Random Ruminations: Music

Velvet Sun

Posted Thu Mar 4, 2010 in Music

I’m winding down for the day. It was another long day — I guess they all are long days. I woke about 0530; kinda late for me. I got started on cleaning up stuff and then it was time for the office. SSDD I guess…

We took Young Son out for his birthday supper tonight. He’s 19-years old today. My baby is pretty-well grown up.

Now I’m listening to music, reading, and writing a bit before I call it a night. I’m listening to some Shawn Mullins, in particular Beneath the Velvet Sun. It has a couple of my favorite songs on it.

One of them is Amy’s Eyes. This is a song that was an anthem when I suffered through my clinical depression some years ago. There is a line from the song, …and if I could see through Amy’s eyes, chances are I would realize, somehow she sees bluer skies than I do… That line still resonates for me, because I believe at the time that those closest to me did see bluer skies than I did. It was all I could do to hang on to them.

But, I did… and the song still works for me.

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RIP Mary Travers

Posted Thu Sep 17, 2009 in Music

I just learned that Mary Travers died Wednesday evening. She suffered from leukemia and the disease finally claimed her life.

Although I wasn’t a big fan of Peter, Paul, and Mary, I respected their work and enjoyed a number of their songs. Peter, Paul, and Mary was an icon of the late 60s and early 70s.

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RIP Les Paul

Posted Thu Aug 13, 2009 in Music

Music lost a great today. Les Paul died at 94-years old is the headline.

He was one of my heroes, not for his music, but for his contribution to the making of music. He is the father of the electric guitar and his creation can do things an acoustic instrument simply cannot.

My favorite story about Paul is the one where his arm was broken in an automobile accident. He had is elbow set at an angle so he could continue to play the guitar. That’s dedication.

RIP Les Paul. The world is a lesser place without you in it. We will, however, continue to celebrate the instrument you gave us.

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Nail Care

Posted Wed Feb 4, 2009 in Music

One evening a week or so ago, Deb tweeted about a manicure. It set me off on one of my free associations that lead me to remember about guitarist fingernails.

My nail care has been pretty standard for the last twenty years. I use a Diamond Deb file to get the basic shape correct (rounded) and the length right (just beyond the fingertip). The Diamond Deb file is better than a standard nail file because it actually cuts the nail and doesn’t tear it.

Once I’m satisfied with that, I use 400-grit sandpaper (dry type) to polish out the cut marks. When the nail is smooth as glass, it will not make that raspy nail sound on the strings, either nylon or steel. That’s the tone I prefer.

I use two basic attacks on the string. One is a slicing motion that I achieve by angling the right hand slightly. The produces a nice fat sound (dolce), which can be regulated by right-hand position relative to the bridge. Closer to the bridge produces a brighter/harder tone; toward the sound hole/fretboard produces a rounder tone. The second attack is more direct and brighter tone (ponticello) that is also regulated by the position of the right hand respective to the bridge. A really hard tone can be achieve with the ponticello attack at the bridge.

But, all in all, the polish of the nail is what permits a beautiful tone. Genetics (nail strength and shape) have a lot to do with nail tone too, but I’ve been able to get a pleasant sound using the technique described above.

And now you know more than you wanted to know about fingernails and guitars.

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Chewing Pine

Posted Mon Dec 15, 2008 in Music

Chewing Pine Many (many) years ago I was introduced to Leo Kottke. I wrote about him here and here. He is a truly unique guitarist.

I was lucky enough to find a used copy of Chewing Pine on Amazom. It came in the mail today. It’s already ripped into my iTunes library and I’m listening as I write this. How cool.

Is this a Christmas present to myself? Nah. I just snagged a copy when I found it.

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Thirteen Crosses

Posted Tue Sep 30, 2008 in Music

One of my current favorite listens is Cry Cry Cry comprising Richard Shindell, Dar Williams, and Lucy Kaplansky, all folk singers in their own right. I don’t remember now how I came across this project. But, I know that a number of the songs are excellent. One of the best on the recording is “Cold Missouri Waters,” written by James Keelaghan.

I might have to go find some of his work. I’m always on the lookout, so to speak, for new music.

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Too Busy

Posted Fri Sep 12, 2008 in Music

I’ve been much too busy to write the last few days. However, I’ll share a bit of music that came across my virtual desk this morning.

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