GUITAR & INDIE MUSIC BLOG

IS YOUR GUITAR IN GOOD CONDITION?

2009-12-09T05:05:00.000-08:00

What is the condition of your guitar? As you may know, winter is the time of year when you need to be more careful with how you store and transport your guitar. If you are not careful, it could easily get damaged, especially if it's an acoustic.

I was reminded of this the other day when we took our Martin Acoustic in for a simple "set-up" job. When our luthier friend put a straight edge on the top of the guitar my heart sunk. It looked like the face of the guitar had a slight dip just below the sound hole. How could this be? I had checked it myself not too long ago and it was fine. What happened?

My general practice is to leave my guitars out on a stand so I can access them easily. This makes it more convenient for me when I'm teaching too. However, winter can get pretty cold where I live, so I use an electric heater in my music room to keep my guitars warm. But under these conditions, without proper humidity, it's easy for a guitar to become too dry and that's when problems can develop.

This past week the temperatures dropped below freezing, so the heater has been running constantly. I should have taken extra precautions and put our Martin Acoustic back in it's case with the humidifier placed inside the sound hole. But I didn't. Now I stood there helplessly, waiting to hear some bad news.

The luthier was telling me what I already knew as he loosened the strings... "Guitars can dry out this time of year" he said. After the strings were slack, he placed the straight edge on the guitar's face again... "it's okay."

Wow! What a relief! It was a close call, but our Martin Acoustic is going to be okay. I share this story so that it doesn't happen to you. Remember, if you live in a cold, dry climate, to keep your guitar in a case with a humidifier inside the sound hole and the room temperature set between 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

Free Guitar Tips

WHAT IS VIDEO SURGEON?

2009-11-25T09:04:00.000-08:00

Video Surgeon is a unique software program that enables guitar players to learn more easily from the free videos found on Youtube and other websites. It allows you to slow down a video by 50%, zoom in and set loop points at your discretion.

So, let's say you wanted to learn the lead guitar part to Stairway to Heaven... You would simply download a free video clip from Youtube (or another website), open it up in Video Surgeon and watch it in slow motion.

Then, you could zoom in for a close-up view of the fingering and also set loop points in order to watch the lick over and over. After you get the fingering down, you would increase the speed until you were able to play it like the original version.

Learning the lead guitar part this way would suddenly become much faster and easier!

Well, here's some more good news for you...

A breakthrough, proprietary, "sniffer technology" is finally here and now available in the newest release of Video Surgeon.

What is "sniffer technology"?

It is a new, proprietary way, of AUTOMATICALLY finding video links on a web page.

This means that you don't have to manually find video links and paste them into Video Surgeon

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY...

It means that you are no longer limited to a few web sites. With the new sniffer technology, Video Surgeon can access videos on virtually an unlimited number of websites; they estimate this to be over 90% of all sites on the WWW.

Watch this quick video explaining this new sniffer technology, as well as the other features found in Video Surgeon...

Sniffer Technology Video

To celebrate this newest release, Video Surgeon is offering a $1 sale, for a limited time. In total, you'll receive up to $38 in savings, when your purchase before the end of November.

So don't wait. With the upcoming holidays, it'll be December before you know it and you'll miss out... Not only on the savings, but on a tremendously valuable learning and teaching tool for video.

Don't forget to download your free trial version...

Video Surgeon Free Trial

Have a happy Turkey day

Till next time...
Keep practicing!

Free Guitar Tips

THE BEST WAY TO LEARN GUITAR

2009-11-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

Free Download

What is the best way to learn guitar? Well, let's see if I can answer this question for you...

Perhaps you've noticed that there is a lot of information available on the internet these days on how to play guitar. But, which way is best? Can online guitar lessons provide the same quality instruction as offline lessons with a real, live guitar teacher?

What are the advantages and disadvantaes of learning guitar online vs. learning guitar offline?

First of all, online guitar lessons have improved significantly with the advent of video and audio technology. All you need is a good connection speed and the internet can provide you with your own virtual guitar instructor, in the privacy of your own home!

Video technology allows you to both see and hear the music your instructor is playing, as well as receive his/her helpful playing tips.

One disadvantage however, is that the instructor cannot see you! This may create a problem if you are having trouble executing a specific technique, or needing help with correcting a bad habit you may have.

Nevertheless, "interactive" online guitar lessons are probably the best choice as far as "virtual" online lessons go. I say this because they will most likely give you an opportunity to ask your instructor questions about areas you may be having difficulty with. But, having said this, the interaction may be slow in coming if it takes the form of an email, or forum discussion.

One of the most obvious advantages of online guitar lessons, of course, is price. Membership sites, for instance, tend to charge a monthly or annual fee. But the price is minimal when compared to what you would pay for guitar lessons with a private instructor. I charge $30 an hour for private guitar lessons myself, but some instructors charge anywhere from $50-$75 per hour. That can really become cost prohibitive for people who are struggling to make a buck in a poor economy.

However, the internet has become an effective "Equalizer" for the consumer by providing them with multiple options. As a result, many guitar sites have felt compelled to offer information for free, myself included. Webmasters do this in order to keep up with the competition and establish a good reputation with those who are seeking the information they provide.

For example, I am currently offering a free download of my ABC Learn Guitar eBook. If it helps someone learn how to play the guitar, then I will have (hopefully) gained their respect and trust. The guitar student, in turn, will have gotten the information they were seeking. Chances are they might even visit my site again. This helps establish my online presence with the search engines, providing me with more exposure, while the student continues to find additional information on how to play the guitar. Everyone wins!

Speaking of ebooks... One of the nicest things they have to offer is convenience. I don't know about you, but I get pretty tired of sitting in front of my computer after awhile. But with an ebook you can easily print out whatever pages you want and study them offline; away from your computer.

An ebook can also be used to supplement other learning material you may have. It could even be used as part of an offline lesson with a real, live guitar instructor. Plus, you can review the ebook whenever you want to, without going online. That's pretty nice if you ask me.

In a nutshell, online guitar lessons have some advantages and some disadvantages. The most obvious advantage, of course, is cost and convenience. Perhaps the biggest disadvantage is limited interaction, and the fact that you will need to have a good internet connection.

