matonanjin
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Posts posted by matonanjin
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19 hours ago, Randy Breeding said:
I just cannot consistently get the barre chords to ring clearly. I’ve just been trying to get my index finger down let alone adding in the other fingers. I’ve been at it for 2-3 weeks...
First off, do not throw the guitars in the lake! If you have been at it 2-3 weeks you should not expect the barre chords to ring clearly yet. And this frustration you are expressing is very common. Just look back at some of the previous messages here.
You need to understand the physical difference with mastering barre chords. With previous lessons, be it individual notes, open chords, or the strumming that will come next, it is mastering technique. You can move the mastering speed to large extent by more practice. With mastering barre chords you must develop finger muscle strength. It just takes time and the exercises, lots of both.
In response to lots of similar, former posts like yours I went back and examined my practice log. I spent over 9 months on combined sessions 7 and 8. Don't worry! I'm not suggesting you do the same. With the clarity of hindsight I wish I had moved on. I wish I had continued working barre chords for a (small) portion of each practice session but also moving on to strumming and working songs and whatever else was on the agenda.
I suggest you do the same. And I think Steve would approve this suggestion.
You have only been on session 7 a couple weeks. Work it a couple or few more weeks. The same for 8, barre chords on the 5th string. Work it a month or so. Then do as I wish I had. Work barre chords each day, building up that finger muscle strength. And soon they will ring out clearly.
You said the music is for you. You can also do as TJ suggested, if your audience is ok with it!😉, play a "mini" version of the chord. Lots of people, experience guitarists, play a 4 string version of the F barre chord. Or play the open chord version. If you're into blues, as I am, there are lots of 7 chords and most have open chord versions. Instead of G7 5th fret barre chord play the open chord G7. But most likely you'll be more satisfied mastering the barre chords.
But it's your music!!!
good luck to you. And keep us up to date on your progress.
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Definitely a loss for Blues and R&R. RIP Dusty.
For anyone that is any level of ZZ Top fan, Netflix has a documentary about them, ZZ Top: That Little Ol' Band From Texas. An hour and a half well spent.
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This was just an exceptional show. First, thanks to @DianeB for alerting us about it. This was one of those that I will probably watch several more times. If you are a fan of Buddy Guy do not miss the rebroadcast. If you are a fan of the blues, do not miss the rebroadcast! If you are a fan of guitar music, do not miss the rebroadcast.
Yes, it was a documentary about Buddy Guy. But it was so much more. Much time was spent about the British fascination with American Blues and then bringing it back to America. Interviews with Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, John Mayer, and others. A lot of history of Chicago blues and Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf and Lightnin' Hopkins.
There is just no way I can recommend this more highly.
It will broadcast again several times this week and next. All these times are Central time on my local PBS station. You may have to convert/search.
Thursday, July 29, 2 AM
Saturday, July 31, 2 AM
The following are on the #2 subchannel on my Over the Air (OTA) station. So if you don't have an OTA antenna you may not be able to get it. Your cable/satellite carrier probably doesn't provide this.
Sunday, August 8, 9 PM
Monday, August 9, 1 AM
Monday, August 9, 9 AM
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@QuietlyBold Thanks for keeping us updated. Sounds like it's coming together.
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@Oldjock Henk, do you really think this is a different path? Whether your pedal is the little box on a board variety, or the digital variety, don't you think an explanation of "what a phaser is" is just as valuable? Or what a tremolo is?
I don't see this video as exclusively for board users. In fact, near the end of the video Josh pulled out a couple different multi boards he recommends for people to try to sample different effects. The point of this was to allow those new to the "Rabbit Hole" the ability to sample different effects and decide if that effects would work in that person's signal chain.
And I know exactly what you mean about the expense of a pedal board. I don't want to know what I have in amps and pedals. Look at the amps in my sig. Then I currently have 7 pedals on my board, plus the Ditto Looper (which I have yet to use) and I have 3 or 4 pedals not on the board. It is silly. Today I played through the board and the Quilter and my homemade cab. Since we moved in our new house I haven't played through the Blues, Jr., or the POD. For home use I don't know why I need anything other than the POD. Other than messing with pedals is fun!
Jeff McErlain just did a great video on this. Jeff has a (a couple?) Marshall Stacks, a Two Rock amp a Vox and I don't know what else. At home all he ever plays through is his digital modeller. He says that he will continue to only use a tube amp on stage but I sense he is rethinking that. Maybe I am reading something into it that isn't there. A great video about exactly what you are talking about.
If you don't watch the entire video at least listen to his gorgeous soloing during the beginning.
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Do you think you understand modulation pedals? Or want to know more about them? Or starting out with pedals and don't understand the category, "modulation pedals".
This video is for you.
Actually, if you are early in L&MG and starting to think about pedals, and starting down that "rabbit hole" we call tone, there's nothing wrong with jumping ahead to session 15, "Electric Guitars - The Heart of Rock & Roll". At least I don't think there is anything wrong with doing so. In addition to the excellent lesson on power chords and everything else that makes R&R, Steve goes into a section he calls "Guitar Effects". Here he discusses distortion, chorus, delay and reverb.
