Lights Out

Well, Ike just blew through on his way back to the sea. 60mph straight-line winds that lasted for three hours. And we're 800 miles away from land fall. Scary to think how it was for those folks back in TX. I only lost three sections of fence, a few shingles, and the power was out all day.

The good news was the power was out, which meant there was nothing to do but play gutiar.

The Right Hand Pick

I've been working on my right hand trying to get a convincing pick style sound out of my thumb and index finger. There are just some styles that need that pick sound/attack, but I never have a pick at hand. I'm using the thumb for downstrokes and the index for the upstrokes (ala Albert Collins).

It's coming along quite well, I suppose, but it does bring up an interesting observation about how completely muscle-memory becomes integrated. I suddenly feel like a complete beginner when practicing my new pick. It's been a long time since I felt this...ahmm...clumsy while running scales I know in my sleep. It's sort'a cool. It is making me examine all kinds of little angles and positions as I teach my hand how to do it.

So why post it to the blog? I guess just to suggest that if your feeling a little bored with your playing, then try to mix it up a bit with a strange technique. You will reap an instant return to that "beginners" mind.

Which came first, the Guitar or the Music

Okay, I must address this. I am often accused of being a bit philosophical about how important music is to human existence. My guitar buddies will roll their eyes when I look past the rippin' solo they just did and comment on how "honest" or "raw" it was.

Now I truly believe that the guitar is the perfect instrument, but I'm sorry, the music comes first. How many students down at the local music store quit because they mistakenly thought their love for the guitar culture could somehow be converted to music. It can't be done. Oh you might learn some licks, but if you don't at some point fall in love with the music, you will slam into a brick wall as a guitarist.

So if I at times sound a little too "jasmine and incense" about this whole guitar/music thing it's because I believe we are artists, and every one of us, from classical to metal, brings something important to the world.

Music Appreciation...The Guitar Way

Sunday afternoons in September are made just that much more special when music is added. Take today for example:

There was a slight breeze, the lingering effects of a far off hurricane, and the late summer humidity didn't seem too awful.

We were sitting on the back patio. My wife sat to my left. The hound was at my feet. A guitar was nestled in my hands. All together this created an image of peaceful living that is just dang hard to beat.

I wasn't really playing anything especially challenging (my thumb is still a little tender) just noodling over a simple chord progression. [Later I did work (if you can call it that) on some of the Fuller stuff.]

It would be impossible for me to describe how enriching it is having music in my household. I want everyone who aspires to guitar to know this aspect of making music. I believe, with all my being, that the path of the musician changes your life. Changes you!

Learn More and Better

To learn more and to learn better is a goal of mine. I guess I'm looking for the shortest distance.

The Perfect Guitar

I'd like to talk about my guitars.

My classical is an Esteve GR 9, I believe. It is actually a Dauphin branded guitar. It is fantastic. An all solid wood, top student model and boy it really sings. I've had it over 10 years and will never part with it.

My steel string is a Masterbilt EF. I like it. It feels good in my hand, but... I can't say that I haven't been looking for another. It's a good guitar, but...it doesn't feel like mine.

I know that's not my usual point of view. I'm usually much more pragmatic than that. If it's well in tune with a decent action, then I say make your music on it. But this is different. Maybe there really is Mojo in a guitar. Anyway, I'll play it everyday, and I'm going to play it till it wears out. Then I'm going in search for my holy grail.

Maintaining My Classical Roots

When I began playing, many years ago, I started by studying classical guitar. I was not especially interested in classical at the time. I was, however, interested in Latin American music, but I went to the local music store for lessons and I pointed to a classical as being what the guitarist I liked played and the rest, as they say, is history.

It didn’t turn out too bad; I do like classical music in general and classical guitar in particular. I stayed with it for a few years, and then branched out on my own toward styles.
I still maintain my classical technique. I find the Julio Sagreras Guitar Lessons (both vol. 1-3 and 4-6) to be quite nice. They have the flavor I enjoy while still requiring solid classical technique that keeps my chops up. I highly recommend them.

Friendly Reminder

Well, in good Labor Day weekend fashion, I was spending Sunday working on some chores and flat smashed my right thumb. Yeah, ouch!

Oh well, the beat goes on.

I’m working up Blind Boy Fuller’s “You’ve Got Something There” to a performance level, and my little accident today gives me the perfect opportunity to practice separating the piece into it’s parts: Melody, bass (Ok, I’ll be skipping most of this one.), right hand, and left hand. I always preach that this is a good way to be sure you’ve got a good internal representation of a number.

It really shouldn’t take a mishap like a thumb smashing to remind us to practice our good habits. Should it?