Guitars and Learning Experiences

[billroper]

I took a couple of years of guitar lessons when I was in the fifth and sixth grade. Then we moved to Guam, my amp developed a short, and I didn't play much after that until my junior year of high school when another guitar player (with a working amplifier) moved in next door. My original guitar was a red solid body Gibson Melody Maker

Comments

[sexybass]

I wish I had taken lessons way back when I was a boy (when I was a boy the guitars were made from wooden pallets and we used sea shells as picks) but guitar teachers were few and far between and so I taught myself on an old acoustic my brother gave me. I guess I had a relationship with this instrument and practiced every day. Over the years I have owned a multitude of instruments (whoops I still do) and my favourite has been my 12 string Larivee although my new Taylor baritone all mahogany 8 string is quickly becoming my favourite. I like the full low end sound with the mix of 6 and 12 string and it records beautifully. I have been writing songs with it now and it has opened up new doors I feel. I have always flat picked and never really learned how to finger pick. That is changing now as well and I find the baritone really suits finger picking. Sue is learning the guitar and recently purchased a Larivee Parlor guitar which she loves. She has been mostly teaching herself from books and I have been a listener and adding comments here and there. Sue can now pick up a song book and play something out of it and she is taking her guitar to house filks. We are hoping to incorporate her guitar on some of our songs freeing me up to play other things. Life is good and we are looking forward so much to seeing you all soon. I am going to try and spend more time playing music with you Bill and hearing your songs. Dave will be coming to stay with us this month and wedge Tim and Annie as well after the Con. Hugs from us!

[billroper]

And hugs to you and Sue!

I'm looking forward to seeing this Taylor baritone 8, as I haven't seen one yet. :) Not that I am allowed to buy another guitar without getting rid of one that I already have -- and none of the guitars that I have are going anywhere! :)

A parlor guitar is a good size for Sue. When I was teaching Gretchen to play, I got her a dreadnaught, which turned out to be too big for her to get her arms around comfortably. Things improved a lot when I got her the little Sigma.

So, we will just have to look to land in the same (small) circle at FKO so we can hear each other. Unless plans change, Erica and Steve will be coming too, so that's the start of a nice little group. :)