All Entertainment OK

When getting started in the exciting world of sports betting it can be really easy to assume that you’ll win every time and that you rake in 100% of your winnings and that that profit is completely available for you to spend on luxuries.

But that is not the case. You need to be aware of limitations that could surprise you.

Emotions: Sometimes your emotions get the better of you and you can bet too much or make tragic errors in judgment. To help you avoid that, start with ghost betting then move to small bets only on events you’re comfortable with then slowly start to introduce larger bets and bets on sports you’re not as familiar with. Figure out what you need to do to avoid feeling the emotional strain and do it. Because once you bring emotions into it, you’ll lose more often than win.

Bookmaker commissions: Remember that bookies take small commissions which means that some of your money - the money you thought you’d win - is gone before you even get it.

Exchanges charge a fee: usually this fee is 1% - 5% but that can be significant and it is gone before the money arrives in your hands.

Currency charges: Foreign currency costs money to translate into your currency. And what’s worse, credit cards and banks charge terribly high amounts of foreign currency transfer fees to do it. Be aware that if you win in one currency you can expect to see some of it disappear before it gets to you.

This has been an excerpt from Robert Thatcher’s flagstaff manual, the statisticalbettingguide.com/ Statistical Betting Guide.

Sun Tzu said: “If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt”. Making money with sports betting has nothing to do with gambling. Do you want to learn the secret methods successful bettors apply each and every day?

Robert Thatcher explains in easy words how to make money with sports betting. Download your copy at statisticalbettingguide.com/ statisticalbettingguide.com.

A poker shark is a very good player who feasts on the average player. By the end of the night, the shark will have most of the other players’ money. Some people think a poker shark is a player who goes in almost every hand and calls or raises a lot. This is not a shark; this is a player who may get lucky for awhile, win for awhile, but by the end of the night will have to rebuy in. This is the type of player you want playing at your table.

The last time I was in Las Vegas, I met, got to know, and became friends with what they call a poker shark.

Lucky for myself before I got to know this particular Poker Shark, he did not take me for any of my money when I sat down and played at his table. On the next night he was getting ready to play, we sat down and talked for a while. He told me everything he had observed about myself as a poker player. when I thought about it, everything he had perceptively picked up about my play and told me was true.

Usually my game is Limit Hold-em. But that day I sat down at a $1-2 No Limit table, which is not my regular game at all. The Poker Shark told me what he had seen in my play the previous night. He told me I was very nervous when I sat down. He was correct in his observation because I don’t normally play No Limit. He then went on to tell me different things about me; from the way I played with my chips when I had nothing to the way I touched my chips when I did have something.

He basically knew everything about what I did and how I played and he was right. Then we started to talk about the other players at the table from the night before and he told me everything that the other players would do which would give away if they had hand or not. It was unbelievable how fast he could read a player who had just sat down at the table.

He told me some of his techniques in how to read players. He explained what players do with their chips and what he would notice about their expressions. But to this day, I find it very hard to read other players and am still trying to use the Poker Sharks tricks and techniques.

This particular Poker Shark would come to the poker room around 12am in the morning knowing that many of the Players would already have a few drinks in them and were ready to lose their money to him. He played $1-2 No Limit. In the 7 days I played at the Poker Shark’s poker room, I watched him “play the players” and win $600 to $1000 every night and then go home.

A Poker Shark living in Las Vegas like this one, makes a very good living feasting on the fish he finds coming to the poker table every night. I learned a lot talking to him and watching him play over the week; much more than I ever learned reading a book. He is probably the best player I have played against.

So the next time you lose all your money to an older gentleman in a Vegas Poker Room, it just might be my poker friend shark…

Allen Silvester is a Canadian Poker Player who is one of the Managing Editors of Poker Reviews Vegas.

Read more information on players’ experiences in Vegas Poker Rooms at: pokerreviewsvegas.com pokerreviewsvegas.com

Seems like an easy question to answer, at first. American Idol is without doubt one of the most popular television programs in history, achieving ratings that are intimidating to any genre of television, not just reality TV alone. Year after year, American Idol has reigned as the most watched show on television, so how could it be considered a failure? The answer is simple, the success of the show is inextricably tied to the success of its purpose: to create a rock star.

