Plantsman13

Mike, I personally felt the Blues Guitar course was the weakest link in the L&M offerings. Four or five sessions into it, I abandoned it to try the Fingerstyle course with far happier results. I have since migrated to Fingerstyle blues in steady bass and alternating base styles with other instructors on TruFire and membership in Fingerstlye Five. I am far from mastering the technique, but have found far greater satisfaction in the process. I can play something, without a band, and my spouse can actually recognize the song. And I'm desperately trying to obtain the freedom of improvisation/arranging to break out of the entrapment of playing songs by memorizing someone else's arrangement...a bad childhood memory of piano and another John Thompson volume to overcome. I've probably said too much already, but I admire you sticking with it for 2 1/2 years. If others would like to discuss fingerstlye blues I would be happy to follow suit. The Travis picking has been wonderful. Regards, Bryan

@Mike Hoodenpyle Very nice rendition of a song that brings back good memories for many of us. As for TE, I recall Jack Pearson on stage with him in Nashville telling TE, "but NOT that fast!".

@NeilES335 So tell us about how you would customize “your” Benedetto guitar if the guitar fairy left an all expenses paid gift card under your pillow?

Slow the metronome down to fit the hardest section/measure you’re working on; then you can bring the entire song along as you improve. A great idea is to use the metronome to practice syncing your rhythm to the backbeat on beats 2 and 4. Great for “losing” the monotone sound of beginning guitar students and taking a step towards sounding like a musician. I also find counting out loud (or to myself) is a great technique for practice. Hopefully I didn’t walk on too many previous posts; and yes, I’m not where I want to be yet in this regard.

Mandy, May I pass along my condolences for the loss of your soulmate. One of life’s hardest realities is losing friends and family. Bryan

Hmmm...this approaches the Ford, Chevy, and Dodge trucks argument in rural coffee shops. I have owned multiple Taylor models (814ce, 412ce, 512ce) and enjoyed each; my trial for shape and different tone woods with a single brand. I have retained the 412ce Fall Ltd as my get out of the house guitar. I should emphasize that all of my experience is "pre V-shape" bracing and one shop said they are different, but advised against selling my current Taylor to get one. I agree with the Bourgeois comments made above. My high end guitar is a LE Soloist OM that is a marvel to play and hold. The construction is superb. I also splurged on a 12 fret OO recently because a cutaway can be added..and it is wonderful. Huss and Dalton build great guitars as well and tend to run under the price of many boutique guitars. I love the the T-0014 I own. I am migrating to 00 sizes, owing to rotator cuff surgery a few years back, because larger shapes are uncomfortable to play for times over an hour. Santa Cruz is a fantastic luthier as well. I tried an H13, essentially a deeper bodied 00, and loved its volume and tone; but the deeper body proved uncomfortable for my shoulder. I drool over the Skye 00 model, but its price tag always brings me back to earth. All this being said, a recent Acoustic Magazine article discussed five (5) entry level guitars that raise the bar and offer opportunities to keep a few dollars in your wallet. Best of luck in your guitar search, Bryan

@matonanjin So that's where a lot of my earnings were spent that year (or the following year, as I played catch-up)! Beer, cigarettes, food, and girls were waiting in the wings fifty years ago; so music ruled my expenses and my tastes ran as eclectic as one can imagine. I still have almost all of those on vinyl in my LP archives. Looking back, it just reminds me of how wonderful the musical experience was in our "younger" days. One of my favorite movie scenes, is the panoramic vista in Easy Rider as "The Weight" is filling the room! Okay, time to get back to the pandemic at hand...😓

@Nutty 1 and @matonanjin I’ve worked on several of her True Fire courses related to rhythm. Can’t say I’ve been unhappy. 🤠

@Eracer_Team-DougH Can't do that Doug...what would you do with all of that freed up time at lunch? 🤪

I recall Steve saying on a Live Lesson a few years ago, if stranded on an island and could only have one guitar....it would be his nylon from years ago.

@Oldjock Why do we always seem to relegate our six string acoustic to a “campfire” scenario when a vintage Martin is such a treasured instrument? 🤣 I can’t image Vince Gill sitting around a roaring fire in the woods with one of his many treasured vintage guitars. No insult intended, just a wondering aloud moment. Bryan

@K9kaos So true, and we haven't even touched how a discussion of pedals can further "amplify" what we can really do with each..."so little time, so many to play"! I'm an acoustic "gatherer" and have sold my nylon for the reasons you are considering. I have two acoustics on the market (but a really low ball market right now) and I occasionally re-tune and play for an exercise moment. Wow, I think, why would I sell such a guitar...I must be crazy?! OBTW: My wife has an immediate answer to that last question. 🤣

Good suggestions. I didn't see any mention of strings gauge you are using? I see where medium strings can be too much for the luthier's intended design and cause lifting. Just a thought...but you could also ease the tension between playing sessions to buy time. Good luck in getting it resolved, Bryan

If you ever need a baby-sitter; give me a call...and I'll be there to pick it up! 🤠

Corky Siegel is doing live streams as well. He has one Monday, and there was one earlier this week that can be viewed. Siegel-Schwall Band (Blues) LIFE'S DREAM Cousin Corky's Live Stream Monday, March 23 at 11:20 am CST Directions to our abode: https://www.facebook.com/corky.siegel Free Parking For the streaming event, I'm planning on telling at least one story, reciting some lyrics and playing at least two tunes. I will also try to respond to your comments. But you know what, forget all that. Let's keep it all a surprise. Hope to see you there. This will not be your grandfather's live stream. 🙂 Your Cousin Corky P.S. And you can now see the March 18th stream “Breakfast w/ Ernie Watts” in some recent post at https://www.facebook.com/corky.siegel

Steve, No worries. I really enjoyed your ideas. Thanks again. Bryan

Congrats!!

