Gary's Guitar Blog

I am one lazy blogger ...

2009-02-23T19:16:00.000-08:00

Ok, I admit it. I am a lazy blogger. I have been playing my guitar some, but not enough. I will have to make a commitment to play more again instead of maybe once a week, and actually blog about it. Now the hard part, doing just that ...

Play, play, play … to toughen up those fingers

2008-11-11T19:20:00.000-08:00

I can’t believe it has been so long since I posted to this blog. Yes I am playing the guitar, almost every day. I have found that this is the best way to get those fingers toughened up. Mine are really getting there, I can play for quite a while now before they just can’t take it any more.

I am working on about 10 songs now that I can play and sing to my wife. Of course my voice ain’t that good, and my playing has a way to go, but I have only been playing since February.

I will try to keep up with the blog more so ya all can learn from my learning and maybe it will help someone.

Gary

Fingers are starting to toughen up...

2008-07-09T18:59:00.001-07:00

With work and things that life throws at me, sometimes I find it hard to make time to play my guitars. However, the past two weeks I have been finding a lot of time to play, and my fingers are really starting to get a callouses on them, whick makes it easier to play more. It also makes it easier to practice the songs I am learning on y acoustic guitar (harder to hold those strings down than on an electric guitar). The only problem I have with that is when I am at work typing it sometimes feels a little strange.

Later,
Gary

Check out Gary's Guitar and Musicians Outlet Store for your music needs!!

A 'Star Spangled" Fourth of Jul

2008-07-09T18:48:00.000-07:00

Well, I just had to do it. I went online and got a tab of Jimi Hendrix's version of the 'Star Spangled Banner' and modified it so I could play it (I had to take out all the real fancy stuff I can't do yet). I played it for my wife on the 4th of July and she cracked up! While of course my version isn't as good as the Hendrix original, it was loud (I used a setting on my G-dec that sounded almost like the Hendrix version) and you could tell what it was. It was fun learning it, and playing it.

Don't forget to check out check out Gary's Guitar and Musicians Outlet Store for your music needs!!

Later,
Gary

Has it really been that long?

2008-06-23T21:40:00.001-07:00

Man, I can’t believe it has been so long since I thought about blogging!! I have been busy with work and all the normal stuff a ‘50’ish man has to do, and I have been practicing the three songs I am working on; 'Broken Down Cowboy Like Me' and 'Deja Vu (All Over Again)', and Europa (Earth's Cry, Heaven's Smile), by Carlos Santana.

Rather than try to learn other songs I have been trying to get as good as I can on these songs. I am making good progress and may start searching for something new in the next week or so.

I will try to blog more often!!

Later,

Gary

A quick update...

2008-05-20T21:05:00.001-07:00

I have been busy practicing on my new songs. I can see some real progress in all of them. Next week I am on vacation from work and will be hanging around the house, so I should have lot's of practice time, and time to write this guitar blog as well. In the meantime anyone have any comments? Is there anyone else out there learning the guitar that wants to chime in? I would love to hear from you!!

Gotta go,

Gary

Be sure to check out Gary's Guitar and Musicians Outlet Store for your music needs!!

I've been busy working on three new songs!!

2008-05-16T19:39:00.000-07:00

While I have not been blogging, I have been busy working on three different songs on the guitar. Two of them are John Fogerty songs, 'Broken Down Cowboy Like Me' and 'Deja Vu (All Over Again)'. I have actually played and sung both of these songs for my wife, and she was quite surprised at the progress I have made playing the guitar in the past couple of months. Of course while my voice will not improve much, I'm sure my playing will improve as I continue to work on these songs.

I guess seeing John Fogerty at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival kind of influenced my decision to learn a couple of his songs, and the fact that they use chords I can actually play helps as well.

All the practice I have been doing on chords has really come in handy for these songs, and I am able to switch between chords pretty good and make the changes needed to sing and play the songs. While I have a long way to go on both songs I am quite pleased with the progress I have made. A couple months ago I would not have been able to play and sing a song, so I guess I am getting somewhere in my quest to play the guitar.

