More Last Minute Gifts For The Guitarist

Here is a list i received in my email.It has a variety of products for the guitarist.And there is 2 day shipping,so,not too late for Santa... :-).There are some cool items here.

=== MUSICIAN/RECORDING GEAR ===
* Shure PG48 Microphone - Shure quality mic for only $39!!
http://www.activemusician.com/item--MC.PG48-XLR?ref=nl

* Audio-Technica ATHM2X Headphones - great phones for only $29.99!
http://www.activemusician.com/item--MC.ATHM2X?ref=nl

* Intellitouch Tuner - Revolutionary tuner that "feels" the notes
http://www.activemusician.com/item--MC.PT1?ref=nl

* Boss RC-20XL Loop Station - Phrase sampler with 16 min. of sampling time
http://www.activemusician.com/item--EM.RC-20XL?ref=nl

* Zoom H4n Compact 4-track MP3/WAV recorder - this season's hottest item!
http://www.activemusician.com/item--SM.ZH4N?ref=nl


=== GUITAR & BASS GEAR ===
* Behringer Effects Pedals - the hit of the holiday season!
Guitar: http://www.activemusician.com/store/guitar/effects/?b=375&ref=nl
Bass: http://www.activemusician.com/store/bass/effects/?b=375&ref=nl

* Korg AW-2G Clip-on Tuner - compact & affordable!
http://www.activemusician.com/item--MC.AW2G?ref=nl

* Digitech RP155 Guitar Multi-Effects
http://www.activemusician.com/item--EM.RP155?ref=nl

* Danelectro Chromatic Stage Tuner Mini-pedal
http://www.activemusician.com/item--MC.DJ25T?ref=nl

* Vox DA5 portable amp - huge power in a tiny package!
http://www.activemusician.com/item--EM.VOX-DA5-RD?ref=nl


=== GUITAR TABLATURE SONGBOOKS ===
* Kings of Leon - Only by the Night - Guitar Tab
http://www.activemusician.com/item--HL.00690975?ref=nl

* U2 - No Line on the Horizon - Guitar Tab
http://www.activemusician.com/item--HL.00690997?ref=nl

* Best of Brad Paisley - Guitar Tab
http://www.activemusician.com/item--HL.00690933?ref=nl

* Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace - Guitar Tab
http://www.activemusician.com/item--HL.00690931?ref=nl


=== BASS TABLATURE SONGBOOKS ===
* Bass Tab White Pages - 197 Songs!
http://www.activemusician.com/item--HL.00690508?ref=nl

* Metallica - Death Magnetic - Bass Tab
http://www.activemusician.com/item--HL.02501312?ref=nl

* James Brown - Bass Tab
http://www.activemusician.com/item--HL.00696022?ref=nl

* Best of Tower of Power for Bass - Tab
http://www.activemusician.com/item--HL.02501120?ref=nl


=== PIANO/VOCAL/GUITAR SONGBOOKS ===
* Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus - Best of Both Worlds - Songbook
http://www.activemusician.com/item--HL.00313410?ref=nl

* Taylor Swift - Fearless - Songbook
http://www.activemusician.com/item--HL.00307042?ref=nl

* Elvis Lives - The 25th Anniversary Concert - Songbook
http://www.activemusician.com/item--HL.00306989?ref=nl

* Josh Groban - Noel - Songbook
http://www.activemusician.com/item--HL.00306993?ref=nl


=== MUSIC VIDEOS, CONCERTS & DOCUMENTARIES on DVD ===
* Led Zeppelin - 5+ Hours of Rare Concert Footage
http://www.activemusician.com/item--WB.WEA970198?ref=nl

* Alison Krauss + Union Station - Live (DVD)
http://www.activemusician.com/item--HL.00320545?ref=nl

* Jazz Icons: Louis Armstrong, Live in '59 (DVD)
http://www.activemusician.com/item--HL.00320614?ref=nl

* Green Day - Bullet in A Bible - DVD
http://www.activemusician.com/item--AL.17-WEA49466?ref=nl

* Wynton Marsalis on Music (DVD)
http://www.activemusician.com/item--HL.00320674?ref=nl


_______________________________________________________________________
INSTRUMENTS AND ACCESSORIES
We've got lots of cool gear for the guitarist at great prices! Current specials include:

