The Music Lesson Of The Day - Chord Technique

When playing chords for long periods of time, a good tip is to make sure you don't add too much pressure with your thumb pushing towards the back of the fret board. If so, you're hand will get tired and cramp very quickly. The thumb is really only there for balance. Try pulling back with your arm adding more pressure from the front with your fingers relieving the pressure from your thumb. (You may notice you might have to pull back a bit with your other arm resting on the guitar to ballance everything out) Of course, everything in moderation, you don't want to do this so hard that you break your guitar in half!

For example: I'll do this during the song "Underworld" and in "Sao Paulo" as I have to play one chord for a long period of time while Ottmar plays over it and it saves my hand from cramping up.

Attack of the killer bird

So I hit the poolside yesterday for a few hours and after a while I noticed this big bird circling above ( no, not the one from Sesame street). I looked up and thought nothing until it started getting a bit lower and saw it was looking right at me. I was the only one at the pool and started to get the strong feeling that the bird was looking to have "Stevo Surprise" for lunch. I kept an eye on it from this point on, I could barely see it since it was using the sun to it's advantage (bird tactics). As it got lower and lower I was getting prepared to dive quickly. I realized that only my head was sticking out of the water and maybe it thought I was some small timid forest creature or something. I then decied to stand up and start yelling and splashing in the water. Now, I don't know what this looked like from a distance, but I hope no one was watching. But then the big bird flew away, so I guess it was a good idea!... apparently, not my week for animals. I ran into a similar problem with a cow last week in Missouri during my power walk. I'll explain that one at another time.

NEWS:

As of July 10th, the album THIRA should be available everywhere CD's are sold. If the store doesn't carry it, you can order it!

Home

Fire in the Sky
Originally uploaded by stromo.

Amazing sunset tonight in Santa Fe. A perfect way to end the June tour. It's great to be home and of course, I ran right out to have chips, salsa, guacamole and some margaritas. The food here in Santa Fe is like no other!!

Thanks to all the fan's who came out this month to see us.

Solar Music Fest - Taos

IMG_0043.JPG
Originally uploaded by stromo.

Today we played at the Music Fest in Taos. Interesting day as we were only able to sound check guitars.

During the show the sun started to come over roof of the stage and by the middle of the set we were completely in the sun light. It had to be about 104 degrees on that stage. The surface of the stage was black and we were wearing black clothes. (Didn't help the situation) At one point Ottmar had to put a shoe on to touch his pedal board for his electric guitar. I think you could have fried an egg on there.

All in all, the crowd was great and seemed to enjoy the set very much. Next time I think I'll bring an umbrella to play under.

Boulder, Co.

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Originally uploaded by stromo.

Great show in Boulder Co. Friday night. Wonderful crowd and I was able to talk with some fans after the show at the meet & greet.

Let's have a look at tonight's set up, shall we?

tonights set up
Originally uploaded by stromo.

Today in Seattle

View of the venue from the bus
Originally uploaded by stromo.

Took this picture as we pulled up in the bus. This is where OL did his first solo show. I'm digg'n the venue so far, it's really cool.

I walked around a bit today after we pulled up to the venue. I happened to stop in a coffee shop that Ottmar and Jon were sitting in. I took a quick pic of OL (here), grabbed my coffee went on my way to the Market Place.

This is my second time here and the weather has been beautiful both times, I've been lucky. Great view of Mt. Rainier today.

From Ottmar's Diary

Ottmar Liebert's Diary: Portland Yesterday

Last few days -

Just pulling into to Portland. Looks like it's cold outside, saw a bunch of people wearing jackets on the way in.

Nice shows at the Nugget Casino the last few nights. Great conversations with some fans afterwards.

The show in Fresno was great as well. Although during the performance, I noticed that a part of my nail chipped off and started snagging on the strings, total drag when that happens. Had to quickly switch to using my thumb to play the counter melody in Sao Paulo. I've made sure that I have a nail file sitting next to me during the show incase that happens again.

I've noticed that my 007 Casino Royal Dvd has been quite popular on the bus!