Offline guitar lessons offer the best opportunity to ask questions and get corrections on your playing technique. But the biggest disadvantage is the cost- they are expensive.

So, what is the best way to learn guitar? Perhaps an ebook offers a happy medium between the the two choices. I've already pointed out that an ebook can be read either on your computer screen, or printed out and studied offline.

In addition to this, most ebooks are relatively inexpensive and you can refer to them over and over again. The Abc Learn Guitar eBook is free and it is designed specifically for beginners. So, if you're searching for information on how to play guitar, all you have to do is download it, and you can get started today.

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

Free Guitar Tips

Guitar Lesson Survey

2009-11-07T14:59:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, even guitar instructors like myself, can get into a rut. I was thinking that perhaps you could help me out of mine...

One of the most difficult things about teaching online, for me anyway, is knowing what you, the students, want to learn. So, I've created a Guitar Lesson Survey on my website in order to get your feedback and find out!

All you have to do is respond to a few short questions. It's very simple because the answers are multiple choice, so you just need to check the box that you like best. No further obligation is required. In fact, there is even a free gift for you at the end. :0)

Filling out my survey will help me have a better idea of the kind of guitar lessons you are looking for. So, please take a moment to go there right now. Here's the link again...

Guitar Lesson Survey

Thanks- I really appreciate your help!

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

Working Online Is Fun!

MUSIC AND INTELLIGENCE

2009-10-22T14:47:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered if music has any effect on intelligence? Some baby boomers may remember their parents telling them that Rock and Roll would lead to permanent brain damage. But, kidding aside, is it possible that music may have a positive impact on cognitive thinking?

Recently I learned about an experiment several scientists conducted in 1994 using three groups of preschoolers...

The first group received private piano and keyboard lessons
The second group received private computer lessons
And the third group received no training at all

After four months, the children who received piano and keyboard lessons scored 34% higher on abstract reasoning tests than the other pupils!

Amazing.

These studies show that music training does improve cognitive thinking. Somehow music helps the brain develop "synaptic connections" that are related to abstract thought.

Music has also been shown to benefit kids with learning disabilities. Not too long ago I saw a special on PBS about a young man with autism who was learning to play a musical instrument. After a short time his speech improved and he began interacting with people in a more positive manner.

Different types of music can produce different kinds of affects on the listener. Slow, soothing music, for instance, can lower a person's heart rate and help them relax. Music with an upbeat tempo can provide an energy boost which can stimulate and motivate people to action. A friend of mine likes to listen to music while cleaning her house because it seems to make the time go by faster.

All this just goes to show that music is good for you!

It improves your intelligence
Relieves stress
Increases energy
Enhances mood
Develops coordination skills
Stimulates intuitive thinking

The list could go on I'm sure. But the important thing is to let music become part of your life experience. Listen to it. Enjoy it. Benefit from it. Dance a little. Why not be really adventurous and try some free guitar lessons? Afterall, it could be fun!

Beginner Guitarist? Click Here To Get Started

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

Free Guitar Tips

UNDERSTANDING THE BLUES SCALE

2009-10-14T09:34:00.000-07:00

Do you love the Blues, or have a desire to play lead guitar? If so, you will want to learn all you can about guitar scales...

Free! Three Video Guitar Lessons, plus a 40-page E-book:
How To Solo With Pentatonic Scales

The 5 tone Blues Scale, also known as the Pentatonic Minor Scale, is commonly used by guitarists to solo over chords. It can be created from any Diatonic Major Scale.

Let me show you how easy it is to create a Pentatonic A Minor Scale from a Diatonic A Major Scale...

The tones of the A Major Scale are:

A B C# D E F# G# A

Each degree (letter) of the A Major Scale is numbered like this:

1 = A
2 = B
3 = C#
4 = D
5 = E
6 = F#
7 = G#
8 = A

The Major Scale pattern of whole steps and half-steps is:

Whole, Whole, 1/2, Whole, Whole, Whole, 1/2

A w B w C#1/2 D w E w F#w G# 1/2 A

To create a Minor Pentatonic Scale from a Major Scale, we simply need to remove the 2nd and 6th degree. Now we have 5 degrees...

A C# D E G# A

(The A is counted as one degree)

Next we need to lower the 3rd and 7th degrees by a 1/2 step to get our minor sound...

A C D E G A

The degrees of our newly created Pentatonic A Minor Scale are identified like this...

1 b3 4 5 b7 1

The beauty of a Pentatonic Minor Scale is it's versatility. Whereas the notes of the A Major Scale might conflict with some of the chords that are used to play in the key of A, the notes of the A Minor Pentatonic Scale will not.

In fact, you can use this same pentatonic scale to play over any of the chords in the key of A Minor and C Major too.

Scales are the backbone to understanding chords and being able to improvise over them with your own licks and riffs. If you're serious about playing guitar, you should try to learn as much as you can about them. You can get started right now with these free Blues guitar lessons....

FREE! Three Video Guitar Lessons & 40-page E-book:
How To Solo With Pentatonic Scales

Till Next Time...

Keep practicing!

Free Guitar Tips

GUITAR SCALES - Are They Important?

2009-10-02T14:15:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered if guitar scales are worth learning? Perhaps you think they are just a waste of your precious time. After all, you just want to learn your favorite songs and be able to jam with your friends, right? What benefit could there be in learning some musty old scale that's been around for hundreds of years?

These are good questions. I'd like to see if I can answer them for you...

Many people get excited about learning the guitar after hearing or seeing a famous musician who appears to play so effortlessly. Perhaps they were dazzled by the lightning fast licks of Van Halen, or the amazing fingerstyle techniques of Michael Hedges.

Whoever their initial source of inspiration was isn't the real issue. They just know that a spark was ignited and they now have a burning desire to learn how to play the guitar!

So they buy a guitar and are pumped-up with new ambition. But it isn't long before reality sets in and the new aspiring student discovers that playing the guitar is much harder than they expected. In fact, they come to realize that it requires dedication, time, education and lots of practice!

