Odie
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Posts posted by Odie
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5 hours ago, Mike Boehler said:
Diane, thank you so much for taking the time to do this research for me. I’ve left my guitar alone for a few days while I ponder my future with it. Ive read every reply many times. There is no question I make the fatal mistake of expectation. This is hard to battle as I know it’s a bad approach so I attempt to push it out of my mind.
I think playing with others would begin to put the joy back in for me. Playing for my family has become more of a chore as they tolerate me when I play and that’s not how it’s supposed to feel.
You probably noticed that I live in a rural area that doesn’t seem too musical but you hit the nail squarely on the head in finding that group I need to contact. Possibly winter has become too long here and my complacency has turned against me.
I will reach out to this group and attempt to rejuvenate myself to do something good with this three year effort that I really would love to continue.
Thank you everyone. This is a good group that I’ve just found and thank you for your help.
Hang in there. Might be surprised who you may meet that plays. As the saying goes, "It's a small world."
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5 hours ago, UtahGuy said:
Thanks for getting back. My 3rd finger (ring) is playing the bass E but it mutes the bass A that my 2nd finger (middle) is on. Just cannot seem to get it curved around and play the 4th finger (pinky) on the high E.
You mentioned bluegrass, so why is that the reason to use ring finger for the G chord? Is it for a quicker change from G to C and/or G7 or other? If so, you do know that you can use the G chord fingering in the chart above and use the available ring finger to press down the 4th (A) string at third fret (F) for a G7? Just my guess that you're looking for a faster chord change.
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2 hours ago, UtahGuy said:Thanks for getting back. My 3rd finger (ring) is playing the bass E but it mutes the bass A that my 2nd finger (middle) is on. Just cannot seem to get it curved around and play the 4th finger (pinky) on the high E.
Ok, yes, I was confused but got it now. Sorry, don't know what to suggest. I have pinky issues but can do "sort of" okay though. Pinky profusely points inward.
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So ,,, your 3rd finger "touches" the A string (Bass - - 5th string) and mutes it when it should not touch ANY string? And this would be the 1-2-4? Is that what you mean? Sorry, if I'm confused. I always do the 1-2-4 and never had that issue if I understand your post correctly.
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6 hours ago, Mike Boehler said:
Sometimes I wonder if its the journey or the destination. The journey seems to be a life long commitment, which I knew when I signed on. However sometimes it gets a bit daunting when you don't take any time to actually enjoy your own music. Its text books, learning DVD's, YouTube teachers, etc.....
I've been playing for three years, I only play alone, as I wouldn't have the foggiest idea how to play with someone else even though I've attempted it several times which ends awkward and unmusical.
At 55 years old, I sometimes wonder what the point is.
Then, much like having your best drive on the 18th hole, I'm back at it.
Who gets this?
Started on guitar 12 years ago at age 48, so I "get it." Boy, do I get it. Can't tell nor gonna recommend what others should do as not my business. All I know is that I'm gonna do what's the most fun and what comes naturally the smoothest. Just me as have many other interests. And now that you mentioned both a journey and destination, actually, I've never thought of it as a destination. Rather, to me, it's an endless journey. Hang in there.
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2 hours ago, Triple-o said:
I must admit that before I picked up the guitar my music background was pretty sparse. I never knew the lyrics to Moon River.I especially like the line “my huckleberry friend” even though it took me a few minutes to understand why it made perfect sense. I must say that the beginning verse .”wider than a mile” sounded a lot better after I tried to change it and couldn’t find a suitable replacement.
PS. the first position Bm7(b5) is a “heartbreaker” if only I had the hands, “I coulda been a contender”.
What arrangement?
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5 hours ago, Charles said:
Steve or Anyone please answer?
I am new to this forum and have been studying the L& M Finger style Guitar. I am on lesson 5 which is taking a long time.
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I am still trying to get my finger nails at the perfect length and shape. As it's understood that fat tones come from pushing the fingers against the strings so the nails make contact. Any thoughts on finger nail shape. Something to make them grow and make them harder.
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I am a little confused on the angle of fingers with respect to the strings. As some classical guitarist like Scott Tennant show the placement of the hand at angle respecting the strings. The angle seems almost 45 degrees. Some other classical and finger style guitarist seem the hold the right hand at a right angle or perpendicular to the strings. I actually file my finger nails at a bit of an angle with a little ramp on them. I like the right hand at an angle myself.
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In playing a song like Cello Suite in C I notice Steve picks with thumb and fingers on different parts of the arrangement. Can I use what ever fingering works for me
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Also: Do I have to preform every bit of music perfectly before I move on to the next lesson?
