you, but Jim did not make up Jack and Ginger.  I've been drinking those for many years now.  Except now I use Elijah Craig 12 year old bourbon in place of Jack.  It's tastier and about half the price.  Here's a suggestion for making the highball even better.  Start with a slice of orange in the bottom of the glass.  Add the bourbon and ice and muddle gently.  Then pour in a splash of ginger ale.  The ginger ale should be just enough to make for bubbly bourbon.  Stir gently.  Try that and see if you don't love the results. 

Thanks for the recordings. 

- Zurf

I will let Jim know that you've been drinking it a while and offer in your suggestions!  I like the idea of orange!

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2,195 Reply by mekidsmom

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

OOPS... that link might not work, try this one:

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=87aae359 … =documents

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2,196 Reply by mekidsmom

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

Ok folks, download this folder:  https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?ci … 7720C!356, grab a few beers or a Jack and Ginger (My husband made it up), or a Jack and Coke, or perhaps a Rum Punch, or even just a plain old Coke or cup of coffee and listen to your hearts content and pretend you're there.... this "album" shall now be my relaxation go-to music!

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2,197 Reply by mekidsmom

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

wow... Darth Vader Rocks!  Ha ha.. it is funny

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2,198 Reply by mekidsmom

(7 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

Hi there easybeat and welcome to chordie.  I am actually going to move your thread though to a section of the forum where you may get more response.  I'm not sure what you're looking for, but it sounds like you're interested to know if your acoustic is of any value to anyone other than yourself.  I say, if you love it that's what matters most!

Go to forum: Guitars and accessories

2,199 Reply by mekidsmom

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

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-U58ibxiaPf0/TiOFiOjKdBI/AAAAAAAAAMk/MIZKQpJ9v_o/s912/DSCN1496.JPG

Of course, the picture where the guys are heckling me is the only one Jim got where everyone's looking at the camera!  Obviously I am in front.  From left to right in the back we have GuitarPix, Dirty Ed, Zurf, Jets, and NormTheGuitar.

More pictures can be found here:  https://picasaweb.google.com/mekidsmom/ … erJam2011#

I'll be a bit uploading... and then maybe tomorrow I can work on some of the videos and sound files.  smile

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2,200 Reply by mekidsmom

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

Home sweet home... New York Welcomed us a few hours ago with high gas prices, high cigarette prices, and unreasonably high temperatures.  This weekend was the best I've had in a LOOONG time!  The kids were thrilled to see us though, so it was worth coming home.

This weekend was fantastic!  Zurf, you missed my line to Dirty Ed (which I'm hoping he includes in one of his awesome songs one day), "My glass is empty and my bladder's full".  I am glad that the cow didn't go to waste, everyone seemed to have full belly's when they went to bed.  Folks, you missed out on a fantastic time.  While Zurf and NormtheGuitar (and fishing friends) were out on the river, Jim and I held down camp with lunch and Dirty Ed kept the conversations going.  I could listen to his stories all day. 

I have a TON of pictures as well as some sound recordings from the campfire taken with my Zoom Recorder.  I'll be posting up some pictures here shortly.

By the way, I think Jim has been quite inspired.  He couldn't get to his guitar fast enough when we got home and he's sitting here playing now while I'm typing.  I hope he keeps it up and can play a bit more the next time to get past the nerve slump.  Truly, Chordians are The BEST!

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