Acoustic Music...

[Daniely]

Well since ive been kinda laid up a bit, what with the drop, im going crazy. Ive been spending insane amounts of time with my GF and playing guitar, thats it, lol. Working full time too. But mostly guitar. Ive learned how to play Tears in Heaven, and ive written a couple songs as well. But still learning . I just wanted to share a new artist I found with anyone who likes acoustic music. His name is Kris Orlowski. Here is a link to his Myspace where you can hear three of his songs. They are really good, Peri being my fave. Anyways, just wanted to share . Happy new year!

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=11704792&a=1

[Jake D]

Time spent playing the guitar is never time wasted.  

I learned "Rodeo Clowns" by G-Love, "Pirate Looks at 40" James Buffet and "When We're Together" by Jack Johnson last night!!  I didn't do anything all night other than work out and I feel it was time well spent.

[Phaedrus]

I love acoustic music also, and I play casually. I've got a Fender DG-9 acoustic. Ive dabbed with writing also.

I will check that link out soon, but I tend to prefer acoustic music live. There is something special about the ambiance and intimacy of it all  

[Blueknyt]

ive played on and off since i was 12, but for last 7 years ive not picked it up much, ive been told i was good by a few friends, since my son came along ive put alot of time into work and providing.  most the friends ive played with and for have moved or died.  heh, the stings on my old SD curlee are 10years old (got it used when i was 12)  electrics are neat and can produce some amazing sounds, but  (just my opinion) lack the warm heart of pure sound of an acustic. the acustic just seems more tangable to me. perhaps i need to rebuild my fretboard fingers again.  would really like to find a 12string though, hell wish i could read sheet music. Tabs are helpful but.....

[makenzie71]

you don't need sheet music...just tabs and a chorde chart like they sell with the posters at wal-mart.  I'm I'm really motivated to learn soemthing I get the tabs down and then just elaborate using what I can of traditional chordes.  That's how I learned to play the few songs that I do know.

[Daniely]

How is jack johnsons stuff to play? I havent tried yet. I need to pick up some light guage strings tomorrow, I killed my low E today . Tears in heaven is sounding reallly good (at least to me, and others can make out what it is, lol). At least the girlfriend puts up with me, she lays on the bed watching tv while i tool around, and she doesnt get annoyed . I'm looking for a new acoustic though, I want something with a curved fretboard instead of flat like my harmony has now. I played my moms old 1970 applause and it was just so much easier than this 69 harmony. I think a trip to guitar center is in order on Saturday morning.

[ajgs500]

Jack Johnson is fine if you like playing barre chords.

[Jake D]

No, Jack Johnson is pretty challenging, if you actually want to play the songs correctly and have them sound good.  He does so much muting and he picks out strings here and there and lots of hammer ons, etc.  

Flake is the easiest to play of his songs.  Start with that.  

Having a guitar that frets well would help unless you have super strong forearms, too.

[ajgs500]

And that is challenging?  A little work not challenging

[makenzie71]

It's challengine to people with my hand/eye coordination.

[CasiUSA]

Try Playing the song "Taylor"
That intro riff took me about 3 hours to get solid. Fun little song to play.

Daniely, if you're looking for a good, reasonably priced acoustic, I reccomend mine, the Martin DCX1E. It was only about $650 and just a sweet sounding guitar.

A few to check out if you're getting into acousitic Music:
- Dashboard Confessional
- Jason Mraz- Live @ Java Joe's (NOT his studio Albums)
- Damien Rice
- Ani DiFranco (Probably one of the sickest Acoustic guitar players ever- Saw her once this year live and it was Amazing)

[Jake D]

And that is challenging?  A little work not challenging

For a beginner?  Yep.  His music challenges me and I've been playing for like 7 years.  

What do you consider challenging?  Steve Vai?  Vernon Reed?  Do you sit around playing "Cliffs of Dover"?   :lol:

[Phaedrus]

:lol: @ Jake D

I think if you play it right, then most any music is challenging. If it is too easy, either you are a gifted virtuoso or you are playing it wrong. Most likely the latter

I've been playing casually for almost 10 years and I agree with the sentiment that the guitar is one of the easiest instruments to learn to play, but also one of the most difficult to master.

Having said that, anyone can strum a few chords or pick a few notes. But can you truly make the guitar sing? Can you make it express something that no one else can? I can't.  

[ajgs500]

Challenging= Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix, and Ani.

[Jake D]

I'm not familiar with Jimi's acoustic stylings.  
Any suggestions?

Now Stevie Ray Vaughn!  That man could wail on an accoustic!  

And I agree: you can't consider yourself a real guitar player until you mastered some Ani.  But it seems like EVERYBODY plays Ani now.  Go to any open mic night and it is like an Ani deFranco cover show.  I was going to try to learn her songs but I couldn't find one I liked.


And yes, I'm still pretty drunk.

[indestructibleman]

for tricky acoustic stuff i like Doc Watson and Mississippi John Hurt.

the vast majority of Doc's stuff is beyond me, but what i've been able to play has been very rewarding.

[ajgs500]

There r tons of acoustic jimi.  HE does redhouse and voodoo chile, they r on his blues album and some in his box set.  I actually hate Ani, that makes me a bad lesbian.

[Daniely]

I'm playin on an old 1970 harmony. it sounds beautiful, but its time for somethin new, i think one with a curved frettboard and that has electric capabilities would be great (mmm amplified acoustic).

I'm currently lookin for some basic stuff to learn and play around with to get better. My dad is fairly music, and on some unhappy day I will be getting all of his equipment, included is a Gibson ES335 with a bigsby. I dont want to let that stuff to go waste, so I want to be able to play somewhat well. Ive been playing on and off for a while, but now ive decided to get dedicated.

Any somewhat simple songs that anyone can recommend would be great. Or simple chord progressions that sound good, something that can be altered and played with. Anyways, thanks for the input so far, time to put my gift card to good use.

[fretbuzz]

Classic Hendrix song "Hear my train comin" done on a 12 string acoustic
Song rocks ,from the soul  
Want something challenging try picking some dave mathews out!
He `s got some finger stretching chord voicings!
even more challenging try some michael hedges!
damn he`s got some tunes on acoustic!