leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,502
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Feb 14, 2024 20:44:10 GMT
I feel bound to point out that davewhite (of this parish) has built nylon-crossover guitars for both Steve Tilston and robmc. (I think there's at least one song in The Plucky Duck for which Rob has used it, and Steve uses his on stage for a few songs). You can see the build thread for Rob's crossover here: acousticsoundboard.co.uk/thread/11857/bogha-fada-dave-white Dave's 'business model' is such that it might be worth messaging him to see if what he builds suits your needs, frankieabbott. Of course, the problem with a luthier-built model is that, by definition, you can't try before you buy - but maybe robmc could give some pointers on how he has found the process and the finished product...
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,502
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Feb 14, 2024 18:03:20 GMT
I think an important reason for me finding it such a positive experience was that I was quite clear about what I was seeking to achieve from the meeting - and was able to share that with Steve. Clear (and, hopefully) attainable goals are important - otherwise it becomes a 'what do you want to show me?' sort of thing that risks satisfying neither the teacher nor the pupil. I'm not saying that Steve was satisfied, but I was
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,502
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Feb 10, 2024 7:40:42 GMT
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,502
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Feb 7, 2024 13:50:36 GMT
That looks stunning, francis - and I say that with the knowledge that it'll look even more stunning when the finish is applied.
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,502
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Feb 7, 2024 13:47:53 GMT
Steve also let on that he's recorded some new tracks (and is still writing others) for a new album... which is great news.
But it has a working title of 'The Last One' because he'll not record another... which is not.
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,502
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Feb 7, 2024 3:02:03 GMT
I'm 62. I've been messing about on guitar for 50 years or so. Today I had my first proper lesson. I say 'proper' lesson because hanging around on this forum and going to the forum meets has given me the opportunity to learn loads of stuff from just about everyone on here - whether that's from listening/watching you play or the more direct approach of "what the hell did you do just then, and how?" But I wanted to go further, a more focussed one-to-one approach from someone I admire a great deal. A few years ago, I arranged for Steve Tilston to come along to one of our meets and lead a songwriting/performance workshop. It was meant to be my gift to the forum after having got so much from you all but I wasn't even able to do that as my gift was re-gifted to me on the understanding that I used it to attend one of Steve's songwriting workshops. Then COVID happened and Steve wasn't able to organise any workshops. So that was seemingly that. Until I went on his website and saw a little note saying he offered 1-2-1 tuition. So I contacted him and booked a session for myself. Which is how I ended up driving the 30 odd miles to Old Hebden and spending a couple of eye-wateringly eye-opening hours in his kitchen. Now, I've got to be honest, a lot of time was spent with me just being an open-mouthed fanboy. I make no apologies about that (although I did apologise to him for the drooling) but, being a trainer myself, I had a very clear idea about exactly what I wanted to get from the session: 3 songs. I wanted an insight into how he played 3 particular songs that, I reckoned, would give me an insight into his style and have enough transferrable techniques that it would lift my playing a notch or, if I'm lucky, two notches. I didn't want to be a Tilston clone or tribute act (Steve Tilted?) but I did want to see if I could replicate some of that mojo. I got my money's worth. Boy, did I get my money's worth. We started with general conversation and chat over a cup of freshly brewed coffee and a piece of his wife's Bara Brith. We talked about how we were proud of our kids doing things that made them happy but wouldn't it have been nice if just ONE of them had been a plumber. We talked about his songwriting process (the tune almost always comes first as a result of noodling) and how he decides whether to use standard, dropped D, double dropped D or DADGAD for a tune. He showed me a trick that HE had been shown by Bert Jansch to liven up dead strings. Not that my strings were dead - I'd changed them specially (admittedly I'd changed them specially for scorpiodog 's birthday extravaganza and that was only 4 months ago. Bloody professionals.) Then we got down to business - firstly we looked at how I played 'Along The Road When I Was Young' and he showed me a few ideas about what he did that made it different - including how he played a descending bass line and an ascending bass line at the same bloody time (albeit on different strings)! He also pointed out to me that there was one point at which I played a D Major