* B.C. Rich Metal Master Warlock Electric Guitar - Tribal Fire
http://www.activemusician.com/item--BC.MMWTF?ref=nl

* Behringer V-Tone GM108 15-watt Guitar Combo Amp
http://www.activemusician.com/item--EM.BHR-GM108?ref=nl

* MXR Zak Wylde Overdrive Pedal
http://www.activemusician.com/item--MC.ZW44?ref=nl

* PreSonus Inspire 1394 FireWire Recording System
http://www.activemusician.com/item--MP.INSPIRE-1394?ref=nl

* Fender Deluxe Wide Padded Leather Guitar Strap - Black
http://www.activemusician.com/item--EM.099-0665-006?ref=nl

Plus, we've got lots of great deals on musical gear priced way below
list at our website. Drop by http://www.activemusician.com/ anytime!

Stocking Stuffers For Guitarist

The Pitchjack

Hum,another year gone by,and no record deal yet for you?Well,don't fret :-),go out and treat yourself to a personal gift,or better yet pass out a few stocking stuffers to your students....Here are a few i came across this year...

BigHeart Real Bottleneck Glass Guitar Slide

Dunlop Maintenance System



Stringwinder...a must have!!!


Planet Waves Humidifier



Sure SM-57...a must have!!!

Tortex/Dunlop picks...a must have!!


Tunetech Tuner

Learning and PlayingThe Modes...Part 3

A holiday greeting to all and an apology to all for no recent post!I have been hampered from a host of computer and online problems!!!I don't even want to get started on all that has happened,needless to say,"when it rains it pours".
Anyway,hope all a happy and safe holiday.
OK...this is the wrap up lesson on the modes.You have had plenty of time to learn and get familiar with the earlier two postings on modes.And the last two of the 7 modes are....drum roll please :-)...the Aeolian mode and the Locrian mode.
The Aeolian mode is just a minor scale.In the key we are working in/A,it is the same as a C Major scale.But with the root note being an A it is as follows...
1-2-b3-4-5-6-b7-1(8) or A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A ...easy enough huh :-).
This mode is used when playing a minor or minor 7th chord/Am or Am7.And in a chord progression,it would be a change going from Am to Dm.So you have it on the Aeolian mode,very easy....

And now,the final and last mode,the Locrian.This is a very dark mode,and not used much by the average guitarist.But by jazzers,it is used quite often.This mode is used on top of a minor seven flat five chord...m7b5.
It's formula is 1-b2-b3-4-b5-b6-b7-1(8) or A-Bb-C-d-Eb-F-G-A
The main stand out notes are the b3,b5 and b7.So when creating a lick,consider this...



I do hope the three lessons on Modes have given some insight into what they are and have provided some knowledge into how to apply them.
And...it's good to be back :-)
...Part 2,The Modes... http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-11-07T09%3A29%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=7
...Part 1,The modes... http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-10-30T15%3A33%3A00-04%3A00&max-results=7

Gibson's Nashville Factory Gets Raided By Feds

I read about this over at Premier Guitar,Gibson's Nashville factory was recently raided by the Fed's...
Nashville, TN (November 17, 2009) – Agents with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Nashville police conducted a raid at Gibson's corporate headquarters and one of its Nashville manufacturing facilities this afternoon. Various news agencies report a number of guitars, computers, files and wood used in the manufacture of the company’s guitars were seized.
This is centered around the law,The Lacey Act,which is described by a comment on the article....
The Lacey act isn't really about protecting trees or wildlife or anything like that, though that may have been the original intent. Getting a species listed has really nothing to do with it being endangered, but nore to do with how much the proponents scream and yell and which congressmen you can get in your pocket. So, what the lacey act is really about is the papertrail. If Gibson has a papertrail back to when the tree was originally cut then their fine. If there is a break in the trail (like if the tree were illegally sold to some middleman along the way) then their screwed. And of course, the papertrail is all about government fees and taxes they impose paid for their stamp of approval on the shipping form....
http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/Daily/News/Gibson_Facilities_Raided_by_Law_Enforcement_Officials.aspx

The Reddi - Tube Direct Box

Want to get that clean,smooth and natural sound when recording you instrument.Check out the Tube Direct Box from Reddi.The reviews are in and,well,they are all-good.This box can be used on a variety of instruments.If you know about the warm and fat sounds of the past(analog),this helps bring those sounds back.
With wider bandwidth and just the right amount of gain, the REDDI stands clear and clean above the competition.

