Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Richard Sanabia on July 25, 2010 at 2:28pm

As a woodworker you have a real leg up on building instruments that are playable. Musicianship to me is practicing enough to put the tune in my head, then playing enough to get the rhythm. I practice so that when I pick up my mandolin or CBG, I can get the tune back within a few notes. Practice with other players, or practice with Youtube videos you like. Try these folks if you like this type of music, http://toneway.com/, or get the videos from Keni for blues stuff. If I play by myself, then I work on scales and rhythm until the flow "sounds right". Go to folkjam.org, and see if there are any local groups near you.

Permalink Reply by Alan Roberts on July 25, 2010 at 5:35pm

Michael J King is a genius. I've built lyres based on his plans, and may make one of his kantele, as well. His videos on making strum sticks are very entertaining. I don't know what he would say about cigar boxes, though. Lol.

Good work. I bet it sounds as lovely it looks.

Permalink Reply by Kelvin Holitzki on July 26, 2010 at 4:42am

Thanks for the link to the toneway site. Certainly looks like I'm the target audience - rank novice!
I really do need all the help I can get. The beginner songbook from the strumbly.com web site is what I started out with. The songs are for DGD tuning - but since I'm only using one string for now - that is fine.

Richard Sanabia said:

As a woodworker you have a real leg up on building instruments that are playable. Musicianship to me is practicing enough to put the tune in my head, then playing enough to get the rhythm. I practice so that when I pick up my mandolin or CBG, I can get the tune back within a few notes. Practice with other players, or practice with Youtube videos you like. Try these folks if you like this type of music, http://toneway.com/, or get the videos from Keni for blues stuff. If I play by myself, then I work on scales and rhythm until the flow "sounds right". Go to folkjam.org, and see if there are any local groups near you.

Permalink Reply by Kelvin Holitzki on July 26, 2010 at 4:47am

Michael J King is a genius. I'm eying his electric ukulele plans on lulu.com.
Watching his YouTube videos on making the fret board helped a lot.
This site has been great as well. Bought my fret wire from C.B.Gitty - great service!

Alan Roberts said:

Michael J King is a genius. I've built lyres based on his plans, and may make one of his kantele, as well. His videos on making strum sticks are very entertaining. I don't know what he would say about cigar boxes, though. Lol.

Good work. I bet it sounds as lovely it looks.