Guitars on the Camino

[Nancy walker]

Hello!

I'm suddenly wishing I could take a small guitar along with me for my 6 week camino. But I realise this is impractical. I think 6 weeks without being able to play will cripple me. I'm a songwriter, and wish to write whilst walking. I love the idea of evenings spent strumming away whilst looking out over Spain.

Does anyone have experience of walking with a small guitar. I Taylor Baby perhaps. Or are there sometimes guitars at albergues!??

Thank you from a music loving pilgrim!

Nancy
x

 

[Sheffield James]

What about a ukulele? I've seen several on my caminos (not lying around in the albergues) + they seem much more portable than a guitar. They sound good, too.

 

[Nancy walker]

What about a ukulele? I've seen several on my caminos (not lying around in the albergues) + they seem much more portable than a guitar. They sound good, too.

I've just been looking into this! It'd be so ace to learn a new string instrument whilst caminoing!

 

[evanlow]

Like this lady who I saw playing in Finisterre.

 

[Calimocho]

I think you can do it. I'm planing on bringing my fiddle on my Camino next month. It was tricky figuring out the logistics, but I think I finally have a solution. My $20 yard sale fiddle will fit inside my backpack without a case (I have a cloth bag) and I can pack all my clothing etc around it. I also have a sort of cardboard tube for the bow, which I'll strap to the outside. I would recommend getting a small and inexpensive guitar that you won't mind if it gets a little beat up - my brother bought a backpacking model on Amazon that was cheap. Message me if I can provide more details. I hope you bring the guitar!

 

[SYates]

Oh yes! Bring (light weight!) instruments and the lyrics of some well known songs and you will make new friends even faster than normal on the Camino ;-) Buen Camino, SY

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I have seen several of these on caminos:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Martin-and-...612893?hash=item4b07c0a51d:g:ubsAAOSw9NdXs9mW

 

[Calimocho]

Hello!

I'm suddenly wishing I could take a small guitar along with me for my 6 week camino. But I realise this is impractical.

This is the one my brother bought from Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002EB68RC/?tag=casaivar02-20

 

[frankop]

I've just been looking into this! It'd be so ace to learn a new string instrument whilst caminoing!

Hey, a couple of thoughts for guitar and/or ukulele. There are travelling guitars that have narrow bodies. Think of it as the neck that goes all the way down to the pegs. The only problem is that some people use the body to rest a finger or two while playing. If this is your style of playing, it might be a challenge, or you might get used to it.

Regarding the ukulele. The fingering is the same as a guitar. The only difference is that the musical notes are shifted by five frets. For instance: if you play the chord for G on the uke, it will look like a D on the guitar. So all chords and notes are shifted by 5 semi-tones (frets). If you want to play the A on the uke, then use the same fingering as the E on a guitar.

Good luck

 

[Nancy walker]

much food for thought... hmmmmm... I could bring a guitarlele... a uke sized guitar... for 1.4kg.. EEK. Maybe I can do without my shoes!?

 

[Calimocho]

Oh yes! Bring (light weight!) instruments and the lyrics of some well known songs and you will make new friends even faster than normal on the Camino ;-) Buen Camino, SY

• I have started another thread with the title "Songs and lyrics for singing together on the Camino". Let's see if we can come up with a good list of songs. Thanks for the idea @SYates

 

[JennyH94]

Hi Nancy -

If you decide against taking your own guitar, you'll find a guitar which many pilgrims love to play at Refugio Gaucelmo at Rabanal, past Astorga. The guitar is in their salon and is there for anyone to play. Pilgrims sometimes play the guitar at the afternoon tea which is served by the hospitaleros each day and also in the evenings. A small crowd generally gathers around and it's a wonderful shared Camino experience.

Buen Camino - may you find music every day as you make your way on those ancient and magical paths to Santiago.

Cheers - Jenny

 

[Rod Murray]

Hello!

I'm suddenly wishing I could take a small guitar along with me for my 6 week camino. But I realise this is impractical. I think 6 weeks without being able to play will cripple me. I'm a songwriter, and wish to write whilst walking. I love the idea of evenings spent strumming away whilst looking out over Spain.

Does anyone have experience of walking with a small guitar. I Taylor Baby perhaps. Or are there sometimes guitars at albergues!??

Met a group of Americans on our first day on the Camino, in Ponferrada, and one of them carried his backpackers guitar all the way to Santiago! We stayed in the same place a few nights, but regrettably, I never got to hear him play! His name was Octavio.

 

[DurhamParish]

.. I could bring a guitarlele... a uke sized guitar...

That's what it looks like the young lady is playing in Evanlow's post above. Six strings.

 

[KinkyOne]

much food for thought... hmmmmm... I could bring a guitarlele... a uke sized guitar... for 1.4kg.. EEK. Maybe I can do without my shoes!?

Yeah, you'll be flying along with all the energy from the music

I wish I could meet you and "help" with some back vocals but I won't be on the way at that time.

Wish you most pleasant Camino

 

[DurhamParish]

you've got me looking for a ukulele now.

 

[GreatDane]

This April I walked for a while with Jeff from (I think it was) Minnesota. It wasn't until we parted (because I didn't want to impede his progress) that I noticed how large his pack was. We ended up in the same albergue in Mansilla de las Mulas. Jeff kept us entertained all evening with his beautiful singing and guitar.

 

[MTtoCamino]

Anyone that packs a mandolin is/was a very special person! Or guitar!

 

[Kanga]

Yes, I was passed by a pilgrim playing his guitar as he walked along - the section from Riego de Ambros to Molinasecca! Quite a feat considering the terrain.

 

[DurhamParish]

• I have started another thread with the title "Song and lyrics for singing together on the Camino".

Where is this thread?

 

[mspath]

Where is this thread?

Here is that new thread started by Calimocho
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...ics-for-singing-together-on-the-camino.43124/

 

[Stivandrer]

If you really must, then you could get one like the lady in the video; she´s got a guitarlele. Basically a 6 string Uke.
I´ve got a Martin Traveller, but it is longish and would get in the way !