Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Uncle John on August 23, 2015 at 12:45am

Eric, the old creativity and playing well thing, ebbs and flows.  Have a great school year.

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on August 23, 2015 at 1:11am

I know exactly what you mean, Eric. From time to time, I suddenly realize that I'm playing the same stuff over and over. When that happens, I've been trying to find something new and difficult to learn. It usually takes me weeks to work it out, but it keeps me interested.

I just picked up the book "Finding Robert Johnson" and it has a lot of unique tunings. Not quite ready to tackle this, but it is very interesting to see how limitless guitar can be.

Nice idea about pizza and beer. You're right. Who could resist.

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on August 23, 2015 at 1:25am

Guys, We all hit those highs and lows.  I really recommend Pandora radio for enjoyment and learning new songs and artists.   Inspiring, fun and humbling.  

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on August 23, 2015 at 4:03am

If you can, play with other people. You will be forced to up your game.mPizza and beer bribery works, too.

If you get in a rut, try playing the weirdest chords you can invent. Break out of your standard strumming patterns by forcing yourself to listen to hours of reggae chank, until you discover the subtle underlying rhythms. Listen to lots of different music. Try jazz. Try combining jazz, country, and blues, with a reggae beat. Wear "interesting" clothes. Learn to Fingerpick. Learn to flatpick. Create 5 against 2 rhythms. Use a drum machine. Have a drink for each time you screw up a lick.

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on August 24, 2015 at 11:14am

I stream music off Amazon Prime and I'm happy to see Captain Beefheart is in good supply.  I don't know enough of his stuff, and it certainly is all very interesting.  Interestingly, "Ice Cream for Crow" was probably the first music video I ever saw.

A newer member here lives just a couple miles away and he plays uke and banjo.  We see each other regularly at Caffe Lena and we have an idea to try to play "Chocolate Jesus" together.

Getting out and playing open mics like I have every month since February pays dividends, but you have to keep upping the challenge or that becomes the norm too.

Have a drink for every mistake. . . sounds fun.

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Permalink Reply by Scruggy on October 10, 2015 at 2:21am

Playing with other people sounds like great idea but if you dont have that available is there any online source of playing with other people over the internet?

be an idea to start one if there isnt dont you think? skype jam anyone?

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Permalink Reply by Mr.melo on August 23, 2015 at 10:29am

HMMMMM...Very good question

Motivation i think can mean alot of things...start maybe by surrounding yourself with alot of friends who like to help you..a great place is.... well...this site.(.see if you can get inspired by the surrounding people)..and dont be afraid to ask what worked for them..ex.. i learned alot from..Bemusic. Mike Snowden..Shane Speal..Darren Brown..Railroad john..Uncle John..A.D. Eker..downtown Vinnie..lots of exciting players ..aswell dont be afraid to ask questions..tuning..kept that simple always too my vocal range....using oh say can you see tuning..thats pretty much it..oh..one last thing..Have fun..ive been doing this for only three yrs..so far ive sold a few..and aswell written a few..im still learning ...so please.. just be easier on yourself and have a rockin time....Try not to look down at what your playing let it come naturally..maybe u will hear something u like that may do it too!!!

Melodeeman

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Permalink Reply by evanmars on August 24, 2015 at 5:53am

I've been listening to the "Bluesville" station on SiriusXM during my half hour drive to work and back.  Definitely some inspiration there.

I will just have to work on not getting frustrated because I can't play yet.

On the other hand, I'm definitely having fun building!  Just finished my first fretted CBG with piezo pickup. Pretty shallow box, not much volume unplugged.  Now just have to wait until the components for my amp (Ruby) get here.

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Permalink Reply by Eric L Kelly on October 23, 2015 at 12:32am

We were frustrated by the fact that this manufactured crisis even happened in the first place but we were motivated to get up and make our voices heard. You can use this best essay writing service for any future writing help.

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on October 23, 2015 at 5:15am

Eric, not sure I follow your posting.............

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Permalink Reply by Angry Rooster Guitars on October 23, 2015 at 2:40am

Evanmars, it sounds like you are in the same boat as me. I've tried learning guitar in general and give in to frustration each time. For me, I want immediate results. I've always been pretty handy and enjoy standing back and looking at the room I just remodeled....car fender I just straightened out and painted, furniture I just built...and now, the cbg I just finished. I've always caught on pretty quick and made stuff look good the first time. Trying to play guitar, I don't have the same luck. So for now, I'm just accepting that maybe I'm just a cbg builder and not a player.....maybe I can make a better impression by being the builder. So eventually, build after build, I'll play around with each guitar and maybe by the time I retire, I might learn to play a tune or two.

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