When You Can't Play...

Levi's plight got me to thinking. What do you do when you need a guitar fix, but you can't play due to neighbors, responsibilities, or a boo-boo on your finger? Here are some options...

You can watch other people play...
Guitar Player TV is produced by the good people at Guitar Player Magazine and features big names in guitar, ranging from Larry "Mr. 335" Carlton to Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society). With a decent connection, each section downloads quickly, and the interface is pretty good as well - you can even use the slider to skip that damn Washburn ad. Zakk Wylde's solos are nuts, Thom Bresh is stunning in a different sort of way, and you really should check out the "Gypsy Guitarre" section. Joscho Stephan is completely incredible; his fretting is crazy, but look at his picking hand on "After You've Gone." Fucking amazing.

You can pretend to play...
Once you have seen these guys and grown distraught at your dismal lack of skills, you may want to make a little music of your own to convince yourself that you are still worthy. Fernandes Fretless Guitars offers two nifty little aplets that allow you to "play" a virtual fretless guitar (just like a regular guitar, but the fingerboard is kind of like that of a cello). First, open the Fretless Guitar Simulator and mouse over the numbers 1 through 6 to hear the licks they offer. You can also click on each number to get another lick. Click on the drum button and combine the 12 licks into your own song. You can also open up the Tonal Center Practice Tool, and try it in any key (I think the licks sound really good in A and G).

You can start a project...
If forking out the $800 bucks for a Fernandes fretless model seems a bit steep to you, here is a site that offers tips on making a garage sale acoustic into a Fretless Frankenstein.

There you go - no whining, Levi.