MKM, next stop for you is "America's Got Talent" Way to go with overcoming your fear of playing in front of a crowd. I'm lucky in that if I ever learn to play well I won't have a problem doing so in public. I'm a natural born ham and the bigger the crowd the better. The problems is I have NO talent.
51 2010-04-12 23:57:57
Re: Open Mic and Redneck Karaokie in my hometown (11 replies, posted in Acoustic)
52 2010-03-27 20:24:22
Re: nut width (10 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Roger, I can tell you must be married also. Badeye, she was born at night but not last night. MeK, she would say OK, "What have you BOUGHT now?" I just wait until she does one of those Girls night out things and then I'll sneak off..... 
53 2010-03-27 03:31:02
Re: nut width (10 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Thanks for the replies everyone. MrJay, I checked out the link and WOW! that is why out of my price range.
MeK, I like the idea of spending a few hours or a full day in a guitar shop.... Now how do I convince a wife who doesn't play guitar that I need a day by myself to do guitar TESTING?
54 2010-03-26 00:16:53
Re: nut width (10 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Hi Pix, I sorta figured I ruin my classical if I put the steel strings on it. I think I will just keep doing what I've been doing until I decide to buy my next guitar. About Chocowinity, I have heard of it but I have never been there. I did do a Google search and this site may help you out or at least give a phone number to a local who can look up the number for the campground place. http://northcarolina.hometownlocator.co … -creek.cfm
Let me know when your coming in this direction.
Tony
55 2010-03-25 23:08:32
Topic: nut width (10 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Today I measured the nut width on my steel string guitar and it is 1 5/8" with E to E spacing of 1 3/8".
On my classical I have a 2" nut with E to E spacing of 1 5/8. I really like the wider spacing. Can you buy a steel string guitar with the wider neck or can you safely put steel strings on the classical guitar? I've only been playing guitar for 2 months, but I'm thinking I could get my chord changes faster with the wider spacing of the strings. Just so you know, I do Practice, Practice, Practice... )
56 2010-03-22 00:51:55
Re: I'm needing help again. (25 replies, posted in Acoustic)
MeK, I have watched both YouTube links and all I can say is that guy is right on with what I was doing wrong. I learned some chord changes, so then I started to add some strumming patters, but I wanted to sing at the same time... He explained that you need to get good at one thing at a time. I have put singing on the back burner until I can strum well. Thanks so much for bringing these links to my attention. Again Chordie members are THE BEST. Someday I promise I will be able to answer questions for other newbees.
57 2010-03-19 19:10:49
Re: I'm needing help again. (25 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I want to thank everyone and I mean EVERYONE for all of the great advice. I made a copy and paste of each post in my word processor and printed them out. Just when I was feeling good about not screwing up too many chord changes, I find this next hurdle. I am working on doing some 3 chord songs at this time. Okie From Muskogee, Amazing Grace, Silent Night, The Gambler. Mostly C, D, G, A7 chord songs... I cheat a little on the C chord. When I play these songs and record them without music, they don't sound half bad to me. I'm going to work with all of the advice you have given me and practice, practice, practice. Thanks again everyone.
58 2010-03-18 16:39:36
Topic: I'm needing help again. (25 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Hello Chordie folks, I finally feel comfortable doing a few chord changes without too many screw ups. Now my issue is my strumming. I went to the strumming sticky and I have watched the YouTube lessons. I can't believe that i am so uncoordinated. I just can't seem to get the strums right when I add music (singing) to the strumming. It's like the words and the strums don't sound right together. I'm starting with the base note pluck, down/up strum for playing country songs. As long as I don't sing, I can do the strum over and over again without much problem. The minute I open my mouth my right hand stops strumming properly. I'm open for all advice on how to coordinate singing and strumming.
59 2010-03-18 15:39:22
Re: Teaching a 9-year old guitar (14 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Quote MeK, "I wasn't ready until I was 33!" What??? You don't look a day over 25. 
I would like to add that it's very important to make sure his guitar is set up correctly. A proper setup changed my guitar to make it much easier to play and it sounds much better.
60 2010-03-11 18:49:03
Re: Finally, my classical guitar held it's tune overnight. (5 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
MeK, That man on YouTube gives me inspiration, he looks to be about my age. It's amazing how someone who knows what they are doing can get such sweet sounds out of their guitar. When the man in the guitar store played my guitar for about 2 minutes I couldn't believe it. It sounded like a totally different guitar. He picked it up strummed it a couple of times, made one 1/4 turn on one string and then played it so beautifully. I would love to get 1/2 that good.... FOR NOW!!!
