Article: A Musical and Audiophile Journey

[mitchco]

Chris, congrats again! I echo @agladstone's advice on getting the guitar properly setup. Aside from sounding better, staying in tune longer, it will be easier to play.

I see Twin Town Guitar has a PLEK machine: https://www.twintown.com/pages/plek You might want to consider that...

[The Computer Audiophile]

6 hours ago, mitchco said:

Chris, congrats again! I echo @agladstone's advice on getting the guitar properly setup. Aside from sounding better, staying in tune longer, it will be easier to play.

I see Twin Town Guitar has a PLEK machine: https://www.twintown.com/pages/plek You might want to consider that...

Oh cool, PLEK! Didn’t know such a thing existed!

[Johnseye]

Hey there Chris, great to hear you've started on a new and incredibly rewarding hobby. Especially when you can share it with your daughter. Hopefully she enjoys it as well. My son plays and has become better than me. Now I learn from him! 

 

After reading Bob Taylor's book Guitar Lessons I've always wanted to get one. You've inspired me to look into them again. I've played a Martin for many years. What were your key decision factors in choosing the model and wood types you did? Also, what were the best online resources you used in education and helping to make your decision? 

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 hour ago, Johnseye said:

Hey there Chris, great to hear you've started on a new and incredibly rewarding hobby. Especially when you can share it with your daughter. Hopefully she enjoys it as well. My son plays and has become better than me. Now I learn from him! 

 

After reading Bob Taylor's book Guitar Lessons I've always wanted to get one. You've inspired me to look into them again. I've played a Martin for many years. What were your key decision factors in choosing the model and wood types you did? Also, what were the best online resources you used in education and helping to make your decision? 

Hi @Johnseye, great to hear you and your son play! I hope it turns out this way for my daughter and I. 
 

The decision to get a Taylor and specifically the 814ce was agonizing, in the way that only first world problems can be. 
 

Brand history, reputation, service, etc… all mattered quite a bit to me. This guitar is more than just something I strum to produce a sound. It’s an experience and I want to feel good every time I play. Getting a Taylor fit that bill nicely. Bob Taylor’s outlook on so much, really jibes with me. 
 

I also like Andy Powers’ ideology that the best guitars are ahead of us. This is different from many views of Martin guitars in that everyone wants the old ones. 
 

Taylor’s V-Class bracing is revolutionary in my view. I’m not against X bracing in Martins as I think they are fantastic, but I really think V bracing is more my style. 
 

I also installed the TaylorSense module that monitors temp, humidity, and impact, and reports it to the app. Really nice. 

 

I also wanted a guitar made in the USA. Some Taylors are made in the Mexico factory, while the higher end models are made in California (as I’m sure you know).

 

I researched the woods endlessly and even did my best to listen to them at guitar shops. I decided that a spruce top was the best route for me. It’s what “all” the best guitars seem to use. Side and back rosewoods also seem that way and I love the look. 
 

The price differences between many of the Taylors get fairly small once you get to made in the USA, spruce top, rosewood sides and back, etc… The 800 series is the flagship, although far from most expensive. I like to get great products that last and can be passed down, while still holding both monetary value and meaning. An 814ce just fit the bill in so many ways for me. 
 

I endlessly read guitar forums to get opinions and articles in guitar magazines. I tried some YouTube videos and they drove me insane for the most part. 30 seconds of good information hidden in 30 minutes of people blathering on about nothing. Not my thing. 
 

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/index.php

 

http://www.unofficialtaylorguitarforum.com
 

https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/

 

I could go on forever, but I will say this whole process has been great to help me better write for AS. I haven’t researched for a HiFi product in over a decade. I see what I want, talk to a manufacturer, and wait for it to arrive. Getting a guitar was very different and I learned much I can use for writing here. 

[pga]

Just recently started playing this old guitar that I learned to play on in 1970.  This is a classical guitar made in the traditional Spanish style by Miguel Company.  Miguel was born in Spain, moved to Cuba and became the premier luthier on the island. He fled Cuba on a raft when Castro took over, bringing Cuban wood with him.  He set up shop in Miami, where he worked until his 80s. Miguel is best known for the 12 string guitars he made for CSN & Young.  
 