They've reached the same crossroads as many others who have gone before. Now it's decision time. Either they give it up, or persevere and move on...

If you've "been there, done that" and are ready to continue, then I am pretty confident that you are willing to do whatever it takes to become a better guitar player.

And that's when guitar scales will come in handy!

Scales provide an excellent "educational" tool for increasing your understanding of music fundamentals and concepts. This includes:

- understanding the guitar fretboard
- understanding chords
- understanding harmony
- understanding melody
- understanding rhythm

Guitar scales are also very "practical" tools for helping you develop and improve your overall playing skills. This includes:

- developing finger dexterity
- developing speed
- developing your ear
- developing techniques
- developing solo leads & licks

These are just some of the ways that guitar scales will benefit your playing. I didn't even mention how they can expand your horizons by introducing you to different styles and sounds. They can also be used to inspire new and creative songwriting ideas.

So, if you haven't been using scales to improve your guitar playing, then I suggest you start today. In my opinion, it's best to begin by learning all the major scales. Once you have a good, solid understanding of how they work, all the other associated guitar scales will make a lot more sense.

Here's a link to my free online guitar lesson:

Learn All The Major Scales

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

Free Guitar Tips

HOW TO IMPROVE CHORD CHANGES

2009-09-24T04:45:00.000-07:00

Would you like to know how to improve your chord changes? Of course you would! Is there some secret formula or magic trick that will make your fingers quicker? No... but there are some "muscle memory" exercises you can do to strengthen them. This will make a big difference in your playing.

Yesterday I gave one of my students a series of simple chord progressions to practice. As he was playing through them I noticed that he could transition easily from the C chord to the Em chord, but he had difficulty moving from Em back to C. That's because it's easier for the hand to close than open, and moving from Em to C requires that your stretch and open your hand. The problem he was having also affected his timing so that he was unable to keep a steady 4/4 rhythm.

Repetition is the key to improving chord changes, but there are some ways to speed up the entire process. One of the first things you need to do is to practice being observant when you're playing. Take mental notes of any difficulties you are having so that you can create your own improvement plan . Many beginner guitar students seem to ignore the importance of listening to themselves. But this is an essential ingredient to becoming a better guitar player.

After identifying the problem my student was having, I was able to provide some simple exercises he could do to improve his chord changes. The first exercise was to focus on only these two chords by using a chord drill.

SIMPLE CHORD DRILL:

Strum Em and begin counting to four
Move to C BEFORE reaching the number four
If you can do this, reduce the count to three
When you can easily move from Em to C in three beats...
Try it in two beats, then in one beat.

It's important to keep a steady count. Use a metronome to prevent the tendency to slow down your count. If you don't have one, use this free online metronome...

Free Online Metronome

The next excercise is called "chord bouncing" (my own term)...

CHORD BOUNCING:

Strum any chord (let's use C Major)
Lift all your fingers up off the fretboard, while still holding the shape of the chord, and strum the strings again (open)
Set them back down on the strings and strum the chord
Practice strumming this with a count: 1 (fingers down) 2 (fingers up) 3 (fingers down) 4 (fingers up)

Your goal is to place your fingers exactly where they need to be. Try to set all your fingers down on the strings at the same time. This is a great exercise for training your fingers to memorize a chord shape.

Continue practicing these exercises until you can change smoothly from one chord to the next without losing the beat, or shape, of the chord. Be careful not to overdue it! You only need about four or five consistant repitions every day to improve your chord changes!

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

Free Guitar Tips

SPEED GUITAR TECHNIQUES

2009-09-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

Everyone wants to learn how to play faster, right? You see your guitar heroes ripping off fast lines and playing all over the fingerboard and you're inspired to pick up your guitar and play!

Then you come to a realization - it doesn't quite sound the same. Why? Because you need to develop your technique, and technique is developed through control.

Yes, control.

Without "control" all the speed in the world will do you no good.

So, in the Speed Guitar Techniques Course, you are taught how to focus all of your attention on speed and control.

Below are two sample videos from the course that explain how to create patterns with wide interval leaps by skipping strings.

This creates a wild effect that is unexpected to the listener and sounds as if your fingers are doing back flips on the fingerboard!

The first way to achieve string skips in an orderly fashion is to play octaves. If you play a pattern and displace each note with it's octave either higher or lower, you will create a dizzying effect.

Exercise 1 demonstrates an octave displacement pattern that will wow your friends! Be sure to alternate your picking strokes and lay your 1st finger across the skipped string to dampen unwanted vibration.

SLOW

FAST

E -------15----------------------------------------------------

B ----------------15-----------------15-----------------------

G --12---------------------14-----------------14-------------

D -----------12-----------------12-------------------14\12--

A ---------------------12-----------------12------------------

E ---------------------------------------------------12--------

This lesson was taken from the Speed Guitar Techniques Course

Pretty cool, eh?

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

Free Guitar Tips

BEST ONLINE GUITAR COURSE

2009-09-05T13:07:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Berklee College of Music was chosen by the University of Continuing Education Association for having the best online guitar course in the USA?

In fact, Berkleemusic has continued to win awards from the UCEA for their superior online music programs since 2005!

The UCEA exists to "promote excellence in higher education" and their selection of who receives the award for best online guitar course is based upon the following criteria...

- lesson content

- assignments

- student assessment

- course layout

- design

The specific Berklee course chosen by the UCEA was Guitar 101 with Rick Peckham. Besides being an experienced guitar teacher, Rick is also a professional musician who has produced his own successful CD. He aims to help his students think in a more musical way and learn how to "visualize chords anywhere on the neck"; regardless of style.

Click Here For a Free Online Lesson From Guitar 101

Berklee College of Music has also won the Best Online Course Award for these classes...

- Getting Inside Harmony 1

- Berklee Keyboard Method

- Concert Touring

- Orchestration 1

If you are seriously considering a career in music, I suggest you take a close look at Berkleemusic's curriculum. Fall classes begin September 28th and they are taking enrollments right now. For more information go to their website at...

Berkleemusic.com

You can have an advisor contact you, or just request a free catalog of their Fall semester courses.

