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  4. Jim W

    Are You Going To Merlefest? (AT35)

    Jim W commented on Noah's episode in Acoustic Tuesday

    Hey guys, Thanks for giving The Local Honeys a shout out. Yes they are legit and nice gals. I've seen them twice in the last few weeks and met them both. I love their CD and look forward to what they may have in store for us in the future. Couldn't help myself. I had to order some fretboard coffee, and T-shirt, and mug. The words "you know you are a guitar geek when" come to mind. Cheers, Jim W
  5. Noah created a club: NorCal String Jammers
  6. Tonya L started following Tonya L, new and returning from hand injury
  7. Tonya L
    Hello! I live in SW Missouri surrounded by old time and bluegrass music. I injured my right hand by falling onto concrete with an open hand. Falling pulled my tendon along with a divet of bone from my hand. I could not play at all for a year and tried to come back last year (when I initally signed up with TAC) but it was too soon. I have been making progress on guitar slowly since February. Although some may not think it a silver lining, I start playing a banjo last year because it is a little easier on my hand. My goal is to learn more about theory so I can write and arrange songs. I have written a couple of simple songs but would like to be able to put some "jewelry" on them and write the obligatory "funky break".
  8. Noah
    Compliments to you on this fine Acoustic Tuesday, Guitar Geek!!! As Spring arrives gazes are drawn towards the tree branches for fresh buds, the ground for tender green sprouts, and of course towards the guitar geek radar to see if any new inspiring things have come up. And boy howdy have they... Here are 5 guitar geek things pinging the #guitargeek radar this week. How does a guitar geek stay properly fueled, hydrated, and alert? You may think bourbon is the answer, but I reckon it is quite the contrary. See bourbon, although it tastes delicious, doesn't do much for hydration or the alertness aspect. However, Fretboard Coffee out of Columbia, MO is here to provide the perfect cup of Joe for any tired and fading fretter. This coffee company was brought to my attention by Acoustic Tuesday Show viewer and fan Troy and when I dug into the coffee I was not only pumped to find out it tastes good, but it also lives up to its name. See the name fretboard coffee is just plain awesome in and of itself, but the coolness factor bumped up a notch when I opened the bag to find a little card sharing what song was playing during the roasting process. Double whammy for us coffee loving guitar geeks; you get a great cup of joe and exposure to a song you may have never heard before. It's like a match made in heaven. Fretboard Coffee also seems to support live music as well have some killer merch available to peruse. So order yourself a bag or two, have a nice long sip and listen to the song that your beans were born to. http://www.fretboardcoffee.com/ http://www.fretboardcoffee.com/shop/ Your Song Changed My Life by Bob Boilen Books about artists and their life fascinate me, my bookshelves at home are covered with biographies, autobiographies, and the like. So this next book was a bit of a surprise to me. Last Christmas Whitney's folks gifted me a book by the author Bob Boilen, entitled Your Song Changed My Life. Now first off, Bob is the creator and host of NPR's All Songs Considered as well as their Tiny Desk Concert Series so this man knows music. This book is a sampling of 33 artists and what song they define as changing their life. It is fascinating, there is enough context around each artist to learn some great factoids about their life and also you get insight into their vast musical interests. Each artist, in discussion with Bob, shares not only the song they define as life-altering, but also the when's, where's, and why's of it. This book is a great read and it's separated in such a way that makes it a great read. http://www.bobboilen.info/ - Bob's Site https://youtu.be/I3NOvTn01gg - Book Interview https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2015/11/18/456191341/bob-boilen-wrote-a-book - NPR story https://amzn.to/2H6hwx2 - Buy the Book This week's artist I would say is from the "old-time" category, but I definitely do not want to pigeonhole them as they are capable of way more than old-time music. It's not often that you hear a new artist that is able to take you back to a time and place long forgotten and only best conjured up by an artist from that very era. The Local Honeys are a group that is basically a time machine. From their voices, inflection, phrasing, and instrumentation these ladies do a great job in teleporting the listener back to a simpler time, yet they are able to freely flow from old-time music on up to more contemporary tunes. The Local Honeys are a made up of Montana Hobbs, and Linda Jean Stokely and the way these gals sing together is addictive. At first, I thought the accents were a bit contrived... and then I did my research... it's the real deal and it is amazing. From slow ballads to craftily written tunes all the way to instrumentals, these girls have it. Their album is a blast to listen to front to back, from the slow tunes to the peppy ones. Also, special note the tune Cigarette Trees is an anti-strip mining song that brought home blue ribbon from the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at Merlefest in 2017. https://youtu.be/4F6k4Xdrj4Q - Cigarette Trees https://youtu.be/XpnXAQ0jF1U - How Mountain Girls Can Love https://youtu.be/yO5jGGHKSjA - Hares On the Mountain https://youtu.be/Z6xla0Q2PIg - The L&N Don't Stop here Anymore https://youtu.be/yy10LoYTBzg - Hills of Mexico http://www.thelocalhoneys.com/ - Band Site http://www.thelocalhoneys.com/album/ - Merch https://amzn.to/2vsL86u - Buy the Album Merlefest April 26- April 29 This weekend, on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, one of the most amazing and inspiring bluegrass festivals will take place. From April 26th to April 29th, 2018 incredible acoustic musicians, music fans, jammers, and all around good people will join together to create the phenomenon known as Merlefest. Merlefest was founded in 1988 in memory of Eddy Merle Watson (Doc Watson's Son) as a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College and to celebrate ‘traditional plus’ music. I owe this festival a huge thanks because although I have never attended in person, I have discovered numerous artists just by checking out who is playing Merlefest in any given year. This year, as always, the lineup is chocked full of pure acoustic goodness, and I am absolutely positive there will be plenty of jamming to be had by any who wish to partake that are in attendance. If you are interested in the festival just check out their website for all of the ticket info as well as all of the other things you need to know to have an outstanding festival experience. https://youtu.be/s0NC_JIJVCs http://merlefest.org/ http://merlefest.org/lineup/ http://merlefest.org/purchase/ What's the point of the CAGED system? At one point in anyone's guitar journey there comes a time where you hear about the CAGED system. You hear how wondrous it can be to unlock the fretboard, you hear about how much it can help with your overall understanding of the fretboard, but when you find information on it may seem a little bit disorienting, and that's ok because I was disoriented too until I figured out the core elements of what makes CAGED so darn useful. See with CAGED you need to know three things: 1.) The 5 basic chord shapes C A G E D. You need to know how to make them, and the most important part, the fact that they can become moveable by converting them to barre chords. 2.) Where the root note is for each of the 5 chord shapes. The Root note is the lowest bass note that defines the chord. Each of the 5 chord shapes has their root note located on a specific string. Knowing this makes the moveable shapes much more useful because now you can name them. 3.) Why Caged is useful. Knowing why CAGED is useful helps with the reason why you need to learn it in the first place. If you have thr "why" you will follow through not only learning it but implementing it. So here are just a handful of reasons CAGED is helpful: It helps with Capo use, it helps with transposition, it helps with alternate chord voicings, it helps you add sonic layers in multiple guitar situations, it even helps you organize scale patterns and see how they connect. It would be hard to break from the show and start teaching CAGED due to technical limitations so I want you to check out video 2 of my foundational five workshop series. In video 2 I go into detail on CAGED and show you how all of the things I just discussed are connected and more importantly how you can do apply them immediately to the guitar. vid 1 is live and people are going nuts make sure to check it out at: fretwiz.com There's another Acoustic Tuesday chiseled on the stone of guitar geekdom. Make sure to tune in to see the full episode and unite with your fellow #guitargeeks. Until next Tuesday, keep your guitars tuned and the guitar geeks uniting. Cheers, Tony
  9. Michael T Michael T changed their profile photo
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  12. Yesterday
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  16. David P

