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

Thank you for your kind words.
As we all get older its natures way of moving on.
It is the natural way of things to go to your parents funerals.
I was very lucky I had mine up to my mid 50's, lots of my friends lost theirs at an early age, loosing the benefits of the mentoring ,advice and support if not the child minding that they can offer.
My dog was my last Police dog before I retired he was a 14 year old german shepherd we had been together basically 24/ 7 for 8 years while we were working and even when we retired he was only ever one step awy from me most of the time. I know it sounds odd but I cried when it was time for the dog to go yet I stood strong at my parents passing.
Paul. Ps his name was hardy and he was a dog

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

I feel for you. It must be the worst thing loosing your life partner.
I'm having a really bad year Lost my mother in August then two weeks ago lost my father. Now this week I lost my dog. All these deaths hurt and burn but I still have my wife to support me. We have been together for 33 years. I hope you have strength to go on, I dont do religion or prayers but my love for all my fellow men goes out to you.
Paul

I asked last week on how players improved and what aided them. Since then I found this story...

Story time!

One summer in Wisconsin I was kayaking across a 2 mile wide lake. As I left the shore I felt that I was making great progress. I could look back and see my starting point receding into the distance. Soon I was out in the middle of the lake, with the opposite shoreline far away in the distance. I kept paddling with vigor, but it didn't seem like the shoreline was getting any closer. I couldn't make out any features along it. The people, piers, and boats were specks, and they remained specks even as I paddled harder. What was happening? Progress was so evident when I started the journey. Ten minutes passed, and still it seemed as if I was merely floating in the middle of the lake.

The frustration and fatigue was building, but I knew that I had to keep paddling. I knew that if I just kept going, slowly but surely I would reach my goal. Sure enough, in a few minutes the features of the shoreline started coming into focus. Suddenly I seemed to be progressing exponentially, with each passing second revealing more details of the shore. Finally I reached the beach. Success. It was hard trip. At one point it didn't seem like I was making any progress, but that was an illusion. I kept going because I knew in time I would make it.

Likewise as long as you keep playing, you will make progress. Maybe it will be slow, but you will look back in time and see that the effort is always worth it.

Thank you all for your posts and encouragement. I have started to practice the scales and a G C walk downs.
Basically if I want to get better its a case of keep pushing myself. cheers

I have been playing for a couple of years , I started in my 50's.
I seem to have plateau'd.
I practice evryday by playing a few songs through a couple of times and I go to a guitar group once a week when 8 to 10 of us play together.
I strum along to the songs but I cant seem to pick up the intro riffs or get onto finger picking.
How did any of you move on to bigger and better things.

Thank you all. I will wait il after christmas and take the guitar to a music/ guitar shop. Maybe something in the post christmas sales. cheers

Just bought a nice Avalon Legacy A12 C custom with Fishman infinity pickup with preamp. I bought it in an auction not a guitar shop  so there was no one to ask for advice.
I only play at home, I dont do public so no shows. So what sort of amp and  leads etc would go best for a domestic setting. This is my first electro accoustic so I,ve not had to bother with any electrics before.... just pick up a guitar and strum away.

8

(23 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Back to my full volume, not only do I have the room to myself I have the house to myself for a week as my wife has gone on holiday with friends. I will surprise her with a few new songs when she gets back Ha Ha Ha.

9

(23 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Just the opposite with me. Loved strumming and singing along to Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, John Denver and the likes. My daughter set up her computer to record me on video.... big mistake as I now realise how bad my singing is, its knocked the stuffing and enthusiasm out of me. Still strum but now just whisper the words under my breath just to help keep time.

10

(6 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

Here I am in Liverpool UK. Went to local auction last week, there was an unknown guitar a, Gurian JBH serial number D23**.
Did a bit of research on the Gurian website, had a play on viewing day and then bought the guitar on the day. It seems that the original owner had bought it new in 1981 played it for a few months and then put it in its case and left it under the bed for 30 years.
It is a fantastic instrument which only needed new strings and a bit of oil. now my pride and joy which I will one day pass on the my guitar playing son.  Hardydog