I’d of not considered American Idol a failure myself until I read an article on BuddyTV which questioned one particular factor of that equation: had American Idol managed to nail the X-Factor. A better question would be, since it is viewers who decide the winners, do listeners even know what the x-factor is. Does American Idol, by providing a visually saturated experience, tilt the vote towards more of a popularity or Glamour contest? Looking at the past winners of American Idol, it’s obvious glamour is not of particular interest to the viewers, none-the-less the visual aspect can’t be denied. Could it be that the “average joe” has a propensity to vote off the pretty-faces?

Regardless of the inexact science, the prevailing question seems to be: has American Idol produced a bonafide pop-star worth of the herculean ratings? The answer is no. Album sales for Idol winners is on the order of around 10% of the viewing audience at peak. This doesn’t mean it will never happen, but for the time being while American Idol sets ratings records, its true purpose – to launch the career of a pop super star – remains woefully unfulfilled.

If you want to din out more info about buddytv.com/tvshow/American_Idol.aspx American Idol or buddytv.com/articles/american_idol/five_years_later_has_american.aspx Had American Idol managed to nail the X-Factor, please visit this link buddytv.com/ www.buddytv.com

Weekends are made for the sun, surf and sand, but during the week, there’s work to be done in Acapulco. Imagine going at lunch to watch the world-renown cliff divers or passing a free evening sipping a Coco-loco or Mai-tai on the beach as the sun turns the Pacific Ocean to gold and copper hues. Such is the lure of one of Mexico’s premiere playgrounds. But all play and no work makes Jack (or Jackie) a dull person, so let’s get to work bringing home the bacon so to speak. English language teaching professionals can find rewarding, stimulating work to offset the resort atmosphere that pervades everyday life here. Try these English language teaching schools for example.

Universidad Americana de Acapulco
Address: Costera Miguel Aleman No. 1756
Fracc. Magallanes
Phones: 986-5341,42 486-5618,19 485-3149,53
Website: www.uaa.edu.mx
E-Mail: info@uaa.edu.mx

You’ll need a fair cache of qualifications to land something here, but it’s worth a shot as salaries can be quite lucrative depending on your background and experience. Benefits can be interesting too, including tuition for advanced studies. Programs for English teachers are taught here and you might likewise have some luck with offering up-dated courses in Advanced Conversation, U.S. History or North American Studies. The first step should be to visit their web site for program details, then follow up with a series of concise e-mails to make proposals. The site here isn’t that big though and you might have better luck working from other university offices in Chilpancingo or even Mexico City, but don’t pass up an opportunity to interview or inquire directly here in Acapulco.

RALHER INSTITUTE
Address: Velasquez de Leon 485-A altos 2 Centro

Phone: 483-2344

An individualized audio-visual system is employed here, supposedly making classes more dynamic for students of all ages. The institute isn’t huge but can have a fair number of students at various times of the year. If you have business experience or can teach business English, so much the better. Be sure to bring up those points during an interview or application process. Classes tend to be early or late with a few during the day offerings.

Centro Universitario de Lenguas Extranjeras
Address: Mar de Akaba Ote. 8
Fracc. Las Anclas (in front of the offices of La Estrella de Oro bus lines)
Phones: 485-3587, 486-9855

Other languages, in addition to English, are often taught here, depending on the time of year, but English is their big draw. Native speakers are always in high demand, especially those who are career teachers and not just “tourists passing through”. You may well spend your evenings and weekends at the beach or in the myriad of discos, but by all means do present and conduct yourself as a professional during interviews and working hours. That will afford you excellent opportunities of landing a decent contract here (or elsewhere).

Instituto de Educacion Superior “JAIME TORRES BODET”
Address: Av. La Suiza No. 160
Fracc. Las Playas (Caleta)

Phones: 482-6121, 482-3777, 483-8184
E-Mail: iesjtb@aca-novenet.com

This mid-size school runs programs for children and adults in addition to its intensive summer courses in July and August. It’s in a fairly upscale section of town so the students pay well to attend classes here. This gives you better options, as a native English speaker, to negotiate a good salary. They may well ask for you to teach a “sample” lesson too, so be prepared.

