Plantsman13

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

My Beatles "best stuff" started with Revolver and went forward. I still have trouble with "She loves you"-like early songs at this point. I will always enjoy John Lennon's sarcasm while their musical growth included the efforts of Harrison. Truly great music. Enjoy, Bryan

Trey Hensley and Rob Ickes can put on a great 2-person show. They have a new album coming out October 4 with blues in mind (or at least their version). Heard them perform in a Frankfort, IL this past week at Down Home Guitars and they rocked the place. The beautiful guitars on display weren't half bad either! I have heard Trey's electric and this acoustic version of the great SRV tune. Enjoy.

@matonanjin A dissenting opinion is always good for the "Collective Soul" 😜 I've seen TE several times and it is always impressive to watch him perform at such breathtaking speeds. I really love to listen to Joe Robinson perform as well. Bryan

@matonanjin I tried a David Grier album "Freewheeling" after an article that appeared in Acoustic Magazine...fun to listen while relaxing on the patio. Bryan

Hard to call which of my acoustics are the best...I have different wood combinations, sizes, and different luthiers. Pardon the pun, but they all manage to "steel my heart"! I must refer to Stephen Stills again when he penned, Love the one you're with. Enjoy the ride, Bryan

Sounds like a great topic for a Live Lesson... Bryan

Thanks Randy. I got an email today on a similar training idea from BGU. There's a video, a cool flashcard tool, and a link to get all of the box shapes in one place. I'm hoping it will free me from the mundane aspect of the boxes and allow "seeing" the notes I need. Hope it helps, Bryan https://is-tracking-link-api-prod.appspot.com/api/v1/click/5761558557229056/5430450314018816

Opie, I will miss your videos as well. I'm with Diane, my picture on the left is taken from your work. Let's hope everything goes well and you'll be in great shape to return next year! Our thoughts are with you. Bryan

@Triple-o I think standardization is a problem in the industry. Greg really tries to seek technique that anyone can implement to achieve high quality setups. Take into account where he practices his trade, I'll listen when he speaks! I've have good results following his setup course on my acoustics. Bryan

Doug. I think Triple-O is referencing Scales Mastery Intermediate Level of Steve Krenz. For instance, the C scale he plays: C E D F E G F A G B A C B D C (easier to play than to spell out). He then reverses the pattern: C A B G A F G E F D E C D B C (backwards is a killer to spell out). 🤔 He does this pattern with all of the scales in the workout. Bryan

https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/i-love-you-much-too-much-sheet-music-for-guitar-digital-sheet-music/20162297?narrow_by=Santana+&orKey=I+love+you+too+much&withIn=true Check this out for a tabbed version

I have the X2 and like it. I did notice Sweetwater has them marked down at the moment. 😁

A point to add: Several members have given Southwest Airlines a thumbs-up on being "guitar" friendly in the past. Bryan

@matonanjin A situation that can be EASILY remedied! 🤩

@Triple-o I've purchased two guitars and sold one on Reverb without any problems. I contact/message the seller about things not listed to get a feel of the seller based on their response. I always keep the adage; if it's too good to be true, it probably is. Good luck in your search, Bryan

@Dave White So a future guitar ad might be....Is it a prewar Martin, or is it a carbon fiber knock-off? ?

In the new Wood and Steel from Taylor someone "asked Bob" about the ebony with more colors not being prevalent as it pertains to Taylor's Ebony project. Here's an excerpt from Bob's response: Thanks for asking, Bill. No, we haven’t backed off that goal at all. In fact, we use more ebony with color than ever before, making up nearly 70 percent of the ebony we buy. That said, I’ll try to solve your curiosity of why you aren’t able to find a vast array of colors when you shop. At Taylor Guitars, our first coat of oil that is applied to a guitar fingerboard and bridge is linseed oil. We use it because it sets in the wood, whereas mineral oils evaporate. This first coat provides a long-lasting base that enables a player to then use fretboard oils that are available on the market with- out building up a finish, because they, too, evaporate. We don’t recommend that customers use linseed oil because only one coat is needed, and we do that at Taylor. Linseed oil wets the wood, and since it sets and doesn’t evaporate, it darkens the wood, not as a stain, but in the way that water darkens wood while it remains wet. So the colors just black- en. It requires almost severe amounts of color in the raw state to equal any color in the linseed-oiled state. This is some- thing I wish other manufacturers would believe and adopt, because when our Crelicam partner, Madinter, sells ebony wood from Crelicam, they are constantly asked for the blackest of wood, of which there is little. But at Taylor we know that the less-black wood can be used, oiled and also satisfy customers. I found this interesting since it contradicted the Taylor restringing video where the Taylor employee recommended boiled linseed oil to use on the fretboard prior to restringing. For what it's worth... Bryan

And learning how to hit "spot on tone" bends EVERY time!

@Oldjock Jerry Reed was also one of the Certified Guitar Players of Chet's elite group. Not a small feat for sure. Bryan

Bruce, Great advice and encouragement from everyone! Enjoy the ride, and discover the potential joy that comes from within you from making music. You can share your musical journey with others; however, you are the master of your ultimate path and success that comes with it. You can strive to be the next Eric Clapton, or simply enjoy sharing your music with family and friends. That's the real beauty music and playing any instrument has to offer anyone willing to take up the challenge. Best of luck in your journey. Bryan