From: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org (shindell-list-digest) To: shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Subject: shindell-list-digest V4 #234 Reply-To: shindell-list@smoe.org Sender: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk shindell-list-digest Tuesday, August 20 2002 Volume 04 : Number 234 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [RS] learning to play [jim colbert ] [RS] Ten Thousand Mornings ["Norman A. Johnson" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 19 Aug 2002 08:10:58 -0400 From: jim colbert Subject: [RS] learning to play > Thanks Elaine. I got those chords from a very well done sight: Ron's > Folk Music Chords & Lyrics. It has the chords and lyrics to all of Richard's > songs as well as those of other folk singer/songwriters. > > To tell you the truth though, I only visit that sight for the lyrics > (like when I copied that part of Transit to make a point). I've always > wanted to play guitar but I expect that it'll be too hard to learn (or at > least take too long to get any good). How did you learn? Is it something I > can pick up with the help of some instructional book or should I go through > the stress of individual lessons? Anyone else's input on this would be > really great too :) > After years of whining and periods of sometimes even owning a guitar and doing nothing, I actually decided to make an effort to learn to at least learn enough to play my own songs about two years ago or so, at age 38... I played my first open mic night last October, two days shy of my fortieth birthday. And when you get to that point, you find there it's an unbelievable thrill to be moving someone with a song you're playing. (double the grin if it's something you wrote yourself.) Now, I have realistic aspectations- for me it's about writing, and playing in public is the vehicle that enables me to get my songs out there, especially since my eternal promise to "get some of this stuff on tape" remains just that. And I know I'm not going to be dong this professionally, but that doesn't diminish the absolutely wonderful feeling you get from playing. As a friend of mine, who is doubtless reading this once remarked, "It isn't about making money. I'd pay to do this." I didn't quite understand that at the time. Now I do. The biggest regret I hear about people starting to play later in life is that we don't have the free time to really sit down a lot and spend time on it in big chunks like you could when you were a teenager- life gets in the way. so you play when you can. And though it's the worst thing you can do for the guitar, and you certainly don't wanna be doing it on your pre-war Martin, let it sit out on a stand when you're starting- you will play more. Get Elixir or similar coated strings- they are much easier on the fingers when you're starting out. (You can later turn into a string snob and decide if you like them or not!) Last forever, too. And a decent tuner, which thanfully can be found well under $20 these days. And Homespun tapes has some excellent beginning instructional material, on tape, videotape, DVD and CD- Happy Traum is a wonderful teacher, who starts you playing immediately, and makes you feel like you're accomplishing something right away, giving you encouragement to press further. You don't get bogged down in theory and whatnot- not that there is a thing wrong with that, but his approach makes you feel like you're getting something done. I can't sing his praises highly enough. Check out their website when you have a chance. Mostly, have fun! Jim Colbert Bellefonte PA ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Aug 2002 18:30:31 -0400 From: "Norman A. Johnson" Subject: [RS] Ten Thousand Mornings I love Peter Mulvey's new album Ten Thousand Mornings. I bought the album for Peter's cover of Dar's "The Ocean" which is reason enough to buy the album. But there's so much more- with Anita Suhanin (who is she?? I love her voice), Peter covers Lennon/McCartney's "For no one". He has a wonderful version of Randy Newman's "In Germany Before the War". Peter's right- it is a creepy song. Plus "Stranded in a Limousine"! Thanks Kerry!! Norman, waiting for Richard to do an album of covers. ------------------------------ End of shindell-list-digest V4 #234 ***********************************