Guitar Player

[OlYeller]

I'm a somewhat recently widowed, now solo, RVer. I just bought an acoustic and hope to learn how to play it. No time for formal lessons as I will be on the road shortly. I hope this old dog (66) can learn a new trick as I love hearing a guitar or 2 strumming around a campfire.

[winniman]

Originally Posted by OlYeller

I'm a somewhat recently widowed, now solo, RVer. I just bought an acoustic and hope to learn how to play it. No time for formal lessons as I will be on the road shortly. I hope this old dog (66) can learn a new trick as I love hearing a guitar or 2 strumming around a campfire.

YouTube is your friend for lessons. Also, words and chords can be found online. This is different than when I learned. I had to save up my money so I could afford a 30 dollar song book, just so I could get the chords and words for a few songs. It is much easier today. Have someone who knows guitars check the set up for you. Some guitars, even new ones, are not set up correctly, and are hard to play. This will discourage you from playing.

[tap4154]

Been an on/off hobby guitar player forever. Have tried a Washburn Rover (tiny body acoustic) and other small body acoustics for travel, but settled on my old Telecoustic. Also use it as a couch guitar at home. Slim fiberglass body, spruce top, and a standard full-size Fender bolt-on neck so it plays like a Telecaster, but has a decent, though muted, "cigar boxy" acoustic tone.

When plugged in, it sounds very similar to an Ovation, and by adjusting the tone EQ can sound close to a regular Telecaster. But 99% of the time, I play it unplugged. And the nice thing about having less acoustic volume is you don't disturb camp or hotel neighbors who may not want to hear a booming acoustic. Also fits in a standard Fender electric gig bag, so it's compact and easy to store, and is very durable.

[Stajones]

Originally Posted by Barbwire

I am just starting to travel full time and wonder if anyone else travels and plays guitar while on the road. Either in campgrounds or doing gigs. I’ve been playing for 50 years and carry 3 acoustics and one electric along with a busking amp and vocal effects. I play for fun and profit. Mostly for fun since there’s never been much profit.

Have you heard of a Traveler Mark III? I sold an “old favorite” acoustic and bought the Traveler when we went full time. They’re not for everyone, but the features (on board tuner, full length scale, 1/8” jack for either head phones or micro amp) make it a great solution for someone who wants to keep up their chops as well as play for/accompany others (or silently in the coach for whatever reason) etc. while utilizing a ridiculously small amount of precious space.

[MSHappyCampers]

I love to hear anyone that can really make their guitar talk! My wife bought me one for my birthday some years back, but I can't seem to find the time to learn to play it! Maybe someday........................................... ...

[tap4154]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

I love to hear anyone that can really make their guitar talk! My wife bought me one for my birthday some years back, but I can't seem to find the time to learn to play it! Maybe someday........................................... ...

Heck, get going! Just learn some basic chords to songs you enjoy, then take it slowly from there. So many tutorials on Youtube, as has been mentioned, and it's a treasure trove for learning. Also join some guitar forums and folks will help you along. It's a constant, lifelong process of learning. In fact some of the best parts are when you have those little "aha' moments, learning trick chords, or how certain riffs are played.

Again, I'm just a hobby player, but up to about a few years ago when I moved, I recorded some videos to share in guitar forums, with fellow hobby players. Still learning and playing, but not recording lately.

Here's one video with the guitar I mentioned earlier as a nice travel guitar, a Fender Telecoustic. Playing it unplugged, then when I hit the pedal it plays a couple backing tracks I prerecorded onto a "looper" pedal with a regular Telecaster. But the guitar I'm playing is unplugged during the entire song, recorded with a cheap digital camera.


Riviera Paradise (Stevie Ray Vaughn)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlaozygX8vU

[Ray,IN]

I've been parked in many RV parks where a spontaneous jam begins just because one person begins picking. I am repeatedly surprised at the number of retired musicians RVing.

