how many of you are musicians

[Jani]

OH yes, Haven't heard that in a long time.  I never knew that was a woman singing!  Duh!

[Bri2020]

I wouldn't call myself a musician, more of a hack. lol. However, I've made some gorgeous stringed instruments. For a couple years I made some ukuleles, mandolin, a couple violins and a few electric guitars.  They all sound way better in someone else's hands hahaha

[Heather Shay]

The ability to make instruments is a wonderful talent and I an glad you use your gift.

[Heather Shay]

Thought being there are so many of us bass players out there I'd share a couple interesting videos - I learned pretty what I know on bass from Mr. McCartney.

 

 

 

 

[Jani]

Oh, look how difficult Hey Bulldog is!  Its got that iconic rift but what follows is technical.   Thanks for posting this Heather.  

[TommieAnne]

I am a visual artist. But I play guitar to keep my brain active.

I ended up with 5 guitars somehow, they just followed me home!

I have been taking lessons in classical guitar for the past 10 months. So far I have learned to read music, sight reading music at a modest pace, I can play a few pieces comfortably although it's a struggle.

I also have a PRS Santana SE which has a nice tone and looks great. And a Fender Squier Starcaster with a beautiful tone and a warm sustain. But my classical LaPatrie Presentation guitar has the most beautiful tone - like a Celtic harp, you hear the notes ring out softly up inside your head. It's amazing.

I have been applying classical technique to some popular songs, but it's slow going yet.

《《《Hugs》》》

TA

[Heather Shay]

I absolutely love when hybrids occur and am happy for you to join us. You might like some of my music and I include them in my blog here called "The Sweet Spot."

[Teri Anne]

Some people are brand snobs when it comes to guitars but I have had just about every brand there is and there are great guitars at all price points.

My personal faves are Jackson and Charvel guitars built in the 80s they were all custom one off guitars in that time frame and the quality is outstanding.

I love Gibson guitars made from the mid 70s to early 90s because the quality is exceptional.

I found an acoustic guitar for $25.00 in a Goodwill store with the brand name Talent ( a brand that is built in the Gibson owned Epiphone guitar factory in China around 2001.

I had to replace a few broken tuners and replace a broken bridge saddle with a new bone saddle and adjust the neck relief but now its a really remarkable playing acoustic guitar.

The body is made of birch and has a spruce top so its not a dark sounding acoustic guitar like a Martin or Takemine it has a more defined mid range tone and records really well.

[Teri Anne]

The red guitar is a 1987 Gibson USA Melody Maker.

Found it in a pawn shop and just gave it new strings and a proper set up and she rocks.

 

[Heather Shay]

I bought a couple left handed cheapie's - Epiphone les paul sunburst finish sort of looks like the Melody Maker and a natural wood colored Telecaster - so I could add color to my recordings. My lead player has a couple B Bender's built by Gene Parsons - I'd never heard of them before and he makes them really sing.

[Teri Anne]

My all time favorite guitar to record with was a 1957 Gibson Les Paul Jr.

It didn't matter what amp I used or Digital amp I used it sounded so alive.

I paired it up with this Marshall Custom offset amp for most recordings I did.

[Teri Anne]

Finished up work on this Japanese copy of a Gibson firebird guitar.

Really well made I do believe it was made by a company called Burny in the 80's

Found it in a pawn shop and fixed some headstock clear coat and paint  issues, Fixed the wiring and added new electronics as well as pick ups.

Used a set of tuners I had on hand while I wait for  a proper set to come in the mail.

[Heather Shay]

@Teri Anne sweet guitar. Our guitarist loves firebird.

[Teri Anne]

I like firebirds ok they feel like an explorer to me maybe a little thinner body wise.

It plays well but I found  a high spot on one fret so I will take care of that.

It was in amazing shape for hanging in that pawn shop for a few years. I needed a project and figured it would be an easy repair.

Just tiny issues are easy to take care of.

 

[Robin.C]

I'm constantly amazed at the talent and creativity of everyone.

Me i feel like that person who sits at the side of the room and so wants to join in and feels so lacking in any ability.

I've tried flutes, didgeridoo, mandolin, classical guitar electric guitar and fat fingers and no idea how to read music has given me no hope. I even spent a few hundred dollars having a Luther set my guitar up it was a cheap ebay electric guitar and lots of practice and still inept and horrible.

So my last attempt is ... drum roll please ... drums.

Omergerd ... its like that weird veil that drops and you can see real stuff. The score makes sense the feel of the drums makes sense. Will it last, no idea.

It's really weird the stuff i was hearing in music and was trying to understand with the guitar wasn't guitar buts cymbals, drum clicks, cowbells ?
So idiot me instead of going and buying a cheap drum kit. No i didnt buy and expensive one either.  I've searched ebay and other selling markets and bought secondhand drums. Cleaned them and learnt how to set them up with silent heads, I'm nowjust waiting on a set of low volume cymbals so i dont upset the neighbours or my partner.  Do i like my old faded and scratched drum kit ... oh yes, it's so enjoyable to sit and drum along to music. Who knows if I'm any good at this, i don't care I'm actually enjoying a musical instrument for the first time.

Rock on everyone.

 

Sorry it was so long winded ?

Hugs

Robin

[Heather Shay]

@Robin.C  I love your determination and passion and applaud you. You keep working at it girl. Your drive is what you need to succeed. Drum roll please.

[Jani]

4 hours ago, Robin.C said:

Who knows if I'm any good at this, i don't care I'm actually enjoying a musical instrument for the first time.

This is me too.  But if it makes you happy, thats all that matters.

 

Jani

[VickySGV]

A couple of hours from now, I will be sitting in front of my web-cam with a mic OFF singing "I'll Be Home For Christmas" that will go over a concert track my Chorus did last year in a professional studio.  I actually submitted one video of me honest to gosh singing to a TDOR online program the Chorus was in last Saturday, and was shocked that it was actually used, but it was.  For 70 years people have been telling me I couldn't sing, and when I hear my recorded voice, I pretty much agree with them, this COVID thing is having some weird results on me if I am even thinking about doing this. 

[Heather Shay]

How do we get to listen and see the video. I'd love to hear you.

[VickySGV]

3 hours ago, Shay said:

How do we get to listen and see the video. I'd love to hear you.

 

This is the You-Tube Link -- It is an hour long show but part I was in was at the end.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8UHnLy3mWM&list=PLFz0HxgoJPX_7bEE7_QI9J4M2D8gLSF2-&index=1

[Heather Shay]

Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around

 

Lovely song - thank you for sharing Vicky

[Robin.C]

Do you all remember my crazy plan to start learning the drums and I got stuff off ebay and local selling sites.

Well i finally finished setting up. I also go some mics so i can record while I play and then see how well i keep time and then figure out how to improve.

 

I'm using Remo Silentstroke heads and Kingdo Lo Volume cymbals until I can soundproof my room a little (okay a lot ?).

I'm starting to get the hang of independent use of hands and feet and get them sort of timing properly. I have no idea its called probably something simple.

 

Hugs

Robin

[Maddee]

Ambidexterity is not a particularly simple word.  It must be worth points in scrabble.

But it describes the skill you hone by playing drums this way no?

Neat setup Robin.

Have fun!

[Heather Shay]

@Robin.C  Excellent Robin. Nice looking drum rig. May this year give us a new Neil Peart.

[Jani]

Cool drum rig! I had never heard of silentstroke heads.  Have fun!!