The Music And Guitar Channel

How To Change Your Guitar Strings

2011-07-16T16:01:00.001+01:00

Changing your guitar strings might make you feel a litte uncomfortable if you have never done it before, but it's really quite simple and should become a regular part of your guitar care routine. Before you do anything, first take time to make some personal observations such as:

1. Which way do you have to turn the tuning keys to tighten or loosen the strings?

2. How are the strings aligned from the nut to the bridge?

3. Which is the heaviest string?

Taking mental notes will probably save you some frustration and make the job much easier.

Below you will find some helpful steps to follow for changing your strings. Once you've changed your guitar strings a couple of times your confidence should begin to grow and you won't need to refer to these steps any longer. I like to remove all of the guitar strings in order to give my guitar a thorough cleaning, but you can remove and replace them one at a time if you prefer.

Guitar Care and Maintenance Tools:

- Needle-nose Plyers (to cut string ends)

- String Winder

- Soft Cotton Cloth

- Guitar Cleaning Polish (do not use furniture polish, oils, or wax)

REMOVING THE STRINGS

Acoustic Steel String Guitar-

1. Using the string winder , begin slowly loosening the string(s) until completely slack.

2. With the needle-nose plyers, carefully grab the string from the capstan (the part it winds around) and pull through the hole until it is free.

3. Taking the string winder again, use the cut-out at the end of it to grab the pin at the bridge. Gently pull the pin until it comes out of the hole.

4. Continue this process until all the strings are removed.

5. Clean guitar surface thoroughly.

Classic Nylon String Guitar-

Follow steps one and two above. When you come to step three, take your needle-nose plyers and carefully loosen the figure eight knot at the bridge. Pull the string free.

Electric Guitar-

Follow the same procedure as described for an acoustic steel string guitar. However, if you have an electric guitar with a movable bridge you may want to take it to your local music store and have them show you how to do it safely. If the bridge is moved from it's correct position you will not be able to tune your guitar after restringing it.

RE-STRINGING YOUR GUITAR

Acoustic Steel String Guitar-

1. Bend the ball end of the string slightly and place it inside the hole below the bridge. Some steel string guitars do not have pins. When this is the case, just pull the string throught the hole.

2. Line up the string with any grooves in the pin. Insert the pin into the hole, making sure it is secure.

3. Take the other end and insert into the hole on the capstan.

4. Pull the string through leaving a fair amount of slack between the capstan and the bridge.

5. Bend the string at the point it comes through the capstan to keep it secure.

6. Watching out for your eyes, begin turning the key with your left hand. Once you get it started it may be easier to use the string winder. (For safety reasons, you might want to cut off any excess string. I usually wait until after they're all on to do this).

7. As you are winding, apply some tension to the string with your right hand to help keep it taught. Make sure you are winding in the right direction! On the bass strings you will be winding counter-clockwise (away from you). On the treble strings you will go the opposite direction.

8. Continue to wind each string until all the slack is taken up. Do not worry about tuning yet.

9. Cut off all excess string length.

Classic Nylon String Guitar-

1. Put the string through the top of the hole found just below the bridge.

2. Pull about 3 inches through.

3. Bringing the string up over the tie block, pass it underneath itself at the original point of entry.

4. Come down over the tie block again and wrap the end of the string around itself in a figure eight type pattern.

5. Insert the other end of the string down through the hole on the capstan.

6. Wrap the string around the back and then underneath itself in order to secure it in place.

7. As described above, begin turning the key with your left hand while maintaining some tension with the other until all the slack is taken up. With a classical guitar you will wind clockwise on the bass strings and the treble strings.

8. Keep the string as straight as possible as it continues from the capstan through the nut and down onto the neck.

9. You should not have any excess string length, but if you do, cut it off.

Electric Guitar-

Follow the same procedure as described for the acoustic steel string guitar.

I hope you found this information to be helpful. Remember, establishing a good guitar care routine will insure many long years of musical fun and enjoyment!

WRITTEN BY - Kathy Unruh

Kathy Unruh is a singer/songwriter and webmaster of ABC Learn Guitar. She has been writing songs and providing guitar lessons to students of all ages for over 20 years. For free guitar lessons, plus tips and resources on songwriting, recording and creating a music career, please visit: http://www.abclearnguitar.com

4 Simple Steps For Mastering Guitar Chords

2011-05-07T09:21:00.003+01:00

The guitar is a relatively easy musical instrument to play but it's also not something anyone can just pick up and learn overnight. This six string instrument is one of the oldest musical instruments to retain its basic function and it is played mainly by coaxing the melodies out through the use of guitar chords. Use these easy tips for mastering guitar chords and you'll be playing the guitar confidently in no time.

Use the right chord guide.

A chord guide may be written by a guitar genius but if you don't understand what it's trying to show you, it simply won't work. When mastering guitar chords, make sure you have the proper understanding of the guitar tab staff. This is the series of horizontal lines representing the 6 strings of the guitar. In a guitar tablature, finger positioning is marked by dots or numbers to indicate which strings and which fret the fingers must be placed on to play a chord. It's also a good idea to learn the different types of symbols that are commonly used in a guitar tab.

Develop muscle memory.

Mastering guitar chords is as much an exercise of your muscles as it is of your eye and mind. By learning the difference between an E major and an E minor, for example, you will develop the ability to play the right chords regardless of the song. Once you've committed the chords to memory, it will be effortless to change from one chord to the next. It will also help prevent any confusion in how a specific guitar chord is played, particularly if there is only a very slight variation.

Learn 3 chords each time.

When learning chords, it helps to work hard. As in all things, learning the guitar is only difficult in the beginning, so don't be afraid to challenge yourself. If you play the guitar for an hour each day, try to master 3 chords each time. Start with the easy ones such as A, E, D or G. As you master each of them, gradually add new ones until you've memorized them all.

Try simple changes.

When you're still in the beginning stages of learning chords, try gradual changes from one chord to the next. This will help "shape" each chord in your head and help you burn it into your muscle memory. Try transitioning from a G to a C to an A to an E and then back again. Once you've developed the hang of it, do the chords at random or add a 7 (such as a G7 and a C7), a sharp minor or major. You'll be surprised at how easy it will be for you to play these chords effortlessly within a short period of time.

online guitar lessons

History Of Martin Acoustic Guitars!

2011-03-14T20:14:00.000Z

Cover of Jimmie Rodgers

Martin acoustic guitars can be traced back in the USA to 1833 when C. F. Martin Sr. arrived in New York from Germany with his family and set up his luthier shop in the city. The legendary Martin guitars were born.

