Hey guitar players:

[sms]

Last week we had a little impromptu jamb session in the office after work. One guy, J.R. up from Cincinnati was REAL good on his Strat, then all of a sudden started plating the strings with his teeth ala Hendrix, but man, if you weren't watching you wouldn't have known, it was still clean and timing was great.

Any of you players any good at this?
Tricks or secrets to it?

[halveb]

Cannot say but I have always thought it was a gimmick. If you have hot pickups and fart on the neck of your guitar your going to get a sound. I always assumed that people playing with their teeth were really just fretting the notes with their left hand (or in Hendrix's case right hand :D ). Maybe some of the notes are tooth generated.

I could certainly be wrong and I'm sure Greg or Captain Insane O will be here to set me straight. Try it and let us know just don't get electricuted. :eek:

[Capt.Insane-o]

So no input really, Used to be guy around here that could do it pretty well........

[sms]

Last week we played again and JR did it again, this time I got video footage on my digital camera.
For real he plays with his teeth, the front two uppers, plucking the strings on upstrokes kind of like eating them. Actually made Hendrix sound like crap 'cause there wasn't any of the "klicking" noises or muted notes.
I tried to post the video in the gallery but it wouldn't upload. This happened to be some blues riffs, but he could do any song this way.

He obviously had more time to practice as a kid than I did!

Oh yeah, he said on stage years ago he got the e string stuck in the space between his front teeth, and broke it (the string) trying to pull it loose. It layed his mouth open on both sides with a pretty nasty gash, so BE CAREFUL if you try this.
If someone wants to see the video I'll try to e-mail it to you.

[Scream And Fly]

I would imagine that guitar strings would not be healthy to the enamel on your teeth. I like my teeth intact, so I'll stick to playing the guitar the traditional way ;)

That said, nothing on the guitar is hard if you dedicate yourself to learning it.

Greg

[GP-1]

That said, nothing on the guitar is hard if you dedicate yourself to learning it.

Greg[/QUOTE]



Then you're wayyyyyyy better than me..Can't tell you how much I'd love to be able to play Classical Gas (well), but I don't think it'll ever happen...

[WATERWINGS]

Classical Gas..........who did that?

No I wasn't makeing a joke, was it Chet Atkins?

Cool tune, especially for way back then.

[GP-1]

Mason Williams... Eric Clapton has a version of it (almost identical)..

Take it from me, if you suck, don't even attempt it.. Yea, I know it's an "old guy" song, but I really like it.. Oh, I'm talking about the guitar solo version, not the one with the whole orchestra..

[AnthonySS]

I am with Greg...repetition also warrants excellence

[Scream And Fly]

Remember, there is a difference between playing and practicing.

http://www.marshallamps.com/images/products/tsl/images/tsl100panellarge.jpg

[GP-1]

I'm sure to a certain extent that's true.. However, I know a couple of people that are GOOD, and they stay that way without 15 hours a week of practice.. I guess I just suck, and that's the way it is -- I can live with it...

[Scream And Fly]

Musicians are made, not born. Yes, it comes easier to some people than it does for others, but proper and diligent practice will overcome almost any obstacle. Dedicating yourself to the instrument is the greatest challenge of all.

Greg

[AnthonySS]

More good points by GREG;)

I am one of those guys that probably puts in 10 hrs a week on practising (and I still suck too:cool: ) and rehearse with the band 1 to 2 times per and then plays-out 1 to 2 times a month.

I have too practice, casue the music environment I am in, requires me usually to learn 2 to 3 new songs a week. The more you do it the easier it becomes...that's all I can say...but like Greg says...it is dedication to the instrument

[GP-1]

I would agree that almost anyone can become competent -- good enough that a bunch of folks in a bar will listen to you play.. Becoming a good player.. a really good player, takes (as you said) lots of practice and a bit of a gift.. The average guy can carry his guitar on his back 24x7 and never ever sound like Clapton, Beck, Page, etc.... It just isn't in them... or me -- I just don't have it.. Everybody's got some sort of talent.. I'm still looking for mine..

[Scream And Fly]

The average guy can carry his guitar on his back 24x7 and never ever sound like Clapton, Beck, Page, etc.... It just isn't in them... or me -- I just don't have it.

Why sound like them, when you can sound like you?

Greg

[AnthonySS]

For sure...You have too make it your own and not get too caught up in being like , Beck , Clapton etc.

Those guys are great, but I find I can be discouraged listening to that stuff too much;)

[GP-1]

Why sound like them, when you can sound like you?

Greg


That's a good point, except ME=CRAP.. It's OK though. I'm not at all caught up in it. I play for a while, then it sits gathering dust while I contemplate my incompetence -- then I'll pick it up again.. Fortunately, it's like golf.. You don't have to be great at it to enjoy it.. I can be about a 10 handicap in both... :)

[Maureen M]

Just remember, whenever you're confused about what to play, think to yourself, "What would Ritchie Blackmore do?"


:D


Maureen

[halveb]

Unfortunately the answer to that question is....he would shoot me for playing. :eek:

[Scream And Fly]

Bob, how's that awesome Heritage guitar doing? Putting some hours on it, I hope!

http://img2.exs.cx/img2/7732/marshall.jpg

[OceanmarineB]

random question for you guys out there, which martin had the rosewood body the D18 or the D28?

[triple dude]

Wasn't aware that Clapton did a version of Classical Gas. Did he use the same title?

[halveb]

Greg,

I have actually been playing a little more but the recent bathroom project I have going coupled with the arrival of tax season (vision of W-2s and 1099s danced in his head) has slowed me down a little. :D Got a cool little Tascam practice player that allows you to listen to a CD while playing along with it. Includes an A-B repeat feature, has some effects (not great but enough), allows you to slow down the music without affecting the pitch too. Pretty cool, my wife got me and her son each one.

Took my stepson to an event called The Rock-Ins this December. It was for kids 7th grade through high school. Regional rock bands gave seminars, kids were allowed to jam together, etc. It lasted lasted two days. I thought it was a good idea as it covered a little bit of learning, advice from pros who do it for a living, and all aspects (business, band relationships, writing music, performing, etc.). To tell the truth I wanted to go more than the kid. :o

It didn't turn out as well as I had hoped but it was the first year for it and the proceeds went for music programs in the local schools which I thought was cool.

[sms]

That said, nothing on the guitar is hard if you dedicate yourself to learning it.

Greg



Then you're wayyyyyyy better than me..Can't tell you how much I'd love to be able to play Classical Gas (well), but I don't think it'll ever happen...[/QUOTE]


GP-1,
Here's a link for you to the tab I used to learn an accurate orchestra version of Classical Gas. I turn to crap at the part the horns come in, but hey, I'm still trying!
http://www.guitartabs.cc/fetchfile.php?fileid=3973586

[pyro]

How about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3777255074

This is Ted Nugent's favorite model to play. This is my item from our store.

[sms]

Very nice Pyro, and great presentation photos in your ad.

[GP-1]

Wasn't aware that Clapton did a version of Classical Gas. Did he use the same title?


Yep.. It's the same.. Actually, it's almost hard to tell from the Mason Williams (solo)version..

[triple dude]

My guitar knowledge is pretty limited but why would you take off the original pick guard on that Gibson??? Still sitting on my mini trombone and have yet to find anyone who has ever seen one.

[Scream And Fly]

The first thing I always do is remove the pick guards on my Les Pauls :)

Greg

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=38396&stc=1

[triple dude]

is it just to get a cleaner look?? I just think in terms of other old stuff where original is best.

[pyro]

The guy we purchased the Byrdland from did not have the pickguard, I think he took it off and lost it.