At last… back by popular demand and fully loaded – it`s an introduction to the BOSS RC-20XL loopstation filmed live at the Rotherham Acadamy by guitar tutor Danny Maddocks. So, if you’re interested in finding out a little bit about what the loopstation can do then hit play below and enjoy the video. Enjoy! Learn […]
Lessons
OpenD tuning
I`ve thrown a quick video together to show you all the Open D tuning. Its a really versatile tuning. If you `re wondering just what an an open tuning is, it`s a tuning which means that the strings produce a chord when played open or unfretted and today I`m going to focus upon the open D guitar tuning.
Its an open chord tuning which when strummed produces a D major chord:
(bass)
D
A
D
F♯
A
D
(treble)
The open string notes in this tuning are: D A D F♯ A D. It uses the three notes that form the triad of a D major chord: D, the root note; A, the perfect fifth; and F♯, the major third. The six guitar strings, from lowest pitch to highest, should be tuned as follows: D A D F♯ A D.
Ovation iDEA
Ovation have had the bright iDEA of building a digital MP3 recorder straight into their new iDEA guitar – FRESH! A digital recorder is part of the on-board Ovation preamp as well as an inbuilt microphone. A simple and direct recording control makes it easy to record entire songs, riffs, fragments, vocals and commentary. The iDea is also a learning tool, with audio lessons pre-installed in the memory.
The Idea also connects via USB to your computer so you can edit, rearrange, move, rename right on your desktop. Mixes from recording software, rhythm tracks, even songs can be played back through the headphones or the gutar itself.
What makes this guitar so invaluable as a learning tool is probably the fact that the recording ability allows the player to self accompany and therefore to focus upon building an innate understanding of how a guitar actually works in terms of scales, chords and their interrelationships.
If you were learning the JAMORAMA LEAD course this machine would really help you in understanding how the CAGED system works and prove ultimately beneficial in unlocking soem of the musical mysteries of the guitar’s neck.
Playing slide guitar part 1: introduction
Howdy ya`ll! I can`t quite remember the first time I heard a slide guitar, but no matter how often you hear a slide there is something incandescent, other worldly and richly evocative if it`s played with panache, fire, character and with a mystical light burning in the back of eyes. The early torchbearers of this […]
Stretch your strings
One of the sure fire ways to ensure that you go through copious amounts of electric guitar strings is to play them fresh out of the packet without stretching them. It`s a common mistake that beginners make and I`m here to help you avoid this common mistake. Later on I`ll be adding a video demonstration to this article showing you exactly how to stretch your strings.
Playing slide guitar part 2: Choosing a slide
So, you`ve had a listen to a few ole slide fellers playing and now you`re ready to think about choosing a piece for yourself. Well, it`s a bit like choosing a gun – they all do the same thing but handle very differently. You have to ask yourself do I need a.44 or a .38? […]
Fingerstyle Lesson – Deep River Blues by Jim Bruce
For those of you who dig the Piedmont fingerstyle of the North American East Coast here is traveling bluesman Jim Bruce showing you how to play the Doc Watson version of Deep River Blues. Jim makes his living traveling and playing on the streets of Europe.
Electric Guitar Strings
For those of you who are new to the guitar here are some general pointers regarding guitar strings and how to choose them.
ELECTRIC GUITAR STRINGS
The thicker your guitar strings are the fatter and richer the tone, sustain and volume BUT the harder they are to bend and manipulate, in short they become harder to play because more tension exists in the string. If you are a beginner then perhaps opt for a lighter guage of strings as this will improve your fretting and playing comfort.
A great set of strings to start with is a set of ERNIE BALL hybrid slinky because these give you a lighter top end string and medium to heavy bottom end strings for the bass tones. You will find that the bass tones will have enough inherent bass but that you `ll still have a good enough tone across the board and the ability to perform bends and vibrato.
There are several options for materials to bear in mind:
1. nickel wound – produce a well balanced tone.
2. titanium coated – a vibrant tone with longer life, less corrosion, longer tuning stability.
3. pure nickel – a richer, warmer tone.
4. stainless steel – a crisp bright tone
5.gold plated – more expensive but bright sustain and long life.
Learn to play with Songs!
Here are some great shots of Mark McKenzie`s, one of out tutor`s, stratocaster. Check him out on Songpond. As you tell by both his face and his guitar accoutrements (that`s the pick ups, and the bridge fellas) Mark`s a bloody good player, an amazing teacher and his amps go up to eleven!
Tuning guitar II – Guitar Intonation – updated
INTONATION:
Okay so here`s the deal regarding intonation. Intonation problems are created when the length of the guitar string is not precisely matched to the length of your guitar. Why does this matter? Well, when you play a guitar you are dividing the string into different lengths in the process of fretting notes, this causes the strings frequency to increase or decrease in an inverse relationship with the strings length.