Hi, Roy

You make some excellent points here.

The worst PC OS I've ever encountered was Windows Vista. I remember being so excited when Microsoft announced Vista because Robert Fripp (of King Crimson fame) was going to record the opening sounds as the OS booted up.

Robert used a Les Paul and an effects rack the size of a large refrigerator to record what became the four-second intro.

Everything else about this operating system was disappointing, to put it politely!

Frank 🎸

Thank you, Frank.

Fortunately, I never had the joy of Windows Vista, but if I remember rightly, it was a version that everyone was complaining about. I believe that everything had been moved around, why do they do that!?

The last Samsung phone I upgraded to, Samsung moved the volume controls to the other side of the phone; why!

It's really disappointing when you looking forward to something and it doesn't live up to what you expected.

I must admit I did know about the start-up sound, that sounds a bit different!

Have a great day.

Roy

Hey, Roy

Yes Apple makes those types of changes to their cell phones, too.

In the course of an average day, I’m always trying to minimize computer and phone time.

Even so, I still find myself on them more than half the day.

Most of my non-computer activities get done in the early morning hours in my music room.

Also, I’m not really a “virtual” person. I’d much rather interact with people in-person.

It’s so important to carve out a space in each day to be ourselves, which for me is technologically-free. 😎

Frank 🎸

Hello Frank,

I hope your day is going well.

I never understand why software and phone manufacturers want to change things around. I understand wanting to improve the technology, which is fair enough. But moving things around is just annoying unless it's in a really bad place!

It is amazing how quickly computer time can disappear! I think it's important that we have a plan and do not end up thinking we are working when we are actually just scanning the web or looking at social media!

I guess being musical, you love to fire up your guitars and have a play, which is so fantastic and so therapeutic! To a certain extent, I am the other way around, as my offline business is slightly physical. I'm actually pleased to get in front of the computer and do something online! I do appreciate though that there has to be a balance. I also very much like meeting people face-to-face.

Have a great day.

Roy

Hi, Roy

I have guitars all over the place, so I just have to grab one! Most of the time I don't plug into an amp and just fool around with whatever new ideas come into my head.

For me it beats messing with computers or other tech, anytime! 😎

Frank 🎸

Good morning Frank,

I understand exactly where you are coming from! When I used to play my guitar regularly, I used to be picked up every single morning and most evenings. It wasn't for many minutes, but it was highly therapeutic and a good way to start and finish the day! And it kept those fingers moving!

Now I turn my computer on first thing in the morning and reply to some blog posts and then start writing. My guitar sits behind me, gathering dust; maybe I need to pick up the guitar again!

Have a great day.

Roy

Hi, Roy

The trick is to begin with the guitar FIRST and then go to the computer and whatever else you have to do!

I'm up most mornings and playing music by 5 AM. After that, my wife gets top priority, but I work the rest of each day and night around music to the extent that it's practical and possible.

I manage to get 1 to 2 (mostly 2) high-quality articles written each week on my guitar site, but I have the luxury of not trying to make affiliate marketing a replacement for a full-time job.

Have fun playing guitar! 😎
Frank 🎸

Hello Frank,

Yes, I hear you and that's not a bad idea, however, that was before I was married!!😂😂 I think, in some ways, my wife would like me not to be in front of the computer, however, that is easier said than done! Especially when you're trying to grow an online business!

They say that great minds think alike, I'm normally up at 5 AM! I'm impressed, that's early for a musician; most musicians are thinking about going to bed at 5 AM!!

On a serious note, though, it sounds like you have a good system that works, Frank, good for you! And it's great that you are seeing some results through what you are doing, well done!

Long-term, I would like to sell my offline business and work full-time online and hopefully start playing the guitar again!

I hope you have a great weekend.

Roy

Hi, Roy

I’m still a real night owl, so nothing but a guitar or a very sick patient could get me up that early! 😎

Just grab your guitar for even 10 to 15 minutes a day and you’ll be glad you did!