The other song I'm playing is Europa (Earth's Cry, Heaven's Smile), by Carlos Santana. The first time I heard it I knew I had to try and play it. Of course I will never be able to play it like Santana, but the other night I was practicing it and my wife came in the room and was able to tell which song I was playing and asked how long I had been working on the song. There are places in the song where Santana plays notes all over the fret board very quickly, and I just cannot do that very well yet. So for now I will have to play a slightly modified version until I learn to play better.

One thing that I found kind of amusing was that there is a part of "Europa' where you need to have a different sound than the rest of the song, so I have actually gotten to a point where I kind of need the 4-Button Footswitch for my G-Dec 30 amplifier. I never thought I would have the need for that.

I actually made a recording of me playing and singing 'Broken Down Cowboy' just so I could see the difference between how I play it now, and how I will do playing it a few months from now (no I will not torture any of you by posting a link to me singing and playing). That should be interesting.

In the meantime, be sure to check out Gary's Guitar and Musicians Outlet Store for your music needs!!

Watched some great guitarists this weekend at Stagecoach

2008-05-05T23:23:00.000-07:00

This weekend’s Stagecoach Country Music Festival provided me with an opportunity to see some great guitarists in person. Joe Walsh, and John Fogerty were among them. Walsh and Fogerty just make it look so easy to play the guitar!! Of course I saw many other fantastic guitarists this weekend, but those two were my favorites. Made me want to go home and pick up my guitar and sound just like them. Well, maybe not like them, but what the heck, I can try can’t I?

My favorite acts at Stagecoach were John Fogerty, and the Eagles a close second. Fogerty just rocks, and has a lot of energy on the stage. The Eagles of course are always great to watch in person.

I also enjoyed Jack Ingram and Trisha Yearwood. However, I was not impressed with Tim McGraw, he just looked and sounded a little out of it on Sunday evening. Perhaps he has been traveling a lot and was just tired, I can appreciate the fact that these folks are moved from one place to another and sometimes just can’t be on their ‘A’ game.

Singer Shelby Lynne had some rude things to say about the fact that there were empty high-priced paid seats located in front of the Mane Stage. See the video I took below of her comments.

Next year I would like to see less ‘pop’ country like Carrie Underwood, and maybe someone like Tracy Lawrence? Maybe a return by Alan Jackson and George Strait would be nice as well.

Well, I got’s to gets to my guitar now…

Gary

I am still plugging along

2008-05-02T01:26:00.000-07:00

Hello!! Sorry I haven't posted for awhile but I have just been so busy at work. Yes I have been practicing my guitar, I just haven't blogged!! I will catch up on what I have been practicing in the next few days. This weekend is the Stagecoach Country Music Festival, and since I live just down the street I will be there on Friday night for The Eagles, and I will be there through Sunday evening for Tim McGraw. I will hopefully be blogging with photos using my cell phone while I am there.

Later,

Gary

Still plugging along....

2008-04-13T13:40:00.000-07:00

I have been practicing my guitar the last few days, but mostly on the same things (chords, El Paso, etc, etc…). Because I didn’t have time to practice for almost a week I kind of got behind. I am starting to look for something new to try and learn, I will keep ya all posted.

Is anyone else trying to learn to play the guitar?? Let me know!!

Tomorrow I am going to change my strings (yup, I bought some new ones) and hopefully the one string I have that won’t stay in tune long will be cured. Hopefully it isn’t something with the guitar.

Until later,

Gary

Whoo hooo, I finally was able to pick up my guitar!!

2008-04-07T18:57:00.000-07:00

After a few weeks of either being sick, or too busy with work and all that, I was finally able to practice my guitar for more than 15 minutes today. I spent over an hour practicing (actually almost two hours)!! Of course after not being able to practice much the past few weeks basically all I was able to do was catch up with the things I had been working on.

I have seven chords I have been working on (learning how to quickly switch between them), and of course learning ‘Wipeout’ and ‘El Paso’ along with the solo from ‘Black Magic Woman.’

One thing I did play around with today that was different was trying to play along with a MIDI of the Beatles ‘All My Lovin’ on my Fender G-DEC 30 Guitar Digital Entertainment Center Standard

. What I did was take out the vocal track of the MIDI using software that is available at the Fender website, and I played it on my guitar instead. At first it was hard to keep up, but after several attempts I was actually able to play along. What is cool is it makes it seem like you are playing with other musicians as you do this, and while it isn’t something I would play for other people, it is fun to do. Being able to do this is just one of the features of the G-Dec 30 that is popular with guitar players around the globe.

