2,676 Topic by mekidsmom

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

The Chordie forums have been getting smacked lately with spam.  Us moderators have been busy!  I'm not sure how many of the members have seen some of this, but I want to keep you safe so here's a bit of info.  Most of what we've been hit with are people copying and pasting information from other sites (information that seems to be helpful sometimes, but is clearly copyright infringement from other sites and the source is not quoted), and comments on posts that may seem worthwhile and each of these posts includes spam links in the NEW users signatures or at the end of their posts.  All they are trying to do is advertise their websites by hiding behind something that they think will be useful in the hopes that you will click on their links.

My reason for posting this information, is to make you aware of the situation as well as to ask you to help us out.  Remember when Roger instituted the Junior, Senior, Honored member ranking?  Please pay attention to this when you see a post with a link in it.  Check on the left below the user name to see if they are a Junior Member (newbie) when they were registered and if this is only their first or second post.  If so, and there is a link in their post or signature that doesn't look like it belongs on Chordie, PLEASE do NOT click on it.  As members, you have the power to report suspicious entries like this so that the moderators can act on it.  For a while now, I haven't seen anyone really reporting much other than moderators.  Members, YOU HAVE THE POWER to flag things for our attention!  smile  When reading a post that reeks of spam, copyright, and unauthorized advertising (or even if there's swearing or something that clearly doesn't follow the Chordie guidelines found here) go to the bottom right hand corner of that post and click on "report", a new page will come up and you can enter in the reason you are reporting that post to the moderators.  For example, "spam in signature" or "unauthorized advertising" or "copyright material", "suspicious", "foul language", "this dude's profile pic is ugly" (ok, maybe not that one LOL) etc... 

Your participation in keeping the forums clean will help to keep the forums a happy safe place to visit without having to worry about accidentally clicking on someone's unwelcome junk links.

Thank you for taking a minute to read this!  smile 

Amy

To those thinking about posting said junk on the forums... we've got our eyes on you...   As the guidelines clearly state, anyone posting SPAM, UNAUTHORIZED ADVERTISING, AND/OR COPYRIGHT MATERIAL CAN AND WILL BE BANNED WITHOUT WARNING!

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2,677 Reply by mekidsmom

(16 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Good song and good therapy Jeff to get some of it out!  While I haven't officially been laid off from anything, I am tired of staying at home with the kids and have been looking for something decent to do with my time and make a little money.  I'm on a different end of it though, I can't AFFORD to go to work (can't make enough to pay childcare and bring money home at the end of the day, it would cost us money if I was working instead of make us money... for how long?  Until I was making more money! ahhh).  So I do know that endless search for the right job all too well... telling the story of yourself over and over.  "Where do you see yourself in five years?"  UGH... I hate that question!  It's tough to stay positive at interviews when things are going so negative in the search... and job offers that stink brings it down even more!  GOOD LUCK!  Your lyrics hit all the right feelings in that annoying search.

Go to forum: Songwriting

2,678 Reply by mekidsmom

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

For anybody who's looking for a cheap walmart guitar. Please, just go to a store like Guitar Center or something like that and you will find plenty of good starter acoustic guitars for not much more then you pay for the Walmart version.

Plus, the strings on a guitar from GC won't be an inch off the fret board, as on my son's junky first act from wal-mart... I don't know HOW he managed to ever play anything on that.  It's kind of like going from a computer keyboard to a typewriter.  Not much sense in it!

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2,679 Reply by mekidsmom

(10 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Fun little 6 tune Jim!  I'll bet it's a hit at the anniversary!  HAVE A BLAST!

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2,680 Reply by mekidsmom

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

tubatooter1940 wrote:

Kid next door came over and announced, " I have a guitar." I told him to go get it. He returned with a Wal-Mart special First Act cardboard p.o.s. guitar shaped object. I restrung it for him with some of my less-rusted backup strings, tuned it up and sent him home to play it for mom and dad.
His parents later told me he broke it over his sister's head. A fitting end for a tool that could never satisfy. A proper guitar might have killed the poor girl.
toots

lol  A good end to a bad guitar in my opinion!  Wal-Mart has no right selling guitars!  I have to admit, my son has one... as once upon a time (quite a few years ago) I didn't know better.  Good thing I've got 2 so he has a cheap yet decent one to play now (plus his electric).  I think that nasty old thing might make good kindling for a bon fire this weekend.

