"Maybe it's just a feeling that I could name, but I'd probably best blame...Impatience"

— "Impatience" from North by Elvis Costello

Please forgive these quick pics I took last night in my excitement, I plan to rewire and get everything situated and then replace these pics this weekend! :)

So, as the little pin taped on my computer, that my wife got me, says "Patience is such a waste of time", I ordered my Korg SV-1 88 key Stage Vintage Keyboard last week and it arrived yesterday!!!

Life is short...I work hard...Only so many years to enjoy my health and sanity...etc. :add excuse here:  I've said them all though, and they are true. Of course I should be more prudent with my money and keep the debt to a minimum for our future BUT....

Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then...Well, actually I do!

Today I can learn so much faster that I ever dreamed thanks to forums, video tutorial, computer tutorial and sheet music all over the place! 28 years ago when I started playing an instrument (guitar) a few magazines were available but certainly no internet.

Okay, admittedly, there's that part of me that's jealous of new generations having these tools. Sure I wish that I'd had them, but I didn't and I still have learned how to play decently well. Alright, that's a cop out, I know it.

I love the art and skill of making music myself and love to share that with anyone. Nothing I like better than encouraging kids to get involved with playing any instrument...expressing themselves, a creative outlet, what have you.

So I come across sites like this that I'm happy, and equally, amazed they exist:
onlinepianist.com
pianotte.szm.com
Music Theory

Love it! I can't wait to dig in and really accelerate my learning!

Progress Report: Piano Lesson #1

I met with Kathy Cooper, pianist/keyboardist extraordinaire, yesterday for my first weekly lesson. First lessons are always more of a conversation, getting to know each other, finding out what kind of learning and teaching styles of each, etc.

G.A.S. Report — ACQUIRED: Way Huge Green Rhino Overdrive

Yes, I succumbed to G.A.S. once again :(  I'm trying my best to patiently await getting a new keyboard but couldn't pass up a deal on this one. My lovely wife was so kind to buy me a fairly inexpensive and decent sounding "screamer" type of pedal last year but I've yet to fully bond with it or get the sounds I really want out of it. I hoped this Green Rhino, from what I've heard online, will get me there.

Well, it succeeds! What a great sounding overdrive. I was able, within minutes, to dial in every kind of OD I could think of, from bright boost, to tejas grunge, to SRV, smooth OD, ballsy OD (thanks to that 100Hz boost and the mid curve pots!). It's fairly configurable to just about any kind of OD you can think of. It's crisp and clean too, well what I mean is, although its distorted/overdriven sounding, you can still hear all your notes. Not muddy, no weird oscillation and great, almost RAT style, harmonics!

Also, you can really count on the build of this thing. It's lightweight but very strong enclosure is made to perfection, solid feeling knobs and the switch is a short throw, easy "click" type. Great on socked feet! :)

I've barely spent any time with it at all and I already love it! It's replaced my MXR Classic OD pedal already.

Love it, recommend it! Great deal!

Better Late Than Never!

So, 27 years ago, I was riding home on the bus from school. That day I had made a decision – I was going to ask my Mom if I could take piano lessons! As I got off the bus and walked towards home, I spotted a truck in our drive-way. There were men loading up the piano from our den – my Mom had sold it that day!

Soon after, she took me in to Benton and bought me my first guitar, a red metallic Lotus LP copy from ????? & Loftis on Military Rd. (Can't remember the other guys name). She also signed me up for lessons that day.

But all these years, I really have always been attracted to playing the keys and, over the years, taught myself to play based on my guitar lessons. I had a friend named Buddy that was an amazing piano player that put quite a damper on my playing. He was so good and often made fun of my "guitar player" playing, my choice of keys to play, etc. that I gave up trying.

WELL....Better late than never! Starting March 29, I'm starting those piano lessons. I'm going to be working with Kathy Cooper, a well-known keyboardist in these parts for many years. I spoke with her yesterday about what I want to accomplish and she seems to think it's easily doable... with a little practice, of course!

I want to start by working on my sight and manuscript reading skills, basic scale/key fundamentals (much I know from guitar already), and very specific musical styles/techniques such as Soul, Funk and R&B.

I'm excited and will post back as I progress, hopefully to the point that I can record some audio or video to post. All this is leading up to my hopes of purchasing a Korg SV-1 this summer!

Korg SV-1 Stage Vintage Piano, Organ, Synth...

Courtesy of KORG, USA website. All Rights Reserved.

I'm so impressed by this model. I really think that, after researching stage pianos, controllers, etc. for several weeks now, this is the best of the best!

The Lull Between, the Completion of Projects and the Learning Within...

There's a lull between making fun purchases, part of my musical hobby that I really enjoy. I know what you're thinking "man this guy is just all about the acquisitions and not about playing" schtick. Well, save it! I enjoy playing, making music and learning just as much as I am in love with researching, searching and buying new equipment.