Quick Music Fact...About Wes Montgomery

This is a cool Quick Music Fact about Wes Montgomery.As you probably already know,Wes played only with his thumb,no pick in his repertoire!And the thing i did not know was his being double jointed.He could bend his thumb back to his wrist...ouch!Check Wes out playing in the video below....smooth.
Wes Montgomery at All About Jazz:
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=9528

Myxer Hits 20 Million Users

The online ringtone company Myxer reached 20 million users recently.I use it for spreading the word,or should i say,spreading my music around.In addition to charging for downloads,I offer my music as ringtones for free.So far my songs have been downloaded 2,500 times.That is good advertisement.You may want to try out Myxer for yourself, i recommend it.And if you don't feel like paying for a download of one of my songs,then download a free ringtone!
Myer's Spin On It...
Every once in a while, we like to take a step back, collectively pinch ourselves, and go “wow!” Recently, we at Myxer and, you guys, the Myxer Community, celebrated a truly amazing milestone—20 million users “strong!” From our humble beginnings just a handful of years ago, Myxer has grown into the most unique, exciting mobile entertainment destination on the web and mobile web—and as always we thank you, we could never have done it without your patronage and spirited participation! In return for your loyal support, we have some super-awesome new stuff headed your way! Brand spankin’ new features, content, and all sorts of other exciting stuff— so, keep it locked!
http://www.myxer.com/

More from Greg Waters-G at Myxer

Wes Montgomery Stretching Out

Wes really is smooth on this m7add11 chord change.He makes it sound so easy and his sound and playing is, again...silky smooth.The songs tempo ain't too slow either!Just try it out with the D Dorian mode or...C Major,C Major Pentatonic,or G Major Pentatonic and E minor Pentatonic blues scale :-)....

Instruments Frequency Ranges and Hearing Test

This is a twofold post,one,what instruments fall into what frequency ranges,and two, testing your hearing!
Instruments frequencies is a good thing to know when recording and mixing.Noise is easily created by adding EQ to an instrument on a track that is not even in that instruments EQ range!Look at the charts to see the frequencies of the instruments,and use it for a guide in EQing your mixes.
And,when was the last time you tested your hearing?I know i have personally damaged my hearing.The test your hearing links here will help you find out the damage you have done to your own personal hearing.And in addition will hopefully raise your awareness on just how important hearing can be for the musician!
The first link/hearing test is,to me,the best one.It covers from 20Hz to 20 Khz,and also allows for volume adjustment.Where as the YouTube link has problems with compression in the higher frequencies.
My test revealed i could not hear beyond 13 Khz.And i was surprised i could hear all the way up to there,from 20 Hz!If you are using speakers and not headphones,your speakers will obviously have to cover all the frequencies played!Headphones of a decent quality usually cover from 20 Hz to 20 Khz.And be very,very careful on the amount of volume!!!Just doing the test can damage your hearing!!!

http://www.recordingeq.com/EQ/req0400/OctaveEQ.htm

http://deafness.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=deafness&cdn=health&tm=15&f=00&tt=12&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/hearing.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G60hM1W_mk

Source of Sound Frequency Range (Hz)
Acoustic Guitar 82 to 880
Bass Guitar 41 to 300(4 string)
Bass, Standup 41 to 261
Bass Guitar, 5 String, with Low B String 32 to 300
Bassoon 62 to 525
Clarinet 160 to 1750
Electric Guitar 82 to 1050
Flute 260 to 2600
French Horn 82 to 1000
Oboe 260 to 2600
Piccolo 525 to 4200
Pipe Organ 27 to 4200
Trumpet 160 to 1000
Tuba 45 to 240
Violin 200 to 3100
Middle C (C4), Hi-C (C6) 261.63, 1046.52 Hz
Octave around middle C (A3 - G4) 220-415.4
Piano A0 - C8 27.5-4186