Great for Basses, Guitars, Synths and electronic instruments that require a direct box for recording, the REDDI is READY to give you unsurpassed sound for that perfect recording or live performance.

If you are serious about your sound and tone...check it out..
http://www.adesignsaudio.com/index.html
review... http://www.proaudioeurope.com/index.php?id=22&entryId=959&catId=8
and the site this review is on,has some REAL "eye candy" for the "vintage" enthusiast :-)
... http://www.proaudioeurope.com/3/home

Danny Gatton...The Man,His Music,His Equipment

Danny Gatton has always been a favorite of mine,his "redneck" jazz style is even funny at times.But for all seriousness,he was a smokin player,a players player!I recently found a video i had not seen,of Danny Gatton.It was over at 300guitars.com.Along with that,i am including 2 post i did ,in the past.that spoke of Danny Gatton,his videos,equipment and other goodies :-).
http://www.300guitars.com/2009/11/danny-gatton-live/
My earlier post of Danny Gatton...
http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/search/label/Danny%20Gatton?max-results=10
http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/2008/10/mandanny-gatton.html
Danny Gatton web site...
http://www.dannygatton.com/guitars.html

Recording Guitar

A good article over at Sweetwater's,Guitars and Gear section ...

Recording Guitar with Ken Scott...

Recording engineer/producer Ken Scott knows a thing or two about recording guitar. Check out just a few of his credits:

The Beatles (Magical Mystery Tour, The White Album) Jeff Beck (Truth, There And Back) Pink Floyd (Apples And Oranges, A Saucerful of Secrets) David Bowie (with Mick Ronson; Aladdin Sane, The Man Who Sold The World, The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust) Mahavishnu Orchestra (with John McLaughlin; Birds of Fire) Dixie Dregs (with Steve Morse; Night Of The Living Dregs, What If) George Harrison (All Things Must Pass, Wonderwall) Gamma (with Ronnie Montrose; Gamma 1) Kansas (Vinyl Confessions)
I was fortunate to be able to spend a chunk of a day with Ken, and along the way, I asked him a variety of questions about the artists he’s worked with. (You can see the full interviews in two episodes of the Sweetwater Minute videos I host on Sweetwater’s YouTube and Facebook pages.)

But I also asked him how he records electric guitar.....
http://guitarsandgear.sweetwater.com/2009/11/feature-recording-guitar-with-ken-scott/

Want A Record Deal

Read this article by Steve Albini and you just may not want that record deal.In fact,just take a look at breakdown of the expense sheet and....you would be stupid to sign that contract.This is the cold truth about some and most record deals....
...Steve's words...Whenever I talk to a band who are about to sign with a major label, I always end up thinking of them in a particular context. I imagine a trench, about four feet wide and five feet deep, maybe sixty yards long, filled with runny, decaying shit. I imagine these people, some of them good friends, some of them barely acquaintances, at one end of this trench. I also imagine a faceless industry lackey at the other end holding a fountain pen and a contract waiting to be signed. Nobody can see what's printed on the contract. It's too far away, and besides, the shit stench is making everybody's eyes water. The lackey shouts to everybody that the first one to swim the trench gets to sign the contract. Everybody dives in the trench and they struggle furiously to get to the other end. Two people arrive simultaneously and begin wrestling furiously, clawing each other and dunking each other under the shit. Eventually, one of them capitulates, and there's only one contestant left. He reaches for the pen, but the Lackey says "Actually, I think you need a little more development. Swim again, please. Backstroke". And he does of course......now read on and check the musicians pay out...in the end of all others "profits"...
http://www.negativland.com/albini.html

The Guitar Players Motto....should be

"In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn"...

Isn't it funny that once you begin teaching,you yourself learn :-)

Steve Lukather Showing His Chops and Soul

Steve really shines on this video,my favorite from him.Steve has the chops and is so soulful and full of expression ....
also an earlier post i did on Steve Lukather,a great interview...
http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/2008/07/steve-lukather-interview.html

Led Zeppelin Black Dog

Always fresh...