A sad point of contention indeed; however, I have found myself attending smaller venue performances of some truly wonderful acts of completely different genres than my youth preferences. And, enjoying every last minute. Acoustic sets from bluegrass, "new" country, and even jazz/blues have crept into my playlists. Lawn seats at Ravinia have allowed my wife and me to enjoy a host of legacy bands at far more comfortable pricing. But I must point out that not all of those legacy bands were worth hearing again. I, too, love remembering younger days with legacy bands that can still get you on your feet and dancing the night away; but I just read an article today about celebrating Beethoven's 250th birthday that continues this year. Hmmm, I doubt anyone ever dreamed of the Stones, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, CSN&Y, or those kids from Liverpool called The Beatles in his lifetime! The point is, music is at the root of it all in terms of our childhood memories, our adult lives, and even our "golden" years. Who knows, perhaps a young version of Bob Dylan is perfecting his chops as I type.... Bryan *** I must apologize to any and all of the great performers I omitted in my text

@Steve Krenz I too have liked this arrangement. It is one of my "finish up my practice" tunes to exit on a nice note. Bryan

I think music is the ultimate expression of freedom of speech; be it lyrics, passion, or just creative ways to explore sound. I truly believe music brings out the best in all of us. It allows us an escape from the daily norm of work, politics, and whatever is troubling us. Long Live Music!!

Wow, that's some setup! I agree with the 40-50% humidity levels for best results. I have used various methods for humidity over the years. I use Dampits and MusicNomad's products with distilled water currently. I hang the Nomad in the soundhole and lay a Dampit up at the headstock and refresh weekly. I do run home humdification in the mid 30-45% range when outdoor temperatures allow. I also run a Vornado water humidifier in the guitar room at night when temps are at their lowest. I like to watch the value of hydration in a 2-part Taylor video using just Dampits. Here's Part 1: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&ved=2ahUKEwiA1_Xx_6bnAhWHLc0KHTsSA2IQtwIwBHoECAoQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DtB8tELj43RE&usg=AOvVaw0ZDMvZWOUyMuG6jA1gNJPW Desert conditions are a different world for me altogether. I would investigate one of the "humidified cases" for individual guitars in your world if only to get a better "spot on your shower card"! 😉 Good luck, Bryan

@Dave White A great loss by any standards...

Good evening, I know we've discussed metronomes at length in the past, so I'm trying to keep things organized and avoid too much duplication. I saw a blog posting today from Griff Hamlin at BGU that really simplified this topic for beginners and others who think we have this under our fingers. Enjoy! https://is-tracking-link-api-prod.appspot.com/api/v1/click/6623723789746176/5430450314018816 I should also remind everyone David Hamburger has an interesting discussion of timing on the downbeats as well as Eric Skye (in his 30 Day Challenge). @matonanjin It's on my New Year's Resolution plans for 2020 to get this right, once and for all! 😁 The late/great Pete Huttlinger recalled a childhood story where after practicing with a metronome for a week, he told his instructor that something was wrong with it. His instructor smiled and said there wasn't anything wrong with the metronome...it was Pete who was wrong (If anyone has the exact quote/recitation, please correct my mutlilation).

Here's a blurb from Griff at BGU on this topic: I get it... 2020 is here, new decade and all that... All I've heard the last several days is about my "goals" for the upcoming year. So, here are some "goals" I've heard over the last few days - both from my own students and random posts on facebook and guitar forums... 1 - To get good and playing both electric and acoustic guitar 2 - learn new songs 3 - Learn all of the scales 4 - improve my soloing 5 - learn how to play the blues and there are more, of course, but you get the idea. Here is the problem... not a single one of those goals is setup to be a success in 2020... Or ever, actually, because they don't have a clear definition of when they'll be achieved. "To get good," what does that look like? Is it a technique goal, where you want to be able to play a certain song that you think is difficult? Or is it that you want to be able to improvise a solo over a slow blues at a jam and feel good about it? "Learn new songs," which ones? How many songs? How long per song? Are you playing them solo or with a band? "Learn all of the scales," again, which ones? I don't even know ALL the scales - almost nobody does. And how will you know you have "learned" them? Do you have to be able to use them in an improvised solo? Do you have to be able to play them in all 5 patterns? And, as you can probably guess by now, "improve my soloing" and "learn how to play the blues" are equally as murky - and that much harder to achieve because of it. Be super clear about what you want, "I want to sit down in my living room and play 4 choruses of blues in E on my acoustic guitar, by myself, and like what I hear." Or, "I want to play a solo over a 'Sweet Home Chicago' jam track I have and use both the major and the minor blues sound comfortable around the 12 position. And when I can do that, I want to be able to do it at the 7th position." And when you're clear about those goals, it'll be clear what you need to work on to get there. That clarity, my friend, will carry you through not only this next year, but the rest of your playing career. Talk soon, Griff