Kt, I think your strings will arrive before mine...

Julie

Looking forward to tomorrow after work to see if they will arrive.

The strings on my Alvarez are sooo worn out. I can still tune them but it's not like a new set. They just don't sound quite right.

Speaking of slides, I remember that when you pick, the slide needs to be directly on top of the frets, which I didn't do until a friend told me this. It makes a big difference.

Also, I only remember using the slide on the first four strings, and not the 5th or 6th strings.

Kt

Speaking of slides, I remember that when you pick, the slide needs to be directly on top of the frets...
Yes, I read about that when I was browsing yesterday. Can't wait to try that some time. And wearing the slide on the pinkie was also suggested as the best finger, just like you mentioned.

Boy, is it hard to think and type tonight...drugged up with allergy medicine here...hard to concentrate.

Just finished transcribing 'Classical Gas'...three pages worth...tried playing both on classical guitar w/nylon strings, then on my Gibson acoustic w/Silk and Steel strings. I like the sound better on my classical guitar, but it's easier to reach some of the chord fingering on my Gibson, since the neck is narrower. The silk & steel strings are very easy to work, but I'm not sure I like them yet, because they're almost too soft sounding...I sometimes like more volume when I play steel strings.

Babbling....

The wait for your new strings is killin' ya, huh, Kt?

J.

One thing I wish I had more of is wrist strength, when it comes to all that turning you have to do with the nylon strings, especially the 1st and 2nd ones. It will take a few days before all the stretching settles down. You'll be re-tuning quite a few times before the strings stay in tune. I don't know why I'm saying that - of course you already know, since you've put strings on before.

Have fun!

Mine haven't even shipped yet:(

Well now, you got me hooked on the song, 'Carioca'. I purchased the music from musicnotes.com and downloaded it to my printer. 9 pages worth! I found no guitar version, so had to order the piano score. It's also in a bad key for guitar, so not only do I have to transcribe it for guitar, but I have to change the key. Oh well, I enjoy a good challenge now & then. The original song was written in 1933 by Vincent Youmans with lyrics by Edward Eliscu and Gus Kahn. Apparantly many artists have recorded it since then.

Julie

I had big problems with the second string tuning peg mechanism. When I removed the old string, the part that the string goes onto/into raised and didn't respond to the turning of the knob.

After taking it apart three times and working with it, I finally got it to work.

Had quite a time tuning it...round and round.

Sounds great, but doesn't stay in tune real long, as you mentioned.

The porcelain slide is a large(size) and will only fit my pinky finger. On my ring finger, it on goes to about the first joint, so I will drefinitely be playing it with my pinky.

I don't remember what size my other slides were.

Yes, I too like the song 'Carioca', but haven't heard it in a while, which is why the other song stuck in my head for so long while I tried to process where I heard it before. It brings back memories from the late 60's.

Well, I'm off to pick a tune and see how well I actually like these new strings.

Kt

...big problems with the second string tuning peg mechanism...
Sounds like the gear mechanism was loose...glad you got it fixed.

Do you tune your guitar to your keyboard notes?

So how do they sound?

Julie

I have a battery powered tuner that I purchased about a dozen years ago. I really like the way it works. It has lights that, as you pick the strings, matches the string that you are picking, and also matches a center light when the string is in standard tune.

I used to use a horn(?) tuner...blow it and match the tune. I also used to tune the string to each other as you said above..."the 5th fret of a lower string = the next open...etc" which I thought you typed wrong, but then I remembered, "I'm backwards(reversed)" Lower means higher in my head...still trying to correct that.

Also, on the third string, I used the fourth fret to match with the second string...right? Then back to the 5th.

They have a bit of a different sound, more muffled than the others I had, but not a big difference, but I really like them. When I first play, they are great, but lose tuning quickly.

In fact, as I posted a while ago, I put the guitar down, came here and posted, grabbed a quick bite to eat, then picked up the guitar, and it was already out of tune from just sitting there! But, it's getting better.

Strings don't seem to buzz like the others did, apparently from being old.

They are really nice! I will pick with these a while before I change either of my other guitar strings.

Gotta go pick.

Kt

I also have a battery powered tuner for my violin. It clamps to the scroll of the violin and picks up the vibrations from the wood. When its tuned properly, the correct note is displayed in its tiny monitor. The nice thing about that kind of tuner, is that you don't have to worry about other instruments playing nearby which might give a faulty reading to a tuner that picks up "sound waves" .

When I first play, they are great, but lose tuning quickly.
Oh yes, I know. With new strings, they can go out in the middle of a song, esp. the nylon strings. They should settle in a few days. I hope they prove to give a satisfying sound. The more kinds of strings you try, the more you'll develop an ear for the types you like best.
It was so hard for me to advise you as to which strings are the "best", because what sounds good to my ear, may not sound pleasing for the next person (you, for instance.)
Everyone's style of playing has a lot to do with the kind of strings you choose also. Since you are still working, I'm sure you can afford to keep your strings changed on a regular basis. I know you can't play as much in the warmer months, but strings can go bad (out of tune) just from sitting in the case. Maybe try changing strings every three or four months, and keep a record of the kind you like best, and try some new kinds every once in a while.

When I first put the med-hard tension strings on my classical, I didn't like them - they were too stiff. But I soon got used to them, maybe because I'm practicing more lately, and getting strength back in my fingers. Anyway, the med-hard tension makes for some good volume when I strum chords.

Wishing you lots of happy pickin',

Julie
P.S. I will have a bamboo question for you soon. I read about a certain kind in a magazine article, but it's getting late, so I'll look for it tomorrow, and post my Q on the Bamboo thread.

I'm beginning to like these strings even more as I play them. I don't need a loud volume from them. I like to quietly strum them. I occasionally go out on my front porch here at night sometimes, and even a quieter string sounds pretty loud in the night air. My closest neighbour works odd hours and I was told that he cam plainly hear me sometimes at night playing as he leaves or gets ready for work. His son wants to learn to play the guitar. There I go...babbling again, anyway, I like the quieter strings for a quiet setting.

I knew that I needed new strings, but haven't changed the ones on the Alvarez in about two years...maybe more. I'll try and replace them more often, especially as long as I keep playing/practicing. Thanks for the advice!

They are easy on the fingers, that's for sure.

I still trust your advice, even though as you mentioned, everyone may like or hear different sounds when they play, you have been very patient and helpful to me and I really appreciate that!

Also, funny, 'cause I was just wondering how Panda was doing so far, before you mentioned it. Hasn't frosted yet here, but may tonight or tomorrow the way the weather man talks, so I'll see.

Kt

I will look forward to hear how you like either the silk & steel set, or the ph-bronze on one of your other guitars.

Checked on the status of mine - nothing yet. I think the company I ordered from took a very long week-end off:(

Julie

I decided to try a new kind that I had never tried before - the Black Diamond Acoustic Black Coated Phosphor Bronze. And boy, are they black! The coating is supposed to protect the areas of the strings that come in contact with your hands. According to the description, the poly coating helps protect those areas against dirt and grime that builds up over time, giving the strings a longer life. (I sure hope their claim is right, because they cost about $7 more than the same kind uncoated!)

I didn't mean to order extra light, but they weren't labled ex.light, light, med, etc. Only the string gauges were given, and I wasn't careful reading them! Oh well, extra light ought to be really easy on the fingers, but they might be lacking in volume. I have to wait until my Silk & Steel strings wear out on my Gibson before I can even try them out!

I'd better start practicing more!

Julie

I was like a kid waiting on a Christmas toy to come, and I don't get excited about hardly anything anymore.

I broke/split my thumbnail, so picking is difficult. I'll have to wait for it to grow out now...so it may be a while before I get back to some serious picking.

Kt

J.

Either using the chainsaw or moving limbs. I noticed it, and favoured it till I got home and Krazy-glued it, then filed it smoothe.

I repeated this a couple of more times, till today I finally hooked it good, so I clipped it back passed the split, but it doesn't leave much for picking.

I practiced a while ago, and was able to do OK, but took some getting used to after having a longer nail for a while, but I can get by for now.

The strings are sounding better all the time. I don't know if they are actually sounding better or if it is my imagination, but I like them very much. Still tuned them twice tonight.

I don't ever remember having strings that took so many close tunings, but then I didn't practice often either.

Do all of your strings come in a vacuum sealed pouch? I have one set that didn't.

Kt

I don't ever remember having strings that took so many close tunings...
Sounds quite normal to me. My LaBella nylons took a week of regular re-tuning, and not just the upper two, but sometimes the third or 4th. Then for the next two or three days I just had to do a little bit of fine tuning. After a week and a half they're staying in tune. That's just the nature of those nylon strings.

Do all of your strings come in a vacuum sealed pouch?
The nylon ball-end Fender strings are in a v-s pouch. The Black Diamond are in a plastic envelope with a flap that folds inside, and the Elixir set of 12 strings came in a box, about 1/2" thick. I may have to wait until my Christmas break (when I have 2 weeks off) to put the 12-string set on. That's going to take a lot of winding. I have a winding gadget, which might help. My Augustine nylon tie-end strings are on backorder:(

Wishing your thumb a speedy recovery;)

Julie

I planted some multiplying onions today(which should have been done two months ago), got my hands dirty(felt great), but now I have dirty fingernails. Takes some work, but they're almost clean.

