So today I got out of work early and I decided to look around to mall and spend birthday money before I went to church. We have a music store in our mall so I said "perfect, I can go get new strings for my old guitar and talk to the guys there about how to go about learning." Well I had a lovely chat with the guy there about chords and strings and a bunch of terms I had never learned before in my life. I discovered I have a classical acoustic guitar which apparently takes nylon strings (see I learned something.) Of course on my way home from Church I kept fantasizing about learning guitar and being Jewel and blah blah. When I get home I made dinner (ooh, looks who's a wife) and we watched a little TV. I then decided to string my new guitar strings and see if I can learn a few chords. Apparently I got the wrong kind after the guy even explained for like 20 min. what kind I needed. But I said "That's ok, I can handle this." I finally got the stings on there and one of them broke. :( So now I have no guitar strings and a sad little guitar that still has no name sitting alone in a corner. I guess I should wait until I get to Montgomery to string or tune or anything and just start from scratch there so I can have Jamison and Josh guide me and I don't mess anything else up. Yeah. I'm just going to buy more strings a few days before I leave so I won't be tempted to try again...... Sigh*
Love you all, Diana
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Oh, dear...We will hook you up, Di. It's been a while since I strung a guitar, but I'm sure that between Jamison and me, we'll be able to get Diana Jr. strung and tuned.
Take the guitar to a real music shop. Don't take it to the mall or some crappy shop in a trendy area, find some old guy living in a grungy shop filled with tons of old music. Those fellas will string your guitar properly and teach you some real playing.
Man, you guys are all picking up instruments. I think I'll have to get my own and we'll start touring together.
You can just wait till you come here too, and we can take a trip to capital music and maybe they wll string it for ya... but stringing isnt really that hard, at least for the mandolin.
Brew needs to learn the stand up bass, or the hardest one, a banjo
You should play the banjo, Brew. There is just something about the banjo that screams BREWSTER!
The two instruments I've always wanted to play were stand up bass and banjo. The bass is such a cool instrument, but the trouble is it doesn't work well unless you have a band.
I've got some Pete Seeger albums that make me want to be an old man telling stories and playing the banjer.
There is an old shop in a little town called Nashville, IN that carries some crisp banjos, but the price is a bit much. Anyone know where a cheap banjo is?
ebay, but a banjo is such a wonderful sounding machine, that I suspect unless you buy a top dollar one, it will sound like crap. ANd just ask Sipper this; if you try to learn on an instrument that doesnt sound or feel good, you will give up and not want to play.
If you have a classical guitar you need to have someone show you how to properly string the thing. Traditionally it’s nothing like a mandolin, guitar or bass. Classical guitar if you learn how to play it correctly is one of the most beautiful things you can play. To learn it properly can take years of practice. A friend in HS used to play classical and it was great fun to jam with her even though I was blown away by the technical side of it. That’s actually where is picked up my strumming and picking style of play. Get it strung professionally. Any chimp can string a regular guitar nylons need to be tied on correctly.
Banjo is all about finger picking. It’s fun but a challenge to some. If you have a good music store around then you can usually happen upon a good deal on a used instrument. I’d not pay less that $200 for anything that you have any intent on playing regularly. Brew ask your cousin to hook you up with a deal, the guys got to be swimming in instrument reps and other music business low life.
Who’s going to take up the harmonica?
I think Charlie should play the harmonica. I could just see him gettin down on it and makin it talk! I agree about the banjo. It's true that having a good instrument will make all the difference in whether or not you play it. But, be advised that banjo can be a real challenge. If you have the time and desire to practice practice practice, you'll do well with it though. A bass is easier, but will cost you at least $700 and will require an addition to your house.
That's the problem. I have great dificulties making the time for such endeavers. What with all the books I haven't read, movies I haven't watched, games I haven't played, and walks I haven't talked, who can just sit and learn an instrument?
Maybe if all you guys really start practicing and hype it up for the reunion I'll get on the ball.
Di;
speaking of classical guitars, we had a classical guitarist play at our wedding. He was the only music. No singing, and no other instruments. He was a local musician who, the night we got engaged, played at the restuant we went to eat at.
I was the same way, Brew. It took old George Jones giving me that instrument to kick my butt into gear. So, after Luke goes to bed, I set aside 30 minutes to play and 45-60 minutes to write books. I have learned 2 songs and written many pages thus far. I have learned that, as a busy person, you take advantage of what time you have and make the best of it. But, if you don't have the love and overload yourself, it can become a stress instead of the joy it should be. I just had to finally make up my mind to do it and now I am really enjoying it!
when you get good at it, you could lulibye (slepping?) Luke to sleep with the guitar, killing two birds with one stone.
Aw, that's sweet. Yeah, we sing lullabyes to him some nights, but he mostly wants to go straight to sleep now. Anyway, it's great to have him on a good schedule now so we can do stuff we need/want to do after he goes to bed. He's at the age where he needs to be with us a lot. He plays on his own really well, but he still needs lots of attention and care. I do some of my playing for him before he goes to bed, but by that time, he is usually really tired. I love to watch him dance, though!
