Hi,

I met Mr. John Goldie (1 of the great fingerstyle guitarist from Scotland) during 2007 - Penang Jazz festival workshop (1-Dec-2007). For me, he is a great in fingerstyle playing and very friendly.

About the workshop, it was mainly shared about how to arrange a song (any song) into guitar fingerstyle playing. If you can’t get what is mean by guitar “fingerstyle” playing, please enjoy below video, played by John Goldie.

This song called “Summertime”. I heard he performed this songs twice during the workshop and once during evening “Penang Jazz Festival” show. The arrangement is great! And sound great! He played with his “Martin” (1 of the world finest acoustic guitar) acoustic guitar + AER guitar amp. (specialist in acoustic guitar amp). You can hear every single notes sound clear and clean out from the AER amp. Wow… Wow… Wow…

Hope you all enjoy this song.

Song title: Summertime
 

John Goldie said:

Guitar “fingerstyle” playing meant “connect” each chord of the song base on the melody position. And add in the bass line. Basically, fingerstyle playing consist of 3 main elements:

    - melody

    - chording

    - bass line

Althought it’s just a 3 simple elements, you will find it difficult during your beginning learning stage. After some time of experimenting and praticing, you will slowly understand how it work. You will start to learn how to create your own fingerstyle arrangement. And you will feel fun with it.

In the end of the workshop, i did asked him a few questions about “RIGHT HAND” finger technique. Below are the answer from John Goldie.

1) Use thumb’s fingernail (side portion) to play the bass line to create solid and louder bass sound.

2) Use “index finger” only, whenever you want to play fast soloing (single notes). (apply for fingerstyle playing)

3)1 of the guitarist’s job is to fill in all the “empty”/ rest beat, whenever we playing strumming as accompanyment to a song. To create more rythmic fill to the audience.

Overall, it was a good workshop and great shows by John Goldie. Hope to see you again. 

By the way, i also bought his CD + autograph from John Goldie. Thanks John  

Info:

Guitar: Martin acoustic guitar

String gauge: 12 (1st) to 54 (6th) (around RM 43 per set)

Amplifier: AER

Website: http://www.johngoldie.co.uk/home.html   

My space: http://www.myspace.com/johngoldieguitar

John Goldie (during workshop in 2007 Penang - Jazz Festival)

John Goldie - Guitar hard case

 John Goldie album (bought during the workshop)

John Goldie - Autograph

Hi,

Basically it’s not important to talk about “brand”, when you are want to choose or change for a new guitar string for your guitar. (Any guitar; acoustic/ electric/ classical …) Because different people prefer different kind of sound and different touch of string. For me i prefer brighther sound, as i play strumming, plucking and fingerstyle a lot. I did try for d’addarios (for classical guitar), ghs, earnie balls and recently elixir. (for acoustic guitar)

If you haven’t gone through many string changes, you probably won’t even notice the difference between different brands. You’ll find that your new guitar string will undoubtedly sound brighter, punchier, and twangier. It’s nothing really special about the brand.

Summary:
Try to experiment with any kind or any brand of guitar strings you want. It could be Ernie balls, elixir, gibson, ghs, d’addarios& etc. Once you’ve gone through enough experiences you’ll find out what’s best for you, what string is suit for you and your guitar.

Remember: put the brand name aside first. Keep on trying, keep on explore different type of guitar strings, until you feel sastify on it.

If you have any good experience in changing guitar string, feel free to post in your comment here. Or email me at kungfuguitar@hotmail.com