I learned to play a simple arpeggio of 'Silent Night'. It's not the one I originally wanted to learn, but I couldn't find the original, so I learned a different one that was very easy.

Do you ever use a thumbpick? I have one, but don't like it very much. It takes some getting used to.

Kt

Silent Night...such a beautiful song, and originally written for guitar. It has such a calming effect on a person.
I just finished puting strings on my 12-string guitar...took me a little over an hour to do it. I have a Silent Night version for 12-string that I arranged many years ago, that is played with a pick. Had to trim my left hand nails back even further, because the strings are so close together, and very close to the neck.

No, I don't use a thumb pick. I had one many years ago, but never really liked it, because I couldn't control it as well as my own thumbnail. I think for a thumb pick to work well, it must have to fit very tightly, and I don't like that feeling.

Julie

How do the strings sound on the 12-string? I believe you said they were Elixir?

I have to(as always) make adjustments when I play songs as compared to others who play them. ie., At one point in the song, where the 1st finger is held on the first string in the 5th fret, and the middle and ring fingers are on the second and third strings in the 7th fret, I have to use just one finger(either middle or ring finger because my fingers are large and I make the other strings buzz). I use one finger and have to roll it as I pick the strings, since I also can't hold both strings firmly enough to keep them from buzzing. Anyway, I'm just talking...I need a bit of work so I can be quicker, but I have the tune down well enough for playing to someone.

Kt

They sound beautifully full!
Some of the strings are plain steel, and some are bronze wound. All light gauge.
I'll try to give you an idea of what the strings sound like.

The first TWO strings, both E, (highest pitched/closest to the floor)of a 12-string guitar are the same as the first ONE string of a 6-string guitar.

The second TWO strings of the 12-strings , both B, are the same as the second ONE of a 6-string.

Now hang on...this gets complicated.
The third set of double strings of the 12-st set is made up of ONE that sounds exactly like YOUR third string on your 6-string guitar, PLUS a thin string one octave higher (G, and high G).

The fourth set of doubles are D's (same as your D, and an octave higher D).

The fifth set is two A's, one octave apart.

The sixth...two E's (One of them being two octaves lower than the first string E, the other being one octave higher than the lowest E, but one octave lower than the first string E.)

Are you still there? Lost ya, didn't I?

To state it more simply, there are actually 10 different pitches being played if you strum all 12 strings, making for a very full sounding chord.

When I play a chord-melody with my med-thick Fender pick, the tone quality is rich with high to low tones.

I found this guy on YouTube, playing finger pick style, with finger picks on all fingers. This is very hard to do on a 12 string...plus he uses a slide.
Bob Halloran

Now here's a guy playing more chords, like I do. He's playing a guitar of the same make as mine (Takamine), but a different model. My speakers on my laptop make his guitar sound a little tinny, but maybe your speakers are better. Anyway you get the idea:
Norweigan Wood

Julie

On the "This Bird Has Flown"(Norweigan Wood) video, it looks a bit easier to play, but also sounds a bit tinny on my computer also.

Isn't it difficult to tune with the strings so close together? I've often wondered about that.

Kt

Julie

Have to put your new strings on any of your other guitars yet?
Learning any new songs?

Julie

I haven't put any new strings on my other guitars yet. I have been playing only the Alvarez since putting the strings on...I really like them.

I have been trying to 're'-learn Freight Train, but haven't given a lot of quality time to doing so. I have the arpeggio of Silent Night down pat.

I brought my guitar with me to the country the other night to play by the fire, but I didn't stay as long as I wanted and I was also dirty and had very dirty hands. I like the way the guitar sounds out in the total quiet of the deep woods. It is completely different than the sound produced inside my house.

I have been out at the country for the past three days burning leaves/limbs/brush etc. Today and on Christmas Eve, I worked only half a day so I went down there after lunch. On Christmas Day I went out there for a couple of hours in the morning. I always think of playing the guitar out there, I guess it also reminds me of when I was younger and we used to play out at the river. Yak-yak-yak...

Anyway, have you learned any new songs? Do you like the new strings?

Kt

Yes, playing outside is a wonderful feeling. I used to take my guitar camping with us, if we had the room. The sound carries more at night too, at least it seems that way to me. If I heard other guitar players & singers in the campground I was always amazed, finding out how far away they were from our campsite.

I've been playing Silent Night too, several different versions in different keys, sometimes on my classical (nylon string) guitar, sometimes on my 12-string. Also played other Christmas songs lately...We Three Kings, Little Drummer Boy, What Child Is This, and my second favorite, (1st fav. is Silent Night), O Come O Come Emmanuel. I love songs in the minor key.

I'm also playing the two recent songs I've transcribed from piano music to classical guitar arrangement - The Lonely Bull, and Carioca. See what you got me into?!?!? I hadn't heard Carioca in such a long time, and liked it so well, I had to create this big long arrangement that's a REAL challenge to play fast! Playing it slow while arranging it was easy. That's a song that I have to keep practicing diligently or my fingers and brain forget the different positions I have to slide to, since it's all over the fingerboard. I'm done with the piano sheets, so I'll give them to Becky (my daughter) who might have fun with it.

Yes, I'm happy with the new strings, but they still need a little tweaking now & then. The upstairs room where I keep my instruments is very cold, then sometimes warms up on sunny days, since we have skylights. The temp changes affect the tuning, but it's only minor. I will never again let my strings go as bad as they did in the past few years. If it wasn't for my daughter nagging me to start playing again, who knows how long they would have been sitting?

Don't ever stop playing!

Julie

Yes, I remember you telling me before that oils and dirt from your fingers can discolour and shorten the life of the strings(not in those words, but...).

I make sure I have very clean hands before I play now, although I never played with dirty hands before, but maybe not the cleanest.

I keep soap and water with me when I go out to the country and also have some of that waterless hand cleaner, but I didn't take the time to wash my hands since time was getting short and it was Christmas Eve.

If I heard other guitar players & singers in the campground I was always amazed, finding out how far away they were from our campsite.

Back in 2003 on my birthday, I was at White Sands NM watching the full moon rise over the white sand while also hearing a group of young kids(teens or early 20's) singing off in the distance. A guitar and a tamborine was all they had, but it sounded very nice. Someone was very talented.

After the moon rose high enough I tried to see them from the top of one of the dunes but they must have been sitting behind a dune. Anyway, I eventually saw them walk back in my direction and they were at least a couple of hundred yards from me before I even saw them, so who knows how far away they actually were. I haven't thought of that in a few years.

Yes, temps DO affect the tuning...even on my trumpet.

Don't ever stop playing!

Yes, I agree. I just wish I had proper tutoring when I was younger. I am satisfied though, with how I am at least able to play now.

I am very grateful for all of your help!

Kt

That's very interesting and admireable how you are able to write down your own music.

I can read notes for my trumpet/cornet, as you know, but haven't ever taken the time to match guitar chords with those notes. I've made some headway with help from the chart that you posted for me a while back, but I don't take the time to really learn them, but I will someday.

I do good just to change my strumming on the song, "You Are My Sunshine" which was the first song that I learned to play way back when I was just a kid.

Kt

There are so many ways 'You Are My Sunshine' can be strummed, according to whatever style you're in the mood for (not sure that sentence made sense.)
For example, straight chord strumming down-up is an easy style for singing along with. A bass-chord pattern would also sound great, or bass-chord-alternate bass-chord. I would have fun playing a jumpy finger pattern, which I won't even try to describe here, but it might sound similar to John Denver's finger pickin' style.

O.K. I'm jabbering too much.

Julie

You stumped me on that one, but it reminds me of the video we had posted earlier of the guy playing "You Are MY Sunshine" where he would let up on the strings a bit and the sound was ended or stopped or made a 'beat' sound(I can't explain it the way you did earlier), but anyway, that is what I do on some of the notes.

I'll see if I can find that post and then re-post it here.

Kt

Sorry to confuse you.

The pattern isn't a percussive effect, like stopping/muting the strings as in the video you're talking about.

What I meant to say was that the right hand fingers jump around from string to string in a very fast manner while the left hand is holding a chord for 4 beats (or 8 or 12 or more).

I sometimes play one string of the chord, say for example tha bass, then I may play three strings of the chord, or one or two, but not necessarily in order from lowest in pitch to highest. The finger pattern is all over the place. Plus, I throw in a few hammers here and there.

Now I suppose I have you more confused.

Tell you what...I have ooodles of time on my hands tomorrow, so I'll see if I can diagram a sample pattern for you and post it here. Today I'm busy getting food ready for company later. I just happened to sit down for a short break.

Julie

J

I had to get out my guitar and play it to remember the chords...strange, huh? I guess my finger memory is better than my brain memory.