Or, if you have started your pedal board, or are ready to, you need to study Steve's video on how to do just that, How to Build an Electric Guitar Pedalboard. So much information for only $15.
But now you want to know more about modulation? As I said, this video is for you. I don't think there is any more nebulous group of pedals than the modulation one. We all know the chorus as a representative member of this group. And it's one of the first pedals to go on most of our boards. But what about tremolo, vibrato, rotary, phaser, flanger? Josh Scott, of JHS Pedals, goes through all the different categories and types of modulation pedals. And he does it in historical order, adding a little historical insight with each, making it even more interesting.
And he does it with his usual tongue-in-cheek humor. If you are getting started on your (addictive?) journey on pedals and tone I'm confident this is going to add to your knowledge of modulation.
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On 7/18/2021 at 10:11 AM, Wim VD1 said:
Rosedale Blues is a slow steady thumb blues in E from David Hamburger's Fingerstyle Blues Factory course on TrueFire.
Wim.
Wim, really nice recording. I enjoyed it a lot. David has some very good blues courses on TrueFire. And I don't know if you are on his mail list or not. If you are, you know his writing is right up there with his blues teaching, always fun and entertaining.
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1 hour ago, Marshall said:
Question: Is it okay to continue the course with a electric guitar?
Of course!!! Which type of guitar you use should be dictated purely by which you enjoy most. Nothing else. Some use an acoustic for the course; some an electric. Some, like Doug ( @Eracer_Team-DougH) and myself, use both.
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I mentioned above we are moving and the new home has a music room/studio/man cave that is huge. This is it! This was shot before the move and I would be too embarrassed to show it to you now. But it is mine!!!! All mine!!!!! 😉🙃 It is a shambles with boxes everywhere. But I hope that I can show you an organized practice room in the near future.
@DianeB is helping me with that by PM. Thanks Diane!
Practice has been almost non-existent the last couple months. But, hopefully, in the very near future I will have no excuse.
And, I took a Zoom lesson with @Steve Krenz recently (before starting the move). Predictably, it was hugely helpful and educational. Of course it was! And I purchased 4 more lessons.
So with the great practice space and lessons with Steve I am going to have no excuse to not progress and finish up L&MG!!!!! Finally.
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On 7/13/2021 at 6:46 PM, Nancy Lawing said:
Thanks for posting, Diane, so I can enjoy it vicariously. What a great opportunity for small group interaction! And I heard that Cory Congilio, an instructor I adore on Udemy, will be there. Stay in touch. I'm there in spirit!
Yes! Diane, a lot of us are living vicariously through you. Keep the news & updates coming please.
Is Corey there? I recall Steve had him teach a blues session one of the early Guitar summer Gatherings.
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@DianeB I'm sure that @QuietlyBold appreciates the pdf on setting up a home studio. But so you know, I also appreciate it. I haven't shared on here the fact that my wife and I are moving after 41 years in the same house. We are "moving to town" as the expression goes (in the rural community). I won't go in to the significance of the expression. It means much more than just changing mailing address.
But because of the move, which occurred last Friday, I haven't been practicing and probably won't for another week or so.
But............. the new house has a room that is huge and is going to be solely Ron's studio/music room/man cave! so I am interested in any suggestions for making it an ideal practice space.
Thank you!
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You people make me very envious. Have a wonderful time!
"Learn all you can!"
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This just promises to be fascinating! I'm definitely going to have the DVR programmed to record this one. Thank you for the heads up, @DianeB!
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The annual Sweetwater Gearfest is all online this year. Today was the first day of it.
Tomorrow Paul Reed Smith and Tim Pierce have a presentation at 12:50 PM:
"Paul Reed Smith & Tim Pierce: Guitar Tone Master Class
Looking to get the best tone from your guitar? Join music legends Paul Reed Smith, founder of PRS Guitars, and Tim Pierce, one of LA’s most sought-after session musicians, as they reveal the secrets to monster tone."
Most of you know I'm a huge fan of PRS Guitars. Tim Pierce has some very interesting, educational YouTube Videos and is a monster player.
I'll be watching!
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21 hours ago, Mike Hoodenpyle said:
Congrats, and enjoy! I like your guitar budget logic.
Mike, as I have said so often, I can rationalize anything!!!! 😉😆
11 hours ago, Plantsman13 said:@matonanjin My only question is why did you make TWO trips to the guitar shop?!? 🤣
Congratulations!
Because two different stores! I purchased the M-36 from my favorite store. It's actually across the river from Omaha in Council Bluffs. But locally owned and a really great guy that runs it. And the only PRS dealer in the area.
I absolutely hated to buy from Guitar Center but they had the 000-15M.
10 hours ago, Fretless said:That is a terrific contrast to the M-36, you really have chosen wisely.
4 hours ago, Wim VD1 said:Congrats, @matonanjin.
