Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with guitar

Wii are the champions / Wii will, Wii will rock you!

kidsleepy — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:17:34 -0800

I need help planning a Wii Sports and Guitar Hero competition. I volunteered to organize the whole thing, and now am a little overwhelmed. This will be an on-site work competition for charity. The idea is that there are two competitions: one for Guitar Hero (Rock Stars) and one for Wii Sports (Jock Stars). Ideally we'd have two brackets each, one for amateurs and one for pros. There are approx. 700 employees, and getting 50 of them to sign-up would be a success.

Has anyone organized one of these before? Any tips/tricks/things to avoid? How do I entice people who've never played before? How many TVs/Wiis shoud I have? How should I set up the brackets? What should the prizes be? Help!

Where can I get a cheap guitar in London?

celine — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 05:34:50 -0800

Where can I get a cheap acoustic guitar in London? I am looking for a cheap acoustic guitar for beginners. Where in London can I get one? I can't play yet and I would like to keep the cost to a minimum because I'm not sure how involved I will get into guitar playing.

I know pretty much nothing about guitars so I don't know what I should be looking for and where.

I am not against buying online, although I would rather not to. I found this website that sells cheap guitars: http://www.swiftmusiclondon.co.uk/, but how can I make sure that they are reliable?

Any tips on how to get a cheap acoustic guitar in London would be appreciated! Thanks in advance.

To the Patent Office I go?

tmcw — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 15:32:07 -0800

DoesorwhydoesntthisexistFilter: A very simple guitar synth. So, it's quite simple.

You have a microcontroller.

And each of the six strings on a normal guitar are isolated electronically. So, like most acoustic guitars, the bridge does not conduct between them.

You have grounds on each of the frets. You run a very small charge through each string in quick succession - let's say, taking a tenth of a second to run through each string. Charging each string individually eliminates the guesswork of which string is pressed to each fret.

After that, it's straightforward to figure out where each string is fretted. This will not deal with bending strings, etc, but it could way exceed the tracking time of a Roland guitar synth, etc. To avoid a nasty line of wires grounding each fret, you could do it all within the neck, next to the truss rod, and connect to internal electronics.

Does this not exist? I've been killing myself over whether it does or does not, or could not, etc. If not, it seems incredibly straightforward to implement it with Arduino with a multiplexer. I'm really considering getting a semi-junker guitar to try this out: the possibilities seem quite cool: for instance, combining this with a footpedal to sustain a chord with a softsynth while playing other parts with the guitar.

Eh eh? Too simple? Huh?

Should I ~~copyright~~ patent this? Make it? Buy it?

DAG Nabbit

bodega — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 13:46:14 -0800

I'm looking for a list of songs with the classic D A G (or equivalent) chord progression. For example, Helpless. Or the close enough Knocking On Heaven's Door, etc.

Cheap Acoustic Guitar Strings

symbollocks — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:15:35 -0800

What are the best cheap acoustic guitar strings and where is the best place to buy them? I've noted this post but I don't play that much so I'm looking specifically for cheap acoustic strings (Less than $10 per set). Other criteria: the lighter the gauge the better (Nothing above 12 for sure).

Also, is Amazon the best place on the net to buy strings? Are there any places with a wider variety or cheaper prices?

If you build it, they will shred.

bondcliff — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:49:09 -0800

I'm looking for guitar tablature sites similar to Dansm's that are created by one person out of a labor of love, as opposed to OLGA-type "tab archives" like Ultimate-guitar.com. Anther good example would be Justinguitar.com.

Looking for contemporary folk, rock and/or roll (including metal in all its many forms), pop, and classic rock. Not looking for classical, jazz, or traditional folk. The site can be devoted to a single band (though not just a collection of OLGA tabs for one band) or many. Bonus points if performance tips, instructional videos and other commentary is included.

Examples of what I’m not looking for are harmony-central, chordie, x-tab, ultimate-guitar and the rest of those tab archives.

\m/

Help me be a one man band

jpdoane — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 16:51:07 -0800

I have been using JamStudio for a while now to quickly throw together backing tracks to practice guitar with. This website is great and highly recommended, but I now want something similar but which is more powerful/flexible, has better audio quality and variety, and which will integrate with my recording software (currently Cubase). Midi based would be perfect. I plan to use this mostly for practicing, but also for some recording. What I want is to simply define a chord progression and choose for a list of rhythm patterns in a variety of styles (rock, jazz, blues, etc - I am not interested in techno type stuff). I don't want to mess around with writing actual basslines and drum patterns (although having the option to do this would be fine). Free is great, but I don't mind spending a bit. Threshold of pain is ~$100 (although if you have a suggestion thats perfect but more $, I'd still like to hear about it)

I have Cubase LE 4, which comes with a bunch of Midi plugins, but everything I've seen requires you to program each note individually, and really aren't geared for auto-generating backing tracks. I also have ezDrummer , so drums are covered, and I basically I want the same thing for guitar and bass (or at least just bass). I've seen this, but it seems way overkill, (used to) cost $286, and appears to be discontinued.

