Learn Guitar For Beginners
by Jaz stevens
Nowadays, it is straightforward to know how to play the guitar. This is due to the fact that there are so many opportunities out there to learn to play the instrument. Unfortunately, if you were to try out every single method individually, it can take up a lot of your time but a wise decision would be to depend on guitar reviews to decide which methods best suits you.
Even before you turn to the guitar lesson reviews, there are a few questions that you need to ask yourself to understand your needs better. Below are some frequent questions that you might find yourself asking:
1) Which music genre do you prefer? 2) What guitar type you desire to master? 3) What is your existing proficiency level? 4) What is your learning technique?
It doesn't matter whether you are total beginner or an exceptional guitar player, you will equally have to know what you are looking for before you choose an ideal guitar lesson for yourself. For instance, if you belong to the category where you need personal coaching, then DVD's, books or even online lessons might not be able to help you. You would be much comfortable with proper guitar lessons with a qualified guitar instructor.
You might end up discovering that the lessons you take does not tally with your learning ability and approach if you fail to carry out the self-analysis. Furthermore, you might even think that it's a waste of your money to spend on such lessons even though if the package has received many constructive comments and reviews.
Therefore before you even rush into signing up for any guitar lessons, it would be good for you to read up on all guitar lesson reviews and to bear in mind your own learning requirements. That would ensure that every single penny of yours is well spent.
View more articles from Jaz stevens
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Guitar Lessons for Beginners
The Beginners Guide to Playing the Acoustic Guitar
by Ralph Serpe
Learning acoustic guitar is an extremely broad topic. One that would fill many books no doubt. The following guide focuses on some of the most important aspects of playing guitar providing you with an excellent starting point. This guide was written for the right handed, absolute beginner using a steel string guitar. My apologies to all of you left handed guitarists in advance.
ABOUT THE STEEL STRING GUITAR
The steel string guitar is a masterpiece of musical instrument engineering. Before the steel string, the acoustic guitar was very limited. The guitars of old were very quiet when played, so much so, that a guitarist was not able to play along with other musicians as the sound produced was simply too quiet. In order to overcome this shortcoming, the steel string guitar was born. The steel string produced a louder sound, but also caused too much stress on the instrument because of the added weight. The body construction therefore needed to be altered to accommodate the heavier strings. These changes not only made the guitar stronger, but they also increased the life of the guitar.
GUITAR STYLES - WHAT STYLE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Guitars are available in a variety of different styles and sizes and it really depends on what is most comfortable and enjoyable for you. Popular guitar styles include the Dreadnought, Nex, Artist, Classic and Jumbo. Each guitar has its own unique look, feel and sound. The larger styles like the Jumbo and Dreadnought produce more bass and are more difficult to hold and play. The smaller models like the Nex and Artist favor the midranges and treble and are much easier to hold and play. The Classical guitar is a whole different animal. It can only be played using nylon strings and produces a sound that is noticeably different than steel string guitars. So if you aren't sure what guitar style is right for you, then head over to your nearest music center and give them all a test drive.
HOW TO HOLD THE ACOUSTIC GUITAR
Holding your acoustic guitar is not an exact science. Everyone has different body types, finger lengths and there are a variety of different sizes and shapes of guitars, but here are some general instructions. Sit down in a comfortable chair and prop your right foot up on a stool or box. Rest the guitar on your right knee and you are ready to play.
HAND POSITIONS
The Left Hand
Try and keep your thumb behind the neck. This isn't always possible, especially if you have large hands, but try your best. Wrap your hand around the neck of the guitar and arch your fingers so that they are at a 90 degree angle to the strings.
The Right Hand
Keep your forearm close to the body of the guitar and try only moving your wrist to strum. Many beginners like to strum using there whole arm but if you look at professional guitarists, you really do not see much movement in the arm. It is all in the hand and wrist.
LEARN HOW TO TUNE YOUR GUITAR
You can find free step by step guides and tools online to help you learn how to tune your guitar, or you could purchase a guitar tuner at any local music store. Make certain that you spend time learning how to do this. Head over to YouTube and search for videos on how to tune your guitar. It is much easier to learn by watching others.
LEARN HOW TO CHANGE YOUR STRINGS
Learn how to change your strings and change them often. I know the idea of changing your strings on your own is intimidating, but it really isn't that difficult and eventually it will become second nature. There are a ton of lessons online that teach you how to change your strings. Again, head over to YouTube and perform a search there and you will find some very good lesson on this topic.
GUITAR MUSIC THEORY
Guitar music theory is where all of your scales, chords, progressions, notes and more come into play. It is such a huge topic and would fill many books all on its own. Music theory is extremely important to your growth as a musician and should not be overlooked. Many beginners frown upon guitar theory and completely ignore it. They would much rather take the short route and learn tablature and start playing their favorite songs. There is nothing wrong with learning tablature and playing your favorite songs, but don't make that your main form of study.
One of the best websites I have found on this topic is: TheoryLessons.Com. I highly recommend you start there. The owner of that site starts at the very beginning and covers all the major bases. Your guitar is like a challenging puzzle and music theory is a key that will open up many new doors for you.
SHOULD YOU HIRE A GUITAR TEACHER OR LEARN ON YOUR OWN?
This is a very common question amongst beginners and is open for debate.
Learning on your own
With the right home study course, teaching yourself how to play is quite possible, assuming you are dedicated to working hard and practicing. Teaching yourself how to play will save you a ton of money in the long run and allow you to learn at your own pace. You also have the option to access the same information whenever you want and for as many times as you want. There are several excellent home study courses available that can be just as effective as hiring a a good teacher. Courses can cost anywhere from $30 to as much as a few hundred dollars, depending on the quality and content of the home study course.
Hiring an Instructor
Over time this option is expensive. Private guitar lessons, on average, can cost about $15 - $30 for a half hour lesson, and $20 to as much as $75 for an hour lesson, depending on the teachers experience and reputation.
Finding a good teacher can be a difficult task and you should choose one carefully if you decide to go that route. Even the most talented guitarists, that have been playing for decades, can make terrible instructors, so your criteria for choosing a teacher should not be based on experience alone.
A good guitar instructor can be an excellent investment. One of the most common problems a beginner faces is developing bad habits. A good instructor will help you recognize your bad playing habits and help you correct them.
The choice is yours. Only you can determine which options is best for you. Some of us simply cannot afford to hire a teacher, so the choice is rather simple. Others are simply unable to learn on their own and need the guidance and encouragement that a teacher can provide.
PRACTICE
Whoever coined the phrase: "Practice Makes Perfect", knew what they were talking about. Practice as many days out of the week as you can for at least twenty to thirty minutes, more if possible. The more often you play, the faster you will learn. Be careful not to overdo it though and take breaks of course. Your brain can only absorb so much information before it needs a break and your hands and the rest of your body need time to recuperate as well. When you practice do not rush through any of your exercises. Twenty minutes of quality focused practice is much more effective than an hour of sloppy practice.
View more articles from Ralph Serpe
by Ralph Serpe
Learning acoustic guitar is an extremely broad topic. One that would fill many books no doubt. The following guide focuses on some of the most important aspects of playing guitar providing you with an excellent starting point. This guide was written for the right handed, absolute beginner using a steel string guitar. My apologies to all of you left handed guitarists in advance.
ABOUT THE STEEL STRING GUITAR
The steel string guitar is a masterpiece of musical instrument engineering. Before the steel string, the acoustic guitar was very limited. The guitars of old were very quiet when played, so much so, that a guitarist was not able to play along with other musicians as the sound produced was simply too quiet. In order to overcome this shortcoming, the steel string guitar was born. The steel string produced a louder sound, but also caused too much stress on the instrument because of the added weight. The body construction therefore needed to be altered to accommodate the heavier strings. These changes not only made the guitar stronger, but they also increased the life of the guitar.
GUITAR STYLES - WHAT STYLE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Guitars are available in a variety of different styles and sizes and it really depends on what is most comfortable and enjoyable for you. Popular guitar styles include the Dreadnought, Nex, Artist, Classic and Jumbo. Each guitar has its own unique look, feel and sound. The larger styles like the Jumbo and Dreadnought produce more bass and are more difficult to hold and play. The smaller models like the Nex and Artist favor the midranges and treble and are much easier to hold and play. The Classical guitar is a whole different animal. It can only be played using nylon strings and produces a sound that is noticeably different than steel string guitars. So if you aren't sure what guitar style is right for you, then head over to your nearest music center and give them all a test drive.
HOW TO HOLD THE ACOUSTIC GUITAR
Holding your acoustic guitar is not an exact science. Everyone has different body types, finger lengths and there are a variety of different sizes and shapes of guitars, but here are some general instructions. Sit down in a comfortable chair and prop your right foot up on a stool or box. Rest the guitar on your right knee and you are ready to play.
HAND POSITIONS
The Left Hand
Try and keep your thumb behind the neck. This isn't always possible, especially if you have large hands, but try your best. Wrap your hand around the neck of the guitar and arch your fingers so that they are at a 90 degree angle to the strings.
The Right Hand
Keep your forearm close to the body of the guitar and try only moving your wrist to strum. Many beginners like to strum using there whole arm but if you look at professional guitarists, you really do not see much movement in the arm. It is all in the hand and wrist.
LEARN HOW TO TUNE YOUR GUITAR
You can find free step by step guides and tools online to help you learn how to tune your guitar, or you could purchase a guitar tuner at any local music store. Make certain that you spend time learning how to do this. Head over to YouTube and search for videos on how to tune your guitar. It is much easier to learn by watching others.
LEARN HOW TO CHANGE YOUR STRINGS
Learn how to change your strings and change them often. I know the idea of changing your strings on your own is intimidating, but it really isn't that difficult and eventually it will become second nature. There are a ton of lessons online that teach you how to change your strings. Again, head over to YouTube and perform a search there and you will find some very good lesson on this topic.
GUITAR MUSIC THEORY
Guitar music theory is where all of your scales, chords, progressions, notes and more come into play. It is such a huge topic and would fill many books all on its own. Music theory is extremely important to your growth as a musician and should not be overlooked. Many beginners frown upon guitar theory and completely ignore it. They would much rather take the short route and learn tablature and start playing their favorite songs. There is nothing wrong with learning tablature and playing your favorite songs, but don't make that your main form of study.
One of the best websites I have found on this topic is: TheoryLessons.Com. I highly recommend you start there. The owner of that site starts at the very beginning and covers all the major bases. Your guitar is like a challenging puzzle and music theory is a key that will open up many new doors for you.
SHOULD YOU HIRE A GUITAR TEACHER OR LEARN ON YOUR OWN?
This is a very common question amongst beginners and is open for debate.
Learning on your own
With the right home study course, teaching yourself how to play is quite possible, assuming you are dedicated to working hard and practicing. Teaching yourself how to play will save you a ton of money in the long run and allow you to learn at your own pace. You also have the option to access the same information whenever you want and for as many times as you want. There are several excellent home study courses available that can be just as effective as hiring a a good teacher. Courses can cost anywhere from $30 to as much as a few hundred dollars, depending on the quality and content of the home study course.
Hiring an Instructor
Over time this option is expensive. Private guitar lessons, on average, can cost about $15 - $30 for a half hour lesson, and $20 to as much as $75 for an hour lesson, depending on the teachers experience and reputation.
Finding a good teacher can be a difficult task and you should choose one carefully if you decide to go that route. Even the most talented guitarists, that have been playing for decades, can make terrible instructors, so your criteria for choosing a teacher should not be based on experience alone.
A good guitar instructor can be an excellent investment. One of the most common problems a beginner faces is developing bad habits. A good instructor will help you recognize your bad playing habits and help you correct them.
The choice is yours. Only you can determine which options is best for you. Some of us simply cannot afford to hire a teacher, so the choice is rather simple. Others are simply unable to learn on their own and need the guidance and encouragement that a teacher can provide.
PRACTICE
Whoever coined the phrase: "Practice Makes Perfect", knew what they were talking about. Practice as many days out of the week as you can for at least twenty to thirty minutes, more if possible. The more often you play, the faster you will learn. Be careful not to overdo it though and take breaks of course. Your brain can only absorb so much information before it needs a break and your hands and the rest of your body need time to recuperate as well. When you practice do not rush through any of your exercises. Twenty minutes of quality focused practice is much more effective than an hour of sloppy practice.
View more articles from Ralph Serpe
Sunday, December 27, 2009
How To Play Twelve String Guitar
How To Play Twelve String Guitar - The Joy And The Peril
by Gyorgy Huba
The first step towards learning to play the twelve string guitar is the same as for learning the six string - play some chords and scales to toughen up your fingertips and get the muscles of your hands into guitar playing mode. A technical difficulty with the twelve string is that you need to press down on two strings instead of one to play a note. This needs some practice to keep fret buzz down.
Once you have some practice with the twelve string you will possibly notice, as have many other guitarists, that this instrument is best for playing chords rather than single note solos. The twelve string has a distinctive sound which is interesting when used for solos but is really at its best with open chords ringing out.
The first four pairs of strings are an octave apart. Tuning is quite critical with the twelve strings so it would be best to use an electronic tuner.
