TexasToest: I was thinking of octave. :) In Eastern music there are 24 notes per octave :) They use quarter-tone notes where we use whole and half tone only. ;)

Groucho: I studied music theory in high school, and at the University of North Texas, and we only had 12 notes in the chromatic scale. The Eastern scale is more accurate, but no one can name all possible sounds that can be made in the name of music.

TexasToest: Yeah but in Eastern music it can sound so strange. Plus they don't use chords like we do. You can't get an Allen Jackson from a 24 note scale ;) But you can get an Abdulah Jahaladin

Groucho: I understand that, but we don't use that scale because we find our scale more pleasing due to the way our ears are trained. It doesn't mean we can't use those extra notes.....and in truth, we do.

TexasToest: True. Are you a piano player?

How do we use those other notes?

Groucho: Yes, I am a classically trained pianist - 16 years of study from age 9. I also play guitars (6 and 12), harmonica, and kazoo. Hahaha! I also sing. A piano is limited to the 12 keys we've discussed before, but the voice is not. The voice is limitless.

TexasToest: My voice is limited to all notes that are not in the key I'm trying to sing in!

Classically trained! I'm impressed. I should have stayed with piano. But the early lessons did put down a good foundation for later learning. I've played clarinet for years and still own the one I had in grade school. It has new pads and plays well. I still sound as bad as ever!@ ;)

Groucho: Oh, silly man. Music never sounds bad. It's just the tune you play is different from someone else's.

Classically trained, yes - including a short time in college. Then, I decided to major in Drama. Then, I decided to become an accountant. Oh well, it's all math - except for Drama, and that was what I do naturally - act!

TexasToest: Do you still play alot? And what exactly do you play with the guitar? Classical or folk or all the above?

Groucho: I have a piano in my living room I haven't played in years now, and two guitars - lovely 60s vintage Gibsons I also haven't played in years. I played folk with the guitars and harp. I did the folk music curcuit in East Texas in the 60s and performed at a historical coffee house here in Dallas on weekends. When I started my own business in 1988, I didn't do anything but work until I made myself sick. Then, I didn't do anything but be sick for a looooong time.

TexasToest: I'm here! ;) I know a good home for those Gibsons if you need someone to take care of them.

Groucho: I'v been lookin for a good twelve string myself..

Bwild: I just gave one away! Serious. My son owed me 500$ so a year or so ago he gave me his brand new Alverez 12 string. Then on his last visit he talked me out of it...free!!

It was a nice guitar too but I didn't play it as much. Plus I have an effects pedal and it's got 12 string guitar as one effect. ;)

Are you familiar with Leo Kottke?

Groucho: I had an Alvarez twelve...they are nice...never heard of Leo Kottke....why do you ask?

Bwild: http://www.guitarmusic.org/kottke/audio/who101.mp3

http://www.chiro.org/LINKS/Leo_Kottke.shtml

He's the master of the tweleve string ;)

Groucho & Bwild: I have resisted selling the guitars all these years, because I intend to play them again. When I can afford it (hopefully soon), I'm going to take voice lessons to improve my breathing. (Asthma that manifested itself when I was 48 has made singing very difficult for me.) When I get that back under control, I think making music will become a big part of my life again.

TexasToest: good for you....good guitars are hard to come by..

Bwild: Thank you. Someone who understands.

Grouchy, I know Leo Kottke, saw him live once. Quite the master, he is.