The problem with guitar these days is competition.Shouldnt it be about composition?I mean if a guitarist could dazzle me with 6 billion notes a minute i,d put him in a circus

Wow lots of great info. Now another question, everyone seems to be talking about acoustic vs. electric, but what about steel guitars. I love the sound of those as well. Probably won't start in that area but it'd be cool to eventually get there.

Looking at the prices ya'll have quoted I'm probably going to have to go with a second hand which is fine. I just don't really have the money to go new. I'm in the process of starting a new business so that tends to suck up quite a bit of my disposable income. Five years at it so far and still not making any type of money... well that's a lie made four hundred in profit this year but that all goes right back in.

So I looked at used online and realized I need to figure out what size I need... so apparently it's first to a music store to see what size I need and then to look for a second hand.

Al McKenna--Why is Ireland so...so...Roman Catholic? Don't they accept freedom of all kinds of religions? I can't figure that out. What does it matter if you visit a priest or a vicar? I don't like the attitude toward diversity and my brother/friend and his lifestyle (why would anyone choose that lifestyle?) I think he and his domestic partner should be able to get married if they want to. He's a great guy and I should know 'cause we met in high school and we were the best of friends. People can be so weird about these things. I mean peoples sex lives are very complex and some people don't want to admit it.

SkippyGirl--I didn't know you had an office in here. What color paint or wallpaper did you use and what does your desk look like?

LOL! Have ya'll noticed how the Aussies and Canadians have been flirtin' with each other in this space? Also they been flirtin' with the President of the United States and sendin' him flowers and gifts. Such flattery will get them everywhere!!!!!!!!!! Awwwww shucks....you guys! ;-0)

To all the guitar players- Dumb Question #22 -

I started on the A pentatonic and was using the same approach as chords i.e. arched fingers so as not to touch other strings etc but then I went back to the vids of PipSatrini (daddy long legs fingers) and Blue Moony and Joe I noticed that they actually keep their fingers quite straightish and parallel to the finger board and just tap the end of their fingers on each string - so my question is does it not matter that you might touch the other strings (since you are only picking one) or are you somehow not touching them at all?

2nd part of Dumb Question - is it better technique to only have 1 finger on 1 string at a time or is it OK to keep a string depressed if your next note is not affected i.e. playing F on the 1st string then G can I leave the F depressed - it's easier.

Slansh : i share your statement about competition polluting composition.

But as you know, competition is an easier way than composition. & people do what they are able to do.

Edit : i just would like to add that if, across this democratic competition, a musician bets onto composition, how many luck does he get to be heard?

Very few.

& there's lot of musicians who bet onto composition.

Cosmic Ape - Aha!!! (slaps forehead) that makes sense, thanks for that detailed description I appreciate it. I was watching Pip play Extremist and it's ike a spider crawling over the frets so you can see the economy of finger movement - maybe in a year or so I'll nail it.

Will be heading to guitar lessons soon, have to wait for the stars to align.......

Cossy - great! Thanks for that. Since I am just playing the scale there seems to be economy in hitting, say E,F,G with 2 fingers down on F and G (for G) but I can see I need to anticipate where that first finger might be needed next.

CommodoreDrake - It looks like you have a lot of guitar advice now...let us know what you choose...

http://www.myspace.com/porcupinetree

You can listen to some of their songs there, assuming you have Flash installed. I recommend starting with Blackest Eyes and Trains from the album In Absentia. From there, go to the album Deadwing and check out Arriving Somewhere But Not Here.

After that, if you like the heavier stuff go for something like Shallow or Halo. If you like the lighter stuff, listen to Lazarus or maybe Open Car.

I'd love to hear what you think...have fun! :-)

Zen:ah well as they say.....its not what y know its who y know unless you have serious contacts interested in your work y might as well stick t the day job

other thoughts, the net is a remarkable machine but 2 many kids imo are glued t their bedroom with a vid camera uploadin t youtube, its mentally unhealthy.They should be getting out there playing with other musicians n keepin it real....i mean if they ever find work what are they goin t say

30 year old.... job experience? um none,

life experience?.. had a shitload of partys & used up a ton of my parents cash

so what have you done wit your life........umm i know my way round my house real well

sad really fuckin sad

at least the peeps on this board have pulled the finger out, shockin how many "Ma... dya have a spare 1000 on y" lazy workshy spongin bollox out there....it wont be happenin t my kid i tells yer

morning rant over

cosmic_ape - Yep, that's the one...how silly of me to think it'd be new to you. ;-) I don't think we saw the vintage one there, though.

Cossy - you make it sound like a woman...;0). What's it like living' in Hollywood BTW? Run into anyone famous lately?

Wow the Eric Johson thing was great - thanks - just makes me sigh how much there is to learn, step 1 of the 1000 step journey I guess.