First Guitar Class, Followed by Tuesday at Tios

[netmouse]

Today I had my first in a series of ten class sessions at the WCC in guitar playing. Happily, Katherine Becker is taking the class too, so we sat together as we learned chords and some strumming patterns. It was a little frustrating because my guitar, which is a very old classical guitar, hadn't been tuned in a long time and wouldn't hold its tuning. I tried not to be obnoxious re-tuning it during class, but I thought that was less obnoxious than playing horribly out of tune chords. The instructor thought maybe it was just the strings stretching, but I think I want a steel string anyway for the narrower neck, so I'll probably go buy an entry level guitar soon.

I will actually miss next week's lesson, 'cause I'll be in San Francisco, but after that I hope to make the rest. I'll try to practice, too. And I'll probably also make a regular habit of heading over to Tios afterwards with Kathy to get a bite to eat and see the folks who converge there on Tuesdays. It was nice to see everyone.

Comments

[shadowriderhope.livejournal.com]

If either you or elizilla want to borrow my guitar, I have a nice Alvarez that is sadly not getting much use around here. Let me know.
I think it's so cool that you (both) are doing this! :) Yay for music!

[elizilla]

My guitar is fine. My brother would certainly have loaned me one but when I decided to do this I went out and bought one. It's nicer to have my own, I can get more comfy with it knowing I don't have to ever give it back. And they're not very expensive, at least not the entry level ones.

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

When are you getting to San Francisco? I'm in Silicon valley... and would be cool to meet up for dinner on the other side of the country. :)

[boywhocantsayno.livejournal.com]

Sounds like fun. I haven't played my guitar in an eon or two. I shudder to think of what I would sound like now. (I still remember most of the chord fingerings, but I'm sure my hand would get tired within minutes.)

[earthtomeryl.livejournal.com]

How cool!
About the tuning- strings do "slip" (de-tune themselves) a *lot* when they're new or when they haven't been tuned in a long time. If you keep tuning it regularly over the next few days, and it's still slipping quickly after that, that's when I would worry about the actual guitar.

[moonboy.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on taking guitar lessons.
I don't regret ever learning how to play.
The narrow neck on a steel string can be helpful with those who have tiny hands, but the nylon strings of a classical are softer on the fingertips.
I prefer the classical myself, both for sound quality and because of the aforementioned soft fingertips.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

Since I do have short fingers, I think the steel string will be easier for getting the fingering right, even if the strings are harder on my fingers.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

Well, I'll try it. Last time I spent a month or two practicing regularly it still never seemed to hold the tuning. But I'll try.

[moonboy.livejournal.com]

I suppose you'll work on those calluses.