Brew, reading takes no skill; don't you want to learn a craft or something? Playing an instrument is one of those things that makes you feel good all by yourself. Reading is enriching and I enjoy it but there are many times when I'd rather sit and pluck on my old guitar making some noise than finding the quickest route to a nap. I know it's just a difference in interests. After years of playing one of my peak moments was sitting around with Jamison and figuring out some songs. It's great fun and might add another dimension to your life. Take up an easy instrument like the guitar; everybody plays so it's easy to find pointers, once you like it try something else.
Jamison, I'm going to send you your first sone to learn from my stack. I've just picked it up myself and I know that Sipper can hit the high notes. It might be nice: http://www.chordie.com/chord.pere/getsome.org/guitar/olga/main/h/hollies/the_air_that_i_breath.crd
copy that mulls... gimme a few days, things are stressful here at work now.
Thanks for looking out for me guys. I'm just going to wait till I get to Montgomery, buy strings and such there and maybe have one of the guys there string it for me. The guy at the store here said they could string it for $15, but since I got the easier strings I figured I could do it. Turns out I didn't get the easier strings that you don't have to tie....I got the ones you do. Thanks for all your inspiration about Classical guitar, I love wedding stories. :) I think Charlie should play harmonica too. In fact he has a really nice one my dad brought him from a trip to the Marlboro Ranch in Montana. I really want to learn but I'm a bit worried about how much time it's going to take and how little I have on my hands..... but it's worth it. It's something I've always wanted to do and I feel like it will inspire me back to song writing.
Cool stuff my boys. I'm really hoping to learn some songs on the side. I am getting a capo, btw. It'll help A LOT!
I wish I still had my flute. I sold it when I flew away. Maybe Christmas.......
Y'all probably don't know this, but the first instrument I ever learned to play was the flute. I borrowed my Aunt Cindy's flute when I was in third grade and took flute lesons for a year. When I got to sixth grade, I borrowed my Uncle Reg's trumpet and played that in sixth and seventh grade, and then the band director made me the sole French horn player my eighth grade year (which I stuck wiwth for the remainder of high school). But, I'll never forget tooting out Mary Had a Little Lamb on the flute!
One day I'm going to learn the tin flute. It's an Irish thing I guess. I love the sound and to me it sounds very old and nostalgic. I played the violin for about a month sort of. It's tuned the same as a mandolin minus the four extra strings. I could figure out the fingering because of the mando and I would fall into bowing correctly one in ten times. I really enjoyed it but had to give it back to Jules cousin so that she could stick it back under her bed to collect dust. I hate to see instruments no being used. That is the whole reason I gave the mando to Jamison. I played it the least, except for my electric guitar that is.
Harmonica isn't really all that hard. I had a cheap one year ago and got to where I could play a few tunes with out having to think about it too much. I didn't like it because I didn't get to play very often and it would cause the corners of my mouth to crack. I guess it was a spit issue.
>Brew, reading takes no skill;
You've never read any Joyce then, that fella takes plenty of skill to get through.
I'll differ first then agree. Reading does take plenty of skill, try reading a foreign language and see what I mean. Its just that we are all experts on the English language.
Reading is easy, and takes little effort to get satisfaction. I've picked up a few instruments and sucked arse, which doesn't exactly make me excited to do it again.
That being said, I do dream of doing it. The guitar seems so dern trite sometimes. I love the sounds, but its like everybody picks it up and pretends to play. Something different like the banjo seems much cooler.
half the reason I wanted to learn the mandolin... everyone plays the guitar (But why I dont know, I found the mandolin quite easy to pick up, and when I hold a guitar, I look like a teen boy trying to kiss a girl for the first time.) Plus, with the mando, less strings, and generally cheaper, and smaller. Heck brew, pick up the mando!
The guitar is sort of like the Old Testament to me. It's a school master. I feel like once I use the guitar to toughen my fingers and learn some songs, chords, etc. I'll be ready for something different like dobro! I have a little head start in some ways since I know how to read music very well and I have played several musical instruments. But, I am not a stringed instrument player. Guitar is bringing me softly into the world of strings. Once I feel settled, I'll move on to what I really want to play!
Um Jamison, the mandolin has eight strings to the guitars six.
Brew I know all about reading another language, I took French as many times as I took algebra. Reading is a wonderful past time and I'm glad that you have that passion. I enjoy the noodling aspect of instruments I can sit down with my guitar and still learn something new. Just like picking up a good book there is a chance to learn something new every time.
If you can get good at arranging your time into small segments, you can do many things and enjoy them all thoroughly. I have found this to be true as a husband and father, as I am sure Mullins and Chuck probably have as well. I come home, change to some exercise clothes, walk/jog with my wife with Luke in a jogging stroller, go back home, cook supper, eat, play with Luke and hang with Rachel, give Luke a bath, put him to bed, read a chapter or two of the Iliad, practice the guitar for around 30 minutes, write on the laptop for 30-45 minutes, take a shower, and go to bed. That's a normal day for me. Of course, you will notice that nowhere in there do I watch TV. I might see an hour of TV in a week. Turn it off and turn up your enjoyment, boys!
