Hello CBNation!,
I'm 53, a lifelong Ohioan, and an avid music fan since the age of 4. I enjoy music of various genres, but have never really "mastered" the ability to play an instrument over the years! The instrument that I "favor" most is the Guitar, (and a bit of Mandolin), but I possess very rudimentary, very basic, very "green" skills, (i.e. BASIC scales, several basic chords, some bar chords, etc.). Then,.....I found the CBG!! I love the sound, the history, the unique, homemade, primitive, "nature" of it all!! Absolutely amazing!! I recently acquired my first CBG, and have also purchased a CBG kit, to attempt to build one, as well. I have also recently joined this site as well, and am in need of some assistance from its members! The questions that I have are as follows:

1) What form of CBG instruction would you, the players/performers, recommend? Online video instruction, Instructional DVDs, etc....?? What "format" seemed to provide the MOST success for you? What tips can you give to a true novice CBG player?


2) I have noticed that when attempting to bar the strings on a fretless 3-string CBG with your index finger, it is somewhat difficult to make all the strings sound out very clearly, (which seemed rather odd to me, given the narrower neck and lower number of strings!!). I realize that, with the lack of frets to "assist" you, and that the fretless CBG is truly geared more toward slide playing, (which I am attempting to learn), but if one wanted to bar the strings, are there any tips from anyone?

Thanks for any assistance that anyone can provide me with concerning my questions, and I look forward to learning as much as possible from the far more experienced, more skilled, more talented CBG players and performers that this website/forum possesses and welcome any assistance that said members are willing to provide! Looking forward to the journey!! Thanks again!!!

-Brian
Lancaster, Ohio