The Freeguitarvideos.com Blog

The Black Cab Sessions

2008-05-15T07:17:00.000-07:00

The Black Cab Sessions is a British website where they make a music video by recording a band playing a song while riding around London in a cab. What transpires is usually a stripped down version of the song and some real genuine moments. They've done over 40 sessions at the point and featured some bigger names like The National, Spoon, The New Pornographers, and The Raveonettes. They've also featured some bands that I wasn't as familiar with. One of those artists is Seasick Steve. A raw and gritty acoustic bluesman. After watching this video I went to youtube and found several clips from his appearances on the Jools Holland show. And I gotta say, Seasick Steve is thoroughly entertaining. Check out his Black Cab Session below...

If you wanna learn how to play some acoustic blues licks check out our Acoustic Blues: Intros & Endings lesson by Jody Worrell.

Funkiest Milk Commercial Ever!

2008-04-23T11:33:00.002-07:00

The California Milk Processor Board has produced this surreal commercial that gives finally gives MILK the glam rock treatment it so richly deserves. You can get the back story on this commercial from this Newsweek article. I'm not sure if this video affects my desire to drink milk in any way, but I may try to search eBay for a milk filled guitar. Without further ado... White Gold and the Calcium Twins performance of One Gallon Axe

"It's super natural, milk magical"

Don't find the tab, learn how to play the song

2008-04-23T10:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the IG Blog we came across this post by Dave Jacoby. It's Chapter 2 in his series on how to not suck at guitar. The basic idea is to occasionally pick out a popular tune and try to figure out how to play that tune on the guitar. It's easy to fall into a habit of only practicing technique and speed and forgetting about understanding the guitar. It's certainly quicker to do a google search and pull up the tab for a favorite song. And there's nothing wrong with that, but some of my favorite practice sessions have been either intentionally or semi-accidentally figuring out how to play a song. Dave suggested Happy Birthday, the IG Blog went with the 007 Theme and then recorded it. Try your own. I like the theme song idea. How about the Jeopardy theme?

Guitar Pic of the Week: Free Air Guitar

2008-04-18T06:25:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken from user selputura, on flickr

New Slide Guitar Lessons

2008-04-18T06:08:00.000-07:00

We have two new slide guitar lessons. The first lesson, Slide Guitar Basics, is a free video aimed at teaching a beginning slide guitar player some basic concepts. The lesson will look at right hand technique first and then delve into how to actually use the slide. You can view the Youtube version below.

We also have a new premium lesson called Easy Allman Brothers Style. The lesson will teach you some relatively easy slide guitar licks that can be played on just one string and in standard tuning. You can watch a demo here. If you're looking for something more advanced check out our Duane Allman Style Slide Guitar Licks lesson.

Get Guitar Amp Settings for Famous Songs

2008-04-15T06:36:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure who is responsible for this list of amp settings for popular songs and guitarists but it's a cool collection. Here are a couple of examples:

JIMI HENDRIX - PURPLE HAZE

drive at 8
treble at 7
mid at 9
bass at 6
reverb at 3
with overdrive

SULTANS OF SWING SETTINGS

presence at 4
treble at 5
nid at 5
bass at 5
reverb 2/3
master at 10

ERIC CLAPTON

gain at 7
treble at 5
mid at 7
bass at 7
presence at 8

We have our own series of lessons that will teach you how to play like the guitar greats. Check out our Mark Knopfler Style Lesson to get that Sultans of Swing sound or you can learn a few Eric Clapton Style Blues Turnarounds

iPhone meets the Guitar

2008-03-25T14:22:00.001-07:00

First we have an iPhone guitar tuner web app. Which basically works more like a tuning fork than a tuner. But I guess in a pinch this could come in handy outdoors somewhere.

We came across the next video thanks to iphonenewsblog. There's apparently a web app for the iPhone that simulates a guitar. You get all six string and a few frets to play with. You use one hand to simulate strumming or plucking and the other hand to fret the notes. It even can simulate slides.

Announcing FreeBassGuitarVideos.com

2008-03-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

Check out our new site for bass guitar instruction FreeBassGuitarVideos.com. We have new free video lessons, premium lessons, and downloadable versions of some of our older products. We also have two collections of jam tracks designed specifically for the bass.

