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Gary Nelson

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Everything posted by Gary Nelson

  1. I went through the Jazz Chords video several years back and I think it is great "basic training". But like anything, it's "use it or lose it". Incorporate these chord shapes into your regular playing to really get comfortable with them. I'm not really a jazz player so I could probably benefit by going through the workshop again. If you really want to get into jazz, get yourself a copy of the Real Book and start playing those tunes.
  2. Doug - I felt the same way when I went for the first time. But trust me, you will be fine. And I highly recommend Steve's Fingerstyle Course. Hope to see you in the fall.
  3. Steve, Thank you to both you and Paulette for continuing to share your gift of music with us through the in-person gatherings and the Tuesday Live Lessons. Although a bit disappointed, I am sure we all appreciate the need to stand down this year and regroup. Maybe you and Paulette can take a nice vacation in June instead of working around the clock to put on the conference! In the meantime, we will see you on the live lessons and look forward to seeing you in person in the fall.
  4. Amazing stuff. I can't imagine playing and having to keep my head still! Now I'm wondering how they sterilized that Tele!
  5. Done properly, I don't think the pull off is always going to be weaker than a hammer on. I suppose it depends a lot on which finger you are using and what effect you are trying to achieve musically. Here's the link to the live lesson that Steve did a while back on hammer on's and pull offs that should provide some greater insight.
  6. I'm thinking also of those carbon fiber McPherson guitars - they don't sound half bad either. Something we will all have to come to grips with at some point as the traditional tone woods become harder and harder to source. And of course, the guitarist in the video is quite talented - proving what Steve has always told us that the tone is in our fingers.
  7. @Wim VD1 I've dabbled with slide just a bit, but the bug hasn't hit me yet. But trying out different slides gives me another excuse to go the music store!
  8. Let me say first that I am in no way abandoning the guitar. I still have much to learn. But - having said that, I have started dabbling with the mandolin. My wife, who has played violin in the past and presently plays the piano, has always loved the sound of the mandolin and wanted to learn how to play. So as an early Christmas gift, I picked up an inexpensive student model. As this is her first attempt to play a fretted instrument, she is looking for my help. So in order to be able to help her, I have to learn a little about it myself. And you know what? It's fun! It's satisfying to see how guitar knowledge and technique can translate to the mandolin. And I think in the end, it will help me be a more well rounded musician and indirectly a better guitar player. Anyone else have any experiences with learning another instrument? Or trying to teach your spouse to play and still remaining on speaking terms? LOL
  9. Interesting background. I think most everyone simply associates this tune with the old "Popeye" cartoons!
  10. I'd just be sure that if you use an office chair, you don't have arms on it. After I started working from home, I'd pick up a guitar at my desk when I had a break, and the arms really got in the way. I personally l steer clear of stools. My practice room has carpet and stools can often be a bit unsteady. I took a spill one time - luckily the guitar wasn't hurt! Today, I just use a simple straight back chair that I purchased at Target. Probably not the best ergonomic choice, but it gets the job done. I just want to be sure to keep my feet free so I can access my pedal board, so the kneeling option might not work for me.
  11. Hi Jeff and Welcome! Steve did a Live Lesson on arranging a solo finger style composition several weeks ago. He used the basic melody of "Tennessee Waltz" and stepped us through the process of creating a solo arrangement. It might provide a few ideas for you to use.
  12. 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.
  13. Diane, thanks so much for this play-by-play. Hopefully it is an inspiration to those that may be thinking about attending one of the future events. It is totally worth it! And for those of us that were able to attend, it is a reminder of fantastic instruction, but more importantly, great times with good friends.
  14. @Plantsman13 - I was thinking more about the nylon when comparing my selection to Steve's. But after all, @dbvirago did give me an imaginary $10K to play with! I'd hate to see it go to waste!
  15. 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.
  16. 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!
  17. Hmmm....maybe a field trip while we are there for the Guitar Gathering next week?
  18. Thanks for posting this Diane. Looking forward to seeing everyone again!
  19. I’ve been wanting a PRS McCarty for a while now and my local shop got this one in the other day. I decided to trade a PRS SE Custom 24 that I never really warmed up to. So with a wave of the magic credit card, this one came home with me.
  20. 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.
  21. Living close to Memphis my entire life, I can't help but lean toward "Green Onions" by Booker T and the MG's.

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