Be sure to check out my other articles in the two continuing series: Teaching English in Mexico and Traveling in Mexico. If you would like more information, have questions or comments, the author can be e-mailed; see address below.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an ELT Teacher Trainer, English language learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. He has published more than 350 articles and academic papers and presented at numerous EFL teacher training and TEFL conferences throughout North America, South America and Europe. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: mailto:lynchlarrym@gmail.com lynchlarrym@gmail.com

How pure it burns the Northern Lights, over Minnesota’s mystic nights; here stirs the winds with deathless wings, with secrets undivided; ye, here moans the forest deep to think, what heart would seek, to take, or reap, its strange and deep beauties, and deeper joys from its woodlands, and kindly trees, from its little creek, nearby.

#1367 6/5/2006 When I was at Pine Creek, by Lake Superior, in Bayfield, Minnesota I noticed animal foot prints, in the sand, and the creek, in the back of an old B&B, where I stayed, was as lovely as the day is long. My wife and I climbed down the slope to it, gazed at it; then walked deep into the woods behind the old mansion, up a cliff (sort off). It was all raw beauty, such as will be gone someday I suppose, so we must capture it now. The poem is small, and is composed of a few fragments, of the beauty of Minnesota’s Northerly Lights, its woods, and the little creek, but I felt the commentary should be longer than the poem in this case. When you walk into the thick deep woods by the creek, it is infested with mosquitoes, and the sound of bears, not sure if it is just the winds or the trees, whatever it sounds like wings flapping and one does not see birds until you are out in the opening; in places it is dim, and in other places gleaming with the morning sun; whispers unknown to me, I heard; as if eyes were seeking light but finding me, almost to the loss of a heart beat, I walked to and fro, and then out of this cloud of a forest, then went into the B&B for breakfast.

See Dennis’ web site: dennissiluk.tripod.com dennissiluk.tripod.com

In America, poets are held in such low esteem that even the most Honored Representative from Nigeria won’t bother scamming us. Society says to us what Dermot Mulroney says to Julia Roberts in “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” that we are “The pus that infects the mucus that cruds up the fungus that feeds on the pond scum.”

Even being cheated by Mr. Honorable Minister, however, is preferable to the poetry scams that have proliferated. Wind Publications’ Literary Scam guide has this to say:

Hidden among the many sponsors of legitimate literary contests advertised on the internet lurk those who care little about literature, its audience, or authors. These organizations and individuals exist solely for profit through their so-called writing or poetry contests. Often you’ll find these “free” poetry contests lavishly advertised in your local newspaper.

There is a cottage industry of writing scams perpetuated by pus poetry pimps, the chief among them International Library of Poetry, aka Noble House Press, aka Poetry.com. They advertise in USA Weekend and the Penny Saver–well, not the Penny Saver, but they might as well, because that sums up their opinion of poets. If you’ve seen the ads or received a letter that says, “Congratulations, your poem has been selected for our next anthology,” congratulations, you’re being scammed.

Like so-called modeling agencies or “talent agents” who prey on the dreams of nubile girls wanting to be the next Lindsay Lohan, poetry pyramid schemes exploit the number one hope of writers: publication, and more importantly, recognition. Many excellent Web sites such as Preditors and Editors and PoetryNotCom detail the outrageous mechanics of poetry “anthology” scams, and the infamous Wergle Flomp Poetry Contest by WinningWriters.com cheerfully skewers vanity poetry contests and the submicroorganisms who perpetuate them.

How do you spot a poetry scam? Look for…

1. Insane pie in the sky prize amounts.

I ran the DeAnn Lubell Professional Writers’ Competition. Most poetry contests with reading fees pay, at most, $1,000, and that’s for a book-length manuscript of poetry. For a single poem, the first prize pot is usually a whopping $100, $150 tops. A $20 million prize, as dangled by Noble House, is a big crimson flag. Oh, and no one ever offers poets a chance to win a world cruise. It’s usually assumed that we sail around the world on a Mark Twain raft, a sampan, or a Hemingway skiff.

