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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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First, the use of the word, "Amateur" to describe what in effect is really the word, "beginner". "Amateur" - from the French, literally, "Love of the Craft" the word has absolutely no reference to what you think it means. I rather hurriedly jotted down the following post years ago over at Audiominds.com, and one of the webmasters turned it into a permanent article, "What's an Amateur": http://www.audiominds.com/amateur.html Then again, all the word "professional" really means is that someone got paid money to do the job, it does not necessarily mean that person actually could do the job better than someone else. That out of the way, today's guitar sales market is better than we've ever enjoyed in the past. Use of CAD/CAM and robotic assembly and setup means that there are many available new guitars that really are set up fairly decently right out of the box, with a level of reproducibility that is very good indeed. I haven't seen a new purchase guitar that had a really "bad" action right out of the box in over a decade, barring the super el-cheapos. But if you just want to assert yourself as being above others, you've done a fine job here. --Mac
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Apr 2010
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So now you're an expert on language as well? Why not, you're a self-styled expert on everything else.  “...the word has absolutely no reference to what you think it means.” Amateur : http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amateurWhile your at it, professor, here's another word for you: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pedant“But if you just want to assert yourself as being above others, you've done a fine job here.” Actually, that representation more aptly describes you, professor. 
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
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The original root meanings of a word, snarky.
Living Language definitions notwithstanding.
But at least I don't have your apparent abilities to look through an internet forum and see what condition someone else's guitar is in, or their abilities.
--Mac
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
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'snarky'? Just what is your problem, dude? You were the aggressor here:
“But if you just want to assert yourself as being above others, you've done a fine job here.”
I was just trying to help a guy out.
Typical bully. Push until somebody pushes back, then cry foul.
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: May 2000
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YOU are the one who resorted to bullying the OP of this thread by assuming that their guitar was not set up correctly and by assuming that their playing abilities must be "amateur".
I defend them, and you now resort again to the personal attack rather than logical argument presented in refutation to logical argument.
The thread speaks for itself for all to review and decide.
--Mac
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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My initial post: “The Chuck Berry shuffle isn't as difficult as the Chuck Berry Duck Walk. “ Savage bullying.  My second post: “SpaceDog, Get your guitar set up professionally and get a set of Elixers. http://www.elixirstrings.com/Regards, Bob” ' Regards'????!!!!! What a vociferous attack! Notify the moderators! I don't know what your problem is with me personally, but you obviously have some serious issues. Could it be the fact that I won't be bullied? Or the fact that I actually pointed out that you are an insufferable pedant? Regards, Bob
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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I don't need to see his guitar. SpaceDog is, by his own account, an amateur. It would be a safe assumption that his guitar is not professionally set up, and would probably be easier to play once properly set up. Lower action and lighter gauge strings would make it easier to break in his fingers. The Elixers are easier on the fingertips than standard non-coated strings. Just my opinion; I'm not an "expert".  I would want to know more about his guitar. Today's guitars are coming out of the factory boxes with decent setup for the most part. Like that Tele that Dan ordered the other week. Ready to play, out of the box. That's due to both modern manufacturing methods as well as the typical lower cost of import labor. Which was my point. --Mac
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Lordy Lordy Lordy..... there's that word... "snarky" being bandied about again....
I can't believe how touchy some folks here are. Who cares about the definition of a word in this discussion? Really? We have to define words to prove a point?
The main topic here is:
Space dog is starting to play the guitar again.... cool.... man, rock it out....Go dog go!!! play every day if you can, even if it's only a few minutes....
If you want to soak your fingers in salt water or paint them with super glue or just grow some natural calluses, hey, JUST DO IT! Personally I would suggest the natural calluses first.
I prefer the natural ones. I like a low action but high enough so the strings don't buzz and ring clean, and a balance between slinky thin strings which play so much better, and the heavier gauges which sound so much better. After all these years, I think (yeah 100% sure) I've found that point.
I have found that having natural calluses has served me well. My calluses always tended to be on the light side. Nothing really heavy and obvious so I guess I would be in trouble by showing mine and having my guitar playing skills judged accordingly. Light gauge stings, low smooth action on a Gibson SG neck, and my fingers were just fine during all those years on the road.
If someone tells me that they play guitar, cool... I don't care if they do it for love or money or both, if they're just starting or have been spanking the plank for decades..... they play, I play and that's what matters. If they're better than me, I want to learn something from them, if I'm the better picker, I want to teach them something.
I've been both amateur and professional, and at the same time. I loved every minute of my playing and at times, I even got paid and made a living from it too.
As far as the guitar itself... well, depending where it was purchased, it probably came halfway set up to play OK right out of the store/box. Granted, having a tech or someone who knows guitars well, and can set it up, could easily tweek it a bit to make it play even better.
Just play the guitar Space Dog.... and enjoy it.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 01/14/14 07:37 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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play every day if you can, even if it's only a few minutes.... IMO...the above is the key (no pun intended) to improving on any instrument. Especially for the stringed as they require much finger toughening. When I was giving guitar lessons that is what I drilled into their enthusiastic minds. I also emphasized that one needs to practice in between lessons, without fail, as that is where the improvement will occur. That's my take on it....
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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play every day if you can, even if it's only a few minutes.... IMO...the above is the key (no pun intended) to improving on any instrument. Especially for the stringed as they require much finger toughening. When I was giving guitar lessons that is what I drilled into their enthusiastic minds. I also emphasized that one needs to practice in between lessons, without fail, as that is where the improvement will occur. That's my take on it.... As well as mine! This also applies to software, especially programs like BiaB and DAWs.
My wife had her driving test today.
She got 8 out of 10.
The other 2 jumped out of the way!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,057
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OP
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First off, I'm sorry for not noticing your replies earlier. I have to remember to add my posts to the watch list.
Thank for all the good advice. Between real-world work and the holidays, I've not had much time left over for music. Add to that, I just got BB2014 and have three years of upgrades to learn. But here's the kicker, I got a new laptop for Christmas I planned to use for all my studio work but it was a hopeless failure. If I have time I start another string on that.
About the guitar, I had a friend visiting over the holidays who was a professional guitar player and singer. I showed him my old guitar to get his opinion. He said pretty much what you all said that it needed to be set up. He said in it's current state that it was essentially unplayable above the 7th fret. I guess that why I was never good playing leads!!!!
I've got a hand-me-down Washburn electric guitar he said was OKay but also needed to be set up. I guess I'll have both looked at and decide where to go from there.
I'll keep you posted. Thanks again
SpaceDog
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,333
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This also applies to software, especially programs like BiaB and DAWs. Isn't that the truth....I've only scratched the surface of BIAB. Carry on....
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,333
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This also applies to software, especially programs like BiaB. Isn't that the truth.... Although I've managed to get one song done usign BIAB (not uploaded because of no lead axe yet) I've still not scratched the surface of BIAB with all of it's capabilities. I plan on doing some BIAB deep digging today so hopefully my neurons are up to the task. Back to topic....
Last edited by chulaivet1966; 01/26/14 10:34 AM.
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