That other music thread is very informative, but I have a specific angle that I didn’t want buried.
I’ve noticed along the way that several of you uniers are also guitar players. I’m a fingerpicker mostly. I’ve come across a few good sites for music (can’t read it) or tablature (good crutch for me). I’d never tried tablature before the internet. But now you can hear it and see it…really helps me. I wish I’d had it these past 30 yrs.
Since taking up banjo I’ve been using tablature. I wish I could still read music but that’s a bit off for now.
Norman Blake is an amazing guitar player. And I’ve seen Stephen Stills twice, once with Neil Young at the Nassau Colleseum in Long Island and once with CSN at Radio City music hall. The first time in the 70s and the second in the mid/late 80s. When both Blake and Stills pick certain songs you’d swear that there were two guitars playing. Really wonderful stuff.
Thanks for the two sites. I’ll be spending some time with them.
I’m just the opposite. I read music but my tablature skills are very shy. Mostly it’s a matter of zero time to spend on music…as the way it goes with everything else it seems.
Once upon a time back about the time when dirt was born, I started my freshman year in college as a music major. But I decided I that ought to be able to feed a family someday so I switched majors (old music dept. joke). Somedays I wish I had stayed put.
Back in high school i played the classical guitar. I could sight-read music pretty easily. Even though tab is easy, it is only partly useful. If you are really serious about developing your playing, you should probably make the extra effort and learn to read music. Not only does it give much more information than tab, but it will help you learn theory much more easily.
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Leo Kotke (sp?) perform. I only play “Last Freight Train” (or Last Train, I forget). Of course, I’ve had to slow it down. I don’t use finger picks. Just meat and nails. I don’t do any slide stuff. However, his “Louise” sounds doable.
I learned tab for banjo first, but last year I started reading music for it. I know every note up to the 6th fret without thinking. The rest will come soon, I’m sure.
Mango, Maybe you can help me. My 20 yr old cassette tape of Max Lasser is worn out. Have you heard of him? He is Austrian or Swiss. Is there a CD? Do you know of a site I could visit to get one? I almost learned a song or two of his way back then. My ear is better now. I’d love to give his music another try. (Fingerpicking Polka music is the best way I can describe his style)
Also, please provide details about M. Reed and J. Sprague. Where can I hear them.
Also, remember Jerry Reid from Smokey and the Bandit? He’ll blow your mind with his guitar playing. The songs are dated. But the talent is amazing. He recorded several albums with Chet Atkins.
The guy you want to check out for supreme fingerpicking is Guy Van Duser. He is amazing. Some of his best albums are out of print, but “American Fingerstyle Guitar” is a good compilation CD. Highly recommended.