I have a lefty Fender Dreadnought, circa 1980. Can't really play any more, I have tremors in the afternoon that prevent fretting, but I'm not giving up on trying to play at home.
In the RGV, there is a place called The Chicken Coop, where RVing musicians go to play for fun and comrade. I think there was/is a $5 admission charge by the barn owner. Last time we attended, the Sax player used to be the backup player for Boots Randolph.

If/when I hear a jam in the CG, I'm there listening anyway.

[BCam]

Originally Posted by Desdinova

I have a guitar with me. As an Ovation player, they are perfect for this sort of thing. They stay in tune no matter the weather and are damn near bullet-proof. So far I have only entertained myself. I play most electric, so I use my Acoustics for practice and something to do at 1:00am as I normally don't go to sleep until 3:00-3:30am and well... rv parks are prettty boring at that time of night.

Although the bodies are bulletproof, Ovations with solid tops are vulnerable to cracking just like any other solid top guitar.

[BCam]

Originally Posted by winniman

On our trip last summer, I met several different guitar players along the way. In Quebec, we met a guy playing by the campfire. We introduced ourselves, and ended up jamming for about three hours. It turned out he was a professional French entertainer, and was in town for a gig. He barely spoke English, and his girlfriend didn't speak any English, but we had a good time. In New Brunswick, we met a father and daughter duo playing by the campfire. Same story, we played for several hours, and enjoyed a few drinks. Its a great way to meet people. Music is universal, and is a language we all speak.

One of the best campfires we've had was in Death Valley in January a few years back. A couple was camped next to us and when we heard them playing and singing we invited them over to join us and our friends. They turned out to be from Canada and were semi-professional performers in addition to their normal careers. They were wonderful and gifted us with a CD the next day.

[winniman]

Originally Posted by BCam

One of the best campfires we've had was in Death Valley in January a few years back. A couple was camped next to us and when we heard them playing and singing we invited them over to join us and our friends. They turned out to be from Canada and were semi-professional performers in addition to their normal careers. They were wonderful and gifted us with a CD the next day.

Grassroots music is alive and well in Canada. I jam all the time, and know many local musicians. We still gig occasionally. The problem is that with the drinking and driving laws, and the banning of smoking in bars, the bar scene has diminished considerably, especially in smaller towns. This means far less places to play at. Making any money as a musician is very difficult to say the least. At my age, I have no desire to move to the big city to try to make it as a musician. I enjoy playing, and will continue. Maybe we should start a big Jam mid winter somewhere warm. Im still at home in Ontario, but plan on heading south in Feb. at some point. I have business to tend to, or I would be gone already.

[wildtoad]

Please keep in mind one persons choice of music may be another person definition of noise. I like most music but not loud music unless it’s coming from my campsite. But please no group singing of “DAYO - Daylight come an I wanna go home” - brings back too many night after memories.

[winniman]

Originally Posted by wildtoad

Please keep in mind one persons choice of music may be another person definition of noise. I like most music but not loud music unless it’s coming from my campsite. But please no group singing of “DAYO - Daylight come an I wanna go home” - brings back too many night after memories.

The middle of a warm desert would suit me fine. I have been to campgrounds that had a "barn", where once or twice a week, any musicians are welcomed to come up and play. This is generally away from the camp areas. As stated, one person idea of music, is another ones definition of noise. I enjoy most types of music, but not all.

[twogypsies]

All of you need to hook up in Quartzsite, AZ and sit in the desert playing your hearts out! We've been with some and really enjoy it.

Some parks may have a clubhouse that you could play and post a flyer on the bulletin board to get a jam session going. They're fun.

As noted above by others, be mindful of your neighbors when playing at your campsite.

[desertrv]

I always have my acoustic guitar and mandolin with me. I do get a lot of play time and a lot of listening. I can play along with most music, bluegrass is my standard and for sure bluegrass gospel. Jim.