Quick Music Fact....Fixing Feedback Problems

Gibson Memphis ES-335 Dot Satin Finish

Here's another Quick Music Fact...
Hollowbody electrics sound great and woodsy,but,they can have feedback problems just from the fact they are a hollowbody.An easy way to get this under control is by placing foam material inside the body.
Sweetwater Music... http://www.sweetwater.com/store/search.php?s=Gibson+Hollow+Body+Guitar&rkg=1

Top Searches and Clicks For Guitar Answers Blog

PRS

Here are the top searches and clicks here at Guitar Answers.And,i want to thank all who have visited and especially the returning visitors...again...Thanks.This is for the last 30 days.
The Top Searches...
1.Fender Price Increase: http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/search/label/Fender%20Price%20Increase?max-results=10
2.Build Your Own...Guitar Kits: http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/2009/04/build-your-ownguitar-kits.html
3.Kelly Bluebook of Guitars: http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/search/label/Kelly%20Bluebook%20of%20Guitars?max-results=10
4.Style Of Playing Determines Guitar Neck Radius: http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/2009/04/neck-radius-and-comfort-factor.html
5. Tweaking Guitar sounds: http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/search/label/Tweaking%20Guitar%20sounds?max-results=10

The Top Clicks...
1.Intonation: http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/search/label/Intonation?max-results=10
2. Greg Howe: http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/search/label/Greg%20Howe?max-results=10
3. Make Your Own Picks: http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/search/label/make%20your%20own%20pcks?max-results=10
4. NAMM 2009 Videos: http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/search/label/NAMM%202009%20Videos?max-results=10

Producing and Playing Harmonics On Guitar

Harmonics on 6th string

Playing harmonics on guitar can be fun and sounds cool too.But there is a technique you have to use to produce the sound.And there are certain areas along the neck of each string that is easier than other areas,to create these harmonics.It requires a light touch,with the finger on the left hand over(easiest)the fret wire.You do not fret or press the string down like you would normally be playing the note.There are 5 common frets that are easier to produce the harmonics on,frets 3,5,7,9 and 12.And your pick up selection will make it easier to produce the harmonic too.The bridge pick up is the best to use.and next the middle,in a 3 pick up configuration.On a Strat,the neck pick up will not produce certain harmonics.In addition to playing on the fretwire,there are additional harmonics in other places also.These are harder to create.Using the bridge pick up with some overdrive or distortion will help :-).Check out the diagram for additional harmoics for the 6th string.
A cool site for rockers and metal heads... http://www.freakguitar.com/index.html

Quick Music Fact....More Yamaha Guitars

Yamaha SBG 3000 (Anniversary)

Here is another Quick Music Fact...

“There are more Yamaha guitars on this planet than there are from any other manufacturer,” says Dennis Webster, marketing manager, Yamaha Guitars. We thought that was a pretty interesting thought and a testament to the power of Yamaha’s manufacturing and marketing of their guitars.

Aficionados will appreciate the high-end neck-through body construction, which helps to create the SBG3000's amazing sustain and tone. The SBG3000 also features a premium carved Maple top over a Maple/Mahogany body and high-grade Ebony fretboard over select Maple/Mahogany neck.

Proprietary Yamaha Alnico V Covered Humbucker pickups, featuring special coil wiring and selected pole piece materials, create a wide array of sounds. High-end hardware, including Gold precise torque tuning machines and a low-mass bridge, along with Mother-of-Pearl/Abalone inlays, position markers and binding, add to the instrument's stunning looks.

Yamaha... http://www.yamaha.com/guitars/home.html?CTID=220900

Quick Music Fact...Better Is Best

http://www.zionguitars.com/

Another Quick Music Fact here...
When jamming with other players,or hanging out,it's best to be with players better than you.This is the way of learning!Be quite, listen and observe.And if you are not fortunate enough to do so,well,you can learn what NOT to do from players also :-)!

