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Guitar chord forum - chordie → Posts by Dirty Ed
After hearing a few of your songs in Virginia, I have no doubt that you peeked quite a bit of interest from the kids. You are an amazing story teller and picker!
Thanks for the kind words Amy. I like to write 'em but if I had your pipes I'd be making money singing 'em.
DE
I have a Yamaha FG junior that is pretty small. Plays nice just like my other Yammis. The Ibanez Daytripper is a smaller scale too. Haven't played the Ibanez tho.
I've got a Daytripper. Nice little guitar but the neck is too narrow (1-5/8) for my big paws. I bought it to take on overnight raft trips but its just sat in the corner of my music room the last two years. Like a lot of small travel guitars, there's not a lot of bass so I changed the nut and re-strung it for Nashville high tuning. It sounds pretty good and with the light strings its easy for small hands. When the grandkids are visiting they plunk on it a little. What is really cool is the Ibanez gig bag that came with it. I wish I had the same bag in a 000 size for one of my other acoustics.
DE
Nice!!!! It sounds like nothing but good. Learning, playing, different passions. Good for you DE. If just one of those students gets inspired then it was all worth it.
One question tho, 8th grade at an elementary school?
Yeah, this was one of the small districts in southern Ohio. Instead of a middle school they put 8 grades on one campus to save money. I guess they could call it an elementary/middle school but its just easier to just use one word.
For those not familiar with the Buckeye state, most of the northern and western part of the state is flat farmland and factories while most of the southern and eastern part is Appalachian foothills and home to some very poor school districts. The school I graduated from was the poorest district n the state back in the 60's. The last time I checked it had moved up to third from the bottom. The flat-landers live in Oh-hi-oh, the hillbillies live in Uh-hi-uh.
DE
As there are a lot more words that rhyme with "mean", it might be easier to start out "I woke up this morning feeling nasty and mean"........
Just a thought.
DE
I might suggest instead Zurf, that you make a list of things that make you happy. Then write a song from the list, killing two birds with one stone - you'll feel better and you'll have a new song.
A couple years ago Zurf hosted a gathering of Chordians on the Shenandoah River in Virginia. I spent one day driving around and visiting Civil War battlefields, hoping to get some inspiration to write some songs for a CD project I've been working on for the 150th anniversary of that bloody 4-year war. Last fall I spent a weekend paddling a kayak with a group of local recreational boaters (Southern Ohio Floaters Association, aka "SOFA") and playing music around a riverside camp fire at night. I played several of the new songs I'd written and afterward was approached by a lady who is an elementary school teacher. She knew her history class would be studying the war and asked if I would be willing to come and play for her pupils. Her theory was that children learn different ways, and as most seem to like music, maybe songs about the war would reinforce their learning.
I had forgot about it until 2 weeks ago she called and asked if I would still be willing to perform for her students. She informed me that there would be three 8th grade history classes involved. I had hoped that they would be younger students as my memory of being in the 8th grade was a classroom filled with smart-ass 13 and 14 year old boys and giggling girls passing notes back and forth, so I was a little apprehensive when I arrived at Hamersville Elementary yesterday (about 70 miles southwest of where I live) with guitar in hand.
The kids were a little rowdy as they walked, ran, skipped and hopped into the classroom, excited about it being their last week of school and happy that they didn't have to take a test or sit through a boring lecture, just endure an hour of some old grey-haired guy plunking on a guitar and wailing some songs about some forgotten war. I was introduced and began telling them about how my interest in the war came from my great-grandfather fighting as a Union soldier and being the last battle casualty of the 39th KY Mounted Infantry. I had also brought along some books from my Civil War collection (59 so far) so they could see what the soldiers wore, what equipment they used, etc. I could see their interest grow as instead of being asked to memorize names of generals, dates of battles, etc they got more of an insight into the life of a farm boy turned infantryman. I was surprised that they were so attentive during the songs I played and afterward would look up information about people like John Bell Hood, George Thomas and Henry Haupt or about battles like Franklin, Saltville and Chickamauga - battles fought by "western" troops mustered in at Cincinnati, Ripley or Portsmouth - southern Ohio towns where their ancestors would have mustered in the Union Army. Afterward I asked if they had any questions and eventually after a couple Civil War questions they would ask about songwriting and music. I don't know if any were inspired to be guitar pickers or songwriters but it was a joy talking to them. This scenario was repeated three times during the day for classes of about 25-30 students. I even got to eat lunch in the school cafeteria and was reminded how healthy but tasteless the food is. It was a day well spent.