Till next time,

Keep practicing!

Free Guitar Tips

LES PAUL DIES AT AGE 94

2009-08-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

The legendary guitar player/songwriter/inventor, Les Paul, died Thursday, August 13, 2009 at the age of 94. He will be remembered by millions of fans for his contribution to music and the development of the electric guitar.

Les Paul was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin on June 9, 1915 to George and Evelyn Polsfuss. He began performing and singing country music at age thirteen, using his guitar and a harmonica for accompaniment. Somewhere along the way he decided to change his name from Les Polfuss to Les Paul (probably because it's much easier to remember.)

Back in 1948, Les severely injured his right arm in a near fatal car accident. Doctors said he would never regain movement in his elbow, but Les was not deterred. Instead, he had the doctors set his elbow at a 90 degree angle so he could still play the guitar. Now that's what I call determination!

Watch this Les Paul & Chet Atkins Video:

Among the many things attributed to Les Paul are...

Recording Innovations:

overdubbing
delay effects
phase effect
Multi track recording

Unique Playing Style Innovations:

licks
trills
chord sequences
fretting techniques
timing

Of course one of the things he's most famous for is his contribution to the development of the Gibson Les Paul Electric Guitar. Les was one of the first people to design and build a solid-body electric guitar.

He built "The Log" (his electric guitar prototype) in 1939 and tried to convince the Gibson Company to manufacture an electric solid-body based on his model. They weren't interested at first, but quickly changed their mind after the Fender company began producing solid-body electrics of their own.

The Gibson Les Paul Standard has since become a popular model which has been played by many famous musicians, including Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix. The Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty is one of my very favorite guitars- the name says it all.

You'll be amazed at the price difference between a slightly worn model and one in perfect condition...

Les Paul Standard Worn Series

There's also quite a difference in price between a "copy" and "the real thing"...

Epiphone Les Paul Custom

Though I can't afford "the real thing" right now, I do have Les Paul Black Beauty "copy" sitting next to me as I am writing this. :0)

Until next time...

Keep practicing!

Free Guitar Tips

WOODSTOCK'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY!

2009-08-12T06:53:00.000-07:00

This August 15, 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the legendary Woodstock Festival that was held in upstate New York on Max Yasgur's dairy farm. Nearly a half-million people attended the concert that is now considered to be one of the most important events in rock and roll history.

It was 1969 and a generation of disillusioned baby-boomers were brought together by the simple power of music, forming the largest crowd that was ever assembled in one place before. The United States was at war in Vietnam and at home the country was in turmoil over the conflict. In contrast, 400,000+ "hippies" attending the Woodstock Festival got along peacefully, rain or shine.

Much of the music during those 4 days reflected the spirit of the times; often expressing anger over the war and a desire for peace in the world. Jimi Hendrix' rendition of The Star Spangled Banner, which was played on the last day for the 30,000 or so people still remaining, struck a chord that continued to reverberate long after the concert ended. He made that Fender guitar of his sound like missiles and machine guns were being fired from it!

I love his version of this song because it captures the real essence of war and what our freedom costs. I often listen to it on the 4th of July because it helps me remember those who have risked their lives in combat to preserve the freedom I enjoy. Watch this video clip to see Hendrix in action...

Free Star Spangled Banner Guitar Tab Here

Jimi's performance of The Star Spangled Banner was improvised spontaneously that morning. Not even his band members knew he was going to play it. How cool is that?!

Richie Havens, who opened the concert on the first day, was another one who improvised part of his performance. After playing his set, (he had been on stage for 2 1/2 hours) the crowd shouted for more. He didn't know what else to play, but went back out on stage and made-up a song on the spot. The vibes were right and out poured Freedom, another great tune that reflected the sentiment shared by so many others of that time.

More Free Guitar Tab Here

Of course there were other great performers at Woodstock- thirty-two in all. Among those who were invited, but didn't attend were...

Bob Dylan

Jethro Tull

The Doors

The Byrds

Led Zepplin

Tommy James and the Shondells

The Moody Blues

Mind Garage

Spirit

It's a Beautiful Day

and Joni Mitchell

(Joni wrote the song "Woodstock" which later became a huge hit for Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.)

It was an idealistic era. The mini-nation that was born at Woodstock during the summer of 1969, flew the banner of peace and love. When the concert was over Max Yasgur said: "if we join them, we can turn those adversities that are the problems of America today into a hope for a brighter and more peaceful future..."

Something for all of us to think about.

Till next time,

Keep practicing!

Free Guitar Tips

LEARN GUITAR WITH VIDEO - Free Drawing!

2009-08-03T16:16:00.000-07:00

Have you ever tried to use a video to learn guitar? Some people find it easy to learn this way, while others think it's confusing, especially if the guitarist is playing too fast. Well, I have some good news for you...

I recently learned of a new "soon to be released" product that will be able to change the speed of a video so that you can watch it in slow motion. Here is a screenshot...

How it works...

Let's say you found your favorite song (like Stairway to Heaven or something) on youtube, but had trouble learning how to play the lead guitar part because it was too fast.

All you would have to do is download the video and then you could use this new tool to create a loop of the lead guitar part.

After that you would simply slow down the video to a comfortable speed and practice along until you mastered it.

There is a drawing now in progress where you can enter for a chance to win 1 of 25 free copies of this cool software...

ENTER TO WIN VIDEO SURGEON

Winners will receive the download version plus the Extended Upgrade Protection.

The project launch date is set for August 18, 2009, and many have already registered for a chance to win, so don't wait too long to enter.

More information about the drawing, plus several free demos of the software in action is available online at:

videosurgeon.net/

Until next time...

Keep practicing!

Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop

2009-07-23T15:16:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone-

The reason I haven't posted for awhile is because I was in California at Alex de Grassi's Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop. Wow! It was quite an experience. Heard lots of great music and met some fantastic musicians- Alex even gave us a private concert one evening. :0)

Fingerstyle guitar is one of my favorite styles, and Alex de Grassi is one of my favorite guitarists, so you can imagine how excited I was to be there. Here's a picture of me playing one of my original compositions for him, (Alex has his back to the camera)...