Open Source For Guitar Stomp Pedals

Coyote-1

Eric Moyer,geek per se,along with interest in music.Combine the two,and what do you get?A stomp pedal with open source architecture :-).
Open Source:To release the source code of; Of, or relating to a product which is licensed to permit modifications and redistribution of its source code
What a concept Eric has,open sourced,making it possible for the musician to code or build the elements required to produce effects!This can be only limited to your knowledge and imagination :-).
In the guitar world, analog purists typically look at digital proponents with a wary, disdainful eye—these are the people, after all, that believe technology can trump tradition, a touchy subject in the guitar world. Eric Moyer, the California-based creator of the open source OpenStomp—a device so unabashedly digital and computerized that many of its deepest functions require a technical degree— shrugs it off with in Huntington Beach surfer style. “I love digital effects pedals. The sound quality of analog stuff is great, but there’s a versatility with digital stuff that I just adore,” said Moyer
Simply put, any user can use Moyer’s homegrown software, called OpenStomp Workbench, to build patches and assign functions to the unit’s four top-mounted knobs and two sturdy footswitches; more intrepid users....read on at Premier Guitar... https://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2009/Nov/OpenStomp_Open_Source_Meet_the_Guitar_World.aspx

Don Was Discusses Music Production

There are some good clips with Don Was/producer,being interviewed by Stephen Webber,over at Berklee Music.
Everyone can afford a studio now,it's not for just the rich and famous anymore!

Don Was...About Don Was
Over four decades as a record producer, Don Was has worked with artists such as Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, the B-52s, Amos Lee, Ziggy Marley, and the Rolling Stones. He won the 1994 Grammy Award for Producer of the Year and he produced a documentary about the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson. Plus, the Detroit native is co-leader of Was (Not Was), a band that fuses funk, r&b, rock, soul, pop, dance music, and other styles in a seamless blend that has yielded hits like "Walk the Dinosaur" and "Spy in the House of Love."
Interviewed By Stephen Webber ...
Stephen Webber is the course author and instructor of Berkleemusic's Music Production Analysis. In three decades as a record producer, engineer, session player, music director, recording artist, DJ, and studio designer, Stephen has recorded with Ivan Neville, Meshell Ndegeocello, the Manhattan Guitar Duo, and the Turtle Island String Quartet, and performed with Bela Fleck, Mark O'Conner, Grandmixer DXT, and Emmylou Harris.
Berklee Music ... http://www.berkleemusic.com/welcome/music-production-clinic

Gotta Stay Healthy To Be Able To Play The Music

This is a funny video,not really pertaining to music,but in a way is....
Posted by: Dr. Mercola .... http://www.mercola.com/

Orange Dual Terror Giveaway

Head over to Premier Guitar and enter to win an Orange Dual Terror amp.I've heard good things about this little beast :-) !I'm lovin the EL84's...
The lowdown...
The Dual Terror switches from 30 to 15 to 7 watts for lower volume without tonal compromise and comes complete with a padded travel gig bag. CHANNELS: 2, Fat Channel and TinyTerror Channel CONTROLS: Independent Volume,Tone and Gain one each channel,channel switch FEATURES: Power Switch, Output valve switch,1.5mm Zintec Chassis w/ steel vented top case, Padded Gig Bag Included VALVES: Preamp = 4 x ECC83, Output = 4 x EL84

.... http://www.premierguitar.com/Survey/66/survey.aspx,

Top 100 Jazz Albums and Top 10 Jazz Guitarist List Now At JazzGuitar.be

The members at JazzGuitarist.be site have voted and turned in their list of the Top 100 Jazz albums and Top 1o Jazz guitarist.It is interesting to see "who" is popular at the "moment".You also may discover some new nuggets in this list too.Here is the 11- 20 listing of the 100 Jazz albums....
I am glad to see Danny Gatton on the list :-)

