009 - Is a $150 Capo Worth The Price?

Acoustic Tuesday presented by http://tonysacousticchallenge.com

First up this week is some fuel for your Flatpicking, some gasoline for your G run, some diesel for your downstroke... you get the idea, but seriously first up on the list this week is some bluegrass inspired coffee. As a coffee drinker, I was ecstatic to find some blended coffee bearing the name "Flatpicker Fuel". This is a coffee blend by the folks at Coffee Fool and I must say that after a few cups I may very well be able to play a bit faster... It certainly allows me to speak at an increased rate. Make sure to check this coffee out along with the others that they offer. 

http://www.coffeefool.com/Flatpicker-Fuel-p/2301.htm

http://www.coffeefool.com/

A capo is a capo is a capo right??? Not necessarily so, in fact, the fine folks at Elliott Capos will tell you different. I first heard of these capos from Dave Grier's website, and I thought for sure upon purchasing one my playing was going to transform. Well, I am sad to report my playing didn't transform, however, I found one of the most quality capos I have ever had the pleasure of using. This small shop of family members makes the most finely machined stainless steel capos in a variety of styles and finishes. Make sure to check these guys out, and keep in mind that these are pricey buggers, but I can honestly say after having one for almost ten years now, they are very much worth it. 

https://elliottcapo.com/

https://elliottcapo.com/shop/category.aspx?catid=6

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgsDOi1OfVx-qe1PZBIAkXw

https://youtu.be/XrBtrbWSFb0

https://youtu.be/ppCeXNnnlqY

As an acoustic #guitargeek you may not have a lot of pedals, but if you have one or even just a few it can become a huge pain in the butt laying them out on the floor every time you want to use them. Transport becomes difficult, and the odds of forgetting a crucial piece are increased, which is why I want to share the PedalTrain Nano pedal board with you. This stout, small format pedalboard is perfect for the acoustic player who has only a few pedals but wants to keep things nice and tidy. The nano is built like a tank and can handle about 3 standard size pedals (think pedal tuner, DI, and maybe an effects unit of sorts). Since getting the nano, my live setup has become effortless and things stay in the same spot. A must for any player who wants there sound to follow them wherever they end up.

http://www.pedaltrain.com/nano

http://amzn.to/2yYMsuw

This week I have been listening to John Fahey... an official truckload of John Fahey. In fact a while ago I purchased the box set "Transcendental Waterfall," which was a treasure trove of John Fahey's studio albums. This latest John Fahey phase leads me to something else that I wish to share with you though... a movie. Yes, a movie inspired by what I am listening to this week. The movie, actually a documentary, is called "In Search of Blind Joe Death." This doc is about John Fahey, who he influenced, and his life in general. Even if you aren't familiar with John Fahey you will enjoy this doc, since the cast of characters is pretty vast and the stories told are quite candid. 

Purchase Link: http://amzn.to/2z0QMcC

Box set purchase link: http://amzn.to/2yhw4I6

Movie trailer: https://youtu.be/3NoXyb9AjJw

Interview with director/producer: https://youtu.be/VjDfzIdFA_8

Music theory and fun rarely occur in the same sentence... in fact probably never in the history of the spoken word have fun and music theory been associated. I think this has to do with the image that the words "music theory" conjure up... Piles of books, the standard notation staff, Augmented 7/9 suspended chords, and just headache after a headache, but I am here to confidently say it doesn't have to be like that... rather it shouldn't be like that. I just launched the Fretboard Wizard course this week and it happens to kick off with a free "Guitar Theory for Everybody" video series. This video series will create mega lightbulb moments and uncover the "foundational 5," which are the core elements that theory is based on. If you understand the foundational 5 you will then be able to unlock many of the secrets the fretboard holds. The series comes with a downloadable workbook and truly will catapult your theory understanding into the next level. Make sure to click the link below to access the video series. 

https://tonypolecastro.com/fw1

Continue waving your #guitargeek flag, and I can't wait for next week so you can see what geekiness I have in store for you.