One of the most famous twelve string guitar players was Leadbelly, one of the pioneer blues players of the first half of the twentieth century. So let's take a look at playing the blues on the twelve string guitar. As the blues usually features guitar solos of single notes so you will need to work on your single note playing technique. Many blues players recommend tuning the twelve string guitar to an open G or E chord. Also to bring out the full vibrant beauty of the twelve string sound, use a slide to get the real bluesy effect.
Here are some tunings you can use for slide playing on a twelve string guitar:
Open A: eE aA eE aAC# C# EE
Open C: cC gG cC eE gG cC
Open D: dD aA dD f#F# AA DD
Open F: cC fF cC fF AA CC
Open G: dD gG dD gG bB dD
Hawaiian: cC gG cC gG AA EE
Slack C: cC gG cC gG CCCC
George Harrison of The Beatles played a Rickenbacker 360/12 twelve string guitar in the movie A Hard Days Night and this inspired Roger McGuinn of The Byrds to go out and buy one and feature it on records. Harrison played twelve string on You Can't Do That, one of The Beatles' early hits so find that track and have a listen to the sound. And go to YouTube to find some examples of The Byrds music. Leo Kottke is another artist who has used the twelve string guitar to good effect as a solo instrument.
And finally have a listen to Led Zeppelin and The Eagles using double neck guitars to switch between six and twelve strings on Stairway To Heaven and Hotel California.
Newbie guitar players are flocking to Guitar How-To for the free articles, tutorials and videos on every aspect of guitar playing you can think of. Fast track your guitar expertise now at http://guitar-how-to.com/
View more articles from Gyorgy Huba
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
by Gyorgy Huba
The first step towards learning to play the twelve string guitar is the same as for learning the six string - play some chords and scales to toughen up your fingertips and get the muscles of your hands into guitar playing mode. A technical difficulty with the twelve string is that you need to press down on two strings instead of one to play a note. This needs some practice to keep fret buzz down.
Once you have some practice with the twelve string you will possibly notice, as have many other guitarists, that this instrument is best for playing chords rather than single note solos. The twelve string has a distinctive sound which is interesting when used for solos but is really at its best with open chords ringing out.
The first four pairs of strings are an octave apart. Tuning is quite critical with the twelve strings so it would be best to use an electronic tuner.
One of the most famous twelve string guitar players was Leadbelly, one of the pioneer blues players of the first half of the twentieth century. So let's take a look at playing the blues on the twelve string guitar. As the blues usually features guitar solos of single notes so you will need to work on your single note playing technique. Many blues players recommend tuning the twelve string guitar to an open G or E chord. Also to bring out the full vibrant beauty of the twelve string sound, use a slide to get the real bluesy effect.
Here are some tunings you can use for slide playing on a twelve string guitar:
Open A: eE aA eE aAC# C# EE
Open C: cC gG cC eE gG cC
Open D: dD aA dD f#F# AA DD
Open F: cC fF cC fF AA CC
Open G: dD gG dD gG bB dD
Hawaiian: cC gG cC gG AA EE
Slack C: cC gG cC gG CCCC
George Harrison of The Beatles played a Rickenbacker 360/12 twelve string guitar in the movie A Hard Days Night and this inspired Roger McGuinn of The Byrds to go out and buy one and feature it on records. Harrison played twelve string on You Can't Do That, one of The Beatles' early hits so find that track and have a listen to the sound. And go to YouTube to find some examples of The Byrds music. Leo Kottke is another artist who has used the twelve string guitar to good effect as a solo instrument.
And finally have a listen to Led Zeppelin and The Eagles using double neck guitars to switch between six and twelve strings on Stairway To Heaven and Hotel California.
Newbie guitar players are flocking to Guitar How-To for the free articles, tutorials and videos on every aspect of guitar playing you can think of. Fast track your guitar expertise now at http://guitar-how-to.com/
View more articles from Gyorgy Huba
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
Monday, December 21, 2009
Learn And Master Guitar
Teach Yourself Acoustic Guitar
by Ricky Sharples
Can you teach yourself acoustic guitar? It's a common scenario - you see a guy strumming an acoustic guitar, maybe doing some fingerstyle playing and you think, "How hard can acoustic guitar be?" Maybe you could just teach yourself enough to play some folk songs. It could be just a dream, but there's no harm in trying.
If you want to teach yourself acoustic guitar, it would be very handy to be able to call on a friend to help you with stuff like chord changes or finger picking patterns. Then, if you have the time to practice, you will be able to teach yourself. Working on challenges buy yourself can sometimes be more useful than having somebody show you.
First you need an acoustic guitar. Don't spend too much money on your first one, wait and see how your style and musical preferences develop. If you have money to throw around, start looking at, say, a Takamine for around a thousand dollars. Make the first day of looking at guitars a trip around music stores and secondhand dealers to see what's available.
Wherever you can, try the guitars out. See how the different brands feel and decide whether you want to teach yourself acoustic guitar on a nylon string or steel string guitar. A nylon string will be kinder to your fingers while you are learning but you might find later that you prefer the volume and sound quality of a steel string acoustic guitar.
Where do you go for material to teach yourself acoustic guitar? Some tablature of Bob Dylan songs would be a good start, but there are easy songs by other artists you could learn. There will be suitable songs in the tutor section of a guitar store but you can download guitar tabs and chord charts from the internet for free.
If you are a complete guitar novice, you might want to learn some chords and practice changing them before you start learning songs. Don't get too into learning a mountain of chords and no songs, though. Playing songs will help you learn chord changing and it's encouraging to hear yourself playing a familiar song.
Once you have a song or two that you can play right through, it would help you immensely to start jamming with other people who play acoustic guitar. Apart from the fact that they can give you tips on how to play, the very act of learning to keep up with a singer or another guitarist will flatten the learning curve.
An additional thing to think about when you teach yourself acoustic guitar is the need for exercises to get your hands working and make your playing more versatile. If you do an internet search for licks, riffs and strumming patterns and use them as part of your regular practice, you will find it will boost your confidence.
Do you want to learn to play the guitar? Learn How To Play A Guitar For Free is a constantly updated blog which contains all the resources you need for: learning to play solo guitar, how to learn guitar chords, how to learn to read and play easy acoustic guitar tabs, finding a free online guitar tuner, looking for free guitar lessons online, and how to learn guitar scales.
View more articles from Ricky Sharples
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
by Ricky Sharples
Can you teach yourself acoustic guitar? It's a common scenario - you see a guy strumming an acoustic guitar, maybe doing some fingerstyle playing and you think, "How hard can acoustic guitar be?" Maybe you could just teach yourself enough to play some folk songs. It could be just a dream, but there's no harm in trying.
If you want to teach yourself acoustic guitar, it would be very handy to be able to call on a friend to help you with stuff like chord changes or finger picking patterns. Then, if you have the time to practice, you will be able to teach yourself. Working on challenges buy yourself can sometimes be more useful than having somebody show you.
First you need an acoustic guitar. Don't spend too much money on your first one, wait and see how your style and musical preferences develop. If you have money to throw around, start looking at, say, a Takamine for around a thousand dollars. Make the first day of looking at guitars a trip around music stores and secondhand dealers to see what's available.
Wherever you can, try the guitars out. See how the different brands feel and decide whether you want to teach yourself acoustic guitar on a nylon string or steel string guitar. A nylon string will be kinder to your fingers while you are learning but you might find later that you prefer the volume and sound quality of a steel string acoustic guitar.
Where do you go for material to teach yourself acoustic guitar? Some tablature of Bob Dylan songs would be a good start, but there are easy songs by other artists you could learn. There will be suitable songs in the tutor section of a guitar store but you can download guitar tabs and chord charts from the internet for free.
If you are a complete guitar novice, you might want to learn some chords and practice changing them before you start learning songs. Don't get too into learning a mountain of chords and no songs, though. Playing songs will help you learn chord changing and it's encouraging to hear yourself playing a familiar song.
Once you have a song or two that you can play right through, it would help you immensely to start jamming with other people who play acoustic guitar. Apart from the fact that they can give you tips on how to play, the very act of learning to keep up with a singer or another guitarist will flatten the learning curve.
An additional thing to think about when you teach yourself acoustic guitar is the need for exercises to get your hands working and make your playing more versatile. If you do an internet search for licks, riffs and strumming patterns and use them as part of your regular practice, you will find it will boost your confidence.
Do you want to learn to play the guitar? Learn How To Play A Guitar For Free is a constantly updated blog which contains all the resources you need for: learning to play solo guitar, how to learn guitar chords, how to learn to read and play easy acoustic guitar tabs, finding a free online guitar tuner, looking for free guitar lessons online, and how to learn guitar scales.
View more articles from Ricky Sharples
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
Free Jazz Guitar Lessons
Jazz Guitar Theory - What Is It?
by Ricky Sharples
Jazz as we know it now grew from a form of music that was passed directly from musician to musician without too much theory being involved. Jazz guitar theory is a collection of ideas and traditions that has grown over the decades of jazz playing.
The original jazz guitar players did not need theory. They needed to know their guitars well enough to be able to provide part of the rhythm for other instruments in the band or to play solos if they were needed. The nature of guitar playing in jazz bands varied over the years and depended on whether the guitarist was in a big band or a small group.
Jazz guitar theory is the product of the need for jazz guitar players to communicate musical ideas to one another. To pass these ideas on a guitarist needed to be able to read standard musical notation and, as jazz guitar playing became more sophisticated, he needed the technique to play the exotic barre chords that became the norm in jazz guitar music.
A part of jazz guitar theory is what we could loosely call traditions of jazz - ways of approaching music that have become standard practice for jazz players. None of these traditions is set in concrete, but the use of the electric archtop guitar has become widespread over the years as is the use of barre chord voicings rather than open chords.
If you learn jazz guitar theory you will learn to rely on the seventh and third notes of a chord and how interest can be added by the use of the ninth, eleventh or thirteenth notes. These notes may be totally foreign to the original melody the guitarist is improvising over, but jazz guitar players have the work of guitarists from previous generations to draw on when they make use of these unusual voicings.
A big part of jazz guitar theory is the types of techniques used to express musical feelings. Jazz guitar players have their own strumming patterns and chord progressions that may vary greatly from the ways of playing the original genre they might be interpreting. Also, although rock and blues guitar players of the past thirty or so years have left their mark on jazz, there is a tendency among jazz guitarists to use electronic effects rather sparingly.
To examine the basis of jazz guitar theory we need to be aware of the founders of modern jazz guitar playing, like Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, Barney Kessel, Joe Pass and Herb Ellis as well as the founders of jazz guitar tradition like Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian. Jazz guitar theory has been shaped by modern players who have departed from tradition, such as John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola and Pat Metheny.
Do you want to learn to play the guitar? Learn How To Play A Guitar For Free is a constantly updated blog which contains all the resources you need for: learning to play solo guitar, how to learn guitar chords, how to learn to read and play easy acoustic guitar tabs, finding a free online guitar tuner, looking for free guitar lessons online, and how to learn guitar scales.
View more articles from Ricky Sharples
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
by Ricky Sharples
Jazz as we know it now grew from a form of music that was passed directly from musician to musician without too much theory being involved. Jazz guitar theory is a collection of ideas and traditions that has grown over the decades of jazz playing.
The original jazz guitar players did not need theory. They needed to know their guitars well enough to be able to provide part of the rhythm for other instruments in the band or to play solos if they were needed. The nature of guitar playing in jazz bands varied over the years and depended on whether the guitarist was in a big band or a small group.
Jazz guitar theory is the product of the need for jazz guitar players to communicate musical ideas to one another. To pass these ideas on a guitarist needed to be able to read standard musical notation and, as jazz guitar playing became more sophisticated, he needed the technique to play the exotic barre chords that became the norm in jazz guitar music.
A part of jazz guitar theory is what we could loosely call traditions of jazz - ways of approaching music that have become standard practice for jazz players. None of these traditions is set in concrete, but the use of the electric archtop guitar has become widespread over the years as is the use of barre chord voicings rather than open chords.
If you learn jazz guitar theory you will learn to rely on the seventh and third notes of a chord and how interest can be added by the use of the ninth, eleventh or thirteenth notes. These notes may be totally foreign to the original melody the guitarist is improvising over, but jazz guitar players have the work of guitarists from previous generations to draw on when they make use of these unusual voicings.
A big part of jazz guitar theory is the types of techniques used to express musical feelings. Jazz guitar players have their own strumming patterns and chord progressions that may vary greatly from the ways of playing the original genre they might be interpreting. Also, although rock and blues guitar players of the past thirty or so years have left their mark on jazz, there is a tendency among jazz guitarists to use electronic effects rather sparingly.
To examine the basis of jazz guitar theory we need to be aware of the founders of modern jazz guitar playing, like Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, Barney Kessel, Joe Pass and Herb Ellis as well as the founders of jazz guitar tradition like Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian. Jazz guitar theory has been shaped by modern players who have departed from tradition, such as John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola and Pat Metheny.
Do you want to learn to play the guitar? Learn How To Play A Guitar For Free is a constantly updated blog which contains all the resources you need for: learning to play solo guitar, how to learn guitar chords, how to learn to read and play easy acoustic guitar tabs, finding a free online guitar tuner, looking for free guitar lessons online, and how to learn guitar scales.
