1,651

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

You may want to learn this one:

http://www.minibite.com/christmas/hippo.htm

This is a dandy tuner website as well:
http://www.howtotuneaguitar.org/

1,653

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

I gave my seven year old grandson my Martin Backpacker travel guitar. He can just reach the end of the fret board but his grip is not yet strong enough to get clear chords. I am still trying to get him to play A,D and E but I see no point in pushing him.
He lead sings great so I am teaching him drums as his first instrument. I am getting good singing out of him and he drums along more each session we spend together.
I am sure glad my old Gibson thru a Korg effects pedal sounds like AC/DC's rhythm guitar because he's heavy into skateboarding and AC/DC and Motorhead are his faves. I just hope he doesn't blow out his vocal chords singing with that groaty growl.

1,654

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

My dad used to recite me this poem:
"Twas the night before Christmas and all through the garage,
not a creature was stirring, not even the Dodge.
The tires were hung on the wall boards with care,
with hopes that Saint Nicolas will fill them with air.

1,655

(20 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Pick out a simple tune that you love. There has to be one that has few chords and the vocal line is not too rangy on the vocal.
Jot down all lyrics and then go back through and get the right chords - listing each chord in red ink above the sylable of the word where the chord hits. Play the chords on your guitar until you have them so "down" you can play them in your dreams. Then go back through and sing along with your guitar until the lyrics are memorized and you are totally sick of that song.
Play it for a trusted friend and ask for a true review. Accept honest criticizism with grace and humor.
Keep looking for ways to improve your rendition of that song.
Then focus and obsess on another (new to you) song.
Start out doing artists you can sing like who share your vocal range. Keep it simple at first but don't back down from a challenge.
Doing other artists will give you a list of singers you can sound like.
This will give you an idea of your own vocal limits and style when you try music your own way.
Start a list of tunes you think you can get away with.

I played trumpet and my wife had pity on me and got me a guitar because trumpet by itself gets nerve wracking real fast.
I took two lessons at a local music store to get an idea how guitar worked and then took it home to learn new songs.
Playing with guitarists better than I am jumpstarts my progress.

1,657

(33 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

I named my main axe, a 1960 Gibson 335, "Ralph"
I named it after a guy because some nights I whip it and some nights it whips me.

1,658

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

When we first married, my wife got a job at a resort hotel. I told her to buy a radio for herself with her first paycheck but she came home with a fifty dollar Harmony f-hole acoustic guitar for me.
Three months later I was jamming in bars.
I bought a Mossrite solid body, double neck electric that sounded great but was stolen from my house by a fellow band member.
I bought a Gibson ES330 from my lead guitarist for $185 and it is still my main axe.
I helped my best friend select a Yamaha dreadnought acoustic at a pawn shop and he gave it to me shortly before he died. It is still my favorite acoustic I ever heard.

1,659

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

"Shake it up,baby"
"La Bamba"

1,660

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

John Reno and I have played Christmas concerts at elementary schools and hospitals around here for ten years now.
This year I want to add this song:
http://www.minibite.com/christmas/hippo.htm
I have the lyrics and chords (simplified) figured out. Getting John to make time to rehearse and drill this one will be the problem.

1,661

(2 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Electric guitars fret easier. You don't usually need well - developed calluses to play electric unless you play long gigs.
Electrics have more complex choices to make a wide range of sounds with expensive equipment. This can be distracting when you're trying to learn new material.
I usually skull out the music on a new song with my acoustic until I have everything figured out including chords, solos, rhythm pattern and fitting all that in with vocal phrasing. I then like to practice the new tune on electric at full volume so I can hear any weak points as well as select sounds on my effects pedal that fit the song .
Then I drill the song until I cannot possibly hit any stinkers or forget any lyrics and am sick of hearing myself play the song,  That's when I move it onto my play list with every expectation of pulling it up next week or next month and doing a good job on it..

1,662

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

Playing in a cover band in bars, a new release better be pretty close to the recording but as years go by the band will make wee changes here and there that will become substantial over time.
Ever play a song and then get a request for it? What do you do about that?

1,663

(25 replies, posted in Recording)

Tuba, the original heavy metal. smile

1,664

(6 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Pick an up tempo tune you know really well.

1,665

(8 replies, posted in Acoustic)

When setting up for a gig, I always take my guitar out of it's case and set it on it's stand before I do anything else so the guitar can have max time to adjust to room temperature.
I rub my fingers up and down the strings a few times to warm that area slightly before tuning.
Even an air conditioner vent aimed at the band can pull you all sharp when the a/c comes on.

1,666

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

My wife insisted I learn this wonderful medley. I took me weeks to clean it up but the reaction to it is so rewarding everywhere I play it. I had to admit she was right again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A2Jt4WOxN8

1,667

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

jojo13, That guy plays better than many I have seen with two arms.
Badeye, I used to fill gaps in my musical career by powerwashing, grinding, caulking and painting. I believe mildew was invented here in Alabama.

"How Come my Dog Don't Bark When You Come 'Round"
by Doctor John

The two best songs of the 20th century polled by I forgot whom:
"Somewhere over the Rainbow"
"It's a Wonderful World"

1,670

(10 replies, posted in Electric)

If the guitar goes by air, loosen the strings a bunch.

How about:
"Our cow wouldn't give us any milk so we sold him"
or
"The crowd shouted olay while the bull ripped Hernando's hideaway"

1,672

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

My dream of a perfect band would me a 200 piece orchestra with chorus.
Unfortunately I have no way to pay or book such a huge ensemble.

1,673

(8 replies, posted in Acoustic)

"Knocking on Heaven's Door" sounds quite simple to me.
I foolisly started out with "Crying"by Roy Orbison. I was surprised how hard I had to work just to sing. All Orbison's stuff will work you. Guy had mucho high range.

1,674

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

A good jam session always cheers me up.
Dig this one:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xe5w0_ … -lee-lewis

1,675

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

In 1985, my brother and his family and my wife and I, chartered a nice, comfortable power boat for an overnight on Loch Ness.
We tied up for the night at a dock near the ruins of a wonderful castle. After walking over the ruins we returned to the boat and the fog rolled in and the night sounds had the children in stitches while we told stories of Nessie.
The following afternoon we walked several miles to the Loch Ness Exposition. We arrived just as they were closing. A gentleman dressed magnificently in full kilt introduced himself as the owner of the exposition and let us in to purchase some badly needed items. He then loaded us all into his beautiful Mercedes and drove us back to the boat.                                                                    We invited him aboard for a wee dram of scotch and he accepted and delighted us all with his wonderful stories.
The drinking water in the boat tank tasted like mildew and our host reassured us the water out of the loch would taste much better. He was right, of course. Our coffee the next morning tasted a little like peat but was very fine.
Everybody we talked to believed in the Loch Ness Monster. We were not surprised.