Odie

AWESOME. Our music life's are very similar.

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.

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.

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

Is the forum subtitle, "Major Scale Mastery Levels 1 & 2 Fretboard Workouts," related to the courses that were once for sale under "Close Outs? Did not see them today. If so, what or how does/did that help? If not, ok. Thanks.

GREAT responses. Also, you may practice the song one way (by the music) then the Leader stop and talk, slow the tempo, etc., during the service. One guy would not tune his guitar and didn't last long. Another would NOT watch the Leader and follow if there was a tempo change, etc., and didn't last long either. I played the songs with the keyboard, was correct, but Leader didn't ask me to play. That was certainly ok as I was already soloing usually pm services and a few am services, etc. It wasn't about me. After several years - gave up the Praise Team - totally burned out.

Good info/site. Will compare with book Steve mentioned "live" with Thom Bresh. But first, gotta work through Steve's instruction in Session 8. Thanks

Dear Colder, Have been trolling the LMG site a few weeks until now and excited about this new site. I think this is a good time for me to make an intro. At the end, I will try to answer your questions. Well, reckon it’s time to say hello for the first time to everyone. My only other input is below, which is on the LMG Home Page under “Testimonials and Reviews.” "Thank you for a wonderful guitar course! I purchased it approximately 2 years ago after returning from a tour in Kuwait/Iraq. I had to retire because of depression. Learning the guitar helped lift me from that depression! I am now playing gospel music in a nursing home weekly." So it’s been about eight (8) years or so, where’s the time gone, what have I done, and where have I been? A Nursing Home Ministry with the guitar was just the beginning then came: church choir plus singing solos, duets, trios, quartets, and playing hand bells to include writing over one-hundred devotions for the Nursing Home and compiling over one-hundred hymns, southern gospel, and some contemporary in several binders. Oh, and I’ve been “retired” since 2006. Yea, right. LMG: Completed all but the Jazz, Rock/Roll, Advanced Chords and only skimmed the finger style sessions. I then gave the course to a bass player that was visiting from Australia. Hopefully, the young lady used the course and probably did so. I knew my goal was to strum and sing primarily Gospel but do have some Folk/Country. In addition, I played piano from age six to about age twelve so had some music background and some of the music theory actually came back at age forty-eight (48). Singing in choir reinforced theory. For fingerpicking, I’ll be primarily singing over chord patterns, learn a few certain “select” EASY instrumentals, Travis picking, and finger style blues. I did memorize about a dozen blue grassy Gospel instrumentals, learned a few instrumentals on Open D tuning via DVD Course, and want to learn some of the blues tunes on this course. So, I’m using the Gibson’s Finger style Course as a “platform” to do so and started December 2017. I’m in Session 2 but “fast-forwarded” to Session 8 to try Travis Style. Gear: -Taylor GS Mini Mahogany Top w/Taylor pickup (The size, sound, volume, etc., is absolutely perfect for Rest Home). -Zager ZAD-50 (Full size guitar, Added fishman pickup. Used this one exclusively at Rest Home(s) and wore down the first few frets on the high stings. Using now to learn 'some' finger style.) -Yamaha LL6SB Acoustic Dreadnought that will try and learn Travis Picking as it’s a good “fit” to mute. –Fishman PROLBX500 Loudbox Mini Acoustic Guitar Combo Amp The LMG Course has really helped change my life’s direction since retiring from the Military in 2006 (thirty (30) years service). There’s so much available, through the Gibson Courses, for anyone to pick up a guitar and start learning in whatever focus/genre. Okay “Colder,” You appear to have the desire and direction, so you’re already over half way there. The LMG course has all that you need to get started with strumming as your main venue. If you want to be a lead guitar player, then you probably already know it’s going take much more learning/effort. A good Music Minister will hand you the sheet music, but don’t panic as your’s will have guitar chords. If your church has an orchestra or winds (flute, etc.,), their sheet music will be different. Plus, many times both words and chords are on the screen just like on some you tube videos. Now, speaking of you tube videos: a good worship leader to visit on you tube is Brian Wahl. What would I and did I look for when playing with others at church? Someone that will tune their guitar, and you would be surprised at beginners. Someone there for the right reasons: to play and worship and not show out. Skills and overplaying? With the right attitude, you will not overplay. Skills in contemporary gospel is: rhythm, rhythm, and rhythm. And there can be a lot of syncopation in strumming contemporary gospel but never panic. Just get back in the groove on the next chord. As you may already know, a lot of this music has easy changing chords such as G2, C2, & others where all you change are the index/middle finger on fretting hand. Be careful to not get overextended at a church. It can happen. Never try too hard or take yourself too serious. Regards,