376 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(13 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

That's a beauty, sure enough, Russell, and the price is right as well. I have to admit, however, I know about as much about wireless connectors than I do about drum triggers - Zero.  So have you retired the Hohner or can it be restored. You seem to be our gear guru here, and as soon as I get up a little more energy (low hemoglobin) I'd like to ask your advice about some very simple pedals. I have the original Big Muff and a Chorus pedal (Danelectro IIRC), but what I'm really after is just something simple (no wah, no fuzz etc.), just what the guitar can do and how I can best augment it without looking like I'm doing the "Curly Shuffle" with my feet.

Haven't caught up with you and Retro Buzz lately, but I'll get there. Posting here, learning and making new friends is a big part of my day, and I have missed it. Play us something on that pretty new Epi when you get a chance.

Your Friend

Bill

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377 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

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

I think I'll just come to Nacogdoches and let you fix me  some ribs. smile

Bill

Go to forum: Chordie's Chat Corner

378 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

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

Hey, Mo'!

("nyuk,nyuk,nyuk,nyuk")

Your Pal

Bill

Go to forum: Chordie's Chat Corner

379 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(16 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Oh, and thanks neo and TF, for the help with the dreaded "B". I'm hoping that with your help, Chordify's and the Chord Wheel, I can finally do some good pickin'. smile

Classical Guitar, I don't know if I've mentioned it, but our city is a University Town and we're always hosting artists with all kinds of talent. If you want, I can put you or your agent in touch and you can do a performance or two for us. Just let me know if and when, and maybe you can get me backstage!

Thanks

Bill

Go to forum: Acoustic

380 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(16 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Oh, shut up, CG! smile You and those "long, slender hands and fingers"!!  wink

My friend, the above was a joke, okay? Yeah, I'm "jealous" that you are as accomplished a guitarist as you are, but at the same time, I am proud to have a friend who's a virtuoso and thought enough of me to compose that little minuet and send me some of his other work.

I'm now on my way to a dairy to hook my fingers up to those things they use to automatically milk cows with. I want some long slender fingers too! LOL!

Your Friend

Bill

Go to forum: Acoustic

381 Topic by Strummerboy Bill

(2 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

I'm doing it on a month to month basis to save against losing interest. Will let y'all know how it goes.

Meanwhile, I have Roger's chord chart printed out and the recommended Hal Leonard "Chord Wheel" TF told me about on order.

I am also in hopes that my diet while take some fat off these fingers so I can chord properly for a change.

Bill

Go to forum: Guitars and accessories

382 Topic by Strummerboy Bill

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

Doctor's Orders. I'll make some before and after pics as soon as I can figure out how to enlarge the screen so you can see all of me.

Meanwhile, other than the V8 vegetable juice, and what little things Bobby Bare sings about in this here song, that's all I'm consuming.

Wanna join me?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb8I7UvvFz0

Go to forum: Chordie's Chat Corner

383 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(13 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Jim - DUDE! We need to get your guy to some Friday Night Bingo or something! smile  When I first opened it up and saw all that blue, I thought "Dang! How's he gonna fit all the words in there???" Then I got to studying it and it began to make sense. This isn't a G,D,A, B7 song is it. Man! If this isn't the PREMIERE site for singers and songwriters and goofs like me, I don't know what or where it is!

Congratulations on another cool tune and I can't wait to hear it on SC when you get time.

Your Friend

Bill

PS: I'm trying to catch up, but I'm going backwards - from newest to oldest - since I began my absences, so I apologize for being MIA so much. This is my site to post on, so it really IS a matter of having the energy and getting in the  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CI-0E_jses ...... lol

Go to forum: Songwriting

384 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(8 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hmmmmm.  wink Looks like I just ruined my chances of you doing a cover for me, then. smile That song was a one-hit wonder, but just as popular and as timeless as "Spirit In The Sky". Still wanna know about that guitar. It's beautiful.

Bill

Go to forum: Songwriting

385 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

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

I'll do that. Thanks, Richard

Forgot all about arkady but remember listening to his beautiful "tone poems".