Guitar Chords and More Chords and Then Ted Greene

Well,let's see here!I originally discovered this site on guitar chords http://jmdl.com/howard/guitarchords/ ,Howard's Big List of Guitar Chords.It is a computer generated chord creator.It list the chord,the chord formula,then the various shapes or voicing combinations.There are no fingering listings just the note and what string and fret to play it on,so you figure out the best fingering!It is a good and interesting program.Along with the basic 6,5,4 root voicings it goes deep into alternatives!So check it out for some alternative voicings!
OK..this got me thinking....CHORDS....hum.Well of course,who pops up in my thoughts?Of course...Ted Greene,and "Chord Chemistry".Ted Greene is now passed,but his knowledge and skills live on!And his book Chord Chemistry has always been one of my favorites.It is sort of like the site above i mentioned,but much more guitar/user friendly!The book is just loaded with chords and shapes and voicings....man.I have listed also his site and an audio link at his commerative site.I do highly recommend Ted Greene's Chord Chemistry book for a deep and expanded knowledge of chords.and bass lines and other interesting guitar information.Ted Greene was always searching for another voicing or line or perfect tone!It is in all of his videos!
...Ok,i got the Guitar Chord Player widget back,so try some chords out on it and start discovering some new ones and how they sound!
http://www.tedgreene.com/
Ted Greene audio clips... http://www.tedgreene.com/audio/audio.asp

The Modes Explained

This is a good explanation of the modes.I picked up this conversation over at http://www.ibreathemusic.com/.it was in the forums there.Basically,there is two ways of looking at the modes.And this is all being talked about from the Major scale,the C Major scale.Now then,next is where the two ways start,and it is explained rather well in this article or conversation at the forum... a good explanation here of the modes

The whole point of having modes it that the starting note will be functioning as the root. So D Dorian is in D even though it is dervied from C Ionian (Major). Your point of tonal reference (resting note, note of resolution) is always the root. SO the difference between playing in D Dorian and C Major is that you are PRETENDING that D is the root, not C. This may not have been too clear, JEM555. Notice what James had you do in C, above. He had you play (or write down) all 7 notes of the C major scale, beginning first with C (CDEFGAB). Then he had you do this again, same notes, BUT beginning with D, and so on. Giving you 7 scales as follows: CDEFGAB DEFGABC EFGABCD FGABCDE GABCDEF ABCDEFG BCDEFGA These are The Seven Modes, all in C. What may not have been clear is that you can do this same thing for the other 11 major scales. For example, in G: GABCEDF# ABCDEF#G BCDEF#GA CDEF#GAB DEF#GABC EF#GABCD F#GABCDE Again, these are the SAME seven modes, in order, but now in G. Finally, getting to my quote of James, above: notice that in each of these examples, ONE of the seven modes begins with C. In the case of the C major modes, it's the first (Ionian) mode that begins with C. In the second example, it's the 4th (Lydian) that begins with C. For each of the major scales that contains a C natural, there will be one mode that begins with C natural. In C, C Ionian--C D E F G A B In Bb, C Dorian--C D Eb F G A Bb* In Ab, C Phrygian--C Db Eb F G Ab Bb In G, C Lydian--C D E F# G A B In F, C Mixolydian--C D E F G A Bb In Eb, C Aeolian--C D Eb F G Ab Bb In Db, C Locrian--C Db Eb Fb Gb Ab Bb *I've highlighted the flatted 3rd and 7th here, to tie this back to James' hint, above. Summary. This shows TWO ways of looking at modes. First Way: all the modes for any given major scale. This gives you seven new scales, each beginning with a different note selected from that major scale, and each containing only notes from that same scale. Second Way: all the modes that begin with a given note. To know which notes are in these modes, you have to either 1) take the first approach above and write out all seven modes for all 12 major scales, OR 2) you need to know what the interval structure is for each mode (what intervals separated each of the tones in each of the modes). This last statement may be confusing: each of the seven modes has its own sequence of intervals between the notes. The seven notes of C Lydian are each separated by the same pattern of intervals as D Lydian or Z Lydian or X Lydian. As an example, the major scale (and ALL Ionian modes) have the pattern of: t-t-s-t-t-t-s (where t = tone or whole step, s = semi-tone or half-step). C major: C-t-D-t-E-s-F-t-G-t-A-t-B-s-C C Ionian: C-t-D-t-E-s-F-t-G-t-A-t-B-s-C G major: G-t-A-t-B-s-C-t-D-t-E-t-F#-s-G G Ionian: G-t-A-t-B-s-C-t-D-t-E-t-F#-s-G Again, all the other modes have their OWN unique pattern of tone and semi-tone intervals, but regardless of what note they start on, each mode is always the same. Hope that helps. All of this information may seem overwheming--I learned it ALL entirely from this site and the people here, taking it a little at a time over a few months--and I'm a pretty simple guy. Everything above should help you understand the "what" of modes--it says nothing about the "why", or why you should care.
....And may i add...my students often want to take the shortcut,and that is,simply play the major scale to any of the modes!...Ex. let's take the C Dorian.You can play a Bb Major scale,and those are the notes of a C Dorian!But,you have not learned the intervals involved.I highly recommend learning the intervals,and not just start on Bb note and play it's major scale!Start on C note for C Dorian and play the correct intervals...1-2-b3-4-5-6-b7-8(1).Now that does not sound Major!!!

