Guitar Lessons, Interviews, News, Reviews, & More | Guitar Messenger

Robert Cray – Nothin’ But Love

Luke Dennis — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:49:55 +0000

When Muddy Waters sang ‘The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock and Roll’ in 1977 it was a lesson to the youth of where this loud new sound had originated from just a scant couple decades ago. Few, however, took to mind the parent within the metaphor. Young as rock and roll still may have been, what kind of elder would the blues grow to be as its child went through the growing pains of punk, hair metal, and grunge? The blues has come a long way from its rural roots, in turn putting its myriad of... (Continue)

Jakub Żytecki – Living Mirrors: A Lesson In Songwriting & Arrangements

Jakub Zytecki — Tue, 14 May 2013 02:08:37 +0000

Welcome to my lesson at Guitar Messenger! Today, I’m going to talk about my approaches to songwriting and arrangements. I’ve taken a few examples from the Disperse album called Living Mirrors and would like to discuss how the instruments in those examples work together. At the end, I’ve got a solo section I would like to break down for you, as well. Enigma of Abode The first example comes from the ambient part of Enigma of Abode. I’m going to show you what I tried to do to create the space and ambient atmosphere of that part and what kind... (Continue)

Guitar Messenger Solo Competition – Submit Your Entry!

Ivan Chopik — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:54:27 +0000

Step One DOWNLOAD THE CONTEST BACKING TRACK available at Facebook.com/GuitarMessenger. Give us a LIKE, then click the BACKING TRACK tab next to the LIKES count at the top right to access the audio and transcriptions for the track. This is the solo section from Scar Symmetry‘s DOMINATION AGENDA. Step Two RECORD A VIDEO OF YOU PLAYING YOUR ORIGINAL SOLO OVER THE BACKING TRACK. Be creative and show us what you got! Need some fresh ideas? Why not check out Per Nilsson’s SCAR GUITAR instructional DVD for over two hours worth of video and a 50-page tablature booklet? Step Three ENTER YOUR CONTEST... (Continue)

Exclusive Video: SCALE THE SUMMIT Tracking Guitars For New Album – THE MIGRATION

Ivan Chopik — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:13:06 +0000

Progressive instrumentalists SCALE THE SUMMIT have released a second behind-the-scenes video update from the recent recording sessions for their new album, The Migration, which will be released in North America on June 11th. This installment features a sneak peek into the guitar tracking process. The album is the follow-up to 2011′s The Collective, which saw the band tour alongside the likes of Periphery, Cynic, Fair To Midland, The Contortionist, The Human Abstract, Protest The Hero and Trioscapes. Since that album’s touring cycle ended late last year, the band has kept busy with guitarist Chris Letchford launching his own signature series... (Continue)

Two-Handed Tapping Virtuoso DON LAPPIN Releases New Album TAPPED IN

Ivan Chopik — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 19:56:52 +0000

Guitar virtuoso Don Lappin has just released Tapped In - an instrumental rock album featuring Steve Hunt (Allan Holdsworth, Billy Cobham, Stanley Clark) on keyboards, Joe Santerre (Jon Finn) on bass, and Chad Wackerman (Allan Holdsworth, James Taylor, Frank Zappa) on drums. A milestone release for the guitar world, Tapped In clocks in at just under an hour and is essential listening for fans of Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Guthrie Govan, and Steve Morse. Don Lappin is renowned for his one-of-a-kind voice on his instrument, developed in part due to his unorthodox two-handed tapping technique. Paired with a keen sense of melody, the approach allows him... (Continue)

SellThisGuitar.Com: New Global Interface For Guitar Selling & Buying

Ivan Chopik — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:45:42 +0000

SANTA BARBARA, CA (February 8, 2013) — Walk into your local music store and see if you can find a 1955 Gibson Les Paul Jr. Chances are, unless you happen to live next door to Norman’s Rare Guitars, you won’t have much luck. And how do you go about selling a vintage guitar when collectors are spread throughout the world? Now guitar sellers and buyers will have a one-stop resource to find every guitar for sale around the globe. Created as a personal project from Seymour Duncan’s Media Manager Scott Olson, Sell This Guitar uses the web to do what... (Continue)

