Well. I cant sing and have a tin ear but decided that if the good woman had her knitting, photography, and a hundred other hobbies when on the road, I needed to do something. So bought a $40 cheap nylon string guitar from....Aldi of course...and have been practicing e ery day at it for the last 4 months. Now graduated up to a better one...fathers day pressie.... and can knock outsome reasonable semblance of a tune. Even got calleda muso by a lady in a music shop. I looked at her strangely. So if ycou hear and see some grey haired poor sod trying to strum out House of the Rising Sun.. and looking vaguely like a muso... be kind. But am I loving it... cant believe it has taken me 63 years to do this.
Every one thinks they cant sing or have a tin ear or are too shy to speak out amongst their peer group. .
So what do we do? Sit in awe of a pampered (mostly taxpayer funded) bunch of rubbish actors/entertainers dished up to us by the mediocrity machine?
There is nothing more mind blowing than a "performance" . I remember a person borrowed a guitar across a camp-fire. Got it back in tune. She then ripped into Leonard Cohen's Famous Blue Raincoat as a punk number. I thought "You will never get away with this" But she more than did. It left us blissful. She gave the guitar back.
Every one has a voice.
-- Edited by Muzzlehatch on Friday 11th of September 2015 08:09:17 PM
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And I somehow rather fancy that I'd like to change with Clancy ..
Nomes and every one else that likes flying sparks and 5 billion star hotel accommodation.
I so hope to meet you and explore our humanity and creativity over a camp fire. Once you realise your fellow man can tell a great story by the road side you can relax and realise your own life and narrative has some worth.
It is in the interests of a commercially driven talentless parasitic show business clique to convince us we should regale our own life stories as meaningless. I havent MSMed for 5 years. I am the one that "got away."
I have never met a man on the other side of a camp fire that was boring.
There is the opportunity to learn poetry jokes and stories and to cultivate relaxation.. to lubricate the communal joy of fellowship.
I await the time where real people matter and "if it bleeds . it leads" shock bull**** media is assigned the importance it deserves. Like none !
Nomes if I ever have the joy of sharing a camp fire with you I can assure you we will have fun with stories and language.
It is up to us to judge what is worthwhile and entertaining. Not to be dragged down to what is controversial mindless bull**** like Q&A ABC childish controversy.
I just dont do it any more because it is mindless and unproductive.
Look forward to seeing you good people over a million flying sparks.
Kindest Regards ...
-- Edited by Muzzlehatch on Friday 11th of September 2015 10:47:09 PM
-- Edited by Muzzlehatch on Friday 11th of September 2015 10:52:21 PM
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And I somehow rather fancy that I'd like to change with Clancy ..
When I used to go to MC rallies, I would bug one of my friends until she recited the full version of The Man From Snowy River. Loved it, by the fire and under the stars.
When I was at Gloucester River (my favourite camping spot), I met a couple of scout leaders around the camp fire and they gave me a new tip, which I now use often when out doing bush regen.
Make up a bread roll with meats/cheese etc, wrap it in foil then place in a wax 1 litre milk carton, this keeps it fresh, take it to the side of a creek and light it, (no high fire day), a perfectly toasted roll.
Warning Muzz, I have been described as a Modern Day Iconoclast, lol. I love sitting around the fire having great discussions and "shooting the Sh.t."
I'm heading out for 1 month on the 7th October to Marree via Broken Hill with no set plans, 4000 klicks for my first tow trip. Yee ha!
Thanks everyone. Thanks for your thoughts and kind words. To the first, Happywanderer, no, wish it was me at Bedford Weir. But stuck at home at the moment, Bluesman. Love the name and the music. Muz. I am still trying to sort out Cohens Hallelujah. Will have some time before I can come close to any of his other work. But great stuff. Must have been a great night. Saw a guy in the canberra markets ripping into Blue Raincoat. I stood in awe. And thanks Nomes I will keep practicing.
And with regard to the mindless bulls... in the media, I despair at the reverence as a society that we give to things like the batchelor, or x factor or such like. It trivialises the capacity of the human spirit to soar with ideas, thoughts and real art such as what you guys mentioned, peotry, home made music and wondering at the nature of our existance whilst under those billion star accomodation spaces.