I was really nervous ... and made some mistakes, but Alex was so easy going and just asked me to play it again. Then he gave me his comments and suggestions.

He's very cool and made everyone feel like he was their personal friend. We even played croquet one afternoon- and guess what? I won!

In case you don't know, Alex is considered to be one of the finest fingerstyle guitar players of our time. He has won many awards, including a Grammy nomination, and has performed at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Telluride, Montreux Jazz Festival, Belfast International Festival and The Kennedy Center.

Here is a clip of Alex playing a compostion he wrote titled Western...

I purchased his educational DVD titled The Techniques & Arrangements of Alex De Grassi DVD and now I'm learning how to play Western. It will take some practice, but the DVD is very well done and Alex goes through the song slowly, one section at a time. The viewer has a close-up look at his fingers, so it's easy to see exactly what he's doing.

Alex De Grassi DVD

This DVD is not recomended for beginners. But, if you are extremely gifted and want to give it a try, then by all means do so. Afterall, one of the best guitar players in our group was a 14 year old who had only been playing for five years! So, I guess I've learned my lesson that when you're young and motivated, you can do practically anything. However, I'd add that he did have a slight advantage over the rest of us because his uncle is buddies with Alex and they occasionally perform together. Good mentors must make a difference.

Anyway, if you are a beginner and you would like to learn how to play this style, then I suggest you sign-up for some free lessons below...

Beginning Fingerstyle Guitar

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

MICHAEL JACKSON - King of Pop

2009-06-27T17:42:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson has been on my mind since his death Thursday, June 25, 2009. Though he wasn't a guitar player, I believe the impact he made on the music scene warrants respect from those of us who share a similar passion. His legacy is long and much can be learned from the life of this man who came to be known as the "King of Pop."

Michael Jackson rose to fame from the obscurity of a small Indiana town to become the most recognized pop star the world has ever seen. This in itself demonstrates how others in like circumstances can do the same. You do not need to be rich or well connected to be successful in the music industry, but you do need to work hard and develop your talent. Michael showed us how to do that.

Though I was never a big fan personally, I can still remember my first impression when I saw Michael perform with his brothers, The Jackson Five, on TV. He was so cute and looked like he was only about ten years old! It was amazing how he could sing and dance so freely and effortlessly. I couldn't take my eyes off him. He was definitely the star of the show and stole many hearts that night.

Who would have known back then that one day he would create an album called "Thriller" that would become the biggest-selling record of all time? Certainly not me. But that's exactly what he did. How did he do it? Well, I think there are several things that factored into his becoming such a huge success...

First and foremost was the fact that Michael Jackson possessed an incredible musical gift.
He followed the direction of his father/manager when he was starting out.
He was not afraid to step out of his comfort zone later, go solo and make a new direction for himself musically.
He explored creative ideas and took advantage of the media tools he had available to him.
He worked hard to perfect his skills.
He allowed others in the music industry to offer him their professional expertise and advice.
He learned how to promote himself and create an image the public would follow.

But as with so many others in the music business, Michael's life began to suffer under the strain of constant media attention and ended unexpectedly in a sudden tragedy. Unexpected, that is, to most of us. But suspicion is rising as to his apparent perscription drug abuse, as well as other allegations. Apparently he had once expressed his own concern that he might die like Elvis. Well, it now looks like there may have been some basis to his fear.

Which points to one final lesson we can glean from the life of Michael Jackson and others who find themselves in the throws of fame and fortune. That is, the importance of considering the cost of publicity and subsequent loss of personal privacy. As you pursue your indie artist dreams, try to be proactive now, by deciding how you will handle things in the eventuality that success should come your way.

Too many talented artists and musicians have died as a result of drug abuse associated with the world of music and rock and roll... Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley, Kurt Corbain, Michael Jackson... to name a few. Why not really be different and take a stand for something positive? Your musical influence might just last a bit longer if you do.

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

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HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON GUITAR GEAR

2009-06-17T12:05:00.000-07:00

One way to save money on guitar gear is to first learn about the equipment you will need. For instance, if you are a beginner, then an acoustic guitar with case, plus a digital tuner is enough to get started.

If you're using a steel stringed guitar then a strap and some picks should be added to the package, but these items are not necessary with a nylon stringed guitar.

Those who want to play electric guitar will also need to buy an amplifier. This shouldn't create too much of an added expense because package deals often include an amp too.

The biggest decision facing most beginners is what guitar to buy. Whether it be an acoustic or an electric depends solely on the preferences of the individual who will be playing the instrument. Neither guitar is better than the other as far as learning goes. But in order to save money on guitar gear its a good idea to ask yourself what type of music you want to learn how to play. The answer to that question will help determine your choice of instrument.

Of course, you may like a variety of styles like I do. In that case, I suggest getting an acoustic because of it's portability. You can take and play an acoustic guitar anywhere you want because it doesn't need to be plugged in.

However, an acoustic-electric cutaway offers both options- plug it in or play it unplugged. Sounds good either way and the cutaway feature gives access to the upper regions of the neck for lead guitar riffs. This is what I would buy if I could only have one guitar.

Ovation Standard Elite 2778 AX Acoustic-Electric Guitar Black

Another way to save money on guitar gear is to take the time to ask questions and compare products. Research items you're interested in buying online first. Read customer reviews. Find out about their likes and dislikes and keep notes. This will provide a lot of insight and give you a price point to reference if you're shopping offline.

Many stores also hold clearance sales during the summer months to make way for their new stock, so this is a great time to save money on guitar gear. Here are two examples...

Free Gear, Rebates + Savings on Fender's Hottest Gear During the Summer Fest while Supplies Last.

Price Drops on Line 6 Spider Amps through July 31

Well, that should be enough to wet your appetite for now. If you'd like, you can visit my website for more free tips on how to save money on guitar gear. Planning ahead will help save you time and frustration, not to mention regret. Make sure you get what you pay for, but more importantly, be willing to pay for what you hope to get. It's worth it in the long run!

Till next time...
Keep practicing!

