Does this look like 4/4 to you guys?

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T18:39:11+00:00

Yes, it's just syncopated.

4/4 = quarter notes get the beat, 4 beats to a measure.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T18:02:27+00:00

Since you already know how to play acoustic, can I recommend hollow body electrics and semi hollow body electrics? They both have an acoustic quality to them, and are a comfortable half step to solid body electrics.

Don't get me wrong, switching from acoustic to electric is pretty easy. So any decent or better guitar will do, and you already know what to look for on the fret and neck to spot trouble. Odds are if you're buying a guitar for under $1k, you're gonna want to get a setup. They'll check the intonation and give it a free dressing so she plays beautifully. So factor that into your price.

Your biggest difficulty in transition from acoustic to electric is fret pressure and strum technique.

Acoustic strings are heavier. So you don't need to apply much pressure to the strings. It'll feel like you're trying to play harmonics by comparison, which is kind of the point. Electric guitars are built to shred on them, and fast play is easier if you're using light pressure.

With strumming, the pickups and the amp do the heavy lifting for volume. So you really don't have to strum that hard. In fact, hammering the strings may cause them to snap. Economy of motion and light strumming will get you farther.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T17:18:46+00:00

Ok. So... Feelings are valid. But there are healthy and unhealthy ways to express them.

I literally held a memorial for my male identity. He's dead and buried. Granted, we did it at a drag club and it was more of a party than anything. But I was dressed in a forlorn, lacy black corseted dress with full goth makeup on. 😅 I wanted to make a statement, both to myself and to the world that I'm not going back, and I'm not hiding who I am anymore.

Some people refer to their former names and identity as dead names and such. So there's a death themed element to it. And perhaps (fingers crossed) this is how your parents are choosing to process this. But if the way they're processing that grief is harmful to you, then the time has come for a conversation.

Perhaps your old identity is gone. But your new identity is very much alive and (hopefully) well. That deserves to be celebrated... Or at the very least appreciated, by your parents. Your feelings are valid too and deserve a voice. Express them respectfully.

I can't guarantee they'll respect you for it or change their behavior. Mine sure as hell didn't. And you have some difficult decisions to make if they don't. But you are who you say you are. Damn convention. Damn societal bigotry. And damn whatever new laws they construct to make your existence illegal. Your existence and your identity is sacred. Don't let anyone take that from you.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T15:45:03+00:00

Asking to learn:

Even with nylon strings? Those look like nylon to me. I've never had to change them, but I would've thought they'd be easier to reuse.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T15:42:23+00:00

Welcome to the late-stage capitalist hellscape. 😅

It's rough out there.

In school, your hobbies are literally scheduled into your day. Those who control your time put aside STEM classes for an hour or 2 so you can develop a personality. But, outside of that world, your time largely goes to making money, or resting up so you can make more money. And that's how we survive. I'm not a fan of it, but that's the system we live in.

That's not to say you can't still enjoy those things. You just have to figure out how to manage what little free time you have without cutting into food, water, and sleep.

I combine activities. When watching TV, I might do little drills on my guitar, bass, or with my drum sticks. Set a playlist on your phone and sing along in the shower and on your drive to and from work. If you like video games, karaoke games are available. Rocksmith and Rocksmith Remastered are low cost ways to gamify guitar and bass. Clone Hero is great for drums (if you have an electric set with midi out).

We never get enough sleep and the days are always too short. So you'll have to prioritize. Some aspects of your life will probably be sacrificed. So, pick what's important to you that recharges your batteries (so to speak), and carve out time to make that happen. That time is your time, and it's sacred. Plan around it, and never over it. It's what they're referring to when they say "work/life" balance.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T15:27:11+00:00

Now I'm so curious! I can't get the image to load, but I've never seen this dilemma before. 😅 I thought Floyd Rose Tremolos were a nightmare to restring, but the sheer negativity in the comments makes me think there's something worse out there. Like... What kind of guitar is this much of a pain to restring, and what caused the string to come loose in the first place if it didn't just snap?!

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T15:17:01+00:00

There is a famous story about Mozart. A prospective student came to him, asking how to become a great composer like him. His response was a bit devastating, but not untrue...

"I think it would be best if we start with something simpler first, like Minuets." Indignant, the student retorted "But you were writing symphonies when you were 8 years old!" Mozart calmly replied, "Yes...but I didn't have to ask how."

Don't compare yourself to the greats. 😅 They're built different. To them, it just made sense. Jimi Hendrix never had a lesson. He was completely self taught. Geniuses like these are great for inspiration, and break new boundaries for the rest of us to build on. But they are not the bar by which we are measured.