I recently had my 51 year old guitar refurbished by a younger Cuban luthier that studied the craft in Spain, Bill Glez. I learned a lot from Bill on just how delicate the process is to build a classical guitar. Bill is a big Miguel Company fan, and even bought from Miguel’s widow wood that Miguel had in his shop that came on the raft with him from Cuba. 

 

 

[pga]

Chris, this just came out on Qobuz.  Great album. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

58 minutes ago, pga said:

Just recently started playing this old guitar that I learned to play on in 1970.  This is a classical guitar made in the traditional Spanish style by Miguel Company.  Miguel was born in Spain, moved to Cuba and became the premier luthier on the island. He fled Cuba on a raft when Castro took over, bringing Cuban wood with him.  He set up shop in Miami, where he worked until his 80s. Miguel is best known for the 12 string guitars he made for CSN & Young.  
 

I recently had my 51 year old guitar refurbished by a younger Cuban luthier that studied the craft in Spain, Bill Glez. I learned a lot from Bill on just how delicate the process is to build a classical guitar. Bill is a big Miguel Company fan, and even bought from Miguel’s widow wood that Miguel had in his shop that came on the raft with him from Cuba. 

 

 

Wow, so cool!

[The Computer Audiophile]

Update: I just signed up for lessons at Twin Town. I start Thursday December 2nd!

[agladstone]

23 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Update: I just signed up for lessons at Twin Town. I start Thursday December 2nd!

Great decision! If you try to learn guitar via YouTube, you’ll be more confused and scattered than following a true path created by a guitar teacher. 
The Fender play mobile app is also very good for the basics and it also follows a clear path, it’s very affordable and definitely money well spent. 

[matthewpartrick]

I’ve been playing acoustic guitar for 30 years, and I cannot tell which instrument an artist is playing most of the time.  Strats and Les Pauls are a little easier, but most of the time what I’m hearing is the phrasing and nuance of the artist himself, which has helped a great deal while paying attention to other musicians, namely Coltrane or Louis Armstrong, whose phraseology comes through with the first note.  Enjoy that Taylor! I’m a Martin man myself, talk about a financial rabbit hole.  You thought DACs etc were bad! :)

[Johnseye]

On 11/25/2021 at 11:28 AM, The Computer Audiophile said:

Hi @Johnseye, great to hear you and your son play! I hope it turns out this way for my daughter and I. 
 

The decision to get a Taylor and specifically the 814ce was agonizing, in the way that only first world problems can be. 
 

Brand history, reputation, service, etc… all mattered quite a bit to me. This guitar is more than just something I strum to produce a sound. It’s an experience and I want to feel good every time I play. Getting a Taylor fit that bill nicely. Bob Taylor’s outlook on so much, really jibes with me. 
 

I also like Andy Powers’ ideology that the best guitars are ahead of us. This is different from many views of Martin guitars in that everyone wants the old ones. 
 

Taylor’s V-Class bracing is revolutionary in my view. I’m not against X bracing in Martins as I think they are fantastic, but I really think V bracing is more my style. 
 

I also installed the TaylorSense module that monitors temp, humidity, and impact, and reports it to the app. Really nice. 

 

I also wanted a guitar made in the USA. Some Taylors are made in the Mexico factory, while the higher end models are made in California (as I’m sure you know).

 

I researched the woods endlessly and even did my best to listen to them at guitar shops. I decided that a spruce top was the best route for me. It’s what “all” the best guitars seem to use. Side and back rosewoods also seem that way and I love the look. 
 

The price differences between many of the Taylors get fairly small once you get to made in the USA, spruce top, rosewood sides and back, etc… The 800 series is the flagship, although far from most expensive. I like to get great products that last and can be passed down, while still holding both monetary value and meaning. An 814ce just fit the bill in so many ways for me. 
 

I endlessly read guitar forums to get opinions and articles in guitar magazines. I tried some YouTube videos and they drove me insane for the most part. 30 seconds of good information hidden in 30 minutes of people blathering on about nothing. Not my thing. 
 

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/index.php

 

http://www.unofficialtaylorguitarforum.com
 

https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/

 

I could go on forever, but I will say this whole process has been great to help me better write for AS. I haven’t researched for a HiFi product in over a decade. I see what I want, talk to a manufacturer, and wait for it to arrive. Getting a guitar was very different and I learned much I can use for writing here. 