# Bucky and John Pizzarelli - Contrasts
# Charlie Byrd - At The Village Vanguard
# Charlie Byrd - The Guitar Artistry of Charlie Byrd
# Charlie Christian - Genius of the Electric Guitar
# Charlie Christian - Solo Flight
# Charlie Hunter - Bing Bing Bing
# Danny Gatton - Untouchable
# Django Reinhardt - Djangology
# Django Reinhardt - Quintet du Hot Club de France
# Earl Klugh - One on One
... http://www.jazzguitar.be/top-100-jazz-guitar-albums.html

PRS Discusses What Is Involved In Getting A Good Guitar Sound

Paul Reed Smith/PRS discusses what is involved in getting a good guitar sound.This a a 3 part video,only at Harmony Central.He gets really in depth about this subject,beginning with the fingers!This is a must see 3 part video....
http://www.harmony-central.com/theater/video/instructional/instructional_video.html

Learning and Playing The Modes On Guitar...Lesson 2

O.K.,this is lesson 2 of "Learning and Playing The Modes On Guitar...and More".To recap,we talked about three of the 7 modes.They were the Ionian,Phrygian and the Lydian.These were all shown in the key of A Major.The reason being for the key of A is simply to maybe make it easier for the average guitarist.Most guitarist can strongly identify with this key :-).
...I highly recommend you try and visualize,in your mind,the pattern,of the notes,on each string,for each mode.And along with that,memorize the formula for each mode.And most strings have 3 notes,or 3 notes per string.Like i said,try and remember the pattern,then visualize it in your mind,this will help tremendously....
We are adding two more modes,they are the Lydian and the Mixolydian.
The Lydian is really just like the Major,but with a flatted 5th.It fits nicely over a Majorb5 chord,or a Major7b5,or a Major6add9b5.You see the common denominator?They all have the b5 in them,and they are all Major chords!
Now lets talk about and look at the Mixolydian mode.Like the Lydian,it is just like a Major scale with only one note difference,that note is the 7th,it is flatted.The chord that fits nicely with this mode is the dom.7th.It's formula is a 1/ Major 3rd/5,and a b7.So you are now seeing a common denominator in these modes/chords,i hope ;-).





...And are you seeing a pattern to the move of each different mode?We started on A,then to G,then to F,then to E,then to D :-).We are simply moving backwards from a C Major scales...notes,but beginning on A.So can you figure out what the next mode(s) in lesson 3 might be(after the Mixolydian)?
Hope this is helping you to learn,and see,the modes on guitar.Stay tuned for lesson 3,will be coming up soon.
And...do not move from each mode until you have learned/memorized the formula for it,and can see the pattern on the fretboard for it!
And try and get a grasp on what mode goes with what chord or chord progression.More on that later.Be patient and easy on yourself,and by all means keep pickin.
Lesson 1... http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/2009/10/learning-and-playing-modes-on-guitarand.html

Brad Paisleys Rig at Premier Guitar

OK...country is a changin :-).I have always respected the guitarist coming out of Nashville,there are some great,great players.And now,the new country,is producing guitarist that really are a mixed bag of country/rock/blues.And one of these guitarist is Brad Paisley...
This video,well...."Cliffs",is obviously implying a comparison to Eric Johnson :-).His playing even implies Eric's style.The bottom line though is...both are great players.
So lets get to the main subject....his rig.
From Premier Guitar site...
The original guitar rig was built by Brad and his first tech, Zac Childs. It's gone through many configurations over the years, but the basis has stayed the same. Brad and I have taken it apart twice and I've done it at least three times on my own, but the latest version was assembled by David Friedman of Racksystems in Los Angeles. I had been having a lot of noise issues and David was able to correct them all and give us back a guitar rig anyone could be proud of.
The 'brain' of the rig is Digital Music's GCX and Ground Control system. I have two GCXs, giving me a total of 16 loops.... https://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2009/Nov/Front_to_Back_with_Brad_Paisleys_Rig.aspx
Brad's web site... http://bradpaisley.musiccitynetworks.com/

A Blast To The Past...Gino Vanelli

Gino Vanelli and his band are still fresh sounding :-).

Quick Music Fact...A Solid Foundation For Guitarist

Here's another Quick Music Fact...
If you want to build a solid foundation on guitar,studying and learning the Blues is the best place to start.

I Do Believe...Line6 M13

I do believe that is the Line6 M13 in the picture(a recent post i did).I am assuming it is Oz's,i don't think Eric would be using it...too new :-).

