Beaufort Pirate Invasion

Last Saturday, we went to the Beaufort Pirate Invasion. It was a lot of fun. The fighting seemed shorter this year than when we went two years ago but I really enjoyed the pirate songs the group sang.

(click on thumbnails for larger images)

The guitar project begins

After researching guitars online and looking around at the different stores in Jacksonville, I found a guitar at Woodson's Pawn in Midway Park. The guy who sold it to me was awesome and gave me a better deal than I found online! It came with a gig bag that contained a beginners book (yay freebies) and I bought a 10-watt amplifier to go with it.

I was planning to get an acoustic guitar but Matthew talked me into an electric because he has a small urge to learn to play and was not at all interested in anything but electric.

The only problem with the guitar is that it was missing its first (thinnest) string. So, yesterday, I had to go into a music store, being the novice that I am, and purchase a string. Today, I replaced the string and tuned it using resources from http://guitar.about.com (which is turning out to be a great online resource).

I have used the book to teach myself the notes on each string and have been practicing those for a couple of days.

A project for the rest of the year

Granddaddy Morton at Jan's Grocery
Store in Stella, NC - March 1980

I've been thinking about my paternal grandfather a lot lately for some reason. He's been gone 10 1/2 years and he loved  playing the guitar.

At our monthly family dinner this past Saturday, one of my great uncles asked what type of guitar he played. I couldn't remember. I thought it was a Gibson or a Martin and my mom knew it had a hummingbird on it. On Sunday, we visited Grandmama Morton and pulled the guitar out.

Granddaddy Morton playing the guitar
in 1965 (picture by Lois House)

I have always loved music myself. I think it is a trait I get from both sides of the family. My grandfather sang and played the guitar. My dad's brother sings. My mom and her younger brother played the piano when they were younger. I took piano lessons as a child but quit when I moved to Raleigh in 1985. Boy, how do I regret that decision. In High School, I was in the chorus and love it.

My grandfather's guitar.
A Gibson Hummingbird that was manufactured
in 1978 (judging by the serial number)

In the last ten to fifteen years, I have not really done anything to make music or to learn to make music better. My voice is weak from lack of singing and I don't have a functioning piano or keyboard. I sing in the car the shower and when I play Rock Band, but it isn't the same.

My new goal for the rest of the year is to procure an acoustic guitar that is reasonable in price and suitable for a beginner and learn to play (at least) one song and to play it well. I'll keep you posted on the results of this project.