 

Thanks for the info and inspiration Chris.  I had a fun weekend playing a bunch of different guitars and found a Taylor that moved me.

 

Did you buy an acoustic amp yet?

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

2 hours ago, Johnseye said:

 

Thanks for the info and inspiration Chris.  I had a fun weekend playing a bunch of different guitars and found a Taylor that moved me.

 

Did you buy an acoustic amp yet?

 

I haven’t gone down the acoustic amp rabbit hole yet :~)

[Jud]

Wonderful to read about the start of your journey into something you've always wanted to do, Chris - and the prospect of doing it together with your daughter.  🙂  (But have you thought about what happens if she gets a lot better than you? 😉)

[The Computer Audiophile]

2 minutes ago, Jud said:

Wonderful to read about the start of your journey into something you've always wanted to do, Chris - and the prospect of doing it together with your daughter.  🙂  (But have you thought about what happens if she gets a lot better than you? 😉)

Thanks Jud!

 

You wouldn't believe what's already happening. I brought my guitar downstairs and she told me, "you didn't think you could bring it down here and NOT let me play too, did you?"

 

Then she was playing the notes to White Stripes' Seven Nation Army on a flute type thing she picked up in Kauai a couple years ago. So, I looked it up on acoustic guitar and tried to play it. Next thing I know, she's telling me from across the room, "no dad, it's 3, 3, 5, 7, 5, 3, 2." Telling me I had the wrong frets, then saying the frets out loud as I tried to get it right. Then, she Brough out her viola and tried to show me how it is done on that. 

 

I have no problems with her telling me what to do on this. It means she is learning too!

 

This is so fun! I can't wait until she opens up her guitar and we "play" together on Christmas!

[Jud]

1 minute ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Then she was playing the notes to White Stripes' Seven Nation Army

 

Kid's got taste!

[TubeLover]

Congrats on the new journey you've undertaken Chris. 

 

I also planned to learn to play guitar early on. But, I was seventeen and also playing a ton of sports, and I had friends who were in bands. They talked me into managing their bands, and I also wrote lyrics for them, but ended up with no time to play guitar. that was nearly fifty years ago. So you have a big head start on me. 

 

About eighteen months, or so, ago, I also decided (assuming that retirement would finally allow me the time) that I must undertake learning to play this daunting instrument. I tried learning from what appeared to be the best books available, and found that a very limited way to go. I then decided that I needed someone to at least help me learn the fundamentals, so I at least started doing things correctly, and had a sound foundation to build on. 

 

After a lot of searching, I identified and tracked down a great guitar instructor. He seemed to have tremendous background and expertise, but I realized after we had spent some time together and talked that he was far more than I realized. He had played rhythm guitar for BB. King for a number of years. His roommate, and best friend, who also played with BB, was, an at the time  unknown named Stevie ray Vaughn. When Stevie first went out on his own, he took my instructor along to play rhythm guitar for him. My teacher later also played a stint with the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and even played at a live, charity concert with Eric Clapton, after his rhythm guitar player was hit by food poisoning. Eric had seen him play an earlier set with BB King and asked if he could fill in. He has pictures documenting all of this, and the stories he can tell are simply incredible. 

 

I went to him for about four months for lessons, and then he was severely hit by COVID. And, at his age, it really took it's toll. He no longer teaches, and it was a massive loss to my attempt to learn to play, as I have not been able to replace him. Virtually all of the instructors I have looked into are only doing video/zoom lessons and I tried a couple, and they just don't work for me. Especially, at the point I am at in my learning process, I need someone there, and hands on. It hasn't helped that Michigan was, early on, one of the worst states for COVID cases, and has returned to that level in recent months. I understand people's concerns, but it has made moving forward in learning guitar very difficult. 

 

So, for the past year I have been doing my best, playing through his lesson book (the first stages that I have) for an hour daily, backwards, forwards, and am in hope of finding some worthwhile guitar teacher who still works in person.

