Newsletter Vol. 2 # 84 – May 23, 2003
Welcome to the latest issue of Guitar Noise News.
In This Issue
- News and Announcements
- New Lessons and Articles
- Worth a Look
- Email of the Week
- Sunday Songwriters Group / Sunday Composers
- Thoughts and Feedback
News And Announcements
Greetings!
Welcome to Guitar Noise News!
This will be our last “regular” newsletter for a bit. As those of you who’ve been with us a bit know, each year Paul takes a break from things and, effectively, the site goes on a short holiday for anywhere from a few weeks to three months. Depending on circumstances (little things such as being around a computer) though, we might pop up with a brief note from time to time.
And, as I wrote last time out, this is far from a bad thing as far as the site goes. The forum pages will still be up and active and you can take the time to explore all the rest of Guitar Noise as well. Maybe we’ll have a long thread titled “What I Did And What I Learned During My Summer Vacation…”
But I do want to apologize to some of the staff and writers, especially Dan Lasley, as that some of the articles I was hoping to get through before our deadline are simply not going to make it. Given a choice between rushing to throw something together and taking the time to make it better, I almost always go with the latter option. And that even includes my own lessons! So look forward to some really good stuff right off the bat when we return.
If you really need a Guitar Noise fix, outside of the Forum Page, I might be so bold as to suggest trying an upcoming seminar. In June there will be a Neil Young Song Lesson Seminar on June 12th and an Absolute Beginners Workshop on June 26th. For more information on these, as well as other seminars being held over the summer, check out my own page and you should find all the info you need. If not, write me directly at [email protected] and I’ll be happy to answer any further questions you might have.
Or simply feel free to write me anyway.
So, shall we take a look at what’s new this week?
New Lessons And Articles
My First Gig
by Stella Sims
Stella first wrote a bit about this on the “Gig And Jams” Forum Page. But when I read about what she actually had to go and do, I thought that it would make a great article to inspire those of you who might have a hankering to play live. Imagine never having played a bass guitar and then having to do a live show within two months! I’m hoping this gives many of you the courage to go out and play in front of an audience, no matter how large or small, in the near future.
Simple Alternate Chord Voicings
by Bruce Fleming
Bruce returns to Guitar Noise with his second piece, one on the fascinating topic of chord voicings. This is a great thing for those of you who play with other guitarists to read up on and put to practice.
Worth A Look
Bruce’s latest article, naturally, brings to mind other pieces on the subject we have here at Guitar Noise. You might want to start with this one: Multiple Personality Disorder
And if that’s not enough for you, take a tour through the various lessons dealing with open and alternate tunings. That alone should keep you busy for more than a month!
Email Of The Week
For those of you who’ve been wondering how things went with Len Collins and the “World’s Largest Guitar Lesson,” let me share this email that Paul was kind enough to forward on to me.
The world record was a great success. If you look at our site round about Friday the photos and write will be online.
Actually the photos are interesting things. On Monday (10th May) I woke thinking about all the tatty pictures I would get after the show. I phoned round to see if anyone knew a pro photographer. I was given a number. I called them and said ‘Hi, you don’t know me and there’s no money in it for you but I’ve worked for three solid months on this and would like a decent record of the event.’
They phoned back 5 minutes later and said OK. Ta daaa!
Frankie and I were at the London Music Show at Wembley and asked a new Sky digital channel Musicians TV if they would like to film the event. Lo and behold they turned up. Ta tata tata ta taaa!
I took the students, all 250 of them, on a journey of discovery.
Some had never played before others were pro guitarists. I taught them how to use all four fingers when they fretted the strings. Scales, chords, modes. How to hold the plectrum correctly when strumming. How to change a Phrygian mode into a blues scales and where the chords for Jazz came from. And I played while I talked.
Everyone came away happy and they had all learned something. It was brill. I felt young again.
Offstage Frankie organized everything to smooth perfection. I think we might take the circus to schools. The idea worked so well. We raised £1100 for Diabetes UK.
Arsenal finished unbeaten on Saturday just to finish an excellent week.
Can you pass this on to David for me?
Len
Well done and congratulations to Len and Frankie and all the sponsors and participants who made such a successful event possible! And I’m looking forward to seeing the photos!
Sunday Songwriters Group / Sunday Composers
The SSG will not be going on vacation! So remember to check out to what Bob has posted as the latest assignment (usually on (surprise) Sunday!) and take part in the fun.
Thoughts & Feedback
I had lunch recently with a man who’s a local piano teacher. We talked quite a bit, naturally, about the teaching of music in general as well as the specifics of our respective instruments. But one thing he brought up (I’m not even sure how or in what context) that day has been ringing ’round in my head for a while now and I’d like to share it with you.
He mentioned, with a bit of envy in his voice, that the guitar, and this would include other instruments of that family such as the bass guitar, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer and the like, but primarily the acoustic guitar, has the great advantage of being the instrument played primarily by amateurs.
And before any of you more sensitive types get into an uproar about the use of the word “amateur,” by that he meant simply that most people pick up the guitar simply to get into music. When you pick up a trumpet or a saxophone or a violin, by contrast, a person is almost choosing a career path. School band or orchestra can’t be far behind. In fact, that’s usually where the person starts.
Even the piano, which used to be the instrument of choice of the amateur, has seen a vast change in philosophy. And I can certainly attest to this personally. When I took up the piano ages ago, it was with no dreams of being a “pianist.” I simply wanted to be able to make music, whether for my own enjoyment or with other musicians. Nowadays, few people take piano lessons as recreation. And that’s truly sad because I think that a lot of folks would find it fun to be able to play it. Or at least to get oneself to the point where he or she could sit in on a basic jam.
Of course, I also think the same thing regardless of the instrument involved. But how many adults do you ever hear mention “You know, I’ve always wanted to play the French horn…”
But for reasons far too numerous to expound upon, the guitar has become the musical refuge of many a soul across this world. And while some may worry that this undermines their sense of individuality, I find a great comfort in knowing that there are others that are having the same problems switching from a G chord to a C, for instance. Or getting their fingers to execute a half-diminished arpeggio up and down the fretboard.
So I hope that you start out your upcoming month with a sense of both challenge and comfort. Don’t forget that as you strive to learn new skills that there are many others who not only have done the same, but, more often than not, are also willing to share their experiences with you. And don’t forget to become part of the chain yourself. You may think, for example, that someone who has a year, a month, or a week’s experience can’t be of any help to anyone, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Until we chat again, I wish you all the best. And as I keep you in my thoughts, I ask you to keep me in yours. Stay safe.
And, as always,
Peace
David