View more articles from Ricky Sharples
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
Beginner Guitar Lessons
Guitar for kids
by Jaz stevens
Many children would love to know how to play the guitar as it's cool and trendy. In most cases, parents disallow their children from doing so due to the cost involved. Good news for those who are tight in their finances. You can consider buying a second hand children's electric guitar instead. In this article, we will have some useful tips for you to take note of while buying a used electric guitar for your kids.
1. It's absolutely necessary that you check every part of the instrument thoroughly before making the payment. Particularly ensure that the neck of the guitar is not twisted. The simplest way to do this is by checking the strings to see how closely they are being tied to the fret board. If the strings are tied too near the fret board and leaves a big gap in the middle means that the neck is warped. Playing a warped guitar can be quite difficult given that the positioning of the hand on the strings is hard.
2. Other than inspecting the neck of the guitar, we also have to check the front and back of the instrument. Spotting a few scratches on the instrument is common but if they get too deep, you will notice some large marks around the edges which indicate the instrument wasn't taken care of properly. Sad to say that sounds generated from such instruments would be muffled and unclear.
3. Lastly, check to see if the electric guitar can be plugged into an amplifier. If yes, what type of amplifier is recommended? An amplifier is required in order for the instrument to produce the best quality chords it possibly can.
Leon Hopkins is a full-time professional guitarist, teacher, and owner of http://LearnGuitarForBeginners.com He has been actively learning and teaching the guitar for over 8 years, and has recently created a website, Guitar Guide, with Free tutorials.
View more articles from Jaz stevens
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
by Jaz stevens
Many children would love to know how to play the guitar as it's cool and trendy. In most cases, parents disallow their children from doing so due to the cost involved. Good news for those who are tight in their finances. You can consider buying a second hand children's electric guitar instead. In this article, we will have some useful tips for you to take note of while buying a used electric guitar for your kids.
1. It's absolutely necessary that you check every part of the instrument thoroughly before making the payment. Particularly ensure that the neck of the guitar is not twisted. The simplest way to do this is by checking the strings to see how closely they are being tied to the fret board. If the strings are tied too near the fret board and leaves a big gap in the middle means that the neck is warped. Playing a warped guitar can be quite difficult given that the positioning of the hand on the strings is hard.
2. Other than inspecting the neck of the guitar, we also have to check the front and back of the instrument. Spotting a few scratches on the instrument is common but if they get too deep, you will notice some large marks around the edges which indicate the instrument wasn't taken care of properly. Sad to say that sounds generated from such instruments would be muffled and unclear.
3. Lastly, check to see if the electric guitar can be plugged into an amplifier. If yes, what type of amplifier is recommended? An amplifier is required in order for the instrument to produce the best quality chords it possibly can.
Leon Hopkins is a full-time professional guitarist, teacher, and owner of http://LearnGuitarForBeginners.com He has been actively learning and teaching the guitar for over 8 years, and has recently created a website, Guitar Guide, with Free tutorials.
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Guitar Lessons for Beginners
Quick Solutions to Learn to Play Guitar for Beginners
by Tyler Smith
Being a guitarist means you have to change, adapting a proper practice schedule! There are so many different aspects to playing that you will have to practice. Not only will you have to practice daily, but you will also have to listen all different types of guitar music, so you can be exposed to all types of technique. I have seen a number of people give up because playing the instrument seemed like too much work for the fun they will have once they get some skills. Believe me, if you practice efficiently, you will be playing your favorite songs in no time, and you'll have fun while doing it!
Learning to play puts you in the pursuit of good musicianship. Quality musicians practice with a metronome, and they also make sure their instruments are in tune at all playing times. Players with sloppy practice habits make sloppy performances, so make sure you pay attention to every note and chord in a song to avoid sounding like a chump. I aver that it's worth your time to learn to play scales, to practice writing music, and to practice improvising guitar parts. With all these aspects worked, you will be a growing musician for sure.
Why do you want to learn to play the guitar? Are you a boy looking to pick up the girls any way he can, or are you dreaming of playing your beloved instrument for the hungry fans of rock 'n roll? Whatever your motivation may be, it will take dedication and change to make the dreams become reality. I highly recommend becoming involved in guitar lessons because they can give you a speed boost in your skill level. Proper technique is key!
There are two places that pop into my head when I think of guitar lessons, and they are at the local music store and on the internet. Both are great places to be taught, but going to the music store can cost you $60+ for a half-hour! That's nuts, and on the internet you can get started for free, taught by world class guitarists. It's a big money saver to take lessons over the internet, and you have the convenience of learning at the time you have available around your schedule. Make sure you don't miss out!
My name is H. Tyler Smith, and I am a guitarist of eight years. Through this period, I have been through music classes and learned much about music theory. If you are a beginning guitarist and musician, there are many things available to you through the internet. Going to the music store is a waste of money.
Click here for more about online guitar lessons.
View more articles from Tyler Smith
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
by Tyler Smith
Being a guitarist means you have to change, adapting a proper practice schedule! There are so many different aspects to playing that you will have to practice. Not only will you have to practice daily, but you will also have to listen all different types of guitar music, so you can be exposed to all types of technique. I have seen a number of people give up because playing the instrument seemed like too much work for the fun they will have once they get some skills. Believe me, if you practice efficiently, you will be playing your favorite songs in no time, and you'll have fun while doing it!
Learning to play puts you in the pursuit of good musicianship. Quality musicians practice with a metronome, and they also make sure their instruments are in tune at all playing times. Players with sloppy practice habits make sloppy performances, so make sure you pay attention to every note and chord in a song to avoid sounding like a chump. I aver that it's worth your time to learn to play scales, to practice writing music, and to practice improvising guitar parts. With all these aspects worked, you will be a growing musician for sure.
Why do you want to learn to play the guitar? Are you a boy looking to pick up the girls any way he can, or are you dreaming of playing your beloved instrument for the hungry fans of rock 'n roll? Whatever your motivation may be, it will take dedication and change to make the dreams become reality. I highly recommend becoming involved in guitar lessons because they can give you a speed boost in your skill level. Proper technique is key!
There are two places that pop into my head when I think of guitar lessons, and they are at the local music store and on the internet. Both are great places to be taught, but going to the music store can cost you $60+ for a half-hour! That's nuts, and on the internet you can get started for free, taught by world class guitarists. It's a big money saver to take lessons over the internet, and you have the convenience of learning at the time you have available around your schedule. Make sure you don't miss out!
My name is H. Tyler Smith, and I am a guitarist of eight years. Through this period, I have been through music classes and learned much about music theory. If you are a beginning guitarist and musician, there are many things available to you through the internet. Going to the music store is a waste of money.
Click here for more about online guitar lessons.
View more articles from Tyler Smith
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
Free Guitar Lessons
The Differences of Left Handed Guitar Lessons
by Tyler Smith
In eight years of playing guitar, I have seen right handed players switch to left handed instruments! They buy new instruments to acquire the roles that their hands have switched. If you haven't started playing yet, you should know that your hands don't know the difference between strumming with or right hand or using your right hand for finger placement. Also, starting with a right handed guitar and later switching to a left handed one is possible because you will learn quicker once you have switched to playing left handed guitar.
There are guitar teachers that specialize in teaching left handed guitarists. They construct targeted lessons that help you develop the playing skills you need to become an effective musician. Most of the left handed teachers can be found on the internet on sites like YouTube, and a quick Google search can yield good results for the lessons you desire. I have found a lot of the best teachers in the world on the internet.
For left handed musicians out there, you need to make sure you have effective practice time by using tools found from the internet. For example, since playing in tempo is so important, you're going to need a metronome, and those can be found on the internet. Also, to prepare you for jamming with other musicians, you need to develop improvisation skills using backup instrumentals (there are tools for that, too!). Stay in tune with tuners that are found on the internet (no need to go out and by an expensive one)! All of these tools will help you become a proper guitar player.
Many times, left handed players give up because they develop bad playing habits. When they hit their first standstill, they quit. Don't let this happen to you. Practice songs slowly with the intention of nailing every note and chord. Also, pay attention to what your guitar teachers tell you, and exercise proper technique. Lessons are essential if you plan to make guitar a part of your life, and I am sure you won't stop once you get the hang of it!
My name is H. Tyler Smith, and I am a guitarist of eight years. Through this period, I have been through music classes and learned much about music theory. If you are a beginning guitarist and musician, there are many things available to you through the internet. Going to the music store is a waste of money. Click here for more about getting started on a left handed instrument.
View more articles from Tyler Smith
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
by Tyler Smith
In eight years of playing guitar, I have seen right handed players switch to left handed instruments! They buy new instruments to acquire the roles that their hands have switched. If you haven't started playing yet, you should know that your hands don't know the difference between strumming with or right hand or using your right hand for finger placement. Also, starting with a right handed guitar and later switching to a left handed one is possible because you will learn quicker once you have switched to playing left handed guitar.
There are guitar teachers that specialize in teaching left handed guitarists. They construct targeted lessons that help you develop the playing skills you need to become an effective musician. Most of the left handed teachers can be found on the internet on sites like YouTube, and a quick Google search can yield good results for the lessons you desire. I have found a lot of the best teachers in the world on the internet.
For left handed musicians out there, you need to make sure you have effective practice time by using tools found from the internet. For example, since playing in tempo is so important, you're going to need a metronome, and those can be found on the internet. Also, to prepare you for jamming with other musicians, you need to develop improvisation skills using backup instrumentals (there are tools for that, too!). Stay in tune with tuners that are found on the internet (no need to go out and by an expensive one)! All of these tools will help you become a proper guitar player.
Many times, left handed players give up because they develop bad playing habits. When they hit their first standstill, they quit. Don't let this happen to you. Practice songs slowly with the intention of nailing every note and chord. Also, pay attention to what your guitar teachers tell you, and exercise proper technique. Lessons are essential if you plan to make guitar a part of your life, and I am sure you won't stop once you get the hang of it!
My name is H. Tyler Smith, and I am a guitarist of eight years. Through this period, I have been through music classes and learned much about music theory. If you are a beginning guitarist and musician, there are many things available to you through the internet. Going to the music store is a waste of money. Click here for more about getting started on a left handed instrument.
View more articles from Tyler Smith
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Online Giutar Lessons
Learn to play guitar like Eric Clapton
by Alan Richards
The easiest way to learn how to play songs is to look them up on sites that have what is called “Guitar Tabs”. It’s much easier than learning how to play notes, but if you want to write your own songs, reading and being farmiliar with the notes and scales is a must. The best site I use is Ultimate-Guitar.com. Reading tabs is easy: start with an easy song, like a Nirvana song, and simply play the numbered fret on the drawing. For instance: if it says 2 on the bottom line, then you put your finger on the second fret up on the lowest string and pick. It’s all about counting your frets up. Eventually, with practice, you wont need to count. You’ll know the numbers based off of the symbols labeled on the specific frets that are usually 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 24. Some may go higher. If 2 strings on the tab are labeled with numbers above or below each other without any space to the left or right of them, then you hit all of those frets and pick those specific strings. Hitting many strings at once is called a chord. Most are power chords, with frets right around each other. Real chords use either 4, 5, or all of the strings and are more difficult to play. But they sound much different.
There are also techniques where you fret on a lower fret, pick, and then very quickly slide your finger up to the designated string without releasing it. Thats called a slide. Another is where you pick a fret, then bend the string up or down with your finger while keeping it presses against the fretboard, or the part of the guitar you press the strings against. It slightly raises the pitch of the fret you picked. Palm muting is another good one, used in metal with distortion effects on electric guitars alot. It’s where you use the bottom palm of your picking hand (or strumming hand) to press lightly against the very bottom of the strings your picking, or strumming. It’s a unique sound, and tends to be used on and off at fast intervals.
Well, that’s the basics. Now, take your guitar and look up some righteous songs on guitar tabs sites and rock out. Woo! Metallica!
http://zboostzf4.guitar1000.hop.clickbank.net
View more articles from Alan Richards
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
by Alan Richards
The easiest way to learn how to play songs is to look them up on sites that have what is called “Guitar Tabs”. It’s much easier than learning how to play notes, but if you want to write your own songs, reading and being farmiliar with the notes and scales is a must. The best site I use is Ultimate-Guitar.com. Reading tabs is easy: start with an easy song, like a Nirvana song, and simply play the numbered fret on the drawing. For instance: if it says 2 on the bottom line, then you put your finger on the second fret up on the lowest string and pick. It’s all about counting your frets up. Eventually, with practice, you wont need to count. You’ll know the numbers based off of the symbols labeled on the specific frets that are usually 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 24. Some may go higher. If 2 strings on the tab are labeled with numbers above or below each other without any space to the left or right of them, then you hit all of those frets and pick those specific strings. Hitting many strings at once is called a chord. Most are power chords, with frets right around each other. Real chords use either 4, 5, or all of the strings and are more difficult to play. But they sound much different.
There are also techniques where you fret on a lower fret, pick, and then very quickly slide your finger up to the designated string without releasing it. Thats called a slide. Another is where you pick a fret, then bend the string up or down with your finger while keeping it presses against the fretboard, or the part of the guitar you press the strings against. It slightly raises the pitch of the fret you picked. Palm muting is another good one, used in metal with distortion effects on electric guitars alot. It’s where you use the bottom palm of your picking hand (or strumming hand) to press lightly against the very bottom of the strings your picking, or strumming. It’s a unique sound, and tends to be used on and off at fast intervals.
