Music
My Gear
My 1964 Gibson ES 125 Serial #368731
I purchased it new on March 1, 1966
from Ray Lammers Music Store, Cincinnati, Ohio
Takamine Classic electric
Hohner Harmonics Ready to Jam
My Yamaha FGX-413SC
Ever since I was a small child music has been an important part of my life. When the Potter family would get together, there were always guitars, jews harps, violins, banjos, harmonics and other instruments there to liven up the festivities. My Uncle Oscar and Uncle Albert played the guitar and harmonica. They knew enough old times songs to keep us going for a long time. Here is an "Ode to My New Guitar."
My Harmonics
The Old Standby Hohner Harmonic laying in front of the red case on the Peavey acoustic amplifier directly above was my Uncle Clayton Potter's. It is a Key of E instrument and plays just fine, even after all these years. I am proud that it was passed down to me. The black harmonica is a Hohner Pro Harp. I know of none better; it goes with me everywhere I go. Recently I got a Lee Oscar. It is a dream to play.
My Guitars
I purchased the Gibson ES 125 new, from Lammert's Music Store in Cincinnati, Ohio in the mid 60's. I string it with heavy, flatwound strings. It has ultra low action and is a joy to play. The Takamine sounds great through the little 10W Peavey Acoustic. A Zoom acoustic effects peddle adds real character to the sound. The Zoom's reverb also works great with the Harmonica. The Yamaha FGX-413SC was purchased from Caldwell's Music Store here in Odessa, TX. My wife bought me a VOX DA 15 guitar amp for Christmas 2009. It has awesome tones for a small amp.
Playing Guitar at my In-laws House in Indiana
For Your Listening Pleasure
Here is a web site where you can hear some great Classical Guitar music: Classical Guitar
Frederick Noad
I had the incomparable opportunity to study Classical Guitar with Mr. Kent Smith at Odessa College, here in Odessa, TX. Mr. Smith taught me from Frederick Noad's Solo Guitar I. This is a wonderful book for building technique and a basic repertory. You can purchase either a cassette or CD of the music in the book. I highly recommend getting the CD. I understand that there is a new CD just available for Volume 2. I have also enjoyed playing the pieces in his Classical Guitar Anthology which has the study pieces Fernando Sor, Mauro Giuliani,Dionisio Aguado, Matteo Carcassi, Ferdinando Carulli, Giulio Regondi, Franz Schubert and others. The Renaissance Anthology is particularly good, and replete with excellent interpretive notes for John Dowland, Francesco da Milano, Luis Milan, Robert Johnson, Anthony Holborne, Jean Baptiste Besard, Luis de Narvaez, Elias Mertel and others. NOTE: Be sure and follow the links at this site: Frederick Noad
Mel Bay Publications
I began my journey into the world of guitar when I studied under Virgil and Ervin Warren at the Aurora Music Center in Aurora, IN. I always appreciate the fact that my parents enabled me to take lessons under these two premier plectrum guitarists. The method used was the Mel Bay Modern Guitar Method. Mr. Bay sought to elevate the guitar to the level of the piano by developing a comprehensive method of instruction that covered all the keys and the harmonica possibilities of the instrument. His method is still available. Many of us hope that his son, William Bay, will eventually produce a CD program for all seven Grades. Yesterday, 4/30/10, I discovered that Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method has been published in an expanded edition with CDs. Of course, I pulled out my Debit Card and ordered a complete set. Probably the most comprehensive method available today is the one produced by William Bay and Mike Christiansen, Mastering the Guitar. The method is in process of development, but three volumes are already in print. The CD program has some of the best guitar music on the planet. The series covers both pick and fingerstyle. Here is the web site: Mel Bay. Here is a YouTube relating to Mel Bay and his company. Here is my Mel Bay File of materials I have developed to help me master this excellent method.
Bluegrass
My friend high school Richard Fletcher and his dad invited me to go with them to Nashville to visit theGrand Old Oprey during my senior year of High School. I enjoyed folk music, but wasn't much into country at the time. I distinctly remember the drive down to Nashville. Richard's dad was a friend of many of the musicians. We set in the back of the old auditorium until the local folk left for home then we moved to the front. I will never forget listening to the likes of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. Yes, I was hooked! Richard's dad even introduced me to some of the musicians. My guitar playing friend, Rodger Huron, and I would listen for hours to Foggy Mountain Breakdown and other instrumentals and songs. Texas are fortunate to be able to listen to the best in Bluegrass on the Bill Myrick show on the local college station every Sunday evening. This year it was my pleasuure to heard the Triple "L" Bluegrass Band play at the Andews' Bluegrass Festival. Their web site is: www.triplelmusic.com.
iPhone users will want to purchase The Guitar Toolkit.
For some terrific free Online guitar lessons, visit justinguitar.com
The Ballad Tree : Lots of folk songs and how to play them.
My main instruments are guitar and harmonica, but it was the great guitarist and harmonist, Fernando Sor, who observed, "I think I have completely proved that the knowledge of the thirds and sixths is the foundation of the whole fingering in regard to the guitar. I shall not cease exhorting those who would devote themselves to the study of the guitar, to endeavor to acquire a this knowledge. A guitarist, who is a harmonist, will always have an advantage over one who is not. Even a tolerable player on the pianoforte (the first of instruments to produce harmony), has already acquired very useful musical habits in regards to the guitar. A tolerable pianist cannot be a bad guitarist."
(Method for the Spanish Guitar c1840, Fernando Sor). With this in mind, I recommend that all guitarists take up the study of the piano or other keyboard instrument to improve their knowledge of harmony. www.pianolessons.com is a good place to start.
My YouTube Favorites
Here are some of my YouTube Favorites.
Classical Guitarist John Williams. These were chosen because they allow guitar players to study the Williams' technique.
1. Concierto de Aranjuez 1st Movement
2. Concierto de Aranjuez 2rd Movement
3. Concierto de Aranjuez 3rd Movement
Johnny Smith Jazz Guitar.
1. What are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life.
Bach Double Guitar
Why some of us play classical guitar every day.