Thanks for the post. Was thinking to ask similar questions specifically to include fingernail shapes.
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5 hours ago, Maybellene said:
Thank you Odie for posting the Jon Michael Swift video. It led me to his lessons page. He is very clear in his teaching style.
Sure thing. Years ago, I learned the entire fretboard using Steve's pattern in the LMG. However, I forgot it then learned it again and maybe one other time. Since not playing up the neck so many years and just strumming/singing open chords and some bluegrass stuff, I just never got back to the entire fretboard. Recently, I bought the scales workout by Steve and started on that with the flatpick and some limited fingerpicking. After stumbling onto this video, have incorporated this into the scales workout. It's like learning two things at once: Travis style & Scales. Swift really caught my attention at the start, for some reason more than many others most likely as you stated, "very clear in his teaching style." Going okay thus far.
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On 2/22/2018 at 9:11 AM, Late Starter said:
I have recently become interested in bluegrass music for fingerstyle guitar. So I went back to Session 8 of the Fingerstyle course to look at the Merle Travis exercises.
There are 6 exercises on pages 115 - 118 of session 8 on the Merle Travis Technique. Exercise 5 and 4 are exactly the same in the pdf, but are different in the videos. I believe the Exercise 5 "Adding Syncopation and Chromatic Base Line" in the pdf is not correct. It is just a repeat of Exercise 4 (by mistake?). Is there a correct version of Exercise 5 (page 117) available?
Also, does anyone know of some good fingerstyle bluegrass sheet music (with tabs)? Most everything I have seen is for "pic" playing.
Thanks, Tom
Tom,
I'm working on Exercise 6 now, going ok. Also started playing scales using Travis Picking Style -slowly- @ 60 bpm after finding this vid.
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6 minutes ago, gotto said:
I am on the road towards hearing aids it seems. I lost my high frequency hearing in my left ear by the time I had graduated from dental school, informed of this when I went into service with Uncle Sam and had a hearing evaluation. The high speed drill is the culprit there. 4 years ago I had a hearing test and had normal hearing in my right ear and significant HF loss in the left, as before noted. I began playing amplified music in groups just about that time after a 3+ decade away from it and in the last two years, after playing at my drummers left side, noticed considerable changes in my right ear. A hearing test 2 weeks ago revealed profound HF loss in both ears now. I had moved away from the amp and drums several weeks ago and have sporadically worn custom ear plugs that I had made last year but the damage is done. Time for a change.
I plan to discuss all with my band tonight at practice . I also will be reviewing with the audiologist soon when I am fitted with aid as to whether I can continue to play amplified music. Who said rock and roll never dies.....Sigh
Greg
Greg , , , Know what you mean. Been there/done that but was very fortunate. While returning from a Germany trip (Military), my right ear popped on the plane. Felt no pain and had a sinus infection at the time, when that cleared, was almost deaf in the right ear but could hear buzzing. Come to find out, some 10-12 years later in the 1990's, had surgery in Memphis, TN, to replace the stirrup with a straight and very tiny tube. Hearing was back to normal as there was no nerve damage nor auditory hair damage. The background is that I had a lot of tonsillitis issues accompanied by ear fluid in the 1960's, which the doc said contributed to the hearing failure (growth on the stirrup). Have been VERY protective of my hearing as I'm a competitive rifle shooter and wear DOUBLE hearing protection and now a swimmer for daily exercise and wear good ear plugs and even wear hearing protection mowing/weed eating/etc. Wore a hearing aid for a while, which was frustrating with the background noise and had to place phone up to good ear. Anyway, best of luck as there's probably been some hearing aid improvements, since the 1990's.
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3 hours ago, Late Starter said:
The difference for me with most flatpicking music (including bluegrass) is that flatpicking is mostly one note at a time, maybe with occasional strums. No melody and accompanying base at the same time. Fingerstyle can allow the thumb to be off working the base while your three fingers (sometimes all four) are working independently on the melody at the same time.
Based on your posts (can't hold a pick with the thumb), perhaps consider only Fingerstyle and Travis Picking provided your thumb is ok with a thumbpick or you can do with only the thumb. As UncleHammy stated, when discussing bluegrass playing then that's with a flatpick. Perhaps you got confused when you stated, "Also, does anyone know of some good fingerstyle bluegrass sheet music (with tabs)? Most everything I have seen is for "pic" playing." I too am interested in Travis Picking and someone posted some lessons on another thread, not sure which one, but here's the link below. Just type in "Travis Picking," to see lessons available. And you may be interested in finger style blues (not bluegrass) as I am too but have more work to do in the Gibson Fingerstyle Course.
https://truefire.com/beginner-guitar-lessons/fingerstyle-blues-handbook/c38
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2 hours ago, Dave White said:
Check out these videos of Molly's flatpicking technique:
Great view w/her phone. Thx.
