This might be the one

[GreggPalmer187]

Hi, I'm Gregg, and I'm a guitar junkie. :^)

My introduction to 'lessons' was for piano, when I was 11 years old. The instructor (who I call him that because he really wasn't a teacher) added to my struggle to leave my 'pop rock' buddies while I walked two streets over for classical piano lessons. The frustration I met with learning was only enhanced by my instructors impatience, and the fact I had no desire to practice on my own at home, whatsoever.
Soon after, I fell in love with guitar. My mom belonged to Columbia record club (there's my age) and every so often she ordered me a new LP, based on her limited knowledge of the groups back then, but managed to grab a few gems like the Rolling Stones, Paul Revere and the Raiders, etc.
I was already keen on the Beatles and Monkees, so the other names were just ok, but that buzz lead me to the harder stuff, Steppenwolf, Traffic, Zeppelin...
Not to make a short story long, I was grabbing low cost (or free) guitars along the way, where my first one (which I wish I still had) was a total disaster Teisco
which had a string height at the bright measured in inches rather than thousands. Intonation was way off by the time I got to the 3rd fret.
Since then, 50 years later, I've picked up a lot from YouTube and one other paid on-line teacher, who was so good, he was just too far ahead of me [for me]. Besides that, the music he seemed to teach the most was just not my taste in most cases.
Griff on the other hand, has my taste in music at heart (I call them Griff's Riffs) where his teaching should be appealing enough for me to actually push myself.
Probably too much said for an introduction, so I'll be a lot more brief from here on out.

 

[CaptainMoto]

Welcome!
You're in a good place to learn

 

[Elwood]

Welcome! Nothing you learned in the past was wasted. Only 12 notes right?

Have fun!

 

[PapaBear]

Welcome Gregg, enjoy your journey!

 

[TxBill]

Welcome Gregg. You took the long way 'round to get here. Now you can just sit back and soak in the pleasure of knowing what you would like to have done some 50 yrs past.

There is a great group of individuals present here willilng to answer questions and offer guidance. Don't hesitate to ASK!

For clarification purposes, what course(s) are you currently working on? Also, have you become aware of the All Access Pass part of the program. For a small monthly *annual if you choose* fee, you are given access to all Courses Griff offers. Additionally, access to live streaming sessions each month are included. Schedule of sessions are sent via email for each month's events.

Enjoy the journey and have fun.

 

[GreggPalmer187]

Thank you all for the welcoming encouragement! My biggest hang up with learning is me, but I have learned that whatever starts out taking 30 minutes, turns into a few minutes, then a matter of seconds if I stick with it. Every truly great accomplishment begins seeming impossible (or I think that's what the fortune cookie said).
Special thanks to you Elwood, I agree. After I mastered the B7 chord (35 years ago) I was starting to feel the possibilities.
You all seem like a great group! I'm looking forward to finally placing the missing stepping stones that have kept me from crossing the stream.

 

[Jami]

Welcome!

 

[GreggPalmer187]

Hi Liam, Thanks for the reply!
If I understand your question correctly, the course you inquire about is a past endeavor (last fall). I picked up a lot of new insights and old memories of high school music class (Circle of 5ths) which at a glance was so overwhelming, I needed a nap. I'll do some exploration and mark the spots I need to dig into. Right now, not knowing the scales, the boxes and learning the notes on the fretboard has been my demise. Once I get that absorbed, I might be able to get the tune in my head into my hands, which is exactly what I've wanted to do for 50 years!

 

[ChrisGSP]

Welcome Gregg, from the Aussie side of the world. You're wrong about this "might" be the one - this IS the one place where you will be able to learn everything that you want to learn; and also hang out with a lot of like-minded and generous guitar lovers. I'm a bit like you, I wish Griff had been around 60 years ago when I first started learning guitar.

 

[GreggPalmer187]

Thanks Chris, I'm good on ya mate!
I'm not sure where 'This might be the one' originated, but if I said it, guilty as charged.
I am especially pleased that there are some mature students here who have likely endured years of missing pieces as I have.
Life has it's roadblocks and is too short not to pick your paths with pursuit (and the earlier the better, but usually never too late).
I'll pull up me daks and git 'r dun.

 

[artyman]

Aaah the B7 chord, I remember that being my nemesis many many years ago, don't even think about it now. I started off learning box 1 then added the others as time went on, and found that initial box was great starting point for my blues journey.

 

[Grateful_Ed]

Welcome to the forum Gregg.
Yeah, Columbia Record Club dates you alright. You got records from your Mom while many of us here were charter members!
In any case I hope you make the best of and thoroughly enjoy your time here.