Have a great weekend!
Frank 🎸

Good morning Frank,

You sound like a proper musician if you are really a night owl! It's always difficult to know when to phone a musician, they can still be asleep at 2 PM! I have experienced that!😂😂😂

You are right about grabbing the guitar for 10 to 15 minutes a day! It would be beneficial and very therapeutic.

Now for a couple of musical technical questions!

I used to use quite a few years ago something called "Guitar Port" which I could play through my computer. I really liked it as there was no need for an amp taking up space in my smallish, but adequate home office.

I guess that things have changed a lot with guitar software over the years. Is anything fairly simple that you can recommend that I can use to play an electric guitar through my computer and then through the headphones, please? It's good to have things like backing tracks, although I can play a YouTube video at the same time or something similar.

Or maybe a small practice amp where I can plug-in headphones, but I guess the PC would be the better option.

Have a great Saturday.

Roy

Hi, Roy

Yes, I used a Guitar Port, which was made by Line-6.

What you want is an iRig2. It’s a high- def interface that connects your guitar to a PC, Mac, or iPhone.


https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/irig2/


For backing tracks, there are many available on YouTube, or you can record your own.

I plug into an amp in the morning and again at night. Between that, I just grab an electric guitar and play it acoustically. That’s the way to go if you only have about 10 or 15 minutes for a session.

You’d be amazed how much time those quick practice sessions add up to at the end of the week!

Have a great musical weekend! 😎

Frank 🎸

Good morning Frank,

That's interesting that you used Guitar Port, are Line 6 still trading?

I just had a look at the link, it sounds ideal to me, small and straightforward, although I have only had a quick look. What is the difference between analogue and digital, please? I kind of know what the difference is, I also notice that the digital one is priced higher. Is it worth me potentially purchasing the digital model?

It sounds like you keep those fingers moving, which is great. I know what a difference it would make to practice regularly. Although I have a lot of catching up to do, it's 12 years since I was playing properly!

I do appreciate your help and information, I think there may be some more questions coming!

A very happy Sunday to you.

Roy

Hi, Roy

Yes, Line 6 is still selling very high-quality modeling amps and effects. I used guitar port many years ago, and it worked well compared to what was available at the time.

I recommend you get the iRig HD2, which will work on Mac and PC. It comes with Amplitude 5SE, which has a host of high-definition amps, cabinets, and effects.

An analog connection will go from your guitar into an electronic device and then into your computer's sound card, allowing you to hear what you are playing and record it with an app.

A digital device, like you would get with the iRigHD2, changes the analog signal from your guitar into a digital signal, which is much higher quality (96kHz) and allows you to manipulate it (overlay other tracks, add effects, etc.) before the signal gets changed back to analog and sent to your computer's speakers or headphone output.

I wouldn't get too crazy with all the digital processing stuff. You just want to be able to plug your guitar into your computer or iPhone to get some practice time in between everything else you have going on in an average day, right? 😎

Frank 🎸

Hello Frank,

I must admit I did know that Line 6 were still trading, that's interesting. It was also quite a number of years since I last used Guitar Port. If I remember rightly, it suddenly stopped working, it appeared that I get the right drivers if I remember correctly.

Thank you for all the feedback on the iRig; it's appreciated! It's good to be able to talk to someone who knows about guitar gear. I used to read magazines and talk to people about musical instruments when I played in the band etc. However, must admit the last few years, I have become a bit out of touch with the musical stuff etc.

You are 100% correct, I literally just want to be able to plug my guitar in and have a bit of a fire up! Once again, I like to keep things simple! I really want to just plug the guitar in, play along to a backing track and have a bit of fun.

I really do appreciate your advice, Frank, thank you so much.

Roy

You're Welcome, Roy

Let me know what you decide. 😎

Frank 🎸

Good morning Frank,

I've just created a document and saved it to my documents regarding our conversation! It may even be a Christmas present to myself!

I will have to get the electric guitar out which hasn't been out for years. I have plenty of replacement strings. I also have a Fretlight guitar which I purchased years ago to help me learn the guitar scales. I hope it still works.