I do a single string pick sometimes, but for the most part, I play the A, then the D, back to the A, then back to the D, then A, then E, and finally back to the A.

So, A,D,A,D,A,E,A. Strums can vary depending on what I want to play.

Below is one of the videos where he let's up on the strings giving it a 'beat' sound to it. This young man's version is different, but it gave me the idea for the string thing...I'm sure you know the name for it.

You Are My Sunshine

Kt

I wanted to write the pattern for the whole chorus, so I printed some tablature manuscript paper (free) from the internet, and wrote right hand fingering patterns for all three chords (A, D, and E.)

Basically, just remember the finger pattern I'm giving you is two measures (or 8 beats) long. It repeats itself over and over, with a few variations in the bass strings, depending on what chord you form.

The chords used are written above the tab staff. (Just start with the "A" chord and keep playing it until you see where I've written a new chord.)

The tablature lines correspond to the strings of your guitar. The top tab line is the 1st (highest pitched)string. The bottom tab line is your 6th (lowest pitched) string.

Right hand fingering:
T-thumb
I=index finger
M=middle
R=ring (You can leave this one out if you don't care to use it for now, then add it later if you so choose.)

I put stems on the fingering, so you can read the correct rhythms. Let me know if that part is confusing.

When you see I,M, and R fingers written together (vertically) that means you play them together. A variation on that part of the chord would be to strum all three strings (downward) with the back of your index or middle finger, or ring finger, (or all three.)

If you learn the first two measures, you basically have the pattern for the whole song, so maybe you'd want to spend a great deal of time JUST on those two measures using the A chord. Oh, and by the way, that pattern can be played using different strings of the chord, so if you hit the "wrong" string in the finger pattern, it will still sound good, because your left hand is forming the A chord.

I hope all this isn't too confusing. If I've left anything out, PLEASE ask!!

Remember, learn the pattern very very slowly. The speed will come all by itself. There's no name for this pattern, it's just one I made up. I tried my best to leave the ring finger out as much a possible, since you don't care to use it too often.

Also, let me know if you can read this O.K. or if it's too small. I can make the file size bigger and send it e-mail if you want. When I scanned it, the original file size was over 10 MB! So I reduced it for easier loading.

Anyway, enough of my jabbering, here it is (Enjoy!):

Julie

P.S. I just though of one more thing - At the end you can see that it ends with one strum of an "A" chord. When you sing/play the whole song with all its verses, you will want to play the second half of the basic pattern instead of that strum. I hope I haven't left you dizzy!

J.

I tried it a little while ago, but it's going to take some work. I don't have long enough nails on my middle and ring fingers as of now to pick the strings with...too much work out in the country, which broke them short.

At first glance, I thought it was going to be difficult to read and play, but you did a great job, and it is easy to follow. My biggest obstacle will be using my ring, and sometimes my middle finger, that is, until the nails grow out some.

I picked it as best I could with what nails I've got, and it sounds like a very nice version of the song. If nothing else, I can go through the motions and then I'll have it down by the time my nails get long enough.

You are too kind!

Oh, and I can read it alright. No need to resend it. If I decide to print it out later, I may need a clearer copy, but on my computer screen, it's fine, and that's all I need.

Great idea to put the stems on the fingerings! That helps a lot.

Now, I know that I have to pay you something. I'll get even with you somehow!

Thank You Very Much!

Well, off to practice some more!

Kt...(Who is happier than a bird with a french fry)

It's great that you had trumpet lessons, so you understand rhythms. I just got through playing it again myself and realized I need to explain something else about the rhythm though. The eighth notes should not be played as straight eighth notes, or the song will sound too "stiff". Try and play the eighth notes as long-short-long-short, which will give a bouncier (swing)rhythm.

Technically, they way I'm describing them, 4 eighth notes would be written as:
dotted eighth note, sixteenth note, dotted eighth, sixteenth, giving the rhythm a bouncy effect.
Do you get what I mean?

Anyway, about your comment, Now, I know that I have to pay you something.
Wrong, wrong, wrong...
I'm so far behind in returning the favor for all the great advice you've given me...photography, bamboo care, and the latest was veterinary-type advice for Taffy!

So if you try and get even, I'll just try and outdo you, mister "Happier than a bird with a french fry!"

Julie

Do you get what I mean?

Yes, at least I think so, but I'll get back here tomorrow and play it through and then see if I get it. I kind of played it like that anyway(long-short etc).

I'm finding it difficult without those extra fingernails...it doesn't give me the sharp loud sound, but I'll work at it anyway. For me it's easier to have all nails or no nails at all.

I'll keep you posted and I'll probably have some questions for you.

Thanks Again!!

Kt

Have you had a chance to put those steel strings on your other guitars?

Been strumming any new songs during these long winter nights?

Julie, full of questions, as usual...

Still haven't put on the new strings. House is in dis-array. I've had some work done which kept me out of it til late each night so not much time for practicing. 67F outside now so not much cold here and I'm getting as much done outside as time permits...even after dark.

I've been looking into learning some version of Lover's Guitar. That song has been stuck in my head for weeks.

How about you? Beside Looking Out My Backdoor, have you been playing or learning any new songs?

Kt

OMG!!! What a beautiful song!!!
(Found it on YouTube.)
I can't believe I've never heard it before.
If I had some extra time on my hands, I'd get the CD...I'm sure they sell it somewhere...listen to it section by section, and write a version for myself. I'm going to make a note of it and look into finding it one of these days. It would sound great on steel strings!

Recently I've been trying to play Rattlesnaking Daddy, written by Tommy Flint. I had purchased it about a year ago and downloaded it online. It's a Kentucky blues type song, and very hard to play, because I don't have long enough fingers for some of the reaches. It often calls for wrapping the left thumb around the neck to "finger" notes on the 6th (lowest pitched) string. I simply can't DO THAT! So I have to improvise and adjust notes here and there to fit my smaller hands and shorter reach.

I also dig out my classical books now and then and play pieces that I had worked on when I was younger. Wish I had more time to sit and play for hours like I used to.

I don't spend as much time as I'd like, because I'm still updating my garden maps, observations, and lists. I'm making myself get everything updated and stored on my external hard drive BEFORE I purchase and new Daylilies.

Just not enough hours in the day to do fun stuff!

Julie

Let me know if you find one online somewhere. I found one site but don't know if I should trust the site.

Lovers Guitar

Kt

I buy most CD's from Barnes and Nobel because I have a membership card, and can sometimes buy them on sale, along with my membership discount. They also offer on-line coupons occasionally. I doubt that I'm saving much money, since Barnes & Nobel isn't the cheapest place to buy stuff...it's just convenient.

They can order anything I want, if it's not stocked in the store, but I can't find an album including 'Lovers Guitar'. I don't know how many artists/groups have recorded the song either, so don't quite know what to look for.

If I'm correct, The Electromaniacs first recorded the song, but I can't find any CD's by them. Los Jets also have a version on YouTube, and they have CDs for sale, but their site is all in Spanish (I think.)

Running into a dead end here.
Might have to figure out how to download a version from YouTube...if that's even possible.

Maybe Barnes and Nobel can help me find it.
I'll let you know when and if I locate it.

Julie

Cesar Manalili...Guitar Master

Kt

Julie

I'll try going there on a weekday if I find some spare time.

I did find a site where you can download a version of Lover's Guitar, but you need iTunes to do it, and probably have to pay. I don't have iTunes installed on either computer, so I can't download it. Besides, I'd rather have the whole album called 'Faithful Love', since it has many old tunes that I like.
I'll keep you posted if I learn anything new.

Julie

The other day, I found a couple of finger picks that I used when I used to pick the banjo, but now I misplaced them again. I'm sure I put them in a place that I would remember, which is why I can't find them now...oh well, I don't have a banjo anyway.

Haven't done much picking on the guitar lately. Sometimes when I wake up during the night, I will go outside and pick for a few minutes on the porch. The nights have been in the 60's and 70's here, so it's nice outside, I just don't have a lot of time.

Learn anything new lately?

Kt

Do you have a Barnes and Nobel down near you?

I've been playing my violin and piano on a regular basis (have to for work), but my guitar playing has slipped, mostly because of all the time I've spent gathering daylily purchasing info. That is finally done, except for a couple of vendors that I'm waiting on e-mail confirmations on availability of certain cultivars.

I'll tell you what I REALLY want to learn when I get some spare time is Cajun Fiddle, (on violin - not guitar.)
I've heard it played many times by different musicians, but can't find the printed music anywhere. Chances are, there's a notation version included in a song book along with other cajun songs, but I don't want to pay $30 for a whole book!

I may just have to learn that one by ear, listening to the YouTube version little by little, and writing my own notation on staff paper. I used to write all my music that way back in the days when I taught private lessons. The kids all wanted the latest tunes, so I would tape them off the radio, using the old reel-to-reel recorders. It was very time consuming, but somehow I did it, then made copies on my own stencil copier for my students. (If only I had a scanner back then!)