The company also made mandolins for a time, as well as ukuleles and steel-stringed Hawaiian guitars when these instruments were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, their mainstay was and continues to be guitars. Martin acoustic guitars lead the way, but now there are many electric guitars too in the Martin range.

One of the first American singing stars to have a Martin acoustic guitar built specially for him was Jimmy Rodgers. In 1928 Martin made the "Blue Yodel" 000-45 guitar for the man who was known as "The Singing Brakeman."

Jimmy Rodgers was at the top of his career at that time and arguably the most popular singer in America. The movie he made that same year, aptly titled "The Singing Brakeman," features Jimmy Rodgers singing and playing the "Blue Yodel" 000-45 guitar made specially for him.

The Singing Cowboys of the 1930s movies were the next to be attracted to Martin acoustic guitars. Gene Autry had the first D-45 created for him in 1933, 100 years after the company was started.

In the 1940s and 1950s it was Country Music that took up the Martin guitars in a big way. Stars of the Grand 'Ole Opry in Nashville are seen on stage playing Martins. Among the big names of the time are Hank Snow, Lester Flatt, Ernest Tubb, and the biggest star of them all, Hank Williams.

Modern day country rock singer, Neil Young, actually bought an old guitar that had once belonged to Hank Williams. He plays it regularly on stage believing that even a guitar that has gained iconic status as a result of having once been played by a superstar should be used. It's a 1941 Martin D-28 with herringbone purfling, and Neil believes it sounds as good now as it first did.

In the 1950s country music gave over to rock and roll. Elvis Presley was the young man taking the world by storm. As soon as he could afford a new guitar, Elvis chose a 1942 D-18. It wasn't long before he decided to get a bigger guitar, and in 1955 he bought a 1954 D-28, a big bodied guitar with a big sound. All of Elvis's famous Sun Sessions were recorded with this guitar.

Folk music was also big in America during the 1940s through to the 1960s. Legendary singers like Woodie Guthrie played Martin acoustic guitars, as well as other popular groups such as The Kingston Trio, Pete, Paul and Mary, and the Weavers.

In 1990 the 500,000th Martin guitar was produced. It was a HD-28 and it was signed by all employees and placed in the factory museum. Four years later in 1994, Martin went into space when the Shuttle carried a small Backpacker and orbited the earth.

The 1,000,000th of the Martin acoustic guitars was produced in 2004. Two years later the company had the grand opening of the Martin Guitar Museum and Visitors Center, and two years after that in 2008, C.F. Martin & Co celebrated 175 years in business and the oldest surviving makers of guitars, Martin acoustic guitars, in the world!

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Tuning You're Guitar By Ear!

2011-02-10T18:49:00.000Z

Guitar tuning is fast becoming a lost art, what with the ready availability of electronic guitar tuners and their relative cheapness (you can get them for just a few dollars). More and more guitar students feel it is not necessary to learn, and indeed many instructors have stopped teaching, this tedious but nevertheless important aspect of guitar playing.

A good guitar tuner can be a big help on a noisy stage, allowing you to tune up silently, without inflicting your dreaded rendition of that well known and much reviled Chinese anthem "Tu-Ning", on your unsuspecting victims (audience, other band members, or whatever) you really need to develop the ability of tuning the beast "by ear".

Just imagine! You get to your show with a truck full of gear....guitars, amplifiers, mountains of pedals, to make you sound like the latest rock icon, and your trusty security blanket (guitar tuner) stops working.... Or the aging grand piano, supplied by the venue, is tuned way off concert pitch (the industry standard where A is deemed to be the frequency 440Hz, creating the term A-440) you could not do the gig unless you can get and keep your guitar in tune.

Also consider this... you have spent weeks or maybe months bragging, to anyone who will listen, about what a great guitar player you are.... And then, out of the blue, someone thrusts an "out of tune" acoustic at you at the works party and now everyone you know is looking at you expectantly. You need to get it in tune quickly so you don't look like a fool in front of all your friends.... Or the boss.
So do yourself a big service and take the time and effort to learn how to tune your guitar manually.

Ok! So how?

Well, you'll need a reference, another instrument, tuning fork, pitch pipes etc from which to get to a starting point. (If nothing else available you will just have to choose a string and tune the other strings from that, (however, in this situation, you will not be able to play along with other musicians).

Try to avoid using recordings as your reference as many have had their pitch altered during the mastering process and will not be very accurate.
Firstly you will need to know what notes the strings will be tuned to in standard tuning. There is a multitude of different guitar tunings people use but in this instance we will assume you are going to use standard tuning as it is far and away the most used, about 98% of the time.

The notes of the open strings are E, A, D, G, B, E, this is going from bottom to top (bottom being the lowest in pitch which is the top string physically i.e. closest to your head).

So your reference should sound an E and you tune the low E (the thickest string) to that. When the two notes sound the same the string is in tune and you have finished with the reference instrument. We will now tune the rest of the guitar to the low E string.

Next place your fingertip behind the 5th fret (in the space between the 4th and 5th frets counting from the guitars headstock towards its body) on the E string we just tuned and pluck both that string and the next one (The A String).

Tune the A string to the E until they sound the same.

Repeat this process with the D string, (tuning it to the A at the 5th fret)

And the G String (Tuning to the D at the 5th fret).

Now comes the odd one out. The B string is tuned to the G string but not at the 5th fret, move back to the 4th fret for this (the space between the 3rd and 4th frets). Tune the B until it sounds the same as the

fretted G.

Last go back to the 5th fret for the High E.

Now, if you have followed along successfully you will have a guitar which, for the time being, is in tune and you are ready for your next lesson. Please always remember! The most important thing about learning the guitar is:

Always have fun and be the best guitarist you can be.

Learn the 3 chord trick

What is Guitar Theory?

2011-02-01T17:04:00.002Z

According to Wikipedia.org, music theory is the name for a branch of study that includes many different methods for analyzing, classifying, and composing music and the elements of music. Narrowly it may be defined as the description in words of elements of music, and the interrelationship between the notation of music and performance practice. In more practical words, theory is the study of music, how it's played and how all the different components, such as scales and chords, fit together.

Guitar theory is absolutely necessary for serious guitarists who want to develop a solid command of music. Many players who fail to understand the inter-workings of music are completely unable to apply the little that they do know. For example, a student might learn a new scale pattern from a scale book or a new chord shape from a chord chart but have no idea what to do with it. Rarely do guitar books explain what these components actually do or how they ought to be applied. Without knowledge of how something functions it's pretty much useless. Many guitarists suffer from this ailment and most guitar instructional materials do little to remedy the problem. This is why learning guitar theory is so important.