The Half Step Whole Step Diminished Scale

Lets talk about an interesting scale,the half/whole step diminished scale.It is an 8 note pattern and can be moved up or down in minor 3rds.It fits nicely over a 7 flat 9 or a 7 raised 9 chord.It moves ,like it says,first a half step,then next a whole step.I often use it for the "Jimmy Hendrix" chord,the Dom.7#9 chord!Funny,a lot of players call it the Hendrix chord!There are other chords it will fit over also.Let's look at the notes in the Key of C...

(Fingerings)

You have a b9 and a #9,a #11(b5) and a 5.And a Major 3rd and b/dom.7,and a 13((6th).So any dom. chord/b 7th with a Major 3rd and containing a b9,#9,#11(b5) and a 13(6th)...will work with this scale.
Want to really get the skinny on this scale.Go over to iBreatheMusic.com and read the article by Chris Juergensen,there is a wealth of knowledge over there!

Getting The Most Out Of Your Practice Time

I came across a great site and a good article on practicing efficiently.It may help some guitarist get out of their rut and begin to see some progress in their practice efforts.It can become discouraging if you are not seeming to make any progress in your guitar journey's!
iBreatheMusic.com - How To Practice Guitar With A Limited Amount Of Time by Tom Hes
...The Essentials
To get any significant results in your guitar playing, you need to focus on two essential elements: efficiency of your practice, and its effectiveness. Being efficient means being skillful in avoiding wasted time and effort. Being effective means having the ability to achieve the desired result.
more of article... http://www.ibreathemusic.com/article/199

Quick Music Fact....Cleaning Your Guitar Strings

A happy guitar is a guitar with clean strings

There is nothing like the sound of new strings.But,as you know,that is shortly lived.So today's quick music fact is about how to clean your strings and also how to keep that nice sound of new strings around longer.
First,i keep my fingers and hands clean,a fobia!Before playing you need to clean your hands,a hand sanitizer will do this.Clean hands and fingers will increase string life.And, keeping the strings wiped down while playing or when finished playing.I suggest an old thick white sock and old tee shirt or a cloth baby diaper(also good for polishing your guitar).Any cloth that is cotton works well.I apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl) onto the cloth,then go underneath each string for the whole length of the string.Sort of wrap the cloth around the string,but,definitely get under the string,that is where the dirt is!The cloth will be dirty after wiping!
And for rosewood and ebony fret boards,apply a small amount of lemon oil(no wax)on a cloth and rub the fretboard down.It feels great on the fretboard and your playing speed increases too :-).