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2,681 Reply by mekidsmom

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

Butch and Ozy ... I was trying to say, he's NOT an old fart!  LOL!  I realized I was talking about him like he was 89 or something, ha ha, and I didn't mean to.  Boy would he give me a good fun heckling if he read this!  When my son was 2, I taught him to call my dad "the old guy" just to pick on him a little!  Dad was only 47 then!  lol

Normtheguitar (ahh, can't remember your real name sad)... You are missing out!  Darn stuffy Brits (joking!!).  Nope, when the guitars come out here it's generally after everyone's had a long day in the sun and they're ready to relax.  There's been enough beer and other alcohol to satisfy everyone into that state, and a bon fire is usually roaring (on this particular night however it was a bit rainy, so no fire as it was too wet, but we were on the back patio with beers and citronella candles burning).  The guitars come out and usually people who were about to leave stay just a little longer to listen a bit and most everyone that can sings along!  smile  I think that's WHY my dad chooses to only strum rhythm guitar... more people tend to sing along, and it's got more of that "campfire" feel.

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2,682 Reply by mekidsmom

(14 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Ken and Jim... make sure you share those two 6 songs with us when all is done!  That sounds like a really cool way to celebrate this great place.  Sounds like it'll be a great party!  smile

Go to forum: Songwriting

2,683 Reply by mekidsmom

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

zguitar wrote:

I agree with Jerome. Don't pay attention to what other people think. If you like it and it works good for you, then that's what you should have. I could never see myself spending $1000's on a guitar. Maybe if I was making a living playing guitar, but as a hobby, it's just not gonna happen. Like Zurf said, my money is better spent elsewhere.

Guess what?  I played a $2500 Martin at the guitar store the other day... it buzzed just as much as my under $200 Epi ... I know it wasn't the guitar's fault, but I will stick with my beginner guitar because in MY hands, they both sound pretty much the same.  At least I'm comfy taking my Epi with me to beer riddled campfires, and the beach, and setting it down on the floor for a few minutes while I go change a dirty diaper!  LOL!  lol  I wouldn't be able to throughly enjoy my guitar at this stage in my life if it cost more than a few hundred.

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2,684 Reply by mekidsmom

(27 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Jerome's advice is excellent.  The other thing is just keep on recording yourself and listening.  It does take a bit of time to get used to your own voice recorded.  Eventually, yes you will get used to it and as far as how long that takes, well that's all up to how much you listen to your own voice!  When I took voice lessons, THAT was a huge part of my training.  Question, was it just the sound of your voice that you thought was horrible, or were you way off key and too pitchy?  The sound is one thing to get used to, the other stuff is something that you can work on and improve by singing along to your recording and trying to improve upon what you're hearing.  Also voice training will help with hitting the right notes of course (play a single note on the guitar and then sing it, do scales!  Record, then listen and see where you were off and try to improve).

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2,685 Reply by mekidsmom

(4 replies, posted in My local band and me)

I thought I commented on this, but I guess I missed the comment!  Listened the other day, and it was very nice!  smile

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2,686 Reply by mekidsmom

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

PapaTom wrote:

>>>>My goal was to be able to ensure there would always be a guitar at my Dad's summer parties. <<<<

This line is the one that brought the tears to my eyes.

Have you ever heard Dan Fogelberg's "Leader of the Band?"  Here is the chorus:

edit - lyrics cannot be posted in the forum sad  GREATLY appreciated the thought!!  Here's a link to the song for those interested in seeing the chorus!!  http://chordie.com/chord.pere/www.linde … e_band.crd

BEAUTIFUL!!!  I had to edit your post though sad  I'm sorry!  Thank you sooo much!  YES, this song is PERFECT and that IS really the one thing that inspired me to pick up the guitar.  Dad has tried to teach me MANY times over the years... I never had a desire until that day last year.

And here's a link to the song on YouTube as well:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYFVEB4j6zI
I might just have to learn this one!

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2,687 Reply by mekidsmom

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

Thanks everyone for your kind comments.  It sure was great.  I've showed him Chordie some 10 times or so, and he loves going through my folders of music I've printed off.  He probably won't ever make it to the forums, but I do hope that he starts visiting and utilizing the song features here.  Frankly, I'm a spring chicken compared to most of the members... and I don't mean to talk about my Dad like he's an old fart, LOL, he's going to be 59 this year.  He's retired and most of his days are very busy, but he has a cool old fashioned style that I admire (computers aside, I really have an old fashioned side to myself as well smile)  I really have a lot of great memories of singing along to the guitar while my dad played.  I tried to explain to my son (who got bored with my stories lol) that I never even heard the real recordings of a LOT of the songs I know until I was a teenager, or even some not until I started playing the guitar!  Running Bear, Tom Dooley, Folsom Prison Blues and many others are known best as "my dad's version" not the popular recorded (original) versions.  My brother is 5 years younger than I and has a great voice, but he didn't remember many of these older songs (or dad playing them)... so I was able to play some "newer" songs Dad hasn't learned that were popular sometime within the past few decades, as my brother jokingly said,  by playing some Jewel and Mraz!  wink  Who knows, maybe my brother will get the bug too and finally pick up one of his guitars that's laying around his house!