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NEIL YOUNG INTERVIEW

2009-06-10T09:47:00.000-07:00

Neil Young will be interviewed tonight on the PBS "American Masters" television series at 9pm Eastern Standard Time.

Now's your chance to hear directly from the man himself and learn why this particular songwriter has impacted so many of us.

Get Heart of Gold Guitar Tab Here

Sometimes referred to as "the godfather of grunge" and often controversial, Neil Young carved a career for himself that spans over four decades. He has collaborated with such notable bands as Buffalo Springfield, Crazy Horse and Crosby, Stills, and Nash (later known as Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young, Taylor and Reeves). In 1995, Neil Young was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He rebelled against the pressures of super stardom and stated...

“I didn’t spend 10 years in the 60s and 70s creating something so I could be a prisoner of it … You know if you’re trying to stay in the favor of the public, you’re a loser – you’ll never get there.”

Neil Young 's Greatest Hits

Neil Young - Living With War

My admiration for Neil Young goes well beyond his being an excellent musician and songwriter. I love his honesty. What you see is what you get with Neil. There is no pretense, no fluff and no need for it either.

Be sure to tune in to American Masters tonight. Your bound to hear some great music and get a bit of Rock and Roll nostalgia too.

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

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WORLD'S LARGEST ONLINE MUSIC SCHOOL

2009-06-04T05:47:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Berkleemusic is the world's largest online music school? They have taught over 11,000 students from around the world, in areas including music production, guitar, music business, theory, songwriting and more. They have also earned nationally recognized awards from UCEA for their online courses.

Check out Berkleemusic awards here...

If you are interested in in developing a music career, Berkleemusic's online courses and certificate programs can help you achieve your personal or professional goals. Their online courses are designed to suit the student's individual needs. This means that your location, personal schedule, time zone, educational background or age will not limit your success as an online student.

Enroll at Berkleemusic

Next term begins on June 29th, 2009.

There are many students with busy schedules and outside commitments studying at Berkleemusic. D'Arcy McGilligan enrolled as an online student during a time of incredible personal stress. He decided to use the time he had available to pursue his passion. D'Arcy gave the program his all, grateful for what seemed like a dream come true. He arranged for a swing shift at the steel factory, where he worked, from three to eleven p.m. The online classes made it possible for him to juggle his job, care for his father, and pursue his studies.

Perhaps you would like to "test drive" Berkleemusic school and see for yourself what being an online student feels like. Just pick a music course that you're interested in experiencing first hand by clicking the link below:

Berkleemusic Sample Course...

You might glad to know that Berkleemusic Certificate Students have the opportunity to be awarded a $1250 scholarship from one of the Online Celebrity Scholarships. Sixteen scholarships are awarded every term, and there are four terms a year. Once enrolled, you could be eligible!

Berkleemusic Scholarship Program...

Whether you have a desire to fulfill a long time dream or are just getting started, Berkeleemusic offers a great place to learn and become part of a dynamic online music community!

So don't forget...

The Summer term begins on June 29th

Till next time...
Keep practicing!

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BECOMING A GOOD GUITARIST

2009-05-30T12:05:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a good guitarist?

Learn 100 Smokin Hot Blues Licks

Several thoughts come to my mind when I think about that question, such as...

practice
dedication
desire
knowledge
coordination
patience
perserverance
focus

All of these things factor into becoming a good guitarist. In addition to those I've mentioned above, I think it's also important to acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses, because if we become unbalanced in either of these areas it can impede our progress.

Free Beginner Guitar Lessons Here...

For instance, if a guitar player is naturally gifted with a good ear and sense of rhythm, they may tend to ignore the fact that their chords and tones aren't coming through clearly enough. They get so excited about what they can do that they don't even realize they have any weaknesses.

On the other hand, if a person is struggling with coordination or timing issues, they may get discouraged and overlook what they can do well, such as reading music, etc. These guitar players become frustrated and want to give up too soon. Instead, they should identify their strengths- what they can do well (even if it seems small at first) in order to perservere.

More Guitar Lesson Resources Here...

Many guitar players tend to overlook the areas they are having trouble with simply because they assume the problems will go away with more practice. But this is not necessarily true! In fact, whatever you continue to practice, whether good or bad, will be reinforced over time.

So, get into the practice of listening to yourself and asking questions as you play. For example, if you strum a chord and it doesn't sound very good, ask yourself why- then try to identify the problem...

Are you having trouble holding all the strings down at once?

This is a strength issue.

Are some of your fingers interfering with the other strings and muting the sound?

This is a finger position issue.

Are you having trouble changing chords?

This is a coordination issue.

After you have identified what your specific weakness is you will be able to take the necessary steps toward correcting the problem. Making corrections in your playing as soon as possible will help prevent developing bad habits that are difficult to fix later on.

To sum it up, becoming a good guitarist requires that you take the time to first observe, then identify, any strengths or weaknesses you may have with you're playing abilities. Doing so will allow you to correct your weaknesses, celebrate your strengths and stay motivated to learn more!

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

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TAYLOR GUITARS AT BARGAIN PRICES!

2009-05-22T14:45:00.000-07:00

Perhaps you've heard that Taylor Guitars are famous for their beauty, playability and great sound. But what about price?

Well, just the other day I learned that Taylor is holding a very special sale event between March 30 - June 30, 2009. This is a great time to really save some big bucks. I'm not talking about merely saving a few hundred dollars either. I'm talking about a $1000 (thousand dollar) discount! So, James and I decided to visit our local music store to find out more about this exciting opportunity.

We had been toying around with the idea of getting a new guitar for awhile, and for some strange reason the name "Taylor" kept popping up in our conversations. But since we already have 9 guitars, I was having a little difficulty justifying the need for another one. However, you probably know how easy it is to start rationalizing when it comes to getting a new guitar! It goes something like this...

We could sell some of our OLD guitars and...
Just have ONE nice guitar that we really liked and...
Besides it would sound SO much better and...
It would be much EASIER to play and...
We could take advantage of the LOW monthly payments and...
My BIRTHDAY is coming up and...

You get the idea...

