我的結他雜記: Guitar strings

How often are we supposed to change strings on guitar? I was told every 30 hours of playing. I seldom change unless it's broken (usually the high E)

I almost stopped playing my Steinberger Spirit after I've bought that Ibanez Acoustic. Maybe I should change the string on my Spirit then I have motivation to play it again. It's common for jazz guitarist to play 013 strings! The heaviest double-ball strings I could find is 011. However, I might stick with the same gauge. Lots of people says that if you switch gauge, the neck will get different string tension and will change the intonation and need to adjust trust rod or the bridge. Sounds too troublesome for me.

我的結他雜記: Alternative instrument

I bought a Hohner. Not a guitar, but a harmonica.

Hohner is actually very famous as a harmonica manufacturer. It's a good brand for harmonica.

Man, it's not easy to play though. One basic technique is bending. Like bending in guitar. (the term is actually borrowed from guitar) On a basic 10 hole harmonica, it doesn't have all notes on it (for example, no B-flat on a C major harmonica) so you have to bend. And bending is HARD! I haven't figured that out yet. :(

The reason I'm trying harmonica is that there is some pain in my ring finger. I guess I'm too old to start playing jazz guitar because jazz uses "big" chords that requires stretching my fingers very wide. I'm really afraid that I might have to stop playing guitar and bass forever. I'm looking at alternatives but nothing is comparable to guitar!