MetaFilter posts tagged with Guitar and acoustic

Fingerstyle guitar to put a smile on your face

tomcooke — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:20:47 -0800

Fun, funky fingerstyle arrangements from Adam Rafferty: Superstition, I Wish, Billie Jean, The Chameleon. He's clearly having a great time and I think you will too.

This is Hank William's guitar. I try to do the right thing with the guitar. You don't want to stink with Hank's guitar.

jimmythefish — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 11:54:08 -0800

The Martin D-28. You have heard it thousands of times before. Its modest appearance belies its history and influence; there have been several changes in its design and construction over the years, but it remains largely the same since its introduction in 1934. It is known as the standard by which all steel-stringed deadnought-sized guitars are measured, made by C.F. Martin & Company in Nazareth, Pennsylvania (now in their 175th year). Originally introduced with scalloped bracing to maximize bass response and volume in unamplified venues, the construction and positioning of the bracing moved away from the soundhole in the late 1930's, and the braces became non-scalloped in 1945. These changes served to strengthen the guitar in response to players' tendencies to use heavier and heavier strings to further increase volume. The only other major change in the construction of the guitar came in 1969 when the availability of highly-prized Brazilian Rosewood, used in the back and sides, became scarce enough to force the switch to the (widely-regarded as a lesser tonewood) East Indian Rosewood. Due to their age (guitars are generally regarded to improve with sound as the get older), their construction and their rarity, the pre-war D-28 is often referred to as a 'holy grail' of acoustic guitars. Models often sell for six-figure sums when they do appear on the market. Due to this demand, C.F. Martin & Company construct a D-28 Authentic 1937 guitar, made with the same methods and materials as were available in that year (including the use of horse hide glue). Famous Martin D-28's in regular use include Hank Williams' 1941 model owned and still gigged by Neil Young, and Clarence White's unique 1934 model now owned and played by bluegrass guitarist Tony Rice.

Early Paul Simon

RussHy — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 10:09:38 -0800

SLYT: Paul Simon and his brother play Davy Graham's 'Anji'.

The musical equivalent of sneaking around MIT late at night, solving equations left scrawled on whiteboards

teleskiving — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 19:57:35 -0800

You Don't Mess Around With Jim. And you don't mess around with the mysterious Fret Killer, performer of some of the best acoustic guitar playing to be found on YouTube. But who is he? There are loads more great songs under the "Fret Killer" link. Happy New Year!

another beautiful french guitarist

nicolin — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 13:32:52 -0800

To me, he embodies The classical guitarist with all the clichés attached. But he can also make any material his own, or use forms with humor. He's got good compositions too.

Free as the wind

nicolin — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 01:41:44 -0800

There are several ways to roam the world. But if you want to do it like a king, you have to master this. Maybe mix it with that. Or this (spanish spoken here). Then, you can bring your old acoustic guitar, hit the street and sing.

Guitar playing motivation

nicolin — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 06:52:52 -0800

This might lead you to learn to play guitar, to write poems, to sing, or just to watch and listen more intently. Kelly joe Phelps, from washington state, is one of the most beautiful musicians I've ever seen. He's got a great way to play traditionals and his originals are mesmerizing.

another beautiful brazilian guitarist

nicolin — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 07:28:55 -0800

He wasn't the greatest technician on earth (he only studied a short time with a teacher, as states his biography), he wasn't really famous outside Brazil, in spite of the many recordings available under his name, of his various talents (drawing, designing a new string instrument), but his playing is really endearing, and whatever the material, originals, bach or chico buarque, he made his point across easily.

Isaac Guillory performs in Berkeley

teleskiving — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 11:24:13 -0800

Isaac Guillory was widely regarded as probably the best acoustic guitarist in Britain. These three clips from a Berkeley performance in 1989 show why he is still much missed.

In Recognition Of His Contributions To The Art Of Fingerpicking

The White Hat — Wed, 31 May 2006 09:32:35 -0800

Tommy Emmanuel , CGP. Master of fingerstyle guitar. Captain of covers. Alpha and Omega of originals. After watching these videos, you'll have few questions as to why recording and touring partner Chet Atkins bestowed upon Tommy the title "Certified Guitar Player." (pdf)