As for the Rock House Learn Rock Guitar Beginner Book/DVD/CD Combo StandardI have found that it is definitely something I would recommend for anyone learning to play the guitar. Of course if you can afford personal lessons that would be best, but the Rock House Learn Rock Guitar Beginner Book/DVD/CD Combo Standard is a great way to learn guitar basics. In the first lessons John McCarthy shows you how to tune and care for the guitar, how to change the strings, and of course the basic parts of the guitar.

In later lessons he shows you how to play chords and some riffs, and I like the way he explains things. One thing for sure is the book that accompanies Rock House Learn Rock Guitar Beginner Book/DVD/CD Combo Standard is something you really need to have as you watch the video.

Rock House Learn Rock Guitar Beginner Book/DVD/CD Combo Standard is one way for someone who can’t afford personal lessons to learn the guitar, however there are countless resources on the Internet, and in future postings I will talk about some of my favorite websites for learning how to play the guitar.

Until next time, Don't forget to check out Gary's Online Music Store for guitars, keyboards, Guitar Hero (yes, even serious musicians need to have some fun...), and all your music needs!!
Later,

Gary

My apologies…

2008-04-02T15:24:00.000-07:00

Wow, has it really been that long since I blogged?? I have been busy at work with a couple recent local events and haven’t blogged, or practiced all that much. I have managed to slip in 15 minutes here and there, but I haven’t tried anything new or even really looked at my Rock House DVD. This week, I promise…

I have been practicing, but not blogging, but...

2008-03-23T11:05:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been a bit since my last post. I have been practicing my guitar, but not as much as I would like. To begin with I came down with the flu and was not feeling well for about 6 days. Also, the past week I have been very busy at work with the Pacific Life Open and a couple of other local news stories, and I have been kind of worn out when I get home!

My practice sessions have been shorter than they have been, and I haven’t been trying anything new. So that means my continuing chords practice, and practicing ‘El Paso’ ‘Wipeout’ and the others that I have been working on. I am feeling better now and the Pacific Life Open is (will be after today) over, so things should get back to normal.

Until next time…

Didn't get to practice as much as I wanted over the weekend!!

2008-03-11T01:03:00.000-07:00

Well, life kind of got in the way this weekend when it came to blogging, and in finding time to practice my guitar. I did manage to slip in about an hour over the weekend, but I wasn’t able to spend enough time to adequately review my Fender G-DEC 30 Guitar Digital Entertainment Center Standard (I do know I like it a lot!!), or the Rock House Learn Rock Guitar Beginner Book/DVD/CD Combo Standard. Hopefully I can find the time to do that this week.

My limited practice time was spent on continuing to learn ‘Wipe Out’ and I also spent some time with ‘El Paso’ as well as just practicing the basic chords I am learning. I will make a real effort to go over the Rock House Learn Rock Guitar Beginner Book/DVD/CD Combo Standard, and get to know my Fender G-DEC 30 Guitar Digital Entertainment Center Standard so I can give a more detailed review in case anyone is interested. I will say it is really easy to use the presets that come installed in the G-Dec. You can switch between a ‘Metal Rock’ or ‘Country’ sound real easy by turning one dial (or many other guitar amp sounds as well), but I do have to agree that Fender should spend a little more time with the manual that comes with the G-Dec and explain exactly how to use all the features on the G-Dec.

So until next time, don't be afraid to make some posts and comments on your journey to learn to play the guitar, and don’t forget to check out my website Gary's Guitar Blog and Musicians Outlet for Guitars, Keyboards, or other musicians needs!!!

Gary

Rock House Learn Rock Guitar DVD and book

2008-03-07T01:52:00.000-08:00

I received my Rock House Learn Rock Guitar Beginner Book/DVD/CD Combo Standard.
just before I left for work today, I will look at it in the morning and try out the DVD with the book. I did glance at it and it definitely looks like it will be helpful.

I have seen by searching Google that there seems to be a lot of interest in the Fender G-DEC 30. I have come across several great websites with MIDI files and presets for Fender G-DEC 30 Guitar Digital Entertainment Center Standard

so I am going to put some links on my website Gary's Guitar Blog and Musicians Outlet to some of these great G-Dec 30 websites. Check back this weekend when I am not working!!