 

[GreggPalmer187]

Cheers Artyman, thanks for the tip on box 1, I will do as you suggest. Start with 1 sounds like the best path. As we say in the states,
"Don't bite off more than you can chew".

 

[GreggPalmer187]

Thanks Ed, I'm grateful I'm not the old guy here! I bet like me, you had a stack of 8-tracks too. Most people today don't even know what they were. My niece once asked me if it was true Paul McCartney was in a band before Wings. I think that's when I turned grey.

 

[TxBill]

Hi Liam, Thanks for the reply!
If I understand your question correctly, the course you inquire about is a past endeavor (last fall). I picked up a lot of new insights and old memories of high school music class (Circle of 5ths) which at a glance was so overwhelming, I needed a nap. I'll do some exploration and mark the spots I need to dig into. Right now, not knowing the scales, the boxes and learning the notes on the fretboard has been my demise. Once I get that absorbed, I might be able to get the tune in my head into my hands, which is exactly what I've wanted to do for 50 years!

Glad to offer some encouragement along with a suggestion.

As to my question referring to *which course you currently are studying*, if you found one of Griff's in the course catalog, then a little exploring should have revealed the large number he offers. I was attempting to determine the direction you are going so as to have a better understanding of you efforts.

Most new members start with BGU 2.0. That is a very good place if you have some knowledge and are experienced playing guitar. On the other hand, if you have no experience, BGU 2.0 might be too advanced. So if you let us know where you are and what your intent is, we have some very knowledgeable and proficient members who would be more than happy to offer suggestions on a desirable direction to take, given a starting point and a solid goal.

Hope this explains my asking!

 

[Elio]

Welcome to the group -- you fit right in!

 

[GreggPalmer187]

Thank you Liam,
I appreciated the clarification. I am, as post reads, a Newbie, but only to Blues Guitar Unleashed.
I will do as you suggest and have a look at BGU 2.0.
As far as how good I am, well, I can impress the heck out of a 8 year old. My goal is to be free of the shackles that have bound me for so
long. I appreciate your advice and hope to find that which has alluded me. I'll know it when I see it.

 

[Silicon Valley Tom]

Welcome Gregg. I often warn new members of the Forum to be careful! You see, we have members that are attempting to own one of every guitar, amplifier and pedal ever made. I have a few guitars. classical, flamenco, acoustic and electric. I also have several amplifiers, but I have one pedal, a Keeley Luna Overdrive. A generous forum member gave me a box of pedals, but I have never used then or taken them out of the box.

May I suggest you set a realistic goal for yourself? Try recording your progress. See what works for you. You might make use of the Virtual Jam Room, and even hook up with a group of other musicians. Set your path and go for the gold!

By the way, I play over a dozen different instruments including piano. I have had some great guitar teachers, including Andres Segovia, played with some well-known flamenco guitarists (Carlos Montoya, Sabicas, Juan Serrano and many others) and some of the finest flamenco dancers from Spain. I also had several groups that traveled around the country playing folk, Latin, Country and Western music. Being retired allows me to enjoy my music and forget the television news!

Tom

 

[GreggPalmer187]

I appreciate you Tom

None of my guitars are worth dollars but are rather invaluable memories. I'm not sure where it originated but I have found that when you give, you get back more than you gave. I had an old Norma student guitar my Aunt gave me, that restarted my pursuit at age 30. After I loaned it to the kid next door (who moved away and I never saw it again), my friend from worked gave me a Yamaha (steel 6 string). That bounced me up a notch but I wanted something a little better yet. I was inspired by the quality of Denny Zager's line up and bought their least expensive model (used) that they wouldn't ship without a case. The added expense wasn't anticipated but I'm glad I managed it and glad I have it. I've heard Orange is a good brand too.
I have a T-15 Peavey, a Cortez Les Paul copy, a Silvertone Strat copy ($20 garage sale) that I was able to fix after I built a Tele style from parts all over the world (AKA: Frankencaster), a soprano Ukulele (which is awesome for $40), one multi effects peddle and a distortion box (also rarely used), a Fender Vibro Champ, a Peavy Decade a buddy gave me and an old Casio keyboard. There's also an Ibanez at my disposal that belongs to my daughter. I'd love to be able to play all the genres you mentioned playing, as well as the blues, older rock and Southern rock. That's where my heart is.
Forget the TV is right, I'd rather watch a documentary than the News, but only after setting down my guitar.

 

[PapaRaptor]

Hello Gregg!
Glad to have you here. I hope the forum proves to be a source of inspiration to you.