Opeth: Fredrik Åkesson Masterclass

admin — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 23:22:50 +0000

[Fredrik's Paul Reed Smith Signature Model guitar is in Standard Tuning: E A D G B E] String-Skipping / Tapping Lick This lick utilizes both string-skipping and tapping techniques. Fredrik creates some interesting harmonic movement by outlining an Emin7 arpeggio, followed by a combination of Eaug(maj7) and Emaj7 arpeggios. He warns that “the tricky part is to mute the strings… it’s all about muting with this hand and that hand whenever you need to.” Pay special attention to ensure that all notes are cleanly separated and are not bleeding into one another when crossing strings. “When I tap, I tap with... (Continue)

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Announce DISARM THE DESCENT As Title Of New Album Out April 2

admin — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:56:22 +0000

(New York, NY): Grammy-nominated, Massachusetts-based hard rockers Killswitch Engage –singer Jesse Leach, guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, bassist Mike D’Antonio, guitarist Joel Stroetzel and drummer Justin Foley- have announced Disarm The Descent as the title of their upcoming sixth album. The 12-track record is due out April 2 on longtime label Roadrunner Records and is the follow up to 2009′s self-titled release. Disarm The Descent is the band’s first album with original singer Leach at the vocal helm since 2002′s now classic, genre-defining Alive or Just Breathing. Leach returned to the band in January 2012 after a decade-long absence. The first single,... (Continue)

ORDER SCAR GUITAR TODAY! Per Nilsson’s Guitar Instructional DVD

admin — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:38:23 +0000

SCAR GUITAR: Per Nilsson’s Guitar Instructional DVD CLICK HERE TO VIEW A SAMPLE VIDEO AND ORDER TODAY! Over 2 hours of lessons and performances, in-depth interviews, & bonus materials: behind the scenes footage, jam sessions, & the mandatory blooper reel! The accompanying 50-page booklet contains thorough tablature transcriptions of all exercises and songs. Related ArticlesSCAR GUITAR: Per Nilsson’s Guitar Instructional DVDPer Nilsson Interview (Scar Symmetry)Guitar Messenger Solo Competition – Submit Your Entry!SCAR SYMMETRY Post Album Trailers And 2 Songs From THE UNSEEN EMPIRESCAR SYMMETRY Reveals Album Cover + Details For THE UNSEEN EMPIREScar Symmetry: Per Nilsson Masterclass (Part 2)

SCAR GUITAR: Per Nilsson’s Guitar Instructional DVD

admin — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:11:28 +0000

Scar Guitar is a detailed journey into the modern playing styles of Per Nilsson, one of the world’s finest guitarists. Best known for his work with swedish melodic death metal group Scar Symmetry, Per offers a close-up personal look at his unique approaches to music and the guitar. Over 2 hours of lessons and performances, in-depth interviews, & bonus materials: behind the scenes footage, jam sessions, & the mandatory blooper reel! The accompanying 50-page booklet contains thorough tablature transcriptions of all exercises and songs. AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE. ORDER TODAY: $25 USD Contact us at ‘admin @ guitarmessenger.com’ (no spaces)... (Continue)

OSCAR’S GUITAR SHOP WITH OSCAR JORDAN TO DEBUT ON LATALKRADIO.COM ON JANUARY 4TH

admin — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 21:41:58 +0000

Music journalist, guitarist, songwriter, and actor Oscar Jordan, will debut Oscar’s Guitar Shop on January 4th 2013 at 2pm on LATalkRadio.com. This long anticipated Internet radio talk show follows the cable pilot Oscar’s Guitar Shop that can be seen on YouTube. In addition to performing throughout the Los Angeles area with his band Oscar Jordan & The Mighty Sons Of Hercules, Jordan has two critically acclaimed albums to his credit: Mister Bad Luck and Eclectic Soul. Jordan has major acting credits in film, television and commercials, and has been a contributing writer to Vintage Guitar Magazine and Music Connection Magazine... (Continue)

JAVIER REYES (ANIMALS AS LEADERS, T.R.A.M.) Releases New EP BASAL GANGLIA

admin — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 01:04:37 +0000

World renowned guitarist, Javier Reyes (Animals As Leaders, T.R.A.M.), has inked a new solo deal with Sumerian Records for his new project Mestis, which is an all instrumental effort. His debut EP, Basal Ganglia, is a five track offering showcasing Reyes’ vast musical diversity and features an intriguing variety of instrumentation performed by highly acclaimed musicians. The EP was released today and all physical copies are exclusive to all FYE retailers. Reyes states: “Basal Ganglia is an EP that come from several places, and by places, I mean influences. I’ve always wanted to create a style of music that focused... (Continue)

