Ok...
It started when I was about 10 yrs old. My brother had a small 'toy' guitar and I used to sit and write songs on it. I had no idea what I was doing, but it all sounded good to me. Then we moved and the guitar was lost. We moved in with my grandparents and we had family sing-alongs at least once a month. I picked up the mandolin and begin playing it for a few years.
Right after high school, I went in the Army and had a wonderful career of destroying the peace of mind of all my senior officers. I used to be really proud of the fact that I made E5 three times in 4 years. LOL Now... I don't discuss the military much anymore although I'm proud of the time I did do there.
After the Army came real life. Jobs, work, and for some reason I found myself in a Biker club lifestyle. I became a not very nice person. I played air guitar for all that time and then I got married at the ripe old age of 36. She was a Christian and actually saved my life in many more ways than I can count. I had 2 main jobs during that time. I had a computer business for 24 years, and I taught Taekwondo also.
Now, I am a Minister in church and I run the guitar ministry. I just wanted some lessons, but I somehow wound up in charge of it. I'm still working on figuring that one out.
I've been messing around with guitar for about 2 years now and everything I had known was self taught. Now I'm learning from Neil and actually learning to play.
I'll answer any questions I can about guitar, but your much more likely to get a good answer from me on biblical questions. If you know any Praise and Worship songs, feel free to share!
Re:Please Introduce Yourself Here
I'm 65 and enjoying my retirement by improving my golf game and my guitar playing. I began playing guitar at age 18 after deciding the trumpet I played in school band for 10 years was no longer my instrument of choice. All of that training however made the transition much easier. I began in an electric band and my heroes were Duane Eddy and Chuck Berry. I do wish I still had the '60 Strat, the '61 Les Paul Standard, the '62 SG, and most of all the '63 Hummingbird but they all went down the road for newer models before I understood their value. I have played thru the Beatles era, the Jim Croce/James Taylor/Stephen Stills/Neil Young era, the Disco Mania, and today I'm happiest playing songs from each of these plus light Jazz and Bossa Nova. I now play a Telecaster, a Strat, a 1972 Alvarez Yairi 5060, a Martin DCX1E, and a Seagull S6 - Q1E. I purchased a Fender G-Dec 30 amplifier about 2 years ago and I must say it is a fantastic learning tool for anyone.
Before my retirement, I spent 43 years as a computer analyst and consultant. I live in central Indiana with my wife. Our three sons are away from home now, but I am very pleased that all three boys play acoustic guitar reasonably well which leads to some lively jams when they come to visit. I am truly enjoying the site and will be glad to offer the benefit of my experience when needed.
Indiana Jim
Before my retirement, I spent 43 years as a computer analyst and consultant. I live in central Indiana with my wife. Our three sons are away from home now, but I am very pleased that all three boys play acoustic guitar reasonably well which leads to some lively jams when they come to visit. I am truly enjoying the site and will be glad to offer the benefit of my experience when needed.
Indiana Jim
bandguy44 wrote:
Paul, great stuff and welcome! Is the guitar really harder to learn than a bassoon? Glad you could join us on TARGET!I was actually a music major in college, and have a masters in Bassoon performance, but guitar has been much more of a challenge for me than any of the wind instruments.
OK. My turn.
I'm David. I'm 50, happily married with twin 19 year old boys and a cat.I was born in England, and now live in Israel.
I always wanted to play guitar, as far back as I remember. My mother had very strong opinions about the negative influence of guitar playing on young minds (just touching a guitar would turn me into a long-haired, drug-addict, knuckle-dragging, low-life good-for-nothing) so my musical education started at eight years old on the violin. I agreed to this because in the first few lessons the teacher had me hold the violin like a guitar and pluck it. You may understand that I was a little naive back then. The positive side to this was that I learned musical notation and some theory.
When I was 10, we moved to Israel. 2 years later, I managed to overcome my mothers objections and give up violin. I wanted to learn saxophone, but the kibbutz where we were living at the time only had a clarinet, so clarinet it was!
Around that time (I was 12 or 13) I found an old beat-up and damaged classical guitar on a rubbish heap. I fixed it up (sort of), bought a teach-yourself-classical-guitar book and started my guitar addiction.
I later became an engineer (computers and electronics), and the guitar playing became very occasional. About 5 years ago I got back into playing guitar. I now own an Applause/Ovation AE147 (my avatar photo), a Yamaha cheapo classical guitar, a Suzuki cheapo 12-string guitar with a cracked headstock, a Fender Jazz Bass, and a Les-Pal Studio (black with gold hardware, like Bear's). But I mainly play the Applause. I keep it on a stand in the living-room so that it's easily available if I feel like playing. I still don't have enough time to practice as much as I would like.
The Applause is a bit limiting due to its narrow neck, so now I'm looking to buy a good acoustic, possibly a Taylor 314.
My other hobbies are reading and mountain biking. I ride three times a week, and really enjoy riding at night.
David
I'm David. I'm 50, happily married with twin 19 year old boys and a cat.I was born in England, and now live in Israel.
