Guitar
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Things that are very well put
From this guitar site (the first paragraph is the timeless part – the second is there for context)
If you think theory is boring, think again. Think of it, not as something you have to know in order to do something right (as most schools teach grammar, e.g.), but as a way of explaining what it is that you already know.
All chords belong together in families — the famous three chords, plus relatives and friends. Every song, at least in the popular music repertory, has a keynote (also called the ‘tonic’, hence abbreviated T), the main tone or chord around which the song revolves. This is almost always the tone/chord on which the song ends, and most frequently the tone/chord on which it begins, but that is not always the case. It is safest to go by the end. A song in C major ends on a C major chord, etc. The keynote represents the stable level from which everything develops and to which it all returns.
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When turning a 12 string guitar make sure to use chromatic mode
And not “Guitar Mode”. Heed the lessons on my breaking two strings and use Chromatic Mode – I don’t know why that would be the case, but Chromatic notices the different notes correctly while guitar mode skips some entirely.
Guitar mode is supposed to do that entirely, but I guess on a 12 string you need the full chromatic range to make the fine adjustments to the octave strings.
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Quote of the day – from YT
From some video I didn’t bookmark
I’m only good at two things, playing guitar, and hiding my dependence on anti-psychotic drugs. And I’m all out of Klozapine…
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Lessons learned from recording
Well, after about a week after hearing what I actually sounded like (via the USB mic) I have cut my practice speed by about 10%. So far I’m liking the result. The tone has improved a good bit, and I’m closer to reaching Norman Blake’s right hand goal of “shaking water off your hand”. It’s a whole arm motion, similar to throwing a baseball, with little wrist effort involved.
On another note, Mike has pictures from the Millions More March.
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Testing the condenser mic
I just recorded the old warhorse “Whiskey Before Breakfast” with myself on the lead and rhythm. On the whole I’m liking the new mic. It seems to do a fine job. I need to educate myself a bit on the whole recording process, but I do like it.
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Dreamcatcher Guitar Workshop
The Lawrence Juber workshop at Dreamcatcher was interesting. There’s no denying that he’s an incredibly talented and innovative player, as well as a master of different tunings. He seemed to be playing a bit too much for the guitar nerd (which is his market) and it wound up being something of an acoustic Satriani, which is good, but not to my taste.