-
Suggestions?
We’re gonna be gone for about two and a half weeks coming up. Unable to take a guitar along.
I’ll have this old laptop with me, so I plan to still check-in to TAC everyday. And I will have both of my James Shipway books along.
Do any of you have any suggestions to help still stay in “guitar mode”?
I’ve been contemplating maybe working on lyrics and maybe some chord progressions for a new song or five. Just “playing around” with that really.
Anyway, would like to stay “in focus”- (guitar-wise)- as much as I can- (it’s two weeks)…………
Hints/ tips?
Thanks in advance—
-coach
-
13 Replies
-
find a pawn shop when you get there and get anything, I got a great guitar in Iwa Beach HI for 90.00. There were cheaper ones too. sell it back when you leave or give it to someone.
-
This is funny stuff—- (after 44 years— finally—)- we are in fact going to Hawaii 😎.
I was hopin’ to hear from you!
Sounds like a good idea- but my wifey might have a differing opinion🤨…….
-coach
-
@the-old-coach HAWAII! rent something when you get there. Start googling now and see if you can find something near where you are staying. Figure you might be able to practice for a couple of days, but remember you’ll have a lot of site seeing to do. Have fun.
-
If you are flying into Oahu you are in luck. Iwo Beach is super close to the airport. Have fun either way.
-
-
-
@the-old-coach , When I first started on my guitar journey, I used a child’s guitar (1/4 size) for travel. All you need is something to practice the challenges with and figuring out notes for songs. @jumpinjeff had a good idea to go to a pawn shop and see what they have there. Keep it cheap, and if it broken in travel you won’t get upset. Also if it gets broken in travel you can begin training as a luthier and fix it yourself.
-
I purchased a KLOS travel guitar (the one in my profile picture) which breaks down and fits in a backpack which easily fits in an airline overhead. It goes everywhere with me and has significantly changed my travel dynamic for the better.
-
This reply was modified 3 years, 6 months ago by John_Bolling_Hall.
-
@John_Hall , thanks for mentioning the KLOS. WOW, This is what I would call a real travel guitar. Take a look @the-old-coach . This is something that would be perfect. (6) Unboxing the NEW KLOS Carbon Fiber Travel Guitar!! – YouTube
-
This reply was modified 3 years, 6 months ago by
-
I have rented guitars on several occasions, and the cost is surprisingly modest. There must be some pretty big stores in Hawaii, hopefully you can find one that offers that option. If not, then maybe just checking in with TAC and reviewing your progress is enough? Sometimes I wonder if a break from playing now and then is a good thing – the muscle memory you’ve built really doesn’t decay that fast!
-
I know this may sound crazy @the-old-coach , but have you considered a Ukulele? I would imagine they would be easy to come by in Hawaii. They are tuned (an octave higher) the same as the hi 4 strings of a guitar (D, G, B & hiE strings) and the chord shapes used on a ukulele are exactly how you would place your fingers on those hi 4 strings of a guitar.
-
GCEA is the most common or “standard” ukulele tuning. DGBE is typically used on a baritone uke.
-
-
Hey @the-old-coach ;
Much simpler and more cost effective ways to stay into your guitar journey. You don’t actually need a guitar in your hands or spend any more money.
Watch some music theory videos. Write some lyrics, maybe come up with some melodies using just your voice. (My music theory channel on YouTube is finally up: N-Light Music Theory.)
Listen to music that you might be interested in learning. See if you can pick up some chord progression and technique ideas from the locals. There are many stellar musicians among the Hawaiians and their style is totally unique.
Since you will be busy enjoying your vacation and you will already be spending a bunch of money, and your wife has to enjoy the time also, seeing local musicians and really paying attention might be the most obvious way to go. You might even get the chance to talk to some of them. That might end up being a golden opportunity that would be wasted if you had a guitar and spent the time playing since you do that at home all the time anyway. You fingers won’t forget in 2 1/2 weeks even if you mind does.
MG 😀
-
There are a lot of great ideas here already and I don’t have anything new to offer. Have fun on your trip @the-old-coach .Have fun on your trip @the-old-coach ! 😃
-
Thank you ALL for your generous and thoughtful responses!
My wife is very supportive of me learning/playing guitar. She thinks it’s great!
Even though I carefully picked the right time—- I casually mentioned buying a “travel guitar” and/or also maybe buying or even renting one- (uke included)- once we got there.
😒
Hard to describe “the look” I got, but the message was very easy to understand.
So, it looks like I’ll be focusing along the lines of what MikeG suggests, and that’ll be just fine I think.
I figure as long as I can keep my brain “in the game”, the hands will come back without too much time catching up.
Again– thanks to ALL for the advice and encouragement– our TAC “family” is great indeed!
the old coach
Log in to reply.