Have a great day and I will let you know when I take action.

Roy

PS: I believe there will be more muso questions from me in the coming months!

Hi, Roy

The Fretlight guitars are a great learning tool.

The best way to learn scales is to start by learning the Major (Ionian) scale all over the fretboard over their “CAGED” chord shapes.

Once you learn these five Major scale positions, you know every other scale all over the guitar neck by modifying them accordingly.

Also, if you learn to recognize each scale by its particular sound your ear will help you do the rest.

It’s that simple! I don’t know why everyone tries to make it so difficult.

I have an introduction to this approach in the “advanced” section of the free ebook I give away on my guitar website.

Frank 🎸

Good morning Frank,

I guess the fretlight guitar was quite an ingenious design! I had mine 20+ years ago, I think there was a period when they stopped making them. However, I just went to their website and it looks like they have a larger range now. They are also considerably cheaper than what I paid all those years ago. If I remember rightly, I paid about £850, it was quite a bit of money at the time.

That's interesting about the major scale, which I think I still know! The first scale I learnt was the blues scale, probably because my guitar teacher was a blues man! That's interesting what you say about the major scale, I didn't know that, I appreciate the info!

I admire people who can play by ear, I wish I could! Once I start up again, I will try and recognise the scales, by ear.

When I played in the band, I could always recognise if something was missing from the tune. In other words, I might hear something on the keyboard that I wasn't following 100% on the guitar. So I do have an ear for some musical sounds!

When I'm ready, I will have a look at your e-book; it sounds good. Just for the next few weeks, I need to focus on some online stuff. But it's good to have something to look forward to.

Have a great day.

Roy

Hi, Roy

Yes, Fretlight is still in business and they have fairly sophisticated learning software and higher quality guitars now.

The blues scale is just the minor pentatonic scale with a flat fifth added in (one extra note).

If you think about the minor pentatonic scale, it’s just the Dorian scale with the 2nd and 6th missing.

But, the Dorian scale is the same as the Major (Ionian) scale with the 3rd dropped down to a flat 3rd and the 7th dropped down to a flat 7th.

So, if you learn the Major scale in the five CAGED chord positions on the guitar neck you can play scales and arpeggios over any chord progression.

You don’t need a Fretlight guitar or anything else except your ear and a little practice. 😎

Frank 🎸

Good morning Frank,

I'm pleased that Fretlight are still trading, I think I have been a period after I had my guitar where it appeared that they were not in existence, but I could be wrong! It's amazing how technology moves forward!

You obviously know your stuff, Frank, it kind of makes it sound easy, although it's quite a bit for my small brain to take in! Although I don't know loads about music, it fascinates me how it was all put together in the first place! Absolutely amazing and fantastic!

Do you think is possible for someone like me who can't play by ear to be able to play by ear eventually? Or something that you either have or you don't have it! I know that the more I played the more familiar I became with the sounds etc.

Thank you for your help Frank; once I get started again, I believe I will be coming after you with more questions!

My original guitar teacher sadly passed away several years ago, he was a lovely chap and a good friend. Sadly he had had a drinking problem all his life, although he was highly successful in business! He claimed that it started when he was young and was playing in clubs around Germany! I think he had a great time playing full-time before he had a family, but sadly led to a drink problem!

I think, like many musicians, playing full-time really improved their musical skills. Like many people, he played with people who then went on to be highly famous musically! Very fascinating indeed!

Have a great day.

Roy

Hi, Roy

The more I learn about music, the more amazing it becomes!

I love to pick everything apart. However, it’s best not to complicate it. Enjoy it instead.

The point is to keep music fun. That’s all it really is to me. You’ll accumulate knowledge over the years but I try not to take it too seriously.

I started playing by ear and then learned to play from music. It’s good to know how to do both.

Listen carefully to each note you play or hear in someone else’s music and try to understand what makes it special. It’s as simple as that.

Sorry about your guitar teacher.