 

I've also had a couple setbacks with a severe trigger finger condition on the ring finger of my left hand. Shots initially helped, but I recently had to have surgery. I have been rehabbing my fonger/hand for the past six weeks, and have slowly started back practicing, but some chords I simply cannot extend the finger to play yet, but it is improving, if slowly. Unfortunately, the two periods where the affected finger became extremely painful, and now, the surgery, have cost me probably four months of inactivity in the last year. However, nothing is going to stop me from learning to at least play acceptably. Assuming I live that long! :) 

 

There is, as you've noted, something very special about learning to play a guitar. Granted, if I allow myself to think of the degree of expertise of countless incredibly gifted rock guitarists, it feels as though I would have to live to be a thousand to even reach the level of "decent'. But I'm not giving up. I'm in this for the long run. 

 

Kudo's again, for taking up this challenge. Enjoy the ride. 

 

JC

[mav52]

I've been playing guitar since the early 60's so enjoy and build up those calluses.

[The Computer Audiophile]

2 hours ago, mav52 said:

I've been playing guitar since the early 60's so enjoy and build up those calluses.

 

I feel like Bryan Adams in the summer of '69. My fingers have never felt worse, but I'm having so much fun I don't really care :~)

[The Computer Audiophile]

8 hours ago, TubeLover said:

Congrats on the new journey you've undertaken Chris. 

 

I also planned to learn to play guitar early on. But, I was seventeen and also playing a ton of sports, and I had friends who were in bands. They talked me into managing their bands, and I also wrote lyrics for them, but ended up with no time to play guitar. that was nearly fifty years ago. So you have a big head start on me. 

 

About eighteen months, or so, ago, I also decided (assuming that retirement would finally allow me the time) that I must undertake learning to play this daunting instrument. I tried learning from what appeared to be the best books available, and found that a very limited way to go. I then decided that I needed someone to at least help me learn the fundamentals, so I at least started doing things correctly, and had a sound foundation to build on. 

 

After a lot of searching, I identified and tracked down a great guitar instructor. He seemed to have tremendous background and expertise, but I realized after we had spent some time together and talked that he was far more than I realized. He had played rhythm guitar for BB. King for a number of years. His roommate, and best friend, who also played with BB, was, an at the time  unknown named Stevie ray Vaughn. When Stevie first went out on his own, he took my instructor along to play rhythm guitar for him. My teacher later also played a stint with the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and even played at a live, charity concert with Eric Clapton, after his rhythm guitar player was hit by food poisoning. Eric had seen him play an earlier set with BB King and asked if he could fill in. He has pictures documenting all of this, and the stories he can tell are simply incredible. 

 

I went to him for about four months for lessons, and then he was severely hit by COVID. And, at his age, it really took it's toll. He no longer teaches, and it was a massive loss to my attempt to learn to play, as I have not been able to replace him. Virtually all of the instructors I have looked into are only doing video/zoom lessons and I tried a couple, and they just don't work for me. Especially, at the point I am at in my learning process, I need someone there, and hands on. It hasn't helped that Michigan was, early on, one of the worst states for COVID cases, and has returned to that level in recent months. I understand people's concerns, but it has made moving forward in learning guitar very difficult. 

 

So, for the past year I have been doing my best, playing through his lesson book (the first stages that I have) for an hour daily, backwards, forwards, and am in hope of finding some worthwhile guitar teacher who still works in person.

 

I've also had a couple setbacks with a severe trigger finger condition on the ring finger of my left hand. Shots initially helped, but I recently had to have surgery. I have been rehabbing my fonger/hand for the past six weeks, and have slowly started back practicing, but some chords I simply cannot extend the finger to play yet, but it is improving, if slowly. Unfortunately, the two periods where the affected finger became extremely painful, and now, the surgery, have cost me probably four months of inactivity in the last year. However, nothing is going to stop me from learning to at least play acceptably. Assuming I live that long! :) 

 

There is, as you've noted, something very special about learning to play a guitar. Granted, if I allow myself to think of the degree of expertise of countless incredibly gifted rock guitarists, it feels as though I would have to live to be a thousand to even reach the level of "decent'. But I'm not giving up. I'm in this for the long run. 

 

Kudo's again, for taking up this challenge. Enjoy the ride. 

 

JC

 

 

Hi JC, wow, where to start. I'm so happy you also decided it was finally time to learn. Watching Hendrix, SRV, and Clapton, it looks so easy even a cave man could do it :~)

 

I had my first in person lesson last week, and it was fantastic. As you said, in person is really the best. There are so many little mistakes, shortcuts, or bad habits one can make, that a teacher quickly catches and lets you know how to resolve. 