61 2010-03-10 13:53:09
Topic: Finally, my classical guitar held it's tune overnight. (5 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
It has taken 4 days of constant tuning to get my new nylon strings where they stay in tune. MeK, is right you almost need two guitars to be able to play daily, if you restring a classical. During my classical down time I went out the shop and built myself a foot rest so I can hold the classical guitar properly. It took my 15 minutes with scrap wood and saved $20.00 Now I have to start growing my finger nails a bit longer on my right hand. I'm going to try the finger picking of the strings and see what happens. Can anyone recommend any EASY/BEGINNER English classical guitar songs? I have found most of the music for classical guitar is in Spanish.
62 2010-03-06 23:23:58
Re: My first Guitar Store visit (4 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
mekidsmom wrote:
Very fun isn't it? The best part is that you can go anywhere in the store and pick a guitar off the wall, sit in one of the many seats, and try them out. Remember if you do and you find something you really like, check out the mom and pop stores for the same guitar and pricing on it too! I've heard that a REALLY GOOD guitar player can play the WORST instrument in the world and make it sound good. Good to know that your buzzing is a personal issue tho... you can fix that without messing with the set up!
You are so right about what a help it was for me to hear how my very own guitar could sound. I stood there with mouth open. I couldn't believe that MY guitar was making such sweet sounding music. This guy Gary was running his fingers up and down the strings and making the guitar sing. I hope to be 1/10 as good as him someday. One thing is for sure I don't need a new guitar.
63 2010-03-06 00:30:57
Topic: My first Guitar Store visit (4 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
We are in Greensboro, NC and less than 1 mile from our hotel is a Guitar Center. Wow!!! Thank God there isn't one in my home town. I would be broke or I should say, more broke. I got to see what a $3000 guitars look like. I got to hear how good my guitar sounds when someone who knows how to play a guitar uses it. I was shocked. The sounds that Gary had coming out of my guitar assured me that I don't need a new guitar or any changes made to my guitar. I'm the cause of the buzzes and off key notes. I bought a string winder, some classic strings, and a pick that I can put on my key chain. Total bill $12.65 and I spent almost an hours just drooling and what I can't afford. The people at Guitar Center are super friendly and helpful. I can't wait to visit again.
64 2010-03-02 21:18:39
Re: New Guitar purchased today (13 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
MeKids, I'm sort of a Craigslist junkie. Being retired I look for great deals on things that I can fix, or clean and resell them for a small profit. Mostly computers and computer equipment. I make some extra spending money doing this. That is what happened when I saw this guitar. I know if I don't play it, I can sell it for what I paid, or make a profit. However that said, I think I will be giving this guitar a loooooonnnnngggggg test drive. I like the way it sounds and looks.
65 2010-03-02 03:16:21
Re: New Guitar purchased today (13 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Thanks everyone for the well wishes with my new guitar. I have ordered two different sets of strings, a Capo, thumb pick and so I could get free shipping, I even ordered a metronome. I started out with a $100 guitar about 6 weeks ago and now and have two guitars and a lot more money spent. This is good because it gives me more incentive to practice, practice, practice.
66 2010-02-28 23:02:54
Topic: New Guitar purchased today (13 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
I was browsing Craigslist and I found what I consider a good deal on a Takamine G-116 classical guitar and hard case. The guitar and case are like new. The normal story, per previous owner bought it to learn but after 2 weeks he put the guitar in his closet and it hasn't been touched in about 3 years. I bought it because I wanted to get a guitar with nylon strings and softer feel so I could practice more hours a day. Right now my main objective is chord changes. This guitar sounds clean and I think I can re-sell it a year from now for what I paid for it.
Some things I want to do. Buy some strings for it. Please suggest what strings I should get. It has the plain stings without the ball end and pegs. The setup looks a bit high. I will most likely have to file the nut and bridge to lower the strings. There isn't a truss rod, but the neck doesn't looked warped.
Does anyone have any knowledge of this guitar?
Thanks,
Tony
Post edited to add photos.
