God help us - random thoughts in 2023

Well I guess we should expect a few new "visitors" on the forum over the next couple of months of the management transition attempting to educate us on the errors we are making. Like the sock puppet who has appeared out of nowhere on the new manager thread and keeps posting just to get reactions. Whatever, to be expected.

 

I did a similar thing. I’ve “played” the
Guitar since I was about 18. All 7 or 8 chords !! Mrs Scouse bought me a guitar about 20 years ago and I had fun working on it a while but it sort of faded playing by myself.
But, about 6 months ago she told me about a group of acoustic players who got together twice a week at the local community center.
So I went along to meet them. They made me welcome, so I pulled my old Takamine out of the attic and put on a new set of Eddie Ball soft strings on. (Thinking of my fingertips ) I have learnt so much more in those six months than I ever did. About 8 to 20 can show up all ages, a couple of really good guitarists, guess who the old fart is? guitars, a bass and Ukes.
Even a guy with a synthetic Harmonica.

The way they set up is to spread around the room bring several copies of music you like to play. And take turns passing out your song and we all play and sing. Mine are 70s and 80s classic stuff. Creedence, Lightfoot etc and of course Beatles. Last Friday I brought Norwegian Wood and Eleanor Rigby. (A Beatles song with 2 chords! Em and C)
They went down well. I sang the “All the lonely people” opening without strangling my tonsils.

I know it’s not what you asked but what has helped me along and I’m pretty confident playing rhythm with most of the stuff played there and more now.

Is: … There a ton. Maybe a ton and a half of people giving free lessons and chordal tips and hints on Facebook and YouTube. Then if you go to (“Bing Videos ‘song name’ chords scroll”) Thats where I found Eleanor Rigby chords and song by the Beatles.
You’ll find any song you like played from a person or group with words and chords. With the key and capo if needed. So you can play along.

you might want to do better than that but I don’t think I’ll be getting on American Idol any more than Liverpool will call needing a back up Keeper.
So I look forward to my twice a week “Gig.” I even found I can still sing.

Let me know how you get on. When your finger tips stop “bleeding”

 

Good advice.
Taylor! Nice guitar one of our guys “who can really play” has one. The other player has a Martin. My Takamine is at a lower end but according to the ‘Nice Folk” there it has a good sound and resonance.

 

If your pick slips around. Like mine used to, I found these with slight rubberized ridges. It’s all I’m using now. Everyone has their fav though.
Click the pick for full size.

 

Re:guitars, etc. I've been playing some Fleetwood Mac stuff from the old days - I would call it real Fleetwood Mac music. My current favorite is "Sands of Time" from the Future Games album; Danny Kirwan was the writer and lead guitar back then, Christine better than ever on vocals and Fender Rhodes. Before Mick and John went to Californay and discovered Hollywood and cocaine...

 

Not sure I fall into the "can really play" category but my Taylor seems to almost play itself. And don't knock your Takamine, that's a great brand.

 

I copy all my sheets from Ultimate. Nice that you can transpose the key. Sometimes to fit my voice range then sometimes I don’t like the chords ??
So i’ll find the chords I do like and use the capo to find the voice range or the sound I like.

 

With guest appearances by Albert Stubbins.

 

I wouldn’t knock my Tak. It is one of their inexpensive models but it’s set up nice and low and has a decent sound.
At my age and ability I’m not going to try and kid myself.




Much as I’d like to.

 

There’s Albert, behind the woman in the yellow, smiling.

 

Mine are just fine now but we all pay for our fun.



The Git is my oldie from 1968. Yamaha, nylon string.

 

Inside joke between me and Samarkand. Albert was one of the more (shall we say) colorful posters on the old LFCNY forum. Even better in person at the 11th St bar.

 

Ah! So Samar does have a semblance of yuma.

 

Lorne Marvelho rocks...

 

Edit: Danged Forgot the words "should be kicked in the'

 

It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to.

86th.

​

 

Once a keeper always a keeper, hands always ready !

 

looks like you're a 2-fisted coffee drinker as well

Happy Birthday mate.

 

Thanks to all you girls. Just walked out of the bedroom for that.

 

Ahh, shoot I missed it…Happy Birthday Scouse - one day late

 

Lot of “I dids” in there, still I have to commend him for what he’s done with his money. Mo Salah is another who has used his money to help his community.



Me, I’d buy a Ferrari or a Lamborghini a house in Provence. And …….