Dave White

The only thing that helps me is sitting with the guitar and practicing, practicing, practicing. I have completed hundreds of worksheets, but they don't help my fingers!

Robert - ShadowBoxer86 makes a great point. If I was going to buy a nylon string guitar today, I would probably start by looking at crossover models - most likely something with close to a 1 3/4 inch nut width and maybe even a cutaway. Good luck with your search.

Robert - I wouldn't buy an older guitar that I couldn't check out in person. Those late 1970s/early 1980s Yamaha's hold up well - but I would want to see it in person before buying. I purchased one via Reverb that I ended up sending back (the owner in this case was great to work with). The guitar needed a lot of fret work (the cost to fix it would have been more than the guitar was worth).

The site you posted is a great place to start Robert. I would also consider an older 1980s Yamaha - like the one that Steve regularly plays (I believe Steve's is a G-245S). Those guitars came in a variety of versions (G-235S, G-245S, G-255S, etc.). They are solid guitars and pop up frequently on eBay, Reverb, and Craigslist at reasonable prices. I picked up a G-245S a couple years ago for $150.

Looking forward to it!

I find the humidity in our house dips into the high 20s or low 30s during both the winter and summer months - (during the summer because my wife runs the air conditioner 24/7) My guitars are stored in my music room/study which is approximately 10' by 15'. I use the following to maintain humidity levels between 40-50%: Room humidifier: AIRCARE MA080 - It requires regular filter changes and cleaning, but it works well and is pretty quiet. It runs 24/7 during the summer and winter. Typically, I need to fill it once a week, but with the latest cold wave, I have been refilling it twice a day! Case humidifiers: Oasis OH-6 - I use these in all my guitar cases during the winter months. They require very little maintenance and I have never had one leak. Hygrometer: Stewmac Hygrometer/Thermometer - I have used some of the small electronic models, but I like this one because it is so easy to read.

Barbara - that is another reason why I like the Fingerstyle Journal. I much prefer electronic versions. I also subscribe to the electronic version of Acoustic Guitar. I wish all publications had that option.

The latest issue of the Fingerstyle Journal is available today. The Journal is a quarterly magazine that contains a wealth of material. The cost is only $24 annually and you can purchase back issues. Note: There is no print version - only electronic (pdf). I highly recommend it!

Plantsman13 - All I can say is WOW!!!

I will see Steve this weekend and will verify that the cost is per person (seems like it should be per room).

I love that guitar Barbara!

Steve confirmed the Trevecca rooms - the cost will be $60 per person a night. The only real downside is that everyone has to be checked out of the rooms by noon on Friday. Apparently, Trevecca is hosting a big summer camp that weekend.

I posted this several days ago under the 'Music Theory' forum: I ran across the Skeptical Guitarist series by Bruce Emery over the holiday break. The following books are a great compliment to Steve's lessons: Guitar from Scratch Guitar from Scratch - the Sequel Music Principles for the Skeptical Guitarist: Volume One - The Big Picture Music Principles for the Skeptical Guitarist: Volume Two - The Fretboard Bruce's website is here: http://www.skepticalguitarist.com/ Bruce is an entertaining writer. All the books are down-to-earth and a fun read.

My favorite guitar is usually the one I am holding - but I will go with this one (Collings SoCo Deluxe):

Stade I believe Steve has struck a deal with Trevecca to let us stay in the dorms. I think the cost is $60 a night. I will send Steve a note to confirm this (just in case I dreamed it up). If I did dream it up, I am staying in Franklin.

Eric Daw and his wife Melissa host a very entertaining and informative guitar repair podcast each week called 'The Fret Files'. They cover just about any topic you can imagine and take listener questions via phone and email. If you are interested you can check it out at http://www.fretfiles.com/. In addition to his repair work, Eric builds custom electric guitars and Melissa creates wonder leather guitar straps. You can check both out at https://www.ericdaw.com/.

Forgot to mention - if you are going to go with a Fishman amp, you may want to check out the Fishman line of pick-ups. It is always a good thing to make sure that you pick-up and amp work well together.

You can also find most of Bruce's books on Amazon.

Yes - that photo was taken during our Guitar Gathering in 2016 - Phil did a session with us. Fishman makes great acoustic amps.

KR - I have a K&K pickup in my Collings guitar. It sounds great. You also might want to give some consideration to what kind of amp you will be using. Do you have a local Taylor dealer that can make some recommendations?

If you have not seen this video, it is worth a look.

Yes - I have the same model Diane. My room is a bit larger and the Aircare keeps it at about 40% (in the coldest conditions) and closer to 45% in normal weather (for the mountains of North Carolina). I do have to set it 10% higher than the desired humidity (for example, mine is currently set at 55% and the relative humidity in the room is 45%). I have to change the filter more than I would like (at least once a month), but am otherwise happy with the unit.

Last year's Fingerstyle Retreat was one of the nicest events I have ever attended. Below are some words of wisdom taken from the song arranging session with John Knowles (CGP). Every time you learn to do something, learn how to do it somewhere else on the fretboard. Your best work happens when you are working in areas where you 60% know and 40% can’t do yet (this is where adventure happens). Each one of us has a different tolerance for being confused. When I’m working too hard, I put it down and play something I know how to play. When you are learning, there is exploration, new technique, musicality, tempo, and expression (you can’t think of all these things at once - work on one at a time). It never has bothered me that I can’t do it YET! Tomorrow I will be closer – don’t be discouraged by the barriers. There is no destination, only so far – so far – so far – so far – then they write your obituary. Set modest goals and celebrate. You need patience, you need to love it, and you need curiosity. Chet Atkins: (in response to someone saying ‘that looked easy’). 'It didn’t use to be.' I play what I love – and work on what I can’t do yet.

My practice room humidifier is running 24 hours a day - I have been re-filling it about every 12 hours (normally I re-fill it once every two or three days). Plus I have Oasis case humidifiers in all my guitar cases. Take care of your guitars!

I ran across the Skeptical Guitarist series by Bruce Emery over the holiday break. The following books are a great compliment to Steve's lessons: Guitar from Scratch Guitar from Scratch - the Sequel Music Principles for the Skeptical Guitarist: Volume One - The Big Picture Music Principles for the Skeptical Guitarist: Volume Two - The Fretboard Bruce's website is here: http://www.skepticalguitarist.com/