Who played a Pollock like neon guitar in the 80s?

Java_Man — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:25:47 -0800

In the 80's, which guitarist played a white guitar daubed with paint splotches and Pollock-like streaks of neon pink and green, among other colors? I recall seeing the guitar (probably in a video), but can't place the guitarist or find any images.

Plucking strings?

Korou — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:05:13 -0800

What songs feature the pizzicato technique? I've always liked pizzicato music (as in Benjamin Britten's Simple Symphony, Op. 4: II and Andrew Bird's Skin is, My). What classical and non-classical songs feature the pizzicato technique?

Be my Guitar Hero!

surenoproblem — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 07:05:14 -0800

Easy guitar question! Can anyone help me figure out what chords are being played in the chorus to this youtube video? http://youtube.com/watch?v=-uZ19EYzX4c

I'm just looking for the chords to the chorus (starts around 28s). For what it's worth, the camera zooms in a bit closer on his fingers just before the chorus, and really close before the next repeat (1:28), but I still can't work it out!

My best guess is:

Am C(?) F E

But I'm pretty sure I'm missing something... please help!

Cowboy Music

keith0718 — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:59:47 -0800

Cowboy Music: I want to learn more about it. I've recently discovered the sub-genre called "cowboy music". I want to explore it, but don't know where to begin. What's considered classic? Which songs are considered "standards" of the genre? Who are the great artists to check out? What albums/songs are highlights of the genre's history? Also, I'm seeking to learn the "standards" of the genre to play on guitar during camping trips. Are their any books out there to facilitate that?

Quit shimmering, and play something we can all sing

scruss — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:03:41 -0800

Beyond loud, pleasing (and above all) shimmering folk chord strumming, what can I do with a 12-string acoustic guitar? Just got a nice 12-string guitar. While the strumming sounds enormously pleasant, I'm finding that the country/folk basic flatpicking that I enjoy on the 6-string doesn't really work so well.

I've just got Pete Seeger's 12-String Guitar as Played by Lead Belly, but it might be a little beyond me for now. The less said about attempting Kottke, the better

So, what works for you on 12-string?

Classical Underground

mockdeep — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:17:14 -0800

How is it to be a subway performer? I play classical guitar and have at times considered taking it down into the Chicago underground. I'm not struggling by any means, but in idle fancy at times I wonder what it might be like to go practice in the subway. Are there specific stations where performers are allowed? Is there some sort of schedule that performers go by? Would it be bad form for me to take my art down there if I'm not having trouble making ends meet? Can anybody here relate some of their personal experience playing at train stations?

Help me become a (real) Guitar Hero

davey_darling — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:20:52 -0800

What do I need to be doing in order to transition from being a strictly open chords style guitar player to a lead/riff oriented player? I have been playing the guitar for about 12 years now. Throughout this time, I have rarely ventured past the acoustic open chord type stuff. I began playing the guitar to accompany myself when singing. I've played tons of open mics/shows with bands/innumerable campfires and house parties. I really think that being a decent singer has taken away the impetus to improve my lead technique.

Now I'm in a situation where being able to play some more advanced lead stuff would really open up some possibilities as far as playing out. A good friend is a drummer, and we have been playing with a few bassists. We're doing fine, but it'd be nice to strap on an electric guitar for a lot of the music we'd like to do (my dreaming of rock stardom days are long past - I'd be perfectly happy churning out music for folks to dance to at bars and weddings)

I need help with understanding the hows and whys of what to play when - I have fiddled around with some basic blues scales over the past decade, but nothing has really stuck.

Would switching to a straight electric guitar approach help me get the sound and feel that would move me along to mastering some lead technique?

Is there a canonical band or style of music that I should start learning that will set me down the right path?

My hands are reasonably agile - I can pick out random riffs all day long. I just need to know how to learn to know what to play and when to play it. A guitar teacher where I am right now is unfortunately not an option for me.

Any advice/personal stories/tips are welcome.

Yeah Budgie!

mistsandrain — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:42:49 -0800

Please help me find chords and tab for Budgie's "Young is a World"... off of the Squawk album. I didn't realize OLGA was taken down... must be old news. My searches have turned up nothing... I think I have the lyrics down but if you run across those, please include...

thanks!

Enough is enough! I have had it with these mf'ing guitars on this mf'ing plane!"

Ironmouth — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:42:45 -0800

I'm going on vacation and I'd love to take my guitar with me on the flights. What experiences have you had since the last question (October 2005) on this problem? Experiences involving United Airlines and U.S. Airways especially relevant. I'm going through one of those real fertile times, writing a song every few days. I'd love to keep this up during my week long vacation. I'm not going to take the good accoustic, but I'd love to take the 'minor axe' with me. I'm paranoid as hell, however.

What type of Larivee is this?

eightball — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 11:27:22 -0800

Does anyone know exactly what model Larrivee this guitar is? Notice there's no pick guard. I couldn't find anything exactly like this on Larrivee's website. Is it just a L-03E without the pick guard?

