This is both inspriring and disheartening but I love it!
752 2011-01-15 13:19:26
Re: My New Years Resolution (4 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Baldguitardude,
I look forward to seeing your work. And in some way you will encourage me to stay the course with my GET BACK TO PLAYING resolution. Thanks.
David
753 2011-01-14 12:21:50
Re: Would you buy a guitar online? (15 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
I have purchased on-line with good results. Advice: "Be Careful with that Axe, Eugene."
754 2011-01-12 14:43:29
Re: Kind of surprised myself (10 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
+1 on the songbook. But, in my case, it's more of wish list for now. I cannot conceive of knowing 45-70 songs. I am humbled.
755 2011-01-12 14:13:22
Re: GET BACK TO PLAYING! (143 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Two years of "playing" and a recent viewing of the movie "Country Strong" with my teenage daughter may be paying off. She is suddenly interested in learning to play the guitar! In fact, I can hear her practicing now.
She has a huge advantage over me as she actually has musical talent and can summon tears by singing. A regular Siren.
756 2011-01-12 14:10:32
Re: Kind of surprised myself (10 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Zurf, that's over three albums worth of songs or maybe a double album and a few single albums. Impressive.
David
p.s. If you release a double you'll have to include the obligatory poster for your fans.
757 2011-01-10 14:08:15
Re: I've Got The Itch (48 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
I've sold two guitars this week and bought two. I have imposed a buying/selling moratorium on myself until and if my playing warrants a "better" guitar. Besides I secretly want a Martin but I have no idea which one.
758 2011-01-10 13:59:07
Re: GET BACK TO PLAYING! (143 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I sat the wife down last night to thank her for supporting my guitar habit. This recognition was long overdue. She has been very supportive of the all the time I slip away into my "music room" to practice when I should be checking off items on the honey-do list. She has been flexible and generous during budget discussion for the "just one more guitar". And lastly she has tolerated all the cacophonies I can generate!
If you are in a similar support/supported situation with your spouse - and I suspect most of you are - I encourage you to take moment to thank your significant other. Or maybe I'm just catching up with what you already do?
My ulterior reason for talking to her last night was to ask her to keep me honest with my eBay/Craig's List moratorium. She was surprised at my self-imposed sanction but I think she was impressed I recognized my mission creep and was acting to correct my course.
Atlanta is snowed in today and I home enjoying the winter whiteness. Today would be a great day to pick up a guitar!
By the way I would like to thank my friends here at Chordie. Your support, insight, information, stories, etc are invaluable to me. I consider Chordie one leg of my nuclear guitar triad! (I know, shameless Cold War analogy.)
David
759 2011-01-08 15:10:28
Re: GET BACK TO PLAYING! (143 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Zurf,
My mid-life "sports car" is a Ford Taurus with 186,000+ miles on it. A real chick magnet!
David
760 2011-01-08 13:21:32
Re: GET BACK TO PLAYING! (143 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Update:
The Yamaha is sold AND I purchased an inexpensive 12-string off eBay. Inventory is at three where it shall remain. I've imposed a moratorium on all guitar-related browsing/purchasing on Craig's List and Ebay.
761 2011-01-07 12:53:51
Re: Need Info (3 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
One "secret" about Takamines (and others) to keep in mind is a suffix "s" usually indicated a solid top. The F400 is a laminate guitar. Not that there is anything wrong with that (Seinfeld), all three of my guitars are laminates. I refer to them as the "Silence of the Lams". Hannibal Lector would be proud!
762 2011-01-07 12:50:24
Re: Do good guitar players play guitar hero? (15 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Alleysmith,
I suppose I am a guitar player. (I like to think I am.) I do not play Guitar Hero nor do I have any interest in it. For me it's about as realistic a simulation as the PC-based flight simulators are to actually flying: always frustratingly disappointing. I think my limited time is better spent with a real guitar although any listeners might disagree.
David
763 2011-01-07 12:46:16
Re: GET BACK TO PLAYING! (143 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Zurf,
Really all I can say is: Yes sir! You are a task-master. I complied (more or less) with your directive last night. I hope you are not surprised but I had a blast! I played for about two hours and the only reason I stopped is I felt guilty that my wife was solo. She has been very supportive of what she considers a mid-life crisis.
Gabbysings2: I am glad I am able to provide inspiration for others. God knows I've received my fair share from Chordie, Youtube, and other friends. It's time I repay by contributing instead of just consuming.
Giddy-up! to all.
David
764 2011-01-06 18:01:13
Re: GET BACK TO PLAYING! (143 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
The Guild is gone: sold for the asking price.
The Yamaha is sale-pending. (Hopefully I will sell it tomorrow.)
The Art & Lutherie will remain my go-to until and if I decide to replace it with a "nicer" guitar.
I did purchase a Martin LXK2 for my travel needs.
Played two Martin D-15s today, good but not great, - the reason I sold the Guild, on the other hand the D-16GT was nice...but not today.
