Auralvisage,
Excellent point about playing with emotion not just speed. I've always felt there is a time and a place for speed but to always be running around the fret board can be annoying. That "look how fast I play" thing is tiresome. Knowing not only what to play but "when" to play is crucial. respect the silence. I appreciate a Willie Nelson solo more than a Buckethead solo; that may just be personal preference. The blues guys have been doing it for years. I always thought David Gilmour was a master at emotional solos. His stuff always makes me want to stop and listen. There's real feeling in that. I'm not taking anything away from the speed metal guys; they obviously play at a level I never will. Maybe this is just my musical preference???
926 2008-04-10 12:38:46
Re: Reality or Mith? (30 replies, posted in Acoustic)
927 2008-04-09 20:32:35
Re: A VERY DIFFICULT ONE (8 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Very clever SouthPaw!!! Doc is rubbing off on people. Being a fan of both Yes and The Who I was about to go off about the combo being A-Ha and then a light came on!! Thanks for the laugh
928 2008-04-09 20:23:36
Re: CAPODASTRES or CAPOS: THE BEST? (7 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
I use a spring style dunlop, It's quick and easy to use, I've never had tuning issues, and I can just clamp it to the head stock when it's not in use.
same here. had it for 20 years. It must be pretty good; I've never considered another
929 2008-04-09 20:19:24
Re: Progress, WQhats yours? (12 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
First picked it up in '85. Took some lessons and lasted about a year. About 2 years ago I picked it up again with a little more maturity and focus. I feel I'm progressing better than I expected. Not too many chord progressions are out of my reach. That being said, I play because I love to play; that's it. I'm not obsessed with being great or even good for that matter. I really enjoy playing. I've played with some people that are way better than I am but I still have a great time. I get a thrill out of playing rythym for someone else. I wish I had the same outlook when I first picked it up. When I was young I was frustrated and wanted to be the best. Ahhh what perspective can be achieved in 20 years. If I have any advice to give (and maybe a I shouldn't advise) it's enjoy every moment of playing. When it stops being fufilling and fun... stop playing. I hope playing brings everyone as much joy as it brings me on a daily basis.
930 2008-04-09 20:03:57
Re: Tanglewood guitars (12 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I'd agree with the above. have it professionally set up and be sure you're comparing apples to apples with your 2 acoustics. The brand and gauge of strings can really effect sound and playability as well. Don't give up on the Tanglewood; generally, they seem to get good reviews. Search this forum and I think you'll find mostly praise. And...welcome to Chordie
931 2008-04-07 20:54:01
Re: getting to grips with 12 strings (8 replies, posted in Acoustic)
http://www.chordie.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6838
link to 1 of many on this very topic.
932 2008-04-06 19:27:33
Re: Reality or Mith? (30 replies, posted in Acoustic)
No myth at all. Music is like blood, it's in every human. Some folks just have to work a little harder than others for it to come to fruition............
Well said Southpaw. I agree. I have no natural ability and have to practice hard to attain the level that others achieve with ease. I think there's someting to having an "ear".
933 2008-04-05 12:37:12
Re: A VERY DIFFICULT ONE (8 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Great topic and a great list by geo. I can't argue with any of the names listed. It's difficult to leave out great names like Hendrix, The Stones, and many more. I find it interesting to make equations out of the list.
Examples:
Beatles + Cream = Zeppelin
Zepplin + Hendrix = Van Halen
Zepplin + Neil Young (or dylan maybe) = NirvanaI'm not at all comparing the talent of the artists, just thinking about their "sounds". There are many, such as Floyd, who were great in their own way, but do not define a decade in the way those listed do.
In my mind what makes a band GREAT is defining their own SOUND - you can identify a song by it's uniqueness, nobody else sounds the same. These bands all had that. Not many today do
This thread should be great.
Well said. well done. That is a very interesting concept. I'd like to see more equations
934 2008-04-04 19:48:21
Re: A VERY DIFFICULT ONE (8 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
For Rock. Considering the following as the most influential and for me who defined the decade musically in Rock and Roll. I'm not saying they were the best or the first only that they defined. The sixites really is 66-73 and so forth and so on. The early 60's were still splill over from the 50's.