2. No contest fees.
Wergle Flomp is the only “F*r*e*e” poetry contest. Now, people on the Internet and toiling poets naturally leap at the word “F*r*e*e”. But, like victims of those modeling scams, you’ll end up paying for your moment of bargain hunting. Modeling scams want you to work with a particular photographer (usually fake European). Likewise, poetry scams won’t let you even see your poem in print unless you pay for the anthology. When you do pay for the anthology, you may wonder if you just bought a copy of the Penny Saver, because your poem looks like it was crammed onto the page to make room for the “Spot the Difference” puzzle and the adult talk lines. Then there are those awards banquets…

3. Phony awards banquets.
Ten years ago, no joke, I received a mailing from Famous Poets Society that lured me to fork over the cash to attend an awards banquet and convention. If I paid my money, I could join the elite company of poets such as…Ted Lange of “Love Boat” fame. Who knew Isaac the bartender was a closet Langston Hughes? Plus, I could win $6,000 in door prizes. Now, if you’ve ever attended a poetry reading, especially in coffeehouses, you know that poets wear their vow of poverty as proudly as a Che Guevara T-shirt. Just the thought of winning $25 in a poetry slam made my fellow poets and me weep more cathartically than the contestants on “Deal or No Deal.” And Ted Lange usually doesn’t attend.

4. Questionable reputation or none at all.
In poetry, if you don’t have Nikki Giovanni, Czeslaw Milosz or Donald Hall front and center in your magazine, plus several angsty Eastern European poets, would-be poets drop you like Oprah dropped James Frey. Look for magazines, publishers and poetry contests that publish and are judged by literary lions. It’s Bukowski or bust. And when Poetry.com can’t figure out that Dave Barry and 20/20 are hoaxing them, the joke’s on Poetry.com. Similarly, if a vanity press charges you $3,000 to $8,000 to publish your collection of poems, and the top author promoted by Façade Press is an eighteen-year-old writing poems from the point of view of her liver, save your money for the hard work of actually submitting your poems to Threepenny Review, or literary magazines or publishers that you read about in Writer’s Market or Poets and Writers.

5. Advertising in newspapers and glossy magazines.
Real poetry contests don’t advertise in USA Weekend–sure, USA Weekend may sponsor a teen essay contest, but poetry advertisers? Forget it. People don’t pick up USA Weekend as a literary publication, even though USA Weekend features books and authors. If you see a mass call for poets in a mass market magazine, give it a miss. Real poetry contests get deluged with submissions as it is. They don’t need to fish for more.

6. Sending you a letter of acceptance for a contest you can’t remember entering or a publisher you can’t remember submitting to.
I admit, as a writer I have difficulty keeping track of what I sent to whom and when—we go into writing to avoid paperwork, not do it, although when we’re not in the mood, reorganizing files suddenly becomes as tempting as a day in Cancun. Fortunately, Writer’s Market features a Submission Tracker, and some enterprising bloggers actually post their submission schedule to make the rest of us sigh in unorganized envy. If you can’t find the cover letter/e-query in your file cabinet, on your computer, on your Zip drive (you do back up, right?), or in your Sent folder, chances are you never submitted to National Library of Poetry or Wordscum.com (apologies if there actually is a Web site out there called Wordscum.com). Yes, after 300 rejections, getting an acceptance letter may be a boost, but to misquote Groucho Marx, think twice before you accept just any club that will have you as a member. Aim higher. Imagine if JK Rowling had just said, “All right, I’ll pay a million pounds to have a few hundred copies of Harry Potter for my friends and relatives to buy.”

7. Promising to get your book or handsome anthology on the bestseller rack in bookstores.
Number one, PoetryNotCom is one of the many sites reporting that this claim is bogus. Number two, most people who go into a bookstore to read poetry probably can find the poetry section blindfolded and spend three hours debating the symbolism in Whitman over a decaf skinny latte at Borders Café. Number two, although getting your book in bookstores is still the gold standard, Amazon.com and online retailing make it easy for even the tiniest press to get books noticed. Number three, bookstores are so glutted with inventory that they can’t even stock the POD books, let alone anything from ScamPoet Publishing or Poetry.com, and bookstores will not accept vanity press books. For that matter, no poet besides Ludacris or Jimmy Carter will end up on the bestseller list in a bookstore. We don’t go into poetry to be rich. We go into poetry to sound our barbaric yawp…and a fellowship or two is nice, too.

Many beginning poets get bilked, but you don’t have to. If you’re smart and ambitious, you’ll be a successful poet with tons of lierary magazines and e-zines bearing your byline. Poetry.com and its ilk will always be “The pus that infects the mucus that cruds up the fungus that feeds on the pond scum.”