Max Axe

netbros — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 06:22:27 -0800

Who are the most talented guitar players alive today? Not style specific, any genre. I'm looking to enhance my listening pleasure.

Why are you singing that way?

knave — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:20:51 -0800

Curious about a certain phenomenon in music, where someone sings the same notes that he's playing on guitar... It seems to be something that jam bands might do, or some kind of blues/jazz thing, but I never was good with categorizing bands. One example off the top of my head is Sublime's "Under My Voodoo" (here's a crappy youtube version), not that Sublime falls into any of those categories.

Where did this come from, and is it supposed to be showing off some kind of skill? I don't completely get it, as from a musical point of view, usually different voices complement — rather than copy — each other. I'm genuinely curious what this is all about.

Acoustic guitar songs that are "metal"

TheManChild2000 — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:20:00 -0800

What are some songs featuring acoustic guitars, rather than electric, that could still be considered "metal"? In this case I'm using a definition of metal to mean dark and/or aggressive in tone, style, or intent. Doesn't necessarily have to mean the song comes from a metal band. Danzig's "Come to Silver" would be one example.

Suggestions for songs that include drums, bass, and vocals as backup to the acoustic guitar is ok. Bonus points for songs that qualify due to the songwriting, not the technical difficulty, as this list is for a beginning guitar player that has no interest in Mary Has A Little Lamb.

What kind of gear did guitarist Sonny Sharrock used?

MrMisterio — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:07:06 -0800

Does anyone know what kind of gear did guitarist Sonny Sharrock used?

Help me be the perfect roadie!

unexpected — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:31:34 -0800

So I told my friend I'd be his band's light/sound guy, and I need some help figuring out the practicalities of it all... So one of my best friends has gotten together with his med school buddies and they're putting a show together. They'd like me to be their light/sound guy, and I was more than happy to volunteer.

This is all well and good, but I don't know what the heck I'm doing.

On the lights: They bought a bunch of basic lighting effects that work just by plugging them in (strobe light, flashers, fog machine, etc.). I gained "control" over these by plugging them into surge protectors, and turning the surge protectors on and off. I feel like an idiot with six surge protectors around me, figuring out which one is which, and turning them on and off.

Is there a master switchboard thingie that these lights can plug into? We (of course) have a minimal budget, but if the only thing you know is a high-end system, show that to me as well.

Is it possible automate the lights through this switchboard? I'm a tech guy- is it possible to script such a thing? or is their an open source package or something that interfaces with said switch board?

Sound: this is fairly straight-forward, we're just using garage band, and I'm monitoring for feedback etc. - however, if I wanted to make it more complicated, with me playing sounds, different effects, etc., what would I use (I really just want to tinker around with something).

I'm especially interested in homebrew solutions, but if you know of anything amazingly awesome and fantastic, that's useful too. I just don't know anything about this area, and I'm trying to dive in head first!

Help find antique dealer in SoCal for vintage guitar

InfidelZombie — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:56:27 -0800

Help me find an antique dealer/auction house in the Southern California area that specializes in vintage musical instruments and/or country music memorabilia. My mom had tickets to the Antiques Roadshow taping in Palm Springs last weekend, so I had her take along my grandma’s National steel guitar. The guitar once belonged to Stuart Hamblen, and has been in our family since my great-grandpa bought it in a pawn shop in the 30’s. It’s a beautiful guitar, lots of engraving and inlay work, but it’s gotten a little beat up over the years as a plaything for kids and grandkids. I never thought it would be worth a lot of money, but the appraisal came in at $25-$35K so I think I’d like to sell it and pay off some bills.

Does anyone here have experience with antique dealers or auction houses specializing in this kind of instrument, preferably in the greater L.A. area? I’d also appreciate any advice you could give on what to expect with this type of sale: what’s the normal process, what kind of fees might I expect to pay, how much tax will I be liable for, etc.

Learning guitar - need to find songs with just the chords I know.

xchmp — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:38:07 -0800

I've been learning guitar for just over a month now and it seems to be going quite well. I'm trying to get my chord transitions fast and smooth with the easy open chords before I move on to more difficult ones. I've found a few songs that I can play with just these chords by looking through the usual guitar tab/chord websites, but finding them this way manually is time-consuming. Where I can search for songs that only include a specified set of chords?

tremolo controversy

mundy — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 08:55:15 -0800

tremolofilter: Floyd Rose pros and cons I'm feeling some 80s-guitar gear nostalgia. I used to have a Charvel with the Floyd Rose-licensed tremolo and I'm thinking of getting one again for old times' sake. As I recall it was pretty fun to play. Stylewise it's several miles from what I do now but that's part of the appeal I guess.

Anyway, I don't remember the tremolo being a pain, but I read horror stories now about upkeep and setup. I can do basic adjustments on a guitar, but I'm no guitar tech. If you go with the non-floating, single-locking type is it really that complicated?

As always, I go to the mefi nation instead of the guitar forums because there's a bit more perspective here.