Well, that’s the basics. Now, take your guitar and look up some righteous songs on guitar tabs sites and rock out. Woo! Metallica!
http://zboostzf4.guitar1000.hop.clickbank.net
View more articles from Alan Richards
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
Free Online Guitar Lessons
Why Is It Important to Learn Guitar Chords?
by elaine hatton
For expert guitarists, they already have the skills needed to play the guitar as well as playing songs even if they don’t refer to guitar chords for songs. However, for those who are just beginning to learn how to play the guitar, it is important to learn these guitar chords for you to be able to acquire the basic skills.
Some experts are already able to play songs just by listening to it. This listening skill took time before they have fully developed it because it involves a lot of practice, familiarizing yourself with the different sounds produced by each chord, and identifying how different songs are being played. Generally, all of these things will require great patience, perseverance, and time.
Guitar chords are the notes that you play in the guitar; therefore, if you want to learn playing the guitar, the very basic thing that you have to learn would be the chords.
Beginners should study basic guitar chords first before moving on to complex chords that requires more advanced skills. The best way to learn basic chords is through songs that contain only two to three basic chords. Usually, these songs are mellow or slow love songs. Through simple songs, beginners are introduced with simple skills as they learn. Constant practice will enable you to master those simple skills so that you can move on to advanced chords and skills.
As you practice, you also develop your listening skills. The listening skills will help you to become familiar with the sounds of the chords until you are able to master them. Once you have mastered the sounds produced as you play the chords, you will be able to determine the chords that comprise a song just by listening to it without even taking a look at the guitar chords for songs.
If you want to learn guitar chords for songs find out how you can do this easily at guitar chord songs
View more articles from elaine hatton
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
by elaine hatton
For expert guitarists, they already have the skills needed to play the guitar as well as playing songs even if they don’t refer to guitar chords for songs. However, for those who are just beginning to learn how to play the guitar, it is important to learn these guitar chords for you to be able to acquire the basic skills.
Some experts are already able to play songs just by listening to it. This listening skill took time before they have fully developed it because it involves a lot of practice, familiarizing yourself with the different sounds produced by each chord, and identifying how different songs are being played. Generally, all of these things will require great patience, perseverance, and time.
Guitar chords are the notes that you play in the guitar; therefore, if you want to learn playing the guitar, the very basic thing that you have to learn would be the chords.
Beginners should study basic guitar chords first before moving on to complex chords that requires more advanced skills. The best way to learn basic chords is through songs that contain only two to three basic chords. Usually, these songs are mellow or slow love songs. Through simple songs, beginners are introduced with simple skills as they learn. Constant practice will enable you to master those simple skills so that you can move on to advanced chords and skills.
As you practice, you also develop your listening skills. The listening skills will help you to become familiar with the sounds of the chords until you are able to master them. Once you have mastered the sounds produced as you play the chords, you will be able to determine the chords that comprise a song just by listening to it without even taking a look at the guitar chords for songs.
If you want to learn guitar chords for songs find out how you can do this easily at guitar chord songs
View more articles from elaine hatton
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
Free Guitar Lessons
How to Choose Acoustic Guitar - Complete guide. Everything you need to know is here!
by Romulus Banciu
You need to know how to choose acoustic guitar if you want to sound the best, and everyone to be completely blown away by your music (that is if you really know how to play). But that is another thing, in this article I will tell you the most important criteria to consider when buying a new guitar.
The first thing you will have to choose is whether you want a Steel String guitar, or a Nylon string (classical) guitar. The two types of guitars perform totally different, and are designed for different kind of music. If the Steel string guitar is the most popular guitar, which you will find around most campfires parties and everyday guitar players, the classical guitar is not so common, but it is easier to play and softer to the touch.
Then, an important part in knowing how to choose acoustic guitar is the type of wood it is made of. Why is this very important? Because different types of wood create different sounds, some produce a softer, warmer sounds, some produce brighter, crisper sounds. Depending on how you want your guitar to sound, you should opt for the type of wood which satisfies your preferences.
Next on “how to choose acoustic guitar” guidelines I want to tell you about the strings. Just a couple of things:
1. You can choose between “Heavy” strings or “light” strings, each one with its advantages and disadvantages.
And 2. If you are a beginner, you should check out the height of the strings, and by that I mean the distance between the strings and the fret. If the strings are too high, you will have to push harder on the strings, thus hurting your fingers, and this can be frustrating and make you quit learning guitar, and I don’t want you to quit. So keep this in mind, when you choose acoustic guitar.
As you can see, learning how to choose acoustic guitar isn’t hard, you just have to keep in mind a few guidelines, a few rules, but in the end, it all comes to how the guitar feels and performs when you take it in your arms for the first time, and how does it sound.
Warning: If you buy your guitar online, then I recommend purchasing a hard-shell case for it, as this will protect your guitar from possible damages that could occur during transport.
These are just some quick tips on how to choose acoustic guitar, but if you want to find out all the details and read all about the different types of wood, the differences between each type of strings, and much much more, check out my squidoo lens, it has all the details and information you need:
www.squidoo.com/howtochooseacousticguitar
View more articles from Romulus Banciu
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
by Romulus Banciu
You need to know how to choose acoustic guitar if you want to sound the best, and everyone to be completely blown away by your music (that is if you really know how to play). But that is another thing, in this article I will tell you the most important criteria to consider when buying a new guitar.
The first thing you will have to choose is whether you want a Steel String guitar, or a Nylon string (classical) guitar. The two types of guitars perform totally different, and are designed for different kind of music. If the Steel string guitar is the most popular guitar, which you will find around most campfires parties and everyday guitar players, the classical guitar is not so common, but it is easier to play and softer to the touch.
Then, an important part in knowing how to choose acoustic guitar is the type of wood it is made of. Why is this very important? Because different types of wood create different sounds, some produce a softer, warmer sounds, some produce brighter, crisper sounds. Depending on how you want your guitar to sound, you should opt for the type of wood which satisfies your preferences.
Next on “how to choose acoustic guitar” guidelines I want to tell you about the strings. Just a couple of things:
1. You can choose between “Heavy” strings or “light” strings, each one with its advantages and disadvantages.
And 2. If you are a beginner, you should check out the height of the strings, and by that I mean the distance between the strings and the fret. If the strings are too high, you will have to push harder on the strings, thus hurting your fingers, and this can be frustrating and make you quit learning guitar, and I don’t want you to quit. So keep this in mind, when you choose acoustic guitar.
As you can see, learning how to choose acoustic guitar isn’t hard, you just have to keep in mind a few guidelines, a few rules, but in the end, it all comes to how the guitar feels and performs when you take it in your arms for the first time, and how does it sound.
Warning: If you buy your guitar online, then I recommend purchasing a hard-shell case for it, as this will protect your guitar from possible damages that could occur during transport.
These are just some quick tips on how to choose acoustic guitar, but if you want to find out all the details and read all about the different types of wood, the differences between each type of strings, and much much more, check out my squidoo lens, it has all the details and information you need:
www.squidoo.com/howtochooseacousticguitar
View more articles from Romulus Banciu
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
Guitar Lessons for Beginners
Have a Passion For Guitar - Be Your Own Tutor Today
by Jaz stevens
Do you know that among all the musical instruments available, Guitar is the most easiest to learn? Nowadays many people are interested to learn to the guitar as it's cool and trendy. And if you are a fan of guitar, Congratulation as now you can teach yourself to play the guitar even though you are a complete newbie.
Just what makes a guitar so flexible to learn yet complicated in certain ways that allows your originality to bring forth your style. Here are some things you should take note of when learning to play the guitar.
Decide on the Guitar Type
Guitar comes in many different shapes and sizes. Bearing in mind your hobby, you can pick up the bass, classical, blues, electric or even acoustic guitar. From personal experience, I would recommend that you start with acoustic guitar first. This is due to the fact that acoustic guitars have thicker strings which makes learning easy for beginners and being one of the flexible options, it is able to endure superior mistreatment of the instrument.
Select your Equipment
However, I must warn you beforehand that you would need at least about $100 to get started. To teach yourself to play the guitar, you would need your guitar, the picks and the chord chart. Start heading to the nearest guitar shop or school and have hands on with the guitar. They would need to fit your body and posture correctly. A chord chart is low-cost and will help you to get your basics right. In case, you are wondering which chords to learn first, try A, D and E first. Have ample of time to get the fingering and posture correct.
Start your Practice
Once you are more comfortable with it, practice switching the chords. As soon as you are able to switch from one chord to another easily, have a go at learning a few more chords. Your top stake is to learn the C, G and A minor. After you are done, you could have your hands on a few simple songs which most of it can be found online. As you are teaching yourself to play the guitar, consider interacting with other promising guitarists. You will get going faster and enjoy your learning all the more.
Leon Hopkins is a full-time professional guitarist, teacher, and owner of http://LearnGuitarForBeginners.com He has been actively learning and teaching the guitar for over 8 years, and has recently created a website, Guitar Guide, with Free tutorials.
View more articles from Jaz stevens
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
by Jaz stevens
Do you know that among all the musical instruments available, Guitar is the most easiest to learn? Nowadays many people are interested to learn to the guitar as it's cool and trendy. And if you are a fan of guitar, Congratulation as now you can teach yourself to play the guitar even though you are a complete newbie.
Just what makes a guitar so flexible to learn yet complicated in certain ways that allows your originality to bring forth your style. Here are some things you should take note of when learning to play the guitar.
Decide on the Guitar Type
Guitar comes in many different shapes and sizes. Bearing in mind your hobby, you can pick up the bass, classical, blues, electric or even acoustic guitar. From personal experience, I would recommend that you start with acoustic guitar first. This is due to the fact that acoustic guitars have thicker strings which makes learning easy for beginners and being one of the flexible options, it is able to endure superior mistreatment of the instrument.
Select your Equipment
However, I must warn you beforehand that you would need at least about $100 to get started. To teach yourself to play the guitar, you would need your guitar, the picks and the chord chart. Start heading to the nearest guitar shop or school and have hands on with the guitar. They would need to fit your body and posture correctly. A chord chart is low-cost and will help you to get your basics right. In case, you are wondering which chords to learn first, try A, D and E first. Have ample of time to get the fingering and posture correct.
Start your Practice
Once you are more comfortable with it, practice switching the chords. As soon as you are able to switch from one chord to another easily, have a go at learning a few more chords. Your top stake is to learn the C, G and A minor. After you are done, you could have your hands on a few simple songs which most of it can be found online. As you are teaching yourself to play the guitar, consider interacting with other promising guitarists. You will get going faster and enjoy your learning all the more.
Leon Hopkins is a full-time professional guitarist, teacher, and owner of http://LearnGuitarForBeginners.com He has been actively learning and teaching the guitar for over 8 years, and has recently created a website, Guitar Guide, with Free tutorials.
View more articles from Jaz stevens
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
Acoustic Guitar Lessons
Learn Acoustic Guitar Left Hand
by Liam Gibson
Did you know nearly 90% of the world’s population is born right-handed? Yes, these are simply people who use their right hand to write with and almost everything else. Quite rarely do they use their left hand.
Left-handed musicians are the minority of all who make a living playing music. Still, there are well-known performers born left-handed as Jimi Hendrix and Dan Seals. Doesn’t that surprise you?
So how do left handed players prepare themselves to play guitars made for right-handed people? Many artists simply reverse the strings enabling them to play guitar left hand. Others simply turn the guitar upside down and play it that way. As strange as it sounds it works quite well.
The concept that one can play guitar left hand by rotating it has been accepted by some and rendered impossible by others. Write-ups have stated that playing guitar upside down is much too complicated to attempt. Still others argue that it can be done if you really try hard and put your mind to it. Some left-handed players have been successful when creating new methods. Those who play guitar left hand realize that by using the basic chords, a left-handed player needs to position his fingers on the same strings, only that it needs to be put the other way around.
Here are some things to consider when playing the acoustic guitar left hand. First you should have on hand a guitar guide or manual. If you were to play with an upside down guitar, don’t assume you need to change the way the fingering mode should be. The positioning of your fingers will still remain the same but the difference would rely on the finger you use on the fret of the guitar. By playing a right-handed guitar with your right hand, the C would require that your fourth finger be placed on the third fret dipping on the fifth string. Finally, your index finger must be placed on the first fret down the second string.
If you have a guitar made especially for lefties the finger placement must be done in an inverted way too. Remember, the last string stays on top and the fret remains as it is. It’s best to have a guitar to practice with if you must learn guitar left hand. Just follow the diagram closely and be careful not to strum the forbidden strings in each chord. Doing this is rather difficult so it’s best that you begin with the chords that necessitate only 2 or 3 fingers for now (such chords as C, A, G, E, D or some minor details). Whatever you do, never attempt to try and learn the harder chords first as you learn left handed guitar. You’ll surely become frustrated with the temptation to quit altogether.
And if you should find it too difficult to play guitar left hand, despite the fact you’re left-handed, you just may want to play the right-handed guitar with your right hand.
