Lecture Tours
John Boda also does the lecture tour circuit for many senior living
facilities to provide very interesting mental stimulation. He continues to
get rave reviews on these lectures! Please click here for more details:
Lecture Tour Topics & Info
Guitar Class
I used to
teach guitar for many years at several music stores and have accumulated a
library of helpful self-written study aids. Many of these require some
personal explanation, but in the hopes of helping others who can figure
things out a bit, these may prove to be useful for up and coming guitar
pickers! Click here:
Guitar Class
Music Therapy
I have
known of this fact and reality for many years and see how it works every
day! But more and more media are coming on board! Here is a recent article
from the Chicago Tribune that further gives support to what I do;
Music for Health
Big Band Gig
Recently I
merged my guitar/vocal talents with an already well established big band and
have been doing several performances with them! Please visit their site for
more info; It has been a challenge as most of the standards I already know
well are in other keys set for female vocals, but it has been fun and
challenge met! If you are interested in booking myself with a larger band
such as this, please contact me, or visit the link here;
www.grandavenuebigband.com
Will the Real John Boda Speak Up?
In case
some are interested, yes, I am very aware of Dr. John Boda, the famous music
composer. We are not related, have never met, and finally, the reports of my
demise have been greatly exaggerated ..... because I am the one who is still
alive. But if you're wondering about his great work, here is a brief
summary: Dr.
John Boda
The
Eastland
I am
currently in the process of creating an interesting tribute page to the
memory of the Eastland Disaster, which occurred July 24th 1915 in Chicago.
My Grandmother, and her two sisters were on it, but managed to escape.
However 844 others didn't, and drowned. This is also one of the very popular
lecture topics available. I created and produced a few videos and have them
collected here for quick viewing:
John Boda Gear
I am
not really into music equipment, I just like what I like, and use what
sounds and plays great! But I do get questions many times about what I use
to produce my clean, crisp and clear sound!
Acoustic guitar:
This is the heart and soul of my sound and I only use the very best - Taylor
Guitars! My Taylor is also very special in that I have installed an electric
pick-up in the sound hole which provides a very full, deep sound!
www.taylorguitars.com
P.A.
System: Mackie DFX-6 sound mixer -
www.mackie.com - This is a very durable and great sounding non-powered
mixer! It also has the only effects that I use, mostly mild delay. I send my
vocal/guitar through it into one of two different powered monitor speakers
depending on the size of the crowd and room. For small to medium
crowds/rooms, and for most times, I use a JBL EON G2 -
www.jbl.com - for larger rooms/crowds, and for all outdoor venues, I use
a Mackie SRM-450 - www.mackie.com
Picks: Believe it or not, these
make a big difference! I use Clayton picks exclusively. The rounded pyramid
shape with a heavy gauge of 1.00 mm.
www.steveclayton.com Most picks are made out of cheap plastic that wears
out. These picks are made of durable acetal polymer which is also used in
making gears, bearings and a general steel substitute! They sound unique and
never wear out! (Come to one of my rock trio gigs and you might get one free
thrown out before breaks)
Palindromes
Ah, Satan
sees Natasha / Do geese see God? / Madam, in Eden, I'm God / A man, a plan,
a canal, panama! /Eva, can I stab bats in a cave? / Dennis and Edna sinned /
Senile Felines / Was it a rat I saw? / We panic in a pew / Top spot / Cigar?
Toss it in a can, it is so tragic / Ed is a trader, cast sacred art aside /
Go hang a salami, I'm a lasagna hog / Campus motto, bottoms up Mac
Do you see
what they all have in common? Memorize a few and astound your friends!
Tongue
Twisters
Stupid
Superstition / Tie twine to Three Tree twigs / This is a Zither / I Want a
Proper Cup of Coffee in a Proper Copper Coffee Pot / Sally is a Sheet
Slitter, She Slits Sheets / A Noisy Noise Annoys an Oyster / Which
Wristwatches are Swiss Wristwatches? / The Great Greek Grape Growers Grow
Great Greek Grapes
The Ten Commandments of E-Mail Etiquette and Common
Sense
By
John Boda
1.
Thou Shalt Always Reply to Personal E-Mails
If the sender took the time to write
you personally, it requires the courtesy of a reply, even if it's just a
quick "Thank You".
2. Thou Shalt
Never Forward Anything to Those Not requesting it
Even though it may be of interest
and amusing to you, unless they have requested them, you have asked, (or
they are your best friend) it is just like walking through people's doors
and homes without asking.
3. Thou Shalt
Never Open any Attachment if You are Unsure of the Sender
Curiosity not only killed the
cat....but it affected many a computer with a virus! It is always better to
simply delete anything you unsure about.
4. Thou Shalt
Never Reply to any E-Mail Wanting Personal Information
It's called "Phishing" where common
cyber criminals throw out a hook with bait to see who will bite while
disguising themselves as legitimate businesses. If you reply with personal
information, they've got a catch and you've got trouble!
5. Thou Shalt
Always Send Group E-Mail Forwards "Blind"
When sending an e-mail to a group of
people, if the message is not sent "blind", everyone can see everyone else's
e-mail address! It is proper courtesy to help keep other's private
information private!
6. Thou Shalt Not
Continue Sending E-Mails to People Who Never Reply
This is a waste of time and effort
and the recipients either don't care, don't read them, or wish they were off
your list and are too embarrassed to tell you!
7. Thou Shalt
Never Forward Personal E-Mails
Unless the person who's e-mail is
being forwarded is told or doesn't mind, this can cause you to lose friends
and make enemies fast! This is especially bad if the content being forwarded
contains nasty gossip or spiteful words about others.
8. Thou Shalt
Always Use Spell-Check and Proper Grammar
Often e-mails are typed so fast that
we are unaware of the awful spelling and grammar mistakes that we make.
Before hitting "send", a quick spell-check is required! Also just basic good
grammar from grade school should be used, if you missed that as a kid,
Google a refresher course!
9. Thou Shalt Not
Send Huge Files to Clog up In Boxes Unless the Recipient is Expecting it
Huge files such as music wave files,
video or tons of your latest vacation photos can clog up valuable space.
Some computers even go crazy and freeze up when attempting to download too
much at once.
10. Thou Shalt
Always Practice Common Courtesy and Good Sense When Writing E-Mails
Such as:
A. Never Send an e-mail when you are
angry!
B. Never use ALL CAPITOL LETTERS
BECAUSE IT'S CONSIDERED SHOUTING!
C.. Always try to abbreviate as much
as possible as people are busy!
(go ahead and copy/forward
this....but only if you obey commandment number two!) JB