Oh, I know there are actually people reading this blog now, please do not hesitate to comment or add anything you might be able to on learning to play the guitar. I want to hear from you!!

Till tomorrow, keep practicing...

Gary

Finally ordered the Rock House DVD, and practice, practice...

2008-03-04T17:39:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I ordered the DVD on learning how to play the guitar from Rock House that I have been looking at featuring John McCarthy called Rock House Learn Rock Guitar Beginner Book/DVD/CD Combo Standard.

Rock House Learn Rock Guitar Beginner Book/DVD/CD Combo Standard comes with a Lesson Book, CD with backing tracks and playing examples, DVD with playing demos and Free online lesson support.

As soon as it get it I will write a review on the total package, including the book, DVD, CD and printed materials. As I said in an earlier post I liked what I saw on the DVD that I rented, but it was really hard to tell for sure without having the book and printed materials.

I have been practicing a lot the past few days!! I have continued to work on about 6 basic chords, and changing smoothly between them. I am hoping the DVD will help me with that. I have also been working on the acoustic intro to 'Stairway to Heaven' and I am starting to sound like the real thing.

As a kid I always liked Marty Robbin's 'El Paso' so I have been learning to play the tune or what is sometimes called the vocal track for this song. I have some Midi files of this song and when I get the
M-Audio USB MIDIsport 1x1 MIDI Interface Standard
that I ordered
for my Fender G-DEC 30 Guitar Digital Entertainment Center Standard

I am going to load the MIDI without the 'vocal' track and play along with it. It will be my first attempt at doing this, so I will let you know how it goes.

In the meantime, Don't forget to check out Gary's Online Music Store for guitars, keyboards, Guitar Hero (yes, even serious musicians need to have some fun...), and all your music needs!!

Anyone else just learning how to play the guitar?

2008-03-03T12:11:00.000-08:00

Is anyone else out there just learning how to play the guitar? Maybe you have been at it longer than me and can share some tips on how to get and stay learning? Guitar players at all levels are invited to share their comments on this blog. Let me hear from you!

Gary

Yes I am practicing my electric and acoustic guitars!! I just am lazy in blogging…

2008-03-02T15:55:00.000-08:00

Well, I have been lazy when it comes to posting on my blog, but I haven’t been lazy when it comes to practicing my guitar. I have been putting in about ½ hour a day, or maybe slightly more than that.

I am still practicing switching smoothly between chords, and I have been working on playing the 60’s surf song ‘Wipeout’ on my electric guitar, and I am continuing to learn the intro for ‘Stairway to Heaven.’

I did get something new. My amplifier was a low end model one that came with my used guitar, and it was really hard to try and get certain sounds out of it (rock, blues, or whatever). Yesterday I purchased a
Fender G-DEC 30 Guitar Digital Entertainment Center Standard
and I was able to instantly get the sound I wanted. It has a setting for ‘surf’ music which sounds great for ‘Wipeout’ and it has several other presets for other types of music like blues, rock, and more. So far I am impressed, but there is a learning curve to this thing. One thing I will say to Fender is improve the manual, it is pretty much useless, however there is good information on Fenders website to help you learn the amplifier, and there are several great websites devoted just to the G-Dec 30 by fender which are really helpful.

I will give more info on my G-Dec 30 in the coming days, and I promise to blog more regularly. For now here is a photo of a G-Dec 30
. I do have a thought now, my amplifier cost more than my guitar setup did all together!! However, the G-Dec 30 actually makes my guitar sound a lot better than the old amplifier did!!

In the meantime, Don't forget to check out Gary's Online Music Store for guitars, keyboards, Guitar Hero (yes, even serious musicians need to have some fun...), and all your music needs!!

Practice and a little dreaming…

2008-02-21T01:07:00.000-08:00

I have been spending the past few days working on learning my first 6 chords, and also trying to switch between them smoothly and (this is the hard part) quickly. At first it was not easy but I am starting to get the hang of it. With all the practicing my fingers are actually starting to develop a callous on them and I am finding I can play a lot longer without them hurting. However, after about 45 minutes to an hour they do start to hurt, but even then it isn’t as bad.