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Watched lesson tonight. Awesome. I flatpack, not at her speed, but never really thought about trying to brace on the bridge while cross-picking - will give it a try. When answering Steve's questions, her answers really brought it home about learning/playing scales.
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Yea, Campbell and also Croce & Denver some of my favorites.
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Edited it less that 5 minutes after posting to change two words. Can now view the lesson.
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Clicked on the LIVE LESSONS at menu, but tonight's lesson is not there. What's up with that ? Thx.
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14 hours ago, UncleHammy said:
@rkl312 I would recommend not worrying too much about a perfect strumming pattern. Play what sounds right. It is OK if the strumming pattern varies throughout the song.
This is another good point that I almost noted earlier about trying to have a perfect strumming pattern. Thus, instead of being "fluid," you may become mechanical/robotic. There are some things that may or may not be taught in a book. For instance, and I play several of these at a Rest Home, parts where you don't have time to play the entire chord because of the quick chord change along with the tempo. Usually, for me, it's three (3) chord changes within three (3) to five (5) words. And seems like it's usually "G" (open chord) for me. Have seen Steve Kaufman (bluegrass player) do this on a DVD course by playing (not singing) only the three (3) high strings: G, B, & E holding down the third fret to get the ''abbreviated'' G chord. Also, I can play barre chords but since singing solo is focusing on melody then I just play the "cheater/abbreviated" F chord. Please remember that you are singing melody and not bass to solo. So , , , so what if you miss a few bass notes in a chord? You and the audience are listening to the melody. Now, remember in the LMG course about strumming? You may not play every string but keep strumming. Also, there's a certain freedom in soloing. Relax, focus on singing the melody, and enjoy the freedom.
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14 hours ago, Dan Stankard said:
I have been invited to come to our churches praise Band Rehearsal this week. I told the leader I would love to come sit in with them but I don't believe I am good enough for Sunday mornings yet. Where my skill level is at right now the ideal situation would be for me to sit in the background and play some backup Rhythm if possible.
Then >>> Go For It !
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6 minutes ago, gotto said:
For me, it depends on the song. Some songs I simply cannot sing and play simultaneously. Others , I play on autopilot. My only advice is to know the strumming parts so well that it is like breathing-you don’t even think about it. Have a metronome or drum part if necessary to hold the rhythmic tempo. Then start to add the vocals . I would begin with simpler guitar parts that you can feel fluid with.
Greg
Good answer….
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2 hours ago, rkl312 said:
I'm having a heck of a time adding vocals to the songs I am practicing. I get my strumming pattern down and then when I try to add the vocal my strumming hand wants to mirror the inflections of the vocal, throwing the whole thing off. Has anyone else experienced and overcame this?
Robert
I've been strumming and singing for 7 to 8 years or so. Not sure exactly what you mean by "strumming hand wants to mirror the inflections of the vocal." Please elaborate. Are you saying that voice added to strumming seems "robotic?"
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On 1/31/2018 at 3:59 PM, MarkDelaware said:
Hello colder!
Over the past couple of decades, I have played guitar on a few worship teams and led at times as well.
My current church is fairly large and has some very talented and professional level musicians so I have only been able to play for evening services.
Because of this, I joined a little group which uses music to minister outside the walls.
For the past three or four years I have been part of a group who visits assisted living facilities every month. Some of these people get zero family or other visitors so we have an impact by playing, singing, chatting, hugging, etc. They are blessed and so are we.
I would like to share a true story which I witnessed in a memory care unit late last year. Nearly every time we played and sang at this place, a lady I will refer to as Jane, would come into the day room with big smiles, sometimes giggle, and occasionally hum but not a word from Jane's lips. Over a period of months, Jane became more animated and would walk around us as we played and sang. Again, just smiling, giggling, and humming. The staff occasionally would gently help her back to her seat as her sense of personal space didn't exist. She would get within inches of my face while I was seated playing guitar.
One particular day, my fretting hand was hurting so I laid down my guitar and sat next to Jane. As our pianist started into the next song, I grab a song sheet and proceeded to smile back at Jane and point to the place we were at as the group sang. About mid chorus, suddenly, Jane is singing!!! She isn't even reading the lyrics. She knows the tune and the lyrics by heart. The staff and our group could barely contain ourselves. This went on for a few songs. Then, she went back to just smiling and giggling and I got back to my guitar. Later, I learned from the staff that Jane had never spoken a single word to anyone since she was brought to the facility.