whilst he played a Dm. I explained my rationale for doing so and he pretended to be impressed and agreed that it worked. I doubt he'll be changing what he does, though. He gave me the TAB he'd written out (I'd told him that I wanted to look at this song in advance and he'd listened to my version on Soundcloud) and I could have happily left there and then and felt that I'd got my money's worth. But, no, we went on to look at 'Oil and Water' (double dropped D) and 'The Fisher Lad Of Whitby' (standard). He took me through the various phrases and invited me to video him playing them so that I could transcribe them for myself later. If he said "You're not playing the F Natural - don't forget to play the F natural" once he must've said it 10 times. Reader, I tried. Honestly. He manhandled my fingers into positions that my fingers didn't want to get into and it just worked, somehow. I came away knowing a lot more than when I'd got there. I came away with the knowledge that I have some serious work to do if I want to be able to play some of his stuff naturally without thinking too hard about it. I came away even more in awe of a very nice chap than when I'd gone in. I also came away grateful that this forum (and davewhite in particular, possibly in cahoots with Martin and ocarolan , I suspect) hadn't let me be all generous but had re-gifted to me the opportunity to learn from Steve. I'm still excited and a little over-awed. I can't sleep (which is why I'm posting this now) and I'm still buzzing - probably something to do with my action, d'you think I need to fettle my truss rod? So, yes, 50 years on I have come to the realisation that lessons are worthwhile. I reckon it's a bit late in the day for me to do too much else but I'm deffo a convert to 'spend some money on, and time with, an expert.' You never know what you might be taught. Nail care - I forgot to ask him about sodding nail care. I *knew* I should have written some questions down first
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,502
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Jan 31, 2024 11:11:07 GMT
I’m sad to have to let you know that guitbrett passed away this morning. I don’t have any further details (just a FaceAche post from his longtime friend, Tom Newman)
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,502
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Jan 24, 2024 15:23:33 GMT
For myself, I don't really care. As @ ocarolan said, it's whatever feels right to whoever is left behind. I have made known a few options to my family, though. For the church (assuming they can find one willing to host a service for me!) (though I'll have to edit the video to allow for the full 7 verses...) and, for the after party/wake: Or, perhaps, I'll have the last two for the church and the first two for the wake...
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,502
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Jan 24, 2024 15:09:12 GMT
For them's as might be interested, Phil Hare's 'Funeral Set List' was: Do You Remember? (Leon Rosselson - sung by Liz Mansfield) When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs - sung by Dick Gaughan) Amazing Grace (Sung by congregation) and a final medley of tunes composed/arranged/played by Phil: Planxty Byrne Music For A Found Harmonium Friends I Left Behind Steffi's Waltz and She Moved Through The Fair (trad) Phil's family suggested this set list for the singaround at the pub afterwards...
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,502
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Jan 17, 2024 8:15:03 GMT
Phil Hare's funeral service to be held on Tuesday 23 January at March Evangelical Fellowship starting at 1.15 pm.
Donations to Prostate Cancer UK in Phil's name.
The service will be on zoom, ID: 343 345 6968, Password: family.
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,502
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Jan 15, 2024 21:29:04 GMT
Phil’s funeral service is taking place on 23rd - it’ll be streamed on t’interweb. Details soon if anyone is interested. Steph has asked that any donations be made to Prostate Cancer UK prostatecanceruk.org/get-involved/donate
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,502
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Jan 12, 2024 16:14:46 GMT
Couldn’t tell the difference, to be honest.
Though:
a) quite how ‘Home On The Range’ can be described as a folk song rather than a show tune is beyond me (and negates any validity in his offering this comparison)
b) he didn’t actually play the A string that often
c) I don’t give a shit.
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,502
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Jan 12, 2024 16:02:58 GMT
I love a build thread… keep it up Oska 😀
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,502
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Jan 11, 2024 7:32:42 GMT
Lovely looking beast is that, Nigel!
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,502
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Jan 6, 2024 22:37:24 GMT
That's a beautiful looking instrument, John. I've always fancied an all hog guitar... I may be just a little bit jealous! You'll be bringing her to HBxvi, of course...
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