Kevin Eubanks Groovin In The Studio

It's not how much you can play,but rather... knowing what to play and when to play it!Kevin does a fine job on this piece.And check out the "dobro" he's playing....

Season Change...Calls For Guitar Set Up

Fender Wallpaper @ Fender.com

Ha Everyone...
Boy have i been in a bad position.My right ear has been plugged up with wax,i guess,or,that with an infection!It has really put a damper on my playing/recording/rehearsals,and my mood!
But anyway,like the post title implies,whenever the seasons change,this usually affects your guitar and the way it plays and performs,this is because the neck is wood!Wood expands and contracts with seasonal changes.This in turn affects your guitar action and intonation.
To correct this you must do a basic re-set up.This includes(in order listed)...
1. New strings (same gauge i assume)
2.Tune Up :-) (digital tuner)
3.Truss Rod adjustment
4.Action adjustment(string height)
5.Intonation adjustment
...and...if a dark wood(not maple)fretboard,some lemon oil applied to it
Links to theses steps(how to)...
Setting Up Your Guitar... http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/search/label/guitar%20setup?max-results=10
Setting Intonation... http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/search/label/Setting%20The%20Intonation?max-results=10
And For Strat Players... http://www.fender.com/support/stratocaster.php

Line6 M13 Pedal Board...An End To All ?

I just was reading up on Line6's M13 pedal board.I have not heard it,but from the looks,features,specs and what it does,it sounds like a winner!Anyone who has heard this,let me know.I do prefer rack mounted equipment,but for what this is and what it offers,along with the price/$437.00 and up,it sounds like a winner.My how technology has changed!!!
Their slogan fits quite well... " Stompbox simple and pedal board powerful "
...Product Features

* Over 75 stompbox effects, 4 simultaneous in any order and any combination
* Dedicated knobs to control each of the parameters of each effect
* Create up to 12 pedal board scenes for instant recall. (It's like having 12 fully tricked-out pedal boards available at any time)
* Universal tap tempo to sync all your time-based effects
* 28-second looper with dedicated footswitch controls for Undo, Record/Overdub, Play/Stop, Half Speed and more

...The Line 6 M13 Stompbox Modeler is a multi effects pedal that gives you the essential all-in-one guitar pedal experience. Features include a comprehensive collection of the most sought-after stompbox sounds, a full-featured looper and super-heavy-duty all-metal construction. Without complicated menus or presets, the Line 6 M13 Stompbox Modeler channels the soul and ease of a stompbox while providing you with dozens of guitar effects. Boasting over 75 immortal stompbox effects including distortions, reverbs, delays (including sounds from Line 6's best-selling DL4 delay pedal), and so much more, reach into the M13 Stompbox Modeler for access to many of history's most celebrated guitar sounds. Use up to 4 different sounds-or 4 of the same-simultaneously. Each effects pedal model features dedicated knobs for instant tweaking. The 28-second looper is always at the ready with dedicated footswitches for Play/Stop, Half-Speed, Reverse, Undo and more. All M13 Stompbox Modeler's metal footswitches can withstand constant stomping and rock and roll-style abuse. Use any sound, in any arrangement, with any of the Line 6 M13 pedal's 12 footswitches. Create different pedal board setups, or "scenes," for instant recall of an entire gig's or song's stompbox sounds. Save a scene for your metal band, one for your Top 40 sessions you get the picture. No more tearing up hook and loop fabric just to change one or two pedals. Save up to 12 scenes and back them up to your computer using the MIDI in/out. Super-easy, super-solid and featuring a built-in chromatic tuner, toss M13 Stompbox Modeler on stage and hit the ground running.... http://line6.com/m13/

So let me know just how the effects "sound"....the features are great!

