Guitar Players: What song(s) are you currently learning?

[Atom Smasher]

I thought it would be cool to talk about what we're working on these days.

Right now I'm learning Samba Pa Ti, which I've always known how to play sloppily but now I'm learning it note for note and nuance for nuance.

Also working on a live looping performance of Clapton's "Let it Grow". It has great potential with a looper in the arsenal.

I guess I'm in '70s mode right now. I've developed quite a following by throwing in old songs that people haven't listened to in decades. I'm becoming that guy about whom they say, "You've got to see this guy. You never know what he's going to play next." People come to gigs just for the element of surprise.

What about you guys?

 

[Eph]

I've been looking for new songs to learn. Well, more like deciding which to learn next. I've been focusing on songs in Spanish mostly as I become more fluent in the language. Also, been practicing playing and singing at the same time even though I sing horribly

 

[Atom Smasher]

When it comes to voice, it's all about style, my man. You can have a classically "bad" voice but if you find your style that is congruent with your personality you're golden.

Of course chicks love a guy who has the balls to sing and play guitar, even if he isn't perfect. I always had terrible misgivings about my own singing voice because I have a natural "Clint Eastwood-y" speaking voice which doesn't make for strong singing. I've found my singing voice though and people like it so I don't worry about it anymore.

 

[Desdinova]

I'm a much better singer than guitar player which has paid me handsomely with some lovely women

The songs I usually play on guitar are the ones I've written, but occasionally I'll try and learn something else. I've been practising this one on and off:

My biggest handicap with playing guitar is all my fingers are double jointed. They bend in the goofiest ways that render it quite difficult to play some chords.

 

[Atom Smasher]

Some romantic imagery there.

You remind me of when I was around 12 years old, just starting guitar and trying to play a D chord. One of the joints in a finger kept on popping back and forth for years. Now it won't even go in both directions anymore. I'm always amazed at how malleable and adaptable the human body is. There are certain stretches that I find difficult but I always get there in the end. Must be tough to be double-jointed on guitar.

What's one or two of your more difficult chords, just out of curiosity?

 

[Desdinova]

Some romantic imagery there.

You remind me of when I was around 12 years old, just starting guitar and trying to play a D chord. One of the joints in a finger kept on popping back and forth for years. Now it won't even go in both directions anymore. I'm always amazed at how malleable and adaptable the human body is. There are certain stretches that I find difficult but I always get there in the end. Must be tough to be double-jointed on guitar.

What's one or two of your more difficult chords, just out of curiosity?

Basically anything involving my pinky. Unless I'm laying it across 2 or 3 of the bottom strings, it's totally Fvcking useless as it buckles at a 45 degree angle. The joints are practically pivots. The other fingers aren't as bad since they're stronger.

 

[Atom Smasher]

Can you splint it in some way in order to limit its movement in one direction? I'm wondering if that would aid in training your finger.