Category: music

guitar, learning, music

Work in progress – Rio

louisehartcom

So, we’re in week whatever of the lockdown. It’s a blur. I feel honoured and lucky to have all this time to spend with my daughter, I’m also acutely aware primary school teaching is something I should NEVER consider once all this is done, unless it’s all sewing, art and music……

In between that I’ve been working on some new stuff. It’s an act of faith that one day us musicians will be able to earn a living again. So here I am, in our ‘secret getaway’ working on Rio by Duran Duran.

I love the energy of the original but am going for a more laid back approach. At school one of my friends loved Duran Duran… I pretended I didn’t as I liked Spandau Ballet…. We had some common ground with Japan…. thinking about doing a cover of Swing but that’s another story.

So, it’s a bit rough and the guitar needs its intonation looking at, oh and I need a hair cut, but don’t we all!!😂🤣

guitar, learning, music

How to play – Gold

louisehartcom

Growing up I loved Spandau Ballet. My friend liked Duran Duran and never the twain met (although Rio is one of my favourite albums of the 80’s). I love performing this, it feels so liberating.

I’ve recorded this tutorial which shows how I play it; it’s not particularly polished but it shows you all the shapes you’ll need. If you want a more faithful version I daresay that there are others. See below for the chord diagrams. As I say on the video, I’m using a capo and the chords can move up or down the neck depending on your vocal range.

I hope you enjoy playing it as much as I do.

guitar, learning, music

Famous Last Words

louisehartcom

One of the challenges I enjoy is taking a song that I love but that doesn’t immediately shout ‘acoustic cover’ …. so I’ve been using this ‘down time’ to work on a few songs I’ve been toying with got a while…

Death on Two Legs…. absolute epic song. People who’ve heard me perform know I love Queen. A Night at the Opera is one of my all time favourite albums and I’ve wanted to get those to work for the longest time… I’m glad to say it’s coming together well so watch this space.

Famous Last Words – My Chemical Romance. In my other life as a fitness instructor I have used this song (And Death on Two Legs) several times in my spinning mixes. I love it. This one too is showing promise.

The Pretender -Foo Fighters…. ummm still working on this one!

In other news, I’ve pretty much got 9-5 by Dolly Parton nailed!

busking, Life, music, Uncategorized

Blue Steel

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I saw these and those of you of a similar age will know why I couldn’t resist buying them. You know what? They sound good!

This is all part of the ongoing saga of my cracked guitar. It got too dry being played in the heat. It’s still at Manson’s being repaired… 😥😥😥

My wonderful husband, Jerri has been re-stringing all the guitars in the house. I have a nickel allergy and so normally use the Elixir strings but thought these would have to be worth a go on my trusty old Takamine… I might use it next time I go busking….