Guitar theory will explain what something is and does. For example, a new chord shape might be seen as an extension of a common barre chord. Wherever this common barre chord is played the new shape can be substituted for a new sound. A scale pattern might fit together with a specific chord progression. Each time this progression is used the scale tones can add melody and harmony. Certain combinations of chords will effect a songs overall emotional feel. Choosing the right combination will convey a song's meaning accurately.

Music can be approached and studied from many different angles. Guitar players can study notation, technique, rhythms, scales, chord construction and so on. While all musical topics are interesting and have their benefits - scales, chords and progressions top the list of must-knows. All guitarists, beginner through advanced, strum chords, follow progressions, and use scales to play melodies, riffs, solos and bass lines. Guitar theory is the study of these essential musical elements.

http://www.Guitar-Music-Theory.com

Want To Learn Lead Guitar?

2011-01-22T09:53:00.000Z

Are you interested in learning guitar leads?

Sure you are for most of us the reason we started to play guitar was to shred on a screaming lead. However we all want to do but the question is how to start playing these hot leads.

I am not talking about a bunch of notes you put together and play up and down the neck. I am talking about a true lead or melody if you like. This a set of notes that are measured controlled and fit into the song/chord progression you are playing in front of.

This is starting to get into deep stuff with the guitar and if you are looking into playing leads than you have already started to get a good feel for the instrument. So what I am going to say will not shock you. You need to learn scales. The most useful scale to get under belt would be the major scale. That is what everyone will tell you at least, and they are not wrong. The major scale is thee scale. But you can take a bit of a short cut if you want. You will need to get the major scale under belt and soon but if you want to just jump start your leads there is a very simple scale I would recommend.

That scale would be the rock staple the minor pentatonic scale. This is an extremely popular scale in modern music and is used over and over to create some of the greatest songs of all times. The best example of this that comes to mind right now is Hotel California by the Eagles. The use of the pentatonic scale in this song was nothing short of masterful and you would never know that this was based around a scale that only has five notes in it.

Yep that is right this incredibly versatile widely used scale only has 5 notes. I am sure that maybe part of the reason for the popularity of this scale. Not to mention its ability to sound almost anyway you need it to. This great versatile easy to use scale is an immense way to jump start you on the road to guitar idol status.

So what is the minor pentatonic scale? Well first the construction of this scale is distilled from the minor scale. We simply leave out the second and sixth degree of the minor scale.

So if we are using for example the E minor pentatonic scale the notes are as follows:

Notes: E G A B D E
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 1

So that is the basic construction of the minor pentatonic scale. Take some time to learn and use it. However do not neglect the major scale. This is a very important scale and will help you with your leads.

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Guitar Nut

2011-01-11T21:13:00.000Z

A very common mistake of guitar players and luthiers alike is underestimating the importance and the role of the the guitar nut. I have seen guitar nut setups ranging from totally messed up to a perfect nut and the difference between the two can be totally amazing.

The change in the nut material can also make a substantial difference in the tone of the guitar.

Also the nut can make an incredible difference in the playing ease of the guitar.

So you can tell that the guitar nut, that little strip of white plastic or bone plays a significant role in the guitar playing ease and tone. Here is a partial list of items that the guitar nut addresses:

Action of the Guitar Strings
The Intonation of the Guitar
Quality of the Guitar Tone
Ease of Tuning the Guitar
String Age

Now we will look at each of these elements in more detail, so you can see what importance that little strip of ivory, bone or plastic plays in our guitars, and how you can strive to have the 'perfect nut'.

String Action:
Although this point may seem rather obvious, there is in reality more to it than it seems on the surface. By making very minor depth changes to the string grooves in the nut, you can change a difficult playing guitar into an easy playing guitar.

Can you go too low? That is a very easy mistake to make. If you cut your channels too deeply, you will ruin the nut and have to start over with a new nut. So is there an ideal string depth then? That will be covered in another article on how to best construct a nut.

Intonation of the Guitar:
The proper length of the guitar strings as it relates to the guitar scale is intonation. Typically the guitar string length has a beginning point at the backside of the nut or the point where the nut and the fretboard join. Now if the string channels are filed improperly, the string length can fall somewhere 'within' the nut and not at the outer edge. This will throw off the guitar intonation off, and produce a guitar that is both difficult to tune, and it will play 'out of tune'.

The Guitar Tone:
The Guitar Nut plays an important role in the quality or tone of the instrument. If you don't believe me remove an ivory nut from of a fine classical guitar and replace it with plastic. The change in tone is amazing! The strings will sound 'dead' and the difference between the fretted notes and open notes will be much more pronounced.

As you will be able to see, the guitar nut materials are at least partially responsible for the guitar tone production. Also, to assure a outstanding guitar tone and sustain, be sure that the guitar nut is set properly into the guitar neck. The contact has to fairly tight and secure so the string vibrations will be fully transmitted through the guitar neck. The strings will additionally resonate better and the reaction of the strings on the guitar saddle will be improved.

Ease of Guitar Tuning:
If the string channels in the guitar nut have not been cut or filed properly, there will be a resulting problem in that the guitar will be difficult to tune. If the string slots are properly cut into the guitar nut with a set of gauged nut files, these files will permit matching the nut slot width to the string diameter.

When string slots are cut or filed into the guitar nut, they ought to posses the following characteristics:

String slots should be round-bottomed to match the string contour.

The string slots should be slightly wider than the string gauge to allow for free movement of the string in the string slot.

Finally, in order to minimize string binding, each string slot ought to be angled toward it's respective strings tuning machine post.

Ability of Extending String Age:
If the above recommendations are followed very closely, the string life can be improved.

Guitar Nut

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Bass Guitar: How to Shop for One

2011-01-08T10:28:00.001Z

Before buying a bass guitar, you will have to decide on which type of bass guitar is right for your musical needs. In addition, you will have to decide on whether to go with a 4, 5 or 6 stringed guitar. Also, be sure to pick an instrument that has the right pick-up style. When choosing an instrument, you will have many options available. There are some bass guitars that will produce low dirty sounds while others will produce warmer jazzier sounds. Depending on the type of music you play, you will want to look at different types.

Before buying your bass guitar, it helps to decide on whether you wish to buy a fretted instrument or one that is fretless. In addition, you will also want to choose a particular color. If you are not sure about the type of guitar that will suit your musical style, you can find answers by going online where it is easy to research your facts.

