The Yamaha FG700MS Acoustic Guitar

This is my new acoustic guitar, and it's a peach! The FG700MS combines premium specification including solid Sitka spruce top, Nato back and sides, 90 degree non-scalloped bracing, inspired by the flagship L-series, and Yamaha's trademark set-up with an ultra-thin natural satin finish to create an instrument with a rich, natural sound. Damn, it's good and all the more so after the set-up conducted by the engineers at Sheehan's Music perfect action and a beautiful tone.

Now, it's up to me. My fingers aren't as supple as they used to be and I haven't played guitar for around 30 years! But now I'm retired I have plenty of time to practice, witness the indents on the fingers of my left hand, already. (At least I can manage the D, A and E chords without too much delay in switching between chords!). The challenge now is to practice every day for at least 15 minutes, following the online tuition of Justin Sandercoe I am determined to improve beyond where I was 30 years ago.

My ultimate goal is to be able to play the acoustic passages from 'Stairway to Heaven' by the ultimate rock-band, Led Zeppelin. 

Yeah, right. I might get back to you on this in 6 months or so......

My Personal Target

My Yamaha guitar will be delivered on Monday. Sheehan's Guitars have completed the set up process so the 'action' should be just fine. I am coming back to the guitar after more than 30 years and I have set myself a personal target. To learn to play at least the first sixteen bars of 'Stairway to Heaven' on acoustic guitar. This includes the chords and finger picking. This will take weeks, even months, of dedicated practice. I have watched more videos of this on YouTube than you can shake a stick at. It looks, no, it is difficult - but then I am much the same age as Jimmy Page...

Mind you, he has something of a head start on me....

Retired to the Guitar

I haven't touched a guitar for more than 30 years. When I lived in the Netherlands I took lessons from Peter van Dorst, who still features in the top echelon of guitarists in that country. Circumstances dictated that my lessons were interrupted; I had to move back to the UK. For many reasons I gave up trying to play the guitar, something that I regret a great deal. I am retired now. I have tried to get to grips with playing the harmonica and find it really difficult to 'bend' a note, which doesn't help if you want to play "The Blues"!

And so, at this tender age of 69, I have decided to take up the guitar again. That's right. After more than 30 years, with fingers considerably less supple than they were, I want to play the guitar. Nothing fancy. Start with the chords I remember (I think!) And for no other reason than personal pleasure. Something to practice in a fixed routine. Daily. That's the plan. So, I have invested in a Yamaha FG700MS Acoustic supplied by Sheehans Music. These guys are experts in guitars.  And this is the guitar I have ordered.

http://www.sheehans.com/product/yamaha-fg700ms-acoustic-guitar/fg700ms?TRE00003

Sheehan's experienced technicians will complete a free set up before shipping the guitar. This is particularly important to get the perfect 'action' (something I remember all too well) so that the strings are situated at the optimum distance above the fret board. (ie. minimum finger pressure required in front of a fret to achieve the required sound).

In the meantime I have started to do finger exercises to improve (hopefully!) dexterity. Helped with doses of Glucosamine and Celadrin! When the guitar arrives I am determined to set aside one hour a day to practice and perhaps 20 minutes for 'noodling' (look it up!)