Jenna On Fiddle, Brody On Guitar, And Brady On Mandolin?
Jenna mentioned in her previous article, Fiddlin’ Around, that around last August she decided to do something about her fiddle obsession. She went and rented a fiddle and has been taking lessons ever since. Yesterday I decided to take a page out of her book and do something about my desire to play guitar. I went to Strait music company and picked me up a Martin guitar. I don’t know how to play anything yet, but I figured putting some money down would help motivate me into learning. Then this morning Brady surprised both Jenna and I by ordering a mandolin. Sweet!
Neither one of us want to fork over the money to take lessons, but I’m still considering it as an option. I’ve done some research for books, online lessons, and software to help me learn the guitar, but I decided to turn to anyone who reads The 9513 and knows how to play guitar to give me some pointers on the best route to take. Professional lessons, specific software, or any book recommendations that helped you out on your quest to learn guitar would be much appreciated. The same thing goes for any mandolin players that can help Brady as well.
We’ll be sure to give you credit when we take over the country music scene as the hottest family act since…sliced bread. Actually, Jenna’s the only one of us who has any professional music aspirations. Brady and I picked it up for a hobby and to possibly write some of our own songs for enjoyment.
We’d appreciate it mucho grande if there’s any help you could give us.
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Trackback URI for this postJanuary 26, 2007
[...] Seeing as I wanted to start learning to play themandolin, I figured I would give the contest a try. Unfortunately, after I entered every single email address I could think of, I was still one spot away from even receiving a poster and CD. I guess I just don’t have enough friends, so if any of y’all out there have more friends than me and wanna give the contest a shot, go check out The Greencards MySpace page for the details. Tags: Country Music, The Greencards [...]
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January 15, 2007 at 9:51 am Permalink
I asked around a bit at the AFTM festival this weekend and a good place to start since y’all are South might be South Austin Music next to the Saxon Pub. They have teachers there. Might also check Brook Mays or Strait down on Ben White. They offer all kinds of music lessons and they’re probably cheaper, but not always.
January 15, 2007 at 8:22 pm Permalink
Thanks a lot, Lisa. I got my guitar from Straight, so I might go back over there to sign up for lessons. I think I’m progressing pretty good on my own, but I feel like I’m missing some stuff that a teacher would be able to point out. I appreciate your help.
January 16, 2007 at 10:12 pm Permalink
My video game addiction killed my guitar dream. I was just starting to get fairly decent with a regular guitar, when I finally got the much anticipated Guitar Hero II (Guitar Hero I is what got me into guitars in the first place). Because I played the first Guitar Hero backwards (like Paul McCartney and David Bowie–right hand on fretboard) because I’m right-handed. Playing that for forever has wrecked my regular guitar skills, because it just doesn’t feel natural any other way, and it’s really really beyond my skill level to play a flipped guitar.
Oh well.
May 14, 2007 at 8:34 pm Permalink
I think its great you guys are picking up instruments. Go for it!! Let us know how it is coming…
May 14, 2007 at 8:44 pm Permalink
Jenna’s probably the furthest along. I practice a few times a week, but it’s going pretty slow. I’m still debating on whether I should sign up for professional lessons.
May 14, 2007 at 9:40 pm Permalink
If you’ve played around with your guitar for awhile now and especially if you are “coachable” you will benefit greatly from finding a good teacher. Notice I said “good.” A teacher has to want to teach, not just be good at playing. If you have hit a bit of a wall in your learning, take a few lessons. Show your instructor what you can do and go from there. Maybe just a few lessons, maybe a year. You’ll know.
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