By the time we got to the music store we had our sights set on getting the Taylor 414-CE Grand Auditorium Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural because we had read some good reviews about it online. It truly is a very nice guitar with great action and a bright, "snappy" sound. The discount price is terrific too.

But after being in the store for probably an hour or more, playing several different guitars, we finally ended up buying a brand new Taylor 614-CE Grand Auditorium Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural. Wow! It is definitely the best guitar I've ever owned- absolutely beautiful in sound and appearance. Big Leaf Maple Back and Sides, Sitka Spruce Top, Perl Leaf Pattern Fretboard Inlay, Abalone Rosette around the sound hole and Gold Tuning Keys.

But our savings didn't end there! We also received a mail in rebate for a $200 taylorware Gift Card. We're planning to use that for some new gear that we need, such as guitar chords, etc.

Mail In Rebate! *Get a $200 taylorware Gift card when you buy: 500 Series and up, Acoustic 5 Series and up, Signature, NS62ce and up, or comparable LTD models *Get a $150 taylorware Gift card when you buy: SolidBody, T5, T3 or comparable LTD models *Get a $100 taylorware Gift card when you buy: 300/400 Series, Acoustic 3/4 Series, NS32ce, NS34ce or comparable LTD models *Get a $20 taylorware Gift card when you buy: Baby/Big Baby Taylor or 100/200 Series models

I'm really excited about my new Taylor guitar! It justifies all my earlier rationalizations- great sound, easy to play, deep discount, beautiful appearance, and it's such a wonderful birthday present (thanks James!) :0)

If you have often thought about getting a higher-end, quality guitar, perhaps now is the time! Check out Musicians Friend, the World’s Largest Music Gear Company, for more information about Taylor guitars or other products you may be interested in. Afterall, why resist a bargain when it gets this good?

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

Free Guitar Tips

IMPROVING CHORD CHANGES

2009-05-15T05:12:00.000-07:00

Smooth chord changes are a little difficult to execute for most beginning guitar players. If you are struggling in this area, you'll be glad to know there are some things you can do to make this a little easier.

One of the most important aspects of playing guitar is the process of developing muscle memory in your fingers. This simply means that you want to train your fingers to memorize certain movements. You can do this by practicing specific exercises in order to reach an end result, such as improving your ability to make smooth chord changes.

I have my students use an exercise that I like to call "chord bouncing." That's my own phrase, so I doubt if you've ever heard it before. You'll get a better grasp of the concept by simply imagining a bouncing ball. Here's what you do:

Strum a C Major chord

Now lift all your fingers up while still holding the shape of the chord.

Strum the open strings while still holding the C chord shape and hovering slightly above the neck.

Set your fingers back down on the strings and strum the C chord again, then repeat the process.

Your goal is to place your fingers back down exactly where they need to be. Try to set all your fingers down on the strings at the same time. This may take some practice, but keep trying.

At first your fingers will want to relax when you take them off the strings. But you must train them to hold the chord shape off the neck. Think "air" guitar.

Practice strumming this exercise with a count: one (fingers down) two (fingers up) three (fingers down) four (fingers up).

Perhaps it's more like push-ups than a bouncing ball!

This is a great exercise for training your fingers how to memorize a chord shape, so use it whenever you're learning a new chord.

Now, let's use this same type of exercise to get smooth chord changes using a 4/4 count...

Strum C three times. On the fourth beat strum an open chord.
Strum F three times. On the fourth beat strum an open chord.
Strum G three times. On the fourth beat strum an open chord.

Putting it all together: C / / Open F / / Open G7 / / Open C / / /

The goal here is to try and use the open strum to get to the next chord in time to strum on the first beat.

Continue practicing this exercise until you can change smoothly from one chord to the next without losing the shape of the chord or missing a beat. Start slowly and gradually increase speed.

Learn more about chords - dominant, majors, minors, and ninths... Plus how to create a set of strumming patterns, licks, and phrases to create your very own song by clicking here.

Until next time...

Keep practicing!

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FINGERPICKING SONGS FOR GUITAR

2009-05-07T10:57:00.000-07:00

Fingerpicking patterns can be a great way to stretch and enhance your guitar playing skills. Some of the popular folk-style songs of the late sixties and early seventies lend themselves well to fingerstyle guitar playing.

Here's one you might like to try...

Don't Think Twice, It's Alright by Bob Dylan

Dylan is using a fingerpicking style with a flat pick in the video shown below. Watching it will let you hear what the song is supposed to sound like...

Here are two other songs that work well with a fingerpicking guitar style:

Needle and the Damage Done by Neil Young

Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell

Of course, fingerpicking is not restricted to folk music. Rock groups often use a fingerpicking style in their songs too. One obvious example of this is...

Stairway to Heaven by Led Zepplin

Not to mention other guitar syles such as Ragtime, Fingerstyle Blues, Celtic, New Age and Classical.

The letters PIMA are commonly used to identify the fingers of the right hand when reading or writing tablature for fingerstyle guitar.

P - Thumb
I - Index
M - Middle
A - Ring

This is not always practiced, but it certainly helps to distinguish the right hand from the left and from the fretboard itself.

A typical 4/4 fingerpicking pattern in tab would look like this...

------------------------a-------------------------------a-----
--------m---------------------------m-----------------------
-----------------i------------------------------i--------------
-------------------------------p------------------------------
--p-----------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------

The fingerpicking pattern shown above is counted using eighth notes:

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

Give it a try while holding a C major chord. It works well with any chord, but you may want to alternate the bass note for chords like G and F where the root is in the sixth string.

Watch this free guitar lesson video to learn more:

INTRODUCTION TO FINGERPICKING

Until next time...

Keep practicing!

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WHAT IS A PROTEST SONG ANYWAY?

2009-05-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

The Complete Guitar Player Songbook

According to Wikipedia... "A protest song is a song which is associated with a movement for social change..."

In American history these movements for social change have occured when portions of the general public have been disfranchised, disrespected, discriminated against, or simply dissatisfied with the status quo.

