Beginner Flatpickers

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Comment by Jon Finley on December 12, 2009 at 1:08pm

You know... I've been playing guitar for quite a while now... I started out as a kid wanting to be the rock star.. (stop laughing) and later on took up fingerstyly guitar and really enjoyed that immensly and the technique served me well in all of my playing situations.. but I had to rely so much on using nails... and then I ended up getting involved in brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and had to eliminate the nails... so I just stopped playing... 5 years later after fumbling around with a pick I've been bitten by the flatpicking bug... I have no idea why I didn't enjoy this before... crazy... I'm just amazed at what I see flat pickers do with just a flat-top and a pick... I'm hooked...

Comment by Chuck Rice on December 31, 2008 at 1:34pm

Warren. I've been trying Orrin's Devil's Dream out of several positions beginning with the way he had it, out of C and also out of D the way you are doing it. I've improved on it but still have a long way to go.
My 2009 resolution as far as my guitar playing is to learn several more new tunes and try to get to where I can get through some tunes at respectable speed (not full speed, not yet anyway). I have seen a lot of improvement in my playing this year and if I can say the same thing at the end of 2009 then I'll be happy.
Have a Happy New Year y'all!
- Chuck

Comment by Art Headley on December 31, 2008 at 10:01am

Hi there, I was just getting around to writing you and noticed that you had left a reply. I feel that I was overly rash in my response to your goals. I apologize. I was preaching to the choir (myself)
I'm one of those people who can easily come up with 10-12 New Year's resolutions. In fact, my goal for today is to pare down and consolidate my 2009 goals.
Rolly's stuff is, IMHO, really good stuff. For the way I learn, he is prob. the best teacher I have ever had.
Have a great 2009! Art

Comment by Warren Recoskie on December 31, 2008 at 6:49am

Hey Chuck, that Devil's Dream is a doozy, isn't it? I play mandolin as well and I kind of took the version that I played on mandolin and brought it over to guitar. It's played in the first position (Open D) and it's pretty basic. Orin's version is nice because of it being played in the C position and it allows the tune to become "fuller". I haven't sat down to figure it all out yet. I did however learn "Flowers of Edinburgh" (I think it was from the same issue). It's one of my favourite fiddle tunes.

Comment by Nancy on November 6, 2008 at 9:32am

Thank you, Chuck, I'll definitely check it out! -- it sounds great, I always wanted to be a parking lot picker!-- those people seem like they can play anything!

P.S. Are there any Scottish flatpickers out there?

Comment by Chuck Rice on November 6, 2008 at 9:13am

Hi Nancy. Yes, start with Steve Kaufman's "Bluegrass Guitar Solos That Every Parking Lot Picker Should Know, Vol. 1". You can get it over at his site at http://flatpik.com. I have no financial interest but I've used his learning material and it has been very helpful.

Comment by Nancy on November 6, 2008 at 8:43am

Hello! I have been playing guitar for years, and have Minimal (notice the Capital "M" when I say MINIMAL) experience in flatpicking. I went to my first Jam in Long Beach, and had too much fun. I am just beginning to build a repertoire of songs to learn-- does anyone have any suggestions of a cd to purchase that would be helpful in learning some of the staples of bluegrass?
Thank you!

Comment by Chuck Rice on October 27, 2008 at 11:28am

Hey! I've been seeing a lot of activity in the Recording and Gear groups but none from any of y'all beginner flatpickers. I guess you're too busy workin' on your down-ups!..What are you working on? I'm currently trying Orrin Star's version of Devil's Dream from the Sept/Oct FGM. Using the ring finger on the first string 3rd fret then using the second finger on the second string 3rd fret kinda opened up some possibilities for me. I'm used to trying to play in positions but this moves away from that and really works very well. I was able to apply it to the second part of Blackberry Blossom as well. Don't let all that fancy talk fool you. I'm still struggling with it and probably will be from now on but I'm trying to embrace something Steve K. said in one of his videos (and I'm paraphrasing)" it's all about the journey, not the destination." I'd like to be a great flatpicker but I'm going to enjoy the trip because I'll never reach that destination....- See ya!...- Chuck

Comment by Chuck Rice on October 23, 2008 at 12:54pm

Hi folks. It's really interesting to see how many of us have been playing for many years but are just now getting into flatpicking. I spent a couple of years trying to flatpick then gave it up in about 2002 but in the past 5 or six months have started back trying to get a handle on it. It's tough but lately I'm actually seeing some improvement. I have a lot of Steve's materials and have found the "Figuring Out The Fingerboard" DVD to be eye opening. I wish I could find a one on one instructor in my area because I think I might do better with that than with the printed/recorded material. Anyway, it's great to have this forum of beginners to fall back on. - See ya!

Comment by Warren Recoskie on September 8, 2008 at 5:28pm

Hey there. I've been teaching myself guitar for the past 13 years. My first instrument was the fiddle but I gave it up to pursue sports. I've finally gotten back to basics and I'm learning all of the old fiddle tunes I used to play and pickin them out on the flattop. I got a digital membership with FGM this month and I've been loving it. I have 3 or 4 of the tunes in the magazine worked out already. I think I've found my new passion and I'm glad to see that there is an awesome network like this. Oh and by the way, I play a Yamaha CPX-5SS...... but please don't hold that against me. ;)

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