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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I'm not in guitar stores very often, and when I am, it is very rare that I see anything of interest to play. The last time was at least six months ago in the special acoustic room in the back of the store where all the expensive stuff is displayed, and I tried about a half dozen different models. Nobody else was present and I just noodled with some quick chord changes in the upper register to test the feel and set-up. As usualy, I departed unimpressed. |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I have go-to chords, but not a consistant go-to song. |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 383
Location: Indiana | I usually either play a little of Tears in Heaven or Mood for a Day if trying out an acoustic. For bass maybe the beginning of Spirit of the Radio |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 1553
Location: Indiana | Chopsticks |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7210
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | They sell guitars in stores??
I can't remember the last time I was in a music store that had anything worth checking out, but when checking out a guitar in general I have a few goto riffs that focus on tone and playability for me.
Mostly just riffs from tunes like "Say What You Will" by Fastway, and a couple of riffs from my tunes that are similar to the "inside" chords used in the lead break of "Still of the Night" by Whitesnake. And then just some other lead riffs of my own.
If it's an Acoustic I'm checking out, I again have a few riffs that pretty much define "my style" and let me evaluate the instrument. The harmonics from Roundabout by Yes, the opening riff from "Alone Again" by Dokken but mostly riffs from my own Acoustic guitar tunes.
For me a guitar either sounds and plays how I want it, or it doesn't. Doesn't take more than a couple of bars to know and either check the price tag, or move on. |
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Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 489
| In a store: What ever the hell I feel like playing at the moment and I don't care about the thoughts of the sales child or whoever else is listening.
If I'm trying out an instrument, I'm trying out an instrument, not showing off.
In a social situation wherein a guitar unexpectedly appears: I never play first but watch everyone else. I won't volunteer to play, but if asked I'll just fingerpick something (since that's all I do anymore). If I happen to notice I'm the best guitarist there, I'll downplay my ability. If I notice I'm not the best guitarist there, I'll downplay it even more. |
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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 840
Location: CA | Acoustic (if someone's listening): intro to 'Roundabout' and/or 'Ballad of the Yarmouth Castle'
If not listening: Start with Aminor and just noodle around until it turns into something recognizable.
Electric: 'Mystery Train' or something bluesy in E. If I get to play with affects, sometimes 'Sharp Dressed Man'
Only time I've been asked to play in front of people in last 10 years is with daughters, so (tremble, quiver) it's usually Puff the Magic Dragon. Which incidentally keeps me on the up and up, since playing that song through eternity would be my worst version of hell. |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I usually start out with "Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most". Then I go into something I wrote, followed by "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring". That lets me know how the guitar sounds in the styles that I play.
At a party, if there is a singer present, it's usually "Summertime" or some other vocal piece. If there is no singer there, I usually don't play. Actually I don't go to parties much anymore. I spend so much time at the shop, being around people that I would rather go home and have some rare and precious alone time. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | It could be worse. I don't go to parties because no one invites me. |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
At a party, if there is a singer present, it's usually "Summertime" or some other vocal piece. If there is no singer there, I usually don't play. I have a very cool version of Summertime that you should hear. |
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Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 489
| I have a very cool version of Summertime that you should hear. Link?
. |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by Losov:
I have a very cool version of Summertime that you should hear. Link?
. |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I do it two different ways. I play an acoustic version with open chords that I learned about eight hundred years ago. But when the kids needed to fill out their song list, I taught them a version using bar chords, with lots of minor sevenths and a really fun bass line. I too am a "computer retard", but maybe someday I'll get help to post songs too. |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
I do it two different ways. I play an acoustic version with open chords that I learned about eight hundred years ago. But when the kids needed to fill out their song list, I taught them a version using bar chords, with lots of minor sevenths and a really fun bass line. I too am a "computer retard", but maybe someday I'll get help to post songs too. Okay, mine sounds like your 2nd version. I'd like to hear your open version sometime (in the summertime) |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Last weekend of June, 2010. Come on out! |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Originally posted by darkbarguitar:
Originally posted by Losov:
I have a very cool version of Summertime that you should hear. Link?
.
I'm happy to record you/us, but it'll be a learning experience for both of us. |
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What's your "go to" song