Bill

Go to forum: Chordie's Chat Corner

386 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(15 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi, jets60

Please do post the link when you can. It's astounding how many of you are accomplished lyricists and guitarists. I get hit by the odd "idea" every now and then, start to write and the next thing I know I'm "telling a story" and I need to give this guy a happy ending or start over. Somehow, though I never get back to it and off it goes into the trunk where it languishes with all the other unfinished stuff. I call it "writing myself into a corner". smile

Bill

Go to forum: Songwriting

387 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(8 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Yes it is. Just my thoughts on the program.......... It started off with what I called "Happy" Folk Music, Richard ("This Land Is Your Land...." etc.) and it was a very enjoyable program that way. Then it evolved into the  "Where Have All The Flowers Gone" phase and now  you needed to think a  little about what the words were telling  you and not just sing and clap along. Still a very popular program though, with the help of The Smothers Brothers and other folk/comedy acts.....but then as more "deep" musicians began performing their work, its popularity began to wane and people didn't tune in as much, and when Dylan went electric it was up to Joan Baez, Buffy Ste. Marie, Glen Yarbrough and The Brothers Four, etc., etc. to take up the slack.

Around that time The Beatles came along and there went Hootenanny. I don't believe there are even that many "tapes" of the program left, but what I meant by what I wrote was that you and your words would have fit into "phase two". I don't know how old you are, my friend, but when I watched and listened to your first song, "All's Not Fair...." you reminded me of this guy.......https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPIcwjFB1PY        You'll have to copy and paste, sorry. I seem to have forgotten how to do the links.

Strong work, buddy and I subscribed on YT.

Bill

Go to forum: Songwriting

388 Topic by Strummerboy Bill

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

Unless I've had my head where it doesn't belong, I haven't noticed anyone playing/covering any instrumentals- (with the exception of Classical Guitar who is awesome in the performances he sent to me) .

Anyone?

Bill

Go to forum: Chordie's Chat Corner

389 Topic by Strummerboy Bill

(1 replies, posted in About Chordie)

For the past several times I've logged in to post, I've noticed in BIG RED LETTERS that Chordie has been newly improved and a lot of great changes made.

I saw the note, but was in such a hurry to post something I never went back to it in order to leave my feedback, and that to me, is inexcusable. Especially since I consider all of you my family and you have been there SO many times when I needed a shoulder or a slap on the hiney to keep me going.

For whatever this is worth, I humbly apologize and ask your forgiveness.

I looked for it, but couldn't find it, so if it's still here would you please allow me to correct my mistake?

Your Friend

Bill

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390 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(474 replies, posted in Bands and artists)

Heh-Heh, always a good choice TF and I thoroughly enjoyed it, as did Dondra who, passing by with the laundry stopped, listened and watched.

Something I noticed (I'm still noticing  little musical passages!!)  smile ), right at the beginning, at 0:58 and1:56, did you catch that little barred run he did? Did it remind you of The Ventures' "Walk Don't Run" a little? I guess it reminded me because it was the first ever barre chord run I was taught as a teen.

Thanks for that great tune and memories, my Canadian friend!

Bill and Dondra

Go to forum: Bands and artists

391 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(6 replies, posted in Poems)

Like a machine gun, some words spewed in anger can't be re-called. Dead is dead whether by gun or by tongue. Well written, dear friend.

Hugs to you and Maree from me and "She Who Must Be Obeyed". smile

Bill

Go to forum: Poems

392 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(5 replies, posted in Songwriting)

I'm not sure if I've ever heard you on YT, but I think you have a "Blood On The Tracks" in you somewhere, Richard. I wish I was good enough to present something for FSOTM. but for now, I'm satisfied just to listen to all my talented friends.

Bill

Go to forum: Songwriting

393 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(8 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Left you a note on YT, neo. Wish "Hootenanny" were still on. You'd be on there for sure, friend!

Bill

Go to forum: Songwriting

394 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(16 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Zurf. thanks, buddy, I needed that smile. Not that I thought it was comical, but because like most of you here, you seem to be a pragmatist. You probably use Occam's Razor to shave, dontcha? smile

To everyone else, I appreciate your patience as I try to describe what I'm picturing in my addled brain. Please, if it doesn't make sense, just punch me in the head (ask) until I do and it does.

Remember the words of those three great philosophers, Larry, Moe and Curly: "If at first you don't succeed , keep on sucking till ya do succeed." I love the Three Stooges. I believe I've shared their tune "Swinging The Alphabet" with you before, but if not, look it up. It's also a great way to practice harmonies. My voice teacher had me use it all the time, and danged if it doesn't work. Way I did it, was to play it off the cd (or YouTube) and run a cassette player and then play it back. Laugh if you will (and I'll join you) but it's fun and it does work.