    Peter F

    David P replied to Peter F's topic in Fretboard Wizard Alumni's Start Here

    Nothing wrong with playing your bare thumb, lots of really great fingerstyle guitarists do. Reasons to use a thumb-pick: Your thumb gets sore. No shame in that. It's really hard to build up callouses on the side of your thumb. It can limit the length of time you can play and interrupt "just when it's getting good" You don't like the "dull thud" sound it the flesh of your thumb makes. A thumb-pick gives you crisp bass notes that participate in melody and harmony, rather than just being a rhythmic underpinning. You use the nails or finger-picks on your picking fingers, and you want to match the tone and volume with your thumb. You can't get the hang of picking with your thumb-nail. I get it; the classical thumbnail motion is entirely unnatural and uses none of the natural movements that a thumb can make. I've never understood why classical guitarists stick to their awkward and unnatural motion. Just because "that's what Segovia did" is not a compelling argument. Thumb-picks weren't around where and when he played. A thumb-pick at right angles to your thumb lets you pick with natural thumb movements that you've been doing all your life. You want more speed in your bass notes. With a thumb pick, as with a flat-pick (plectrum) you can use alternate picking (down-up) to double the speed of your bass notes. With a Saddle Thumb Pick (www.saddlethumbpicks.com) you can alternate-pick bass notes without sacrificing the index finger on your picking hand. Side note: Tommy Emmanuel normally plays with a Dunlop thumb-pick. If he needs to alternate-pick his bass notes he uses a flat-pick and uses the middle, ring, and pinky fingers of his picking hand instead of index, middle, ring. But then, Tommy is a supremely gifted guitarist. You play a steel-stringed guitar. You can overcome a lot of the drawbacks when playing a nylon-stringed guitar, but steel strings at much higher tension exacerbate the wear on your thumb and the demands of picking sideways. Also, the notes you produce from steel strings are better defined and louder than on nylon strings, so the tone of your bass notes becomes more of an issue. Advanced finger-style players that choose to play with a bare thumb (as I said, there are a lot of them, possibly a majority) do so because it gives them the tone they want. Ultimately that's the reason for every technique we choose to employ. It's totally up to you and no one will consider you wrong or weird either way.
  17. Jim W Jim W joined the community
  18. Roger Se