The Lust for Life Beat

2008-01-22T11:04:00.000-08:00

On NPR's All Songs Considered blog, Bob Boilen examines the occurrences of what he calls the "Lust for Life" beat in other songs. Bob is referring to the famous opening drum and bass lines from Iggy Pop's song Lust for Life. He cites the Supreme's You Can't Hurry Love and Jet's Are You Gonna Be My Girl as also having a similar beat. The post features free versions of all three songs and many suggestions for other appearances of the "Lust for Life" beat are named in the comments.

I also highly recommend the NPR: All Songs Considered Podcast. There are typically two types of episodes: 1) Several new albums/artists are discussed with a track played for each one 2) a whole live concert. It's absolutely free and very easy to download through iTunes.

Video Tutorial: How to Read Guitar Tab

2008-01-15T08:39:00.000-08:00

One of the first stumbling blocks for a beginning guitarist trying to take guitar lessons may be trying to figure out what all of those lines and numbers in guitar tab mean. We've designed a series of free video lessons that will take the beginner through the basic concepts of guitar tab. Take a look...

How to Read Guitar Tabs

How to Read Chord Charts

How to Read Fingering Notation

Reading Double Stop Fingering Notation

Here is the youtube video of the How to Read Guitar Tab video

Blog Roundup: Practice, Clapton, and Cases

2008-01-11T07:45:00.000-08:00

The IG Blog has put up two interesting posts recently. The first post, The Key to Guitar Practice, brings up a very good point:

“In a craft practice, HOW we do what we do is primary, and WHAT we do is secondary. Our concern is with process rather than result.”

For me this would be an issue of how intently I'm practicing. If I'm mainly watching tv and happen to be playing guitar at the same time, am I actually practicing, or am I just fidgeting with my hands in a musical way? Playing through chord progressions and riffs that I've known for years is not practice. But trying to learn a new part or actually focusing on music theory is the type of practice that will actually make me a better guitar player.

The second post of interest references an old Guitar World interview with Eric Clapton where he discusses his guitar tone. Specifically, why he switched from a telecaster in his early Yardbirds days to a Les Paul and a Marshall amp when he was with the John Mayall and the Blues Breakers.

And finally, Guitar Noize points us towards some incredibly cool guitar cases by Kaces. They have a special line of cases featuring national flags (UK, USA, Mexico) with a weathered look to them. See examples below.

Ask a Teacher: Guides & Pivots

2008-01-09T08:21:00.000-08:00

PJ:: Thanks for your lesson on guides and pivots. Can you provide any assistance on the G chord to C chord change (where all fingers are finding different homes on the fret board)? I am finding the C to G change pretty straightforward, but getting back to C has been a bit frustrating to say the least. Anything you can share would be appreciated.

Peter: This is actually a tough chord change. I promote working on changes like this with slow motion work. Practice doing the chord change (or any that is difficult for you) by moving your fingers in slow motion. As slow as you can possibly go. This will help you minimize motion and gain control of your fingers. Depending on the fingering you use you are probably having to lift all of your fingers for this chord change. Practice lifting and placing them all at the same time in slow motion using as small of motions. Don't feel bad if this takes a while to master. Once again this is a difficult change but the battle is well worth fighting and will help you with other difficult changes as you progress. Best of luck.

Ben Deignan video performance of "Fault Line"

2007-12-28T08:23:00.000-08:00

A performance by Peter Vogl guitar student, Ben Deignan, of his original song "Fault Line". You can find more music by Ben on his bendeignan.com or myspace.

