You could also check out finger picks to put on the ends of your playing fingers. I can't let my nails grow, it drives me crazy. So I compensate with finger picks or using a thumb pick to play melodies.
Hope that's helpful.
177 2010-08-27 18:17:59
Re: Going mad as hell. (18 replies, posted in Acoustic)
There are many tunes that I have learned, that I need a capo on the second or third fret. It's all about finding the right key for my voice. So capo away and ignore the naysayers.
178 2010-08-27 18:09:39
Re: Memorization (25 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I'll add to the repetition chants, but, I also have a large binder full of the tunes that I want to play. An idea I picked up the first time I saw Southpaw play at his gig in Florida. Thanks SouthPaw. 
179 2010-08-11 15:47:00
Re: My Brain is changing. A Rant! (27 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
My tastes have changed over the years, I pretty much embrace any and all styles that has music that I can enjoy. From classical to jazz to rock to folk, etc, etc, etc. Tunes I liked when I was younger, not so much now. It's part of life and certainly not anything to be concerned about. I love certain tunes from the 60's, 70's, 80's, on up to present. I like what I like and it's all good.
Duke Ellington said it best; "If it sounds good, it IS good."
180 2010-08-06 17:33:24
Re: Oldie But Goodies (518 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Yep, thats a tune in my big fat guitar song book.
181 2010-07-14 22:35:46
Re: "F" chord is now outlawed (148 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I wondered about the quality of those Esteban Guitars everytime I see the HSN show that he promotes it on. Keep it, you might need a spare quitar to bang around on or practice on.
FArmington is a fur piece of drivin' for me. I live in Fryeburg, on the Maine/NH border right next to Conway. There's a decent music shop up in North Conway, but I prefer to do most of my acoustic guitar shopping business at The Vintage Fret Shop in Ashland NH. And in Westbrook Maine I found a general type music shop that does have all sorts of instruments, mostly electric guitars and rock band type.
Welcome to chordie, I don't get here as much as I'd like to, but, it's nice to have on my computer for help and advice.
182 2010-07-14 16:37:15
Re: "F" chord is now outlawed (148 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Thank you, I travel down the road of Mutantism with head held high and a bunch of Beatles tunes and O'Carolan tunes to master!
183 2010-07-14 14:00:34
Re: "F" chord is now outlawed (148 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Alas, I am undone, the siren call of the B chord and it's siblings B7 and Bm are too enticing. Their call reaches into the depths of my soul.
184 2010-07-13 22:27:01
Re: "F" chord is now outlawed (148 replies, posted in Acoustic)
caromshot wrote:
Ok, I took mekidsmom's advice and went to justinguitar.com (THANK YOU!). I like his style. I have been following the beginner lessons for about 2 weeks now and I see marked improvement, even over where I was last November. One of my goals is to play one song as well as my father does, so that I can play along with him. My previous goal was to play with him, which I reached last October when I went to visit him in Maine. He is self taught and some of my best memories as a kid are listening to my father play the guitar with our family singing along with the lyrics. My wife and I are going to adopt a baby and I hope to pass this tradition along to our children.
Many of you are probably now saying, crawl before walk, walk before you run, run before you run long distances. I have some high goals, but I will to acheive them in good time. I have applied Justin's lessons to learning one of the songs my father taught me and I am seeing some progress there as well. It adds a couple concepts like transition chords (Technically called a filler I think), and changing a chord to allow for the chords I already know (using A instead of A7). Thank you all once again for your encouragement. I appreciate it. I hope to pop in here more often in the future to chat with you all and update you on my status.
I'm from Maine, what area does your father live in??
As SouthPaw would say, Peace Love and Guitars!! Keep us posted!
185 2010-07-08 09:37:07
Re: Bad dream (26 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
WOW, hope your feeling better soon and NEVER have that type of nightmare again.
MAybe you had the nightmare from all the spambots that have been showing up here.
186 2010-07-08 09:30:53
Re: Happy Birthday Ringo - 70 years, Wow! (3 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
They say it's your birthday..........
187 2010-07-04 23:57:44
Re: "F" chord is now outlawed (148 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Klingon wrote:
Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated. I have been playing for 18 months now and the F chord is my nemesis. So i attack it by playing as many songs as i can with an F chord especially if the change is from a totally different chord like G. The barre chord version is like most barre chords.....frustrating !!! But again....practice....practice
It took me awhile, but my easiest transition is from G to F, C to F takes a bit more practice for me.