I just bought a full Mahogany parlor guitar and for blues fingerpicking I like it more than my Spruce - Rosewood guitar.
Wim.
@Fretless and @Wim VD1 I appreciate it coming from two guys whose playing I have come to respect so much.
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I was, as many of you recall, trying to decide between the Martin 000-EC and the less expensive Martin 000-15M. Actually, as you also may recall I ended up going with the Martin M-36, which I am enjoying immensely. But I had that nagging, "what if?" . By going with the M-36 I saved significantly from what I would have spent on the Clapton. What else could a guy do? What is the only logical thing to do with those savings?!?!?!? 😉😆
Today, I picked up the little 000 Martin Mahogany. I have only played it a little since getting it home. But with it forecast to hit 104 today I am going to be spending this afternoon in the house.
But thus far I can tell you it is an entirely different sound than the M-36. A lot fuller, robust lows probably due to the mahogany. And so playable and the 000 size is really comfortable to me. It is going to be another great, acoustic blues instrument, like the M-36, but, again, different.
I'm thinking, In the very near future, of starting to try some acoustic slide. So I suspect one of these will be dedicated to that and probably tuned to a different tuning. After some time with them I'll decide which.
And, again, forgive the horrible photo. I'm getting it out of its case!
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6 hours ago, Fretless said:
Now, what n+1 guitar are you going to buy with the money you saved not getting the EC?
Thinking very seriously about the Martin 000-M15. I was deciding between it and the EC. By going with the M-36 I do have enough savings to go with the M15. Only makes sense doesn't it?!😉 (I can rationalize anything!)
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As some of you may have seen, last week I asked for advice about Martin guitars. And, predictably, I received some great advice from you. But! I didn't follow your advice😉😆 Not exactly anyway.
I had largely decided on the Martin 000-28EC, the Clapton signature model. I had played one at my favorite local store, heard great things about them, reviews, etc. but held off. And now there are none in stock locally; I would have to order online.
After getting your advice I went back in my local store, which is Lidgett's in Council Bluffs, IA. I asked him, "I know that you don't have a Martin Clapton signature in stock. But what do you have that I would like?" He replied, "I really think you need to try this one that I just got in. It's a Martin M-36. It's similar in size to a dreadnaught, but not as thick. A lot of people find it comfortable and it sounds almost as full as a dreadnaught"
You know how we often use the expression about guitar shopping, "Find the guitar that speaks to you"? Or something similar. That is exactly what happened! It is really comfortable. It plays and sounds great. And I came home with it today. And.......it was significantly less money than the EC!
Sorry about the horrible portable camera photo but I wanted to snap this to show you and get back to playing it!!
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What fun this would be, @DianeB!! One of my "bucket list" items has been to visit Alaska. And now to combine that with a guitar camp!!!
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Doug, Day Tripper was another fun one. And we all have little victories in our learning journey. I was playing the melody to "Heartbreak Hotel" when my wife walked by. And she commented, "That's sounds great!". Of course made my day!
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Doug, are you working "Heartbreak Hotel" from "The Song Hits"? It was a lot of fun.
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@Mike Hoodenpyle, just stunningly beautiful. I know that you are going to enjoy it. I agree with @Plantsman13, "Now we wait for you to post a recording of you playing it"
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Thanks, @Tom M. And to all of you that made suggestions. As you know, Tom, from our off-line conversation I went with a Martin M-36. I went back to my favorite local store and got to play it. I'll start a NGD thread very shortly.
Thanks all.
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Ardour Open Source, Free (Almost) DAW
in Guitar Gear, Amps, Effects, Pedals
Posted
If you have been learning guitar any length of time you have probably thought about recording yourself. Or maybe you have recorded yourself. Congrats! And at some point you have heard the expression DAW, which stands for Digital Audio Workstation.
And I put this is the Guitar Gear subforum. Although it isn't gear, if one considers gear hardware, it is a tool and I thought the best fit here.
In terms of cost, DAW's run the extremes of free, as with Audacity and the topic of this post, Ardour, to the, what some might consider obscenely expensive, $3,000, Avid Pro Tools Ultimate. Since cost is a consideration for most of us, especially if just dipping the digital toes in the recording pool, I'm posting this information about Ardour. If you are at the beginning stages of hooking up your interface and recording this software may be worth a look. Perhaps future learners will find this.
Audacity has most likely been the free DAW choice of many recorders. In May of this year Audacity was acquired by a company and shortly after the rumors began that Audacity was spyware and collecting private information. I certainly don't know whether this is true. Even if not true, Ardour seems an alternative worth considering on its own merits.
I say "its own merits". Let's be very clear. The presenter here goes into great length describing all the features of this software. For most of it I have absolutely no clue what he is talking about.😉🙃 He is describing functions that I will never use. And I have not installed this software, I have not run it and I am therefor not recommending it. I use Reaper.
This is solely for you to consider. And what about almost free?!? Apparently there is a suggested $1 per month donation to support further development.