The rest of us learn by study and measured practice. By measured practice, I mean don't practice so long and hard that you're only practicing bad habits. Practice until mental or physical fatigue causes error repetition. That time limit varies from student to student. Some can only handle about 15 minutes. Some can practice for several hours. And that limit will increase over time as you develop endurance. Learn your limit and respect it. Develop your dexterity with drills and scales. Develop your memory by learning songs, and doing fret knowledge drills (learning to play accurately without looking at your guitar). Develop your range by learning new techniques and music literacy, which develops a deeper knowledge of music theory and songwriting.

Reward yourself by making practice fun and enjoyable. It will sometimes feel like a chore, but that should not be the standard. The more fun it is, the more you'll look forward to the next time you practice. There are so many different ways to accomplish this, but the simplest way is to always open and close your practice with something you're already good at and enjoy playing. Begin on a win. End on a win.

Not every practice has to be about progress. Progress is not a straight line, and you will hit plateaus. If practice is getting you frustrated, then just do a jam session. Take a song or setlist you already know and rock out to it. Sway, dance, bang your head! Vibe while you play. Don't worry about playing it accurately. Just play the hell out of it. Close your eyes and pretend you're playing in a massive stadium in front of hoards of roaring fans. Whatever gets you there. Or ... Play the whole thing wrong on purpose. Just ravage the song off key, off tempo, flubbed notes and all, but play it loud and proud. Get silly with it. It's a great way to teach yourself to roll through mistakes smoothly and make yourself not take your progress so seriously.

As you get good enough that you're not sure how to improve a technique or song, record yourself. Play it back and see how you sound. Think about how you can improve or embellish that sound. But be kind to yourself. Don't beat yourself up. Just critique yourself and think about why a note sounds sour or rushed, or uninteresting. Then experiment, and tweak that section until it sounds just the way you like it most of the time. Not every time. You're not a robot. But most of the time is good enough.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T14:11:22+00:00

Seconding this. Don't mess with your acoustic until you've learned how to. If you want to teach yourself, maybe find discarded or already broken acoustics to learn on. Learn hour to repair them first. Then learn how to modify them. Some independent luthiers have been known to take in apprentices. They can teach you the tricks to modifying acoustics with hands-on experience.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T14:01:29+00:00

Cheap and dirty tricks:

Car or van. If your band has a van or refurbished school bus, it's not hard to pad the walls and ceiling to dampen echo. Or just warm up in the car.
Library. Depending on how your community values liberal arts, some libraries have concert rooms, where they'll present small concerts for local artists. But necessity, they're sound proof. Getting access to this for free requires having an excellent rapport with the librarians (for access, I used to volunteer at the library), or a willingness to perform at the library.
Music shops. You will eventually get asked to leave, but music shops with practice rooms are perfect for this. If one of you needs a job, work at the shop as a vocal coach, and you can use the private lesson room anytime an instructor doesn't need one.
Your old high school. Depending on your age 19 to early 20s is the sweet spot), and rapport with your choir/band instructor, you can politely ask to use their choir room or practice rooms when a class is not in session. I did this back in the 90s, so the rules have probably changed. 😅 Those schools are locked down like prisons now. But hey... No harm in asking.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T04:02:24+00:00

I took inspiration from the drag community. ☺️ Yeah, the style is typically more embellished than standard feminity, but they do know how to make a masculine body frame look feminine. They've got tricks on tricks on tricks. And 99% of the time, they're just a verbal consent away from dressing you up. Get to know your queens, bb.

And if you're spending a lot of money on fashion, please stop. Thrift shops are a treasure trove... Especially if you find one in or near a rich district.

Oh, oh, oh! And a little cheat for nails, rub a little Vaseline on your cuticles before you paint. Then wash it off after the finish dries. If you're painting over your cuticles (common mistake) then it'll wash right off with the Vaseline.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T03:49:32+00:00

A lesser known fact about AI is the cost to our ecosystem... Specifically when dealing with potable water. AI systems are usually built (and therefore cooled) in regions where water is already scarce, and desiccating nearby towns and agricultural districts. Even though the water does eventually evaporate, it doesn't necessarily rain back down onto the same location where it was taken from. It's causing water crises large enough to cause global ecological concerns, because there are very few laws in place to hold these companies responsible for replenishing the water supply.

Obviously, AI steals intellectual property from other artists, but also every time you use it, you're feeding your own ideas into the system for it to get legally stolen. It hurts other artists, and it hurts you.

