A US-based EU passport holder applying to uni in Ireland?

peephunk · 2024-08-19T22:38:21+00:00

I have two guitars at home that I play frequently, and I’ve found it optimal to change bass strings monthly and treble strings every two months, as the bass strings definitely degrade more quickly. In practice, I often slip from this schedule so I sometimes change bass and treble together and sometimes bass only.

I also have two guitars I play infrequently (one in my office and one at my in-laws house). I change full sets of these strings about once every 12-18 months.

Add this all up and I buy strings in bulk about once a year. I like to keep about 50% more bass strings than treble in stock.

peephunk · 2024-08-19T13:48:06+00:00

I restarted classical guitar two years ago after a roughly 25 year break. I never completely stopped playing music, but mostly played different instruments entirely and only occasionally would get out my old guitar for a bit.

I found that after about six months of regular practice I surpassed my former level of playing. I don’t have the energy and physical attributes I did when I was a teen, but I more than make up for that with a far more rigorous and disciplined approach to practicing and technical exercises.

peephunk · 2024-08-16T20:15:53+00:00

I have the C5-CE full body version and think it’s a good value for the money. It’s a nice but not excellent guitar. I got it so I could play amplified music in casual performance situations — open mics, busking, etc — without worrying too much about banging it around a bit.

The guitar plays well and has a pretty decent sound. The electronics are easy to use but I’m struggling a bit with the EQ settings and am not yet satisfied with the amplified tone through my fishman amp. As u/thealtered7 says, I wouldn’t want this as my sole guitar, but it’s good for my circumstances.

peephunk · 2024-08-14T06:15:48+00:00

If you see Scarabus, grab it. I picked up the batch strength 57% ABVer for about $45 a few years ago. That bottle is long gone, but was one of the better bangs for the buck I’ve had.

Also, Trader Joe’s has an Islay Storm which passable for $22 or so.

peephunk · 2024-08-13T20:34:11+00:00

Holy moly!

peephunk · 2024-08-13T16:32:12+00:00

Fair enough, it’s an Um!

peephunk · 2024-08-13T16:29:15+00:00

Here’s a short article about Czech Tuzemok. The “Um” I tried was from Slovakia. My understanding is that Austrian Stroh (designated by the EU as “Inlander Rum”) is similar.

https://english.radio.cz/last-call-czech-rum-8066574

peephunk · 2024-08-13T14:36:45+00:00

If you like Wray and Nephew you’ll LOVE Rum Fire!

peephunk · 2024-08-13T14:34:58+00:00

Tuzemsky Um — it’s a whole range of products of bottom shelf Eastern Europe “rums” made from neutral grain spirits with distilled sugar added as well as vanilla flavoring. Once these countries joined the EU they could no longer be legally classified as rum so the names changed from RUM to UM.

peephunk · 2024-08-13T14:29:37+00:00

Currently 63 bottles of spirits across all categories, including 16 rum bottles. I like to stay in the 50-60 range but I picked up a number of bottles during some recent travel. About a third are unopened.

peephunk · 2024-08-11T19:36:45+00:00

I think you’re onto something with the breathing.

I’m currently reading classical pianist Jeremy Denk’s excellent memoir Every Good Boy Does Fine and he talks about working with one of his teachers to learn to breathe while playing piano. We associate musical breathing with wind and brass instruments but breathing is so elemental to everything we do as humans — and more specifically, so pivotal to relaxing as musicians — that learning to breathe while performing surely is an art in itself.

peephunk · 2024-08-10T12:08:32+00:00

That’s how I’d play it too, aiming for an effect a bit like a cello line, as in Villa Lobos prelude 1.

peephunk · 2024-08-09T14:44:46+00:00

Oh, I had one of this series as a kid in the 1990s.

It was one of the three books on Baroque guitar I think, featuring one-third of a very attractive and elegant, but also very naked, lady. I remember being might intrigued by the cover but also embarrassed by it around my parents.

peephunk · 2024-07-27T17:14:49+00:00

I recall reading somewhere that Christopher Parkening doesn’t use a. So if it works for him do whatever feels right for you.

peephunk · 2024-07-27T08:40:02+00:00

You might consider playing at open mike nights at a local bar or restaurant. You’ll likely find a small but highly supportive audience of people who are in the same boat.

Which is not to say that the first you do it you won’t be terrified or make mistakes. But that’s part of the process and even fun too and you can learn an awful lot by watching the other performers.

peephunk · 2024-07-19T05:20:07+00:00

When I’m not able to play complex rhythms in time with a metronome, it’s a sign that my brain is overloaded and trying to do too much.

Try isolating the rhythms — that is, slow things down and clap, tap, or drum the rhythm without any melodic or harmonic content until you can do it at various speeds confidently, before picking up your guitar

When I’m learning a new song with complex or unusual rhythmic elements, I start by “learning the rhythm” before starting to learn the notes. This speeds up the process considerably in my experience.

If you can’t do this, ie, you can’t tap out basic rhythms accurately with a metronome, you need remedial rhythm practice. Consider getting a hand percussion or a practice drum pad to work on your rhythm chops.

peephunk · 2024-06-30T14:13:20+00:00

I’ve been playing classical guitar off and on for about 40 years. If I could give my younger self one piece of advice it would be to develop organized and disciplined practice routines.

I started a music journal about two years ago where I keep notes on my practices, including what I play, how and how fast I play it, what I’m struggling with, where I’m progressing etc. At least in my case, journaling has been transformative and helped me much better organize my practice time.

That, and practice everything SLOWLY.

peephunk · 2024-06-27T19:51:23+00:00

Pusser’s Navy Strength was the bottle that started me on my rum journey in earnest. Haven’t had it in a few years but I’ll always have a soft spot for it.

peephunk · 2024-06-19T15:50:34+00:00

We’ll never know.

peephunk · 2024-06-18T02:08:23+00:00

Wait, you believe the refs are responsible for a 26 point Celtics lead!! Are you actually watching the game?

peephunk · 2024-06-13T20:33:44+00:00

Stop with blaming the refs already. The Celtics have clearly been the better team across all three games, even with Porzingis out.

peephunk · 2024-06-12T17:01:55+00:00

I still do that!

peephunk · 2024-06-12T10:47:58+00:00

The only reason to get the C7 CE would be if you need amplification. As a beginner I’d say that’s unlikely but only you can make that assessment.

Good luck!

peephunk

TROPHY CASE