60's = Beatles
70's = Led Zeppelin
80's = Van Halen
90's = Nirvana
00's jury's still out
935 2008-04-03 02:16:34
Re: New artist pages!!! (8 replies, posted in About Chordie)
Wow!!! I already loved this site...now it's going to move to obsession. Thanks so much for all your hard work.
936 2008-04-02 12:23:07
Re: guitar pick slipping (6 replies, posted in Acoustic)
sand them. I think you'll find that advice from upyerkilt on the thread mentioned above. I followed his simple advice and it works like a charm
937 2008-04-02 12:21:25
Re: IMPORTANT: HOW TO BE A DECENT "SONG SMITH" (9 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Lyrics come easy for me while melody usually does not (I wish it were not the case) so if I stumble on a good melody I can almost always come up with lyrics to support.
938 2008-04-02 12:19:30
Re: The Immortals (8 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Led Zeppelin, perhaps?
939 2008-04-02 12:17:47
Re: The Top 100 Guitar Solos (of all time) (18 replies, posted in Electric)
Some oldies worth a listen.
Allan Holdsworth's solo on "In the Dead of Night" from UK's debut album.
Eric Clapton on White Room, classic.
Mick Taylor's closing solo after Keyes sax on "Can't you hear me Knockin" from Sticky Fingers.
Steve Howe on Paul Simon's "America" from Yesterdays
Steve Hunter on the Sweet Jane intro from Lou Reed's Rock and Roll Animal.
All excellent solos. Thanks for pointing those out. With the exception of Clapton, these are all guys who never get the respect they deserve
940 2008-04-02 12:15:53
Re: What's going on in MUSIC BUSINNESS (5 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I always thought Morrison was way over rated. I was never a huge Doors fan but if there were any credit due it wasn't to him. A Poet? I've read his stuff. It's silly not at all poetry. "I am the Lizard King I can do anything"???? How moving......In your opnion, were the Doors a special band? One that help shaped futire bands? Love them or hate them bands like the Beatles, Nirvana, Van Halen, Black Sabbath ushered in a new waves of music and influenced their peers.
941 2008-04-01 16:54:45
Re: What's going on in MUSIC BUSINNESS (5 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I think it's a way to sell more records. plain and simple. If you're a big Eminem fan and you here him collaborate with someone else and you like the end result; it might make you buy the other artists album. I always wondered if the effort was pushed by the record company rather than the artists. It used to be artists would work with each other because they respected each other and wanted to but the recent unions seem more marketing driven than mutual admiration which is very unfortunate.
That being said, I personally will not go out and buy a Lil Kim album even if she worked with the resurrected Beatles...not my thing
942 2008-04-01 16:49:32
Re: The Top 100 Guitar Solos (of all time) (18 replies, posted in Electric)
David Gilmoure from the album Animals song Dogs (there are 2 similar ones). Bluesy but rocks. Gilmoure is the master of knowing when not to play a note. For any of you youngin's out there haven't heard this...give it a listen. It will leave you speechless. Also check out his playing on Welcome to the Machine especially Shine on You Crazy Diamond. #$#$^&%$$!! Fantastic guitar work
943 2008-04-01 01:58:30
Re: Am I Going to Have Problems? (8 replies, posted in Acoustic)
1)Thumb placement-thumb should not wrap around fret board. Thumb should be placed on the middle to the lower third of the back of the neck. This is very important in the early stages of learning in that it makes the far reaching chords easier to attain. As you mature and become more comfortable and fluid with your chord changes the occasional thumb reach around will be acceptable and useful.
2)String control-be aware of strings ringing out that aren't intended to do so. Example; many students of mine when playing a C chord play the low(fat) E as well. This, in most cases does not work and it sounds sloppy. Muting or dampening strings (not in the framework for a particular chord )with the palm of your strumming hand is something to be aware of.
3)Not looking at strumming hand- Look at the fretboard and develop a feel for strumming or picking. Also, take some time away from the guitar and visualize chord placement in your mind. It really helps.