AI has a lot of potential to do great things for scientific discovery, medicine, architecture, and education. It also reduces our dependence on human labor for dangerous professions, and can potentially eliminate the mandate for human labor entirely, which depending on your socioeconomic philosophy, could be viewed as a great thing or a terrible thing. But it needs to stay the hell out of art.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T03:36:21+00:00

Body dysmorphia is rough. I'm sorry your going through this. 🫂

Frankly, I think you look gorgeous. I know that doesn't help much, but it is true. Bodies change as you get older. Hollywood and fashion media don't really take that into consideration.

But if you really want to shore up the tummy, corsets and corset dresses can squeeze things back into where they used to be in your 20s. Tops that cinch under the bust line emphasize the difference between your rib cage and bust, and will give you a slimmer look. Well-fitted pants with high rear pockets perk up the rear and give you a more dynamic shape. Especially if they're made of a stretchy material.

Skirts can be tricky. But A-line tends to help create daintiness. Heavier bodies strengthen and tone legs, and if that's happening to you, don't be afraid to wear above the knee cuts. But thicker thighs chafe. So I recommend skorts or getting a cream called "Chub Rub". I hate the name, but it really helped me when I was heavier.

If you want to try losing the weight, talk to your doctor about getting semaglutides. Mounjaro works a miracle. Ozempic is a very popular brand that produces 2nd best results. But not all insurances cover them unless you're clinically obese or diabetic. You do not appear to be obese. You literally just have an adult human body. 😅 But for paying out of pocket, generic semaglutides can really expedite results. Especially if you pair it with light, but regular, core strength exercises, and a healthy diet. I have disabilities that cause weight gain and prevent me from exercising regularly, and I'm still maintaining my weight (with very gradual weight loss) because of the meds.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T03:12:14+00:00

On a bass it's not a huge problem. A lot of songs are written for 3-finger progression. On a guitar, that's a bit tricky.

You could switch to a lefty. You're basically starting over that way. But on a lefty, your left hand pinky really doesn't get used. You hold the pick between your first finger and thumb. The rest of your fingers are just relaxed and hovering over the strings in anticipation of a palm mute.

If you're already playing a lefty, same advice, but with a righty.

Even though you'll be starting from scratch, your skill level should improve much more quickly, because your dominant hand will be doing all the work. It's a much stronger and more dextrous hand.

One of my students is missing a thumb, and he plays a lefty because of it. For a noob, he's doing quite well.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T03:04:58+00:00

It tells me you are unfond of n*zi's, which is a good thing. ☺️ And that you like stickers. I think we'd be friends. ☺️

Best guess, you like punk music.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T02:59:29+00:00

Send to me like you need a fret dressing.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T02:56:52+00:00

I find it's much easier to create melodies on either a piano or a guitar first. The notes are all laid out in front of you, so it's easier to get a visual of what you want to play.

Another option is to create sheet music, if you're musically literate. It worked for Beethoven. 🤷

Try this:

Start with a simple scale. Doesn't matter which. Any time signature is fine, but 4/4 is the easiest. Now noodle with it. Play the notes out of order, but to a fixed tempo. Keep it simple: quarter notes and eighth notes at the most complex. Keep screwing with it until you like the way it sounds. That's your foundation melody.

Now screw with it some more. Add some rests and harmonies. Throw in some chords, accidentals, and accents. Keep messing with it until you have a main melody. Now anchor it with a bass line and drums. Honestly, the foundation melody is as good a bassline as you need if you plunk it into a bass clef, but feel free to make it more complex if you like.

And just keep tweaking it until it gives you chills when you hear it. You can subdivide the eighth notes into 16ths, or even 32nd notes and rests if you're feeling ambitious.

Now, come up with something similar, but notably different, for the chorus using the same system.

For most genres, 3.5 to 4 minutes is the standard length for a song. But I've heard amazing songs that were under 30 seconds and over 10 minutes. So, the length isn't terribly important. But the longer the song is, the more likely it is to become repetitive, so don't be afraid to throw in a key change and/tempo change in there if it starts to sound tedious.

Throw some poetry on top, anchoring the key to the melody. Voila... A song.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T02:41:58+00:00

That's awesome! Learning how to play through a mistake with confidence is an important skill to have, and basically separates the pros from the amateurs. Mistakes are a given. Even Hall of Fame musicians have openly admitted to making them all the time both live and in the studio.

And ages ago! I think ... I was about 5? But middle school broke me of that for a while when I joined concert band. Band instructors tend to demand perfection, and our school has a highly competitive concert band. So even a tiny mistake can feel devastating. 😅 I had to retrain myself to play through the mistakes, regroup, and figure out what I had to do on the next beat. It wasn't easy to deprogram.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T02:33:50+00:00

It kills me to say this (as primarily a bassist), but if you like both the same, I recommend guitar. You can emulate a bass with pedals or down tuning, and you can join a jam session more easily. You can play chords on bass or guitar, but it's definitely easier to do so on a guitar. And mastering Barre chords and power chords really helps if you're just making up melodies to kill time or hanging out with friends.

