Sojourn

Sojourn is a group that describes itself as writers of "New songs for modern missional worship, rich in Christian teaching and contextualized in modern culture. Contemporary hymns, psalms, songs of lament and praise written by members of the Louisville, KY-based Sojourn Community."  They have seven albums that they have available on bandcamp's website and each is excellent in craftsmanship and messages (If you click on the image below you will go to their website).

Micah

I have been reading the Bible for a while now, and yet there are still several sections that are akin to reading the phone book.  Leviticus, and the Major and Minor Prophets tend to have a soporific effect on me.  Lately, however, I have been reading the minor prophets through a new lens. 

Context can make such a difference in anything.  A statement about a murder in the news we find sad and disturbing, but in a mystery movie we find it intriguing.  Often what was written in the Minor Prophets is devoid of context; simply personal messages stripped of a background story.  So, where do you find the background on the one of the Minor Prophets like Micah?  Well, the book of 1 and 2 Kings (which inconveniently isn't even near the prophets) tells the history of what was going on in Israel at the time they wrote.  Essentially Kings provides the overview to the primary sources of the prophets.  Many of the names and stories that are briefly referred to in the prophets are described in depth in the book of Kings.  It provides a framework to which one can place the messages of the prophets such as Hosea, Joel, or Jonah. 

As a result of this I have found the prophets to be much less of a sleep inducer than I once did.  Instead they add a great amount of depth to an already rich story of the nation of Israel from which our Savior came.

Next Guitar Build?

It is amazing what a little success can do for one's courage.  I have never owned a bass, but have always wanted one.  My all time favorite is of course a Fender.  The Jazz bass is their best looking model in my opinion and the most affordable version is the Squire.  Still, it is $300.

Another great looking bass by Fender is the Jaguar.  It came out recently and is vying for my aesthetic admiration.  Again this is still $300.

Really, $300 isn't bad, but after building a guitar for around $50 (that doesn't include the price of the neck) I have trouble thinking in terms of that much money.

So...I have two thoughts.
1).  guitarfetish.com sells kits for the Jazz bass for a measly $104.
2).  rondomusic.com sells an already finished Jazz bass copy for $119.

Of course, this is only the beginning.  The idea is to take the neck, electronics, and pickguard and transplant them into a body that I would build to match the telecaster thinline I just finished.  I'll have to think it through a bit more, but it might just work!

Pokey LaFarge

NPR has a great music page.  One section, called "Tiny Desk Concerts" has about 2 videos per week of unplugged musicians playing in NPR's All Songs Considered office.  Some of them are familiar, but most are refreshingly unfamiliar.  Pokey LaFarge is one such artist.  He plays songs both from and inspired by 1920's and 30's America.  He and his band even dress the part.  Enjoy!

Overflow Draft 2

So, today I had a thought about recording vocals.  The goal is to have a dead sound (not referring to the singer but the room).  I took some bi-fold doors left over from building our house and formed a circle with them and draped blankets inside of it.  Although not a perfect "dead" space, it did improve the sound of the vocals.  Because of the size requirements for these videos the audio quality isn't very good.  That will make what you hear be of poorer quality.  Even on my computer the song does still sound like someone recorded it in his office, basement or bedroom, but it is getting better!

Discovered Stats

Today I discovered that blogger lets you keep track of statistics about your page.  Amazing!  I had no idea how many of you out there are looking at this site.  Either there are a few of you or my mother keeps looking at it over and over again from different addresses (I'm wondering how she posts from Malaysia, Denmark and France, though).  Anyway, I greatly appreciate all 20 of you that watched the "Finished!" video today.  Post a comment if you can.  I'd love to know what you think.

Overflow Draft 1

Well, I have spent the day working on recording.  There are still a few things that I need to do but it is pretty close.  Vocal quality is still not the way I want it.  I need to record in a room with fewer hard surfaces.  Julie also said that the verses should be more staccato.  I think she is right.  The tele sounds great!  I am very pleased with that.  I also recorded myself on the piano and ukulele for the first on this song.  Fun.

