If you are looking for a simple easy way to tune your 3-string cigar box guitar then you have arrived!
Click this link and enjoy, this is so easy!!!
While you are here how about a little foot stompin' music to brighten your day! These 3 fella's will have you up and dancing in no time and wondering why you haven't built your own CBG yet!!! Just click on foot stompin'
Showing posts with label CBG. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CBG. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Easy Method to Play Guitar and Sing at the Same Time Part 1
Many Cigar Box Guitar builders and players will find this article interesting. It fits well with How to Make a Cigar Box Guitar.
Author: Leslie de Winter
How to Play a Cigar Box Guitar and Sing
Learning how to accompany yourself on guitar (alternatively referred to as "singing and playing guitar at the same time") is certainly among the main aims for many newbie and intermediate guitarists. There's nothing quite like sitting with pals at a celebration and having a sing-along! It's also an actual advantage when beginning or trying out for a band.
Do You Have to Have a Wonderful Voice to Sing and Play Cigar Box Guitar?
The brief response is "No." Of course, you want to be able to maintain a tune. But being able to sing like some incredibly talented recording musician vocal superstar is just not required! In fact, a number of the most popular singer-songwriters ever, like Bob Dylan or Elliot Smith, haven't got particularly great voices nor are they especially eye-popping guitarists. But, boy do they know the way to write and perform a tune! It doesn't matter whether or not you would like to just play and sing cigar box guitar at social events or you writing your own songs for the entire world, do not let a less than brilliant singing voice prevent you. Singing is one of those rare things that is based on heart-felt emotion.
Now, of course, you do have to be able to sing reasonably effectively, but that is only a matter of training. Take some singing lessons and be taught all the basics of how to sing and you will notice your voice picks up dramatically. Then, resolve whether you need to take your singing more seriously or whether that's enough for just singing at the same time as playing cigar box guitar.
How to Take the Tune You've Chosen and Learn to Play It on Your Cigar Box Guitar
The natural inclination for most novices is to try and play cigar box guitar and sing simultaneously before they're ready. That is definitely not a very good idea. What you have to do is learn how to play the guitar part first. And then learn to sing the vocal line. After that, put them together.
Your first step, then, is to decide on a tune you want with comparatively easy chord progressions and straight-forward chord changes. It doesn't matter which song you choose. There are plenty of simple songs for beginners. Simply something you can learn the chords to reasonably simply, and which you enjoy. Oh, and which does not have a super-hard vocalpart. Whatever you choose must be achievable. You do not want to spend all this time and not actually be able to sing the vocal line.
Stay tuned for Part 2 next week which will put it altogether and show you How to Make it work on a Cigar Box Guitar!
Author: Leslie de Winter
How to Play a Cigar Box Guitar and Sing
Learning how to accompany yourself on guitar (alternatively referred to as "singing and playing guitar at the same time") is certainly among the main aims for many newbie and intermediate guitarists. There's nothing quite like sitting with pals at a celebration and having a sing-along! It's also an actual advantage when beginning or trying out for a band.
Do You Have to Have a Wonderful Voice to Sing and Play Cigar Box Guitar?
The brief response is "No." Of course, you want to be able to maintain a tune. But being able to sing like some incredibly talented recording musician vocal superstar is just not required! In fact, a number of the most popular singer-songwriters ever, like Bob Dylan or Elliot Smith, haven't got particularly great voices nor are they especially eye-popping guitarists. But, boy do they know the way to write and perform a tune! It doesn't matter whether or not you would like to just play and sing cigar box guitar at social events or you writing your own songs for the entire world, do not let a less than brilliant singing voice prevent you. Singing is one of those rare things that is based on heart-felt emotion.
Now, of course, you do have to be able to sing reasonably effectively, but that is only a matter of training. Take some singing lessons and be taught all the basics of how to sing and you will notice your voice picks up dramatically. Then, resolve whether you need to take your singing more seriously or whether that's enough for just singing at the same time as playing cigar box guitar.
How to Take the Tune You've Chosen and Learn to Play It on Your Cigar Box Guitar
The natural inclination for most novices is to try and play cigar box guitar and sing simultaneously before they're ready. That is definitely not a very good idea. What you have to do is learn how to play the guitar part first. And then learn to sing the vocal line. After that, put them together.
