Class Handout for All My Fairfax County Classes. David Raleigh Arnold 20021208

My telephone number is: 703-573-6955 Push 2.  If you must miss a class, be sure
to check my #2 message box just before the next class.  Perhaps the class was
notified of a cancellation or time change on the night that you missed.

Regarding weather cancellations, the Park Authority follows the Schools, and
the information is put on the media, or call 703-324-8661.  Instead of
returning calls inquiring about weather cancellation of County classes, I will
use the machine.  All will be made up.  If you signed up for eight sessions,
there will be eight, no matter what it takes, which is usually extending as
many weeks as necessary.

**** For guitar students: 

Do not buy any tuner that is not an automatic chromatic tuner.  Any guitar
which has a movable bridge, or has the bridge perpendicular to the strings, may
be strung with polyester regardless of the intent of the manufacturer.  Use
nylon if you can't find polyester.  If you have a solid body electric, do not
expect to use your amplifier's speakers, bring a connecting cord, and you can
use 0.009" for a first string.  Otherwise, the first string, if metal, should
be 0.010" in diameter, or you will suffer needless, futile, pointless pain.
The strings that came on your guitar are almost certainly not ok.  There is
some physical pain involved in learning every musical instrument ever invented,
but having strings heavier than they have to be is like hitting yourself on the
head with a hammer.

For classical guitars, next time you get strings get polyester if you can.  The
low strings are always overspun with metal, but what is inside those windings
must not be metal, or the excessive tension will destroy any lightly built
guitar.

If you are left handed, get a left handed guitar or reverse the order of the
strings if all strings sound the same length.

The left hand fingernails must be very short.

**** For 5-string banjo players: 

An automatic chromatic tuner is a great thing to have.  Do not buy any other
type.  (Use whatever you have.)  Take the back of the banjo off and inspect the
inside.  The back is called the resonator, and it is considered an accessory
rather than a part of the instrument.  You want to know how the neck is
connected to the body, that's all.  Camera straps are good, or banjo straps
that are just like camera straps.

The left hand fingernails must be very short.  If you are left handed get a
left handed banjo.

**** For 10 hole diatonic harmonica players: 

Any non-chromatic (plain, no levers) 10 hole harmonica in C should be just
fine, they are the most common.  If you have a harp with 12 or more holes or in
another key, get a 10 hole in C for the class and leave the other at home.