Steve Krenz

Wow! Sounds like a great event! I want to go! Loved the pictures and your insightful commentary. This retreat just seemed to fly by for me - the quickest one ever. Paulette is currently downstairs coughing and sniffling her way back from her cold. But my heart is as full as my fridge of leftovers from camp! It was a great time. Not just with the amazing artists, beautiful surroundings, and plentiful food but from the camaraderie of close friends who meet each year to laugh and learn, hang out in the early mornings and late nights. You all were such a blessing to me and Paulette and to the artists, helpers and even Deer Run retreat staff. To me, it seemed like this year, one of the best attractions of the whole event were the wonderful people who drove and flew from near and far, who gave up a week of their lives, to come together and have fun with each other and music. People from vastly different life experiences all together enjoying music and a meal and a few days in the woods just being friends and guitar lovers. You embraced the new folks and made sure everyone was included. You hung out with the artists like they were friends. You opened your hearts to each other in every way. These are the intangibles that Paulette and I hope to foster but are difficult to put into a written schedule. This year, more than in previous years, you all brought the event with you. It wasn't the great music, the artists, or the teaching - it was you all that made the event. It passed by all too quickly but we have been blessed by all of your hospitality and friendship to each other. Love you all. - Steve

@matonanjin, I'm sure that was a great concert! Within the last few weeks we've had James Taylor, Eric Clapton and the Doobie Brothers. Plus the IBMA Bluegrass Convention. It's been a busy but musical few weeks here in Music City! - Steve

Peader, Sounds like you're off to a good start. Keep up the daily work. It's slow and tedious in these early stages but just be patient with yourself and your learning. Some days you'll feel like it - and that you are making good progress. Other days you'll feel uninspired and that your effort is fruitless. You're not allowed to judge your progress for these first few weeks. Just keep doing what is taught and the results will slowly start to emerge. I encourage you to move on to Session 2. Session 2 is where the learning really begins. Keep doing the finger exercises from Session 1 but you'll find Session 2 more engaging to work on. Keep us posted on your progress. You can do it! - Steve

The stories behind the songs are always fascinating to me. Also, how the song develops and changes over time is also fascinating. Lyrics change, meanings change, cultural references shift. Then, when a song gets repeated and translated into multiple languages it changes even more. - Steve

Another great song! Here's Randy Bachman talking about the making of "Takin' Care of Business"...

Ha! Great song. - Steve

Ha! Yes, power chords are just a two note form using the root and fifth. That type of voicing goes back a lot farther than the guitar does - all the way back to monks and chants and such! On guitar, it's just an easy to play voicing that works in a lot of musical places - especially in Rock. On a side note, when I first moved to Nashville in 2001, one of the first things I did was go down to the local musicians union office and sign up. I had long been a member in San Antonio. In Nashville, the man that swore me in to the musicians union was the legendary Harold Bradley - a long time guitarist for Elvis. Small world. - Steve

Wow, how wonderful! Your work and dedication has paid off in getting you an opportunity where you wanted to go. Work hard on the tunes and being what they need you to be in that position. Be the most prepared person on that bandstand so that when it gets time to actually perform you can relax and just play. Keep going and I trust that even more doors and opportunity will open for you. Very happy for you. - Steve

Yep, AI is incredible at some things. But... as Tina Fey said "it can't write jokes". And while it can create music - I find that the music it creates is uninteresting and, at times, profoundly and creatively frustrating to listen to. In other words, it doesn't surprise you. It doesn't give you a turn of phrase in the lyrics that sparks imagination or gives you a musical idea that inspires. For example... My wife recently had some doctor's appointments in a particular office. They had quiet background piano music playing in the waiting room. I spent quite a bit of time there just listening to this music and the more I listened the more this music bothered me. Finally, it was just maddening. I wondered "What was the problem?" The chords were right. The piano sound was pleasant but something was off. It was like sand in your shoe. At first it was a minor nuisance but by the end it was unbelievably frustrating. As I listened closer, I noticed that the soloing (while using correct and safe notes) didn't make musical sense. It was as if someone was speaking English clearly and the words could be understood, but the thought was utter gibberish. Then it dawned on me... As frustrating as it may be - people make music. We need the individual musician's voice. It doesn't need to be perfect. It just needs to be authentic. (I believe this is God-given.) As of yet, AI can't give us that and for that I'm thankful. So, I'm back to my opening premise... AI is incredible at some things. But... as Tina Fey said "it can't write jokes".

Two great videos! Thanks Doug. - Steve

Anon, At this point, it's more important that you just get started soloing. Just play around with ideas. Don't worry about "sounding good". The main thing at this stage is just to try different things. Try starting on various notes. Try to create a "musical thought" - not just play a lick. Use licks to create a larger thought or to move you around on the neck. Experiment and practice soloing each day. You'll find as you do it more that you'll be able to express your ideas and get them through your fingers better. Keep Learning! - Steve

Love it. Sounds great. I always love these type of events. Great job Amy and Diane! -Steve

Wait till you see the gig bag for it! - Steve

Great looking strat!!! Gregg's impact lives on. - Steve

Welcome Anon! Glad you're here. I enjoyed reading your learning journey. Sorry about all of the grinding. There's usually a fair bit of that with real learning, but I'm glad you're starting to see the payoff. Honored to be a small part of your learning journey. Keep working my friend. Your music matters. I look forward to getting to know you better. - Steve

Wow, what an interesting sound.

Triple, Interesting. I never real thought of it as "Tension and Release". In Blues it's very common for the first 4 bars to establish a phrase, the second 4 bars to re-state the phrase, then the 3rd phrase to either re-state it again or vary and resolve it in some way. But you can also just play a simple few note idea that is repeated throughout the chorus of the blues. Here's a great moment with the great Jack Pearson playing "Everyday I've got the Blues" that illustrates some of this....

Thanks Doug. Hope you have a great weekend!

Hey gang, First of all, I apologize. We've been under a bit of a spam attack since April 1st. It's required hourly attention for the past several days. The only time it gets out of control again is when I'm asleep for the night. But we're slowly getting a handle on it. Along the way, we've changed quite a bit on the back end. It shouldn't affect anything if you're already a member. But if you suddenly notice you can't log in, or post, or something. Please let me know. Just email me at Service at guitargathering dot com and I'll run it down. Thanks for your patience with all of this. It's getting better each day. I appreciate you all. - Steve

Nice. I've always liked the Grand Auditorium size. I bet it plays like a dream. Congratulations! I look forward to hearing it! -Steve