Time to turn on the laser and GET BACK TO PLAYING. (Which I have been doing by the way. I've already replaced the batteries in the laser twice since Christmas.)
765 2011-01-06 12:17:20
Re: GET BACK TO PLAYING! (143 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Trying to comply with the inventory reduction act of 1964. Two guitars for sale; two potential buyers; one showing today. Wish me luck.
766 2011-01-04 16:06:53
Re: Open tunings (9 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Zurf,
I know I sound like a broken record but visit www.justinguitar.com. He has some good information on alternate/open tunings. (This website would be my only guitar instruction website if I could only have one.)
Also, if you have time, read "Life" by Keith Richards, he talks about the origins of "his" method for Open G tuning - the five string version.
David
p.s. I piddled around (for a few minutes) with Open G. I failed. I'm not ready for this. My only albeit limited success is with tuning a half (or whole) step down.
767 2011-01-04 14:38:44
Re: Corn Explosion (12 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Amaze your friends with this demonstration of thermodynamics in action.
Fill any paper or styrofoam cup with water - all the way to the top.
Place it in the fire without spilling the water - somewhat difficult but possible
The cup will not burn or melt until the water is gone.
I performed this feat a few years ago for a bunch of pre-adolescent boys.
They were captivated for the duration - as were their fathers.
Sorry, no explosions, just ultimately one less cup in the world.
768 2011-01-04 01:15:12
Topic: If your name is Ronnie - Funny CL Ad (0 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
This is a hilarious Craig's List Ad! Especially if your name is Ronnie.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/ … 51943.html
I nominated this for a "best of" on CL.
769 2011-01-03 11:02:09
Re: GET BACK TO PLAYING! (143 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Update:
I almost sold one of my guitars yesterday. The dude (prospective purchaser) shows up with 4/5 of the money hoping I would drop my price by 20%. Of course I did not discover this until the end of the meeting when it came to the negotiation.
I listed the price as firm. I don't know about you but I always show up with the asking price in my pocket. I wouldn't ever assume the buyer will drop the price. Of course, this was a kid with his mom not wise in the ways of buying and selling used guitars. Nice kid, I did not make an issue of it but I did remind him my price is firm.
So the inventory stands at three. I am almost ready to establish a moratorium on eBay and Craig's List shopping so I can focus my time and energy on playing.
Back to work today.
770 2010-12-30 20:43:02
Re: GET BACK TO PLAYING! (143 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I realize I'm probably talking to myself but it helps as I go through this process. I also realize this "conversation" is akin to the "Julie and Julia" idea (from the book/movie).
Step 2.
Sell off guitar inventory so I'm back to ONE guitar. My Guild is for sale in the Chordie Marketplace and my Yamaha Jumbo is likely sold to a local fellow. This leaves me with the Art & Lutherie Dread. This is sort of a Henry David Thoreau moment where I reduce life - in this case, guitar playing - to its essence. One man, one guitar, and a renewed laser focus on learning to play the guitar.
How long will this last? No one knows. I do reserve the right to acquire a "travel guitar" - I do fly commerical air a lot - and, maybe, a 12-string. But that's it! Right.
771 2010-12-30 20:27:04
Re: Hello (7 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Rickey,
Welcome! There is a veritable plethora of folks willing and able to help you at Chordie.com, myself included. With the information you provided I suggest you search YouTube for the song you are trying to play. This has been helpful for me. Good luck.
David
772 2010-12-29 15:25:45
Re: 1981 Martin D-28 kept in a "humidity free" environment! (7 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Not for sale, just for laughs.
Not mine by the way.
773 2010-12-29 14:38:27
Re: New Guitar Day for my Grandaughter (6 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
My kids, though musically talented, are not interested in the guitar much to my disappointment. I've tried to interest them. Even told them I'd buy them a guitar of their chosing, right now! No dice.
However my daughter warmed my heart (she's 16 and in high school) when she suggested that one of my duties as a future grandfather would be teaching the guitar to the grandkids! I can picture it now. Another reason for me to GET BACK TO PLAYING.
774 2010-12-29 14:12:16
Re: 1981 Martin D-28 kept in a "humidity free" environment! (7 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
CL ads often make me chuckle. I'd like to be able to run a "find and replace" on the whole site replacing "vintage" with "chucklehead".
775 2010-12-29 14:08:49
Re: GET BACK TO PLAYING! (143 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Step 1.
I went through my "playbook" yesterday and removed several of the songs I was hoping to learn to play. Most were too much of a stretch. Then I printed out the fingerings for several scales and added them to my notebook. I also placed the "note circle" on the front cover! Back to the basics.
I'm using Justin Sandercoe's (www.justinguitar.com) advice on structured practices with goals I've written down. I am still working on the latter but I will have them established by New Years.
I might even start using the old metronome!
I'm not getting any younger. If I want to be a "good" guitar player I must change course. Wish me luck.
David
p.s. I did retain my "alternate tunings" cheat sheet just for fun.