67 2010-02-26 03:19:10
Topic: Nothing but Calluses (4 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Do you ever have one of those days when you practice, practice, practice and you don't feel you play any better than yesterday? Today I put in a lot of time and I feel all I accomplished is to help build up my calluses on my fingers. I know that's important but I was hoping to change chords faster today. I guess if this was easy everyone would be playing guitar.
68 2010-02-25 12:09:56
Re: Non playing exercises (4 replies, posted in Acoustic)
MeK, Perfect. I checked it out, book marked it and I will add that to my daily routine. I swear if is wasn't for Chordie, I would be playing a harmonica. I don't think I could learn to play guitar without all the help this forum has given to me.
69 2010-02-25 05:49:06
Topic: Non playing exercises (4 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Are there any finger exercises that you do to help stretch your fingers and make them more flexible? I am at a point where I recognize a chord and understand how to play it but my fingers have a very hard time reaching the strings. Right now the C-Major is my nemesis. I have a really difficult time getting my 1st finger on the 1st fret, 2nd string. When my 3rd finger in on the 3rd fret 5th string and my 2nd finger in on the 2nd fret 4th string, my 1st finger can't reach back to the 1st fret, 2nd string. Looking at my hands I think I have normal size hands and fingers. I just don't think they are flexible enough. Do guitar players do any special exercises to help make their fingers more flexible?
70 2010-02-22 13:04:18
Re: Need recommendation for best $100 acoustic guitar (19 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
I've only been playing about a month. I have started off with a $100 guitar. However it quickly turned into a $115 guitar after the first week and about 8 hours of work and lots of helpful advice from Chordie members.
You will most likely need new light weight strings. A good set of light weight strings cost $15. You will most likely have to set up your guitar. I had to adjust my truss rod, file the string grooves in the nut and lower the saddle. Now my guitar sounds good and is much easier to play. That said, if I had to do it all over again I would. I have learned so much about how to maintain my guitar by having to adjust my own. I know what to look for when I purchase my next guitar. I will bring my ruler with me to measure the string height at the 12th fret. I will bring my straight edge to see is there is warp in the neck.
If you don't want to go the set up route then I would buy a used guitar from a pawn shop or Craigslist but be sure to have an experienced player go with you to check it out.
71 2010-02-19 02:45:53
Re: D Major fingering (13 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I found out today that if I put my 3rd finger on the third fret first and then my 1st finger and last my 2nd finger I can play the chord cleanly most of the time. It seems that the order in which I place my fingers down on the strings allows them to press the string without touching the adjacent strings. This has been a good practice day for me. Thanks to everyone for all your helpful replies.
72 2010-02-18 13:55:09
Topic: D Major fingering (13 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I am having a really hard time playing D major without my fingers muting adjacent strings. I discovered that if I use my 2nd finger on the 2nd fret 3rd string and 3rd finger 2nd fret 1st string and my 4th finger (pinky) on the 3rd fret 2nd string I can play it cleanly. Am I wrong to change from the normal fingering to play chords when I can't get them to work with the standard fingering. I have been trying for days to play the D chord clean with the normal fingering and I can't get it to work. I don't have anyone in the town where I live, to show me how to place my fingers, so I don't mute the strings. I was thinking about driving 40 miles to the closest music store and bringing my guitar to see if the man there would show me what I am doing wrong. I don't feel that I have overly fat fingers or short fingers. I do have some callous buildup started on all my fingers. HELP, what should I do? I practice about 1 hour a day as often as I can.
Thanks,
Tony
73 2010-02-13 05:36:41
Re: 62 year old trying to teach myself Guitar (38 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Thanks Fish24 I just left myself a message to buy a metronome. I've been using the free ONLINE one. I will check out Skip to my Lou as I know the C and G7 chord.
Tony
74 2010-02-09 22:19:24
Re: Should I set up my Guitar myself? (31 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
MeK it's more like a new guitar. It feels and sounds completely different. I have already noticed a difference it how fast I can make chord changes that sound good.
75 2010-02-07 14:08:56
Re: 62 year old trying to teach myself Guitar (38 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Thanks Fish24. I found an Internet metronome that I can practice with for now. I'll go to a music store when I visit my children in Charlotte and purchase one. Where I live now if I asked for a metronome they would think I"m talking about a prehistoric animal or something. Fish24, what was the first song you learned? I'm asking this question to every new player I come in contact with to see what worked best for them.
Thanks,
Tony