We had been singing and playing for about two years in this "memory care" unit. I never had a clue how God was going to impact my life when I walked in that day but I walked out about ten feet off the ground - God had blessed my socks off with what is the most miraculous event I have ever experienced. I had the most peaceful sense of being right where God wanted me, when He wanted me, and how He wanted me.
If your church has a hundred or more people in attendance, there are likely other instrumentalists sitting in the pew you can connect with. If you have several hundred attendees, I guarantee you there are other singers and instrumentalists on the sidelines willing to join one who stands up and takes the lead in a new or revived music related ministry.
Step 1. Pray.
Step 2. Share your heart for worship with your pastor as well as other musicians.
Step 3. Ask your pastor for information on other ministries where music is or could be utilized.
Step 4. Ask for names of people who also enjoy playing and singing. Then initiate personal contact.
Step 5. Keep practicing with ALL types of Christian music. (I never expected to be playing hymns every month versus contemporary Christian music)
Step 6. Make yourself available to every opportunity. Post an advertisement on the bulletin board to start up your own group if no other opportunity presents itself. This will be a powerful learning experience whether the group thrives or dries up on the paper.
Step 7. Practice resting in God and meditating on His word as His timing is perfect.
AWESOME. Our music life's are very similar.
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25 minutes ago, Cindy said:
Ron, I sincerely hope you will update this from time to time. Personally I find this thread to be one of the most fascinating on the forum for two reasons. I have my own heartwarming memories of wonderful times shared with my grandparents (who sadly have been gone for many, many years). So from both your perspective as a grandparent and from her perspective as a grandchild, you will wind up with some amazing cherished memories to look back upon.
Secondly it was pointed out on the last forum about the benefits music has on the brain. Supposedly there is a 5% increase in the cerebellum due to learning music which translates to a higher IQ. Looking forward to hearing about your musical adventures with your granddaughter!
Exactly, about music -benefits- concerning the brain. Don't understand it but have seen time and again . . . elderly that don't know my name, sometimes cannot remember theirs' or can no longer verbally communicate with others. Then — only to see many of them "sing along" to songs. Don't understand it, but it happens time and time again.
Grandchildren: Yea, got two of those at six years (granddaughter) and one year old (grandson). Granddaughter been playing with my guitars since she could crawl and now doing some limited Ukulele chords with her mother as her mom has been putting together a library of tunes. Have one guitar on wall hanger close to the floor, so grandson can "strum/pluck" all he wants. Just no chewing allowed as he's currently cutting teeth. Don't want any beaver marks on any guitars.
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20 hours ago, Cindy said:
We all have things we like and dislike about guitars (and manufacturers). So what company/companies are your favorites? And why?
Personally I'm a big Taylor acoustic guitar fan. There's something about the tone of a Taylor acoustic that calls to me. I have yet to find a Gibson acoustic that I like. And as for Martin acoustics, the only one I ever liked was a laminated, low-end acoustic. None of their solid wood guitars have appealed to me when it comes to tone.
And Bob Taylor sometimes leads the way when it comes to environmental concerns. Taylor Guitars no longer goes for prime ebony (unstreaked). When he saw a bunch of trees that were felled and lying on the ground, he asked why they weren't being used. The reply indicated the wood was streaked and that no one would want it. He decided to use those trees which is why there are more streaked fretboards on some of their guitars--which is something else I prefer.
Plus their bolt on necks are terrific!
So who do you like and why?
Taylor GS Mini Mahogany: Perfect for what I do. Now Taylor sends a magazine every few months or so and enjoy the articles. Good mellow sound. Watched a You Tube comparison of this one to same model but different wood (Rosewood, I think). Several made comments that "can't tell the difference." Not so, had to listen closely, and I could. Seagulls are good as someone already stated but sold mine to get down to three. Usually pick up the Taylors at a store but very seldom Gibson or Martin so don't know. Can't see owning one of those for the price as I have another totally different expensive hobby.
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Cindy (one of four sister's name is Cindy) and IanD,
Thanks much. Will research the links and reread Steve's comments posted by Cindy.
Odie
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G Chord Fingering
in Guitar Playing & Technique
Posted
Also, you said above that you're an aspiring bluegrass player. You may or may not know that there are many instances that you won't even play the entire chord such as: G - only the three high strings and C-again the three high strings (open chords). I do this on several tunes. Would imagine it's done quite often and those real lighting speed guys/gals, it's not that noticeable.