We all get caught up in daily life, work, chores, etc.
And in your case, watering your plants, saving/potting up your rare and expensive plants, caring for your cattle, etc., etc., etc. that there's sometimes so little time for relaxing fun things.

My music room is very messy right now, with various sheets of music strewn all over, plus song books that I've collected over the years. I was getting pretty good sounding there for a while during the middle of winter, but now, as the snow is melting outside, and I'm able to get out for about 30-45 min. after work each day, I have to take advantage of the daylight to clean up outside. Then there's all the work that keeps us women forever busy around the house, etc., etc., etc.....

Oh, but when I retire, (hoping for June of 2010) I can really do some serious practicing again...

Is the work on your house done, (that you mentioned back on Feb. 6th?)

Julie, making a sticky note to call Barnes and Nobel in the next couple of days......

Great to hear you do your best to play when possible and also that you still show interest in music and are always looking forward to future learnings. I have slight arthritis that flares up now and then, but it hasn't been a real problem...yet, but I wish I spent more time learning when I was younger.

Yes, the work on the outside of my house is finished...finally, for now that is, but will eventually need some more inside work, which can wait. I like to build and remodel, so if I get time, I will do the inside work in my spare time, well, if it ever rains again that is, then I may have some spare time one day.

Good Luck with your plans for retirement. I hope it works out for you, especially with todays economy. I heard today that all credit card debt will be cut in half...but that's another whole story, and I don't even want to get started.

I like the Cajun Fiddle video above, but then I like all Cajun music. It's a lot like polkas and waltzes.

Kt

In the far back corners of my brain, there's a small chance that I may continue working past 2010. However, in order to do that, I'd have to take 6 more credits in order to renew my license. (Have to do that every five years.) I really don't want to do that, but it's an option.

My hope is that when the DOT purchases 1.6 acres of our land, that all or most of our home mtg. will be paid off, so we hopefully won't have that monthly payment to worry about. (in my dreams....)

Anyway, I stopped my Barnes & Nobel after work, since it was on my way to my folks' house. The man in the CD/DVD dept. said they don't usually order something outside of what they have stocked in their nation-wide stores, but he searched for the album, 'Faithful Love' for me on line. (That's the album that has the song, 'Lover's Guitar'.) He couldn't find anything by that title. I explained that I found that album on a site in CA, but was leery of purchasing through that site.

He understood completely. Some of those places just want to get rid of old merchandise, and are sometimes involved in bootlegging and burning CDs. You may not even receive the product you pay for.

He suggested Amazon.com or Ebay, because you're dealing with more people who can protect you.

I did a search on Amazon.com, and came up with a couple of Cesar Manalili's albums, but not the 'Faithful Love' album that contains the Lover's Guitar song. It appears the vendor (Reflections of Asia) is the same one as the link you posted back on Feb. 7. Maybe the album 'Faithful Love' may still pop up on Amazon, and if it does, I would think it would be safe purchasing through Amazon.com.

The only advice I can offer at this time is to keep checking A.com, and maybe someday the album 'Faithful Love' will become available.

Here's what I found.

Julie

Kt

Yes, I now see that...'The Guitarmaster's Greatest Hits' also has L's G.

Sorry, I wasn't much help.

Julie

Next time I go to the city, I'll find a cd store and see what I can find or order.

Thanks for your help.

Kt

I had a particularly frustrating day, dealing with people at work today, and I'm very tired, because I've had a couple of nights tossing and turning, and waking up, then not being able to get back to sleep...my brain just won't shut off lately! Plus I'm crabby because our weather has turned bitter again, and I can't get out to enjoy working in the fresh air....whine, whine, whine.

Soooooo, I decided to get my guitar out and play for the last hour or so, and finally soothed my soul. I found some old arrangements that I wrote a very long time ago, and among them were 'Gypsys, Tramps, and Thieves,' 'Turn, Turn, Turn,' and 'Just As I Am.' Maybe tonight I'll get some decent sleep.

Julie

Weather got cold here again, after several days in the 80's. I, too, miss the nice weather and being able to work outside in comfort, but, if we get rain, then it can stay cold.

I also pulled out my guitar a while ago. It needed tuning badly, but then after only a short while I was interrupted by a phone call, so I plan on practicing some this weekend.

I know 'Gypsys, Tramps, and Thieves' & 'Turn, Turn, Turn,' but can't recall 'Just As I Am' but I must know the tune.

Kt

Time to call it a night...........

Julie

It would be interesting to hear your version.

Kt

Like I said before, I can't find a version of 'Just As I Am' similar to the way I play it, but I did find a version that is quite pretty. You will hear a simple guitar melody about 27 seconds into this video, then the guitar will harmonize with piano, and finally a verse w/strings and percussion in the background. I add a lot of harmony, arpeggios, trills, and hammers and slides....to suit my taste.

Just As I Am

Julie

Unfortunately, I already forgot some of the picks I was learning...I need to practice more often.

Days are getting longer, working longer hours, and need more rest, but always enjoy some night time picking. I will start watering again this weekend.

Kt

Well, at least you have nice temps at night to be able to sit outside and strum under the starlight, or moonlight.
I wouldn't be able to do that in the freezing nighttime temps we have.

There have been times when I wake up and can't get back to sleep, so I get up and do something quiet, so I occasionally play computer games until my eyes get tired.

Sounds like you have a very busy lifestyle that keeps you from practicing on a regular basis.

That's how I feel with my photography practice (or rather lack of practice.)

I notice that my nylon strings on my classical guitar will soon need changing again. They are not uniformly in tune the full length on the fingerboard. I can tune them so they sound good when I play in the first five frets or so, but if I play higher up on the fingerboard, say in the eighth fret, a couple strings sound flat. That's a clear sign it's time for re-stringing. I think they've been on about four months.

I've been working on 'Apalacian Lullabye'.

Here's a version on YouTube being played on a steel string guitar, which I don't particularly care for (too tinny sounding.) It's much prettier played on nylon strings.

Julie

The new nylons didn't seem to hold up very well on my guitar. I need to tune them again, but won't change them for a while.

I tried playing a while ago when I got home but can't play. Thumbnail hurts. I bent it backwards today. It bled a little but didn't really start to hurt until hours later. Too tender to pick on the down stroke, but OK for upstringing, which I don't really do much of.

Kt

A couple of explanations for the cause of not holding up very well...

First, it may simply be time to change strings, as is the case with mine - they're simply stretched and worn out, and just won't stay in tune.

Second, with your changing temps and changing humidity day by day, that alone will cause strings to go out of tune quickly. Violin strings do the same thing, especially if you play outside once in a while.

Julie

Thanks! I never thought of the heavy air at night here sometimes. I do play that guitar more than the others also.

Thanks for your help!

Kt

Heavy finger pressure against the fingerboard will also wear out strings, esp. where they rub against the frets (abraision), and if you do a lot of bending the strings.
Try to use the least amount of pressure on the strings that you can to get a good sound.

The right hand picking, whether using fingers or a plastic/nylon pick, can also wear on the strings.

Also, try to wash your hands before you play.
Sweat, natural finger oils, and dirt can cause strings to lose their volume and brilliant sounds. Strings with a build-up of dirt and oils will eventually sound dead.
You might want to wipe your strings down with a lint-free cloth once in a while, after you play.

For a hobbiest player, your strings on average will only sound great for a month or less. It's unrealistic to expect strings to sound great (staying in tune) any longer than that.

So, in conclusion, your strings have most likely held up well for the month after you put them on your guitar. After that it's all downhill;)

Time to change them and give the old ones a respectable burial.

Sorry I didn't think of those tips last night, but my brain doesn't function well when it's getting ready to shut down for the night. I'm more of a morning person, with a fresh brain.

BTW, I've always meant to ask you - Didn't you say you have/had a brother that played guitar? Seems to me you said he used to buy his guitar or supplies or something in a certain store that you sometimes go to. Is he the brother you sometimes talk about that has cattle that needs to be sold?

Julie, off to rake gravel.

My oldest brother palys(ed) guitar and gets his supplies at the music store in El Campo, where I go when and if I have time.

My other brother is the one who needs to sell cattle. I think he was wanting me to offer him some of my hay, but I don't have enough for myself. He hasn't sold yet, since it rained last weekend. Maybe we will get more rain in a week or so...wishful thinking.

Why are you raking gravel? Must be a northern thing?

Kt

Raking gravel is a Northern thing for those of us with gravel driveways who find gravel deposited on our lawns by snow plows. My neighbor plows the snow far off our parking pad, well into the yard, early in the season, with the idea that if we get more heavy accumulation, there will be room to plow that snow into the yard, and still have plenty of room to park. Our parking pad in front of the garage is blacktopped, but our gravel driveway is about 500' long, and the plow always drags some of the gravel along with the snow. It's a pain to pick out and rake out every Spring, but it's balanced out by a helpful neighbor who has time to do all the plowing (using our truck.)

Julie

Don't see my brother much, maybe two times a year, and am not sure if he plays guitar much any more. I'll ask him next time I see him.