During these times of political upheaval and unrest, people come together for a common cause in order to make their voices heard by the powers that be. This is democracy in action. Great songs are sometimes written around such events which help express the intense emotions of the collective whole. These so called "protest songs" often become closely associated with the movement's sense of purpose and self-identity.

Here are some well known protest songs you might recognize:

1. We Shall Overcome - Rev. Charles Tindley (Civil Rights Movement)

The lyrics of the original hymn were adapted and often sung during protests and marches for freedom by civil rights advocates under the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr.

2. Blowin In the Wind - Bob Dylan (Civil Rights/Vietnam War)

"Blowin' in the Wind" has been described as an anthem of the 1960s civil rights movement, and it later became identified with the Vietnam War protest movement.

3. Give Peace a Chance - John Lennon (Vietnam War)

The song quickly became the anthem for the Vietnam War protest movement, and was sung by as many as half a million demonstrators in Washington, D.C. at the Vietnam Moratorium Day, on 15 October 1969.

4. Sunday, Bloody Sunday - U2 (Irish Civil Rights Conflict)

One of U2's most overtly political songs, its lyrics describe the horror felt by an observer of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, mainly focusing on the Bloody Sunday incident in Derry where British troops shot at civil rights marchers.

5. Let's Impeach the President - Neil Young (Iraq War)

A stinging rebuke against President George W. Bush and the War in Iraq and a call for political action to be taken to impeach him.

Speaking of protest songs...

Last week I ruffled some feathers when I posted Neil Young's song Southern Man along with Lynyrd Skynyrd's song Sweet Home Alabama on my blog. Though comments were invited, I didn't really expect the personal attacks that I received. This just demonstrates how easy it is to be misunderstood.

Even though the song's lyrics seem to speak of an earlier time, it is my belief that Neil Young wrote Southern Man in protest against the discrimination many black Americans were experiencing in the South during the 1960s. This is poetry in action.

It is commonly believed that Neil Young wrote this song after he was pulled out of a bar in Alabama in 1969 and beaten up by three men because he had long hair. This was just another form of discrimination that was all too common at the time.

It might surprise you to learn that Neil Young was a fan of Sweet Home Alabama and was proud to have his name used in the song! Lynyrd Skynyrd was even trying to arrange a concert where Neil Young would join them on the song and sing the line "A southern man don't need me around anyhow," but they couldn't pull it off because of scheduling conflicts.

Van Zant and Young respected one another as artists. Their camaraderie was a good example of how to let bygones be bygones and give peace a chance. This is something we could all learn and benefit from in an age of rage.

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

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Lynyrd Skynyrd vs. Neil Young

2009-04-24T05:29:00.000-07:00

Almost everyone is familiar with the fact that Lynyrd Skynyrd's song, Sweet Home Alabama, was written in response to Neil Young's song, Southern Man. Well, this may be somewhat outdated, and even a bit controversial, but I'd still like to express my opinion on the subject...

I've read some negative comments online about Neil Young and his song Southern Man. The ignorance and misunderstanding presented in such posts are sad, to say the least. One commentator said that Young had no right to create such a song because he isn't from Alabama. Well, the Lynyrd Skynrd band isn't either. They originated in Jacksonville, Florida.

What does that have to do with it anyway? What about freedom of speech? What about any issue that forces a person to draw a conclusion for conscience sake regarding what is right and what is wrong? Should we simply keep silent? Nothing would ever change if that were the case. Shouldn't we rather appreciate those poets and songwriters who are the catalysts for change in a society?

Many of my young guitar students want to learn how to play Classic Rock songs. Now, why do you suppose that is? One obvious reason is that they are good. But another reason may be that some of these songs convey a message of relevance and personal conviction. They are powerful and full of meaning. Southern Man is one such song.

Well, enough of my ranting. I can only assume that those who write such things are young and therefore have no personal experience with the racial discrimination that troubled America during '50s and '60s.

Racial Discrimination in Birmingham, Alabama During the '60s

That's why, when one of my students asked to learn how to play Sweet Home Alabama, I suggested she also learn how to play Southern Man. Then I gave her a brief history regarding the circumstances surrounding the two songs.

Sweet Home Alabama Tab

Southern Man Guitar Tab

Free Help Learning These Songs

Perhaps you have your own opinion about these two very popular guitar songs, so I thought it might be fun to have a mini Battle of the Bands Contest right here. Watch the two videos and then leave a comment telling me which is your favorite and why.

Sweet Home Alabama:

Southern man:

Till next time...
Keep practicing!

Free Guitar Tips

Guitar Techniques

2009-04-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

There are several different guitar techniques you can utilize to embellish a chord or scale. Probably the most common ones are: hammers, pull-offs, trills, slides and bends. Today I'd like to show you how to play a hammer, which is also referred to as a hammer-on.

The hammer technique is easy to do. Just follow these simple steps to give it a try:

Begin by striking the first string (open E)
While the sound is still ringing, use the first finger of your fretting hand to hammer-on the note at the first fret (F). The action is similar to how one might use a hammer to pound a nail.

E: --0^1--

Hint: Only strike the string once with your pick. The second note is created when your finger hammers the string.

Move to the second string and repeat the process.

B: --0^1--

Continue playing the hammer on each string:

E: --0^1--
B: --0^1--
G: --0^1--
D: --0^1--
A: --0^1--
E: --0^1--

Now try playing this technique starting with your first finger on the first fret. Hammer-on with your second finger:

E: --1^2--
B: --1^2--
G: --1^2--
D: --1^2--
A: --1^2--
E: --1^2--

You can also practice playing the hammer on each fret while moving up the neck:

E:--0^1----1^2----2^3----3^4--etc...

Remember: The numbers represent the fret, not your fingers! You can use any finger to play a hammer, but the first and second fingers will be easiest to use.

A hammer can also be used to embelish a chord.

Try this:

While holding a D Major chord, take your second finger off the first string.

Strum the chord and while the sound is still ringing, hammer back down on the first string with your second finger.

It may take some practice before you're able to get a good sound, but as your fingers get stronger, the technique will become easier. Work on accuracy. Strive for tonal quality before speed.

Click the link below to learn more...

Guitar Tab Techniques

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

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