It's all very surreal to me, but since I picked up the guitar last year... my Dad has been playing his more, my son has finally learned a lot more on his, and my husband has also gotten moving on his as well.  Who would have thought that just by deciding to do this I would inspire so many of the men I love the most.  I don't know if I inspired them, or if it was competition (LOL... poking at you there mekidsmom_son), but it feels great!

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2,688 Topic by mekidsmom

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

I had a great time last weekend at my Dad's house.  He had a small gathering of friends for a backyard barbeque... chicken over applewood... YUM!  It was very low key and relaxed.  When it finally started getting dark there were about 9 people total including myself.  I decided it was time to get out the guitars!  Come to find out, my dad's been playing ALL THESE YEARS on a 3/4 size Fender!  I knew he had a Fender, but I never realized that his guitar was a 3/4 size.  I've only seen his guitar ONCE since I started playing and at the time I had my 3/4 Ibanez, I guess it just didn't click that his was a 3/4 too.  I thought it was funny, there I was... little 5' 0" me with my big dread, and there my Dad was all 6' 0" with his little 3/4 acoustic!  I had to chuckle... but that was very soon thrown aside when I heard the SOUNDS come out of that little guitar!  WOW!  He really needs to change his strings, the low E was quite dead sounding, yet it still sounded TONS better than mine and the action was incredible.  I will guess that his guitar dates to the late 50's as he said he's had it since he started playing as a boy.  It probably didn't cost much then and would have been considered an entry level guitar... but it sure sounded better than my entry level Epi with the laminate top.   I gave up trying to play at the same time he was, together, because it just made mine sound worse and worse!  ha ha!

Anyhow, there was another fella there that could pick and play and it was really nice hearing him.  It's obvious he hasn't done too much playing lately, but after he warmed up he put out some nice tunes.  Then the three of us took turns playing a few songs.    My dad proudly claims that he is ONLY a rhythm guitarist.  I either pick or strum... but not both at the same time!  smile    I had a few requests from my Dad's girlfriend as she's been listening on YouTube and soundclick.  There are a few songs that my dad still plays, but can't quite hit the notes to sing... so we did also sing together and I carried him through a few choruses on songs like "Wildfire" wink  and he helped me out with some of the words for Running Bear (but Dad never was too good at remembering lyrics.  He says, "one or two verses max, no one cares anyway they just want to hear the chorus!"  LOL).  After everyone but family had gone home, we went inside and got some music out and played a bit more.  He really needs some new books as his are literally in pieces!  Along with the same guitar, these are the same books I remember turning the pages in as a child who could just barely read (you know, back when I learned "wildfire").  Dad was really REALLY enjoying having someone else to talk with about guitars and music.  Of course, I was as well!  It was really a great time. 

When all was said and done, he called me up a few days later.  He just wanted to tell me what a great time he had playing with me, that the guitars were the highlight of his evening, and he was super impressed with how far I've come with my playing as well as the number of songs I've managed to memorize.  I picked up the guitar last year, just around Labor Day because Dad wasn't playing so well last year with his elbow and back issues.  My goal was to be able to ensure there would always be a guitar at my Dad's summer parties.  What a blessing to have had two guitars, and three players!

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2,689 Reply by mekidsmom

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

Congrats on the graduation of your daughter Ozymandias!  My oldest is just entering high school this year and it seems like yesterday he was just entering pre-k.  I have one entering kindergarten this year, and I still have one more to start pre-k next year though... so I've a way before I get them all out of the house wink  I'm sure I'll cry my eyeballs out when the last one goes... but for now, I'm enjoying being home with her (most of the time I enjoy it)!

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2,690 Reply by mekidsmom

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

Jeepers!  I wonder what his used underwear would go for?  Wow!  The sad part, it wasn't even something that he wanted yet it still went for that much money.

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2,691 Reply by mekidsmom

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

ozymandias wrote:

You could also check out finger picks to put on the ends of your playing fingers.  I can't let my nails grow, it drives me crazy.  So I compensate with finger picks or using a thumb pick to play melodies. 

Hope that's helpful.

Much quicker and simpler than my suggestion!  smile

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2,692 Reply by mekidsmom

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

Roger Guppy wrote:

Amy, the owner, who has at least 5 other guitars that I know of, came in today to do some recording and we left his guitar on a stand in the studio and said nothing.  He noticed that there was a guitar similar to his and asked if he could play her. He started to play, looked and looked again and said "This cannot be my guitar but it is!". He was over the moon, so another satisfied customer.