COMING SOON: Per Nilsson (Scar Symmetry) Instructional DVD – Teaser #2

admin — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 20:43:39 +0000

Guitar Messenger will soon be releasing their first ever instructional DVD featuring Per Nilsson of Scar Symmetry. The 2-hour program will cover Per’s approaches to scales, chords, tapping, sweeping, phrasing, articulation, song play-throughs and discussions, interviews, and much more. Everything Per performs on the DVD has been transcribed with meticulous detail in the accompanying tab booklet. Stay tuned and check out the first two teasers below: Teaser 2 Teaser 1 Related ArticlesSCAR GUITAR: Per Nilsson’s Guitar Instructional DVDScar Symmetry: Per Nilsson Masterclass (Part 2)Scar Symmetry: Per Nilsson Masterclass (Part 1)Per Nilsson Interview (Scar Symmetry)Future Metal ShredMichael Romeo Interview – Symphony X... (Continue)

CONTEST: Answer Trivia Questions & Win A Copy Of INTERVALLIC FRETBOARD Book

admin — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 18:04:16 +0000

Pêle-Mêle Works’ instructional book, Intervallic Fretboard – Towards improvising On The Guitar, offers guitarists a different take on the fingerboard, with improvisation as the underlying motivation. Shapes and patterns are widely used in teaching the guitar, be it for scales, chords, or arpeggios. This book takes a different approach to the guitar fretboard, emphasizing an intervallic thought process. Moving away from shapes and patterns, this knowledge of intervals on the fretboard and its geometric properties leads to an intelligent choice of notes based on their harmonic function. This fretboard know-how is exemplified through meaningful short exercises as well as fully-fledged... (Continue)

Jazz-Fusion All-Star Trio SCOTT HENDERSON, JEFF BERLIN, DENNIS CHAMBERS To Release New CD ‘HBC’

admin — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 15:00:10 +0000

Asheville, NC – Much to the excitement of musicians and jazz aficiandos worldwide, the highly anticipated CD release by jazz-fusion legends Scott Henderson, Jeff Berlin and Dennis Chambers, will be released on Tone Center Records (a division of Shrapnel Records) on October 16, 2012. Considered one of the most phenomenal trios in the history of jazz-fusion, HBC’s debut CD delivers a full dose of virtuosic performances guaranteed to thrill and inspire all who listen. “The trio is all about interplay,” explains guitarist Scott Henderson. “Jeff and I have always had a very high level of communication when we play together,... (Continue)

JOE BONAMASSA To Release Beacon Theatre Double Live Album

admin — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 15:22:50 +0000

Joe Bonamassa: Beacon Theatre – Live From New York is a double live album to be released by J&R Adventures in the US on Tuesday September 25th, featuring 20 stunning tracks that span his incredible career. The festivities kick off with 72nd St. Subway Blues, followed by Slow Train, from 2011′s solo album Dust Bowl, plus fan favorites Midnight Blues, Dust Bowl, Bird On A Wire, Blue & Evil, Mountain Time, and many more. Beth Hart performs with Bonamassa on I’ll Take Care of You and Sinner’s Prayer. John Hiatt joins Bonamassa on Down Around My Place and I Know A Place, while Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company) is featured alongside Bonamassa on Fire And Water and Walk In My Shadows. Bonamassa is offering... (Continue)

DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT Releases New Album EPICLOUD Today In North America

admin — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 21:53:01 +0000

Renowned multi-instrumentalist and producer Devin Townsend has released the DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT‘s new album, Epicloud, today in North America! To hear Epicloud in its entirety, please head over to Exclaim.ca for the exclusive album stream. Epicloud is currently available in the following formats: standard CD jewel case, limited edition digipack with bonus CD, and digital download on iTunes with two exclusive bonus tracks, “Cry Forever” (demo) and “Take My Ego” (demo). To purchase the album, please visit iTunes for a digital copy or CM Distro for all physical formats, plus an exclusive bundle that includes a DTP teddy bear (limited... (Continue)