Frank 🎸

Good morning Frank,

Yes, I agree with you, it is exceptionally fascinating and amazing! I think I may have mentioned before how it never fails to amaze me how a few instruments make such a good sound!

When I listen to music I like to try and listen and pick out individual instruments. I hear you regarding not making it complicated.

I once heard of someone who loved playing his guitar so much that he just spent hours and hours practising. He ended up playing for the BBC orchestra or band. Sadly, it was so pressurised that he ended up committing suicide as he just couldn't stand the pressure! It is very sad that something that he absolutely loved became so pressurised with a tragic ending.

That's good that you start applying by ear, fascinating. I used to have a friend come around and we would play together. The problem was he didn't know what chords he was playing, which made it difficult!

It's good to chat with you and listen to your advice, I appreciate it.

Have a great day.

Roy

Hi, Roy

Music and art should always be a very positive experience, the “happy time” of each day!

Playing and listening to music routinely is a great habit to get into.

I can’t even remember the last time I didn’t pick up a guitar at least once during the day.

Frank 🎸

Good morning Frank,

I hear you, it's good to have a "happy time" each day and just forget about everything else for a few minutes! Very therapeutic indeed.

I must admit, as much as I like music, I don't listen to it as much as I used to. I listen to a lot of different things on my smartphone when I'm working on my offline business. Maybe I need to listen to a bit more music again!

A few years ago, I could have said exactly the same, Frank, regarding picking up my guitar. Normally I used to pick it up twice a day, but now it has gone to zero, big time! That has to change.

Have a great day.

Roy

Hi, Roy

Playing twice a day is a good plan. Two 30 min sessions will get you 7 hrs/week. Not bad.

Spend the first 15 min with structured practice and the next 15 playing whatever you like.

Always use a metronome. You can get a free one for your phone. I tap my foot. It’s nature’s metronome and it’ll help you lock in your timing.

Frank 🎸

Good morning Frank,

I hope your day went well yesterday; thank you for your reply.

Looking at the figures like that, Frank, it's quite impressive! With that amount of practice each day, I believe that improvement could quickly come! Guitar wise I have gone backwards massive time, I can barely remember any songs that I knew of by heart!

I guess my next question may be is there a solid learning platform that may be worth investing in. I guess maybe something like the music edition of Wealthy Affiliate, which works for people of all levels!

When I first started playing, timing was something that I struggled with, I do have a metronome somewhere. Natures way is often the best!

Once again, I do appreciate your advice, thank you so much.

Have a great day.

Roy

Hi, Roy

There are several online learning platforms. Just Google it and you will probably get dozens.

I can’t really recommend any without having personal experience.

The paid ones are probably best.

Two popular ones are Fender Play and Yousician.

There are a crazy number of instructional YouTube videos. I’ve seen many excellent ones and just as many bad ones. You can’t always depend on the info being correct.

You can get my free 54 page book, if you haven’t already. I think some of the stuff in the advanced section (don’t worry, it’s not very advanced) will help you.

There’s still nothing as good as paid one-to-one lessons with a good instructor!

I’ll bet that if you pick up the guitar routinely that most of what you knew will come back.

You don’t really have to worry about a song repertoire unless you plan on playing for money as an entertainer.

I did that for years as a side-hustle to help pay for my education and I probably can’t remember how to play even half of those songs now.

Don’t over complicate it, just pick up your guitar and then go from there.

As long as you’re having fun, who cares, right? 😎

Frank 🎸

Good morning Frank,

My apologies for the late reply, it's not deliberate!

Yes, I can imagine there are a huge amount of platforms offering training, probably a bit like the Internet marketing world!

I hear you regarding the paid ones, I think you can probably take them a bit more seriously. In my experience, free doesn't normally work for this type of thing. This is what I like about the Wealthy Affiliate platform, the information is genuine. I appreciate that it can be found on the web, but you never quite know if what you are reading is correct.

I have a look at the training that you suggested.

I hear you regarding not over complicating things, that is so true.

As you say, picking up the guitar is the best thing that I could do!

Have a great day and thank you for the excellent info.