OH NOES, Klingon is Bchord/org and the first letter in Barre is B, resistance is futile. We're doomed.....to playing songs with B chords and Barre chords. 
188 2010-07-04 21:26:45
Re: "F" chord is now outlawed (148 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I'm proud to say, that I am now getting the hang of the F chord. Even switching to it in songs that we play in my string band group class. Nothing like being in a group to help the technique come along. Even my B chords are coming along. <ZOINKS> Whatever will happen next!? 
Now please don't tell Zurf or any of the other F and B chord banners. Cause if you do, I'll give you such a pinch.
189 2010-07-04 21:16:59
Re: City of New Orleans. (11 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Cheers to you as well!
190 2010-06-10 21:50:38
Re: Oldie But Goodies (518 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Old Doll wrote:
Oh i loved that Ozymandias
Reminded me of childhood years. Us kids used to sing it. Sweeping broom handles at the ready
to fire our gunsWe listened to this guy singing it. Lonnie Donegan. He was a British skiffle player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umcEYz9LJm8
This was another we used to sing as kids by Lonnie..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeonJHR1jyE
Old Doll.
Yes, Skiffle music was a relative of appalachia/bluegrass music...or more to the point, music for the people. Folk music at it's best. I loved Lonnie Donegan.
The story behind that tune, was that the record company executives wanted Jimmy Driftwood to record it,............IF he would take out the D**n and H**L. He refused, Johnny Horton would do it their way. The rest is history. You should check out the other Jimmy Driftwood videos there, playing on a homemade guitar, made from a fence post and his great-great grandmothers headboard of her bed. And at 80+ years of age picking a tune with very nimble fingers in the Carter family style tradition.
God, I love music!
191 2010-06-10 01:02:55
Re: Oldie But Goodies (518 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
A link to some true music history. My father in law is a Jimmy Driftwood fan and if you follow this link or just type in "Jimmy Driftwood". You will get FOLK MUSIC as it truly should be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKk3Q8CgNCE
There is an extra story here, about WHY Johnny Horton got all the credit, but, Jimmy Driftwood was a true treasure of the folk tradition.
192 2010-06-10 00:58:36
Re: Oldie But Goodies (518 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Old Doll wrote:
"Donald trump has reached the age, as have I , where a man looks like the South end of a North bound dog - no matter the hair style."
Hahahahahahaahhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahhaha
ahahahahahahahahhahahah, Toots Thats the funniest, i never heard that description before.Our Island would welcome you also. Bring your rainmac and wellies sir.
Old Doll.
LOL, Old Doll; you rock
193 2010-05-31 20:39:48
Re: Oldie But Goodies (518 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
tubatooter1940 wrote:
Auditioned last year at a restaraunt nearby for a one night a week gig. Manager told me "Mercury Blues" by the Steve Miller Band was a favorite of his. I found the song on U-Tube and learned it. I played it at our audition and we did not get hired. Haven't played it since. I must suck at it.
toots
Don't be so harsh about yourself. More than likely the manager just has an extremely limited view of the original tune. I know I can be when hearing remakes of tunes I love. Thats why I'd make a lousy person to audition for.
Next time you do a gig, go for it and play the tune. You might be pleasantly surprised at the reception.
194 2010-05-24 16:21:06
Re: Oldie But Goodies (518 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Old Doll wrote:
Bensop. You have a sence of humour to sir. Good quality to possess.
Heres some black velvet for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEZxtdesraU
Old Doll.
Wow, haven't heard that tune in a while. HAven't even heard anything about her either.
195 2010-05-15 23:26:15
Re: girls, girls, girls (30 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
This tune makes me smile.
196 2010-05-15 01:04:36
Re: Oldie But Goodies (518 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
197 2010-05-09 20:56:13
Re: Oldie But Goodies (518 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Well since we're talking Van Morrison here:
198 2010-05-06 00:32:16
Re: Oldie But Goodies (518 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
This thread has certainly gotten a life of its own. Thank you all for turning me on to the joys of YouTube. Great stuff!!!
199 2010-04-30 21:55:20
Re: Oldie But Goodies (518 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Guitarpix wrote:
Here's a great one I've been really digging lately
Desmond Dekker "The Israelites"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzMWe6XyVdc
Original Reggae. I love that tune. Good memories, awesome tune!