Intonation

The intonation on the tele is now set thanks to some great advice from my Uncle Kevin.  It plays wonderfully!  Coupled with my little Vox tube amp it sounds great.  Tomorrow I'll record tracks for "Overflow."

Overflow

I finished the song "Overflow" recently.  In the next few days I hope to record it.  I need to make sure I have the whole thing mapped out, lay down the rhythm section, add instruments and finally record vocals.

Having the "tele" finished will be great for this song.  I have been working through different tones on my Vox Valvetronix amp to find the right setting.  I think I will also throw in a little ukulele on this song since it is starting to have a little bit of a Jack Johnson feel to it.

Finished!

It is finished!  Here is a video of the way is sounds and looks.  It is amazing to think that only a few months ago this was an idea.  This wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  Maybe I should build another one in the future?  Next time I think I'll do a Les Paul.  We'll see.  Thanks for being a part of all of this with me!

Polyurethane!

The end is near!  I put the second coat of polyurethane on today.  Take a look.

Stain

A quick video about staining.  It shows how the color of the guitar has changed with the stain.  It really brings out the grain.

Sanding and Striping

More progress.  It is looking less like a goofy woodworking project and more like a guitar!

The neck is on!

I got to work on the telecaster more yesterday and today.  The neck is on and it is looking good!  I still need to do the fine sanding, drill a few more holes, stain and finish it with polyurethane.  Strings won't be on for at least a week, but my fingers are itchin' already!

Artist?

Do you ever read something amazing and wonder how you found it.  I often find myself thankful for "favorites" tab on Explorer.  That way I don't lose a great site.  I thought of this because of an article I found today.

The article begins with the premise, "what is the difference between art and music?"  What a great question for all of the arts (ex. what is the difference between art and drawing?).  In his article Scott James asserts that artists create from within, aren't afraid of failure, believe that art matters, create art in every aspect of their lives, and try to make art happen in the real world.

These are challenging thoughts for someone who claims to be an artist.  Two of his points hit especially close to home: artists believe it matters, and they try to make it happen in the real world.  I have quite a few paintings stuffed away, never to see the light of day.  Much of what I do, even this guitar project, is for my own benefit and not in the service of others.

Scott alludes to the idea that art should be created to benefit others.  In education, researchers have found that students perform the best when they create for an authentic audience.  However, there is even one greater rung on the ladder of student performance.  If the object they create benefits or serves an authentic audience, their learning and performance will be at its maximum.

It would make logical sense then that artists will create the best when they know that their art is done in service.  It is a worthy aspiration to strive toward.  I wonder, could this be the highest goal of art?

Gluing

Well, it is coming together!  Starting to look good, too.  I have learned that I need to purchase more clamps.  There are two spots that didn't clamp down and you can see a gap between the poplar and pine.  Oops!  Now I know.  I think it is still fixable.  I'll need to try that next along with fixing the pick guard.  It does look good though.  I'm pleased.

New Video Coming Soon!

Today I finished cutting the top and gluing the three pieces together.  I also started to cut out the pickguard.  That wasn't as successful as I had planned.  I think I can salvage it though.  The rest is looking good.  It should be done drying tomorrow night!  I'll post a video of it all soon.  Time for bed.

Coming Together

I got home early today and Julie wanted the girls to get exercise.  So, that meant while they ran around outside in the snow flurries, I worked in the garage. I think I like it.

More Progress!

I finished my grading early today, so I got to work a bit more on the guitar!  This is a really quick video of what I did.  I also found out that Fender does make a guitar very similar to what I am creating.  The only real differences are the pick guard, the Les Paul like bridge and the dual tone and volume knobs.It is called the Jim Adkins model.  Julie says it sounds like a "fad diet."  Jim Adkins is the lead singer for Jimmy Eat World.  I'll have to look it up.

Telecaster Progress

I've done some more work on the telecaster.  Here is a brief summary of the progress.

"This is My Overflow" music

This is the music to the song that I used for the title of this blog.  Hopefully you enjoy it!