Your first step, then, is to decide on a tune you want with comparatively easy chord progressions and straight-forward chord changes. It doesn't matter which song you choose. There are plenty of simple songs for beginners. Simply something you can learn the chords to reasonably simply, and which you enjoy. Oh, and which does not have a super-hard vocalpart. Whatever you choose must be achievable. You do not want to spend all this time and not actually be able to sing the vocal line.
Stay tuned for Part 2 next week which will put it altogether and show you How to Make it work on a Cigar Box Guitar!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
UK Cigar Box Guitar Festival Announced!!!
This is great! Cigar Box Guitar Festival in the UK!!!
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX – THE 1st UK CIGAR BOX GUITAR FESTIVAL
[3, Oct. 2009]
Tickets are available for either the all day event, including the evening performance (£25.00), or for the evening performance only (£5.00). Ticket sales http://crossroadsbluesclub.bigcartel.com/
CONTACT: John Wormald – wormald.design@virgin.net
0121 429 9996
07957 255 846
Available for interviews, live performance broadcast sessions etc
PRESS & MEDIA RELEASE
Introducing the alternative music sensation that's the hot ticket!!!
In today's economic climate, there's pressure on everybody's finances, and for music-makers, some people have gone back to the old-timey approach of making their own entertainment, and making their own instruments from whatever is to hand…a box, a stick of wood and some strings…and you've got a cigar box guitar!
This has a venerable tradition from the plantations of the southern USA, and many famous musicians made their first instruments the very same way. Thanks to the internet, this tradition has been slingshotted into global awareness through sites like cigarboxnation.com, and now we have organized the very first get-together for these UK music pioneers.
The event is taking place in Birmingham's "Tower of Song" bar. It's a dedicated music venue after the fashion of the classic USA roadhouse…a small no-frills room, atmospheric lighting and great music of all genres, easily spotted from the roadside by the 25 foot high image of Robert Johnson adorning the façade of the building. Here you're likely to encounter people like blues and jazzman Steve Ajao and Birmingham rocker Steve Gibbons chatting to customers and the proprietor Tom Martin, a quiet spoken muso with a passion for genuine, original live music. The event is organised and hosted by Chickenbone John, who, together with bass player Ken Stratford, runs the weekly Crossroads Blues club at the venue.
The event comprises an all-day get-together with workshops for players to learn and swap techniques, and for cigar box guitar makers to `show and tell' about the way they make their instruments. Guitar makers will be bringing example of their work, for display and for sale. There will also be the opportunity for informal music sessions during the day. In the evening, the headline act is Hollowbelly, an amazing one man band performer on drums, cigar box guitar and harmonica…laying down some original tunes in a thrash punk blues style. Support will be from Chickenbone John, and the evening will also feature an open mic session for those cigar box guitar players who feel brave enough to perform in front of a paying audience, so an entertaining evening of energetic and original music is guaranteed.
http://www.towerofsong.co.uk/blues/
http://www.myspace.com/hollowbelly
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX – THE 1st UK CIGAR BOX GUITAR FESTIVAL
[3, Oct. 2009]
Tickets are available for either the all day event, including the evening performance (£25.00), or for the evening performance only (£5.00). Ticket sales http://crossroadsbluesclub.bigcartel.com/
CONTACT: John Wormald – wormald.design@virgin.net
0121 429 9996
07957 255 846
Available for interviews, live performance broadcast sessions etc
PRESS & MEDIA RELEASE
Introducing the alternative music sensation that's the hot ticket!!!
In today's economic climate, there's pressure on everybody's finances, and for music-makers, some people have gone back to the old-timey approach of making their own entertainment, and making their own instruments from whatever is to hand…a box, a stick of wood and some strings…and you've got a cigar box guitar!
This has a venerable tradition from the plantations of the southern USA, and many famous musicians made their first instruments the very same way. Thanks to the internet, this tradition has been slingshotted into global awareness through sites like cigarboxnation.com, and now we have organized the very first get-together for these UK music pioneers.
