flagrantdisregard » acoustic

Naked As We Came by Iron & Wine (cover)

John — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 22:43:13 +0000

Yes! I am still alive! Look what I learned to play yesterday.

I recorded this with my Nikon D90 and a Samson C01 condenser microphone.

Sitting on the porch, practicing as the sun goes down on a beautiful Winter day

John — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:24:02 +0000

This is the basic riff for the Iron & Wine version of Such Great Heights by The Postal Service. Except I’m playing it too fast, he’s playing F differently, and I need a lot more practice. Here’s the real thing. C G F C G sure is pretty.

Learning the guitar, a progress report

John — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:52:31 +0000

I started playing late-August of this year and I try to practice a little every day. I still love playing it. It’s a very relaxing hobby. This is a little bit of I’m Looking Through You by The Beatles.

Listening to lately…

John — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:25:34 +0000

A friend asked me what I’ve been listening to lately so I put this list together for him. Some of these are free downloads from Amazon… the rest are links to where you can listen to a sample or a YouTube video. I listen to a lot of different styles of music (translation: my wife often rolls her eyes and sighs when I say, “Hey, listen to this!“) but right now I’m going through an pop/acoustic/country phase. Discovered anything worth listening to lately?

Update: Thanks to Angélica, click here for the Favtape.com version of the list below. Click the song titles to listen. It’s missing Devil Don’t Remember My Name and Savannah Drive because it couldn’t find them. :( They’re both worth listening to so I left the links below.

Pumpkins & Paisley by The Spinto Band / alt/rock
http://www.amazon.com/Pumpkins-Paisley/dp/B001FLUH88

Strange Overtones by David Byrne and Brian Eno / alt/rock, sounds like Talking Heads + Music for Airports
http://www.amazon.com/Strange-Overtones/dp/B001GH3JMC

Petting Zoo & Your Smile off the HUSH 10th Anniversary compilation / folk, compilation
http://amiestreet.com/artist/hush-records/

She Moves in Her Own Way by The Kooks / pop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecc9pcjJTpk

Coin-Operated Boy by The Dresden Dolls / pop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAnyYTjjhJ0

Skeleton Song by Kate Nash / pop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQe8XEqu7yM

Turn a Square by The Shins / pop
http://www.amazon.com/Turn-A-square-Album/dp/B000YNA5RQ

Gone for Good by The Shins / “get on with my lonely life” country
http://www.amazon.com/Gone-For-Good/dp/B000YN4CZ2/

Devil Don’t Remember My Name by Star Anna / country
http://www.amazon.com/Devil-Dont-Remember-My-Name/dp/B00140K334/

Savannah Drive by Maria Taylor / acoustic, folk
http://amiestreet.com/artist/maria-taylor-with-andy-lemaster/

To Be Loved by Joan As Police Woman / pop/slow dance

http://www.amazon.com/To-Be-Loved/dp/B0019TAABU/

I’m sailing! I sail! I’m a sailor!

John — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:56:05 +0000

I bought a guitar last month. I’m not sure why except that I thought it would be fun. I’ve never taken to playing an instrument before. My first and last attempt at musical training ended early in my elementary school career (the violin) for lack of enthusiasm/patience/interest.

I bought a Seagull S6, an acoustic 6-string, based on its reputation and my budget. I wanted a real wood acoustic and something that I could grow into over time rather than get frustrated with. It’s beautiful. So far I’ve been very pleased with it.

Today I recorded part of I Crush Everything by the fabulous Jonathan Coulton. Have a listen, won’t you? I strummed it (rather than finger picking it like the original) because I have enough trouble at this point just figuring out where the fingers on my left hand are supposed to be. I feel pretty comfortable with basic chords though I still can’t grab barre chords with anything resembling precision or speed. Don’t worry, I’m keeping my day job. Please be nice.

Click to listen: I Crush Everything (mp3)

Any guitarists out there? Got any tips/encouragement for a beginner?