Was at a class (year 7) reunion yesterday. Was talking about music and guitars. I was asked if I had played in a band. I said no. She said...Why not.... My response was that I play the guitar because I like playing it. It gives me joy. It adds value to a life. My audience was me. Others could make up their mind as to whether they chose to listen. So this to me is the nature of being real. No competition, no driving ambition, no striving for success. Simply being here. And if in a place of shooting stars and billion star views, well, what a place to make music, to be real, to be here in this life. With those we love and good friends.
So as we grow through this life I remember the words....Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be....
and are we not living through the best.
C ya around the camp fire guys. Just look for the old fella playing ragged chords and faulty strumming as he bends over the guitar trying to get it to sing.
I have an electronic keyboard which I get out now & then & play. But I am very much an amateur & luckily I also have headphones which I can plug in & so no ne has to be upset when I hit a wrong note. Cheers Alice
I've been playing guitar since the Beatles began (1964). Played in a few Rock bands. Still got 4 guitars & 2 amplifiers in the spare room, I play them all the time. I take a good quality Ukulele away in our caravan, not so big & a lot lighter. Cheap Ukes are rubbish. The 4 strings of a Uke are exactly the same as the bottom 4 strings of a Guitar. Keep practicing, it's a great pastime.
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Cheers Desert Dweller.
Our land abounds in Natures gifts. Of beauty rich and rare.
Hi PhilW keep going! ! Practice is all it takes. I play a few instruments. My latest acquisition is a Mandolin. I can bang a tune out of it. U tube great for learning. At the moment I'm loving old songs Old black magic, Witchcraft etc. Played ukuleles since I was a kid. You keep it up is my fav past time. You're bound to meet up with like minded people around a campfire somewhere. Happy strumming Val.
Yea I play the guitar great therapy and heaps of enjoyment . Always take one of my 3 with me when traveling as well as an small amp and electronic gizmos but need to remember to turn the volume down at the caravan parks . Performed to some large crowds over the years . I am no expert mind you just love playing every day .Nowadays lots of songs words and cords downloaded from the net .
I found that practicing with a song you like helps when your learning . Only trouble I have with so many tunes in my folders I cant remember them so the book is alway with me and open.
Also have a uke must learn to play it
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Keep your eyes open so you can see where you are heading
Hey Dhutime and Val. Just saw your posts. Thanks for the encouragement. Having a blast playing each day and yes, am learning from the internet. Have a great site. Justin Guitar Lessons. Really helpful. I have a really long way to go but plodding on. And also yes, have to have my book with me because there are few songs that I can remember. Must be an age thingy......plus the fingers for the chords dont move fast enough. Is that also age...grin....
phil
Hey Phil a few years ago I bought a TC Hellicon Voiceplay GTX . It has 250 different settings with Eco ,reverb ,harmony and much more .Makes me sound a whole lot better than real . It also has the capability to do looping although have not tried it yet . It really makes playing a whole lot more enjoyable . You do need a electric pick up or electric guitar and mike ,mine came as a deal with the Voiceplay .
Google it for more info they have since come out with a new one which is prob better .it will take you to the next level and I'm sure you will love it I do
Dhutime
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Keep your eyes open so you can see where you are heading
we have brought so much stuff that my guitar wouldn't have fitted in. But I am bringing the ukulele! (And melodica: sounds like a harmonica but looks like a tiny 37-note piano keyboard, you blow into it.) Himself didn't have room for the accordion but nevertheless has the bagpipes. 2 sets. As you do.
Thanks everyone. Thanks for your thoughts and kind words. To the first, Happywanderer, no, wish it was me at Bedford Weir. But stuck at home at the moment, Bluesman. Love the name and the music. Muz. I am still trying to sort out Cohens Hallelujah. Will have some time before I can come close to any of his other work. But great stuff. Must have been a great night. Saw a guy in the canberra markets ripping into Blue Raincoat. I stood in awe. And thanks Nomes I will keep practicing. 