25 Stomp Boxes Reviewed

Premier Guitar site has a review of some cool stomp boxes.In fact,a total of 25 to be exact!There are overdrive,delays,distortions and more.And also some DIY kits for the really inspired guitarist :-).My 2 cents is,i count on Boss pedals for sound,quality and reliability,along with a few other brands.
In the article,there are pedals i am familiar with along with ones i was not.So there is always little nuggets to be found.
The article is a good one... http://digital.premierguitar.com/premierguitar/200911_1#pg129

Learning and Playing The Modes On Guitar...and More

This lesson is an introductory to learning the modes and learning how to play them on the guitar neck.I am starting with 3 of the 7 modes.They will be the A Ionian,then the A Dorian and then onto the A Phrygian.This learning and exercise can be done all at once.Otherwords,daily,playing first the A Ionian,then onto the A Dorian and then onto the A Phrygian.
We will eventually go through all 7 modes by simply applying a different Major scale to each mode,BUT,starting on the A note each time!
The Ionian is simply the Major scale.That is easy right.So we will play the A Ionian,beginning on the 6th string/5th fret/2nd finger.... Ionian 1-2-3-4-5-6-7
OK...the Ionian is played over a Major chord progression...//A Major /D Major /A /D //



Now we will learn the A Dorian mode/a G Major scale with an A root note!We will again start on the 6th string,5th fret,with the 2nd finger.... Dorian 1-2-b3-4-5-6-b7
Try playing two chords... Am7 to an Am6 or D7 add9... //Am7 /Am6 /Am7/ Am6 //

And now onto the Phrygian Mode/an F Major scale with an A root note... Phrygian.This time the starting root note A(6th string 4th fret),should be played with the 1st finger.
1-b2-b3-4-5-b6-b7
The Phrygian mode is very exotic,as well as Spanish sounding.It is heard often in Spanish music.Play an A Major chord to A# Major and back to A Major...//A /A# /A /A# /A //
Now play the A Phrygian mode :-).Now you are seeing how the chord will dictate what choices you have to play,as far as scales and modes :-).


The Modes and their formulas...
Ionian 1-2-3-4-5-6-7
Dorian 1-2-b3-4-5-6-b7
Phrygian 1-b2-b3-4-5-b6-b7
Lydian 1-2-3-#4-5-6-7
Mixolydian 1-2-3-4-5-6-b7
Aeolian 1-2-b3-4-5-b6-b7
Locrian 1-b2-b3-4-b5-b6-b7

Next lesson will be the Lydian and and Mixolydian.And you will begin to see where all this is going!But for now,get the above 3 modes under your fingers :-),and remember the chord/chords that are used with each!

Learning and Playing The Modes On Guitar...Lesson 2
http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/2009/11/learning-and-playing-modes-on.html

Quick Music Fact....A Style

A Quick Music Fact....
What is a style?When someone says a player has his own style,what do they mean?
Well,it is a way of playing things/music with a sound(s) of their own.The two make up what is called a style.And getting even more technical,you can use different sounds to enhance your style.A great example of this is Oz Noy,a guitarist from Israel,but now invading New York :-).I have posted several times on this guitarist,he is a unique and refreshing guitarist to listen to...
...earlier post on Style... http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/2009/02/quick-music-factdevelop-your-own-style.html
Oz Noy Trio on MySpace Music... http://www.myspace.com/oznoy ............Style + Sound = Fuzzy by Oz Noy
All About Jazz site... http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=34165

Charvel Guitars...U.S.A.

http://www.charvel.com/production_models.html

The audio on the the video :-) sure does sound like Greg Howe...hum...nice soloing

Ah....Pamelina

I just gotta talk about Pamelina and her art work on Fender Custom Shop Strats.They are a beauty to behold...Her collection just keeps on growing.Visit it at Fenders site...The Gallery/Pamelina
http://www.fender.com/customshop/gallery/
I have done other post on Pamelina and her artwork...
Guitar Answers: Pamelina H...
http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/search/label/Pamelina%20H?max-results=10
It appears this has been a bangin week for Fender here at Guitar Answers...