Movie reviewer/screenwriter (”Blood Mask,” filimng summer 2006) Kristin Johnson composes personalized poems, speeches, toasts, vows, and family memories. Visit poemsforyou.com poemsforyou.com to order your personalized memories. She is also co-author of the Midwest Book Review “enthusiastically recommended” pick Christmas Cookies Are For Giving: Stories, Recipes and Tips for Making Heartwarming Gifts (ISBN: 0-9723473-9-9), dedicated in part to her mother and grandmother.

Her soul is dark
She pins her dreams out on a clothesline
waiting for the sun to meet her in a closet
to revive unread plans.

I think she wore a jasmine in her hair
the last time that I saw her.
I can’t remember.
I do remember that the swans came round
scolded me
for not accepting second chances.

Lydia had a box of sequins
that she kept inside her pocket.
She was seen sewing them to the moon
and making requests for sainthood.
I stood there in the glow
and admired her confidence.

I felt jealous of her travels
and her boldness.
She told me later that she saw me
standing in the doorway.
I did not tell her I was waiting for approval.

I keep in contact with her
now and then.
I ask her what to wear
and music she has heard
that I might like.
She always tells me I look best in lavender
but I know that isn’t true.

I lost her trust many years ago.

We met at a train station
went on a journey.
We had intentions of creating fresh stories
new swan songs.
Well… she did at least.
I was haunted by a confined mind.
I could not think beyond the mermaid
she held captured in a jar.
I guess I related too much.
I could only think of how to free her.

It doesn’t really matter

I say that to myself
as I unfold and refold
the pieces of art we made together.

Lydia’s eyes are even darker now
that’s the rumor.

Yet I will always admire her
and her quest to capture sparrows
unlocked by wings of depraved
but well meaning caretakers.
Lydia claims she means to heal them.

And the mermaid?
She traveled well.
I bring her jasmine in the summer
and gifts of chocolate and green tea.
I keep sequins in the jar she came in
reminding me of train stations
words that could not find their way
and swans that come round.

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen
Fantasy Art Woman

I am a figurative artist and illustrator living in Hawaii. Most of my work is painted in oils. I also do sculpture. I illustrated for Hay House Inc.,”Women Who Do Too Much” CARDS taken from Anne Wilson Schaef’s book. I also illustrated for Neil Davidson, who was considered for the Pulitzer Prize in feature writing, and several other publications. My paintings are collected worldwide.

In every single one of my paintings my objective is to ‘know them’. To let character reveal their own vision or message. I am often astounded as their presence unfolds and I am met with who they are. I then realize that who ‘they’ are defines me as well. My hope is that my paintings & sculptures relate to you, and that legends of mermaids; whimsical angel pictures; and tooth fairies fantasies give you the message you need for your own heart and soul. kathysart.com kathysart.com and kathysart.blogspot.com kathysart.blogspot.com

Human Religion indeed; Ha Ha Ha; Religion is a real Human Problem, from the VooDoo witch doctors in Haiti, to the African religions, which say if a woman does not have five living kids that the gods are saying she is unworthy when the mortality rate is 5:1 meaning she has to have 25 kids for five to survive? Then it becomes the Worlds Problem to feed them? And then the notion that the only way to get rid of AIDS is to have sex with a virgin, so they run around looking for 4 year olds who are still virgins.

But all the World Religions although many are somewhat better, are not much really. Religion is something that the first world no longer needs, as civilizations of human kind have out paced the usefulness of these make believe stories. I predict 30 years until the end of religion, if religion does not destroy them selves thru in-fighting.

Personally religon does not affect me, and provides some sound and fury to participate in for merely opinion sake? Exciting the brains chemicals arguing over irrelevance in the life experience. But from outside the religious cave flickerings, it is obvious that religion is one of the major problems keeping humans from a one-world common cause to unite the species in celebrating what it is to be alive as humans in this excellent gift of life. So why kill each other? Seems rather ridiculous.

Religious Wars and Culture Clashes go on to this day, but again, if one group tries to kill another then the revenge, fear and fight and flight kicks in and thus reciprocal responses until the fictitious hell freezes over? Well, isn’t that just a wonderful life’s mission indeed? Do we really need religion at all? Consider this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/ Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance in the Online Think Tank and solve the problems of the World; WorldThinkTank.net www.WorldThinkTank.net/

On Sunday I watched the Bengal’s 28-20 win over the Steelers. I came away with several impressions including a new found respect for Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis.