Elevon Audio Pro Series Guitar Cable

Ivan Chopik — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 21:05:35 +0000

Mike Dunne and Rob Stepnowski are two avid guitarists with a synchronous vision of both music and audio product design philosophy. While their musical background lays the bedrock for their pro audio enterprise, the duo’s unique perspective on precision and ruggedized products first materialized in collaboration on a Navy aviation project with the Department of Defense. Harnessing their expertise in the development of rigorously engineered electronics systems and rugged aviation cables, they were able to plant the technology within their own line of products, leading to the formation of Elevon Audio in 2011. EA has since spawned into a boutique... (Continue)

Devin Townsend – Gear

admin — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:05:52 +0000

Guitars & Rig Guitars make or break songs. I firmly advocate that while certain guitars have a ton of songs in them, certain guitars have zero in them. If a guitar inspires you to play, you are going to write things according to the attributes of that specific guitar. For example, I got this guitar the other day and I’ve written a bunch of sort of poppy riffs on it. Every time I pick up the guitar I’m writing those sort of riffs. I got another guitar the other day that makes me want to write melodies or bluesy sort... (Continue)

Prog-Metal band THE DEADSTATION Release EP Mastered By JENS BOGREN

admin — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 22:45:31 +0000

Boston progressive-metallers The Deadstation released their debut EP “Episode 01: Like Peering Into The Deepest Ocean Abyss” recently as a free digital download, which can be found at HERE. Mastering duties were handled by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios in Orebro, Sweden. Bogren is known for working with numerous high-profile progressive metal acts including Devin Townsend Project, Opeth, James LaBrie, Symphony X, and Katatonia. For mixing, the band enlisted Peter Rutcho of Damage Productions, who is best known for producing three studio albums for Revocation. According to guitarists/bandleaders Shjon Thomas and Ryan Mattheu, the EP contains “26 minutes of epic... (Continue)

The Faceless: Michael Keene Masterclass

admin — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 19:22:44 +0000

[Michael's guitar is tuned down to Drop-C for all examples in this Masterclass: C G C F A D] The Ancient Covenant (0:01 – 0:07) Michael’s first example is the opening riff to ‘The Ancient Covenant’ from The Faceless album Planetary Duality. It is very characteristic of his dark riffing style with its rapid chromatic shifts and dissonant intervals. The example starts out with two descending minor triads, which are followed by a speed-picked chromatic pattern on the low C string. This same pattern is then shifted up the neck across the top four strings and topped off with a series... (Continue)

DESTINY POTATO Signs To Century Media Records & Posts New Track ‘DARK SIDE OF YOU’

admin — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:53:25 +0000

Century Media recently announced the signing of the Serbian-based band DESTINY POTATO. ”Just a few months after we officially formed the band we got an opportunity to play our first show at Euroblast 2011, where we met some boys and gals from Century Media as they came to hear/see us play. Not long after the fest we got in touch with them and after months of negotiations we are finally here and really looking forward to an amazing collaboration with all the great people in and around this label.” — DESTINY POTATO Officially formed in the spring of 2011, DESTINY POTATO mastermind,... (Continue)

Misha Mansoor Interview – Periphery (2012)

Ivan Chopik — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 22:10:06 +0000

Since their influential debut album release in 2010, Periphery have morphed from a fledgling young group with an eclectic blend of styles into a modern progressive metal powerhouse. After undergoing a number of lineup shifts and touring the world several times over, including a direct support run with the mighty Dream Theater, the sextet from Bethesda, Maryland arrived at their second release, Periphery II: This Time It’s Personal. This album declared a new chapter for Periphery, revealing a familiar, yet more refined sound that continues to push the boundaries of the styles it engulfs. I had the opportunity to sit down... (Continue)

Artist Lick: Jake Bowen of Periphery Plays ‘Luck As A Constant’ Solo

Ivan Chopik — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:58:29 +0000

[Jake's Ibanez Prestige 6-string guitar is tuned to Drop-C. Low to high: C G C F A D.] Luck As A Constant – 2nd Solo (4:50 – 5:20) With this solo I wanted to do something that was slightly shreddy, a little bit jazzy, a little bit flamboyant. It goes back and forth between two licks at a time. Bars 1-2 I’m switching from a selective picking technique straight into full alternate picking when I get to the higher strings. It has this almost ‘rolling’ effect in the beginning – you roll your way to the top and then... (Continue)