Thanks again for your help.

Kt

Haven't heard much from you lately on this subject.

Now, I fully understand you had a lot of watering to do for a while during the drought, and probably still DO, plus the fact that Spring most likely requires a lot of other outside chores....

But, just wondering if you ever got any of those other string sets on, say for instance the steel strings?

Julie

I have been picking my '3rd' guitar, which needs new strings, but they sound good yet, at least to my ears, and the strings give a bolder or louder sound. I pick at night when I can't sleep, mainly so I don't forget the pieces of tunes that I know. I do wish I had more time to play/practice.

Fingerstips are tough, but then so are my whole hands since I've been doing a lot of outside work. I just hand dug all the holes for my shed out at the country.

Still no water well...also a no-show from the brushgrinder...and now I am waiting on the contractor to build my shed, which all I need is some help to put up the trusses. I will have the posts in before they ever show up, and I can put the roof on by myself.

Once all that is done, then I will call(for the third time) on a storage building that has never shown up. When I get that, then I can move truckloads of stuff into it from outside on the place and from here.

Then I will put windows in my other shed, some carpet, solar power, and then I will spend time out there and sit on my, yet-to-be-built porch, and strum to my hearts content....someday...

Kt

I would love to play in the middle of the night when I can't sleep, but I'd prob'ly wake up DH, or Taffy.

I just hand dug all the holes for my shed out at the country.
Don't understand you...remember, you're talking to a girl who doesn't do construction stuff.
Do you mean holes for posts that you will nail boards to?
Trusses...triangular structures for the roof, right?

Is your storage building a type of pole barn?

Your 'other shed' sounds like it will be a living area (at least temporarily, until you get your mansion built.)

You've got your hands full, Tex!

Hope all goes well for you, and I hope you get better co-operation from the well-digger and brushgrinder.

Nasty storm is a-comin'...stuck inside, so a good night to do some strummin'

Save those fingernails!

Julie

Yes. I don't have a tractor with a PTO posthole digger, so I used a hand posthole digger. Digging through solid clay. A total of 14 postholes, 3 to 4 feet deep.

Trusses...triangular structures for the roof, right?

Yes. I can build the trusses, but need help getting them up. I have built smaller barns myself using ropes to help out, and larger barns myself with the help of a tractor.

Is your storage building a type of pole barn?

What I am building is a shed(roof only) over two smaller buildings...one will be a temporary camphouse and the other is a metal storage building, like the ones you see stacked up ar shipyards. like these.

They are rodent-proof and you can buy new or used containers with shelving among other things.

There will also be room under the shed for a trailer, tractor, and implements.

Will be adding on as time goes. I will eventually build a solar powered camphouse on my tanks edge along with a viewing tower. Porch over the water, etc. After that, a nice house off in the woods where I am clearing an area out. I plan on being around for a while.

My plans never end...

Kt

Digging through solid clay couldn't have been an easy task! I hope the ground was somewhat moist from all that rain you had a while back. I can't imagine digging through dry, hard-packed clay.

Those metal storage units are similar to the rental storage units we have all over the area up here. Usually there are dozens of them all lined up where people store furniture and other belongings. Great idea for keeping tools and supplies locked up. The extra shelving would surely be handy.

I'm curious about one thing though...will you have some kind of base under the shed, like a cement slab, or gravel? I only ask, because I've known machinery/vehicles to get awfully rusty just sitting on bare or grassy ground. At least up HERE in our area, where there is so much more rain, that's what happens to the undersides of vehicles.

You have a good outlook on life, to keep planning, and looking forward to the future, keeping very active!

Julie

...will you have some kind of base under the shed...

The original guy, who is also the brushgrinder guy, was supposed to get me a used storage building over a year ago...several promises later and still NO building.

Anyway, he uses his brushgrinder to level the ground by grinding up roots, stumps, rocks , and soil, then he puts it on some kind of pad, no sure what he was talking about though.

I have cement blocks to set it up off the ground onto. Things rust here unebelieveably fast. High humidity here will rust even a car in no time.

There's a place in Katy, about 45 minutes from here that will sell or rent new and used buildings. I like the buildings since they are virtually indestructable.

I should be hearing from the shed builders any day now...then finally I can get the wheels turning.

First, build shed, then get storage building under it, then build deck, then get solar power and waterwell drilled, then put up a cistern, then, put in a bathroom, then buy a trailer, then buy a tractor with shredder, front-end loader, backhoe, boxblade, and posthole digger.

Then put in two entrances, one with a cattle guard, then build fence, then gravel the roads, then re-dig tank, then clear brush from side of tank for house, then clear area for orchard/garden, then build lookout tower, etc, etc, etc, then sit on my front deck and play my guitar...every day!

Kt

Road salt used up here in winter (for de-icing of roads) is horrible on older cars. We owned three different jeeps in our lifetime, and the fenders got the worst of it...rusting, that is. I think the newer cars' frames and exposed parts are undercoated with rustproofing material during assembly now-a-days.

Your cistern sounds like a good idea, especially during those dry spells. I can't say I've seen any around here.

Man, you wore me out, reading about all your plans!
Sounds like you plan on moving EVERYTHING to your country place. You must take ENERGY PILLS!

I imagine you will be taking photos of your projects from start to finish. It sure would be nice if you could start a "Dream Country Home" thread here on the gallery side so we could all see your progress....just a thought.

I wish you the best of health., so you can carry out your mission, Tex!

...and keep pluckin' those strings...;)

Julie

Probably not. Above ground cisterns would freeze in your area, and maybe even below-ground cisterns.

The town of Cistern is about 30 miles from here, and is named for all the cisterns that were dug many years ago. Many exist to this day, although the township is almost gone.

I want an above ground cistern so I have water pressure from gravity flow.

Sounds like you plan on moving EVERYTHING to your country place.

Yes, that will be my final place to live. I have lived in 13 'permanent' places in my life, and several temporary places. Tired of moving.

I wish you the best of health.......and keep pluckin' those strings...

Thank you very much. We don't have anything without our health. I do what I can and work around the parts of me that are hurt and healing.

I picked some today! Got some rain yesterday, so it gave me some relief from watering and I put that extra time to good use...strumming!

Kt

13 permanent places...Good Grief!
I've only lived in Five!
The moving part is exhausting, I'll say, especially if you've collected many personal belongings throughout life, and can't bear to part with them.

We don't have anything without our health. I do what I can and work around the parts of me that are hurt and healing.
Yes, I know what you mean. I have stretched something in the back of my right leg, and it happens every year, mostly from mowing for long periods of time, then overusing/stretching my legs while gardening. But I keep on going, no matter what, or nothing will get done to my satisfaction.

Good to hear you got some strumming in yesterday.
The neighbor girl wants me to teach her some beginning guitar lessons, since she got a guitar for Christmas. She recently took care of Taffy while we went up north for a weekend in April, and she wouldn't take any payment...wants guitar lessons instead. So I'm waiting for her Mom to buy her a good method book, then I'll get her going.

Julie

The ones I looked down into were a few thousand gallons at most, some smaller, but all looked like a regular hand dug water well above ground...you know, with the rocks in a circle a few feet above the ground. Below the ground, the cisterns 'belled-out', some about 15 feet wide.

I saw similar cisterns used by early settlers(pilgrims) at Washington On The Brazos, when I visited there back in the '60's.

It has to be quite rewarding to teach a young child something that they will remember and use throughout their life. Your neighbor girl will always remember you.

Kt

It's very easy. Looking for it on You Tube now.

Kt

J.

I thought he might be Ricky Van Shelton's son, but there's no relation. In fact, I think Ricky's last name is Van Shelton, and not Shelton. Just talking.

Here's the closest that I could find to the way I play it. Sung and played by someone else.

Some Beach

I'll see if I can find a better one.

Kt

I had a hard time understanding the words on the link you provided, partly because his guitar playing is louder than his singing, and partly because of his "accent". (I s'pose you sound exactly like him, huh?)
Anyway, I had to look up the lyrics to understand what he was singing.

I did find this video, which was a little easier to understand. Blake Shelton

Yes, it sounds like an easy one to sing and play.
Do you have a tenor voice?

Julie

Accent???? Wow, you must be a real far north yankee!! I hear a little 'twang' in some of his words, probably just how he sings, but no accent noticed.

I have a bit deeper voice when I sing, than his in the video, and have a hard time singing higher notes for long stretches.

I was always the 'bullfrog' singer in the Oakridge Boys or Statler Brothers songs. However, I can yodel which takes a higher pitched voice at times.

I may have been pretty good if I had more practice or some coaching when I was younger.

Tenor voice? I have a very deep voice even when talking...deeper than anyone I know.

Kt

Ya, well, I've been accused of sounding like a Sweedish person when I say "Ya! Ya know?" That would be comin' from my Dad's side of the family. He can make his voice sound like a native Sweede!

If you only hear a little twang, then you MUST sound very much like him...which to me sounds like a very heavy Suth'en draaaaaawwwwwl!