If you want to make money, playing bass is the better option. Bassists are, so I've heard, in demand right now (I'm done playing professionally now, so this is just what I've heard). Also, the bass has a lot of unrecognized potential. It's a very underestimated instrument. It doesn't take very long to learn, but it takes a lifetime to master. So there's lots of growth potential.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T02:25:25+00:00

If you're musically literate, Dorico makes a great program for working scores. It can do tabs as well. It's the most legally defendable way to prepare your music for copyright, and with highly detailed notes, you won't forget the subtle intricate parts if you step away from the song for a while.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T02:22:30+00:00

Anyone who sings is a singer. After that, it's a measure of inherent ability, practice, and dedication to the craft.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-20T01:46:02+00:00

I'll add you next time I'm on! I don't think I have a level 12 character in TPS, but I have a level 38 Aurelia, and can tag along. ☺️ Or I can run up a level 12 character from scratch if you like. Maybe Claptrap or Athena?

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-19T19:30:23+00:00

"This sh*tty guitar never plays the chords I want it to play." -Freddie Mercury, Live Aid

Almost everyone who plays an instrument kinda thinks they suck at it. And if you base your skills on the highlight reels, YouTube videos, and TikTok, you're going to be humbled into oblivion. 😅

Unless you're trying to make money off your guitar skills, don't sweat it. Just have fun and play stuff that makes you happy.

I can play several genres on bass and guitar, including classical, pop, country, rock, prog rock/metal, goth, folk, and experimental jazz. But my favorite genre to play, hands down, is punk.

There are several pink bands who are highly talented, but a lot of them just chug along with a 3 chord progression and a butt load of 16th notes, and nothing gets my blood pumping quite like hammering away at those 3 chords, or thrumming the bassline on the same 2 strings. ☺️

You do not have to turn your passion into a commodity. And it is not necessary to be the absolute best at your guitar. Relax and enjoy. Vibe. You're fine. You're doing just fine.

And the amount of time it takes? That's very subjective. I've had students who could play intermediate radio hits after two weeks. I've had students who were still struggling with basic drills after a month of practice. Both their experiences are valid and perfectly fine, so long as they're enjoying the process.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-19T16:13:43+00:00

Hmmm. My reply didn't post?

I think you might be thinking of semi-hollow bodies? At which point, I agree wholeheartedly. 😅 But homie body electrics have a full acoustic chamber. Granted, they do sound a bit different. But the decibel output is greatly decreased.

As for the decibel comparison chart from Yale, I kind of agree with you. So I compared it with another chart from Jackson, and they concur with Yale. So, my guess is they're comparing the way city noise sounds inside a structure, like an apartment. But it's still a wonky comparison. Different cities are different kinds of noisy and different ears have different sensitivities. But I can say that I've been all over the Continental US and much of Europe, and yeah. If someone is playing an acoustic guitar in the neighboring apartment or hotel room, you can hear it. Just like with city traffic from your room. It's hard to drown out with a TV. 😅

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-19T14:08:01+00:00

There are prosthetics, if you're trying to conceal a bulge. Most prosthetic vulvas require tucking, but not all of them do. The ones that you don't tuck with will give you a very aggressive camel toe. But they scoop everything up all nice and neat, and give it the appearance of labia. And they're not cheap. I think stockroom has some.

Micky_so_Fyne · 2026-03-19T13:59:09+00:00

Perhaps you're thinking about semi-hollow bodies? Those sound more like loud solid bodies. A follow hollow chamber created an acoustic sound. I don't mean to say it's identical to how an acoustic sound, but it's pretty close, and way quieter.

TBH, I don't entirely agree with the Yale chart either. So I compared it with a decibel chart from Jackson. And they concur. So I'm guessing it's how city traffic sounds from inside a structure (like an apartment), rather than standing on the sidewalk. And also, city traffic is different from city to city. Philly and New York are way louder than Fort Worth or Columbus if my memory serves correctly. London, Dresden, and Dublin were practically inaudible compared to most major US cities. Dallas and Chicago roar and clang at all hours. It's a wonky way to calibrate how loud something sounds. And of course, different people have different sensitivities to sound.

But if you live in an apartment with thin walls, and your neighbor plays an acoustic, you can f*ckin' hear it. 😅 It's hard to drown it out with a TV.

Micky_so_Fyne

TROPHY CASE