At the very least, it pays to start off by having a broad idea about what you want while also keeping in mind your likes and dislikes. At the same time, it is important to not have any preconceptions about which basses are the best for you. If you go with preconceptions, it is quite possible that you may end up missing out on some very good deals. Also, be sure to use your money in the best manner possible.

So, before actually putting your money down to buy your bass guitar, you need to take a two-trip approach to buying the guitar. In the first phase, all you need to do is go to the shop to check out what is on offer and you can check out basses that fall within your budget. It also makes sense to not visit the store at a busy time of day because at these times the salespersons will be too busy to give you all their attention.

Be sure to check similar types of bass guitars. You should also ask the salesperson to show you different tones and ask them to explain all the different features of different makes and models. Be sure to play a few different basses and check that their weights and balances are suitable. Also, check to see whether the instrument produces desired sounds.

After this visit, you will be in a position to pick a small number of basses that are worth buying. Be sure to note down their model names, numbers as well as check their prices and get some literature as well. Once you reach home, be sure to read reviews and check out forums where you can ask for more information. Once you have this information in hand, you can then make a second trip to the store.

On your second visit, be sure to speak to the same salesperson that served you on your first visit. Tell him to show you two basses that you think are the best. Next, check the features for each guitar and play each one to see which one sounds and feels the best.

The key to buying your bass guitar is to not look for anything that is too fancy. Instead, it is better to listen to the tone the guitar produces and note the way that the neck feels and you should also play the guitar while standing up. These steps will help you assess the worth of each guitar, especially in terms of its capabilities and balance as well as weight.

This is how you can buy the best bass guitar for your needs.

bass guitar

Learn Guitar String Names

2011-01-03T13:43:00.000Z

The names of the strings on the guitar should be one of the first things you learn as a beginner guitarist.

How NOT to Learn Guitar String Names

Some teachers make the mistake of teaching the strings by numbers, from string 1 to string 6, with the highest pitched string being string number 1. This is a very wrong method of teaching, since it does not allow you to practice the notes on the fretboard. By learning the names of the strings based on their pitch (in standard tuning), you'll be doing yourself a favor in the long run, as each time you refer to the strings, or think about their names, you'll also be learning, and basically reciting the notes you find on the fretboard.

How to Learn Guitar String Names Correctly

The names of the strings in standard tuning are E A D G B E, with the first E being the lowest string (6th string), and the last E being the highest pitched string (1st string), which is 2 octaves above the low E in tone. The letters refer to their pitch on the musical alphabet.

The easiest way to remember the names of the strings on your guitar is not by reciting E A D G B E fifty times every day, but by using acronyms. An acronym is a word made up from the initials of words in a phrase. In our case, the word is the E A D G B E sequence, and the phrase you use to remember it can be basically anything you make up. Here are a couple of famous acronyms to remember string names. There are many more, and feel free to make up you own as well:

Eat All Day Get Big Easy
Elvis Always Dug Good Banana
Eating, Eat A Dog, Get Big Ears

guitar string names

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Seagull S6 Review - Ultimate Budget Acoustic?

2011-01-03T12:19:00.001Z

If you're in the market for a beautiful acoustic guitar that sounds great and plays wonderfully but don't want to spend a lot of money, the Seagull S6 might be your number one choice.

Features
While Seagull acoustics perhaps aren't as well known as, say, Martin or Taylor, they are nevertheless wonderfully crafted instruments. Made in Canada under the auspices of Robert Godin (of Godin guitars), Seagull guitars are a well-kept secret that deserves to be kept secret no more.

We reviewed a Seagull S6, which is one of the company's most popular acoustic guitars. After playing it for a few hours, it's easy to see why this is the case. We just have to be honest, here. This is one of the best playing acoustic guitars we've ever had the joy of playing. Period. But more about that soon enough. Let's look at the construction details.

Features
The S6 has a solid cedar top with wild cherry sides and back, finished in a semi-gloss lacquer. The saddle and bridge are both made of rosewood. A Tusq nut and compensated saddle complete the package.

Performance
If you're like us, you'll probably notice how amazingly smooth the action is. This guitar will likely play better than most electrics you've seen. It doesn't matter if you're talking about single-note work or complex jazz chords, the S6 plays extremely well.

But how does it sound? Because of the cedar and cherry wood, the sound is warm, dark, and full. It's an ideal fingerstyle guitar. If you want an acoustic for rock and blues, this probably isn't your best choice to cut through a busy mix, although Seagull offers those kinds of models as well.

This is definitely a guitar that is primarily suited for fingerstyle and solo guitarists. The sound is rich, full, and simply beautiful. Again, it plays like silk. The guitar has both a warm sound and appearance, thanks to its wood choices.

We tested the S6 with a variety of microphones, including a Shure SM57 and a Blue Bottle. All of them sounded very well. The S6 is definitely a "mic-friendly" guitar.

The Bottom Line
If you're in the market for a beautiful acoustic guitar that sounds great and plays wonderfully but don't want to spend a lot of money, the Seagull S6 might be your number one choice. This guitar has a street price of only around $400 (hard to be believe, but it's true).

Name of Gear: Seagull 6
List Price: $497.00
Manufacturer Info: The Godin Guitar Company; seagullguitars.com
Pros: Incredible value; gorgeous tone; amazing action
Cons: None

used Seagull S6

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Jackson Randy Rhoads Guitar - Features and Benefits

2010-12-20T08:12:00.000Z

What is it that makes the Jackson Randy Rhoads Guitar right for you? There are many variant features in the different models of Jackson Randy Rhoads Guitars available. No matter what your preference, it is set up to deliver some of the best playability out there. The guitar truly screams and delivers what is arguably the best, most distinct tone out there.

It was designed to the specifications of the lat Randy Rhoads, who was known as one of the best lead guitar players of the 1980s. The ease of playability brought about on this guitar complement most any style of music.

While it may look like a normal flying-v guitar the extreme design is more flashy and a favorite among guitarists who play heavier music. The addition of the locking tremolo option differentiates it from any of the older v-shaped guitars.

The necks are typically in a 22 fret model, but given your preference different models are available with 24 frets. The body of the guitar makes it easy to access even the most hard to reach lower frets.

This isn't the kind of guitar you can rest on your lap while you sit around the camp fire. This guitar was made mostly to be played standing up, with your amp turned up, impressing a crowd with some of the most impressive guitar solos imaginable.