If you have a very deep voice, then you must sing Bass.
And when you talk, I bet your voice can sound very commanding when needed, but I bet your cattle find your deep voice very soothing.
(At least, if I were a cow or bull, I'd consider a deep voice music to my ear.)

My Dad always sang Bass in the choir, but when he talks his voice is mid-range...interesting.

If you have a higher pitched yodel, you're prob'ly using your falsetto range.

Julie

Back Home Again
Have guitar chords to that one...used to play/sing it all the time...one of my favorites...Thanks for sharing.

Again, you're welcome.

For some reason, Jan's post reminded me of that song. If you can post the chords, I can figure out where they go.

I think there's a D, G, and an Am, not sure of the other chords...maybe a D7.

I still have to look up their 'names' each time I talk to you about them. I know them by sound but not but letter or name....one of these days...

Thanks

Kt

I don't know what chords the original song was written with. I used to listen to recordings and jot down the chords I heard, then, if the song wasn't in a good key for my singing voice, I often changed them to suit my range.

When I post them tomorrow, you'll have to let me know if the chords suit your 'Bass' voice. I can easily change the chords to match your singing range.

Until tomorrow...

Julie

First of all, in the video that you provided the link for on the "other side", the recording is in the key of "F", which is hard to play on guitar. I doubt that's the original key though, because John Denver would have written the song in a key that's more suited for guitar playing. Chances are, the video speed is a tad "off" from the original song.

I searched a favorite sheet music download site, and found piano music written in the key of "E", which is half a step lower than the key of "F", and could very well be the original key.

I google some more and found the chords in the key of "E":
Back Home Again - Key of "E"
If you're not used to the B7 chord, that key may not be comfortable for you.

Here's another easier version, that is close to the chords you listed above:
Back Home Again - Key of "D"

Both of those versions are either too high or too low for my voice, so years ago, I had arranged the song to fit my alto voice.
My version is in the key of "G", starting on G, next G7, next C, next D7, back to G, and so on.

Try the links I provided, and if neither one of them fit your voice, let me know, and I'll copy the whole song in the key of "G" for you to try.

Off to work...

Julie

The key of "E" has a harder minor chord to finger, "F#m", swhich you'd have to bar across the second fret.

In my favorite key, "G", that chord would transpose to "Am", another easy one to play.

I think you'd like playing in the key of "D", rather than in the key of "E".

BUT, like I said earlier, if the key of "D" is too high for you to sing with, please don't hesitate to ask about the key of "G" chords. I'd be more than happy to share them with you!

Julie

Thanks Again!!

Kt

J

I'll try again and get back to you...hopefully sooner than 5 months this time...

Kt

I have found time in this busy season to play Silent Night. It's such a soothing song. I'd like to make a written arrangement with variations someday. I have a version in a Christmas song book that is to be played with the sixth (lowest pitched) string tuned down to "D", giving the song a deeper, rich sound.

How about you?
Have you found time to pick/strum lately?

Julie

Yes, they probably need to be replaced, but I am hesitant since one of the tuning keys(pegs) gave me a problem when I put the present strings on, and I'm worried it might break next time I replace the strings.

I actually went out the other week, and visited some friends, whose daughter plays a little, so we picked a little together. It was fun to play along with someone again.

I haven't been playing very much myself though lately. I've been busy with work out in the country and we've been really busy at work, and not to mention buying Christmas gifts and such.

Started feeding cattle again, after a short period of growth when the rain finally started, and now, the ground is sooo saturated, I can hardly go anywhere off-road without 4-wheel drive, but I'm NOT complaining...TOO much rain is far better than NO rain.

Cows/heifers are starting to calve so I'm checking them constantly, and with the short days, I have to do a lot in the dark.

Anyway, back to guitars. I play Silent Night really well now(in my opinion), and everyone seems to really like me to play it. I need to learn some new songs, especially Christmas songs...maybe next year.

Have you replaced strings lately? Did you ever get a slide?

Kt

O.K., I'm a little confused, because last March 21st you said, "The new nylons didn't seem to hold up very well on my guitar"

So, you still have the strings on your Alvarez that you put on about a year ago? If so, it must be hard to keep them in tune, but they must feel good on your fingers.

Maybe you can find a local luthier to take a look at the tuning peg (mechanism) and maybe it can be repaired so you can safely re-string your guitar.

Yes, it is so much fun and relaxing to play with other musicians. I enjoy playing my fiddle with others, too!:)

I can fully understand how "life" gets in the way of wanting to do some fun stuff, but you certainly have your priorities in order...watching over your cattle, especially.

Glad to hear 'Silent Night' is a song everyone likes to hear you play! I bet that's not the only song everyone likes to hear you play;)

My plans to practice for an hour/day have been put on the back burner, since I'm helping my Mom a lot lately, but I'm not complaining. It's been enjoyable. She is cleaning out much of my Dad's collections of stuff (he never threw anything away!) and finding interesting memorabilia. She uncovered some fascinating old photos. I intend to start a new 'scanned photos' thread some time soon where I can share some of these old photos, and where hopefully other new 'regulars' will share theirs too!.

Have you replaced strings lately?
Yes, I replaced my Nylon classical strings a while back, (a second time) when they wouldn't hold their tuning anymore, and I also replaced those on my 12-string. I had replaced those on my Gibson (steel) guitar last winter, and I need to replace them again. In fact, the pkg of strings has been sitting in plain sight to remind myself that the replacment is long overdue...again, 'life' gets in the way.

Did you ever get a slide?
No, not yet, and I'm glad you reminded me. I added it to my shopping list, so I can stop at a Racine store where they should have a collection of them. If I get one, I'll ask YOU how to use it, since I've never tried one. How 'bout that, cowboy?!?!?

I did have a chance to move some furniture around upstairs to make more room for a "studio" section where I can lay out more sheet music and books, and not clutter up my sewing area. Also plan to move various furniture from upstairs to downstairs...but I'm getting way off subject here, and better not ramble...

Oh, one more thing... (but not guitar related)..I took a pic of rufa a couple of weeks ago, STILL GREEN for heaven sakes! Haven't loaded it to computer yet, but will post it in the bamboo thread soon.

Happy strummin'! (Wish I could play Silent Night with you.)

Julie

After tuning them daily or each time I played, they finally 'stretched' out(over a period of a few weeks) and held tuning longer. I really like them, and as long as they sound good, I will leave well enough alone. Lately, ever time I decide to 'fix' something that really doesn't need it, something breaks or worse, then I spend more time and get aggravated needlessly, and time is already too scarce to be creating more work for myself.

I would really like to play a fiddle again...someday. Also, I'd like to get a banjo, but not sure what kind to get. I played a 5-string banjo many years ago, but never got really good with it.

Don't know how much help I'll be with advising you with the use of a slide, but I will do my best.

Sounds like your priorities are in the right order also, with helping your Mom and all that you all have been through recently. Seems we all tend to put others ahead of ourselves sometimes. I think that's a sign of a person with a big heart.

As long as the leaves on Rufa are still green, you're doing great. Even if the leaves do die off, there's a good chance that the culms will remain alive although the tips may die back since they are more cold sensitive, like the leaves.

That's great to hear since I know you've had some really cold temps there...compared to here anyway.

The 14 hours below freezing temps really burnt many of my bamboos. The leaves are completely gone on some of them, but they will survive. We have to get down into the low teens before I worry about losing any of them.

Can't wait to see the pics!

Kt

My rufa that's planted next to the house was buried in snow (from shoveling) for a while. Good insulation, for sure, but the culms got bent over, almost flat to the ground. Maybe that's not such a bad thing, especially since some people bend them over to cover them with plastic or burlap for the winter.

Don't know when I'll get those pics posted, because I still have other things to do before Christmas, but I will try my best to post them early next week.

Back to guitar ... I've also been playing 'What Child is This' and 'We Three Kings of Orient Are'

Speaking of kings, that reminds me of camels. My Mom has a collection of camels that she started when she was a teenager. She has many packed away in boxes. Maybe I can persuade her to get them out so I can snap some pics.

I also like to play 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel'. That's one song that moves all over the neck...very pretty.

Are you playing any other songs?

Julie

Strange silent response....puzzling...

Your strings don't last as long probably because you play much more than I do. I rarely pick up the guitar for mare than 15 minutes at a stretch.

I've been wanting to learn more songs, but I just don't have the time. I get inside earlier, but spend a lot of time on the phone and computer at this time of the year.

I can play 'Yesterday' pretty well and I was starting to plat 'Freight Train' again, but never completely learned it, but I will practice more after the 1st.

I try to stay away from songs that move all over the neck...I guess I try to keep things simple, that is, unless I have a lot of time to practice.

Some neighbours at my place out in the country moved today, and I have been helping them for the past week, and on-and-off before that, get ready to move.

I find it interesting when people collect certain items. It seems everyone collected something at some point in their lives. I collected a lot of things, but like everything else that I do, not to any extreme.

I'd like to see some pics of those camels. Sounds interesting!

Kt

I've been playing it without using the capo on the third, but it does not sound quite as good.