View Quicktime video of performance

Bio: Like a crisp fall apple, Georgia native Ben Deignan is picked for pop stardom. The singer/songwriter started playing the family’s six-string at 15, formed various garage bands in junior high and has now blossomed into a 21-year-old funkster with a sound that’s turning heads in clubs around Atlanta and beyond. “A female friend of mine described my music as ‘orgasmic’ and I thought it was clever,” Deignan says. “I never really took it seriously, but for some reason it has stuck.” Sticky is a good thing in a crowded musical universe where the latest flavor is one record flop from obscurity. It was only a few years ago, while playing his dad’s company party at the Tin Roof Cantina in Buckhead, that Deignan was plucked from his own obscurity by an A&R rep for a major record label. That exposure led him to renowned Atlanta-based musician, arranger and vocal producer Jan Smith (Usher, matchbox twenty), who signed Deignan to a development and production deal. Together with production partner Huston Singletary, Smith is helping the fresh-faced Deignan prep his pipes. “This industry is tough and in order to keep your head above water, you have to know the business,” Deignan says. Busy playing gigs and writing songs (“Most of the time it’s in places like the shower or on the highway at three in the morning”), Deignan has a blue-eyed soulful, skatty and softly cranky mood—he cites Bono, Stevie Wonder and The Police among his influences—that sounds like something you’d hear on the radio, only more interesting. Deignan’s routine of vocal exercises and playing covers in seedy college dives is quickly receding in the rearview: He recently recorded an eponymous four-song EP with Smith & Huston Productions, available on iTunes, and he’s gotten more than 30,000 hits on his MySpace player in addition to major label interest. Dealing with the inevitable comparisons, Deignan remains philosophical. “Guys like John Mayer were compared to other artists for along time, too,” he says. “It’s a comfort thing. I find it interesting because alot of people compare me to the sounds of Maroon 5 and Jason Mraz, but I don’t hear anyone compare either one of those artists to each other. Maybe I’m the link between them.”

Ask a Teacher: Phrasing

2007-12-26T12:33:00.000-08:00

Terry: I have been having trouble putting my lead playing together then i heard of a word called phrasing do you have anything on this?

Peter: Phrasing refers to the way you play a musical idea. It involves the rhythms and dynamics that you use to help you express whatever it is you are trying to express. For example do you play it like you are angry or do you play it quiet and sensitive. The main thing is the musical idea must be going somewhere and not played like a computer with every note the same volume and rhythm. There is no right or wrong way to phrase-just how it is you are feeling at that particular time. It is much like when we give a speech. If we say every word with the same volume and emphasis we put people to sleep. We must "phrase" to give each word, sentence, and paragraph it's intended meaning.

New Blues & Rock Jam Tracks Available

2007-12-14T10:11:00.001-08:00

Let's Jam! Blues & Rock Volume 3 by Jody Worrell is a collection of 13 high quality jam track MP3s. These tracks were recorded “live” by top studio musicians and give the impression of jamming along with a real band. The download contains extended jams (3 to 4 minutes) in a wide variety of keys and grooves, allowing you to practice many different styles. These rhythm tracks are a great way to try out new soloing ideas on a variety of instruments. The download features a .pdf booklet containing the chord progressions for each song and suggestions on scales that can be used to play along. There is no video information contained in this download. Listen to the sample track Dipstick Blues in G and view a sample page from the booklet.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Guitarists

2007-12-12T13:00:00.001-08:00

Guitar Lifestyle has a few holiday gift ideas for that special guitarist in your life. Ranging from key chain guitar tuners to reading material.

If you're looking for an easy way to give someone a guitar lesson as a gift, check out the gift certificates we've just made available. They can be used to buy downloads, dvd, books, or cds.

If you're feeling very giving this year, why not just by that person a whole guitar. Maybe even a guitar that was good enough for Stevie Ray Vaughan, or at least a replication of it.

Christmas Guitar Tabs and Performances

2007-12-12T12:56:00.000-08:00

Take a look at our Christmas guitar tabs for O Christmas Tree and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

We also have a new video of Jody Worrell performing Silent Night.

Gift Certificates Available

2007-12-04T13:03:00.000-08:00

We now have gift certificates available. It's the perfect way to give or receive downloadable guitar lessons as a present for Christmas. Our gift certificates can be redeemed for any Watch & Learn product. You can choose from any of the products on the following sites: freeguitarvideos.com, freemandolinvideos.com, freebanjovideos.com, or Watch & Learn

After purchasing the gift certificate the email address listed under "Bill To" information will receive two emails. One email will contain an invoice to keep for your records. The second email will be an actual gift certificate (example) that can you can print out and give to the recipient or you can forward the email itself to them.

If the gift card balance is less than the cost of a product, the balance can be combined with a credit card to pay for the purchase.

