033 - Cancel Save changes Is Cocaine & Rhinestones Your Next Obsession?

Happiest Tuesday to you, my comrade in guitar geekiness!

Acoustic Tuesday presented by http://tonysacousticchallenge.com

Today we take some time to think of and thank all things acoustic with a juicy list of goodies to help you live your best #acousticlife. 

I know it's spring, but no rain delays are happening so let's play ball... err... I mean dive into some enlightening #acousticlife enhancers. 

I have always loved learning about music history. The stories seem to be of mythical proportions.. especially in country music. Now I'm not talking about Florida Georgie Line here, I mean country music prior to the year 2000. Tales of lying, cheating, stealing, love, smash hits, and controversial songs fill the coffers of country music and there's so much, I have never had time to dig into all of it... until now. The Cocaine & Rhinestones podcast hosted by Tyler Mahan Coe is one of the most amazing podcasts for any #guitargeek interested in the stories and tales that proliferate country music. This podcast is entertaining, informative, and downright inspiring. Currently there is one season available with 12 episodes and they are all incredible... no joke. I also have to say that the host, Tyler, puts a ton of work into these episodes and it shows, big time. Each one is packed full of information and it is presented in a fun manner that is easy to follow and digest. The Cocaine & Rhinestones podcast is a true treasure trove of incredible info and stories. Also, on the Cocaine & Rhinestones website each episode has a companion blog post allowing the listener to further geek out. This is a listening and learning experience through and through. 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ernest-tubb-the-texas-defense/id1304192102?i=1000394220773&mt=2    (Segment: 6:56 - 8:45)

https://cocaineandrhinestones.com/

https://www.patreon.com/tylermahancoe

https://cocaineandrhinestones.com/about-contact

Every now and again as guitar geeks, we look for a new piece of gear or accessory. Who am I kidding here?!?! As a #guitargeek it is our moral obligation to be on a never-ending quest for the next piece of gear that could get us one step closer to the elusive magical tone we have an insatiable desire for. There are numerous options for picks, strings and other gadgetry, but the Passerelle Bridge developed by luthier Rachel Rosenkrantz and artist Kaki King takes the cake for an accessory that can turn your guitar into a whole new instrument... as in completely different. The Passerelle bridge is cast out of bronze and sits on the 16th fret of your guitar and changes it into a "Koto" like instrument. Your guitar all of a sudden makes sounds of a dulcet nature and your ability to achieve a magically vocal-like quality from your guitar becomes quite easy. I have been experimenting with the one I ordered and I'm having a blast working with it. When I received it in the mail I had to make some adjustments to the string slots which the included materials did call to my attention, but after that, it was quite easy to begin experimenting with. Overall this gadget offers tons of possibilities which become very clear when watching Kaki King use it on her guitar. 

http://www.kakiking.com/passerelle/

https://www.atelierrosenkrantz.com/product-page/passerelle-bridge

https://youtu.be/vn84FfYvRv0 - How to Install a Passerelle Bridge

https://youtu.be/2ZEDYETleNw - How to Tune With the Passerelle Bridge

https://youtu.be/FlR_k7FZnsw - Passerelle Demo (Bowen Island by Kaki King)

Every so often an artist comes along, changes the way an instrument is perceived, and then continues to push its boundaries. The artist that I have been listening to this week does just this and does so tirelessly. She is seemingly always trying something new and constantly challenging herself to find new avenues for the six string guitar. The artist that I am referring to is Kaki King; fingerstyle guitar player extraordinaire, brilliant composer, and constant boundary pusher. Kaki creates a beautiful synergy between percussive elements on the guitar and gorgeous melodies carried out with two hand tapping and other unconventional styles. Her newest project has her playing original compositions with an orchestra. The project prior to that, "The Neck is a Bridge to the Body," finds her playing a guitar that has visual projections mapped on its surface... something you have to see to believe. She has a myriad of albums to explore and I strongly encourage you to check them out. 

https://youtu.be/ziPD16xCBBg - The Surface Changes

https://youtu.be/MKs0tzjJb04 - Magazine with the Porta Girevole Chamber Orchestra

https://youtu.be/FwI8ROqVNHU - The making of Glow

http://www.kakiking.com/

https://shop.bandwear.com/collections/kaki-king-shop

https://amzn.to/2GKHSYm - Glow (Album)

https://amzn.to/2uK1uXQ - Legs to Make Us Longer (Album)

https://amzn.to/2IpRpkN - Everybody Loves You (Album)

It's tough to get access to small bench luthier guitars. Plain and simple, they are usually a one man or woman operation and being a one-person show limits the number of guitars they can make in a year. Getting to try a small bench luthier's guitars is what #guitargeek dreams are made of though... the guitars are masterfully made, often times somewhat unusual, and thought-provoking. What if I said there was a place you could go to try nearly 100 different small bench builder's guitars? Well, I'm saying it, that place exists and it's called the Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase. The showcase is held in Woodstock, NY on October 26, 27, and 28 and you can go there to not only see and try some rare and unique instruments but also attend panel discussions and workshops. There are some real gems among the artists and presenters that will be there; Macyn Taylor, Antoine Dufour, Happy Traum, Courtney Hartman... and that's only a small sampling. This is a must-attend event for any guitar geek so make sure to schedule it. 

http://woodstockinvitational.com/

http://woodstockinvitational.com/tickets.shtml

http://woodstockinvitational.com/about.shtml

The question of "Do I have to learn music theory?" comes up quite often amongst guitar geeks. I personally get asked this question a lot and I think you will find my answer insightful and energizing. 

I believe that you will learn theory when you are ready for it. Another way to say it is that you will ask the right questions when you are ready to learn the answer. So don't just go on a mission to learn music theory... it is an incredibly expansive topic and you may not have the right context for all of the items presented. Rather, learn some core fundamentals and allow yourself to swing on the learning pendulum... let me explain. The learning pendulum has two distinct points on it... you can even think of it as a spectrum with one end focused on physical learning (technique), and the other end focused on mental learning (theory). As a guitar player, you will swing back and forth between these two points and that is actually ideal because each end of the spectrum informs the other. Essentially when you are on one side you will learn something that impacts the other developing a new context with each swing of the pendulum. You absolutely must check out this segment from Acoustic Tuesday where I discuss this concept more. I think it will lead to light bulb moments and a new found vigor for guitar learning. (Not to mention, there is also quite the visual created with Miley Cyrus references and all... just sayin). 

To learn even more be sure to check out the free workshop I am releasing on April 23rd, this free workshop will discuss the core elements you will need to grow all of your future music theory knowledge. I like to call these elements the Foundational Five and they consist of the musical alphabet, major scale construction, the chord matrix, chord tonality, and the CAGED system. This workshop is packed full of light bulb moments and all you have to do is sign up. Just visit fretwiz.com, sign up for the Fretboard Wizard waitlist, and you will be in the loop for this workshop. 

Talk about an action-packed installment of Acoustic Tuesday... Whoa!

Take a deep breath, make sure to check out those items, and it is imperative that you rest up because next week Acoustic Tuesday is coming in hot. 

Cheers to you #guitargeek and here's to living your best #acousticlife!

Happy pickin'

Tony