Oh yeah, Z? Going for the dreaded B chord this weekend. There's a song called Spiders and Snakes and it's A,E,A,E all the way through until it gets to the bridge and there it is: B. My plan is to master it until my fingers turn to shreds. Oh, yeah. I transposed it from the original.

Thanks

Bill

Go to forum: Acoustic

395 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(13 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Thanks, both of you for that chart. You know what scares me? That word "pentatonic". It makes me think of those monks in "Monty Python and The Holy Grail" who walk around in a circle and slap themselves upside the head when they quit the chant.

I'm the kind of guy who remembers his dreams and writes them down (like my songs/poems) and a dreamed about a guy who asked me to play a pentatonic scale, and I told him "Why don't you take a flyin' leap into a rollin' donut?" and walked out.

Just a little "aside" there, but there ARE lessons out there which do scare me a little. That Mel Bay one, for instance, and there's a guy on YouTube who teaches how to play "Real Bass". They're both great methods I'm sure, but I haven't opened that Mel Bay since I bought it 30 years ago, and the guy on YT? God bless him, but if he were Andres Segovia, I don't think I could get past his front door. smile

Thanks again, Roger and TF

Bill

Go to forum: Acoustic

396 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(16 replies, posted in Acoustic)

neophytte wrote:

This guy uses right hand palm muting (which I've never been a fan of): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76ZOPqcjK8c

Cheers

Richard

It looks too hard to control down there, Richard. Just tried it again and the barres seem to be the way to go. Thanks, my friend!

Go to forum: Acoustic

397 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(16 replies, posted in Acoustic)

You're ALL correct, Sirs, and I came up with the solution last night after posting. I sat there makingt G's and D7's the normal way, then barred the G and it clicked. For the D7, all I need to do is slide to the fifth and lift all fingers except the one on the A string, right? I want there to be just enough musicality to tell there's a chord change. I was gonna get one of the kids to play maracas to give me some additional rhythm as well. Sound Ok, or would you make the traditional D7 up there near the nut just for a change-up? I'll try it both ways and see.

Sorry about the confusion, my friends.

Bill

Go to forum: Acoustic

398 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(13 replies, posted in Acoustic)

As I stated before, it's hard to come here and NOT learn something. smile Roger, do you mean that if the guy says "Okay, Proud Mary in E", I should automatically know the chord progression?  With my age and memory problems that might be a challenge, but I'm up for it. Is it the same for bass,?

That guy in the picture above, Rick,  looks like he's not chording with his hand. That thing looks like half a spider.

Thanks for all the replies. Still hanging in there and trying to exercise a little even though my energy flags a lot of the time.

Bill

Go to forum: Acoustic

399 Topic by Strummerboy Bill

(16 replies, posted in Acoustic)

.........instead of them sounding like dead maracas what I'd like to do is play the main part of the song in G (this is one of those "talking blues" tunes and then when it's time for the break go to D7. The trouble I'm having is in separating the voice from the guitar.

I'm not making myself clear am I?

Allow me to try again: The chords aren't important, but the action within the song IS. I want to keep the words pretty much monotonic and let the guitar do the music and rhythm - but with a muffled G and D7. An example would be James Taylor's "Traffic Jam".

Anyway, that's what I'm working on at the moment.

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks

Bill

PS: Hope everything's going great for you all and we both send our love.

Bill and Dondra

Go to forum: Acoustic

400 Topic by Strummerboy Bill

(13 replies, posted in Acoustic)

....... an old high school friend of mine invited me over to his house to jam a little on our acoustics. After a few tunes, I got frustrated, we drank a beer, talked some music and then I left.

See, it wasn't because he was left-handed or that he refused to buy a left-handed guitar. It was because he re-strung the guitar and then played it left-handed. I wish i'd had some sheet music in front of me, because in addition to not calling out the chord changes he kept yelling, "Don't try to follow me, Bill!" Meaning don't watch his finger positions.

After about an hour of this, I thought to myself, "Yeah, don't try to follow me out the door, Gary."

Please don't take this as a criticism of left handed players, but some sheet music sure would have helped.

Opinions?

Go to forum: Acoustic