Vision Music

SleepySamSlim · Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 3

Hello all

Just a quick intro -- about 10yrs ago I started playing and probably got to "advanced beginner" and then plateaued and mostly quit playing. I would doodle off and on but that was it.

I now want to re-start and re-focus my self on music -- blues and jazzy blues specifically.

On the electric I work on standard blues style - but really want to focus on slow jazzy blues riffing and comping

On acoustic I'm exploring very raw Delta style blues. In that same area I'm also working on slide guitar which is a real blast.

And getting into slide is fairly easy (following the advice given on one of the slide guitar DVDs I have) "to get started just go to your local pawn shops and music stores and find a cheap used acoustic for $80 - $120 that sounds ok". Bottom line is no use looking for low action etc. as you're going to have the action jacked up anyway. But you're still looking for decent sound / projection. I found a used Washburn D10 for $125 and spent $40 to have the bridge raised up. After awhile I felt I needed a tad more string height so I learned how to "pop the nut" off of a guitar and slipped in a thin spacer (kinda nice to have a guitar your not afraid to fiddle with) and bingo I'm sliding without fretting out. I'm playing in open D tuning - which is also an interesting experience in itself.

I'll have plenty of questions as I start my journey anew ....

Larry_DC · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 207

Welcome Sam,

I prefer higher action for slide, too. Although, I've known people who get away with playing slide really well on Les Pauls with the usual flat-0n-the frets string height. When I moved to 12's it made a positive difference in tone.

Dean · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 287 Location: California

Welcome,I too like the blues and jazz,I play around with slide a little.
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Gorecki · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 12:05 pm Post subject:

Welcome, ask all the questions you like, enjoy! Wink

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Mark · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 6:08 pm Post subject: Re: New on the block

SleepySamSlim · Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 3

Dave Illig · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 67 Location: Houston, TX

I have been there! I quit playing for almost ten years. You will be surprised at how fast it comes back, and how fast you will improve. I think even though I wasn't playing all those years my brain thought I was. I was listening to jazz all along and it was in there when I started up again. Growth and maturity are good things.

Dave
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