Gift cards expire 365 days after they are purchased.

If you have other questions please email sales@cvls.com

AVAILABLE GIFT CERTIFICATES

- $10 Gift Certificate
- $25 Gift Certificate
- $50 Gift Certificate

Elli Perry Performance

2007-11-16T10:11:00.000-08:00

A short word of advice and performance by Elli Perry, a solo artist and Peter Vogl guitar student. Elli is performing her original song Let It Slide. To hear more of Elli's music visit her myspace page.

Watch the video in Quicktime

Bio: Atlanta based singer, songwriter, guitarist Elli Perry has been writing and performing music since childhood. After picking up the guitar at age 12, she quickly started to develop her skills as a songwriter. Elli recorded her debut independent album entitled "A Beautiful Chaos" at age 15, and now as a polished and professional 19 year old she is working on her new record with famed vocal coach Jan Smith and her production team. Elli's percussive guitar playing, soulful voice, and intensely personal lyrics lend themselves to her unique style. Her biggest influences as a songwriter show her mature and eclectic musical tastes.-The Beatles, Elliott Smith, and Fiona Apple. One of Elli's greatest strengths as a musician is her live performance. She continuously wins over new fans with her emotional and honest stage prescence. She performs frequently around Atlanta, and the first 2 tracks from her new record can be found on her myspace page.

Elli's thoughts on Peter Vogl:"Working with Peter Vogl has enabled me to expand as a guitar player and as a songwriter. Peter is truly an artist and his ability to provoke the very best from his students is unparalleled. Peter has helped me to better understand my instrument, my technique, and what it is to be truly a musician."

Ask a Teacher: Thirds

2007-11-16T10:06:00.000-08:00

Mike: I just found your site "Watch & Learn" and I like it very much. I was going over the section on Country 3rd's. My question is, why are they called 3rd's?

Peter: The reference to 3rds has to do with the type of interval they are. Intervals means the distance between two notes. For example 1 fret is also called a half step and two frets is called a whole step. 3 frets is called a minor 3rd and 4 frets is called a major third. This way people can communicate with different instruments and know what is being talked about regardless of whether they have frets on their instrument or not. This falls under the category of music theory. You may want to try The Guitarist's Music Theory Book. (on our site) It starts from the beginning and all the intervals and their relevance is covered in the first chapter. Thanks for the question and I hope this helps.

Watch Peter's video explanation of Major and Minor Thirds.

Adam Harris Performance

2007-11-02T09:41:00.000-07:00

A quick bit of advice and performance by Adam Harris. Adam is a Peter Vogl student and will perform an original solo over a G Minor Groove jam track from the Let's Jam Jazz & Blues CD.

Bio: Adam Harris has been playing guitar for nearly six years. He was in several bands in high school that played a wide variety of genres including jazz, funk, blues, latin, rock and reggae. He is currently studying music at Presbyterian College in South Carolina with an emphasis in Jazz improvisation. Adam’s influences include Larry Carlton, George Benson, Joe Pass, Eric Clapton and Trey Annastasio.

On Peter Vogl: Studying under Peter’s instruction has taken my guitar playing to a very advanced level. He improved my technique immensely, allowing myself to play at speeds I had only dreamed of prior to taking lessons with him. Peter has given me a great depth in knowledge in theory along with many essential aspects of the guitar.

Watch the performance in Quicktime Video.

B.David Stevens Performance

2007-10-23T11:03:00.000-07:00

A quick interview and performance by christian artist, and Peter Vogl student, B David Stevens. In the video David performs his original song "Life". To hear more of his music visit David's myspace page.

Watch the performance in Quicktime Video.

“I gained an interest for learning guitar about 3 years ago. I purchased a guitar and started to teach myself. However, I knew that if I wanted to be polished I would have to take lessons and if I wanted to be great, I had to take them from the best. After learning about Jan Smith Studios and taking lessons from her, I discovered that one of the best guitarist in Georgia taught out of her studio: Pete Vogl. Taking lessons with Pete has been phenomenal. Pete not only focused on technique, but he explored how my instrument could compliment me as a vocalist. He was interested in the entire package and that’s what I liked! I would definitely recommend him to anyone from any background. Pete is honest, straight-forward, current, and very gifted. You won’t be sorry!!” B. David Stevens, Christian Artist

Jimmy Reed tribute video from Austin City Limits

2007-10-19T06:44:00.000-07:00

One of our all time favorite shows, Austin City Limits, has started including Quicktime video clips of performances on their website. There are couple from last year, but basically it starts with this season.