Liam Gibson of LearnGuitar-User-Reviews.com, specializes in helping aspiring guitarists get the info that they need to make the right choices. Liam, a stage guitarist himself, leads his team of guitar experts to constantly review new courses and products in the market and make sure you get the best value products that work for you. Check out actual user reviews and feedback of the most popular guitar courses at LearnGuitar-User-Reviews.
View more articles from Liam Gibson
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
by Liam Gibson
Did you know nearly 90% of the world’s population is born right-handed? Yes, these are simply people who use their right hand to write with and almost everything else. Quite rarely do they use their left hand.
Left-handed musicians are the minority of all who make a living playing music. Still, there are well-known performers born left-handed as Jimi Hendrix and Dan Seals. Doesn’t that surprise you?
So how do left handed players prepare themselves to play guitars made for right-handed people? Many artists simply reverse the strings enabling them to play guitar left hand. Others simply turn the guitar upside down and play it that way. As strange as it sounds it works quite well.
The concept that one can play guitar left hand by rotating it has been accepted by some and rendered impossible by others. Write-ups have stated that playing guitar upside down is much too complicated to attempt. Still others argue that it can be done if you really try hard and put your mind to it. Some left-handed players have been successful when creating new methods. Those who play guitar left hand realize that by using the basic chords, a left-handed player needs to position his fingers on the same strings, only that it needs to be put the other way around.
Here are some things to consider when playing the acoustic guitar left hand. First you should have on hand a guitar guide or manual. If you were to play with an upside down guitar, don’t assume you need to change the way the fingering mode should be. The positioning of your fingers will still remain the same but the difference would rely on the finger you use on the fret of the guitar. By playing a right-handed guitar with your right hand, the C would require that your fourth finger be placed on the third fret dipping on the fifth string. Finally, your index finger must be placed on the first fret down the second string.
If you have a guitar made especially for lefties the finger placement must be done in an inverted way too. Remember, the last string stays on top and the fret remains as it is. It’s best to have a guitar to practice with if you must learn guitar left hand. Just follow the diagram closely and be careful not to strum the forbidden strings in each chord. Doing this is rather difficult so it’s best that you begin with the chords that necessitate only 2 or 3 fingers for now (such chords as C, A, G, E, D or some minor details). Whatever you do, never attempt to try and learn the harder chords first as you learn left handed guitar. You’ll surely become frustrated with the temptation to quit altogether.
And if you should find it too difficult to play guitar left hand, despite the fact you’re left-handed, you just may want to play the right-handed guitar with your right hand.
Liam Gibson of LearnGuitar-User-Reviews.com, specializes in helping aspiring guitarists get the info that they need to make the right choices. Liam, a stage guitarist himself, leads his team of guitar experts to constantly review new courses and products in the market and make sure you get the best value products that work for you. Check out actual user reviews and feedback of the most popular guitar courses at LearnGuitar-User-Reviews.
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Acoustic Guitar Lessons
Repairing Acoustic Guitars
by Tyler Ziggler
I need to explain something that is easy for me to show you how you can repair a guitar when it gets damaged. I think all people try to look after when they first get it because it is something of value, but it doesn't seem to matter what you do because you end up with dents and scratches on it. A lot of people assume that they're going to have to invest a lot of hard work into getting this fixed. I even had people asking me about getting a new guitar, which would cost hundreds. That is completely false and you can repair your guitar with very little time invested.
I will start with dents first. People often tell me that they need to sand the guitar down to fix this, but that isn't true. You're not deprived of wood on the guitar. It's just very dense at one fine point on the guitar. All you have to do is expand and pop it out to get back to the original look. Doing this may seem a bit difficult, but it is really easy if you know how to do it the right way. If you put a drop of water on the problem area of the guitar, the water will be absorbed by the wood and it will expand in area.
Scratches are quick to repair. Essentially when you get a scratch, you have the the varnish finish with a scratch and that is what makes it look bad. If you can fill in the finish, you get a perfect looking guitar. All you need is clear nail polish that will permeate in the damaged area and give you the original look of your guitar.
Discover all the different Acoustic Guitar Straps that you could have on your guitar.
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by Tyler Ziggler
I need to explain something that is easy for me to show you how you can repair a guitar when it gets damaged. I think all people try to look after when they first get it because it is something of value, but it doesn't seem to matter what you do because you end up with dents and scratches on it. A lot of people assume that they're going to have to invest a lot of hard work into getting this fixed. I even had people asking me about getting a new guitar, which would cost hundreds. That is completely false and you can repair your guitar with very little time invested.
I will start with dents first. People often tell me that they need to sand the guitar down to fix this, but that isn't true. You're not deprived of wood on the guitar. It's just very dense at one fine point on the guitar. All you have to do is expand and pop it out to get back to the original look. Doing this may seem a bit difficult, but it is really easy if you know how to do it the right way. If you put a drop of water on the problem area of the guitar, the water will be absorbed by the wood and it will expand in area.
Scratches are quick to repair. Essentially when you get a scratch, you have the the varnish finish with a scratch and that is what makes it look bad. If you can fill in the finish, you get a perfect looking guitar. All you need is clear nail polish that will permeate in the damaged area and give you the original look of your guitar.
Discover all the different Acoustic Guitar Straps that you could have on your guitar.
View more articles from Tyler Ziggler
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Learn To Play Guitar Like A Pro
Tips For Playing Lead Guitar
by Ricky Sharples
Playing lead guitar requires dedication and hard work. Here are some tips for playing lead guitar which will help you to make the best use of your practice time.
There are lots of techniques for playing lead guitar - vibrato, slides, bends, pull-offs and hammer-ons. You will have your preferences among the various techniques but you will need to become familiar with all of them if you want to be a colorful lead guitar player.
If you are wondering which techniques to practice, just get some CDs and videos of the style of music you want to play and the lead guitarists you most want to emulate. Take note of which techniques are used most heavily and if you need to be working more on chord playing or single note phrases.
As picking is a major component of lead guitar playing, special attention must be paid to the kind of picking practice you do. The basic rule is vary the way you use your pick. Practice using alternate up and down strokes. You can practice a basic major or minor blues scale going up and down with your pick as you go up and down the scale.
As you practice your technique for playing lead guitar you need to learn the notes of the scales. You will be using these scales when you are playing. To practice, you could download free backing tracks from the internet or record your own. Just a twelve bar blues sequence will do. As your backing track plays you play your scale, taking note of which notes sound right or wrong over which chord. Another way of using backing tracks is if you record rhythm tracks using single chords, for example a few minutes of a C chord, a few minutes of D, then G, and so on.
Practice slowly. This applies to all aspects of lead guitar playing. You do not PRACTICE playing guitar the way you want to actually PLAY the guitar. Speed comes naturally by itself as a result of slow practice. You need to be consistent with this - if you are new to playing lead guitar you will have to work on your patience a lot more than you expected to. There are different schools of thought about the use of the wrist or fingers for speed picking, but most guitarists recommend moving from the wrist.
Do you want to learn to play the guitar? Learn How To Play A Guitar For Free is a constantly updated blog which contains all the resources you need for: learning to play solo guitar, how to learn guitar chords, how to learn to read and play easy acoustic guitar tabs, finding a free online guitar tuner, looking for free guitar lessons online, and how to learn guitar scales.
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by Ricky Sharples
Playing lead guitar requires dedication and hard work. Here are some tips for playing lead guitar which will help you to make the best use of your practice time.
There are lots of techniques for playing lead guitar - vibrato, slides, bends, pull-offs and hammer-ons. You will have your preferences among the various techniques but you will need to become familiar with all of them if you want to be a colorful lead guitar player.
If you are wondering which techniques to practice, just get some CDs and videos of the style of music you want to play and the lead guitarists you most want to emulate. Take note of which techniques are used most heavily and if you need to be working more on chord playing or single note phrases.
As picking is a major component of lead guitar playing, special attention must be paid to the kind of picking practice you do. The basic rule is vary the way you use your pick. Practice using alternate up and down strokes. You can practice a basic major or minor blues scale going up and down with your pick as you go up and down the scale.
As you practice your technique for playing lead guitar you need to learn the notes of the scales. You will be using these scales when you are playing. To practice, you could download free backing tracks from the internet or record your own. Just a twelve bar blues sequence will do. As your backing track plays you play your scale, taking note of which notes sound right or wrong over which chord. Another way of using backing tracks is if you record rhythm tracks using single chords, for example a few minutes of a C chord, a few minutes of D, then G, and so on.
Practice slowly. This applies to all aspects of lead guitar playing. You do not PRACTICE playing guitar the way you want to actually PLAY the guitar. Speed comes naturally by itself as a result of slow practice. You need to be consistent with this - if you are new to playing lead guitar you will have to work on your patience a lot more than you expected to. There are different schools of thought about the use of the wrist or fingers for speed picking, but most guitarists recommend moving from the wrist.
Do you want to learn to play the guitar? Learn How To Play A Guitar For Free is a constantly updated blog which contains all the resources you need for: learning to play solo guitar, how to learn guitar chords, how to learn to read and play easy acoustic guitar tabs, finding a free online guitar tuner, looking for free guitar lessons online, and how to learn guitar scales.
View more articles from Ricky Sharples
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Free Guitar Lessons
Learn to Play the Guitar and Perform on Stage
by Darrell Jackson
Learn to Have Fun
Learning to play the guitar can be very satisfying and fun if you know how to play. Perhaps the best way to learn guitar is a combination of lessons and self teaching.
Choose Step by Step Lessons
Most want to achieve their goals of learning to play like yesterday. Unfortunately, there's more involved than just pushing a button to learn to play instantly. There are, however, great online progress to help you learn fast. Choosing the right program is a matter of searching for a program that has a combination of step by step lessons with great sound files, great games and other resources to take you from where you are to now being a great guitarist. There are some online programs that bog you down with boring theory or drills, all this does is confuse and complicate such a natural and fun way to learn. There are, however, some great online courses such as Jamorama.
Sample Free Lessons
Probably the best, cheapest and most convenient way to get started is to try trial lessons. You can sample the style and method they use to teach. You could also get a feel for the programs resources, support and progress right from the start. This will give you great insight into whether success with the program is attainable.
Use Tablature to Perform Like Your Favorite Guitarist
Guitar tablature, if you are unaware is the fastest way to start reading and writing guitar music. Hundreds of thousands of songs on the internet are available in guitar tab.This knowledge which can be quickly learned will have you able to play virtually any song from your favorite artist.
Learn to Progress as You Play
As you learn how to progress from major into minor chords, you will incorporate rhythm patterns which will add emphasis to your playing and thus give you the ability to change the feel of any song you play.
Make the Comfort of Home Advantageous
The value of free trial lessons plus the convenience of learning at home is a powerful combination for achieving your guitar playing goals.Learning from home allows the student to pick and choose the lessons they would like to complete. Learning online also creates an opportunity for people to access programs that would otherwise not be available to them. In closing, just starting is a big advantage. Once you start you will realize that learning to play the guitar is always easier than you can imagine.
Hands Down The best Guitar Course Online Claim your free lessons!
View more articles from Darrell Jackson
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by Darrell Jackson
Learn to Have Fun
Learning to play the guitar can be very satisfying and fun if you know how to play. Perhaps the best way to learn guitar is a combination of lessons and self teaching.
Choose Step by Step Lessons
Most want to achieve their goals of learning to play like yesterday. Unfortunately, there's more involved than just pushing a button to learn to play instantly. There are, however, great online progress to help you learn fast. Choosing the right program is a matter of searching for a program that has a combination of step by step lessons with great sound files, great games and other resources to take you from where you are to now being a great guitarist. There are some online programs that bog you down with boring theory or drills, all this does is confuse and complicate such a natural and fun way to learn. There are, however, some great online courses such as Jamorama.
Sample Free Lessons
Probably the best, cheapest and most convenient way to get started is to try trial lessons. You can sample the style and method they use to teach. You could also get a feel for the programs resources, support and progress right from the start. This will give you great insight into whether success with the program is attainable.
Use Tablature to Perform Like Your Favorite Guitarist
Guitar tablature, if you are unaware is the fastest way to start reading and writing guitar music. Hundreds of thousands of songs on the internet are available in guitar tab.This knowledge which can be quickly learned will have you able to play virtually any song from your favorite artist.
Learn to Progress as You Play
As you learn how to progress from major into minor chords, you will incorporate rhythm patterns which will add emphasis to your playing and thus give you the ability to change the feel of any song you play.
Make the Comfort of Home Advantageous
The value of free trial lessons plus the convenience of learning at home is a powerful combination for achieving your guitar playing goals.Learning from home allows the student to pick and choose the lessons they would like to complete. Learning online also creates an opportunity for people to access programs that would otherwise not be available to them. In closing, just starting is a big advantage. Once you start you will realize that learning to play the guitar is always easier than you can imagine.
Hands Down The best Guitar Course Online Claim your free lessons!
View more articles from Darrell Jackson
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Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Bass Guitar For Dummies
Basics of Bass Guitars
by melville jackson
The history of bass guitars dates back to 1930s when it was first developed by Paul Tutmarc of Seattle, Washington. A bass guitar looks similar to an electric guitar except it is larger in terms of body and neck length. The guitar is tuned to pitches that are one octave lower than those of the four lower strings of a guitar (E, A, D and G). Like electric guitars, bass guitars are attached to an amplifier or speaker for live performance.