The Jackson Randy Rhoads guitar is one of the most popular models of guitar. It has been perfected since it's conception in the 1980s, and has become an instant classic. It delivers some of the best guitar tones out there. Whether you want to emulate some of the great guitarists that used this model of guitar in the past, or break through with your own unique sound, the Jackson randy Rhoads guitar will truly blow you away.

http://www.jacksonguitars.net

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ESP LTD Deluxe EC-1000 Review - Quality ESP Import?

2010-12-16T18:32:00.001Z

With a list price of less than $1000, the LTD Deluxe EC-1000 is a pro-quality instrument at a very inexpensive price.

If the words "Made in Korea" turns you off regarding a potential guitar purchase, it's time for you to think again. Sure, Korean-made guitars were once low quality, but those days are long gone. Many Korean-made musical instruments rival their Japanese and American made counterparts.

Features
The ESP features a mahogany body and neck with rosewood fretboard. The fretboard is outfitted with abalone inlays and 24 extra-jumbo frets. A 42mm Earvana Compensated Nut improves tuning, as does the TonePros locking tune-o-matic bridge. Pickups are genuine EMG 81/60 or Seymour Duncan JB/59. Locking tuners are standard equipment, and the hardware is either gold, black, or chrome, depending upon the model.

Performance
The ESP LTD Deluxe EC-1000 is proof positive that top-flight guitars are made in Korea. Why is that the case?

When you're looking at the quality of an import guitar, though, you have to pay special attention to the parts used. The ESP shines in this regard, because it uses some of the greatest hardware around. The guitar features EMG 81 pickups, Sperzel locking tuners, TonePros locking bridge, and an Earvana nut.

So, it's clear that ESP used the finest hardware they could find, as strong as instruments costing three times as much. Still, we have to ask the big questions. How does the instrument sound? How does it play?

We're in luck. The LTD Deluxe EC-1000 is a winner in the tone and action department as well. Put clearly, the action matches guitars costing twice the price. It's low and buzz-free. The fretboard (24 frets) is absolutely flawless.

The ESP is a metal or shred guitarist's dream. You can rip sweep arpeggios with pleasure and chug out drop-D power chords until you get arrested. The EMG 81 pickups are rather multifaceted, so if you do happen to get a country gig, you'll be able to pull it off, but it's in the metal and shred arena where this guitar really shines.

The tuning is spot on as well, thanks to the included Earvana nut. Chords were in tune from the first to the high frets, and the intonation was exact.

It's also a real good-looking guitar, and we loved the maple top/mahogany body combination. The rosewood fretboard is extremely attractive as well, as are the abalone inlays.

We tried and tried, but we simply couldn't find any troubles with the guitar's construction. Kudos to ESP! This is a guitar that could fulfill a lot of folks, given its pro-quality hardware and its color choices.

The Bottom Line
With a list price of less than $1000, the LTD Deluxe EC-1000 is a pro-quality instrument at a very inexpensive price. The Korea vs. USA debate may finally be a thing of the past.

Top Five Christmas Songs for Guitar

2010-12-15T21:15:00.000Z

This versatility of the acoustic guitar has endeared this instrument to musicians around the globe. Regardless of the reason, holiday gatherings often inspire guitarists to accompany both song and dance. What more musically charged time of the year than Christmas? Guitar Christmas songs can be a central, uniting part of any Christmas gathering. And so, to celebrate the time of the year and our instrument of choice, here is a list of our five favorite Christmas songs for guitar.

Top Five Christmas Songs for Guitar

#1 - Feliz Navidad The 1970 version of Feliz Navidad by Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Jose Feliciano became almost an overnight hit. Feliciano's version of this classic is one of the most downloaded Christmas songs of all time. The song became so popular that it has been recorded by multiple artists, each adding their own special flare. But regardless of who plays it, the song's simplicity and clear message make it a popular song that will fly straight to the heart.

#2 - Silent Night The original lyrics of Silent Night were written in German by an Austrian priest (Father Joseph Mohr) and the melody was composed by Franx Xaver Gruber. The popularity of this Christmas carol has not abated over the last 200 years. It conveys the spirit of the season without making an issue of theological beliefs, focusing on the love of a mother for her child. Almost a lullaby, it touches the heart, is simple to play, and the tune and words are recognized by many. Interestingly, the version of the melody that is sung today is rather slower than the original Gruber version which was a rather upbeat dance tune.

#3 - Winter Wonderland The song 'Winter Wonderland' was first published in 1934 and made popular by subsequent recordings by both the Andrews Sisters and Perry Como. But like so many of the Christmas favorites, Winter Wonderland has been remade by many artists over 50 years. Perhaps the best version - especially for acoustic guitar - is the 2004 version recorded by Jason Mraz, an American singer-songwriter born and raised in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Mraz achieved acclaim through his combination of styles; reggae, rock, pop, jazz, folk, hip hop, even bossa nova in order to make a truly unique sound.

#4 - Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer A novelty guitar Christmas song written by Randy Brooks and originally recorded by the Irish Rovers, this incredibly amusing, easy-to-play song is, thanks to its bone-tickling lyrics, sure to be a favorite wherever it is played.

#5 - There is a Light The power pop band We the Kings from Bradenton, Florida recorded the song "There is a Light" on their 2007 Secret Valentine Album. At once simple and touching, There is a Light brings to mind the Christmases of childhood and the excitement and expectation associated with the holiday. The allure of this song is that it conveys the spirit of Christmas without being a redundant Christmas tune that everyone has heard a million times.

While these are the top five guitar Christmas songs that we recommend for acoustic guitar, this is hardly a comprehensive list. It has barely scratched the surface of the number of great guitar Christmas songs available, but it is a place to start. We can only hope that it helps to make your holidays a little happier.

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Ibanez RG350DX Review - Budget Shred Machine!

2010-12-05T14:40:00.001Z

The Ibanez RG350DX is really a top-flight guitar and one worthy of the name "Ibanez" on the headstock.

Not too long ago, the idea of great sounding and playing guitars coming from Japan was something of a joke. Now, the joke is on the detractors because companies like Takamine and Ibanez make high quality instruments, the latter being especially famous for the electric guitars. If you've got people like Steve Vai and John Scofield playing your instruments, obviously you're doing something right. Ibanez has rightly earned a solid reputation for quality instruments at prices most of us can afford.

Ibanez's high-end guitars are still made in Japan and, like many companies, they've also started outsourcing their lower-cost guitars to South Korea. Overall, these guitars have been received very well. One of the most popular of the Korean-made Ibanez guitars is the RG350DX. Why is that the case? Read and see!

