Getting up to speed

“…From the blazing tempos of bluegrass and bebop to the lightning-quick flourishes inherent in Gypsy jazz and flamenco, many acoustic styles require guitarists to play single-note lines with speed and conviction. While most musicians are captivated by the ability to play fast, the guitar is a difficult instrument to play quickly… Keeping in mind that speedy lines sound best when played with clarity and good tone, the best way to start building your chops is to combine a regular practice routine that improves your technique with different approaches to picking and fretting…” From here, “Acoustic Guitar Magazine”.

Can guitar strumming soothe the ill?

This classic guitar strumming scene from the eighties seems to, er, produce mixed resluts.

Holy Gibson, Batman: Gibson guitar plant raided

“…The [FBI] agents did not say what they were searching for or if anything was removed from the plant. But some hardwoods used in making premium guitars, like rosewood from the rain forests of Madagascar and Brazil, have recently been banned under a federal law called the Lacey Act because of environmental concerns…” Here.

The great clown guitarist

In Italy around 1541 the great guitarist Ignatius Pulnasio gained guitar fame and wealth in Rome, and was deeply admired by the Vatican. However, during a concert at the illustrious Sistine chapel Ignatius’s fingers froze up on the fingerboard, turning his concert into a disaster of dissonance, and a great embarrassment to Pope Leopold Luciani who was in the audience with several of his mistresses. Consequently Ignatius was ordered to give any subsequent concerts dressed as a clown.

A statue of Ignatius Pulnasio

BIG Fender

Those soothing guitars…

…Of all the concerts given in McCook’s historic Fox Theatre, the performance Thursday night by the Gothenburg Combo may have been the most delicate and serene ever. You could hear a pin drop as Thomas Hansy and David Hansson of Gothenburg, Sweden blended smooth, gently played strokes on their acoustical guitars. “Some of the audience members told me they closed their eyes to more fully focus their hearing upon the delicate sounds…” Here.