I haven’t ordered the DVD featuring John McCarthy called Rock House Learn Rock Guitar Beginner Book/DVD/CD Combo Standard. However I have watched some of the lessons on the disk I still need to return to Netflix and I am sure this is one DVD that will really help. However it is also obvious that you need the book that goes along with it unless you already know the subject matter (and if you did you probably wouldn’t even need the DVD???). Probably next payday I will order it. After I get it I will make sure and let ya all know if the material in the book compliments the DVD or not.

I have also been picking out the tune for the Beatles "All My Lovin" by just playing it by ear. I actually was able to do this when I played as a kid, but I had forgotten it, and it actually sounds a little better now. While I probably wouldn’t play songs I can play by ear for anyone, I enjoy doing it, and it is relaxing and enjoyable for me as well. Kind of lets you dream of being good and playing a whole song in my opinion.

Until next time? Keep on practicing!!!!

Don't forget to check out Gary's Online Music Store for guitars, keyboards, Guitar Hero (yes, even serious musicians need to have some fun...), and all your music needs!!

Whoa, just because I haven't blogged does not mean I'm not practicing my guitar!!

2008-02-12T22:52:00.000-08:00

Ok, my last post was February 6, but that doesn't mean I am not practicing and learning!! I have been working on my chords a lot, trying to get better at going back-and-forth between the different chords. While I'm still not real good at it, I am getting better, and I'm finding I can practice longer periods of time before my fingers start to hurt.

I have also been looking at a DVD that I rented from Netflix Featuring John McCarthy called Rock House Learn Rock Guitar Beginner Book/DVD/CD Combo Standard.

Rock House Learn Rock Guitar Beginner Book/DVD/CD Combo Standard comes with a Lesson Book, CD with backing tracks and playing examples, DVD with playing demos and Free online lesson support.

While I just rented the DVD and don't have access to the book and online support I really like this DVD. John McCarthy presents his lessons in a way that almost makes you feel like you are sitting there with him, and he is able to present new material in a way that is easy to understand. There is even a section on the DVD that shows you how to put new strings on your guitar, and how to care for it as well.

Many of the exercises Jon McCarthy gives you to learn chords and notes actually sound good, so that way when you are practicing you feel good about yourself because you are actually making noise on your guitar that sounds good. Of course some of the material presented is really basic, but I believe guitar players that have some knowledge can learn from this DVD as well.

You can also purchase the Rock House Learn Rock Guitar Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Package Standard package which will gives you even more than the basics. While I haven't looked at the Intermediate and Advanced DVD's yet, if they are presented even close to the way the beginner DVD is they have to be good. I will try and rent them and review them at a later date as well.

I will be purchasing the DVD with the book in the next week for sure. I will post a review on the book and online materials after I do and let you know if they compliment the DVD and are worth the purchase.

Ok, hopefully I won't be as lazy the next few days when it come to blogging, but I am practicing and I am actually beginning to make noise that sounds decent...

Don't forget to check out Gary's Online Music Store for guitars, keyboards, Guitar Hero (yes, even serious musicians need to have some fun...), and all your music needs!!

Progress is being made...

2008-02-06T03:59:00.000-08:00

Well, the last few days I have been busy practicing. I am learning some of the basic chords using both my electric and acoustic guitars. I have also been learning Santana's 'Black Magic Woman' as well. My wife who is ever so kind says it actually sound good, but... She is a huge Santana fan so I'm sure it really hurts her to hear me play the song... :)

I have also been learning the intro to 'Smoke on the Water' which is I think the first thing a lot of new electric guitar players just have to learn. I have found several versions on the web from really easy to more advanced. I am progressing well on this one.

I also bought a set of headphones so I could practice when I get home from work. I work a weird shift and many times my wife is asleep, and I'm sure she wouldn't want to hear me as I learn the guitar.

My fingers are starting to toughen up!! Yeah!!! I can play at least three times as long now without my fingers being so sore when I hold down the strings. I'm sure the fact the electric guitar is easier to play helps with this. I have also been playing the acoustic and even with that my fingers feel better.

I have a DVD coming from Netfilx that is supposed to help teach you to play the guitar. I will review it for you after I receive it and give it a try.

Check out Gary's Guitar and Musicians Outlet Store for your music needs!!

I am electrified!!

