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Gary Nelson

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Posts posted by Gary Nelson

  1. I was one of the 5 that Diane mentioned (we need to come up with a name for ourselves).    When I relayed my experience to my wife, she had some good advice - don't use the word "performance".    Just think of this as playing in front of your friends.    I volunteered to be a guinea pig in Steve's session on the basics - I provide an excellent demonstration of what not to do.  But I got up there and Steve said - "Play something".    So I start playing his arrangement of "Yesterday" from the Beatles Academy a couple of years ago.   I know that song cold.   I play it at home all the time - fairly well I think.    I stumbled through the first two verses and the bridge - and then - bang.   My mind went totally blank.  I froze.   I tried to restart.    Didn't work.   So Steve rescued me and continued his class.     Then later that evening I played my planned "performance" of "If" by Bread (my wife's favorite).    I had practiced this at home so many times I could play it in my sleep.    I made it through the song - not as smooth as I would like - and since I was playing through Steve's amp (which I rarely do on acoustic at home) I could hear every mistake amplified.    And yes, I could feel my right hand starting to quiver a bit, particularly as I realized the song was almost over.   But you know what?  I would do it again.   I'll be better next time.    And yes, there will be a next time.

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  2. This sounds like a great after hours "front porch" discussion for those attending the upcoming Fingerstyle retreat!  

    I have often heard Steve say that if he had to pick one guitar to be on a desert island with, it would be his inexpensive Yamaha nylon string classical.       I think I would be in a similar camp and choose one similar to the guitar I heard Richard Smith play at the retreat last year.   A custom built, Rosewood/Spruce (Brazilian of course), 14 fret with a cutaway nylon string.

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  3. Tom,   Welcome to the group!     Steve has provided countless hours of instruction over the years archived in the Guitar Gathering YouTube site.    I'm sure you will find plenty to keep you busy!      We look forward to having you join the Live Lessons on Tuesday evenings and hopefully in person at a future Guitar Gathering event!

  4. Nairon,   I realize you may have your hands full with the LMG series right now, but if you haven't already done so, and when you have some time,  you might also want to listen to the Live Lessons that Steve did a while back on "How Music Works".    This is a great series on the GG Youtube Channel that helps to explain some of the basics of music theory and why things work the way they do.

     

     

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  5. Any "Greatest" list is bound to generate some energetic discussion.   Just look at the fallout from Rolling Stone's list of 200 Greatest Singers.       I came away from the article with 3 observations.   First - it's great to see any recognition of studio musicians.   We've all heard their music but most of the time never knew their names.    Secondly - Other than Chet Atkins, Nashville studio musicians were woefully under-represented (Where was Brent Mason?)     And finally - someone needs to tell them how to spell "Campbell".

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  6. I hit one of those major milestone birthdays a couple of weeks before Christmas, so I suppose this can be considered a combination Birthday/Christmas gift to myself.     I happened upon a very lightly used PRS Silver Sky SE in my local music store - it still had the hang tags and not a scratch on it.     Since they appear to be constantly on backorder on Sweetwater, I snapped it up (with my wife's encouragement and approval).      When I first met Steve, I asked him what guitar he would recommend for a first electric.   His response was immediate - get a Strat.    Well, several guitars later, I finally took his advice! 

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  7. Same here - I have a couple of pounds on the way.    Always happy to help Greg who has done so much for this group over the years.    And I was very impressed that after I placed my order, I got a phone call from the Acoustic Coffee folks to follow up and thank me for my order.    A nice touch.

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  8. Diane, thank you so much for capturing a few moments from this weekend.    This was my first Fingerstyle retreat but I certainly hope it won't be my last.     My only advice to anyone considering attending for the first time, but you are afraid your Fingerstyle chops aren't up to snuff - come on anyway!     There is something to be gained for players of every skill level.   And the opportunity to learn from some of the best artists in the business can't be measured!   Sitting 5 feet away from Richard Smith during his rendition of "Stars and Stripes Forever" - I was expecting fireworks!

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  9. Hi Gene - 

    So far so good.    I'm not trying to replicate my entire paper library onto the IPad, but as I pick up a new song and want to add it to my repertoire, I scan it into Forscore.    The AirTurn works seamlessly,  but as Doug points out, if you have to return more than 1 page it takes some getting used to.     I doubt I will ever replace all of the paper, but maybe I can save a few trees.

    • Thanks 1
  10. Jim (@Jasn),

    I have also registered for the upcoming Fingerstyle retreat.     I'm not a rookie when it comes to Guitar Gathering conferences - I've been to 3 now.   But this will be my first Fingerstyle retreat.    When I first got back into playing guitar a few years ago and started going through the L&M courses, I didn't feel I was ready for a dedicated fingerstyle retreat.   As my skills began to grow - so did the Covid virus and my plans for the 2020 and 21 retreats were sidelined.    Looking forward to this year.

    I'm relatively local (I live just a couple of hours away from Nashville) so I won't be flying in.  But as time approaches let's see how many need a ride from the airport.   I might be able to offer my taxi services (depending on how many guitars everyone brings lol).  I expect Steve will be creating a facebook group for those attending - that may be the best for all to connect.

    Gary

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  11. Wrapping up this thread - I followed @Eracer_Team-DougH recommendation and opted for the AirTurn Duo500.    So far it works perfectly with ForScore and paired simply with my iPad.    AirTurn makes a smaller switch that closely resembles a guitar pedal and  can be powered with a 9v power supply which might be good if you wanted to integrate this onto your pedalboard.    I opted for this one because the pedals are a bit larger, and I think it would work better playing keyboard, so it may work for my wife as well.       It has the added benefit of an integrated, removable remote control, so I can also use this to control Powerpoint presentations and the like on my computer.   (So I wonder if I can claim this as a business expense?...hmmm)    

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  12. Thanks @Eracer_Team-DougH and @Gene C.    I'll review those lessons again - I know Steve mentioned this not too long ago, but it may have been during our informal time after the Youtube editing break.   I had thought about pinging Steve, but I know he has had his hands full with some other obligations after the Guitar Gathering so was just trying to be respectful of his time.  Besides - I know a lot of you guys have some great experience along these lines!  Airturn has several good options.

    Hope Doris is doing well.   I may try to make it to the Fingerstyle retreat - had thought about it for the last two years, but alas Covid got in the way.   Maybe this year.

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  13. A while back, Steve showed us the Forscore app he is now using to keep up with his sheet music on his iPad.    Can anyone recall which page turn device he was using?     Or does anyone have any experience/recommendations for a page turn bluetooth switch.    I'm looking at either the IK BlueTurn opr the PageFlip Butterfly.   The Blueturn seems closer to what Steve is using and appears to be more compact.   Any thoughts before I give Sweetwater my credit card number?

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  14. Back in the office and to the routine of email and Zoom meetings.   I sure was having a lot more fun last week at this time, preparing to head to Nashville for the Guitar Gathering.    I know schedules may not always work out, and certainly travel costs aren't going down, but I really encourage everyone to try and get to a gathering.    The opportunity for in-person learning and meeting friends, old and new,  is priceless.    I believe Steve said he is targeting the third week of June 2023 for next year's Gathering, and I've already marked the calendar.   I hope to see you there.     

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