Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Henry Dervaric on February 15, 2011 at 4:35am

Don't get discouraged about playin. Lots of very good guitar players in history have been missing digits.

I technically suck at playin, but I LOVE just sitting back with a 3 string tuned GDG and kick the crap outta the strings seeing what I recognize and can turn into a tune. Working on "Paint it Black" by the Stones right now.

My wife is the same. "What are you going to do with them all?" So I gave her my first Canjo build. She keeps buggin me and she'll have more.

 

Glad your feelin ok and keep kickin the crap outta the strings. If it sounds good to you thats all that matters.....

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Permalink Reply by Henry Dervaric on February 15, 2011 at 4:44am

I'm enjoyin these guitars more and more, I've got 4 "store bought" guitars and haven't picked them up in months since I've started buildin these.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Werner on February 15, 2011 at 5:14am

I didn't start building guitars until recently, having about 30 years of "real" guitar playing under my belt.  I have only built instruments to play/experiment with... Never intended to go into business as the idea of building a "generic" guitar over and over is pretty boring for me.

Don't get discouraged; if you're starting out from scratch it's one of those things that will only get better with practice.

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on February 15, 2011 at 5:19am

Half the fun of building them is playing them, even if badley like myself. Just keep plucking those strings and building, the playing helps the building get better too.  To answer your question, yes, lots of us build who don't play so well, or at all. Its all fun.

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Permalink Reply by mark "mudcat" quigley on February 15, 2011 at 5:48am

not complaining -- i enjoy the heck outta it.  i'm trying to find out if i can find some mojo in an IV bag somi can infuse it along with my dialysis treatments every night--if i do    LOOK OUT

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Permalink Reply by Henry Dervaric on February 15, 2011 at 5:54am

You need to get your IV fluids shipped up from a hospital in Missisipi. Gotta be full of mojo........

 

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Permalink Reply by Jason Hitesman on February 15, 2011 at 6:03am

Been trying to learn to play guitar since I was about 6.  Never had much luck.  Learned other instruments (Trumpet, piano, enough sax/clarinet to embarrass myself) but never been able to get the hang of anything with strings.

 

Until I built my own 3 string.  Or at least built my 2nd 3 string (First one is really tricky to play due to how it was built but you have to start somewhere!)  Now I still can't play very well and won't do it in front of other people unless either I or they have had a few drinks (or both have) but it's starting to make a lot of sense.  Mentally it's coming together for me finally after almost 30 years of trying to learn...physically I've still got a lot for my hands to learn.

 

For me at least though a big part of it was simply the size of the instrument.  I've never been able to get my hands around the neck of most 6 string guitars.  Reaching for the bass strings my palm ends up muting the high strings.  Fingers are just too short and palms too fat.  But on the 3 string that's not a problem.  

 

That and I really enjoy building, and honestly can't imagine building an instrument that I can't at least play a little bit...just seems somehow dishonest to me.  Otherwise how would I know if it plays well and if don't know if it plays well how could I present it as an instrument?  So learning enough to be able to play a few little things just seemed like it was necessary if I was going to keep building and/or build for other people.  

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Permalink Reply by Doug Davenport on February 15, 2011 at 6:26am

  I'm catching onto the building process very quickly. Playing...not so much. But it's been a helluva lotta fun anyway. My second build  ( and my practice time) has been slowed by dismal weather, OT at work, and Honey-Do's around the house.

I'm hoping to have 6-8 guitars, all basic three string builds like my first one, finished by the time the weather warms up. I'll be giving them to my sister and her hub who have a web site and vend at flea markets  and craft shows. Everything they market - metal sculptures, wood furniture, whirly-gigs, and other artsy fartsy items- is made from salvadged, re-used, or recycled materials. CBGs fit this catagory very well.

It won't be a money making venture for me. It might draw some more attention to their site or vendor space.

I'll keep learning to play. BTW, my wife has bestowed upon me my official blues guitar player name, Annoying Ol Batsard!

In

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on February 15, 2011 at 7:34am

Well, as player and not a builder, I would like to throw in my two cents worth. Why not consider building a CBG for a local guitar teacher? This way, you will get good constructive feedback about the function of your builds. Is the intonation correct, action too high, frets in the correct places, etc? You could also take some lessons, after the teacher had some time to experiment and explore. Seems like a win - win situation.

On my instructional video CDs, I offer ideas for students to explore the fingerboard, and also realize how music functions. Most skills are a blend of art and science. You need the mental knowledge first, and then you put it into physical practice. Even with video instruction, learning by yourself is rather challenging. Think if you had no assistence from all the fine folks here on the Nation. If you just went ahead and starting building all by yourself. You would have learned a lot mainly by making mistakes and not repeating them the next time. Unfortunately, this also wastes a lot of time and materials too.

If you want to learn to play CBG, look outside yourself, and get some instruction. I attended many seminars and private lessons before I started teaching. Although, I think you will find my lessons very helpful too consisting their reasonable price. Additionally, always feel free to write to me if you have any musical questions.

Most of all, just like building, be persistent, patient and learn to enjoy the process. The goal will be naturally appear. Enjoy, Keni Lee 

        

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Permalink Reply by Skeesix on February 15, 2011 at 8:49am

Famous guitar players missing digits....and then there was the guitar player who had an extra digit who got drunk and cut it off with pocket knife because it was in the way of his playing, or so the story goes about Hounddog Taylor.

I like Keni's idea of finding (or making) a teacher.

I always tell people to just get started, and don't stop. In other words, play about 10 minutes a day, every day. It doesn't matter how long you play or how good you play, only that you do play, and consistently. Then you will naturally get better.

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Permalink Reply by Henry Dervaric on February 15, 2011 at 8:58am

I made one for a local instructor at our neighborhood music store. He ordered a second in a week. Now he wants a canjo.........also took 5 more orders from more of the staff there.......and these are people that have access to millions of dollars of musical equipmnet hanging on the walls..........whoever says CBG's are not a legitimate instrument is sadly mistaken........

I've learned more music theory building these guys than any book or video has ever taught me......No offence Keni, I've learned tons from your videos as well.......Thanks, please keep making them.......

 

Keep buildin an pickin an watching videos......

 

Learned about loop pedals today just because of this site which is just going to help me out further.

 

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Permalink Reply by Hip Bone Bellaire on February 15, 2011 at 9:37am

NOPE, I can't play nutton... I got a JVC mixer, a mic, 3 CGB guitars, one electric 6 string and the wife has an acoustic... and you might think I could at least play something... BUT NOPE... and with 2 kids don't have time to learn... But I'm trying.. And I Love the Blues, I'm from Texas, seen SRV in Dallas and My grandfather grew up in Marlin TX, the home of Blind Lemon Jefferson.... Hell I might even be related.... and I guess the good thing about not being able to play well is that you got the Blues...

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