Features
The RG350DX sports a basswood body, 3 piece maple Wizard II neck, and bound rosewood fretboard with jumbo frets and shark inlays. The pickups are an INF3, INFS2, and INF4, in the neck, middle, and bridge respectively. The bridge is an Ibanez Edge III tremolo. Black hardware is standard.

Performance
When you first start to play an RG350DX, you'll immediately be comfortable with the neck, assuming you've played an Ibanez before. Ibanez simply has some of the fasted "shredder-friendly" necks around, and the RG350DX is no exception. The 3-piece Wizard II neck is thin and ready to shred.

We had no problems ripping some fast runs and sweep arpeggios. The neck has 24 jumbo frets that facilitate such effortless motion.

We were impressed with the variety of sounds available for such a guitar. The pickups are by Ibanez and are an Infinity 4 humbucker in the bridge, Infinity 3 humbucker in the neck, and Infinity Single3 in the middle. To be sure, this guitar is geared for high gain shred, but you can definitely get some convincing rock, blues, and fusion sounds as well due to the versatile pickup combination.

The guitar also sports an Ibanez Edge III vibrato system that allows you to turn the strings to butter and still return to pitch-perfect tune. Like any Floyd Rose licensed tremolo, the adjustments can be a pain, but as long as you keep it in standard tuning, you should be fine.

The guitar has an attractive white finish on a basswood body. We didn't find any significant deficiencies in the finish, though we certainly tried hard to find them. In typical Ibanez fashion, the fretboard is outfitted with sharktooth inlays and black hardware.

The Bottom Line
With its low price, it's very tempting to call this a budget guitar, but to do so might make people skeptical of its quality. Honestly, we've played guitars that cost twice this much that don't play as well. It's really a top-flight guitar and one worthy of the name "Ibanez" on the headstock.

Name of Gear: Ibanez RG350DX
List Price: $533.32
Manufacturer Info: Ibanez Guitars; ibanez.com
Pros: Wonderful playability; versatile rock sounds; excellent value
Cons: None

Ibanez RG350DX

Taylor 814CE Review - Ultimate Acoustic-Electric Guitar?

2010-12-05T14:23:00.002Z

One of the best instruments in its class, the Taylor 814CE stands apart as a world-class instrument, versatile and well-balanced.

When Bob Taylor introduced bolt-on necks onto the guitars that bear his name, it's safe to say that the bulk of the guitar community thought he was out of his mind. This isn't surprising, since the guitar community as a whole is pretty conservative when it comes to guitar gear, and conventional wisdom maintained that a guitar's acoustic sound would be ruined by disregarding convention.

What ultimately happened with Bob Taylor and his new-fangled guitar? Well, as you can probably guess, the proof was in the sound and in the playing. People actually got their hands on his guitars and the skeptics learned that Taylor knew a thing or two about building guitars. To this day, Taylor is one of the most respected guitar builders in existence. They currently produce dozens of different models, none being more beloved than the 814CE.

Features
The 814CE is built with a solid Sitka spruce top and a rosewood back and sides. Taylor uses ebony for both the fingerboard and the bridge and sports gold-plated tuners and gold buttons. The binding is maple and the fretboard is adorned with mother-of-pearl fretboard inlays and an abalone rosette. Taylor's Expression System electronics are standard.

Performance
The 814CE is likely the company's most versatile guitar, which is no small statement. The wood choice helps determine this versatility. From a purely aesthetic point of view, the Taylor 814CE might be one of the most attractive production-level guitars you'll ever see. Taylor has certainly made a beautiful guitar.

Of course, an attractive guitar is only really attractive if it plays and sounds well, too. How does the 814CE measure up in that area? Very well, to say the least. Taylor guitars are known for their playability, and the 814CE measures up in this regard as well. Its action is comparable to many electric guitars.

It doesn't matter if you're playing lead lines or doing rhythm work, the 814CE plays like a dream and sounds good with fingerpicking or flatpicking.

The Taylor sounds great when you play it acoustically, but it really sounds world-class when you plug it in. Guitar pickup systems are a dime a dozen, but the Taylor Expression System (ES) really stands out from the crowd.

It only has three controls, but the Taylor ES nonetheless is a very versatile system, regardless of the amplification system you use (acoustic amp, PA, and so forth). Whomever named this the "Expression System" was definitely on the money. This system does an excellent job in translating the beautiful sounds and intricate nuances of the Tyalor 814CE.

The Bottom Line
One of the best instruments in its class, the Taylor 814CE stands apart as a world-class instrument, versatile and well-balanced. This is a guitar that you could use on stage or in the studio. When you combine its amazing tonal versatility with its playability, you've got a sure-fire winner.

Name of Gear: Taylor 814CE
List Price: $4,058.00
Manufacturer Info: Taylor Guitars; taylorguitars.com
Pros: Impeccable build quality; solid playability; very versatile
Cons: None

Taylor 814CE

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How To Write Songs On Acoustic Guitar

2010-11-20T13:40:00.004Z

I've found that writing the basic idea for a song on my acoustic guitar is a much more successful way to song write no matter what type of music you are into. It makes sense to me that if a song can sound good when just played at a basic, no frills level like this then it's certainly going to work in a full band situation complete with drums, as and maybe keyboard. When played on acoustic guitar then it's also much easier to set a rhythm, tempo, chord structure and melody. So try it and see how you get on. You'll be surprised at the cool things you can come up with.

And when you think about it, how many classic songs have you heard played in this stripped down manner? Just about every great song will have one version broken down to just a guy or gal and their acoustic and I love to hear a song played in this way. It really sorts the wheat from the chaff in my opinion and is a great way to begin building your songs.

Now you may find this a bit of a surprise but using less chords in your songs actually makes it harder to write. Yes, that's correct and the reason for this is that a lack of chords means that you are forced into adding interest into your song in another way. Try it. I've now written several 2 chord songs and believe me it's a real challenge. There are ways to add a spark but it's not easy. You can try a tempo change or a rhythm change for verse or chorus or switching the chords over to try and create interest. Give it a go!

Now, for complete beginners to songwriting I believe that a 3 chord structure is the way to go, and it's what the majority of songs use. You can't just throw any chords together though so be careful. I'd suggest a nice simple sequence to begin with held together with a strong melody, so D, C, G or E, A, D would be a good start and many classic songs use these sequences so no excuses!