DE
John Denver was one of the reasons I started playing guitar. A great lyricist, songwriter and performer. All the music at my wedding was John Denver songs played on a piano. My favorite is probably Poems,Prayers and Promises.
I've heard you can get guitars and vacuum cleaners that plug in - problem is they both suck.
I am hosting an event in West Virginia the first weekend of August. If any pickers (and family) would like to come to Riverchase Lodge campground in Meadow Creek, WV Thursday, August 1 to Sunday, August 4, you are welcome. The cost if $40 for the long weekend. That's probably too far for Amy and crew, but our SC, NC, Tenessee, Kentucky, Ohio folks may take notice.
- Zurf
That event was what I had marked on my calendar for the first weekend of August Zurf.
I checked my calendar. First two weekends of July and first three in August are already scheduled. If the get-together is on either of the last two weekends in July, I'll try real hard to make it.
DE
Sorry to hear about your problem. I've been suffering a lot of hand and joint pain too, but nothing compared to what you're experiencing. Wish there was something I could do to help you but all I can do is offer sympathy.
DE
Like you Joe, I had a Sigma years ago. It was the first guitar I bought myself - a DM2. I've been looking at the new line also. The 00-15 slothead looks like a toy I'd like to be picking around a campfire somewhere.
Hope you get a sore thumb Zurf.
I'll be floating local streams with 3 of my buddies for the next two days. Water temps have shot up into the mid/high 50's and the smallmouth bite is ON!
DE
Rain knocked the last of the snow off the ground a couple days ago and with temps near 50, I just had to get out the last couple days and wade and float a couple of local streams. I have the same planned for Friday and Saturday too as temps may even hit 60 over the weekend. I've logged on a couple times the last few days but had nothing worth posting.
DE
bensonp wrote:If all else fails, drink a lot of alcohol before you sing and you will sound great.
Which genius here gave me my all time favorite quote?
"The more you drink, the better I sound?"
Anyway, I firmly believe that singing is 99% confidence, and 1% talent. Sing it like you mean it, and people will listen.
I haven't used that line here on Chordie, but back in '84 I used it the first time I played in a local restaurant/bar. They actually ran out of beer and had to go down the street and buy some from another bar to get through the evening.- true story.
What really happened I was playing in the winter when all my boating/kayaking buddies were looking for something to do so they all came to hear me play. Those guys could really toss'em down. Still, it makes a great story. The next time I played the restaurant stocked up on brew and was ready.
DE
Did the doc check anything besides your bp Joey? I've had good levels all my life but twice my bp has elevated tp more than 155/95. At first they thought it was hypertension but then found out I had a kidney infection which affected my blood pressure. The biggest indicator was I was tired all the time. A couple years ago I was showing high bp during an annual physical and put on pills. Once again I was tired all the time and mentioned to my physician that I had went through the same scenario before and it was due to a kidney infection. I was sent to a urologist who found out I had a prostate infection. I continued to take the bp medicine but kept getting light-headed (some would say I have always had that condition). I bought a bp cuff and began monitoring my bp and found out that taking the pills after the infection was gone was causing my bp to go too low (95/55). I contacted my doctor, we discussed the situation and I quit taking the pills. My bp has been in normal range the last year.
Its nothing to mess with. You did the right thing having it checked out.
DE
I also have experienced some hearing loss over the years and never passed a hearing test the last 10 years at work. The good news is I have papers to prove (and show my wife) that I don't hear well in the range of the female voice .....lol!