Roger

AWESOME!  And he had no clue that you were fixing it right?  That's fantastic!  I hope you got some cash out of the deal, but the smile on his face, I am sure, was excellent payment.  Those are the good things in life right there!

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2,693 Reply by mekidsmom

(12 replies, posted in Electric)

YAY you did it!  Good job posting... and now we can all drool a little.  I don't know much about much, but it sure seems to me that you got the better deal here!  smile

Go to forum: Electric

2,694 Reply by mekidsmom

(19 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Hmmm... this was from last year?  No wonder I never saw this thread before!  LOL!  Looks great though... how's she holding up a year later???  Glad I could be of help with the pics smile

Go to forum: Acoustic

2,695 Reply by mekidsmom

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

clip them regularly, this will help with the peeling (nails are made of hundreds of layers... get one layer peeling and the rest of the nail gets weak... by clipping them you will avoid a lot of problems).  Cuticle oil or a decent hand or face cream used at the nail bed will help (I personally prefer something with vitamin C for damage and regeneration on skin and nails - most swear by products with vitamin E but I personally disagree - that's my professional opinion).  Then take a swipe over the nail (avoiding the nail bed/cuticle area where the whitish half moon is present) with plain ole rubbing alcohol to remove excess oils.  And lastly, a ridge filler.  This is going to come in a "nail polish" form and you'll buy it from a beauty supply (or in any place that sells nail polish).  I say a ridge filler instead of a standard "nail strengthener" because the filler will strengthen while immediately hardening the nail and filling in any small cracks, crevices, ridges, and peeling locations on the nail.  If you know anything about construction.. think "floor leveler" tongue The bonus to this is that they generally dry cloudy and not shiny so they don't look as "girlie"  lol  After you've gotten the nails in nice shape, you can then either use a nail hardener or just get yourself a nail buffer type of file.  By buffing the surface of the nail to a shine you will keep any minor peeling to a minimum and help avoid any new peeling from the playing.  Moisturize just a little after playing to keep the nails from drying out too much and cracking.  And YES, washing dishes are a nail's worst enemy!  LOL!

You could also go to a nail salon and ask for a natural nail manicure.  A lot of men are doing these now.  They'll go through these same steps and you can generally buy the products you might need (strengthener or ridge filler and nail buffer) right there.

In the real world I am a licensed cosmetologist in the state of NY... Hair, skin, nails wink

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2,696 Reply by mekidsmom

(14 replies, posted in Songwriting)

hmmm...  I feel like I heard this one before.  I think I did peruse all those open mics when Big Jim sent us that-a-way to listen to one he had done.  I enjoyed it then, and again now!  smile  Excellent job (you're famous!  LOL)

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2,697 Reply by mekidsmom

(12 replies, posted in Electric)

Tandm - as I'm not a moderator in this section, I can't edit what you did to help you out.  Here's the thread though with the "how to post pics"  http://www.chordie.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=14150

I think that maybe you used the code that flicker provided for you?  I'm not positive, but that's what I'm thinking happened and it's HTML and this forum only uses BBC code (neither are alien languages I promise).  Easiest thing to do is just pick the size you want, then right click on the picture and copy the url... come back here and use the img tags as you'll see in that quick how to link.

I'll let you see if you can figure it out (with 20some pics in your album I'm not sure which ones you want here and which you don't), so in the mean time here's one of em that I'm pretty sure belongs in this thread! 

here's the formatting used to post the following picture:

 
[img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4927856118_5a42aa82a4_m.jpg[/img]

and the picture:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4927856118_5a42aa82a4_m.jpg

Go to forum: Electric

2,698 Reply by mekidsmom

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

Thank you for sharing your experience Crevs!  Knowing that lowering the nut makes such a difference is a great thing.  I'd been thinking all along that I was just going to lower the saddle.  I had done a measurement and everything seemed alright for that.  I guess I need to look again up higher on the neck and see about a nut adjustment.  Of course, I'd want to do everything right like Pix suggested, although if everything is evenly off... I don't see why this method would be bad.  Sounds like you did a great job!

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2,699 Reply by mekidsmom

(11 replies, posted in Recording)

Very neat machine... I want one some day now for certain!  smile  Of course, you sound fantastic as does your new guitar!

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2,700 Reply by mekidsmom

(7 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

whoa!  I'm trying to wrap my head around theory and now a whole new system for the B I already despise?  LOL!  GOOD to know anyhow!  I actually had come across some song chords at one point in time that had a bunch of H's in it.  I just thought the person posting the song was crazy... ha!  I guess I was just ignorant. 

"I won't go to bed stupid tonight!" -- One of my hubster's quotes!

Go to forum: Guitars and accessories