A method you can also use with 3 chord structures is what is called a 'turnaround'. This is where you effectively change a 3 chord sequence into a 4 chord structure e.g. E, A, D, A. This again is frequently used by major artists...remember 'Wild Thing' by The Troggs?

This next tip is a real beauty, and I use this all the time, maybe too often at times but I love the effect of it. It involves adding a false bass note to a straight chord. This technique can be heard in songs like 'Use Somebody' by Kings of Leon which uses an E bass note on a C Chord, or 'Wish You Were Here' by Pink Floyd which uses an F# bass note on a D chord.

Try some of these ideas to enhance your songwriting

Songwriting 4 Guitar

Real Guitar Players Or Just Gamers?

2010-11-20T12:59:00.001Z

Rock Band 3 Guitar players have something to celebrate, with the forthcoming release of a brand new controller designed especially for the game in association with the company that is responsible for defining what half of the rock and roll guitars have looked like since the 50's, Fender (the other half probably being designed by Gibson!).

Not only does the new Rock Band 3 Guitar controller do all the usual stuff that the regular controllers do, but now with the addition of real strings and a pickup (a sort of "microphone" for a guitar for want of a better description), means that gamers can take their skills from the virtual stage onto the real world stage by actually learning to play.

The fact that playing the previous versions of the Rock Band games has always had the stigma of being a child's toy rather than a real instrument attached to it by serious musicians has always kept the game well and truly on the store toy shelf. The gap has been considerably closed with this new controller, the choice is now a clear one, you can keep on playing the game like you always did with the standard controller, or take things to the next level and become a real musician, how cool is that?

While all this sounds fantastic, what is the reality of the situation and how well is this all really going to work?

There are some issues with this new technology, for a start the new Rock Band 3 Guitar controller currently only works in pro mode which means that you can only play roughly 4% of the available games, this is something that most prospective buyers are hoping will be addressed before the launch, because otherwise it means that you will need 2 controllers to actually play all of the songs in the game.

While the available videos and previews make this guitar look like it does everything it promises and more, this is something we have seen recently with another rival product that promised so much in the demos but is getting terrible reviews right now, I am of course referring to the Power Gig guitar.

While I have seen this guitar I have not checked it out thoroughly, the complaints range from things like the game itself and the software in general are not good and look very dated, to complaints that the guitar strings have to be pushed down very hard to make the sensors pick them up. This last point may be something that will affect a lot of beginner guitar players on the new Fender guitar as well, any guitar player knows that you have to build up strength in your fingers to fret correctly and eradicate the buzz, and you will get pain and callouses on your fingertips.

This begs the question, will kids be turned off by this and just go back to the much easier option of using their familiar controller?

We as human beings tend to go the easy route and this could well happen, but my guess is that while some may fall by the wayside, a lot of new musicians will come from using this device, and this is similar to instruments and kids in general, some keep at it, some give up.

Whatever happens one thing is sure, these are exciting times for gamers and wanna be musicians alike, I for one will be checking this new guitar out as soon as I can.

http://www.bandgames.net/bandcontroller.html

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Popular Acoustic Guitar Songs

2010-11-06T14:53:00.000Z

The quest for popular acoustic guitar songs begins when you find that you have acquired some expertise on your guitar, and you have realized that your favorite songs don't fill as much time as you thought they would. So as an acoustic guitar player you are going to need a repertoire.

When I think of popular acoustic songs, I can't help but think of Peter, Paul And Mary. No, not the biblical ones, the folk group from the sixties. At that time in America and England there was an interest on the part of the younger generation in the folk music of their respective countries. One of the few groups to cash in on the folk boom to any great extent was Peter, Paul And Mary.

Peter, Paul And Mary helped Bob Dylan become the legend that he is by making his songs accessible to the wider music-loving public. The ones who did not find a nasal whine romantic or, indeed attractive in any way. So here's a lesson in getting together a repertoire of popular acoustic guitar songs: your presentation is paramount.

Bob Dylan wrote the songs. He had the feelings that connected with a generation of angry and discontented young people. But Peter, Paul And Mary brought the composer and the audience together. So a popular song need not be one that people have heard of before. It could be a song that you MAKE popular. Maybe not to a worldwide audience, but your own circle of friends is a start.

The Doors recorded a song called Light My Fire. It was a loud driving rock song. It was re-worked by Jose Feliciano as a Latin ballad and reached number three on the pop charts. To many music fans Jose Feliciano's version of Light My Fire is the definitive one. Now THAT is a popular song. Eric Clapton's acoustic version of Layla is another example of a popular acoustic guitar song that started life as something totally different.

So, you have something to think about regarding presentation when you consider how you get together an acoustic guitar repertoire. Another factor that kind of relates to presentation is how your technical expertise on the guitar matches up with the demands of the song. If you find yourself fumbling your chord changes maybe you should look for some substitutions or a simpler song.

Acoustic guitar songs can be both popular and easy to play. The America song, Horse With No Name can be played using only one chord. There are a gazzilion songs with only three chords. House Of The Rising Sun is an extremely popular song often played on acoustic guitar, which has only four easy chords.

We have thought about the importance of presentation when looking for popular acoustic guitar songs. We have also mentioned not overextending our guitar technique. Two simple ideas that are extremely important when you are choosing popular acoustic guitar songs for your repertoire.

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Easy Guitar Lessons: Three Basic Techniques

2010-11-06T11:59:00.002Z

Three basic techniques to get you going

There are three basic techniques you need to learn in order to begin playing your favourite guitar songs. Technique one: Guitar chords are the foundation for all acoustic guitar songs. Technique two: the strumming technique: and Technique three: shifting between chords. Master these three techniques and you will be able to play some of the most popular songs ever produced by some very famous artists.

Technique One: Guitar Chords
The quickest way to get started as a beginner is to learn at least three simple major chords, such as D, C and G major or C, F and G major. These simple chords will give you the basic foundation for learning easy and well-known songs on the guitar. Framing the shape of each guitar chord will require quite a bit of practice and patience; but once you master them you will not be disappointed because the guitar world will slowly open to you. When you practice consistently you will build up the strength required in the muscles; you will also develop chord-memory in the hands especially if you are a beginner. What does this mean? It means that the more you practice chord shapes the more your fingers will assume the chord shape quickly without conscious effort - it becomes automatic and natural.

One of the best ways to practice each chord is to frame each chord without strumming; press hard to develop the muscles and re-frame each chord again and again. Do this for each of these three major chords.

