Blogs

Well everybody, I've just spent a week or so away at my parents and I suddenly realised how tired and fatigued I was. Dad got himself a cymera (or something like that) which is a trapezium shaped stringed instrument with each string tuned in a diatonic progression. It sounds really tuneful and would be great with a pick up and a bit of distortion.

I managed to post s pair of photographs of the biscuit tin guitar. A couple of people were kind enough to comment favourably on the solution I came up with in order to solve a bit of a problem with the bridge.

A full size photo of the "cruciform" bridge and of the guitar are

 available on my page on this site.

I've been attempting to really learn the Lincolnshire folk tunes on fiddle as I have the opportunity to play for a few minutes at this Friday's (28th January) Plough Inn, Swinderby Jam night. I'd really like to have the chance to play my cigar box fiddle in public for the first time, It'll be a bit of a pox as I shall be working until 21:00 hours.

Since I got back from my holiday I have composed a couple of fiddle tunes and published the on TuxGuitar. This is a really good site as you can enter the tune note by note on a screen displayed fret board and the programme automatically prints out the music and the tab. To make sure that you've done it correctly it gives you, when wanted, a midi playback of the music you have inputted. You can also define the tuning of each individual string so slide tunings and alternative tunings can be chosen.

Not really cigar box business, but more of a networking thing. I have been asked if I would like to duet on the fiddle with another fiddle player at the Lincoln Drill hall in a few weeks. Hopefully I can somehow get a look in for a future cigar box opener/guest spot

Well, although the weather has been awful, it's been a good week.

The fiddle has been finished with a new bridge and several minor adjustments. I'm slowly getting used to the instrument as it is a bit different from a 'traditional' acoustic violin and it balances a bit strangely when compared to my factory built electric fiddle.

I have also been delighted to see that my cigar box Christmas tune 'Silent Night' was included in the Christmas download for 2010 and I received several good comments from several sources.

I was really pleased because it is the first time for many years that I've made a multi track recording. The instruments used are all cigar box based instruments and included a baritone ukulele, a slide guitar. a stand up bass and a 3 string cigar box fiddle. Several people have asked for a C.D. of the recording.

I have also recorded one of my own songs and posted this on the Cigar Box website. Again a first for a long time.

A colleague at work, after a casual chat, has let me try a guitar multi effects pedal. I'm really enjoying trying this out as I've never used such a device in the past, but I have tried individual effects pedals. One of the interesting effects is a sample system which means a whole lot of fun can be had. I was interested in the effects that can be used with the fiddle in addition to the use of the pedal with my guitars.

So, less than a week to Christmas day. I actually have the day off work this year so I can spend a restful day, luckily on my own, watching television and hopefully staying warm.

A merry Christmas to you all