Roy

Hi, Roy

One of my favorite things to do is pick up a guitar, stream some music, and play along with it.

I don’t try to figure things out until I’m done with the process.

Afterwards, I usually revisit certain passages I played and figure out what I liked or didn’t like about them.

Playing things that don’t work is just as valuable a learning experience than playing things that do work.

They’ll both make you a better player.

No really good or amazing musicians ever think they know everything or can’t improve further. That’s what stunts the learning process.

But, like I keep saying, the main thing is to relax and have fun with it. That’s when you’re most creative.

Happy Sunday!
Frank 🎸

Good morning Frank,

I hope your weekend went well and was filled with music!

That sounds like a good thing to do, I'm guessing that you're playing along with no written music? It sounds like a good way to learn, if I understand you correctly.

I must admit when I'm playing something, I used to almost feel I knew what chord should come next. I didn't always get it right, but I guess I was gradually start to learn.

I believe that we should never stop learning, whatever it is we are doing! If we think we know everything, it probably means we know very little.

I have to say that I really used to enjoy picking up my guitar and having a play.

A very happy Monday to you.

Roy

Hi, Roy

I’ve been playing some Bach arrangements for guitar and mostly just messing around with some new ideas.

15 minutes always turns into 2 or 3 hours as various patterns materialize on the fretboard or stuff that I haven’t played in many years comes back to me.

Never a dull moment with the guitar! 😎

Frank 🎸

Hello Frank,

Now that sounds like that may be a bit technical, but I'm sure it's great fun!

It's amazing how time flies when you are enjoying something, you can soon lose time on the guitar and on a PC when you're busy!

It sounds like you're having fun which is what it should be!

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Roy

Hi, Roy

I try to avoid using computers as much as possible unless they are to play or listen to music.

Still, I spend a crazy amount of my life with them, and you probably do, too. 🤷‍♂️

Frank 🎸

Good morning Frank,

I must admit I didn't think that I would ever enjoy using a computer, but now I do. I think part of the reason may be that my work has been physical for most of my life. Although, it's definitely easier than it used to be! So when I am in front of the computer, it kind of feels relaxing! And I do enjoy growing my online business!

I believe that there should be a balance and we should not just be in front of the screen scrolling at nothing! I must admit that I try and avoid my smart phone, they have their uses! I see far too many people walking around with their head buried in smartphones. Some of them appear to be trying to commit suicide when they cross the road without looking, totally oblivious that you are even there!

It's a funny old world!

Have a great day and keep on rocking!

Roy

Hi, Roy

Yes, it’s crazy the way people walk without looking or drive while texting!

I don’t have a presence on social channels. I do a little Pinterest for my guitar site and that’s about it.

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃
(If you’re American, sorry I can’t recall 😎)

Frank 🎸

Hello Frank,

My apologies for the late reply, time goes by!

Funnily enough, I saw a video today with people walking into things who were looking at their mobile phones!

I think I mentioned it before, but I think for most of us, if we focused on our website rather than social media, we would be a lot better off. Mainly because it takes our attention away from what we should be doing!

I'm actually in the UK, Frank, but I know what it's like, getting into conversations with many members and we can't remember where they are from. If I remember rightly Frank, are you living in France? I may be wrong!

Have a great weekend.

Roy

Hi, Roy

I find it much more productive to spend most of my WA time writing content on my site.

When I’m on the go, so to speak, I use that time to answer WA mail, etc.,but not while I’m walking or driving. 😎

I’m from the USA, born and breed in Rhode Island, although I lived in Italy almost four years.

Frank 🎸

Thanks, Fran! 😊

Frank

Thanks, Gary! 😊

Frank

You're Welcome, Myra 😎

Frank

Thank You, Lee! 😊

Dell computers are great!

Frank

Hi, Stephen

That's excellent! 👍 😎

Frank 🎸

You're Welcome, Lamatha! 😊

Frank

That's great, Nick! 😎

Frank

Excellent, Jorgenson! 😎

Frank

Thanks, Kevin! 😊

Frank