The best stress reliever....playing guitar.

-----
"Dont worry about tomorrow its only today all over again!"

Visit the BR Guitar Tab Archive -- www.stratomaster.ca

---

Check out Canada's best independant musician at blakepreston.com

The ONLY complete archive of Blue Rodeo guitar tablature is stratomaster.ca

I just bought my first guitar in July and I have to say - I'm starting to agree with you.

"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brushfires in people's minds."

---

Where my designer B*tches at?

MAGNETS....COWS....HERD....it all makes sense now?

There's nothing worse than driving in a snowstorm with a GPS that's on the rag

Do you take PAYPAL?

If it's winter I go sking, if no snow I go running. If neither is a possibilty I go make to old faithful... I'll give the guitar stress reliever a try though. Thanks for the tip!

"One of these days I'm going to write a long letter..."

My husband always greets me with a drink (T and V) and Blue Rodeo playing after a hard week at work and a long trip (with bad traffic)to the cottage. He always says that listening to BR is the best stress reliever he knows of. It amazes him how fast I can be brought back to reality but he does comment, "that music soothes the savage beast..."

My best one is a nice hot bubble bath with a candle and BR playing on the walkman to block out all the noise of the house.

Trying to play the guitar is stressful in itself!! (for this learner!) I can see how it could be "therapeutic" though.

ANNNY exercise (aerobic or resistance) is THE BIGGEST RELIEVER of stress on the planet, for continual, non-drug relief, that is..

Otherwise, well then.. a margarita, or even an occasional little bud will do just fine!

Cheers

______________________________

"I’ll be home in just a few hours’ time
But for now I love the coffee
And exploding stars
And the fat moon shining on the passing cars.." cuddy/keelor(2000)

Playing soccer really helps. It's amazing how much frustration you can get out by booting the hell out of that ball! Of course, the endorphins from the exercise help too.

"...but the moments that shine are so hard to find."

---

" The power of gift is the beauty of choice" Off The Wall 2006

I started playing the guitar about thirty years ago. Around 1990, someone put Blue Rodeo on at a house party, (Casino?). I started playing along, and had one of those weird out-of-body experiences. I felt like I was part of the band. And I was hooked.

These days, I live and work in Vancouver Mon - Fri, and go home to my family on Vancouver Island for the weekend. The two-hour ferry ride is a drag, but I take along my Ovation, and entertain anyone who happens to be up on deck with my own Blue Rodeo concert. I cover Greg pretty well, but I don't have the vocal range to do Jim's songs any justice. Still trying to master playing the harmonica and guitar at the same time.

During the week, I often spend 2 or three hours a day playing. Sometimes I play along with the cd, sometimes by myself, occassionally with my neighbour. Playing really helps keep the stress level down, and gives me a chance to relax and recharge.

Wow IBB - what a great true story. I thought my four hours round trip a day commute was bad - but at least I see my family (if asleep) at the end of the night.

Since I bought that damn contraption in July I have thought of bringing it on the train (that part is 70 minutes) but haven't gotten the nerve up yet. Long term I think I might have to give it a try.

But - after I learn more than seven chords!!!!

"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brushfires in people's minds."

---

Where my designer B*tches at?

MAGNETS....COWS....HERD....it all makes sense now?

There's nothing worse than driving in a snowstorm with a GPS that's on the rag

Do you take PAYPAL?

Hey there NYCBRFAN. We haven't got much in the way of trains out this way, but what we do have I could see making it really difficult to try and play. Aren't all trains oppressively crowded?

Yes, I would love to see my family every night, however I made a career move that made it necessary to relocate. Eventually they will follow, but housing prices in the Vancouver area are off the map, so I have to save a bit to make a down-payment.

One of the great things about my kids is that they are huge BR fans too! My oldest is 11, and we frequently have sing-alongs. It's a humbling thing for me, because he has "perfect pitch", and hits every note, dead-on. He may be an octave or two high, but he's awesome. We've been working on Cause for Sympathy, but without the horns it takes a bit of getting used to.

Keep up the learning. Once you've got the basics, you start recognizing patterns in the chords and their progressions. Once you discover that, you're home free.

Check out the thread about the ferry ride to Duncan. Those shots were taken on the Queen of Coquitlam, which is my 'taxi' to and from the Island every week. Not sure what sailing they were on, but I recognize the decor. Judging from the angle of the sun, I'd say the 12:30 or 3:00 sailing.

Later...

When I have enough, I put some BR on and dance like crazy in the living room, and sometimes I try to stay hydrated with a glass of red wine (or 2 ..or 3... ) while I sway along the slow ballads. Exercise is a big one for me, at least 20 mtes a day, whenever, where ever possible. Also, I find it very relaxing practicing guitar on my back deck, overlooking the rolling field of golden barley (too bad it's going to be harvested in a week or so ), century old trees and blue sky. Hey, I've had my guitar for almost 2 months and I can play silly songs with 3 strings now (no chords yet). Okay, it's a far cry from BR play along but I'll get there some day.

"I pulled over to the side of the road..."

quote:

---

Hey there NYCBRFAN. We haven't got much in the way of trains out this way, but what we do have I could see making it really difficult to try and play. Aren't all trains oppressively crowded?

---

Subway - of course is an impossibility. But the commuter train - although crowded would work but only if its a three door car instead of a two-door car. The three door cars have more space near the doors and I would have to sit on the floor - but still might work.

I was practicing in my garage last night, fingers hurt this morning as I type - but it was fun.

"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brushfires in people's minds."

---

Where my designer B*tches at?

MAGNETS....COWS....HERD....it all makes sense now?

There's nothing worse than driving in a snowstorm with a GPS that's on the rag

Do you take PAYPAL?

quote:

---

I've had my guitar for almost 2 months and I can play silly songs with 3 strings now (no chords yet). Okay, it's a far cry from BR play along but I'll get there some day

---

Rowandowns - there is a thread out their that lists some cool guitar sites. I went to one called Cyberfret.com and pulled down the infor on seven basic chords. I have not mastered them at all but I can badly strum my way through the Bodeans "Looking for me somewhere" Cowboy Junkies "Angel Mine" Lucinda WIlliams "Blue" and that two-chord standard "A Horse with No Name" by America.

They're all dreadfull - but so much fun!!!!

"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brushfires in people's minds."

---

Where my designer B*tches at?

MAGNETS....COWS....HERD....it all makes sense now?

There's nothing worse than driving in a snowstorm with a GPS that's on the rag

Do you take PAYPAL?

HAve you checked out the Stratomaster.ca website? It has all the Blue Rodeo songs catalogued. I've downloaded and printed most of the ones I couldn't figure out by ear.

Off to the ferry tonight. Had a two hour jam session with a neighbour last night, ended up playing a lot of his repertoire, (Led Z, Areosmith, ect). Not really hard, but also not my favourites. We did a really great cover of Bulletproof though, that even had the friends who were watching us clapping at the end. (For a moment, just a moment, I was a star!!!)

Have a great weekend, all.

IslandBuoyBob

IBB - Enjoy your stress-releasing-ferry-jam session tonight. And yes I have seen the stratomaster site - I have quite a few printouts sitting on my piano.

That would be my other stress release method.

"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brushfires in people's minds."

---

Where my designer B*tches at?

MAGNETS....COWS....HERD....it all makes sense now?

There's nothing worse than driving in a snowstorm with a GPS that's on the rag

Do you take PAYPAL?