The Steelers completely dominated the first quarter and it looked like it was going to be an extremely long day for fans in the Queen City. Pittsburg led 7-0 owning a 128-26 total yardage edge and a 9-2 first down edge. The Steelers were first and goal from the Bengal six as they changed sides.

On the first play of the second quarter, Roethlisberger made a horribly ill-advised throw over the middle that was picked off by Madieu Williams. Equally ill-advised was Williams not taking the touchback and running the ball out from six yards deep and getting dropped at the three.

In my eyes, the game changed as much on the next play as it did from the result of the interception. Carson Palmer calmly drops back into his own end zone and hits Houshmanzadeh at the Pitt 24 for an 18 yard gain. The Steelers balloon was popped and the Bengals methodically drove the field 97 yards in 14 plays for the 7-7 tie.

Pittsburg responds with a 6-minute drive of their own that stalls on the Bengal 30. Despite Heinz Field being known as a graveyard for kickers outside of 40 yards, Cowher opts for 48-yarder on 4th-and-15 which is quite predictably blocked.

With 1:03 to play in the half, Lewis opens up with 9-yard shovel pass that should have gone for much more. With 10 seconds left in the half, Palmer finds Chris Henry with on a three yard fade route for a 14-7 halftime lead.

The third quarter was almost an instant replay of the first with the Steelers holding the ball for 10:39 and regaining a 17-14 lead. Unfortunately for the Steelers, the fourth quarter was an instant replay of the second.

It looked like Pitt would grind out a 3-6 point win when the Steelers muffed a punt which was recovered by the Bengals at the Pittsburg nine with 8:07 left to play. Bang! Palmer to Houshmanzadeh and it’s 21-17 Cincinnati. Vernon Haynes fumbles on the second play of the subsequent drive, Bang! Palmer to Houshmanzadeh for 30 yards and 28-17 lead. Two plays off turnovers, 39 yards, 10 elapsed seconds and two touchdowns. Point, set, match.

I graduated High School in 1978 and like many of you played football. I can remember two givens. Wanna run your ass off? Try picking up a fumble and running rather than just falling on the ball to make a recovery. Coach Meredith would pick out the offender, dress him down at the beginning of practice, and tell him to get going. Three hours later, he could still be seen circling the goal posts in the glow of street lamps and headlights.

The second was, no matter where we were on the field, after a turnover, we were going for the end zone or trying a gadget play attempting to tear the heart out of an opponent. Everyone knew it was coming, more often than not, it still worked. There’s nothing more demoralizing than a bad turnover. Well there is. Giving up points on the play following a bad turnover.

There was no doubt in my mind at the beginning of the year that the Cincinnati Bengals were a good football team, just not an elite team that could contend for a Super Bowl title. Some of my doubts revolved around HC Marvin Lewis. Seeing this aggressive fearless side of Lewis along with the job he did over the summer when half his team was on the police blotter has dispelled many of my doubts about him. The Bengals may not win the Super Bowl or even come out of the AFC but they are definitely for real and Super Bowl contenders.

Dennis Macklin is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League.
Read all of his articles at procappers.com/Dennis_Macklin.htm procappers.com/Dennis_Macklin.htm

Having been a guitar player for over 20 years, I am often amazed at the number of guitarists that have never taken the time to learn the notes on their fretboard. I have met guitar players that gig on a regular basis, and yet are unable to find a C# on the 3rd string, an A natural on the 4th string or an F natural on any string! Little do they know that by learning this one simple thing, their playing and enjoyment of the instrument will increase ten fold!

It was while studying at the Guitar Institute in London that I first realised that many players do not develop this part of their playing. This realisation prompted me to want to find a way that guitar players could learn this simple thing with the minimum of effort. Some of them could play every guitar solo Jimi Hendrix recorded, yet couldn’t name one single note!

My feeling was that most guitar players just didn’t want to spend time on something that they felt wouldn’t benefit them that much. Unless their practice time resulted in them learning a flash guitar lick they just didn’t want to know. Always one for a challenge, I decided it was my duty to show these poor souls the light. How would I do that?

