I'm probably a little older than many of you reading this, and in my early days when you (I) wanted to learn a solo to a song, it was a matter of getting the LP (remember those ?), setting the turntable on (161/2) rpm

(half speed) and spending many long hours trying to pick out a few notes, lifting the needle, setting it back to where you where able to copy to, then repeating, over and over again.

Obviously, with the state of current technology there are both hardware and software remedies to overcome the old 'record copying' burden. I know most that are available and have used many. Most of the hardware solutions are expensive and some of the software options are okay, but not as complete as what sells sheet music and they're a great resource. However, when I first saw the Guitar Guru software and what it does, I was blown away. For a reasonable fee, you purchase the song you want, print the sheet music so you always have a hard copy of the complete song, but you also get the Guitar Guru file to play via the free player. Obviously it has to be a piece of music that has an associated Guitar Guru file. If you purchase a Chopin classical piece there would be no Guiatr Guru file for it.

As far as music goes, they have an extensive selection and are constantly adding more. I grew up on what is now known as 'classic rock', (God I'm Old) and have a special fondness for bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eagles, The Beatles and Led Zepplin, just to name a few. I've bought many of the songs that I spent untold hours on trying to learn the solos to. There's also many different genres and artists to choose from. Now it's a matter of loading up the Guitar Guru file and watching it being played at whatever speed I want. It doesn't get any better than that.

Well, it's a little late to make this a short post, and although I can't say enough good things about Musicnotes.com and their Guitar Guru software, I'll close by saying, please do yourself a favor and go check it out, I guarantee you won't be sorry.

Oh, I almost forgot, they also have TAB, music for the bass, voice, drums and piano, plus lots of other great resources available.

forgotten my original account information. Anyway, although I don't have a huge number of items that I've sold, I have bought many more.

BEWARE -

Although I do believe that the majority of eBay sellers are honest, respectful, nice, and helpful people, there are those that are less than ideal business people. I, like many people that have made more than a few purchases via eBay, have had a few problems. I should note here that I believe eBay does a fantastic job of making doing business on their site as good as it can be expected to be. Will it ever be perfect ? Obviously not...you're dealing with Humans, so there's always plenty of room for honest mistakes, and the greedy, low-life, criminal types.

Do Your Part -

Although I have had a few problems buying on eBay, looking back, I didn't do my part to try and make things better. I'd often leave much higher feedback than the seller deserved, in fear of getting negative feedback in retaliation. I've even received broken items and never reported it because the cost was minimal, and not worth my time...at the time.

I guess I've changed my operating procedures a little now though. I used to very seldom email the seller questions. Now I don't hesitate to ask anything that isn't covered in the description of the item. I've come to notice that although most people won't flat out lie about the item, they will neglect to mention any problems with the item being sold. So...ASK QUESTIONS!!

One other thing comes to mind, photos. If there's even the slightest doubt, ask if the photos in the ad are of the actual item being sold. Occasionally, I've seen sellers use a stock photo of their listed item because their item was 'less than visually appealing'. Of course most will use stock photos if they sell new, or many of the same items. Again, the best advice to be given is, ask questions, give honest feedback and use common sense. If you ask the seller a question and it takes (3) days to get a reply, there's a good chance that maybe that's not the person you want to do business with.

Personally, I've only bought one amp that had to be shipped. It was packaged professionally, delivered undamaged, and still works perfectly to this day. I have had more experience with guitars, and in every instance, there has never been a problem. I've only shipped one instrument out myself, a violin, and again, I packaged it with great care, and it was delivered in perfect condition. I even honored the buyers somewhat specific shipping terms and received the best feedback comments a seller could hope for.

In closing, I guess I should just mention the 'use common sense' idea again. If a seller has poor feedback, seems vague in wanting to answer any questions specifically, or maybe you just feel any communications have a negative 'tone', by all means, don't bid. One of eBays great points is the sheer volume of items being listed. If you don't feel comfortable with one seller...keep looking, there's probably several more (at least) of the same item being listed by other sellers.

And remember, eBay is is a top-notch, very respected, and extremely successful company for a reason. They do, I believe, everything that they can, in order to provide a safe, valuable, reliable, and entertaining site on which to conduct business. I'd say they have done a great job, and with the help and support of the users, it will always continue to improve.

Well, welcome to the world of learning to play an instrument. I know quite a few musicians, and there's not one that hasn't went through a rut. It's completely normal, and you do 'come out the other side'. Well, until your next rut that is. Personally, I believe it's just your subconscious trying to tell you something. Something like, I"M BORED, or maybe, let's do something else. My point is, when (not if), you hit a rut, start taking a day off from practicing. That is of course, if you're already practicing everyday as you should be. Maybe take off every Sunday and go fishing (with a pole, not your guitar), go out and see a movie, whatever it is, just something to change the pace a little.

