Funny thing, I just got out my guitar before supper and did some finger picking. Need to change strings on all three of my guitars. The nylons ones on my Classical are the worst. The ups and downs in temps and humidity have played havoc on the tuning. But it was fun and soothing to play a few songs anyway.

How 'bout you, Kt, been strummin' any old or new tunes lately?

Julie

I want to change strings also.

Since I've had a break from watering, I have spent more time working out in the country before the days get too short. When that does happen, then I'll have much more time for things including picking the guitar...can't wait.

Kt

I also need to purchase a new Footstool, because the wooden one I have now is heavy to move around, and it's actually too high. An adjustable one should work better. There was nothing like that when I first took lessons. Modern technology is awesome.

Julie

I'll look into 'Appalachian Dreams'...sounds interesting.

Kt

That's the way I am with sewing.

Appalachian Dreams is a suite for solo guitar.
It's 12 pages long, and contains many American folk tunes that were brought over by the Irish, but some are indigenously American. For example, 'Shady Grove', 'Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair', and 'Katy Cruel'.
The suite contains nine songs , all specially arranged by John Duarte for classical guitar, and performed by Sharon Isbin on her CD: "Dreams of a World" (which I'd like to get someday.)

There is one song I'm particularly interested in playing, called 'Darling Cora'. According to the program note in the beginning of the music scores, Darling Cora...appears from the lyrics to have been a pistol-packin' mama (and is treated in that spirit.)

You can hear Sharon Isbin play 'Darling Cora' about seven minutes into this Guitar Lesson with Sharon Isbin.

You may or may not want to listen to all her tips and techniques before she plays the song, but if you do watch the whole thing, you will get an idea how I hold my guitar when playing Classical style. My left foot needs to be raised up on a footstool in order to position my guitar correctly...much different that flat pickin'.

That song will take me a very, very long time to learn, since I'm so terribly out of practice. She also has longer fingers than I do, so I may not be able to make all the reaches she does, in which case, I have to adapt the song to my reaching capabilities.

Julie

J

Been playing Silent Night, and a whole variety of other pieces from classical to folk to modern. My left hand is getting stronger, fingers can stretch farther, and skill is improving. Feels great! (both physically and emotionally)

Thanks for bumping this post up!

Julie

Kt

Tonight I sat for an hour playing through a few of them, and came across a copy of 'Drift Away'. I have to ask you if I ever gave you a link to that song. It was clearly copied off the internet, because there's a web addy on the bottom.

Anyway, I found a few incorrect chords!!!!!
Wow! I'm amazed I didn't catch that earlier...I must've printed it with the intention of playing it, but set it aside under a stack of other songs. The guy who posted the song forgot to add a sharp sign to the F chord.

It seems that we may have talked about that song in one of our conversations...but I might be imagining things. But let me know if you have a link that I may have shared, so I can let you know of any corrections.

It's nice to have my music arranged in orderly fashion, after years in disarray!

Julie

I guess that's why it's good to have it all organized like you do! I'll look some more...I'm sure I put it in a safe place where I would remember it would be.:)

Kt