Win A Robin Trower Strat From Fender

2001 U.S. Tour

Hum,i just found out about this.This i think ends on October 18th.Robin Trower takes me back to the ol' Bridge Of Sighs tune!There is also a YouTube link doing an interview with him and his equipment,a cool video.Plus,he talks about his Strat :-).This is a good and personal video from Harmony Central,so check it out.
http://fender.com/robintrower/signup.php
YouTube - Robin Trower talks Guitars, Amps and Effects 2009...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj3nwpCfZOA
Robin Trower - TrowerPower.com...
http://www.trowerpower.com/

Best Mic For Guitar

My favorite mic on a guitar speaker is a Shure SM57.And i will go out on a limb and say it is the #1 most used mic by guitarist,hands down!It has been,for a long time,the mic of choice for miking a guitar rig.And we all know that miking versus running a direct line is the way to go for the guitarist.The Shure SM57 is not expensive either.Here are some features...
# Contoured frequency response for clean, instrumental reproduction and rich vocal pickup # Professional-quality reproduction for drum, percussion, and instrument amplifier miking # Uniform cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source while reducing background noise # Pneumatic shock-mount system cuts down handling noise # Extremely durable under the heaviest use # Frequency response: 40 to 15,000 Hz # Replacement cartridge:
... http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Products/WiredMicrophones/us_pro_SM57-LC_content

Some Killer Guitar and Amp Wallpapers

There are some killer wallpapers at the Fender site,check them out.All you have to do is register,which is free... http://www.fender.com/
\

The Super Locrian Scale On Guitar

The Super Locrian scale is exotic sounding and used a lot in jazz and fusion.It's formula is...
... 1-b2-b3-3-b5-b6-b7-1.It has some whole tone intervals in it.It works over a m7b5 chord and a dom..7b5 or dom.7#5.So we are talking primarily about turnaround chords,the 2 or 5,that the Super Locrian is played over.The 2 minor being a flat 5,and the 5 chord being a dom.7b5 or a dom7 with a #5.So add Super Locrian to your jazz arsenal :-).It is a must for turnarounds!

G Super Locrian(green dots are root notes)

Quick Music Fact....Changing Strings on A Floyd Rose

Here is an important Quick Music Fact for new or inexperienced guitarist.
When your guitar has a lock down type bridge system/Floyd Rose,never,never remove all the strings at once, to change to a new set!This will totally screw up the bridge placement!!!
Only,i repeat...only change out....ONE string at a time.Example...
1.unlock the screw that is locking down the 1st and 2nd strings,then,detune the 1st string,then remove it,after unlocking from the bridge!
2.Now put the new 1st string on....tune it up to pitch
3.Do the same,individually,for the rest of the strings.(and you can go ahead and lock each of the three screws down as you do the pair of strings.Ex...strings 1 and 2..lock,strings 3 and 4...lock them,then strings 5 and 6...lock them)
This procedure will save you a BUNCH of headaches.And ,of course,if you have the "standard" type bridge,none of this applies.Standard meaning,the strings are not locked at the bridge and nut!

Quick Music Fact...Creativity

A Quick Music Fact...taking a break and getting away from writing can actually kick start your creative juices and get your imagination going again.

Somebody Tip This Guy... :-)

Steve Vai DVD Preview Clip..Dancing In The Abyss.

Michael Spalt...L.A. Guitar Luthier

This guy,Michael Spalt/L.A. luthier,is pretty slick with innovative ideas for guitar making!He is sort of a guitar maker that uses unique/used/recycled materials,for a better term!This video give the begiiner to intermediate guitarist knowledge of how materials affects the guitars tone.Example...metal versus wood or maple versus rosewood or ebony.It's a good video for gaining knowledge of how different materials influence a guitars tone.
And i highly recommend watching all his videos.There are some rad looking guitars,with great ideas built into them....

Quick Music Fact...String Slot In Nut Is Pinching String

Quick Music Fact ...when you are having tuning problems,it may be the string is being pinched or getting hung up in the slot on the nut.A quick remedy is graphite added to the tight slot or a mixture of vaseline combined with pencil lead!

Quick Music Fact...Fixing Loose Studs

Another Quick Music Fact... if the studs have become a bit loose through wear and are causing your guitar not to stay in tune properly,a quick fix may be Teflon tape.Simply wrap the tape around the threads of each stud to create a tighter fit!

Add Some Country Licks To Your Bag Of Tricks

G&L Asat Classic

There is a video with Red Volkaerts,country guitarist,showing some country phrases.

My opinion is this...a great guitarist can play many styles,not just one or two!This perspective will also get you many more gigs!So check him out,and expand your knowledge and playing abilities.
http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2009/Oct/Redd_Volkaerts_Country_Licks_and_Fillers.aspx
... http://www.reddvolkaert.net/