I always wanted to play guitar, as far back as I remember. My mother had very strong opinions about the negative influence of guitar playing on young minds (just touching a guitar would turn me into a long-haired, drug-addict, knuckle-dragging, low-life good-for-nothing) so my musical education started at eight years old on the violin. I agreed to this because in the first few lessons the teacher had me hold the violin like a guitar and pluck it. You may understand that I was a little naive back then. The positive side to this was that I learned musical notation and some theory.
When I was 10, we moved to Israel. 2 years later, I managed to overcome my mothers objections and give up violin. I wanted to learn saxophone, but the kibbutz where we were living at the time only had a clarinet, so clarinet it was!
Around that time (I was 12 or 13) I found an old beat-up and damaged classical guitar on a rubbish heap. I fixed it up (sort of), bought a teach-yourself-classical-guitar book and started my guitar addiction.
I later became an engineer (computers and electronics), and the guitar playing became very occasional. About 5 years ago I got back into playing guitar. I now own an Applause/Ovation AE147 (my avatar photo), a Yamaha cheapo classical guitar, a Suzuki cheapo 12-string guitar with a cracked headstock, a Fender Jazz Bass, and a Les-Pal Studio (black with gold hardware, like Bear's). But I mainly play the Applause. I keep it on a stand in the living-room so that it's easily available if I feel like playing. I still don't have enough time to practice as much as I would like.
The Applause is a bit limiting due to its narrow neck, so now I'm looking to buy a good acoustic, possibly a Taylor 314.
My other hobbies are reading and mountain biking. I ride three times a week, and really enjoy riding at night.
David
Once upon a time there was a gleam in my fathers eyes, then 9mths later on the 9 October 1957 I was born.
Day 1, I slept ate and pooped
Day 2, I slept ate and pooped
Day 3, I slept ate and pooped
Day 4, I slept ate and pooped
Day 5. I slept ate and pooped
Day 6, I slept ate and pooped
Day 7, I slept ate and pooped
Many days later I am 52 and still sleep eat and poop !! Seriously though, Its a shame the original posts that we put up disappeared but never mind here goes again...
My name is Charles but lots of folks abbreviate that to Chas, but I respond to lots of variations some good some not so complimentary. Here is the Readers Digest biography...
I was brought up in Scotland in a small town called Carnoustie if you are a golfer you will know of it. Anyway interest in music didn't start till late at high school and I dabbled with guitars a bit and jammed with local bands, nothing serious although I did at one time jam with a band called at that time The Dundee Horns (do a wiki to find out who they went on to become).
I went to Dundee College of Commerce and did Business Studies and a certificate in Distributive management Principles at that time I also had to do a British Institute in Management Instructors course which set me on my current course. I then got a Trainee Manager job in Scotlands largest Supermarket group and worked my way up to Store relieving manager in 7 years. During this time i got married and had two boys both born in Scotland. I then emigrated to NZ in 1981 and continued working for Supermarkets, I was made redundant in 1988 and then followed another passion and that was to join the Airforce, I had as a kid always been involved with Air Cadets and flying gaining Gliding wings and becoming an Instructor. I spent 15 years in the Airforce until my contract expired and then got my current position with the Police asa regional Training manager. During this period in my life we had two more kids another boy and finally a girl. Unfortunately due to Airforce postings amongst other issues my wife and I got seperated about 1997, I had been posted to the North island of NZ and my wife did not want to go with me, thats another story. Anyway 3 years later I met Jill and we subsequently got married. JIll has two kids to her previous marriage. All kids have left school and 5 have left home, only one to go yeah!! After my first marriage ended I took up guitar again , but not seriously. When Jill came along she really encouraged me to get lessons and I've never looked back. My music tastes are quite broad, but tend to look back to the music of my youth even although I didn't really take note at the time. Main hobby is guitars or armchair follower of sport mainly rugby, although during my youth I had a fling with Soccer (its called footbal in Scotland ) and could have gone professional if i'd really wanted but I didn't so...
Now been in NZ longer than I lived in Scotland but I still have strong allegiance to Scotland and am very proud of my heritage..
Day 1, I slept ate and pooped
Day 2, I slept ate and pooped
Day 3, I slept ate and pooped
Day 4, I slept ate and pooped
Day 5. I slept ate and pooped
Day 6, I slept ate and pooped
Day 7, I slept ate and pooped
Many days later I am 52 and still sleep eat and poop !! Seriously though, Its a shame the original posts that we put up disappeared but never mind here goes again...
My name is Charles but lots of folks abbreviate that to Chas, but I respond to lots of variations some good some not so complimentary. Here is the Readers Digest biography...
I was brought up in Scotland in a small town called Carnoustie if you are a golfer you will know of it. Anyway interest in music didn't start till late at high school and I dabbled with guitars a bit and jammed with local bands, nothing serious although I did at one time jam with a band called at that time The Dundee Horns (do a wiki to find out who they went on to become).
