Guy Fenocchi has six new lessons on using the Dorian Mode for soloing over minor jazz progressions. You will learn how to use minor pentatonic scales, arpeggio combinations, and major triads to create your own lead parts. Having a variety of notes to pull from helps you keep things interesting over long extended jams. This lesson package features over 140 minutes of instruction. Watch a preview:
{ 0 comments }
MusicRadar.com has a brief post on miking tips for acoustic guitar. They discuss using one and two condenser mic setups.
we’re not going to just mic sound from the guitar’s soundhole – the results would be too bassy. Both low-end and high-end tone emanates from your acoustic, but from different places. The low-end is mainly around the soundhole area while the higher end sounds will be around the area of the 12th fret.
{ 0 comments }
Korg is giving away a free tuner every Monday through December 19th, 2010. All you have to do is enter your email address and zip code.
{ 0 comments }
We have two new lessons based on lesser known but extremely talented blues acts. In the Style of Magic Slim will teach you some upbeat and electric blues guitar licks. Mentored and given his nickname by Magic Sam, Slim himself became a standout on the Chicago blues scene. Our second lesson is for acoustic guitar and teaches you the Piedmont Blues style of Cephas & Wiggins This harmonica and guitar act out of Virginia made music that was a perfect accompaniment to any porch sitting session. Below you will find Youtube videos by both acts or ou can check out a NPR broadcast of a concert by Cephas & Wiggins.
{ 1 comment }
Guitar Player has a helpful article discussing string materials, height, size, durability, and shape. Here’s an excerpt:
HEAVIER STRINGS CAN SOUND BIGGER… BUT NOT ALWAYS: Thicker strings can make you sound bigger, but only if partnered with an appropriate playing style. If you hammer the strings hard to get a lot of movement out of those wires, going up a gauge or two might suite your playing style fine. But if you’re a more delicate player, you might not get those strings moving, and going up a gauge might just choke your tone. Jimi Hendrix is known to have used .009 and .010 sets, and tone monsters Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page both purportedly used super-light sets with .008 high-E strings. Wimps? Ha! SRV used .012 or .013 sets, but also tuned his Strats down a half-step to Eb, which makes a .012 feel more like an .011.
{ 2 comments }
Mashable has an article about the new site Headliner.fm. The basic idea is that you get “Band Bucks” based on the number of fans you have following you on Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter. You can then use those bucks to encourage other bands to mention you on one those sites. You’ll receive more bucks for returning the favor and giving another band some love. The effectiveness of this probably depends on your ability to find local bands so you can advertise shows that people will actually attend. This site could also be helpful if you have your music online and a way for people to subscribe to a news list. Either way, it sure seems better than having to staple flyers all over town. Watch this video for more info
headliner.fm Sizzle Reel from headliner.fm on Vimeo.
{ 0 comments }
The Classical Guitar Blog has an interesting post on asking your teacher to tell stories. The concept comes from a business book called Sources of Power
If you ask experts what makes them so good, they are likely to give general answers that do not reveal much. But if you can get them to tell you about tough cases, nonroutine events where their skills made the difference, then you have a pathway into their perspective, into the way they are seeing the world (p. 189).
So how do you apply this to guitar? Chris suggests the following
Ask your teacher what she did the first time she performed. Ask him how he practiced that difficult bit in a piece, even if it’s not a piece you’re working on the lessons in those stories can often be applied to other works. Ask about their early years or playing and what they did to get better during them.
This seems like a great idea to me. Many teachers eventually fall into a rhythm. They are teaching the same things to new students over and over every year. It’s efficient, it’s easy, and it works. But every now and then, you should push them for more so that you get the most for your money. Instead of always asking “how do I”? Challenge your teacher with a “How did you”?
Click here for free premium guitar lessons and 50 FREE videos.
{ 1 comment }
Brent Mason talks with Wampler Pedals about the pedals he uses to get his tone. Some of it’s a little technical (especially with the poor vocal miking) but it’s a great insight into his effects. I really like how he discusses the different sounds between artists, pop, etc.
Also be sure to check out Peter’s free Brent Mason Style Lick in E lesson
{ 0 comments }
We have two new lessons by Peter Vogl that will teach you to play like Eddie Van Halen. Van Halen Style Licks covers some blazing fast licks using techniques like tapping, symmetrical patterns, and hammer ons and pull offs to random open strings. Our second lesson, Van Halen Tricks, focuses more on tone. You will learn how Eddie used his Phaser Pedal, whammy bar, and techniques like palm mutes and pick scrapes to create special effects. Together these are a fun set of lessons that will get you on your way to playing like Eddie Van Halen. Visit the links above to see demo videos and more information.
{ 0 comments }
This medley of 22 different TV theme songs was made by Fredde Gredde. Through some clever editing he’s created the allusion that the song is performed by the Fredrik Twins. The video features some obvious nostalgia as well as quality singing, guitar playing, and piano.
{ 1 comment }