Kt

Took my Mom for a routing Dr. visit this afternoon. My son first had to plow her driveway and shovel the steps to make it safe for her to walk. By the time we returned from the Dr. I had to shovel a path from my vehicle to her steps again. She's doing fine...no changes in the two meds she takes.

Yes, I believe my strings wear out sooner than yours. I should change mine every three months or so, but I often put it off.

Re: Man of Constant Sorrow...The capo on the third fret would make the chords sound higher in pitch than playing without the capo. You must like the sound of the higher pitch, or your voice range maybe sounds better with the capo on the third fret. You could also try the capo on the first or second fret and experiment with the different pitched chords.

I didn't get a chance to play guitar today...too busy wrapping presents. But I did play fiddle with a bunch of advanced students today, which is always enjoyable. I am going to miss that when I retire.

Glad to hear you had time to strum a little tonight.

Julie

They have been a problem for me...trespassing, letting their horses graze my pasture, throwing barb wire into my field, etc. However, I tolerated it since they were going through hard times, but they could have been a bit more 'neighbourly' if you know what I mean.

I could go on about my dealing with them, but long story short, they offered to sell me 8 heavy gates, dozens of t-posts and about 16, 8-foot corner posts, and a 4-foot round water trough all for $400. I told them OK, as long as they could put it all on my property including pulling up the posts for me when they moved their horses. They agreed...no problem.

They left yesterday and I went there after work today and only had seven of the eight gates there, but three insead of one water trough...nothing else.

Shining with a flashlight, I could see all the posts still in the ground, with wire still attached. I found the eigth gate and drug it in the dark through 4 inches of mud to my place, but I guess I won't be getting any of the posts.

Anyway, I still got $400 worth of gates and troughs though, but the posts would be nice to have.

OK, I'm though griping.

I'll try the capo on the first and second fret and see how that sounds. It's a bit too high on the third fret.

I like using the capo also since it brings the strings closer to the fret bars making it easier for me to get crisp sounds and less bussing.

Thanks for the tip.

Kt

I wasn't familiar with t-posts or corner posts, (prob'ly since I've never had to put up a fence,) so I did some Googling and learned all about the tremendous tension exerted by wires on the corner posts. Goodness sakes, I can imagine when livestock rob up against those wires (or charge them) that puts tremendous strain on the posts! I can see why you would have liked to have them.

Let me know, if you get a chance to experiment with the capo at different fret positions, and which is best for your playing and singing voice.

Happy strummin' and singin'...

Julie

The Lover's Guitar video was removed from Youtube. I wish I would have recorded it, it was the best sounding version that I've heard.

Any ideas where I might be able to find another video or CD with that great of a sound? We talked about this a while back, but I still can't find one.

Kt

Same here...still busy helping Mom transfering financial assets & doing chores/shopping for her.
Plus very, very busy at work.

I found one version of Lovers' Guitar on YouTube, but I think it's different than the one you provided a link to a while back.

I went back and visited that site (CESAR MANALILI - GUITAR MASTER) where you found the albums for sale, and I did a little deeper digging (how to order.)

As you said, you wouldn't trust that site for ordering, and I agreed. However, I scrolled to the bottom and clicked on the order form and I see that you can pay with a money order, besides personal check or credit card.
I wouldn't trust them with my credit card number or a personal check, but a money order might be a safe way of paying and ordering via "snail mail". You could print out the order form and fill in all info (except the credit card info, of course) and send it in.

The prices seem reasonable. I see that 'Lover's Guitar' is listed on two of the albums.
You've got me so interested that I'm thinking of ordering the album called 'Faithful Love', since it has a lot of songs that I'm familiar with.

What do you think of that idea (sending a money order)?

Julie

Yes, I already viewed both of the videos that you posted above and I too think the first one is very similar, but they are not like the one in the other(cancelled) video.

Thanks for your response and help.

Kt

You've got me really interested in possibly purchasing one of the albums.

I'm thinking of e-mailing them tomorrow, or as soon as I find some spare time, to ask them if they still have the 'Faithful Love' album in stock, and if shipping charges are included. If I get a response, I'll let you know.

Another thing that confuses me is the International money order. Why would I need an international money order if I'm ordering something from a California address....might have to ask them about that. I think an international money order is more expensive than a domestic money order.

Any thoughts?

Julie

I bought two finger slides today:))))
I get a 25% discount on supplies from a local music store, so only had to pay about $10 for both.
One is glass and one is shiny metal. They both fit nicely on my ring finger, although I guess I could use them on my pinkie. I bought the smallest (diameter) ones they had. There were some shorter ones, but the glass was thicker and heavier.

I have no clue how to use them yet, but when I have some spare time I'll check online for some tips. I see the one you bought is black. What material is it made of? There were some brass ones that I could have picked from, but I saw that they would tarnish quickly, and that kind didn't appeal to me. The glass slide is supposed to give a more mellow sound, while the metal one will sound brighter.

Can't wait to experiment!

Julie

You'll like your slides! I play around with them more than actually playing a song.

Some people wear them on their pinkie and some on their ring finger. I like to use my pinkie.

I think my slide is made of porcelain, at least that is what it looks like, and it will give the same sound as a glass one, or very similar anyway.

I've seen a broken beer bottle used and also a piece of conduit. I've heard or read somewhere that a girl used her lipstick container as a slide.

You'll have fun using it!

Kt

After messing around I got flustered because you have to use your left index or middle finger to mute the strings you don't want to sound. That will take some practice.

I'm presently re-learning 'La Paloma'. I have several different versions, and I'm trying it on my classical guitar, and on my steel-string. That song has been around for 140 years. Talk about popular!

Julie

Shipping is $6.00 for 2-3 day delivery,
or $3.50 for first class.

They said they would take a personal check or I could call them with my credit card information.

They answered my shipping charge question just fine, but didn't answer my money order question. (I asked if an international money order was necessary since I would be ordering from the U.S.)

I responded by thanking them for replying to my message, but that I wouldn't be able to pay by personal check or credit card. I reminded them that their web site order form stated that an international money order could be used.

I again asked them if I could use a domestic money order.
I hope someone there understands English.

I'll keep you posted if they reply.

J

I may order from them also.

Thanks for your posts.

Kt

I can save a lot of money by using a domestic MO. It would only cost $1.10 at the Post Office, but an international MO would cost $3.85.

I will try e-mailing them again, hopefully tomorrow, an see if I get a reply. If I don't hear from them, I don't know if I should spend the extra $2.75 and go for it, or not. The total purchase amount would by $19.30 if I go first class with an international MO.

Something to think about.

Will keep you posted...

Julie

Yes, they said they would accept a domestic money order:)))

They wanted to know which CD I was interested in, and they needed my mailing address to determine the shipping charges.

Well now, I'm finally getting somewhere!

Waiting for their final (I hope) reply, and I'll let you know the result.

Julie

Kt

CD - $11.95 + $3.00 S/H first class mail.

So my final cost (including the domestic MO) will be $16.05.

Not bad at all.

If you order from them, you might want to e-mail them to inquire about the shipping, because it might cost less, since you're closer to their location.

They use Filipino greetings and closings in all their correspondence.
I had to google a Filipino to English translation site to find the meanings.
Salamat sa order mong CD.. means Thank you order CD ..
Maraming salamat means Thank you very much.

I haven't sent an order yet, but I will very soon.

I'll keep you posted...

Julie

Yes, I was planning on emailing them first.

Kt

I sent my money order Tues. Jan. 26 via snail mail, so it took only 9 days for my order to get to CA, and for them to send it to me.

I played the CD to make sure it was O.K....sounds great!
Haven't listened to all the songs yet, but I will some time this week-end.

I guess I will try and learn to play 'Lovers Guitar' when I have extra time...another thing to add to my "DO" list when I retire.

Thanks, Kt, for providing that original link, and whetting my appetite to learn a new song!

Julie

I was wondering if you had ever placed your order or not.

Is the 'Lover's Guitar' like the one in that old removed video?

I think I will email them and order as well.

You are welcome and thank you for passing on your success with the order.

Kt

Oh gosh, it was about a year ago that you posted that first version. Do you remember who played it? I remember hearing several versions, each one sounding a little different. All played the same melody, but some added more harmony.

I absolutely love to make my own arrangements of songs, sometimes with half-a-dozen variations. When I get around to writing some notation, I'll pass it along to you. Don't hold your breath, though...It may take me a long time to get around to it. I am trying to do my best at work, even though I'm four & 1/2 months from retirement. I don't want my colleagues to think I'm sluffing off toward the end. I want to go out with people saying good things about the work I've done through the years, (I hope!)

I'll listen to the CD again soon and describe it in more detail, but I can say it is definitely played on electric guitar. If you play the song on your acoustic w/nylon strings, you will produce a more mellow tone.

I hope you will also be successful at ordering and obtaining a CD from "Reflections of Asia". I was a little nervous about it, seeing as how it was not a "secure" site (you know...with the little lock icon not showing in the tool bar,) but by golly, they were true to their promise!