Technique Two: Strumming
Once you have mastered the basic chord shapes then you need to learn how to strum. Again this will require practice and patience. Timing, rhythm and coordination are all part of good technique requiring consistent practice. You will need a soft pick to start off with and learn how to hold it (search Youtube for basic lessons). I don't use a pick because I grow and shape the finger nail on my right hand.

For me, strumming is part wrist and part elbow movement and sometimes it is just in the wrist or in the elbow. You will need to experiment with this to figure out what is best for each song. The most basic strum is simply a down-stroke (D) to which you can add an up-stroke (U). A pattern that is worth exploring as a beginner is a combination of the down and upstrokes which looks like this: D DU UD. The DU is a down and upstroke played one after the other as a pair; likewise with the UD.

You should practice this strum without a guitar to get an idea of the technique; then practice it with the strings muted. Once you are comfortable you can then practice with your three major chords. The key is to complete the chord sequence of D DU UD before you move to the next chord.

Technique Three: Shifting between Chords
Finally, shifting between each chord is also an important technique a beginner needs to master. Again, shifting from one chord to another chord will take practice and patience. For a beginner, it is best to start by practising without strumming. First frame the chord, for example the D major, then shift to the next chord the C major without strumming, then shift to the third chord, the G major without strumming, then shift back to the D major. Perform this simple exercise many times without strumming and in time. Once you become familiar with each chord structure you can mix it up: D to G to C and so on.

Easy Acoustic Guitar Songs to Learn
Once you have learnt these basic techniques of framing three major chords, basic strum techniques and shifting easily between each chord, then you can learn to play some easy acoustic guitar songssuch as Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Moon Rising by Creedence and Brown Sugar by the Stones and many more.

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Electric Guitar Rig Tone Secrets

2010-10-31T19:49:00.001Z

Trying new and different electric guitar rig tones can literally open your mind up to a whole new world on your guitar. You don't have to be an expert to create a sound that exceeds your expectations, but you do need to have some relatively decent equipment and know the inside scoop on creating a sound that you love.

Your Equipment

The most important electric guitar rig tone secrets are the ones that point to having decent equipment ( I don't mean Mesa Boogies or high end Marshall's and Gibson's), but rather, for example, an Epiphone Les Paul and a Bugera Amplifier. If you have a low-end, second rate guitar and amp, you simply won't be able to produce the sound that you are trying to achieve, especially at higher volumes. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get great equipment, however. Make sure that your guitar has good pickups, and a guitar that doesn't easily lose tune easily. If it does, then you can easily replace the pickups and overhaul the guitar for a better overall sound. There are also some tricks that you can use to get a great sound out of the equipment that you have if you don't want to spend more money.

You can also think about your sound in terms of what the audience is hearing. If you sit next to your amp to dial it in, and then listen to your tone from a few feet away, you may notice that there is a real difference in the sound your guitar and amp are producing. Make sure that you walk around, and away from your amplifier while you are playing your guitar. You can adjust the tone so that it sounds great no matter where you are. If you play a combo amplifier, you may want to consider building an amplifier stand to raise your amp up slightly, so that the speakers aren't obstructed on the stage.

Getting the Ultimate Guitar Tone

Okay, so I stressed equipment and gear, but now we need to look to the amplifier EQ settings. To enhance the EQ settings, I would strongly suggest investing in an EQ Stompbox or Rack for really bringing that tone out. But for now, we'll adjust the amp's EQ. You most likely have "High", "Mids", and "Low" controls on your amplifier. Highs are for the treble, Mids are for the... well the mid range, and the lows are bass. Some amps have a contour or blend control as well.

Is there a particular sound you want to recreate from your favorite band? Start off by adjusting all the EQ controls to noon (arrow straight up), find the volume range you want to be at, and one-by-one adjust each EQ control. Start with the highs and tweak each control little by little, and repeat through-out each control until recreate that sound.

Tip: If you scoop your mids too much, you may find it difficult for your tone to cut through the mix.

Playing guitar doesn't have to be complicated. Take these electric guitar rig tone secrets, and use them next time you think you don't have the sound that you want or need for your application. If you are looking for a simpler solution, I would suggest investing in a Multi-Effects Processor; see Vox Tonelab, Line 6 POD, Digitech RP series. Multi-Effects Processors are designed and set up to recreate you favorite amp head and cab out of the box. Instead of buying eight high-end guitar amplifiers, just buy one Multi-Effects Processor and get the tone of those eight amps (and more).

Guitar Amplifier Buyers Guide.

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2010-10-13T10:06:00.000+01:00

Learning to Play Thrash Metal Guitar?

2010-10-12T12:50:00.000+01:00

The new wave of thrash metal is here, and the underground is alive with new acts paying homage to that most vibrant era of metal. So you've been inspired by Municipal Waste, Evile, Gama Bomb and their peers to start learning to play thrash metal guitar? excellent! There are some bands you need to check out that inspired the bands you love today, in order to get a real feel for the genre and the wide variety of styles that it encompasses. Here I'll take you through some classic artists and albums that could help you develop your style further.

FORBIDDEN- 'Twisted into Form'

One of the most respected thrash metal albums outside of the big sellers by the usual suspects, 'Twisted Into Form' is excellent for guitarists and drummers. Featuring the drums of the legendary Paul Bostaph (Slayer) and very precise riffs, this is an album that still holds up well today as a powerhouse of thrash ideas.

ANNIHILATOR- 'Never, Neverland'

The 1990 follow-up to their genre-defining 'Alison Hell' album is an amazing example of thrash done well. Socially conscious lyrics meld with razor-sharp riffs and machine-gun drums to blistering effect. This was the album that truly cemented Jeff Waters as one of the best guitarists the genre has. His picking technique is incredible. Just check out songs like 'Imperiled Eyes'!

SEPULTURA- 'Chaos AD'

While this particular album was released after the main body of the thrash scene, it is a fine example of a modern take on the thrash metal movement. The guitars of Andreas Kisser and Max Cavalera are a vicious assault indeed, mixed with a little punk and a lot of rage. Different to the pack.

TESTAMENT- 'The New Order'

Seen by many as the definitive thrash metal band, Testament have the incredible Alex Skolnick in their midst, one of the finest players around. With jazz and blues tinged solos and very creative rhythms, Testament have always been a law unto themselves. This album in particular captures the feel of the classic thrash era.

Still want more than just Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax? Check out the work of these bands: Over Kill, Onslaught, Sacred Reich, Xentrix, Mortal Sin, Exciter, Sodom, Voivod, Kreator... There are countless bands out there that can help you find inspiration for learning thrash metal guitar!

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