On October 27 Austin City Limits will have a tribute for bluesman Jimmy Reed:

"Joined by blues luminaries James Cotton, Delbert McClinton and others, guitarist Jimmie Vaughan pays tribute to blues legend Jimmy Reed, composer of the classics "Ain't That Loving You Baby," "Big Boss Man" and "Baby What You Want Me to Do."

Go to the website to watch the perfomance of Baby What You Want Me to Do.

Guitars and Women

2007-10-17T13:43:00.000-07:00

The Mad Stratter tips us off to this anonymously written list of ways that guitars are better than women.

# Guitars don’t get pregnant.
# You can play your guitar any time of the month.
# Guitars don’t have parents.
# Guitars don’t whine… unless you want them to.
# You can share your guitar with your friends.
# Guitars don’t care how many other guitars you’ve played
# Guitars don’t care how many other guitars you have.
# Guitars don’t care if you look at other guitars.
# Guitars don’t care if you buy guitar magazines.
# You’ll never hear, “Surprise, you are going to proud father of a new guitar!” unless you go out to buy one yourself.
# If your guitar is flat you can fix it.
# Your guitar doesn’t care if you never listen to it.
# Your guitar won’t care if you leave up the toilet seat.
# You don’t have to be jealous of the guy who works on your guitar.
# If you say bad things to your guitar, you don’t have to apologize before you play it again.
# You can play your guitar as long as you want and it won’t get sore.
# You can stop playing your guitar as soon as you want and it won’t get frustrated.
# Your parents won’t remain in touch with your old guitar after you dump it.
# Guitars don’t get headaches.
# Guitars don’t insult you if you’re a bad player.
# Your guitar never wants a night out with the other guitars.
# Guitars don’t care if you’re late.
# You don’t have to take a shower before you play your guitar.
# If your guitar doesn’t look good you can refinish it or get new parts.
# You can play your guitar the first time you meet it, without having to take it to dinner, see a movie, or meet its mother.
# The only protection you have to wear when playing your guitar is a decent thumb pick.
# When in mixed company, you can talk about what a great time you had the last time you played your guitar.

And the Guitar Site directs our attention to Grover Allman's Chicks on Picks series. Which may be not safe for work since it features scantily clad women on guitar picks.

Mike Rickard Guitar Performance

2007-10-12T09:27:00.000-07:00

Guitar playing advice and performance by guitarist, and Peter Vogl student, Mike Rickard. In the video Mike performs his original song "Lucky". To hear more of his music, visit mikerickard.com or his myspace page.

View the Quicktime video performance.

Bio: Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Mike Rickard sang with several vocal groups while touring the US and internationally before he began writing his own music and playing the guitar. In 2004, he released his debut CD, the critically praised “Stirred Not Shaken.” The CD, a collection of self-penned songs, displays Mike’s sensitivity and humor in dealing with the big issues of life: things like fear, loss, and loneliness, to finding happiness and love. The title of the CD comes from the irreverent line from the gospel rock track, “Who I Am” – “So here’s to all the therapy I guess I should have taken/If I had to sum it up, I’ve been stirred but I’m not shaken.” Mike loves to share his music with live audiences at various festivals, clubs, coffeehouses, and home concerts. He plans to begin work on his second CD in the fall of 2007.

Mike's thoughts on Peter Vogl: Peter Vogl is a masterful guitar player and a great teacher. But he is more than that – he is a true artist. Peter continually challenges me to develop new skills; but more importantly, he has taught me that music comes not from perfect technique, but from truly believing in, and communicating through, my songs. He has taught me to look for interesting chord variations, to “change it up” and improvise to keep it fresh, and to be willing to make mistakes and learn from them. He has also taught me a lot about song structure and has been instrumental in my development as a songwriter.

View all of our performance videos