The event is taking place in Birmingham's "Tower of Song" bar. It's a dedicated music venue after the fashion of the classic USA roadhouse…a small no-frills room, atmospheric lighting and great music of all genres, easily spotted from the roadside by the 25 foot high image of Robert Johnson adorning the façade of the building. Here you're likely to encounter people like blues and jazzman Steve Ajao and Birmingham rocker Steve Gibbons chatting to customers and the proprietor Tom Martin, a quiet spoken muso with a passion for genuine, original live music. The event is organised and hosted by Chickenbone John, who, together with bass player Ken Stratford, runs the weekly Crossroads Blues club at the venue.
The event comprises an all-day get-together with workshops for players to learn and swap techniques, and for cigar box guitar makers to `show and tell' about the way they make their instruments. Guitar makers will be bringing example of their work, for display and for sale. There will also be the opportunity for informal music sessions during the day. In the evening, the headline act is Hollowbelly, an amazing one man band performer on drums, cigar box guitar and harmonica…laying down some original tunes in a thrash punk blues style. Support will be from Chickenbone John, and the evening will also feature an open mic session for those cigar box guitar players who feel brave enough to perform in front of a paying audience, so an entertaining evening of energetic and original music is guaranteed.
http://www.towerofsong.co.uk/blues/
http://www.myspace.com/hollowbelly
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Acoustic Six String on the Way
After much thought and research I have decided it’s time to build myself a 6-string acoustic cigar box guitar.
I found a nice all wood cigar box with brass hinges and clasp. It has some nice artwork right in the middle of the lid that I think will look good. The wood is lighter in color with a decent grain pattern on the top and bottom with a darker mocha colored wood for the sides and end.
I spent quite a bit of time just sanding it and getting it ready for the golden oak stain. I was going to use tung oil but plan on using a several coats of polyurethane and didn’t know how well it would hang onto the oil.
I found a couple of dings in the wood on the bottom and decided to try a technique I found on utube for “pulling them out”. I put a few drops of water in each one until it beaded up. Just short of the running stage so it would still hold its form. I came down the next morning and the water had done its trick. The dings were gone and the wood was perfectly level.
I got a really good start on the neck for my CBG. I used a 2 inch wide piece of red oak and beautiful piece of African padauk for the fret board. I finally got to try out my Stewart MacDonald fret miterbox and saw along with my new fret template guide. All I can say is, "Nice!"
There will be a tail piece that extends out of the opposite end of the cigar box to anchor the strings to. With 6-strings there will be a lot of tension on the neck and by having the neck extending clear through the body will cut down on any tendency to warp the neck.
Retire when the work is done; this is the way of heaven
I found a nice all wood cigar box with brass hinges and clasp. It has some nice artwork right in the middle of the lid that I think will look good. The wood is lighter in color with a decent grain pattern on the top and bottom with a darker mocha colored wood for the sides and end.
I spent quite a bit of time just sanding it and getting it ready for the golden oak stain. I was going to use tung oil but plan on using a several coats of polyurethane and didn’t know how well it would hang onto the oil.
I found a couple of dings in the wood on the bottom and decided to try a technique I found on utube for “pulling them out”. I put a few drops of water in each one until it beaded up. Just short of the running stage so it would still hold its form. I came down the next morning and the water had done its trick. The dings were gone and the wood was perfectly level.
I got a really good start on the neck for my CBG. I used a 2 inch wide piece of red oak and beautiful piece of African padauk for the fret board. I finally got to try out my Stewart MacDonald fret miterbox and saw along with my new fret template guide. All I can say is, "Nice!"
There will be a tail piece that extends out of the opposite end of the cigar box to anchor the strings to. With 6-strings there will be a lot of tension on the neck and by having the neck extending clear through the body will cut down on any tendency to warp the neck.
Retire when the work is done; this is the way of heaven
Thursday, February 19, 2009
It lives!
After much trial and error I finally have my first Cigar Box Guitar up and running!! I plugged it into the amp last night startled the cats, made the dog bark and woke my wife up! So I guess electrically it's a success. I felt a bit like Dr. Frankenstein when he threw the switch and exclaimed to Egore, "He's alive, he's alive!"
Pics and Utube to follow!
Pics and Utube to follow!
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