Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears.......

Over the years, since college, I have taught myself to play the guitar.  Since I love to sing, this has been wonderful.

Tuning is a Snap With My Cell Phone APP....
When I first began learning to play the guitar, it was necessary to learn how to tune the thing.  In order to tune it properly, I had to learn the names of each of the six strings.  That turned out to be easy, because if one remembers the cute little phrase, "Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears", then you have also memorized the names of the strings, from top (bass) to bottom---E, A, D, G, B and E.

When I first started out, I bought a Panasonic electronic tuner.  This was circa 1971 or thereabouts.  It was about the size of a carton of cigarettes and weighed about 2 pounds.  It was cumbersome.  It cost about $50 at the time, which was a king's ransom in those days.  Today, an electronic tuner can be purchased for between $20 and $90, depending upon what features you desire.  They are about half---or less---the size of a modern cell phone and weigh virtually nothing.


This is My Cell Phone With the Tuning App Running....


When I got my new smart phone a few months back, I was perusing the thousands of applications available.  Astoundingly, I ran across one that I could download to my phone that would tune my guitar---for free!

Needless to say, I did download it and now all I have to do is use my phone to get precise tuning anytime I want.  I love it.

14 comments:

  1. My husband is quite the guitar player, and I know he doesn't have this app. It will be a happy time for him this evening when I share it- thanks!

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  2. I love to sing, but cannot hold a note, who cares???

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  3. just plain scary what iphones can do...

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  4. I love to sing too...specially in the garden, with my headphones in the ears and the mp4 player in the pocket

    Never learned a guitar, but I love to hear them.

    Greetings

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  5. Wow! That's amazing. Ever since I got the Mac, I've been lost in all the apps out there. And the Kindle gives even more. But this is so useful, nice job.

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  6. Hi Clint,
    my first attempts on the guitar sounded like caterwauling. I love to sing too.
    Greetings Sabine

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  7. I am going to have to pass this on to a couple of guitar players I know - hubby and son. lol Thanks. sandie

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  8. I love to sing as well, problem is, it's not a joyful noise to my family!

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  9. Will wonders ever cease? How awesome is that app.

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  10. I guess I will someday have to cave in and learn what apps are and get a phone that has some! Loved the chick post!!

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  11. It's great to be able to play a musical instrument.

    I played the piano from a very early age and have loved music every since.
    Enjoyed your post Clint.

    Yvonne.

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  12. how 'bout that! what can't these phones do?

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  13. There really is an app for that?? Amazing.

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  14. What don't these phones do? Oh, I know, the dishes right? lol That's fantastic that you know how to play the guitar, there's nothing better on a beautiful summer night than to sit around a campfire and have the guitars come out.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

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