Guitarist Oz Noy.....Funky,Funky Stuff

Man....this is some funky ass sh---ite.I have to say it :-).I just found this guy out over at Pandora Radio web site...Oz Noy.Never,ever heard of him.He reminds me of John Schofield,with his phrasing and sounds.But this jam is funky.Will Lee on the bass,and the drummer,Keith Carlock,never heard of him either!I guess i am getting a bit old :-).This is on the other end of the spectrum from Audley Freed,but is tasty just the same :-)..,...enjoy.

http://www.pandora.com/

Yea...For The Curious

Meet Guitarist Audley Freed

This is a,once upon a time, Raleigh,NC guitarist,Audley Freed.He now lives in Nashville.He is one of the very few guitarist from my area that moved to Nashville and did not come back with his "tail between his legs" :-) !I know of him through guitar friends who were into the local rock scene a little more than me at the time.I was of course out gigging and not home to keep up with all the happenings.Anyway,this guy played with a local band in Raleigh named Cry Of Love.He has since played or toured with Jimmy Page,Peter Frampton,The Dixie Chicks,Joe Perry,The Black Crowes and others.His style and tone is very ...hum...earthy,for lack of a better word.His feel is really great, very soulful and bluesy,with an edge to it.And he really knows how to package the whole rhythm/fills style of playing,ala Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix.
This first of six videos,he talks about his career and the guitarist and bands he has played with...

The second video he gets into the sound of his style.And may i add the Matchless 15 watt amp,he is using with Peter Frampton tour,sounds killer.So he talks about getting the sound HE hears in HIS head.This is a good video for a beginner and intermediate to watch. He has some good tips on tone and sound.And his licks are not shabby!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTA0CV6ULtU

In video three he talks about one of his rigs he used and the effects.He is though,more or less,a minimalist type guy,guitar and amp.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_P9WVHxM-E

On Video Four...the playing begins about 3:30 into the video....nice stuff!A great feel ha has.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNf6Mhn5-lY

On video five,my favorite, it gets better with his idea on the minor pentatonic scale and the twist he puts on playing it,along with adding a b5 note and some others.And focusing on the 2 and 6 notes also(the Dorian mode),his style is soulful and funky.Check it out around the time of 4:45 into the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGdhEEGs8lQ

And now video six...gets into some more licks along the lines of BB King,Steely Dan and Jerry Garcia and more.He combines these styles into licks consisting of Blues and Jazz.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHha7QhAWC8

Cry Of Love band..this video has some-what bad audio,but his cool style shows up well in it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPMYVb1ItOc

So,just giving you the scoop on some local talent that is or was from my area.Hope you get a few cool licks and tips from Audley Freed,his feel and playing is so soulful,not rat-a-tat-tat or type writer style,like so many others today....there is absolutely no feel to those styles!It's simply execution with no feeling involved!So...apply some of Audley's thinking,that is,learn the scale and technique,then...sit down and make something interesting sounding out of the two.Put a twist on an otherwise mechanical sounding lick or phrase....

