Tedster

How about "The Tinfoil Hats"? Not that we'd wear 'em...it just sounds like a bunch of paranoid conspiracy theorists.

My groupie stories are all the same... I'm playing...the band takes a break...a really hot looking lady schmoozes up to me...a little drunk, giggling, making sure she kinda rubs up against me...looks right into my eyes and says... "Could you introduce me to the bass player?"

Slow news day, I guess. People always seem to care about what their fave celebs think on any given issue, which, of course, gives celebs the encouragement they need to spout off.

I'll letcha know. But they are here in Kansas City. Probably find some "grooming aesthetic engineers" in your area, probably in the more Bohemian areas of town. And if you have any female friends that are in any way associated with anything artsy or theatrical, they will certainly know these types. I need it really bad too. I look like an old prospector right now that just came down off being on a mountain all winter long. Not too conducive to furthering my musical ambitions...

I really dug it, Craig. I've only finally had a chance to watch. As someone who, myself, performs on occasion with backing tracks...people who doubt the "performance" quality of such a thing aren't taking into consideration the amount of preparation that goes into something like that. And here's something else...if you play in a band, arguably, your individual performance level is on par with the amount of energy expended doing what you're doing. In other words... You can't do everything. If you're a guitar player and lead singer, you can't sing backups, play bass, keys, drums too...unless some of it is pre-sequenced or recorded. Art is art. And thumbs up for anyone who is rock and rolling, or technoing, or whatever at any age. And you kids that disagree, come over closer and I'll whap you with my cane and take out my teeth and bite you with 'em...maybe even run you over with my "Hoverround". Now...I would say...(constructive criticism mode, don't read any further if you don't want.) I'm not one to talk...my own "stage image" sucks. That said...a couple of Molly's (my lead singer) gay guy friends are planning to do a "Queer Eye" makeover on this old shaggy straight guy. I need it and welcome it. But... My one criticism is that you look like a high school science teacher . Nothing wrong with that, if you're a high school science teacher. From watching your video...I would trade the clear specs for something a bit shady (those light adjusting ones or something with a little tint). I would lose the full beard, sport something along the lines of perhaps a very short goatee...and gain a Phil O'Keefe (or only very, very slightly longer) haircut. I'd slap on a casual sportcoat, sorta like what this guy wears... Clapton somehow manages to look hip without looking like he's trying to look young. I think if I were going to pick an image for me...that would be pretty much it. Please forgive me if I've offended. That was not my intent. We all dig ya, Craig...

Originally posted by stratmahon bump. anyone? Finally getting a chance to listen...Soundclick always gives me a pain... So far nice...like the dreamy sort of almost ambient groove. To my ear I would have brought a bit more bass into the mix...I like that dotted eighth/sixteenth feel on the bass (that old Heart "Magic Man" groove, which is cool)...I'd bring it forefront and kick it a bit.

Thanks!

Yo, folks... A cover tune for ya...all me...except for my trusty offspring Andrew on the drums... Walk Away Renee I think it turned out kinda cool... I don't know why the dumb {censored}ing thing INSISTS on tagging it with "I found a love" by M-Factor...

Originally posted by Frantag With young kids I start them off by tuning the guitar to a chord. DADF#AD. One finger plays all your major chords. I, IV, and V are easy to find and they can have the satisfaction of making music really easily and quickly. After a while of this they're hands and fingers are stronger and can make the standard chords easier. Works really well. I've been teaching guitar for a number of years and started using this method with younger kids after several turns of trying to teach the kids standard fingerings, having them get really frustrated and then quit. I'm getting my really young grandson (not quite four) a little Squier mini Strat for Christmas. That's what I plan to do...just tune it to an open chord and let him wail on it.

Originally posted by Lee Knight I thought it might. As I was thinking of starting the thread I wondered if the topic would be relevant, then figured you'd have something to offer. I'm just a big mouth.

Easy is the ticket, especially for kids...but anyone, really. And, it's always good to relate it to actual songs. I usually teach chords (purely as a motor skill builder) in the order of Em, Am, C, FMaj7 (F is hard to play for beginners) D7, and G. Once they can to, say, the C to FMaj7, I play it over and over and say "That's 'Band on the Run' by McCartney" (of course, little kids haven't heard it)..

Originally posted by Lee Knight Hey! We're making music. THAT'S what it's all about!!! The sooner you can get that "Look at me! I'm playing guitar!!" thing going on, the better it will be. As you can probably tell, this topic touches a nerve with me. Because, while I respect the people who teach from, say, the well-respected Mel Bay method...kids can take lessons for, say, three months, drop out, and never learn a few simple chords that they'd be able to use (for instance) in a campfire guitar situation...

While we're talking about guitar lessons, btw...it's crucially important, IMO, to be able to distinguish between those who want to learn to play guitar and those who want to take guitar lessons. I asked a buddy of mine, who teaches at a music store in Michigan, and has upwards of 75 students or something... "Greg, what percentage of your students have gone on, over the years, not to become top-notch guitarists, but just good enough to be in, say, a garage band?" His answer was about on par with my lesser experience...probably less than 5%. This indicates something to me...that most folks (kids or adults) who sign up for lessons have no more motivation than to come to their weekly guitar lesson. They can't put it together. They have to be spoon-fed. Most decent guitarists (and the definition of "decent" varies) are to some degree, at least, self-taught. They've had someone point them in the right direction, and they take it from there. If they do sign up for lessons, it's when they're already pretty much at an advanced level, and they want to take their playing further. But, back to the topic at hand... If you teach your 9 year old daughter a little bit, and she doesn't seem all-enraptured...don't worry. A lot of kids pick it up a little at 9...put it away til they're 13, put it away til they're 15, then pick it up and tear into it.

First thing I'd do is help her understand that the guitar is supposed to be fun. (Shaolin Priest voice): You can choose two paths. Choose wisely... You can choose either the a) academic path or the b) recreational path. The academic path is along the lines of what she would learn in school. Learning from a Mel Bay method book. Learning notes, how to play "Twinkle Twinkle" on one string, ultimately leading up to triads, chord melodies, heavily emphasizing sight-reading. Academic. Also BORING. I've never had a kid stick with that approach for more than a couple of months. Sadly, (to me, anyway) it's how most instructors teach, because that's "the way we've always done it". The recreational path starts on chords, and chord changes, and allows room for more theoretical training once the student's interest is piqued. I teach a method for beginners of "changing chords economically" Picture this...teach a student a G chord. Now a C. Now a D. Tell them to change chords and watch their fingers become a spider dancing on a hot griddle trying to make those changes. It doesn't work. Now teach them the simplest of all chords, Em. Teach them to pick their fingers up from the A and D strings, place them respectively on the D and G strings, and add their index finger to the B string first fret to make an Am. Have them make that change, slowly, strumming quarter note downstrokes for several measures before changing, lessening the measures before the change as they get more comfy with it. Now have them move their third finger ONLY to the third fret of the A string to make a C. Practice those changes ad infinitum until they can do them smoothly. It's not about PLAYING chords, it's about CHANGING chords, and acquiring new motor skills..

A very Tedster groupie story... Once I was playing at a bar. The band went on break...and these two lovely ladies sidled up to me and got really cozy. I bought them a drink, and they got really close, and both whispered to me simultaneously..."Would you introduce us to the drummer and bass player?" Story of my life.