One of these days I'm going to ask Bob how to post a melody here at the test forum. I would first have to load the song on my computer, but I don't have a clue as to how to proceed from there.

Let me know if and when you are successful with an order. If by some strange circumstance you aren't able to get a CD with 'Lover's Guitar' , let me know, and I will some how get it to you.

Julie

Well, I don't know if you're still interested, but I did some listening to three different versions on YouTube, and 'Lovers Guitar' on my CD sounds closest to the Electromaniacs. There is a slight difference though. The version on my CD is a little slower, and not so "tinny" sounding. Could be the difference between my small computer speakers and the speakers in my walls.

I did find another version that is very nice. It features Ernie Delgadofrom the legendary Electromaniacs, playing the song much slower than in his early years, and it's neat to watch his fingers.

I don't remember who played it on YouTube, but it was removed. It was the best version I have ever heard.

My memory tells me that it was titled as Cesar Manalili but you know how my memery has been lately:) and it may have been titled as that, which doesn't always mean that it is played by them, it's just giving them credit for the original.

I would appreciate you passing the notation on to me, but I will pay you for your efforts, or make a trade somehow...plants, etc.

Sorry, again, for the late reply. I haven't been here as much either with days getting longer, I'm sprending more time out in the country getting ready for Summer.

Kt

I certainly don't blame you for wanting to spend as much time as possible in the great outdoors, especially this time of year, when there are favorable temps to work in.
I'm very happy for you, but I'm also VERY ENVIOUS because I'm stuck here indoors, since the ground is frozen and sleeping.

However, it does give me a chance to update my garden maps and lists, and browse the internet for new plants to buy.

Now there you go again, thinking you should pay me for any notation I might pass along to you. You shouldn't think that way, because I would never ask for payment. Arranging songs is one of my passions, so I'm basically doing it for myself, and if I can pass along an extra copy to anyone, I'm happy to do it. Besides, there are others on the internet that arrange their own music, (mostly classical) and offer it free to download. I have accumulated many song scores that way.

Again, let me know if you're successful with an order from "Reflections of Asia".

Julie

We have been conversing over the phone for a while about property lines and a new fence that I will be building and paying for solely.

Anyway, she will not sell the property and said that the old house there is what her husband was restoring when he passed away a few years ago. She can't let go, and I completely understand.

Long story short, she said I could take a look inside. Nothing but halted remodeling, never to be finished, in a state of suspended animation so to speak.

I took a look in the attic and among piles of dust covered belongings...I saw something that caught my eye.

I moved closer to get a better look. By this time she was getting nervous because I stopped talking and she had been asking me questions and I didn't answer, being so fixed on the item in the corner.

Well, it's nothing to most people, but there in the corner partially covered by a duty rag was a squeezebox, and an Hohner Gola at that!

This thing coold be worth thousands depending on how old it is, what model it is, and it's condition, which appeared to be pretty good.

I wanted to give it a squeeze sooo bad but wouldn't even ask for fear of damaging it.

If I had it, I wouldn't sell it anyway. I would keep it and have fun playing it.

Who would have known that inside that delapidated(exterior) old house, was a hidden jewel.

She would not sell it but said it belonged to another family member and she wanted to keep it.

It was worth seeing though...that is, if you like a squeezebox like I do and the music they produce.

Kt

I can understand your neighbor not wanting to let go, at least not until she's good and ready. Does she live in the house?

I want to keep my Mom in her house as long as possible, because my Dad built it, and it's full of cherished memories. We are gradually looking in cabinets, drawers, shelves, nooks and crannies, and finding all kinds of forgotten items.

So, you were speechless, huh, when you saw the accordian?
I confess, I don't know that much about the different makes and models, so I had to research the Hohner Gola.
I now understand why you were excited. The HG seems to be the 'Cadillac' of accordians. I see that they are made to order, to the customer's specs.

I took a tour of this Honer Factory in Germany.
My Mom tells me that her Dad used to play the accordian, but I don't know what kind. She learned to play a few tunes herself. When I was in a dance band, one of our members played accordian very well. I tried to play it a couple of times, and the darn thing was so heavy, I could hardly stand up!

I pickup up a cheap squeezebox at a flea market about twenty years ago, and tried to teach myself a tune, and gave up, because I just couldn't get the right and left hands to work together, along with the squeezing! I ended up giving it away, and now wish I hadn't!

Could you at one time play tunes on the accordian?

Oh, and did you ever purchase a CD from Reflections of Asia, (with the song, 'Lover's Guitar'?)

Thanks for sharing the "discovery" story.

Julie

No, she lives in Katy(Houston). This place is their homeplace and has been in the family for many years.

Her husband was working on remodeling the house when he became sick and passed away sometime later.

I want to keep my Mom in her house as long as possible...

I completely understand, and agree.

I tried to play it a couple of times, and the darn thing was so heavy...

Yes, some models can be very heavy. They have shoulder straps.

Could you at one time play tunes on the accordian?

Yes, I could play somewhat, but as usual, I cannot read musical notes for the accordian. I was taught by watching and by family showing me what keys to press and I learned some simple tunes.

Oh, and did you ever purchase a CD from Reflections of Asia...

No, but I have not forgot about it and I actually think about it quite often...I just have several things higher on the list, but I still want the CD and will purchase it one day.

Thanks for sharing the "discovery" story.

You're welcome.

Walking into a house like that, to me, is like walking into a photogragh. Everything is frozen in time since the last person was there(or like a photogragh, since the photo was taken.) Everything is as it was. I think in pictures and this is like a 3D picture.

Kt

You have quite an artistic nature about you and it comes alive through your senses of sight and hearing (and probably through touch, smell and taste, too!)

One of these rainy days when I'm stuck inside, I want to start working on an arrangement of 'Lover's Guitar'. If I ever get a decent arrangement finished, I'll share it with you.

Julie

One song in particular made me stop and listen, and gave me the inspiration to learn to play it someday. It's on a CD called 'Moonlight Guitar', which features a lot of familiar songs arranged for guitar, but no artists are listed.

I found someone playing a similar version of this song on YouTube.

This guy's really good!

Haven't had much time to play guitar lately, since I'm still spending most of my afternoons out in one of my gardens that's horribly infested with weeds:(

I have quite a stack of new sheet music that I aim to study, and will prob'ly start on it as soon as daylight savings ends.

I want you to keep something in mind. If you don't get around to purchasing that CD from 'Reflections Of Asia', I could burn a copy for you and send it for the cost of postage. Let me know.

Have you learned any new songs lately?

Julie

...since I'm still spending most of my afternoons out in one of my gardens that's horribly infested with weeds.

Nothing's growing here, not even weeds although temps are favourable. Days up to 90F and nights in mid 60's. I'm tired of watering but luckily it's not mid-Summer when the plants would be drinking a whole lot more.

I'm still planning on buying the CD, 'Reflections Of Asia' just haven't gotten around to it, but your offer is tempting, so I will let you know.

Haven't learned any new songs in a while. I did play around a bit with new music a few weeks ago. Whenever I get time to come home for lunch, I will pick up the guitar and play for a few minutes(if I can spare that much time).

Five minutes here...five minutes there. It calms me and is soothing, even as bad as I play. I really need some serious practice time. One of these days...

Kt

I like their harmony, and the soft easy country rock sound they produce on some of their hits.

...I'm tired of watering ...
I can only imagine! sounds like you've had a repeat of this cycle year after year for the past three years!

It calms me and is soothing
Honestly, I can't imagine you NOT being calm-spirited. Playing/creating/arranging your own style of music is good for your soul, and your brain. I think playing an instrument helps prevent alzheimer's disease. (I read that somewhere.)

I like to load my CD player with different styles of music...classical, Spanish, contemporary, country, oldies, Christian...all make the time pass quickly.

Julie

Me too!

Hole In The World

Kt

What a beautiful song!
Five part harmony.
Timely, meaningful message that fits the times.
A respectful audience fully embracing the mood and rhythm.

Thanks for sharing that one, Kt!

You know, I was not all that interested in the Eagles when they were first popular...wonder what I was doing then...I'll have to dig back in my memory.

I sure like them now! Isn't that strange?

Julie

No, I don't think so. My music taste has changed some over the years. I find myself liking music that I didn't care much for years or decades ago.

Some music that I really liked years ago doesn't mean as much to me today even though I still enjoy listening to it somewhat. Many songs have a tie to something that happened or something that I did many years ago, and re-hearing an old song will trigger my memory and I can relive the situation as if it just happened. Now that's probably strange, huh?

Kt

I was still giving private lessons at that time, and my students would have requests for favorite songs. Not too many asked for Eagles songs, which is prob'ly why I don't have any in my collection. I might have 'Hotel California' though, since I remember that one very well....I'll look later.

...re-hearing an old song will trigger my memory and I can relive the situation as if it just happened. Now that's probably strange, huh?
Not at all strange! That happens to me, too...makes me feel young again:)))

Chords for Hotel California

Julie