What are bass guitars made of?
The bass guitars usually have bodies made of wood. The body may also be made of other materials like graphite as in some of the Steinberger guitars. Different types of woods are used for the making of the neck, body and the fretboard of the bass guitars. Usually the body is made of alder; the fretboard is made of rosewood and the neck of maple. Other types of woods used are ash, mahogany and maple for bodies, maple and ebony for the fretboard and mahogany for necks. The bass guitars have various flat and curved designs and oil, wax, or lacquer finishes.
What creates the bass effect?
Most of the bass guitars have bodies with hollow chambers to enhance the resonance and tone of the instruments. This design also reduces the weight of the guitars. Acoustic bass guitars usually have piezoelectric or magnetic pick ups and amplifiers. Bass Guitars may also be classified on the basis of the frets. The Fender basses have about 20 frets whereas modern basses have about 24 or more frets. The Fretless basses produce distinct sound due to lack of frets. Usually the bass guitars have four, five or six strings.
You can take formal bass guitars training in a wide range of styles like jazz, rock, Latin, funk and R&B. You may even learn informally from records or CDs. There is a wide variety of brands and styles of bass guitars. You can buy them along with many different accessories according to your individual needs. Some of the accessories that are often required are amplifiers, cables, straps, tuners, headphones, Instructional DVDs and gig bags. You can even shop online. The different websites will offer you the opportunity to make a well informed buy. They can also create personalized packages that contain the accessories that you want to suit your individual tastes and preferences
Res. Links:
At World Music Supply, we offer bass guitars in all your favorite models and styles. From Strats (Stratocasters) to Teles (Telecasters), jazzy arch-tops to cool signatures, metal guitars, and even smaller sized guitars for those just beginning, we've got something for everyone, in top brands like Fender, ESP, B.C. Rich, and Jackson.
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by melville jackson
The history of bass guitars dates back to 1930s when it was first developed by Paul Tutmarc of Seattle, Washington. A bass guitar looks similar to an electric guitar except it is larger in terms of body and neck length. The guitar is tuned to pitches that are one octave lower than those of the four lower strings of a guitar (E, A, D and G). Like electric guitars, bass guitars are attached to an amplifier or speaker for live performance.
What are bass guitars made of?
The bass guitars usually have bodies made of wood. The body may also be made of other materials like graphite as in some of the Steinberger guitars. Different types of woods are used for the making of the neck, body and the fretboard of the bass guitars. Usually the body is made of alder; the fretboard is made of rosewood and the neck of maple. Other types of woods used are ash, mahogany and maple for bodies, maple and ebony for the fretboard and mahogany for necks. The bass guitars have various flat and curved designs and oil, wax, or lacquer finishes.
What creates the bass effect?
Most of the bass guitars have bodies with hollow chambers to enhance the resonance and tone of the instruments. This design also reduces the weight of the guitars. Acoustic bass guitars usually have piezoelectric or magnetic pick ups and amplifiers. Bass Guitars may also be classified on the basis of the frets. The Fender basses have about 20 frets whereas modern basses have about 24 or more frets. The Fretless basses produce distinct sound due to lack of frets. Usually the bass guitars have four, five or six strings.
You can take formal bass guitars training in a wide range of styles like jazz, rock, Latin, funk and R&B. You may even learn informally from records or CDs. There is a wide variety of brands and styles of bass guitars. You can buy them along with many different accessories according to your individual needs. Some of the accessories that are often required are amplifiers, cables, straps, tuners, headphones, Instructional DVDs and gig bags. You can even shop online. The different websites will offer you the opportunity to make a well informed buy. They can also create personalized packages that contain the accessories that you want to suit your individual tastes and preferences
Res. Links:
At World Music Supply, we offer bass guitars in all your favorite models and styles. From Strats (Stratocasters) to Teles (Telecasters), jazzy arch-tops to cool signatures, metal guitars, and even smaller sized guitars for those just beginning, we've got something for everyone, in top brands like Fender, ESP, B.C. Rich, and Jackson.
View more articles from melville jackson
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Bass Guitar Lessons
Why Learn to Play the Bass Guitar?
by scott thomas
The main reason why people should learn to play the bass is because you should be different, what I mean by this is in a typical band the bass is the most overlooked instrument, the guitar being the most popular, followed by the drums.
So, why does no one pick the bass then? There are many reasons and everyone will have their own reason why. The two main reasons are: People think the bass guitar is too easy and the guitar is just way cooler to play.
The bass guitar is as hard as you make it, it can be an easy instrument to learn, but it is very hard to be able to master. There are so many bass players and basslines out there, all varying in difficulty. Compare these two basslines: "Blink 182 - First Date" and "Rancid - Maxwell Murder" Two very completely different approaches, the first song just follows the root note while the other song follows more of a scale and also contains a bass solo.
So, why actually play the bass? As the bass guitar is the least thought of instrument in a band it is easier to find a band that needs a bassist, for every bass player there will be around 10 guitar players, so with many more guitar players there are always bands that need a bassist.
If you know a friend who plays the guitar or even the drums then you could buy a bass and then you could jam together, either learning cover songs or making your own up. The drums and bass go very well together so playing with a drummer is always the best.
Have a listen to your favourite band, or song. The bassline may be way cooler than you thought. There are many songs out there that are based around the bassline and taking that away would make the song incomplete and less compelling to listen to. This point alone can get more people picking up the bass guitar to give it a try.
Bands need a bass player without one the song would sound very empty and incomplete and the bass helps to fill the gap between the drums and the guitar.
The bass falls into both categorise of being a hard instrument and being and easy one. If you want an easy instrument to start and learn then great, you can play very simple bass lines that sound great and everyone will recognize in a matter of days, in fact, with some people in a matter of a few hours to learn.
If you want a challenge then the bass can also offer that, there are many basslines out there that require years of practice to master and there is also new material and styles to learn.
Slap bass is a very unique style that is played on the bass guitar and no other instrument can get that unique sound. There are many funk bassists out there that have mastered this technique and have brought a whole new approach to playing the bass guitar.
I would encourage anyone that wishes to learn an instrument to try and learn the bass or at least look more in to it rather than crossing it of their list of instrument that they could learn to play.
For more information about learning how to play bass then visit play bass for free online bass lessons.
View more articles from scott thomas
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by scott thomas
The main reason why people should learn to play the bass is because you should be different, what I mean by this is in a typical band the bass is the most overlooked instrument, the guitar being the most popular, followed by the drums.
So, why does no one pick the bass then? There are many reasons and everyone will have their own reason why. The two main reasons are: People think the bass guitar is too easy and the guitar is just way cooler to play.
The bass guitar is as hard as you make it, it can be an easy instrument to learn, but it is very hard to be able to master. There are so many bass players and basslines out there, all varying in difficulty. Compare these two basslines: "Blink 182 - First Date" and "Rancid - Maxwell Murder" Two very completely different approaches, the first song just follows the root note while the other song follows more of a scale and also contains a bass solo.
So, why actually play the bass? As the bass guitar is the least thought of instrument in a band it is easier to find a band that needs a bassist, for every bass player there will be around 10 guitar players, so with many more guitar players there are always bands that need a bassist.
If you know a friend who plays the guitar or even the drums then you could buy a bass and then you could jam together, either learning cover songs or making your own up. The drums and bass go very well together so playing with a drummer is always the best.
Have a listen to your favourite band, or song. The bassline may be way cooler than you thought. There are many songs out there that are based around the bassline and taking that away would make the song incomplete and less compelling to listen to. This point alone can get more people picking up the bass guitar to give it a try.
Bands need a bass player without one the song would sound very empty and incomplete and the bass helps to fill the gap between the drums and the guitar.
The bass falls into both categorise of being a hard instrument and being and easy one. If you want an easy instrument to start and learn then great, you can play very simple bass lines that sound great and everyone will recognize in a matter of days, in fact, with some people in a matter of a few hours to learn.
If you want a challenge then the bass can also offer that, there are many basslines out there that require years of practice to master and there is also new material and styles to learn.
Slap bass is a very unique style that is played on the bass guitar and no other instrument can get that unique sound. There are many funk bassists out there that have mastered this technique and have brought a whole new approach to playing the bass guitar.
I would encourage anyone that wishes to learn an instrument to try and learn the bass or at least look more in to it rather than crossing it of their list of instrument that they could learn to play.
For more information about learning how to play bass then visit play bass for free online bass lessons.
View more articles from scott thomas
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Learn To Play Guitar Like A Pro
Learning to Play Acoustic and Bass Guitar
by Alan Gaza
Acoustic Guitar LessonsOne of the most vital things that you have to take into account while studying to join in acoustic guitar is to destroy " I can do it" and grow belief in yourself. The major obstacle in your acoustic guitar lessons is not the want of good teacher, time and funds; it will be you, yourself. You are your worst rival. If you learn to overcome the negativity inside you, you can be much closer of becoming a ideal guitar player.
Currently, there are numerous choice obtainable for acoustic guitar lessons. Some of these choices contain:
· Many guitarists have played the guitar for years and often they like training people under their wings. For such guitarists, teaching guitar is more like passing something significant from one age group to the other. · Many websites facilitate in teaching an individual how to play acoustic guitar. Due to the fame of acoustic guitar, it is not at all hard to find such websites that may facilitate you in studying guitar. · In many societies, persons have right of entry to study playing guitar by attending appropriate classes. If you live in such a society then understanding guitar turns out to be easy. For illustration, you can connect a society centre or community colleges where you can discover play the guitar.Bass guitar classes
The bass guitar performs with the beats of the drums to give a chilling touch for most music lovers. Bass guitarist aids develop groove and carries on with the time. Before you commence with the bass guitar lessons, it is vital to have a bass guitar. Although you can commence with a bass guitar but it is not the genuine thing. So if you really want to study playing the bass guitar then buy one for yourself. You do not have to pay out a lot of money on bass guitar. As a learner, you can buy a low cost guitar. The guitar education depends on how you learn them. There are people who like learning bass guitar when a genuine guitarist instructs them. If you are a human being of that class then get an knowledgeable bass guitar trainer.Playing guitar is one of the most trendy past time these days. For some, it is a means of uttering their feelings and inspiring a pastime into an art or science form. Playing guitar is not at all a funny story. It requires a lot of exercise and persistence. Following are few instructions on learning to play a guitar:{· Experience the throbWhile playing a bass guitar, guitarist lays lots of stress on beats of the music. Throbs are an vital feature of bass guitar because it provides timing and profundity to any song. Bass guitarists seize the notes of bass guitar through his chest. It hits on the chest and provides the feelings through the music.· Finger Placing is vitalOne major aspect that decides the wholeness of each note is thumping the guitar fret board with your left hand fingers. Position your fingers in such a means that they are adjacent to the fret board on the right. · Escalating the holdWhile understanding bass guitar lessons, it is important to develop strength of both the fingers. The bass guitar is a hard and powerful musical instrument; hence, you need power to play it.
For more insights and further information aboutacoustic guitar lessons visit our site www.msom.com
View more articles from Alan Gaza
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
by Alan Gaza
Acoustic Guitar LessonsOne of the most vital things that you have to take into account while studying to join in acoustic guitar is to destroy " I can do it" and grow belief in yourself. The major obstacle in your acoustic guitar lessons is not the want of good teacher, time and funds; it will be you, yourself. You are your worst rival. If you learn to overcome the negativity inside you, you can be much closer of becoming a ideal guitar player.
Currently, there are numerous choice obtainable for acoustic guitar lessons. Some of these choices contain:
· Many guitarists have played the guitar for years and often they like training people under their wings. For such guitarists, teaching guitar is more like passing something significant from one age group to the other. · Many websites facilitate in teaching an individual how to play acoustic guitar. Due to the fame of acoustic guitar, it is not at all hard to find such websites that may facilitate you in studying guitar. · In many societies, persons have right of entry to study playing guitar by attending appropriate classes. If you live in such a society then understanding guitar turns out to be easy. For illustration, you can connect a society centre or community colleges where you can discover play the guitar.Bass guitar classes
The bass guitar performs with the beats of the drums to give a chilling touch for most music lovers. Bass guitarist aids develop groove and carries on with the time. Before you commence with the bass guitar lessons, it is vital to have a bass guitar. Although you can commence with a bass guitar but it is not the genuine thing. So if you really want to study playing the bass guitar then buy one for yourself. You do not have to pay out a lot of money on bass guitar. As a learner, you can buy a low cost guitar. The guitar education depends on how you learn them. There are people who like learning bass guitar when a genuine guitarist instructs them. If you are a human being of that class then get an knowledgeable bass guitar trainer.Playing guitar is one of the most trendy past time these days. For some, it is a means of uttering their feelings and inspiring a pastime into an art or science form. Playing guitar is not at all a funny story. It requires a lot of exercise and persistence. Following are few instructions on learning to play a guitar:{· Experience the throbWhile playing a bass guitar, guitarist lays lots of stress on beats of the music. Throbs are an vital feature of bass guitar because it provides timing and profundity to any song. Bass guitarists seize the notes of bass guitar through his chest. It hits on the chest and provides the feelings through the music.· Finger Placing is vitalOne major aspect that decides the wholeness of each note is thumping the guitar fret board with your left hand fingers. Position your fingers in such a means that they are adjacent to the fret board on the right. · Escalating the holdWhile understanding bass guitar lessons, it is important to develop strength of both the fingers. The bass guitar is a hard and powerful musical instrument; hence, you need power to play it.
