Gary Nelson

After what seems like months of deliberation, I finally pulled the trigger on one "last" guitar that fills a hole in my collection. I didn't have a 14 fret, steel string with a cutaway (you know, for all that shredding I do). I also wanted some type of tonal variation other than what I already had. Last weekend while in Nashville, I stopped by Gruhn's to look at another guitar I had seen on their website. It was nice and the price was right, but it just didn't do anything for me. So with my poor wife sitting there holding guitars while I tried one after another, I checked out several Taylors, Martins, and a few others. I finally settled on this Taylor 414ce Studio. It is their Grand Auditorium size (didn't have one), is Rosewood and Torrified Spruce (didn't have that ) and it has a great balanced sound whether played finger style or with a pick (at least in my ears). Like many "studio" models these days, it has all the basics that the regular 414 has, but without the bling (no binding on the body or neck, simpler fret markers, structured bag instead of a hard case, etc). The neck is also 1/16 narrower than some other acoustics. It almost feels like the neck of an electric. So I'll let you know how I feel about that after some time with it. Anyway - I'm done buying guitars (and if you believe that let me know. I have a bridge to sell...)

Great looking guitar! Every guitar has its own voice and it's great that you are enjoying this one! But If you ever want an energetic discussion of heat treated tops vs non heat treated, ask George Gruhn his opinion. He's definitely NOT a fan!

I'll bet most of us at one time or another have asked ourselves the question " why am I doing this?". I've heard Steve comment many times that if playing guitar was easy, everyone would do it! I'll second what Fretless said - don't rush it. Another thought - are there any qualified instructors where you live? The internet can be a great learning tool (I often take online courses) but sometimes having an instructor in the room that can point out flaws in technique, etc might be the best option - at least to get you up and running again.

I saw a similar program on Fender's website where they are offering assistance to California musicians affected by the fire.

Nice! I agree with Fretless. A 12 string opens up that new vein of creativity - not to mention those great 70's tunes!

Hi Strings. The way I have approached it is to first learn where those root notes are located on the fretboard - starting with the low E and A strings. Then starting with the root in that location you can play a scale starting at that point. Then, play the scale starting at the same root note on a different string. Some folks will say the names of the notes as they play the scale to help them learn where the notes are located up and down the fretboard. Keep in mind that the root note repeats in these patterns. So for example, in the first form of the F major scale in Steve's examples on page 89 of L&M, the F would be the first note you play on the E string, but also at the third fret D string in that same pattern, So you can use that pattern for any root note on the E string, or for a scale with the root on the D string. If you look at his examples, they are all for the F major scale (containing the B flat) but the root of the scale is not always the first note you play. You can tell from his music notation where the F occurs. Hope I haven't added more confusion!

Strings, It's been a while since I went through the L&M course and admittedly I don't practice scales as often as I should. But when I try to get scales or chord shapes or chord progressions under my fingers, I have found that it helps to bite things off in smaller chunks. I generally first focus on the "guitar friendly" keys of C, A, G, E and D. Once I am comfortable with those basics, then I drop back and pick up some of the other keys. By that time, I am comfortable with the shapes so picking up those additional keys seems a bit easier.

I agree Randy, no home should be without one! I have one of the basic mahogany GS-Minis that I picked up during Taylor's "buy one gift one" promotion when I bought my 12 string a few years ago. It makes a great travel or couch guitar.

I love how we are able to touch these items from our past from the pre-social media days. I really like the picture of the local girl that seems to tie it all together. We can touch these items and feel them and show them to our kids and grandkids. Now this type of information floats in the web - here today and gone in the next nano-second - replaced by the next hot topic.

Doug, you will be in good company. I think any of us that choose to play for our friends (I'd rather think of it that way than performing) will be nervous. But this will be the most forgiving and encouraging audience you could ever find! No rotten tomatoes allowed!

Rorton. During our live lesson last week Steve mentioned those additional places had been sold. I guess the banner hasn’t been updated yet. You might send him an email directly to service@GuitarGathering.com to see if you could get on a waiting list in case there is a cancellation. Good luck!

Nice PRS!

I wanted to document a couple of small arrangements for my own benefit, and my wife's piano teacher recommended MuseScore. I think this is what she used in her local university music program. It is freeware, and there are versions for both Mac and PC. (I am running it on an iMac). I am sure it is not as fully featured as the higher end software such as Finale, but I have found it more than adequate for my fledgling purposes.

Jim, I think I have participated in all of Steve's Academies and have enjoyed them all. Since this is a repeat of the first one and I already have these arrangements, I may sit this one out - although I am certain I would benefit from the additional instruction! But you know, as important as the materials and instruction are, one of the best parts of these academies is simply the opportunity to connect with other guitar learners on the weekly zooms. Hard to beat a Saturday morning zoom with a good cup of Greg Voros coffee, a guitar and Steve and the rest of the folks. Don't let the perceived difficulty of jazz intimidate you. I was never a jazz fan growing up - it was Southern Rock, Country and Gospel in my household. I'd never heard of "Satin Doll" until Steve introduced it. But there are many of these tunes that I was familiar with (Misty, Somewhere over the Rainbow, etc) and I have tried to focus on those. As Steve says, just pick up what you can - play the melody with a backing track, or just pick up a new chord form or two. Enjoy yourself and I'll see you in October!

Anne, I love it. I bought this used a few years ago. It’s a Luthier’s Choice model from 2001. I don’t play it that often simply because it’s a little on the large side and an OM or Ooo is more comfortable.