Hi Steelstrings and Welcome. I live in NC. I eat grits, collards, corn bread, and drink moonshine.... Guess what brand of music I like most. Ya All enjoy the forum, this is a great place. Even the Yankee's here are nice people.
2 2011-04-26 01:09:04
Re: strumming pattern nightmare!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (16 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
I share your pain also. I finally learned the 1 and 2 and 3 and 4, but it was like learning a new language. Here is what I found helped me. When I practice strumming I mute my strings. I put my left hand over the strings so all I get is a string buzz and not the tones to throw me off. I Find that if I practice the strumming before I practice playing it helps me a good bit. It's been a year and 3 months since I started to teach myself guitar and Chordie has been helping me every step of the way.
3 2011-04-10 01:56:44
Re: And another NGD (16 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Good looking guitar. I love those tuners. Great pictures. Happy NGD
4 2011-04-03 02:02:17
Re: Snark Tuner (48 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
I got my Snark Tuner and I love it. This is a great little tuner. Thanks for the tip about it.
5 2011-03-28 12:09:34
Re: Building a guitar (8 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
If you want to build a guitar but don't want to spend a lot of money but you will have something that is fun and sounds OK try building a Cigar Box Guitar. I bought one and then I built my own. You can get all the parts for under $25. There are free plans and instructions here: http://www.cigarboxnation.com/ I am not considering building a Dulcimer. Good Luck and I hope someday you build your own instrument.
6 2011-03-28 11:59:24
Re: NGD (20 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Happy NGD and Birthday. I looked at that exact guitar a few months ago in Greensboro at the Guitar Center. I would of bought it but my birthday isn't until June and my wife would wonder what that odd shaped package was that I was hiding in the trunk. Let us know how it plays and how you like it. June isn't that far away, maybe I'll get some birthday money too.
7 2011-03-26 09:57:27
Re: Snark Tuner (48 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
I just ordered one from a store on Amazon for $11.28 including shipping. Thanks for the tip about this tuner.
8 2011-03-22 01:01:59
Re: New guitar--need help (8 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Are you sure it's a Martin and not a Martin knock off? I read that some of the high price guitars have been subject to having knock offs made. Something to think about.
9 2011-03-19 12:29:47
Re: What Key do I sing in? (15 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Thanks everyone for the replies and for letting me know that I am not the only one on Chordie who can't sing. This is what I have tried and it works. I find a song I like and I sing it in a key that feels good to me so I'm not straining my voice. I record it. If it sounds good I keep it, if it doesn't I forget it and find another song. So far "Mary had a little lamb" and "Old McDonald had a farm" are keepers. LOL
10 2011-03-17 03:02:46
Re: What Key do I sing in? (15 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Nela, thanks for the offer. I'm going to play around with the Capo and recording my voice at different levels and see what happens.
However I will keep this post and let you know about hearing your recordings.
Thanks,
Tony
11 2011-03-16 22:00:17
Re: What Key do I sing in? (15 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Butch, I think I'm in the same boat you're in. I'm thinking key is not really the issue. However that said, thanks everyone for your comments and I will give it try and see if I can get some songs that work better than others.
12 2011-03-16 18:38:06
Topic: What Key do I sing in? (15 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I don't know if this question belongs in this forum or a different one. Mod please move it if I screwed up and posted in the wrong forum. I play Acoustic guitar so I figured this is the place to post my question. I know, well get on with the question already.
How do I know what key my voice is when I sing a song? I try to sing along with my playing, but there are songs that just sound better than other songs. This lady I know who sings in the church told me that I should look for songs that are in my key range. I tried using my digital guitar tuner to see if when I sang it would move the needle and give me some idea but it didn't do anything. Is there some way to record your singing voice and find out what is the best key or notes are to look for songs? I heard a guy say he capo-ed the 3 fret because it was easier to sing the song for him that way.
I know you all are laughing like crazy at this question, but I'm serious, I really don't have a clue what I'm doing when it comes to singing. I asked my wife and she said to just play the guitar and keep my mouth shut. No help from her....
13 2011-03-09 04:13:17
Re: Playing to my OWN age (13 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Thanks Badeye, I have it book marked now.
14 2011-03-09 04:03:08
Re: Cigar Box Guitar (15 replies, posted in Other string instruments)
Tandm3 I'm glad you started this topic. I have 2 CBG's a 3 string that I made. It doesn't come close to looking as good as yours and a 4 string with electric that I bought. I find them harder to play than my 6 string acoustics. I guess not having chord charts and such makes it difficult for me. Also I'm not a big blues fan so I don't know many blues songs and the CBG is mostly a blues instrument. I would love to get a 6 string CBG but WOW are they expensive. I may have to find a neck off a broken acoustic and build one myself. I'm a member of Cigar Box Nation also. It's a good resource for anything Cigar Box.
15 2011-03-09 03:34:37
Topic: Playing to my OWN age (13 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Today as I got back on my practice schedule I spent some time on the Internet looking for some new songs. I discovered George Jones. I'm a country music fan and I like old time country. What I didn't realize is that many of Georges songs are very slow and easy to sing and play. In less than 30 minutes I was playing "He Stopped Loving Her Today." It's a G, C, D, D7, G7 song. These are all chords that I know. The great part for me is George sings this song real slow. I'm not sure of the strum pattern so I just made one up that sounds good to me. Well I didn't stop there. I also found "A Few Good Ole Country Boys Around" This is by George and Randy Travis. Again in 30 minutes I was playing this song. It was like a light bulb went off and I realized that I'm 63 years old. I need to look for songs by singers in the same age group that I'm in. Old farts like me aren't supposed to sound like Brad Pasley or Keith Urban. When I can play two songs well in one hour of practice, I'm going to stick with it. Maybe Chordie could add a new song group called the "Senior Citizen" group or something.