Build Your Own...Guitar Kits

Lets talk about a DIY guitar,or build your own guitar.You can choose the body material and shape,along with the neck material and finger board material,along with the fret size.Do you want a stop tailpiece or a vibrato style bridge,or maybe a Floyd Rose style.How about the pick ups...one pick up,two or three?Do you want single coils or double coils,or mixed!Maybe even an active pick up system.That is one with an onboard pre-amp for more boost.Oh,the gears/tuners,do you want general or locking.How about the nut?Should it be bone,plastic,graphite or maybe brass.The hardware color...chrome,black?Oh,and lets not forget about the pots....250 k or 500 k ohm :-).
These are all questions i ask myself when considering a kit or custom made to order guitar.It really can be much easier than this!And there are several companies that make it that way.They have the questions,you give the answers....pretty simple.You just got to know what you want!And building your own guitar from a kit is not for everyone,but can be rewarding for others!And some are,what you might call..."Dummy Proof" kits.Other words,pretty simple to build.The biggest task is the unfinished body,the sanding and painting!But,you can get kits that have this done for you already,a painted or finished body.
There are several highly rated companies that offer kits of all types,even acoustic guitar kits.So check out these links and reviews....enjoy.Hey,the least...your awareness will be increased through reading this article or blog.That is,"Just what do i want from a guitar".
http://www.edroman.com/parts/kits.htm
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/product/Carvin/Bolt+Kit/10/1
https://www.carvinguitars.com/catalog/guitars/index.php?model=gk1t
http://www.edroman.com/guitars/quicksilver.htm
http://www.projectguitar.com/ref/supply.htm
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Kits.html
http://www.warmoth.com/Pages/Guitar.aspx

The Vox AC 15H1TV Has The Goods

This little 15 watt all tube amp really has versatility to it!It gets a warm smooth tone and also has that classic Vox top end boost also.Strats sound so chimey through it...wow.It can also get that nasty blues tone without all the mush and mud to it.This is a great little amp,the real deal may i add.And has 2 channels also.The video is the best demo i could find,it does a good job,i think,of showing the goods of this sweet little baby :-).
...VOX | Heritage Collection AC15H1TV
... http://www.voxamps.com/us/heritagecollection/ac15h1tv/

AC15H1TV Specifications

* Power Output 15 Watts RMS into 8 or 16 ohm loudspeaker load – selectable via rear panel switch.
* Valve Complement 1 x EF86, 3 x ECC83/12AX7, 2 x EL84, 1 x EZ81 (rectifier).
* Loudspeaker VOX/Celestion Alnico Blue 12" loudspeaker - 8 ohm.
* Dimensions (W x H x D) 527 x 527 x 263.5 mm / 20.75 x 20.75 x 10.375 inches
* Weight 22.5 kg / 49.6 lbs

Jerry Reed Shows Off

Check the stretches out on some of the chords...Bet you never heard of Jerry Reed,other than in the movie,The Bandit!
Jerry Reed - Lightning Rod 1977 (tv)...
and... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni8KBhnebwE

Jeff Beck 1954 Les Paul Oxblood

Ok...here is some details about Jeff Beck 54 Les Paul Oxblood,to be on sale soon.It is a joint venture with Gibson and Sam Ash music.There is only a very few being produced.And,well,the price makes it only buyable by CEO's and Bankers!Yep,The MSRP is....................$8,235.00.Yes that's right,in truly Gibson tradition!Check the offset bridge out.
...As such, the new Jeff Beck Oxblood is available in very limited numbers. The first 50 of these historic guitars will be carefully aged by the master luthiers at Gibson Custom to look exactly like Beck’s original, then personally hand-signed, numbered and played by Beck himself. The next 100 guitars will be prepared with Gibson Custom’s pioneering V.O.S. finish, bringing the total run to just 150 rare instruments. Each one also comes with a standard Gibson Custom case, a custom care kit and a certificate of authenticity.... read on http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-Custom/Jeff-Beck-1954-Les-Paul-Oxblood.aspx
...Gibson Guitar and instrument retailer Sam Ash have announced that starting April 15, 2009, the companies will present in-store displays highlighting the upcoming Gibson Custom Jeff Beck Oxblood Limited Edition Les Paul guitar...read on http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/004792.html

Steve Vai Just Gets Better and Better

Ha...what can i say but....wow.Steve Vai IS a force to be reckoned with,and now he is going to the next level,orchestration.Maybe this is like...Yes on steroids...sort of :-).I love the way he incorporates the three guitars into the arrangement,very cool....Strap In and Hold On...

