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For the past few years, off and on, I’ve studied music theory with the Community Music School near me at the University of Delaware. We tallied around 55 class hours, and have progressed — pun intended — about as far as we can go before delving into specific areas such as orchestrating and songwriting. My instructor is the supremely talented Kevin J. Cope, composer and president of the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society. Our final assignment this summer was to write a piece for solo piano incorporating what we’ve learned. I can’t play piano — it would have helped — but fortunately Finale can, and that’s what you’ll hear in the mp3 (2:42). I gave the score to a friend who’s an experienced pianist, and she pronounced it quite playable. So this isn’t for guitar, although my guitar certainly helped with testing progressions. Here’s my “Letter from Emily”. Letter from Emily - Score.pdf Letter from Emily.mp3

Congratulations. Music Theory is a beast to many of us, well done in furthering your knowledge to the extent that you can compose for an instrument you can't even play! Thanks for sharing😊

@Nutty 1 Fantastic Mandy, you have made wonderful progress on your fingerstyle. Keep it up, hope to hear more from you!😊

Wow! That is an impressive tune! Quite catchy! Wonderful that you have taken those classes and furthered your music theory knowledge! Congratulations! That is quite an achievement!

Wow Diane, that was very impressive. It is a wonderful talent to be able to write music and this song could be the beginning of a new career. Someone once said, "never stop learning", hmmm. Henk

The Taylor Grand Pacific is definitely a lot of guitar. The neck is the smoothest I played so far. The sound is rich. I am going to put new strings on soon, and give it the complete treatment before winter comes. The case is a work of art. I have seen too many expensive guitars come with a gig bag so the Taylor case is a real treat.

I agree with you all. From the adverts it looks like they are aiming it at young people. The fact that you can change the pickups and body parts makes me wonder if they are trying to sell it as the only electric guitar you will ever need. I suppose there may be a market for that. The neck is wood but the body parts are ABS. The thought of that being my only electric guitar sends me cold. Part of the enjoyment of guitars for me is owning a wood guitar with character. There is great choice of different guitars out there to be explored and I intend to do so whenever I can (GAS). I see the use as a travel guitar, but as you all have said, it would have to be at a far lower price point. It will be interesting to see if this boat floats.

Wow! That sure is a great looking guitar! Taylor's are amazing instruments! I had a GS Mini and it served me very well! That case is unlike any I've seen! Congrats!!

Nice find Randy, and that case is amazing! I've never seen one like that before. Have fun with your new guitar!

Diane- Your talents never cease to amaze me! Your Like Baskin and Robbins in 1972..................31 Flavors! Or Diane is like a Swiss Army Knife- She has so many uses and is so practical! On a serious note- Well done. Who would ever have thought to write a piano musical score and not know how to play piano? Diane- You are amazing! Your friend always. Mike

Very unlikely. Is there actually a market for these? I've seen lots of these sort of ideas come and go nowhere. Someones great idea but unless you can sell it... (expensive too) N

I agree. A great, modular concept for a travel guitar. But I have to think that most looking for a travel guitar don't want to invest that much. @Oldjock, I think that you are correct, "Someone will buy it." But enough to sustain their business? I 'm doubtful. I just think there are too many less expensive alternatives, like the Treveler or the MArtin Backpacker. I think those are the names and I think they are in the $300 range.

I know this is a guitar forum, but just a brief response Triple-O. An unprecedented wind storm in the NW .associated with an unseasonal cold front into the Rockies, ultra-dry humidity and record heat have turned the NW and California into massive fire zones. I suffered significant wind damage to my property, and living rurally, am somewhat anxious of the potential for a fire ignition in my locale. Even a coastal town is evacuating. I have taken to index and record all of my musical and woodworking gear in the last couple days just in case I have to evacuate. We , in this part of the country are used to temperate, even wet climates, much of the year. I have lived here most of my life...nothing like this has ever occured. I pray for the families of whole towns that have been wiped out by fire. 2020 has been a difficult year for all. Sorry again for sidetracking the forum on a non-guitar topic. Greg

Thank you Greg, I really appreciate your kind comments.

Super Mandy! What a big leap forward with fingerstyle. I concur with Fretless with your significant progress. Greg

Thank you @NeilES335, @Fretless and @Randy120, your comments mean a lot to me.

@Nutty 1 Well done 🙂 Fingerstyle is a real challenge... You're nearly there on this song; just a bit more polish and you've got it down pat. I've seen quite an improvement in your playing too.. N

Here is me having a go at Simon and Garfunkel's Scarborough Fair on my Cordoba F7. This arrangement is by Muriel Anderson. I have been learning this on and off for months now, it is far from perfect. It has been a long and hard journey for me but I am really pleased to have got it this far. Do not adjust your sets folks, it is a rough recording in mono. I used one microphone into the Scarlet 2i2.

It is awful quiet in here. I thought I would make some noise with my new Taylor Grand Pacific. Mistakes are free!

@Popeye I agree the Grand Pacific is very snug in the case. It is rock solid and the floral pattern is rich with gold hardware. Unfortunately, the Grand Pacific will not see the case anytime soon. I get to play with it all Labor Day weekend, and I am off next week. If you hear a guitar ringing, it just might be me.