I also noticed that it affected my singing but I have compensated by holding my acoustic guitar up higher against my chest when I play. I feel the vibrations as well as hear the guitar better and this allows me to closer match the tone of the guitar. Recently I received an email from one of the on-line CD makers which had hints for recording/performing. I have always drank a shot of bourbon or some lemon juice, but they said they keep potato chips around for singers to eat before they sing. The salt and the abrasive nature of the chips are supposed to help clean the vocal chords. I scoffed at the idea but tried it when I had a 2-night performance at a local venue. I had several folks stop me afterwards and comment how well my voice sounded. Believe me, I'll have some chips around the next time I play!
Chios or changing guitar position may be worth trying cj. Hang in there. Johnny Cash, Kris Kristoferson and Townes Van Zandt weren't the greatest singers either but pretty damn entertaining!
DE
Probably "River Morning" by Dirty Ed.
Wow! Thanks Zurf, that made my day.
DE
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
When that song came out in '67 I was playing drums in a rock band and that song just blew me away. I was in a local burger joint once that summer and played the song 12 straight times on the juke box, driving one of the waitresses crazy. My oldest daughter is my "brown-eyed girl" and we danced to that song at her wedding.
My favorite song is probably one I wrote last year called "Hard Times". My favorite song written by someone else is "Never Leave Harlan Alive" by Darrell Scott.
DE
Great to hear from you guys. I guess I forgot to mention my kind of music. ANYTHING but RAP. I mostly enjoy country, country rock (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) and Southern/Country Gospel. But I enjoy listening to classical and jazz guitar too. I guess Tony Rice is my favorite flat picker. Could listen (and sometimes do) for hours. I can handle 15 minutes of straight Bluegrass then have to change channels for a few breaths. LOL. I do admire those quick pickers.
Russell
I tuned in bluegrass on all my radio stations and then broke off the knobs so the channels couldn't be changed. LOL
DE
Kool Pic!!!
DE, aside form the types of you music you described for your self, them newest tag for it is Americana.
I'm guessing that the term "Americana" has been around at least 15 years or more and you're probably right in using that description beamer. as I've had other folks also describe my music style as "Americana". When recording my songs I try to stay away from slick productions and digital enhancements, just using a minimalist approach - what I refer to a my "creek bank" style.
From your posts you seem to be at the metal or heavy rock end of the spectrum. Do you write/record any songs? I have a good friend in Michigan who is still a rocker in his late 50's and writes/records songs and occasionally sends me a copy. His lyrics are based in the tradition of urban coffee house poetry and sometimes leave me scratching my head as to what he is trying to say. My lyrics tend to follow the Appalachian story-telling tradition and probably seem too simple to him. Its all good - just different strokes, etc .......
DE
Sorry to hear my favorite nephew's little buddy is under the weather. At least the Dr's fees sound reasonable. Did the trip down south affect the little guy or has this been a gradual thing?
DE
I tend to prefer picks in the .50-.60 mm range. If a pick I like tends to turn/spin in my fingers, I usually heat the end of a nail or small screwdriver and burn/melt a few small holes in the grip end of the pick. Most of the time this tends to work pretty well.
DE
Welcome aboard Russell. I'm 63 so we're not too far apart you old fart. (Just had to get that dig in for someone older than me. lol) I played covers for many years but decided a few years back that I felt like an artist that was only copying other painter's pictures so I began writing my own songs and that's what I now play 95% of the time. Growing up in Appalachia and being influenced by the music, geography and history of the local hills and small farms, I guess you could describe my style of music as folk/mountain/bluegrass, or at least influenced by those genres.
Sorry to hear about your health issues. I've been blessed with a pretty healthy body although arthritis now affects many of my activities such as guitar pickin'. Its nice that you share your music and bring a little joy to the elderly in the retirement home. I'm looking forward to hearing your views on some of the subjects that get bantered around on this site.
DE (Ken Willis)
I've had my DP-02 for a few years and have been really satisfied with it. In my case, 8 inputs is more than enough. The ability to burn a CD is what I really like. After I write a new song I like to burn a copy to listen through different CD players in my house and cars to get an idea of what needs to be added to the mix.
DE
Guitar chord forum - chordie → Posts by Dirty Ed