For more insights and further information aboutacoustic guitar lessons visit our site www.msom.com
View more articles from Alan Gaza
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
Bass Guitar Lessons
Bass Guitar Essentials
by Calvin Tan
Picking out my highly first bass guitar was an exciting event. It is the first instrument I have ever bought that I blueprint on learning how to play. Why not learn guitar first? Well, I have a love for the bass and not only that; I have been notified on lots of occasions that are easier to learn than the guitar. With all of the excitement of my purchase, I decided to make sure I have all of the essentials necessary for my new bass. Below are many accessories that you could like to include if you want to purchase a new bass guitar additionally.
Bass Guitar Cases
The first thing you will need to do is safeguard your new investment. This needs a sturdy bass guitar case. Situations come in a countless styles and materials. The lower-end situations are highly thin and do not offer much defense if you blueprint on toting your bass around town. There are sturdier situations which are molded and padded on the inside. These situations have a hard shell and the padding keeps the bass safe. I'd markedly recommend a molded case if you will be doing loads of traveling.
Extra Bass Strings
Bass guitar strings are relatively sturdy but it does not hurt to keep a couple of spare strings handy. There are many types of bass strings accessible to include flat wound, round wound, and area wound.
Bass Guitar Straps
Depending on the bass you buy, it may previously come with a strap included. Needless to say there are a countless types of straps to elect from additionally. The most generalized guitar straps are frequently made of leather or suede. Many are often woven and come in a multiplicity of colors to suit your tastes. If you're not into the fancy straps, you can systematically choose between vinyl and polyester.
Extra Guitar Picks
Out of all of the accessories you can have for your bass, the pick comes in more styles than whatever else. You can elect from hundreds of colors and also the thickness of the pick easily. Having lots of guitar picks systematically comes in handy.
Guitar Tuner
Keeping your bass in tune is a must and there are a countless types of guitar tuners accessible on the market. They all range in price from reduce end tuners at $10 up to high-end versions that go for $100 or more. If you're a beginner, it's probably secure to stick to a low-end model until you become better at playing the bass.
Get the FREE 5 Days Course from Jamorama to learn guitar basics! Find out more about other guitar issues as well.
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by Calvin Tan
Picking out my highly first bass guitar was an exciting event. It is the first instrument I have ever bought that I blueprint on learning how to play. Why not learn guitar first? Well, I have a love for the bass and not only that; I have been notified on lots of occasions that are easier to learn than the guitar. With all of the excitement of my purchase, I decided to make sure I have all of the essentials necessary for my new bass. Below are many accessories that you could like to include if you want to purchase a new bass guitar additionally.
Bass Guitar Cases
The first thing you will need to do is safeguard your new investment. This needs a sturdy bass guitar case. Situations come in a countless styles and materials. The lower-end situations are highly thin and do not offer much defense if you blueprint on toting your bass around town. There are sturdier situations which are molded and padded on the inside. These situations have a hard shell and the padding keeps the bass safe. I'd markedly recommend a molded case if you will be doing loads of traveling.
Extra Bass Strings
Bass guitar strings are relatively sturdy but it does not hurt to keep a couple of spare strings handy. There are many types of bass strings accessible to include flat wound, round wound, and area wound.
Bass Guitar Straps
Depending on the bass you buy, it may previously come with a strap included. Needless to say there are a countless types of straps to elect from additionally. The most generalized guitar straps are frequently made of leather or suede. Many are often woven and come in a multiplicity of colors to suit your tastes. If you're not into the fancy straps, you can systematically choose between vinyl and polyester.
Extra Guitar Picks
Out of all of the accessories you can have for your bass, the pick comes in more styles than whatever else. You can elect from hundreds of colors and also the thickness of the pick easily. Having lots of guitar picks systematically comes in handy.
Guitar Tuner
Keeping your bass in tune is a must and there are a countless types of guitar tuners accessible on the market. They all range in price from reduce end tuners at $10 up to high-end versions that go for $100 or more. If you're a beginner, it's probably secure to stick to a low-end model until you become better at playing the bass.
Get the FREE 5 Days Course from Jamorama to learn guitar basics! Find out more about other guitar issues as well.
View more articles from Calvin Tan
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Bass Guitar Tabs Lessons
Bass Guitar Tabs
by Calvin Tan
Bass guitar tab is an extremely generalized way of writing bass guitar music. If you are interested in becoming a bass guitarist you require to get aware of bass guitar music by playing the bass lines of a few of your favorite songs before you permit your inner bass player off the chain. Utilize this handy tool you can discover how to be the bass player in a band rapidly without accomplishing too much into boring argument.
The bass player's job is easily to keep time. Nothing can be easier. Until you try to do it. So what is actually involved? The bass guitar player keeps time by playing a 'bassline' which is generally a rhythmic' sequence of notes. The bass player brings together the rhythmic playing of the drummer with the melodies and chords played by the lead guitarist. Do you require to be a talented musician to do this? Yes you do. The bass guitar player is the guy who switches off his brain and becomes one with the flow of the music. He then switches his brain back on and become the designated driver for the rest of the band.
A newbie bass guitarist may not automatically be able to go after (or lead) the rest of the band right from the kick off. You might need a few materials to work with while you ease into the job. Bass guitar tab gives the guitar player written directions on what to play to give the bass line to a song. Tablature is a written representation of the strings of the guitar using numbers to show the frets. If you are looking to learn the bass guitar rapidly tab will help you. It is simple to pick up and to bring to mind and it permits you to learn the riffs and phrases you require to give structure to your band's music.
A bass guitar tab is an image of the fret board which may be drawn using Notepad on your personal computer or, if you like, by hand. The frets are numbered on lines representing the guitar strings. If you have a 4 string bass, the upper string is the G string, next the D string, the A string, and the E string. The numbers below the lines are the frets where the notes are played. If there is zero below the line it signifies the open string is played. A chord is signified in bass guitar tabs by two numbers, one above the other. Most bass guitar tabs contain a legend which explicates any unfamiliar terms.
With the history of rock music going back for generations tabs are accessible for any song you can remember. The internet is by far the absolute source for bass guitar tabs. Just do a Google search and you will have more material than you will ever require. All you have to do is learn and practice. Learn and practice your favorite songs first. Bass guitar is not a musical instrument you can approach without passion. Bass guitar riffs may be learnt from tab books but should be played from the heart.
Get the FREE 5 Days Course from Jamorama to learn guitar basics! Find out more about other guitar issues as well.
View more articles from Calvin Tan
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
by Calvin Tan
Bass guitar tab is an extremely generalized way of writing bass guitar music. If you are interested in becoming a bass guitarist you require to get aware of bass guitar music by playing the bass lines of a few of your favorite songs before you permit your inner bass player off the chain. Utilize this handy tool you can discover how to be the bass player in a band rapidly without accomplishing too much into boring argument.
The bass player's job is easily to keep time. Nothing can be easier. Until you try to do it. So what is actually involved? The bass guitar player keeps time by playing a 'bassline' which is generally a rhythmic' sequence of notes. The bass player brings together the rhythmic playing of the drummer with the melodies and chords played by the lead guitarist. Do you require to be a talented musician to do this? Yes you do. The bass guitar player is the guy who switches off his brain and becomes one with the flow of the music. He then switches his brain back on and become the designated driver for the rest of the band.
A newbie bass guitarist may not automatically be able to go after (or lead) the rest of the band right from the kick off. You might need a few materials to work with while you ease into the job. Bass guitar tab gives the guitar player written directions on what to play to give the bass line to a song. Tablature is a written representation of the strings of the guitar using numbers to show the frets. If you are looking to learn the bass guitar rapidly tab will help you. It is simple to pick up and to bring to mind and it permits you to learn the riffs and phrases you require to give structure to your band's music.
A bass guitar tab is an image of the fret board which may be drawn using Notepad on your personal computer or, if you like, by hand. The frets are numbered on lines representing the guitar strings. If you have a 4 string bass, the upper string is the G string, next the D string, the A string, and the E string. The numbers below the lines are the frets where the notes are played. If there is zero below the line it signifies the open string is played. A chord is signified in bass guitar tabs by two numbers, one above the other. Most bass guitar tabs contain a legend which explicates any unfamiliar terms.
With the history of rock music going back for generations tabs are accessible for any song you can remember. The internet is by far the absolute source for bass guitar tabs. Just do a Google search and you will have more material than you will ever require. All you have to do is learn and practice. Learn and practice your favorite songs first. Bass guitar is not a musical instrument you can approach without passion. Bass guitar riffs may be learnt from tab books but should be played from the heart.
Get the FREE 5 Days Course from Jamorama to learn guitar basics! Find out more about other guitar issues as well.
View more articles from Calvin Tan
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
Acoustic and Bass Guitar Lessons
Learning to Play Acoustic and Bass Guitar
by jessica thomson
Acoustic Guitar Lessons One of the most important things that you have to keep in mind while learning to play acoustic guitar is to destroy " I can do it" and develop confidence in yourself. The biggest hurdle in your acoustic guitar lessons is not the absence of good teacher, time and money; it will be you, yourself. You are your worst enemy. If you learn to tame the negativity inside you, you can be much closer to your dream of becoming a perfect guitar player. Currently, there are many options available for acoustic guitar lessons. Some of these options include: Many guitarists have played the guitar for years and often they enjoy training people under their wings. For such guitarists, teaching guitar is more like passing something important from one generation to the other. Many websites help in teaching an individual how to play acoustic guitar. Due to the popularity of acoustic guitar, it is not at all difficult to find such websites that may help you in learning guitar. In many communities, individuals have access to learn playing guitar by attending proper classes. If you live in such a community then learning guitar becomes easy. For example, you can join a community center or community colleges where you can learn play the guitar. Bass guitar lessons The bass guitar works with the beats of the drums to give a groove touch for most music lovers. Before you begin with the bass guitar lessons, it is important to have a bass guitar. Although you can begin with a bass guitar but it is not the real thing. So if you really want to learn playing the bass guitar then buy one for yourself. You do not have to spend a lot of money on bass guitar. As a beginner, you can buy a low cost guitar. The guitar lessons depend on how you learn them. There are people who enjoy learning bass guitar when a real guitarist teaches them. If you are a person of that category then get an experienced bass guitar teacher.Playing guitar is one of the most popular past time these days. For some, it is a way of expressing their feelings and elevating a hobby into an art or science form. Playing guitar is not at all a joke. It requires a lot of practice and patience. Following are few tips on learning to play a guitar: Feel the beat While playing a bass guitar, guitarist places lot of emphasis on beats of the music. Beats are an important aspect of bass guitar because it gives timing and depth to any song. Bass guitarists catch the notes of bass guitar through his chest. It pounds on the chest and gives the feeling through the music. Finger Placing is imperative One major factor that determines the completeness of each note is beating the guitar fret board with your left hand fingers. Place your fingers in such a way that they are close to the fret board on the right. Strengthening the grip While learning bass guitar lessons, it is important to develop strength of both the fingers. The bass guitar is a solid and sturdy musical instrument; therefore, you need strength to play it. While learning to play bass guitar, learn one lesson at a time. Feel the notes through the soul and heart.
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by jessica thomson
Acoustic Guitar Lessons One of the most important things that you have to keep in mind while learning to play acoustic guitar is to destroy " I can do it" and develop confidence in yourself. The biggest hurdle in your acoustic guitar lessons is not the absence of good teacher, time and money; it will be you, yourself. You are your worst enemy. If you learn to tame the negativity inside you, you can be much closer to your dream of becoming a perfect guitar player. Currently, there are many options available for acoustic guitar lessons. Some of these options include: Many guitarists have played the guitar for years and often they enjoy training people under their wings. For such guitarists, teaching guitar is more like passing something important from one generation to the other. Many websites help in teaching an individual how to play acoustic guitar. Due to the popularity of acoustic guitar, it is not at all difficult to find such websites that may help you in learning guitar. In many communities, individuals have access to learn playing guitar by attending proper classes. If you live in such a community then learning guitar becomes easy. For example, you can join a community center or community colleges where you can learn play the guitar. Bass guitar lessons The bass guitar works with the beats of the drums to give a groove touch for most music lovers. Before you begin with the bass guitar lessons, it is important to have a bass guitar. Although you can begin with a bass guitar but it is not the real thing. So if you really want to learn playing the bass guitar then buy one for yourself. You do not have to spend a lot of money on bass guitar. As a beginner, you can buy a low cost guitar. The guitar lessons depend on how you learn them. There are people who enjoy learning bass guitar when a real guitarist teaches them. If you are a person of that category then get an experienced bass guitar teacher.Playing guitar is one of the most popular past time these days. For some, it is a way of expressing their feelings and elevating a hobby into an art or science form. Playing guitar is not at all a joke. It requires a lot of practice and patience. Following are few tips on learning to play a guitar: Feel the beat While playing a bass guitar, guitarist places lot of emphasis on beats of the music. Beats are an important aspect of bass guitar because it gives timing and depth to any song. Bass guitarists catch the notes of bass guitar through his chest. It pounds on the chest and gives the feeling through the music. Finger Placing is imperative One major factor that determines the completeness of each note is beating the guitar fret board with your left hand fingers. Place your fingers in such a way that they are close to the fret board on the right. Strengthening the grip While learning bass guitar lessons, it is important to develop strength of both the fingers. The bass guitar is a solid and sturdy musical instrument; therefore, you need strength to play it. While learning to play bass guitar, learn one lesson at a time. Feel the notes through the soul and heart.