 

It's a real bummer about your initial teacher being out of commission. It takes a special person to be that gifted in something and be able to teach it. I really hope you can connect with someone equally as good soon. 

 

I feel the same way as you, reading your sentence, "However, nothing is going to stop me from learning to at least play acceptably." It's really difficult because my fingers don't even reach the right strings and I feel like my wrist is going to fall off, but it's so rewarding and feels incredibly enjoyable to learn. The side benefit of how it has impacted my listening is also wonderful. 

 

Happy playing and listening JC!

[mav52]

2 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

 

I feel like Bryan Adams in the summer of '69. My fingers have never felt worse, but I'm having so much fun I don't really care :~)

Wait till they peel and get tougher. But its the journey one takes.   Also maybe a good idea to stretch the fingers and exercise the hand.

[TubeLover]

4 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

 

 

Hi JC, wow, where to start. I'm so happy you also decided it was finally time to learn. Watching Hendrix, SRV, and Clapton, it looks so easy even a cave man could do it :~)

 

I had my first in person lesson last week, and it was fantastic. As you said, in person is really the best. There are so many little mistakes, shortcuts, or bad habits one can make, that a teacher quickly catches and lets you know how to resolve. 

 

It's a real bummer about your initial teacher being out of commission. It takes a special person to be that gifted in something and be able to teach it. I really hope you can connect with someone equally as good soon. 

 

I feel the same way as you, reading your sentence, "However, nothing is going to stop me from learning to at least play acceptably." It's really difficult because my fingers don't even reach the right strings and I feel like my wrist is going to fall off, but it's so rewarding and feels incredibly enjoyable to learn. The side benefit of how it has impacted my listening is also wonderful. 

 

Happy playing and listening JC!

Thanks Chris. And even at the early point in my learning I can promise that your fingers WILL reach everything, just give it time! :) My hands are medium sized/average, and I felt the same way you did early on. Ask your teacher for some recommended finger stretching exercises, that will speed things along. Glad to hear you've found a source for, in person, lessons, and that your first one was so rewarding. 

 

JC

[agladstone]

On 12/7/2021 at 3:15 PM, TubeLover said:

Thanks Chris. And even at the early point in my learning I can promise that your fingers WILL reach everything, just give it time! :) My hands are medium sized/average, and I felt the same way you did early on. Ask your teacher for some recommended finger stretching exercises, that will speed things along. Glad to hear you've found a source for, in person, lessons, and that your first one was so rewarding. 

 

JC

On YouTube, the channel “Justin Guitar” has a couple of really good daily finger stretching and strengthening exercises, I’ve been doing them almost everyday and they’re definitely helpful. 
He is a good teacher for beginner’s too. 

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

6 minutes ago, agladstone said:

On YouTube, the channel “Justin Guitar” has a couple of really good daily finger stretching and strengthening exercises, I’ve been doing them almost everyday and they’re definitely helpful. 
He is a good teacher for beginner’s too. 

 

Nice! 
 

I signed up for his app for one year. He is a great teacher. 
 

I hadn’t seen these exercises yet. Thanks!

[TubeLover]

7 hours ago, agladstone said:

On YouTube, the channel “Justin Guitar” has a couple of really good daily finger stretching and strengthening exercises, I’ve been doing them almost everyday and they’re definitely helpful. 
He is a good teacher for beginner’s too. 

 

Great link, and info. Thanks! 

[agladstone]

On 12/8/2021 at 4:34 PM, The Computer Audiophile said:

Nice! 
 

I signed up for his app for one year. He is a great teacher. 
 

I hadn’t seen these exercises yet. Thanks!

He’s very good for beginners (Marty Music / Marty Schwartz and the Fender Play mobile app are too). 
My personal favorite YouTube instructor is Active Melody, however he’s definitely more advanced and most likely you aren’t ready for his lessons yet, his channel is worth checking out, I like how all his lessons tie into each other, so if you watch 100 of them, they’re all basically building upon and advancing the same theory, style and methods. I also prefer to play the type of music he focuses on (Blues).