Running through Sam Ash...

Yesterday my girlfriend and I headed into the city for a day trip and then a Liberty game in the evening. Whenever we head into the city, we always make some time to head on over to what we call "Sam Ash Alley" on 48th. We spent about 3 hours in the alley playing, laughing, and oogling several instruments that will never be ours.

We hit Manny's Music first. I honestly like Manny's better than Sam Ash. When I walk into a music store, I don't want to be put off because I'm a girl. I don't want to feel like I'm stupid and I don't appreciate the glances and the looks I get. I feel like Sam Ash is sexist, but it is true...they have the best selection of guitars (besides Manny's). I played a Fender yesterday and it's just a different feel. The polish and body is so different from my Washburn. I personally am looking for an acoustic, so walked through the glass doors to look at the acoustics. I found my ovation that I want, but then I found the Ibanez Talman that I was looking at online. I decided, hey what the hell since I'm here let me try out a few of these guitars and then I'll make a decision. The Ovation is the one that I dreamed of having ever since I fell in love with Melissa Etheridge's music. It has a nice shallow body (I am small...I'm thin and 5'4) that fits me perfectly. This was the first time that I played it and my fingers hurt. I don't know if it's because I was uncomfortable (I was feeling a little lousy and it was clammy outside), maybe I played too much on the others (I did happen to sample several guitars yesterday), or maybe I was in pain from playing the trumpet (more on that in a few).

I was astounded at the fact that I could barely play the guitar that I want. I've played it several times before. I LOVED the Ibanez Talman. It's a nice price at $199. It's blue and it has an interesting body. I liked playing on it and I enjoyed the acoustic sound on it. I want to go back and try it out some more before finalizing my decision between the two.

Then I found another guitar that I'm going to buy within the year. The Martin Backpack Guitar. It's freakin small and thin. And I want it. It weighs less than 2.5 pounds and it doesn't look like a guitar (as my girlfriend called it "A stick with strings"). It's mine...and I found it online on music123.com for $166.

Kate got to play the Ibanez Steve Vai JEM. She's been obsessing over this guitar for years now. I went to the Brass store and I got to play a $3,000 Bach Strad. I was amazed at the feel. The strad fit nicely in my hands, and I was very very stiff while playing, and I got weird looks from the man who let me play it...but nonetheless I really enjoyed playing a Bach Strad.

I also went to look at some Keyboards. I'm going to purchase some form of a keyboard by sept. because I am going into Theory I. In my past experiences of Theory at Post (aka my nightmare) I know the keyboard is central to the learning process. I found a 66 key, Yamaha I believe it was for 50 somewhat dollars. Yeah it's not a baby grand, but I'm not a keyboardist by default. I want to work out chords and the such without the organ downstairs. Besides the organ is very very old and is not in top shape.

Then Kate was talking about her keyboard and for the price she got it at...I'm considering it. I'm considering making this purchase within the next two months.

I started to practice again today. I'm hurting like a bitch, so I'm going to grab something COLD to drink and try to ice down the swelling bulge in my cheek.