    Pierre From Phoenix AZ

    Roger Se replied to Pierre's topic in Fretboard Wizard Alumni's Start Here

    HI Pierre, You have some concerns about the CAGED system. Don't fret! Think of using partial or power chords in each shape. I know the C and G shapes are the hardest to move up the guitar neck when you try to barre them. The more familiar and easier ( easier, thats relative) barre chords are the E and A shapes. The D shape may not appear to be easy going up the neck, but think about just fretting the notes of the D shape and just strum the G, B, E strings to play the chord as you move the shape along the neck. Just remember, you only need 3 notes to play a chord. I'm pretty much a newbie myself after a layoff of over 40 years. I attended my first jam club meeting this past Saturday, here in Illinois. It was great! Talking and playing with other TAC guitar geeks in person was very satisfying. I know there is a jam club in the Phoenix area. You should join them.
  19. Thomas P Thomas P joined the community
  20. charli c
    Hi. I thought I would try the Fret Board Wizard to give me a better insight of the fret board (duh). I have tried taking lessons in the past but I don't seem to have the patience for reading notes. I just want to play. I don't really have a style yet. I try finger picking, strumming, playing melodies with chords. I don't really do it in company as I don't wish to hurt anyone's eardrums or embarrass myself too badly. We may start a Jam group in the Sacramento area with a few of the TAC members. Time will tell. Until then, take care.
  21. Pierre
    Lay down sally I think it's A
  22. Pierre
    I drifted away from the studying for a little while and just played simple songs to keep my interest. I just want to play with friends and not be the odd one out because I am pretty clueless. some of the chord shapes in the caged navigation system seem impossible for me to do, but I do understand it. Hoping just to get better
  23. Chris M

    Chris M

    Chris M posted a Member Map marker in Members

  24. Warren H Warren H joined the community
  25. ROBYN W
    Keith I loved both. Clever man. I am doing this course and I have reached this section but no matter how much time I put into it a tune is not coming forth. Any help would be great. Love your dog Keith and he now has his own song. Thanks for your great work. It has inspired me.
  26. Adam P is attending Jamin Java /Preston Reed
  27. Betty T Betty T changed their profile photo
  28. Jess D Jess D joined the community
  29. Frank M Frank M joined the community
  30. Last week
  31. Robert Carhart Jr Robert Carhart Jr changed their profile photo
  32. Adam P
    Really nice work @Keith "SibeDad" L!
  33. BobGarrity1
    Well done @Keith "SibeDad" L and Spirit. That is a big accomplishment and it sounded very good. Love Siberians and Spirit looks like he's totally connected with you and your music. Looking forward to a duet with Spirit!
  34. Robin S

    Robin S

    Robin S posted a Member Map marker in Members

  35. Rob E Rob E changed their profile photo
  36. Mitchell F
    Brandi Carlisle "Raise Hell". On Craig Ferguson. - In key of: Bm
  37. Don G

    Don G

    Don G posted a Member Map marker in Members

  38. Dan Wemple
    Acoustic Tuesday with Taco Tuesday is a big win.
  39. Matthew W
    Havent checked it out yet but yes a great song 👍
  40. Tom S

    Hey Brian - thanks for the comment. I am hoping to make but I have a family thing that may prevent me from being able to attend. 

    Tom

  41. Jeff W

    Jeff W

    Jeff W posted a Member Map marker in Members

  42. Tom S

    Jeff

    Thanks again for hosting. I may have a family conflict. I would like to attend, but unfortunately it looks like it will be a game time decision.

  43. Claudia M
    #SmallWin# Maybe best small win ever. Up in Montana for a couple days. Among other work stuff, I had to take a guitar to a luthier for a set up and some repair. Tony and Noah suggested Dan Roberts in Bozeman. OMG, what an artist, and what a wonderful human. Both his shop and crew are dusty and glorious. His custom builds in various stages of completion around. He points to a stunning sunburst (spruce and mahogany) that he just finished, says:“This one is a build for Eric Clapton. You wanna play it?”Jumping Jehosiphat! I just got to play Eric Clapton’s new guitar. Before Eric Clapton. (!!) THIS, my friends, is a moment of Sublime Guitar Geek Heaven. (And you should feature Dan Roberts on Acoustic Tuesday)
  44. Dave W Dave W changed their profile photo
  45. Jonathan H Jonathan H changed their profile photo
  46. Forrest A

    California Beaches

    Forrest A replied to Forrest A's topic in Fretboard Wizard Alumni's Challenge #5

    Thanks, Keith.
  47. Kate R
    Shut up and Dance , by Anchor &Bell, key of C... C-F-G throughout, no minor surprise chords?
  48. Kirk Schoon is attending Nut, Bridge & Saddle Club Jam
  49. Ronald M Ronald M changed their profile photo
  50. Ronald M

    http://www.dummies.com/art-center/music/guitar/how-to-read-the-circle-of-fifths/

    Circle of Fifths explained. 

  51. Robert P

    Robert P

    Robert P posted a Member Map marker in Members

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