LOL, i know the mando has 8 strings, but you dont treat them like 8 seperate strings, you treat them as 4... ya dig?
Ah sipper, the kind of micro managing his time.
My problem over the last several years has been my schedule. (insert sitting on his lazy arse in France joke here). For a good while I worked two jobs, one from 10-1 and the other 5-9. That pretty much robbed me of any decent time to accomplish anything.
Then I worked 3 days a week from 8-5ish and two days from 12-9, and a weekend shift here and there.
I hope that when I go back I'll be able to have a normal schedule and plan my time better.
I don't really watch TV, but I do dig on movies which unfortunately take a good chunk of your day to watch. Maybe I'll have to schedule only a couple of movies a week, and the rest I can write or learn the banjo, or garden.
Oh, I'm sure playing an instrument would be a joyous thing. It is just that you have to spend a lot of time practicing before you get anywhere near good.
I can read a book to perfection already so it often steals my time.
Two mandolins, three guitars would be a little weird for our band don't you think. Maybe I should pick up the bass just to keep the rhythmn
Micro-managing usually gets nothing done. I organize my time and have a routine. Then I know when I need to do what. It's a very comfortable way to live and I am learning an instrument and writing a new book very well and quickly to boot! Structure your life Brew. Having a regular schedule will no doubt help. It has helped me immensely!!! Just hang in there and when or if you get an instrument, just portion out so much time each day and practice the basics till you can put them together to play some simple songs. Then, go from there. It honestly only takes 30-60 minutes a day to get into some good practice if you stick with it and set some small, attainable goals. Just organize as best you can and don't neglect what you want to enrich your life, my friend. But, do what you enjoy. If writing reviews and keeping up with what you do noww is prefereable, then it's prefereable. If you are stressed by something that is supposed to be an enjoyment and a nice ride, don't do it. Just do what you enjoy and use those Brew talents to the max!
Really I'm just jealous of your ability to manage your time so well, sip. Being able to do all that in increments blows my mind. I usually think I'm going to do such things, and then pop in a movie, or play a computer game instead.
I can understand distractions, my friend. They are the writer's enemy!
Di; congrats, you are moving up to beat chucks record for most comments on a blog you started!
Funny thing about Josh's time management is that everytime we go to their house, the TV is on... maybe it is just for white noise.
It's for Luke management. He loves watching something in between coloring and playing with me. I don't do any of my stuff till he goes to bed anyway. So, we have the TV going (usually with a Baby Einstein video) while we cook supper and play. That's usually when J&L arrive is suppertime, too. That is funny! It must seem to the outside observer that we are TV junkies, and we barely watch anything!
Yeah, its for the kids enjoyment, that's it.
Classic TV junkie excuse.
Nice, pic Brews. Hey, it's on sometimes. But, I often wonder why we even have cable. Most of the time there's just a baby video in the DVD player. Of course, now we're into Disney movies, too. But, hey Luke loves it and Rachel and I can get supper and cleaning done in between playing with Luke and spending time together. We try not to let Luke watch too much, though. He would rather be outside playing or feeding the fishies anyway. I love that boy!
See... I can't really fit things like 30 min on guitar in my schedule.... Just because I always have so many other things scheduled. I mean, during semesters, I don't get to unwind until 10pm...then I try to devote time to Charlie. I can't wait to get out of school. We've decided Charlie's going to be a stay at home dad when i pop out a litter.
You don't have a regular schedule, either. I work a regular, 7-4 job which allows me plenty of afternoon and evening free time. It's different when you're in school and working and studying and doing plays and...See what I mean? Hard to find time. Once y'all eventually settle down it'll work a little better. Wow, Charlie as a stay-at-home Dad? Cool! Wish I could do that. Maybe I can if the writin gig ever takes off.
It's just that I'm probably going to make more money. The arrangment suits Charlie just fine. He said he can devote time to writing and relax and have a part time job to help out. I wish it could be me though. I think he'll do a good job, I just wish it could be me. I've made him promise to do some smart activities, though, not only comics.
You said you wish it could be you, twice. I don't blame you. Rachel would crumble to peices if she weren't able to stay home with Luke. We're blessed that she can do that. I'm sure y'all will work it out well. We'll all pray that the best outcome possible happens. I can't wait to see some baby Stubbs!
Me neither!!! I wonder who they'll look like.
They'll probably look like Steve Buscemi. Sorry, old Charlie/Steve Buscemi joke. Nah, I'm sure they'll be beautiful and look like a sweet mix of both of you. The older Luke gets, the more of both of us I see in him. He has Rachel's dimples when he smiles and laughs. He has my eyes. He's a beautiful child!
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