I went to Dundee College of Commerce and did Business Studies and a certificate in Distributive management Principles at that time I also had to do a British Institute in Management Instructors course which set me on my current course. I then got a Trainee Manager job in Scotlands largest Supermarket group and worked my way up to Store relieving manager in 7 years. During this time i got married and had two boys both born in Scotland. I then emigrated to NZ in 1981 and continued working for Supermarkets, I was made redundant in 1988 and then followed another passion and that was to join the Airforce, I had as a kid always been involved with Air Cadets and flying gaining Gliding wings and becoming an Instructor. I spent 15 years in the Airforce until my contract expired and then got my current position with the Police asa regional Training manager. During this period in my life we had two more kids another boy and finally a girl. Unfortunately due to Airforce postings amongst other issues my wife and I got seperated about 1997, I had been posted to the North island of NZ and my wife did not want to go with me, thats another story. Anyway 3 years later I met Jill and we subsequently got married. JIll has two kids to her previous marriage. All kids have left school and 5 have left home, only one to go yeah!! After my first marriage ended I took up guitar again , but not seriously. When Jill came along she really encouraged me to get lessons and I've never looked back. My music tastes are quite broad, but tend to look back to the music of my youth even although I didn't really take note at the time. Main hobby is guitars or armchair follower of sport mainly rugby, although during my youth I had a fling with Soccer (its called footbal in Scotland ) and could have gone professional if i'd really wanted but I didn't so...
Now been in NZ longer than I lived in Scotland but I still have strong allegiance to Scotland and am very proud of my heritage..
BigBear wrote:
I don't know about smart, I just dazzle them with mathematical formulas and baffle them with bullsh-t! :laugh:
Seriously, I would like to thank Chas again for starting this thread and Kevin for calling out everyone to contribute. I hope Neil, Matt, Big Jim, etc. will give it a shot also.
Now I know why you're so damned smart!!Thanks for the background!
I don't know about smart, I just dazzle them with mathematical formulas and baffle them with bullsh-t! :laugh:
Seriously, I would like to thank Chas again for starting this thread and Kevin for calling out everyone to contribute. I hope Neil, Matt, Big Jim, etc. will give it a shot also.
Catman wrote:
Many of us in the West are fascinated with what's going on in Israel with your new Prime Minister (maybe recycled is a better word! Hasn't he done this before?) He always struck me a strong, brilliant man! Very rational. Can we borrow him for awhile?
I really like your choice of guitars! If you need any info on the 314 I'd be happy to help! Just PM me. Watch for them on-line because there are great bargains to be had. That guitar retails for around $1,600 US. But you can get really good ones for as low as $700-800. I stole mine off of eBay for $650 brand new! Still had the tags on it!
Hope you enjoy your experience here and let us know if we can help you in any way. Except for me there are some really smart people on this site. I drag the curve down!
Well, that part's true isn't it? LOL! David, great story, thanks for sharing! Do you still live on a kibbutz?! Where in Israel do you live?just touching a guitar would turn me into a long-haired, drug-addict, knuckle-dragging, low-life good-for-nothing
Many of us in the West are fascinated with what's going on in Israel with your new Prime Minister (maybe recycled is a better word! Hasn't he done this before?) He always struck me a strong, brilliant man! Very rational. Can we borrow him for awhile?
I really like your choice of guitars! If you need any info on the 314 I'd be happy to help! Just PM me. Watch for them on-line because there are great bargains to be had. That guitar retails for around $1,600 US. But you can get really good ones for as low as $700-800. I stole mine off of eBay for $650 brand new! Still had the tags on it!
Hope you enjoy your experience here and let us know if we can help you in any way. Except for me there are some really smart people on this site. I drag the curve down!
-
neverfoundthetime
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Sat Aug 01, 2009 2:14 pm
- Status: Offline
As I'm listening to you guys, eating my breakfast in Switzerland, Chas is probably getting ready for bed in NZ, David is having lunch in Israel and Bear is probably still fast asleep in Oregon. Small world at TG!
So that makes 3 of us here British expats who left the country around the same time to lead better lives and end up here on TG! I left in 1981 too to go to Germany where Bear was based nearby, coincidently, and ended up in Switzerland. Chas, both my parents were in the RAF and my mother was a glider pilot so I went gliding with her. In Germany I was swapping tennis lessons for flying lessons with a guy who introduced me to Dan Fogelberg's music, an American pilot based there. I only went up once with him because he did 5 minutes of spiralling down through the clouds and I spent 3 hours throwing up!
But it was worth it to be introduced to Dan Fogelberg's Innocent Age album. That was when albums were black vinyl with good cover art and illustrated lyrics.
Good morning, good day, good night and sweat dreams to you all in respective order!
Chris
So that makes 3 of us here British expats who left the country around the same time to lead better lives and end up here on TG! I left in 1981 too to go to Germany where Bear was based nearby, coincidently, and ended up in Switzerland. Chas, both my parents were in the RAF and my mother was a glider pilot so I went gliding with her. In Germany I was swapping tennis lessons for flying lessons with a guy who introduced me to Dan Fogelberg's music, an American pilot based there. I only went up once with him because he did 5 minutes of spiralling down through the clouds and I spent 3 hours throwing up!
But it was worth it to be introduced to Dan Fogelberg's Innocent Age album. That was when albums were black vinyl with good cover art and illustrated lyrics.
Good morning, good day, good night and sweat dreams to you all in respective order!
Chris