16 2011-03-08 00:51:36
Re: I took off a couple of months (9 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Thanks everyone for the warm welcomes. Pix, I promise I will take you up on the offer to video chat. I have all the computer stuff I need and I have the time. I just have to get with you and make it happen. MKM, I haven't seen you on FB lately. You doing OK? I practiced for an hour today.... I have sore fingers, but a warm heart from all the fine folks on Chordie wishing me well.
17 2011-03-07 17:07:59
Re: I took off a couple of months (9 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Thanks for the Link Wayne. I sort of expected as much about this guy, but it doesn't hurt to ask to make sure. I'm placing an ad on Craigslist to see if I can find a guitar player in my area. I'm surprised that I haven't forgotten the chords I had learned and I still sound pretty good playing the few songs I know. Thanks to Chords C, G, D, E and A I have a lot of songs I can play, "sort of play" I should add. Again Thanks for the help. You can close this topic if you like. My question has been answered perfectly. Practice, Practice, Practice.....
18 2011-03-07 15:18:07
Topic: I took off a couple of months (9 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Hi all, I was a pretty steady Chordie visitor for a good while and then I sort of lost contact with my guitar and quit playing for about 3 months. I just got the bug to start back and now I have to recondition my fingers all over again. OUCH!!! I live in Boon Docks USA, Deep Run, NC and I just can't find anyone close by to practice guitar with or to even talk to about it. I'm getting bored with on line lessons and Youtube lessons. I tried the Cigarbox guitar route and I never could play that. I came across this Claude Johnson ad on Facebook where he promises that for $150 bucks I will be able to play hundreds of songs in no time only practicing about 15 minutes a day. Well I'm no fool, but with the money back guarantee sounds inviting. Does anyone have any experience with this guys guitar lessons? Does anyone have any experience with his money back guarantee? I can't afford to blow $150 dollars but I am wanting to improve and I trust Chordie members to give me the straight scoop.
I'm back,
Tony Espo
19 2010-10-03 23:19:09
Re: Deer antler saddle (2 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
I put a bone saddle from a blank on my guitar about 6 months ago and I love it. It really does make a difference in the tone. I'm guessing the deer antler is made of bone so it should sound about the same. On my bone saddle blank I used a dremel tool to shape it and it didn't take long at all.
20 2010-09-18 03:33:03
Re: I traded my Classical for Steel guitar today (6 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Thanks everyone. I haven't adjusted the truss rod, but I did put on a new set of light weight strings. I like the way it sounds and feels. I put in about 3 hours of playing today. Getting a new guitar is like a kid getting a new toy. I can't put it down.
21 2010-09-17 21:53:41
Topic: I traded my Classical for Steel guitar today (6 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
I never played my classical Takamine guitar, so today I traded it for a Jasmine S35 by Takamine. It was an even swap, my guitar for his. Now I have to dig out my old notes and emails and work on the S35's action. (NOTE to Guitarpix, I hope I can find your old emails.) I have a slight bow in the neck.� It's not real bad but I will try to remove it.� I'm going to use this as my travel guitar and not my daily practice guitar. Does anyone have experience with the S35? Any suggestions about modifications or things I should do for this model guitar are appreciated.
22 2010-09-08 01:38:37
Re: Songs everybody knows (16 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Great question. I'm trying to build a small song book now that I have confidence to play in front of friends and relatives. I can't wait to read the replies and hopefully I will get some good songs to add to my play list.
23 2010-09-08 01:12:09
Topic: Song doesn't sound right (4 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I downloaded the Johnny Cash song Ring of Fire. The chords are G, C, D. I can play those chords well and change between chords well. Why does the song sound so different when I play it? I haven't had this happen before. When I play this song it just doesn't sound at all in Key with the Ring of Fire song. I even recorded it and I can't believe how far off key it is. My guitar is in tune. Could whoever uploaded the Chords for this song have it all wrong? I listen to it online and it's nothing like what I'm playing. Any suggestions?
24 2010-07-25 22:03:17
Re: Chords G, C, D songs (25 replies, posted in Acoustic)
MeKidsmom, I haven't given up playing and don't intend to. I did take some time away from the 6 string to play around with a 4 string Cigar Box Guitar.... Big mistake, it is so totally different. It's fun to look at and play around with, but it requires a whole new set of skills that I don't want to tackle at this time. I started using the Capo today. I learned you don't just clamp it on and expect to hear great sounds. I have really learned to respect the people who play guitar so well. Practice, Practice, Practice.... Ohh, the bone bridge still sounds great. Did you get one yet?
25 2010-07-25 00:08:42
Re: Chords G, C, D songs (25 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Thank you everyone. I went to the song books on Chordie and I found other songs that have G,C,D and also as suggested other not too difficult chords. What I am trying to avoid while learning is songs that have fast chord changes. I have a Capo but I have never used it. I'm going to have to read up on how to use a Capo, and try it to see if that will work for me also. If it wasn't for Chordie I most likely would had quit long ago. This is a great forum with great people. Thanks again to everyone.