Plantsman13

Great job. My wife loves this song and her The Body Acoustic album had a great acoustic version. Thanks for posting. I might have to queue it up on this weekend's playlist. 😎 Bryan

@Cinco I play mostly Acoustic finger style blues in standard tuning or Dropped D. Wlm is correct with the Triad lessons of Steve for helping to open up the neck movement from open position to accent the melody. A focus for me currently, is to 're-learn' my pentatonic boxes in terms of position name, rather than just the pattern. I find it difficult to follow instruction when talk of lowering the 3rd, or flatting the 5th, etc are tossed around freely. Starting to realize it makes changing keys far easier. Here's a screenshot from DH that has inspired me: An easier way to group Major and Minor scales using them Enjoy, Bryan FF Pentatonic Theory.pdf

Doug, I've done a number of DHamburger TF courses and feel they improved as I progressed further into them. The degree of difficulty definitely increases. Fretboardconfidential.com has some free lessons (and courses for pay) as well to get a taste of his style. Even a Sweet Georgia Brown arrangement, tabbed out, I believe is available. Bryan

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!!