4)Guitar jargon(language) If one goes from the first fret to fifth fret, one is moving UP the fretboard. If one is going from the fifth fret to first fret, one is moving Down the fretboard. Many people confuse the direction and it drives me crazy(as an instructor) It goes by pitch, as the sound gets higher, Up we go. As the sound gets lower, Down we go.Good luck and don't forget the most important rule of playing guitar; love and cherish every moment a guitar is in your hands!!!!!
Take note of the above. This man knows...and what a great last line. That sums it all up. The worst day can be made instantly better with an acoustic and a beverage.
And if you take away 1 thing .....the damn thumb...I fight that all the time.
944 2008-03-31 02:32:33
Re: Distinctive strummers (16 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Plush Stone Temple Pilots
945 2008-03-31 02:31:14
Re: WHAT ABOUT TED NUGENT (9 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
LOL Geo - I think Ted peaked at about the right time in my adolescence. Cat Scratch Fever was released when I was 14 - Ted was the Man!
I say I think, I think I say...there ain't nobody out there want to be mellow tonight!
You and I are very close in age... I'm still laughing. He get's my vote for the lyrics alone. You can't mention Cat Scratch Fever without mimicikng the riff!!!
946 2008-03-31 01:18:16
Re: WHAT ABOUT TED NUGENT (9 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
One hit wonder? C'mon man, gotta give Terrible Ted more credit than that. He certainly filled a niche in his day, and considering the times, was more original than many artists since. A few items from wiki:
Nugent has amassed a sizable list of well-known songs, including "Journey To The Center Of The Mind", "Stranglehold", "Free For All", "Dog Eat Dog", "Wang Dang Sweet Poontang", "Cat Scratch Fever", "Motor City Madhouse", "Paralyzed", "Great White Buffalo", and "Wango Tango".
To date, he has released more than 31 recordings and sold more than 35 million albums. Nugent is famous for playing the semi-hollow Gibson Byrdland. Gibson Guitar Corporation has developed a model named for him.
So he's a 60 year old rocker, been touring over 40 years. I've seen him live several times and he always put on a great show - I remember one where he came out from the rafters, swinging on a rope over the crowd - like Tarzan on a vine. If he's not in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, he should be (just for Wang Dang, Sweet Poontang alone
)
Topdown...Thanks for the "Wang Dang Sweet Poontang" reference. I had forgotten. I'm laughing out loud. I'm sorry, he's not the 1st guitarist you think of when the word great comes up and sure personnally he's sort of nutty and maybe annoying to some but like you say he made "Wang Dang Sweet Pontang". The defense rests!!!!!!!
947 2008-03-31 01:13:13
Re: which is better, light or medium acoustic guitar strings (20 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Well, I haven't been playing for years, but I have done a bit of experimenting with strings. If I were to play mediums, my guitar would be far too loud for me to be heard singing. Some may think that's a good thing. Many, in fact. Nevertheless, I prefer light strings for that reason. Also, my guitar came set up for ultra-lights, so even using lights requires me to take it back for a set-up, which I don't feel like doing. Not that it's a bad thing to do, I just don't feel like doing it. To use mediums renders the guitar almost unplayable (but it would be fine if it were set up, but we've already been down that road).
- Zurf
I second that Zurf. String it with what your guitar wants/needs. If you're not sure, you'll know once you experiment, I too use lights.
948 2008-03-31 01:08:50
Re: Learning to Sing AND play (35 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I think relaxation helps the most. Just let it rip. Play how you feel. Improvise and have fun. I think the whole thing comes together better when you don't think about it.
949 2008-03-31 01:06:37
Re: Am I Going to Have Problems? (8 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I'd recommend at least getting some lessons (even if only a few or on line/dvd type). Otherwise you may develop some habits that'll be hard to break later. I'm prettty much self taught and now struggle with good hand position all the time. I think if you start out technically sound then you've got a better chance to progress later. It will also give you some fundamental comprehension of music theory which will save you later (if you don't already have it). A good teacher will instruct you without you even knowing it. If you're teacher's doing it right, you'll look forward to your 45 minute jam session rather than instruction. And some day early on after praticing really hard, you'll have that "WOW" moment when you rip out a jam. I wish I had taken more lessons years ago. I think I'd be a better player. Just me 2 cents.