Not sure where to say hi

oc_in_fw · #1 08-19-2021, 08:41 PM

Thought I’d introduce myself. My name is Owen. I am a 53 year old man recently diagnosed with stomach cancer. Things look good, listening to the doctor. I am making some dietary changes to help (bad diet is the leading cause of my cancer). Walking a lot more to keep strength. For my emotional fitness I am looking to learn classical guitar. Music has always been my spiritual reset. I have ordered a Cordoba C7 to assist with my mental health. The last guitar I ever owned was 1990. I worked overtime all summer for a great Les Paul. My junky uncle decided he wanted it more. It crushed me when he stole it. But where I am now is “why am I letting one instance mess my life up?” After talking to my father, I decided I need to put it behind me and do what brings me joy. So, I am jumping back in. I will be the one lurking and asking dumb questions. Thanks for listening.

jklotz · #2 08-19-2021, 10:46 PM

Welcome to the AGF. My thoughts are with you, I hope you get better soon. Guitar has helped me through some rough times. I really hope it does the same for you.

Kerbie · #3 08-20-2021, 02:31 AM

Good morning, OC. I wish you the best and hope the guitar and AGF can help you out a little. Ask all the questions you'd like; there are no dumb ones.

ssstewart · #4 08-20-2021, 02:58 AM

Howdy Owen, nice to meet ya

welcome to AGF. Out of the many Guitar forums I am a member of, AGF is by far the most amazing with very supporting members sharing best practices, tips, and just chatting about GAS. I spend the majority of my forum time on AGF for that reason...the members are awesome. Wish you the best with your battle and new git. most people love music, but actually making it is by far the best therapy (imo) and it has helped me through the most difficult times and is more helpful to me than any meditation/relaxation technique. if there is any questions you have, fire away and you will be pleasantly surprised by the responses, on the AGF we are ALL GREAT FRIENDS

redir · #5 08-20-2021, 09:04 AM

Welcome. I wish the best for you on your recovery. Here are some links that I found tremendously useful for beginners and more advanced.

lessons and information:

https://www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/

https://www.classicalguitarshed.com/

Great information and tips:

https://rmclassicalguitar.com/

TRose · #6 08-20-2021, 02:22 PM

Hello Owen,
I’m sorry you are having to deal with this illness. Hopefully with the appropriate therapies you will be able to put it behind you.
Congratulations on your new guitar and welcome to the forum. The links provided by redir are indeed good and useful.
Good luck with your treatment and the restart of your guitar journey.

-Tom

oc_in_fw · #7 08-20-2021, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redir

Welcome. I wish the best for you on your recovery. Here are some links that I found tremendously useful for beginners and more advanced.

lessons and information:

https://www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/

https://www.classicalguitarshed.com/

Great information and tips:

https://rmclassicalguitar.com/

Thanks all for the welcome. I have already received Werner’s first volume, and will ordering more.

My one question is why is the classical guitar held at a 45 degree angle?

ssstewart · #8 08-20-2021, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oc_in_fw

Thanks all for the welcome. I have already received Werner’s first volume, and will ordering more.

My one question is why is the classical guitar held at a 45 degree angle?

do not fall into posture/position traps. hold a classical guitar in whatever way/position/angle that FEELS the best and most comfortable to YOU. segovia would slap me for that yes, and many will argue on facilitating proper fretting/picking/etc, but none-the-less. after 40 years i still play my classical gits the same as all my acoustics/electrics/etc. if it sounds good, its all good! Jeff Healeys parents hired a guitar teacher for him when he was a teen due to him playing on his lap, the guitar teacher listened to him and told his parents "do not change anything in how he plays" Both Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn agreed that Healey was one of the greatest guitarists ever, even though he was blind and unconventional in how he held and played his gits.

oc_in_fw · #9 08-20-2021, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssstewart

do not fall into posture/position traps. hold a classical guitar in whatever way/position/angle that FEELS the best and most comfortable to YOU. segovia would slap me for that yes, and many will argue on facilitating proper fretting/picking/etc, but none-the-less. after 40 years i still play my classical gits the same as all my acoustics/electrics/etc. if it sounds good, its all good! Jeff Healeys parents hired a guitar teacher for him when he was a teen due to him playing on his lap, the guitar teacher listened to him and told his parents "do not change anything in how he plays" Both Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn agreed that Healey was one of the greatest guitarists ever, even though he was blind and unconventional in how he held and played his gits.

Thanks for the advice.

Gitfiddlemann · #10 08-20-2021, 04:01 PM

45 deg.? How about 3 deg.?

Don is right. Don't get too hung up on "classical" posture. The idea is to be as tension free as you can, whatever that is.
And Owen, welcome to the forum! I hope that you can mend soon, and terrific idea to re-pickup the guitar. Music is a great healer.

oc_in_fw · #11 08-20-2021, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndreF

45 deg.? How about 3 deg.?

Don is right. Don't get too hung up on "classical" posture. The idea is to be as tension free as you can, whatever that is.
And Owen, welcome to the forum! I hope that you can mend soon, and terrific idea to re-pickup the guitar. Music is a great healer.

When my head goes crazy, I always run to music. Will be fun to play it again. I love a wide range of music, from Beethoven to the Hu (Mongolian metal band that uses traditional instruments). Reggae, Jazz, big band, etc. My favorite of all times is Led Zeppelin.

Su_H. · #12 08-21-2021, 04:04 AM

Welcome to the AGF community. I'm fairly new myself.

You'll love playing classical repertoire and you'll soon find out there are some very experienced players here who are more than happy to help, if needed. I wish I was one of them but I'm not .....but I will be cheering you on.

Su

Tom_B · #13 08-21-2021, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oc_in_fw

Thanks all for the welcome. I have already received Werner’s first volume, and will ordering more.

My one question is why is the classical guitar held at a 45 degree angle?

Holding at 45 angle helps the left hand fingering but it’s not a must. Some classical pieces are difficult for the left hand and holding the guitar at 45 is the only approach (for me).

PS.
Wishing you all the best!

oc_in_fw · #14 08-21-2021, 04:47 PM

Thanks guys. Got the guitar today- it is beautiful.

oc_in_fw · #15 08-23-2021, 10:10 AM

This may seem a weird question, but has anyone here gone through chemo treatments? I am doing FLOT, which is a pretty aggressive treatment. It hasn’t affected my fingernails yet, but it could. Just wondering if anyone experienced problems, and what they may have done about it. I already take collagen because it helps with my knee, but I may bump it up.