Quick Music Fact...Figuring Out Chords To Songs

Here is a jump start or quick music fact,on figuring out chords in songs.Usually the bass guitar note being played will be your first clue.Not all of the time but,most of the time the bass is playing the root note of the chord.From there you determine what type chord it is.Or,which one of the four chord families it comes from,the Major,the minor,diminished or augmented family.For pop music the diminished and augmented families are not used or played that often.This technique can be applied to a section of music in the song,say the Chorus or verse.First figure out the primary bass note being played for each chord,then go back and listen to the rhythm instrument(guitar,keyboard,etc.).Is the chord a Major chord,a minor chord,diminished or augmented?Put the bass note(lowest note) in the root of the chord and voila,you have figured it out!
I hope this jump starts your figuring out chords.And as you do this you will be developing your ear to hear and become familiar with the sounds of different chords,making it easier each time you sit down and figure the chord(s) out.

Musicians Linking Up Through The Internet

You will enjoy this clip recently sent to me from a fellow musician friend.
This is so cool....I knew about linking up with other musicians around the world,in real time, through the Internet and this just gives me the bug to really pursue it now.I love the way the song just keeps getting better and better as the singers and players are added.Check it out...


Playing For Change | Song Around The World "Stand By Me" from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

Great Rock Artist History In Photos

I caught this over at Modern Guitar Magazine.The article was about the photographer Randy Jennings.He has a site with some really great pictures of famous rock artist.And the cool part is seeing what they were really playing on,like Jimmy Page on a Tele or Jeff Beck playing a Les Paul!So check it out and get a little guitar history under your strap :-).

His body of work includes photos of major rock guitarists that have grippped our imaginations over the years. His Captured Live Photography website gallery attests to his ability to click at the right moment to get the shot. ..
http://www.modernguitars.com/
http://www.robertmknight.com/index.htm

The Satchurator

Joe Satriani along with Vox,have created a set of pedals,and one is the Satchurator.This video expresses the thought and engineering behind it all.And i must say,his ideas are spot on from what i know.The More,the pad and other thoughts!Yea,volume 11,then MORE !The pedal really does have a great vibe to it,from the bluesy sound and tone,to the in your face and beyond sounds.
His thoughts...his three pedals, the Satchurator distortion unit, the Time Machine delay unit and the Big Bad Wah pedal.

Has Your String Got A Hang Up

Here is a useful bit of knowledge that comes in very handy when a guitar string hangs up in the slot.Sometimes the slot(s)in your nut are not cut good,or rounded at the bottom.This will cause the string to get pinched or caught,causing it to go out of tune.We are talking about a standard nut here,no lock downs.
I use a pencil and rub the tip across the slot then put the string back in the slot,this basically lubricates the slot with graphite from the pencil tip.Another way is mixing graphite and vaseline together and with a toothpick,dab it into the slots.And another way i just heard about was using lip balm!I will have to try this out.And,if you do let me know...
And check an article about the different types of nuts and the tones they have...
http://guitarplayer.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/guitar-tone-tips-nuts/

Style Of Playing Determines Guitar Neck Radius

This is about the radius of the neck or fretboard.Radius is how much or little the curve is on a guitar neck/fretboard.Too curved of a fingerboard and bends choke out,too flat of a finger board and chords play uncomfortably.So the neck radius is a very important choice when choosing a guitar.Your style of playing will usually dictate your choice of radius to choose.If you play mainly chords a neck with more radius/curve will be your choice,and if you play more solo style then a flatter or a neck with less radius will be the better choice.
Then there are compound radius necks.These necks gradually go from more of a curved fingerboard up to a flatter radius/fretboard,for soloing.
The more curved,the better for chording.The less curved or flatter,the better for soloing and bends.
The Rock House Blog has a great article on this,so go over read the post,it is informative...
http://rockhousemethod.blogspot.com/2009/03/fingerboard-radius-part-1.html

Thanks To Zixpk.com

Just want to give some credit to Zixpk.com( http://www.zixpk.com/ ) for the killer template.So go on over and check the site out,lots of web goodies!

