Hi folks. I was wondering if it may be an idea to exchange experiences on the progress we are making here at TG. Kind of logging our progress. We used to have a blog function but no one uses it and it may not be there any more and anyway the forum is a better place. Not sure if we need a special topic heading (I put this under Off-Topic which it certainly is not
) for this or if this new thread will suffice but here goes, I’ll make a start.It has been a mixed year for me with less energy available for playing guitar but it has also been fun to get to know my new BSG D27F Rosewood. I have finally learned to play with a pick which gives an immeasurably better sound than my fingers, just sometimes have difficulty with the upstrokes on faster strums, but I’m getting there. I have not owned a steel six-string for 20 years so it has been a dream to have such a beautiful guitar to play. I also moved to A=432 tuning away from the standard A=440 tuning and I am pretty much going to stay with it except when I have to re-tune to play with a record or with others. It is about 33 cents lower in pitch which is close to a half step so it helps in the singing of more and more songs as my voice is not getting any younger, so the lower keys are easier!
I have spent a lot of time in alternate tunings such as open C, open D and dropped D as well as other Justin Hayward tunings. Interestingly, it is easier to play in these tunings as guitarists tend make playing easier with these tunes not more difficult. And the sounds are wonderful too! I have posted a few songs such as New Horizons and Raining on the Rock. I would like to post more but energy levels have been low and time short. Still, I have bought a Roland AC60 acoustic amp which is pretty much the amp you want to have with its chorus and reverb and perfect stereo sound. Been loving using it and the extra possibilities it gives me for an improved and amplified sound. This is especially good for singing into a mic, a completely different experience to no-mic singing. You can do more and you sound better.
I have not made any progress on Eye in the Sky but I will do eventually and I will post it when its ready. There’s a whole list of songs I’d love to progress on including Eddie Vedder’s Guaranteed and Breathe as well as Seal’s Kiss from a Rose, so I will be learning a lot from Ness.
A song I pretty much have down is Gypsy (Moody Blues) and I want to video that soon as it is a very dynamic song to play and sing but quite difficult for me to play without error and sing in a high register at the same time…. a bit Like Question, both guitar and vocals require high energy and concentration!
Anyway, that’s where I am at now after 5 wonderful years of TG! How about you?
Chris