2008-02-01T23:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday (Jan. 31) was my birthday and my wife surprised me with an electric guitar when I came home from work. While we had discussed purchasing one, we hadn't made any concrete plans to do so. While not the one I had been looking for at the Palm Desert 'Musicians Outlet' store, it will do just fine for now.

For those who do not know, here are some specs on my new guitar (ok, used but new to me...):

The Bullet® Special was designed as a "no nonsense" guitar that delivers the look and tone you need to get noticed!

Sporting one hot humbucker, a solid hardwood body, black hardware, and a black pickguard – this limited edition Bullet will separate you from the pack. The Bullet's stripped-down high-octane setup includes master volume control, Rosewood fretboard, hardtail bridge, and a 25-1/2" scale neck with 21 frets. My guitar is no longer for sale most places, but here is a similar product: Squier by Fender Bullet Electric Guitar with Tremolo

Here is a photo of what mine actually looks like, but I will post an actual photo this weekend.

It is a Squire Bullet Special by Fender. No, not top of the line for sure, but after playing it and doing some research on the web I think it will do just fine as I begin my quest to learn how to play the guitar this year. My wife had mentioned to someone at work that I wanted an electric guitar, and her co-worker said they had bought one for their son a couple years ago. She said he took one lesson, played it a few times and it had been sitting un-used in his room ever since. Well, my wife paid under $200 for the guitar, amp, tuner, and other accessories, which is way less than the setup that I was thinking about from the music store. In fact, I had almost decided to just wait awhile and just continue playing my wife's acoustic guitar instead of making the larger purchase.

One thing I notice is it doesn't hurt my fingers as much to hold down the strings on this guitar compared to the acoustic. I have read that is usually the case. Is that true?

Oh, in my last post I said I needed to get back practicing, which is what I did on the day before I got my Fender electric. Of course with the new one I have been practicing the last two days...

Over the weekend I will put a photo of my new guitar, and I will be seeking some help in how to find ways to learn how to play. I have checked out a few websites, videos and such, but I need some advice. As a journalist I just don't make enough money to pay for personal lessons, so I will have to kind of teach myself from the web, DVD's and such.

Need to find more time to practice, practice, practice...

2008-01-30T20:00:00.000-08:00

Last week I was out of town on a photo shoot for 6 days, and since I returned I have been busy running photos through Photoshop, and I haven't had time to practice the guitar. Ok, I haven't made time to practice. Tomorrow is my birthday, so as a gift to myself I will make sure I practice. No, haven't bought the electric guitar yet, but hopefully soon.

In the meantime I can practice all I want on my wife's Epiphone acoustic which is similar to the one below.

Epiphone
AJ-100CE Acoustic-Electric Guitar

The electric guitar is coming very soon, but in the meantime I can still work on chords and picking notes, and get my fingers toughened up at the same time...

Be sure to check out my Guitar blog and music store website at http://onlinemusiciansoutlet.hiking-in-ps.com

Electric soon???

2008-01-26T21:15:00.000-08:00

Well, next week is my birthday, and I am hoping to get an electric guitar by then. I really want a good one from the local music store, but I have a feeling I will buy a starter from a friend of my wife. It has only been used once, and I can get it for a real good deal. I figure I can get a good one when I wear that one out. It is an above average starter kit with an upgraded amp. While not what I really want, I can get it for hardly nothing. I can always get a better one later, right?

Check out my Online Musicians Outlet for guitars, other instruments and more...

Ok, let's learn to play the guitar

2008-01-26T14:46:00.000-08:00

This blog is going to help me track my progress as I work on this goal. I also hope it will help others who might be trying to learn to play the guitar, or perhaps another musical instrument. Wish me luck, and if you are on the same journey, I wish you luck!!

As a kid I started to learn how to play the guitar, but like most kids I didn't finish the process. One reason was I wanted to play an electric guitar and my parents bought me an acoustic guitar (hey, I grew up in the Beatles rock-n-roll era...), but looking back that was just an excuse. I have decided this year (2008) to learn to play. I have been practicing on my wife's acoustic (yes, fingers really hurt at first...), but I plan on buying an electric guitar in the coming weeks. This blog is going to help me chart my progress as I strive to be able to play my wife a song by New Year's Day 2009.

Check out my Online Musicians Outlet for info on where to purchase your music needs.