The Faceless: Wes Hauch Masterclass

admin — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:15:19 +0000

[Wes' guitar is tuned down a whole step for all examples in this Masterclass: D G C F A D] E Minor Lick In this example, Wes plays a lick in the key of E minor, demonstrating his tasteful approach to phrasing and melodic note choice. Be sure to check out the varying rhythmic groupings found within the line, as well as the inclusion of the raised 7th degree from the Harmonic Minor scale and the strategically placed chromatic passing tones. Mile Zero (Periphery) Solo Excerpt Wes on his solo for Periphery’s “Mile Zero” from their album Periphery II: This... (Continue)

Artist Riff: Mark Holcomb of Periphery Plays ‘Make Total Destroy’

Ivan Chopik — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 15:49:35 +0000

[Mark's Ernie Ball Musicman John Petrucci Signature Model 7-string guitar is tuned to Drop-Ab. Low to high: Ab Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb.] Make Total Destroy Second Verse Riff (1:01 – 1:31) I have this warm-up technique I do every once in a while before we play. It’s a six-note grouping and it’s just a series of hammer-on’s from open strings. I do that over and over again to limber up my fingers and I made a riff around this technique. I also like to use a lot of open strings in riffs to add a little bit... (Continue)

STEVE VAI To Release New Solo Album THE STORY OF LIGHT August 14th on Favored Nations Records

admin — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 20:48:01 +0000

LOS ANGELES, CA, July 23rd, 2012: Virtuoso guitarist and visionary composer Steve Vai will release The Story of Light, a new solo album of original material, on August 14. The title comes out on Favored Nations Entertainment, the label Vai founded in 1999. Its sprawling and expressive 12-song set continues a conceptual and cosmic narrative arc begun on the artist’s acclaimed 2005 album Real Illusions: Reflections (also Vai’s most recent solo studio release). Although The Story of Light is largely instrumental, the album does feature guest vocalists including singer-songwriter Aimee Mann—dueting with Vai on “No More Amsterdam,” which she also... (Continue)

PERIPHERY II: ‘This Time It’s Personal’ Out Now

admin — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 21:26:39 +0000

Combing the complex atypical rhythms and technical precision of math rock with the sensational brutality of progressive metal, Washington D.C’s PERIPHERY have redefined the boundaries of progressive music upon releasing their highly acclaimed self-titled worldwide debut. Guitar World boldly stated: “Misha Mansoor and PERIPHERY single-handedly created the progressive Djent rock revolution. Now everyone wants to get in on the act.” The group’s highly acclaimed sophomore full-length release, PERIPHERY II, is available everywhere now and can be purchased digitally HERE. The group’s new video for “MAKE.TOTAL.DESTROY.” can be seen below: Very rarely does a band come along that just... (Continue)

ANIMALS AS LEADERS House Robbed – Help Recover Stolen Gear

admin — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 00:05:11 +0000

It is with sadness that we report the following information published via the Animals As Leaders Facebook page yesterday, Saturday 16th, 2012: Hey guys. We’ve got some pretty terrible news to report. Upon returning home to our house in LA we discovered that we’d been robbed while were out on tour. The thieves were able to get away with Javier’s Chevy Blazer and all of the equipment we didn’t have on tour with us. 10 guitars in total. This includes many of our one of a kind custom instruments (Stranberg, Rick Toone ) as well as amplifiers, PA equipment and... (Continue)

The Ophidian Trek – Meshuggah / Baroness / Decapitated @ The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA

Luke Dennis — Sun, 06 May 2012 22:14:06 +0000

Leave it to the world of metal to produce a concert bill where the outfit called Decapitated is the “normal” one. Still, Poland’s death-metal droogs seem the perfect outfit to inaugurate the Ophidian Trek’s local stop at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Their brand of high-velocity punishment kicks the evening into gear for the loyal early crowd. But surely Decapitated’s phoenix-like return to the touring circuit merits the early draw. Having risen in defiance of the 2007 fatal car crash that claimed two members, founding guitarist Wacław “Vogg” Kiełtyka & Co. pummeled through a blistering set as lean as it... (Continue)