Quick Music Fact...Picks And Tone

Here is a quick music fact....did you know you can change

your tone and sound just by the pick you use?That's right,with a thinner pick,you get a brighter tone,and,it is a bit easier to pick notes and strum an acoustic guitar.I recommend a thinner/larger pick for beginners.When i say large i mean the normal size pick,not the big triangle type pick say,Carlos Santana used or uses.

And a thicker pick,harder pick will give you a darker,less bright sound.But,it is more difficult to use for the beginner guitarist.Picks come in many,many different sizes,shapes thicknesses and materials.Once you get your feet on the ground with your playing,go out and buy a variety of picks and find which works best for you,your style,and the tone you are looking for.
I personally prefer the Dunlop "jazz" picks,and the Dunlop "tortex".The size is smaller and the shape fits nicely in my fingers.
Also,try cutting down a pick to create your own personal one,or just make your own from scratch!Here is a link to an earlier post on how to make your own picks...
Update.... New pickin site,Thanks Gary Fletcher... http://www.dugainpicks.com/index.html
Guitar Answers: make your own picks...

http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/search/label/make%20your%20own%20pcks

For The Curious...

...http://www.myspace.com/gguitar

Another Take On The Music Industry

http://www.jpfolks.com/home.html

Here is a link to John Cougar Mellencamps nostalgic take on the music industry.It is worthy reading,revealing the filth inside and around the music industry.I am blogging this for the sake of the young,inspired and "stars in their eyes" songwriters,singers and players out there.Maybe this will be somewhat of an intelligent eye opener for them.And lets not forget,there are many income avenues for the above,not just rock star status!I do tend to agree with Brian Austin Whitney of Just Plain Folks.Mellencamp's view is a bit nostalgic in the sense that,the music industry has always been full of crooks and thieves.Yea,i am sure there are some good out there,but very little,i am sure.The greed,like with Wall Street is rampid in the music industry also.Here is an excerpt from Mellencamps article and then an excerpt from Brian Austin Whitney,i tend to agree with him.
...Mellencamp...Over the last few years, we have all witnessed the decline of the music business, highlighted by finger-pointing and blame directed against record companies, artists, internet file sharing and any other theories for which a case could be made. We've read and heard about the "good old days" and how things used to be. People remember when music existed as an art that motivated social movements. Artists and their music flourished in back alleys, taverns and barns until, in some cases, a popular groundswell propelled it far and wide. These days, that possibility no longer seems to exist. After 35 years as an artist in the recording business, I feel somehow compelled, not inspired, to stand up for our fellow artists and tell that side of the story as I perceive it. Had the industry not been decimated by a lack of vision caused by corporate bean counters obsessed with the bottom line, musicians would have been able to stick with creating music rather than trying to market it as well.People remember when music existed as an art that motivated social movements.
...Whitney...If you're like me, you probably were agreeing with much of what he was saying at first. But then, after I finished, I realized this was a case of 2 things happening, both of which are misleading and misguided. First, he has a massive political ax to grind. Second, he's got a bad case of nostalgia.
What he conveniently seems to have forgotten is that the music industry has always been a haven for corruption and cheating and evil. It's a place where starry eyed people with talent dare to venture and where plenty of big bad wolves are waiting to feast on them.
The bottom line,to me, is this...Write,record,play,sing and publish your music for the love and enjoyment of it.....Greg

John Mellencamp: On My Mind: The State of the Music Business
... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-mellencamp/on-my-mind-the-state-of-t_b_177836.html
... http://www.mellencamp.com/

JPF... a great site for the independent musician,join up...
... http://www.jpfolks.com/home.html

...older post done here that may be of interest to you, on this subject...
... http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/2008/04/dealrecord-deal-that-is.html
... http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/2008/06/greed-with-no-balls.html
... http://guitaranswers.blogspot.com/2008/09/people-want-music-for-free.html