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.
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.
We’ve previously discussed Roger Wilson’s first lesson on playing I Know You Rider in the style of Hot Tuna on the blog. Now Roger has a lesson 2 that will teach you how to play lead parts from the song.
Guy Fenocchi has a new six lesson package called Jazz Up Your Country. In these video lessons you will learn how to incorporate jazz soloing ideas into your country playing. You’ll learn a variety of jazz scales, modes, arpeggios, and intervals that you can use to solo over traditional major country progressions.
Bill: Is it a good idea to practice with both the acoustic and electric guitar at the same time? Or, should I concentrate on one or the other. I am not an experienced player, but I am not a total beginner, either
The reason why I ask is because I find that playing the acoustic guitar has a different feeling than the electric guitar I have. And, going back and forth seems to be harder than staying on one guitar. Or, is it good for my development to go back and forth?
Also, when I try to play songs that I like that famous singers have made (like Vince Gill, etc) the quality of the sound I get out of the electric guitar isn’t as good as the recordings. Is that because the amp that I’m using is a cheap amp (I just have a small student amp)? Also, would buying a pedal improve the sound quality?
Peter Vogl: A bunch of good questions here. It is fine to work on both guitars learning the touch required to play both. Using a good tube amp is the first step to good tone. Guys like Vince Gill are also using a compressor pedal, sometimes a delay pedal, and at times a chorus. You can buy them in one good multi effect if you like. Remember they are going through super expensive processing in the recordings you are listening to. The mixing board alone could very well be worth a million dollars. Best of luck.