I decided to use my good friend, Paul, as a guinea pig. Although he played quite well, he, like countless others, hadn’t learnt his fretboard. I asked him why. His reply went something like this: “Why would I want to spend time learning the notes on the fretboard when I could be working on a Jimi Hendrix solo? No, it’s not for me, it just seems like so much effort for nothing. I’d rather learn a new chord shape or a hot guitar lick. I honestly don’t see the point.”

Paul’s response was pretty much the same as the other people I asked. “Waste of time,” one said. “I’ll probably get round to it one day,” chirped another. Little did any of these people know, familiarising themselves with their fretboard would not only improve their guitar playing it would DRAMATICALLY improve their musicianship!! I set to work on Paul.

I wrote out a diagram of the fretboard with 12 frets and 6 strings. I then wrote in all the notes and handed it to Paul. “What do you want me to do with this?” he asked. “I want you to learn it,” I replied. “Take it home, study it, and then let me give you a test.” He wasn’t overly keen on doing this, but I managed to persuade him. I gave him two weeks to learn it all. He placed the sheet into his guitar case and took it away with him.

It was actually three weeks later that I next saw Paul. “How did you get on with the fretboard study,?” I asked him. “Ok,” he replied. “Right, let me test you.” Paul took out his guitar and placed it on his knee. “Ok, an easy one to start. Show me an A on the 6th string.” Paul thought for approx 15 to 20 seconds and then successfully placed his finger on the 5th fret. I congratulated him, “Well done” Let’s try another. Show me where to find an E flat on the 3rd string.” Paul’s face sank. He thought about it, and then he thought some more, and then, he played me……F sharp! I was disappointed. “Wrong! Let’s try another one. How about D on the 2nd string?” This is quite an easy one, but once again, after some thought, Paul failed to find D. “Ok, a C natural on the 3rd sring.” Once again Paul couldn’t do it. I asked him why. “Well, I did try, but it is just too mind numbingly boring. It’ll take ages for me to learn the whole neck,” Paul complained. Now I couldn’t let this go. It wasn’t a light hearted challenge any more. Paul was going to learn the fretboard whether he liked it or not.

I set to work on an instructional booklet that would make learning the fretboard easy and fun. I also knew that I had to make it motivational and inspiring. I worked hard typing up the study. In 5 days I had a rough copy. I printed it off and took it round to Paul’s house. “Not again,” muttered Paul when I handed him the booklet. “Just humour me, and give it one more go,” I pleaded. He reluctantly agreed. I didn’t want to push my luck too much, so I quickly left and wished him well.

Four days later there was a loud knock on my front door. “Ok, ok,” I yelled as I rushed to answer it. As I pulled open the door, I found an extremely excited Paul with his guitar case in hand. “Test me again,” he demanded. He pushed past me to the living room and opened up his case. “Go on, ask me any note on any string.” I sat down and called out G flat on the 3rd string. The words had no sooner left my lips when Paul was on the 11th fret playing me the requested note. “And another,” my friend requested confidently. “Ok, C sharp same string.” Paul played the C sharp. I then asked for a D on the 1st string, an F sharp on the 2nd, a C on the 4th. Paul played each one without any hesitation. “What do you think about that?” he asked smugly. Oh no, I thought, I’ve created a monster!!!!

Paul then went on to play notes all over the neck, calling them out as they sounded. I couldn’t believe it, I knew my fretboard study was good but I didn’t expect these results. Paul was delighted. He thanked me for the study, and also for encouraging him to master his fretboard. He said he now knew what I had meant when I told him how much this knowledge would improve his playing. “That study is dynamite,” he told me. Maybe he had a point.

Now, a few years down the line, I realise just how true Paul’s words were. The study IS dynamite. I have used it with many of my students and they have all reported results that are equally as impressive as Paul’s. After much encouragement from my students and friends, I have now decided to make it available worldwide. For the small price of £5.00 (five pounds), you too can experience what Paul did all those years ago, and also what countless other people are experiencing today. If you are serious about being a guitar player you really need to know your fretboard. Visit our website at www.jack-sky.com for your copy of this great ebook. You will not be disappointed.

Improve today - Grab the Fretboard Master!

Peter Jones is the Managing Director of Jack Sky Ltd. Based in the great city of Liverpool, Jack Sky is committed to providing 1st class guitar tutorials to all of its customers. A warm welcome awaits you at jack-sky.com jack-sky.com