Some people decide they're going to do something, and they become obsessed about it. I can tell you from experience, if you do anything too long, too often, it's going to turn into something that you don't like doing anymore. Don't turn something as great as being a guitarist into something that you don't love anymore. As I mentioned in my practicing post, just play as long as you're getting something good out of it. Granted, if you're working on scales, and trying to build speed, it can get pretty mind-numbing. However, there's a difference between doing what is productive, but difficult, and just grinding it into your brain until you want to scream.

So, I'd bet if your reading this, that you're a fairly new player and not getting bored yet, or in a rut. I just want you to know that we all have our trying times learning the guitar, and even in our daily lives in general. Sometimes you just have to take a step back, relax, and know that it'll be okay. You get out of the guitar, like most things in life, what you put into it. If you get frustrated, through things and scream, you'll have nothing but bad times in your guitar endeavors. Don't be that guy.

For any of those that have found the site, but have also noticed that there isn't much here in the way of quality content, please don't give up. I haven't given up on the project by any means. I am still in the process of

getting lots of material ready to be posted. Instead of trying to get together an entire site, and then uploading everything at once, I'll be adding tips, lessons and much more, in a controlled flow.

This isn't a big corporate site, and it will be operating on a very small budget, with myself responsible for everything that goes on the site. However, that only means that there won't instantly be a fully populated site, it doesn't mean that any of the content will be anything other than useful, entertaing and educational...hopefully.

I've played guitar most of my life and it's something I love, so I do plan to add only items that I would like to see myself. Any lessons, at least initially, will all have to be TAB based because of my very limited budget. Eventually I would like to add some type of FLASH player that will have the capability of playing the TABS, with all the transport type controls that will allow for the typical functions....STOP, PLAY, REWIND, FAST FORWARD etc.

Thanks for stopping by, and please check out the Ebay feed if you're interested in buying a guitar or amp. I've added only the better categories of equipment so you don't have to sort through some of the junk that you would on the corporate Ebay site. I will continue the feed even after I get the site configured as I envision it. I may however reduce the number or categories, and/or items listed.

Thanks for Stopping By and Please Continue to Check Back Occasionally for Updated Content,

Jeff

If you're not passionate about playing guitar, or any instrument for that matter, why waste your time, energy and money doing something you'd rather not be doing ? I understand sometimes younger children have no choice in the matter, and I also believe that the routine and discipline having to study an instrument offers, can be beneficial to kids. However, if you're(16) years olds, and don't care about playing an instrument, WHY DO IT ?

If you do have the passion however, FANTASTIC, there's nothing better in the world than doing something you love, that offers such rewards in return. The music itself is obviously what it's all about, but there's also a great feeling of accomplishment, admiration from piers, and even monetary gain...if you reach that level by putting the time in.

One of the questions that gets ask most often, is....'how long do I have to practice ?'. Well, hopefully you're not feeling like you 'HAVE to practice', but I know it does get pretty trying at times. Just one man's opinion on practicing....PRACTICE as Long as It's Producing Results. If you tell yourself, 'I'm going to practice (4) hours a day', that's great if you do it AND do it productively. Why do it if it's just a waste of most of the time ? You could be out doing something else you enjoy. Obviously playing scales, riffs or whatever else hour after hour, over and over, may not be thoroughly enjoyable, there is some of that in playing guitar, if you want to achieve the most you can. My point, why do it until you start to HATE IT ? It's ok, I would say, even recommended to put the guitar down, after you've put in some good practice, while it's still producing results and even enjoyable. I've spent many hours 'practicing' when I should have been doing something else, as I was doing nothing more than wasting my time. For anyone reading this, don't confuse what I'm saying...you will HAVE TO put in a minimum amout of time in to obtain the physical ability. You have to have the mind body 'connection', to go with your passion. If it were a matter of being a good player just because you love it, I would have been a great player without practicing at all.

So, if you've read this much, I'm betting you're someone that loves the guitar and truly wants to play. You're past the first obsticle. It's just a matter of doing it.

If you remember, this is posted under 'beginners', therefore I'm going to assume anyone reading this is a beginer, and therefore I'll touch on selecting an instrument, 'how' to practice, aspects of playing classical guitar versus rock, blues or other types of electric style guitar, as well as anything and everything I can think of regarding the guitar and learing to play it.

I'm older (47) and have been playing off and on since I was (12) years old. I never received my true potential not because I lacked the passion, but because of an accident and some other problems that caused major problems in my life. I now have a (10) year old daughter that is taking classical guitar lessons at her public school, and that's what inspired me to start this site, and to offer any possible help I could to anyone that might want to read here.

Please check back when you get a chance, I'll update this as often as I can. I'm not trying to charge anyone any money as I don't consider this a professional site, which I'm sure you can agree with by looking at it now. I do however, plan to slowly, as time permits, put together a site with lessons that will take the absolute beginner up to at least an intermediate player. So, go grab the guitar, that you hopefully love, and play, play anything if you're just starting out. Anything to get you fingers moving and to get the tips conditioned to what you plan on putting them through.

Until Next Time...Play AND Enjoy