View more articles from jessica thomson
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Bass Guitar For Dummies
Bass Guitar
by Philip Edwards
The Bass Guitar
The electric bass guitar is a deep-throated, four-stringed cousin to the six or twelve stringed acoustic or electric guitar. Its strings are played by tapping, popping, plucking or slapping them with either thumb or fingers. The strings are tuned one octave lower than the E, A, D, and G lower strings of a regular guitar. The bass guitar is used in several styles of music. This includes rock, country, and jazz; but has gained popularity as a soloing instrument in Latin, Metal, and Funk music as well.
The forerunner of today’s modern bass guitar was invented in the 1930’s by a musician named Paul Tutmarc. He designed the instrument to take on a guitar shape- with four strings, frets, and a 30 ½ inch length. Bassists were finally able to keep in tune more easily with this style. Another 20 years would pass before the public would take any real notice of the instrument.
Leo Fender, in 1951, became the first to develop and introduce a mass-produced electric bass. It became known as the Fender Precision Bass. It wasn’t long before it was established as an industry standard. In the late 1950s, a split pick-up became part of its makeup. As the base grew in popularity, other manufacturers began to release their own bass versions. Gibson guitar released the EB-1 Bass; followed on by the EB-0 Bass. The first Gibson Bass was shaped like a violin while the second bass exhibited a more conventional design. As the 1970’s, 1980’s, and beyond, rolled on by, the bass continued to evolve into a very distinctive instrument. Certain bass models became associated with specific genres of music. These include hard rock, disco and funk. Designers incorporated wood into the body of the bass and installed electronic applications for pre-amplification. Other features include four-string and five-string basses.
Ned Steinberger, and innovative bass designer and musician, spiked a small revolution when he introduced a headless bass. Its chrome and graphite design looked to be like an instrument from the distant future. Its unusual design promptly tagged it as a high-end item. Custom made basses became the rage among bass enthusiasts.
Bass players have a design choice for their bass’s fingerboard. Some players choose to have fretts, similar to a guitar’s, built into their fingerboard. Other bassists often want to play a bass with no frets on it. A no fret bass makes a distinct sound. This is due in part by how the string buzzes against the bass’s body. Often, bass players will play both fretted and non-fretted during their performances. These include musicians such as Steve Digiorgio and Colin Edwin. It is a safe bet that these modern bass players and designers will continue to find ways to become unconventional, non-traditional and innovative with every aspect of building and playing bass guitars. Who knows? Perhaps the next generation of bass players will simply rebel against anything modern and choose to play instruments which retain some elements of Paul Tutmarc’s original design.
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by Philip Edwards
The Bass Guitar
The electric bass guitar is a deep-throated, four-stringed cousin to the six or twelve stringed acoustic or electric guitar. Its strings are played by tapping, popping, plucking or slapping them with either thumb or fingers. The strings are tuned one octave lower than the E, A, D, and G lower strings of a regular guitar. The bass guitar is used in several styles of music. This includes rock, country, and jazz; but has gained popularity as a soloing instrument in Latin, Metal, and Funk music as well.
The forerunner of today’s modern bass guitar was invented in the 1930’s by a musician named Paul Tutmarc. He designed the instrument to take on a guitar shape- with four strings, frets, and a 30 ½ inch length. Bassists were finally able to keep in tune more easily with this style. Another 20 years would pass before the public would take any real notice of the instrument.
Leo Fender, in 1951, became the first to develop and introduce a mass-produced electric bass. It became known as the Fender Precision Bass. It wasn’t long before it was established as an industry standard. In the late 1950s, a split pick-up became part of its makeup. As the base grew in popularity, other manufacturers began to release their own bass versions. Gibson guitar released the EB-1 Bass; followed on by the EB-0 Bass. The first Gibson Bass was shaped like a violin while the second bass exhibited a more conventional design. As the 1970’s, 1980’s, and beyond, rolled on by, the bass continued to evolve into a very distinctive instrument. Certain bass models became associated with specific genres of music. These include hard rock, disco and funk. Designers incorporated wood into the body of the bass and installed electronic applications for pre-amplification. Other features include four-string and five-string basses.
Ned Steinberger, and innovative bass designer and musician, spiked a small revolution when he introduced a headless bass. Its chrome and graphite design looked to be like an instrument from the distant future. Its unusual design promptly tagged it as a high-end item. Custom made basses became the rage among bass enthusiasts.
Bass players have a design choice for their bass’s fingerboard. Some players choose to have fretts, similar to a guitar’s, built into their fingerboard. Other bassists often want to play a bass with no frets on it. A no fret bass makes a distinct sound. This is due in part by how the string buzzes against the bass’s body. Often, bass players will play both fretted and non-fretted during their performances. These include musicians such as Steve Digiorgio and Colin Edwin. It is a safe bet that these modern bass players and designers will continue to find ways to become unconventional, non-traditional and innovative with every aspect of building and playing bass guitars. Who knows? Perhaps the next generation of bass players will simply rebel against anything modern and choose to play instruments which retain some elements of Paul Tutmarc’s original design.
View more articles from Philip Edwards
This article is provided by Amazines.com - The ULTIMATE Article Database
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Recording: Acoustic Guitar & Mic Technique
Recording: Acoustic Guitar & Mic Technique
by tony matt
Recording acoustic guitar tracks well is one of the most difficult tasks that anyone in music can do. Experimentation is key to achieving perfect results, however there are a few basic, engineer-tested microphone placement techniques and tips that will help you produce high-quality acoustic guitar tracks.
Close-miking Technique Close-miking is a technique in which a microphone is placed very close to an instrument or sound source - usually inches to 1 foot away. Musicians and engineers use this technique because of the focused sound close-miking provides. Recording instruments using this technique also minimizes bleed from other instruments and musicians in the room, as well as unwanted noise. This technique is commonly used by those recording at home in untreated rooms, or in situations where the room sound is unwanted or detrimental to the recording. Close-miking is generally done with dynamic microphones, as they have a very focused polar pattern and can usually take high volume levels. A commonly used close-miking technique is to place a dynamic microphone approximately 8 inches in front of the 12th fret on an acoustic guitar. Microphones like large diaphragm condensers and ribbon microphones are sometimes used in this way on quieter sources or song passages.
Distant-miking Technique Distant-miking is a technique in which a microphone is placed further away from a sound source -- often between 5 feet and any greater distance. This technique is used in situations where a combination of the sound of the room's tone and the instrument are desired, usually in recording studios with acoustically tuned rooms. Distant-miking techniques generally cannot be employed in situations where bleed is an issue, and are usually only used when an instrument is recorded overdubbed or recorded in isolation. Microphones like large diaphragm condensers and ribbon microphones with figure-eight patterns are commonly used with this technique, as they tend to pick up the most detail and natural sound.
Combination Miking Technique Combining close-miking and distant-miking techniques often yields the best result possible if done correctly. Many engineers use a dynamic microphone close to the neck or sound hole of the guitar, while placing another microphone, usually a large diaphragm condenser or a ribbon microphone, further away to capture room sound and reverberation. Using this combination technique will allow you to capture all of the details and full sound created by the guitarist and instrument -- from slight hand movements with a close microphone, to a full, warm sound with the distant microphone. Using two microphones enables you to use more of the distant microphone or the close microphone later during mixing. When using this technique, make sure to space the microphones at least three feet from each other to avoid phase problems that can result in weak signals and poor sound.
View more articles from tony matt
by tony matt
Recording acoustic guitar tracks well is one of the most difficult tasks that anyone in music can do. Experimentation is key to achieving perfect results, however there are a few basic, engineer-tested microphone placement techniques and tips that will help you produce high-quality acoustic guitar tracks.
Close-miking Technique Close-miking is a technique in which a microphone is placed very close to an instrument or sound source - usually inches to 1 foot away. Musicians and engineers use this technique because of the focused sound close-miking provides. Recording instruments using this technique also minimizes bleed from other instruments and musicians in the room, as well as unwanted noise. This technique is commonly used by those recording at home in untreated rooms, or in situations where the room sound is unwanted or detrimental to the recording. Close-miking is generally done with dynamic microphones, as they have a very focused polar pattern and can usually take high volume levels. A commonly used close-miking technique is to place a dynamic microphone approximately 8 inches in front of the 12th fret on an acoustic guitar. Microphones like large diaphragm condensers and ribbon microphones are sometimes used in this way on quieter sources or song passages.
Distant-miking Technique Distant-miking is a technique in which a microphone is placed further away from a sound source -- often between 5 feet and any greater distance. This technique is used in situations where a combination of the sound of the room's tone and the instrument are desired, usually in recording studios with acoustically tuned rooms. Distant-miking techniques generally cannot be employed in situations where bleed is an issue, and are usually only used when an instrument is recorded overdubbed or recorded in isolation. Microphones like large diaphragm condensers and ribbon microphones with figure-eight patterns are commonly used with this technique, as they tend to pick up the most detail and natural sound.
Combination Miking Technique Combining close-miking and distant-miking techniques often yields the best result possible if done correctly. Many engineers use a dynamic microphone close to the neck or sound hole of the guitar, while placing another microphone, usually a large diaphragm condenser or a ribbon microphone, further away to capture room sound and reverberation. Using this combination technique will allow you to capture all of the details and full sound created by the guitarist and instrument -- from slight hand movements with a close microphone, to a full, warm sound with the distant microphone. Using two microphones enables you to use more of the distant microphone or the close microphone later during mixing. When using this technique, make sure to space the microphones at least three feet from each other to avoid phase problems that can result in weak signals and poor sound.
View more articles from tony matt
Playing Guitar Chords
Guitar Chord Playing
by Ricky Sharples
Learning guitar chord playing is not going to be easy. But it will be a relatively short-term ordeal with great rewards at the end. There are some questions that learner guitar chord players are faced with that should be mentioned right at the start so you can get some understanding of the physical problems involved with guitar playing.
One question that confronts guitar students is where to place your left thumb when playing chords. Some guitar styles call for the sixth string to be fretted with the thumb. This adds a certain amount of versatility to your guitar playing but at the same time, there are some chords that are most easily played using the so-called "classical" position with the thumb placed at the center of the back of the guitar neck.
The classical position is really the only one you can use with the wider neck of the nylon string guitar. Steel string acoustics and electric guitars have thin necks that accommodate hooking the thumb over the neck. You can, of course, use both ways of chord playing but if you feel that you must use one method exclusively, the classical position will be the better one to go for.
The other big challenge for learning guitar chord playing students is barre chords. You will be learning open chords in the first position when you first learn to play the guitar. Open chords are fingered by between one and four left-hand fingers used to fret separate strings and leaving some chords sounding without being stopped by the fingers. Barre chords use the index finger placed across two, three or all sic strings with the second, third and pinky fingers fingering other frets.
Learning to apply the correct amount of pressure to play chords cleanly is the first part of learning to play both open and barre chords, then you must practice slowly and methodically so that you can change chords smoothly. This requires a great deal of daily practice. You need to practice the chord changes in your favorite songs to start with. This will give you something to aim for and the song will give you a rhythmic structure to relate your chord changes to.
If you are feeling that you now have a long sentence of boring and uncomfortable work ahead of you, you are only partially correct. The length of time you will need in order to learn guitar chord playing will be in proportion to the care you take in learning economy of movement when changing chords. Every time you give in to the urge to rush your chord changes you are making the learning process longer.
Do you want to learn to play the guitar? Learn How To Play A Guitar For Free is a constantly updated blog which contains all the resources you need for: learning to play solo guitar, how to learn guitar chords, how to learn to read and play easy acoustic guitar tabs, finding a free online guitar tuner, looking for free guitar lessons online, and how to learn guitar scales.
View more articles from Ricky Sharples
by Ricky Sharples
Learning guitar chord playing is not going to be easy. But it will be a relatively short-term ordeal with great rewards at the end. There are some questions that learner guitar chord players are faced with that should be mentioned right at the start so you can get some understanding of the physical problems involved with guitar playing.
One question that confronts guitar students is where to place your left thumb when playing chords. Some guitar styles call for the sixth string to be fretted with the thumb. This adds a certain amount of versatility to your guitar playing but at the same time, there are some chords that are most easily played using the so-called "classical" position with the thumb placed at the center of the back of the guitar neck.
The classical position is really the only one you can use with the wider neck of the nylon string guitar. Steel string acoustics and electric guitars have thin necks that accommodate hooking the thumb over the neck. You can, of course, use both ways of chord playing but if you feel that you must use one method exclusively, the classical position will be the better one to go for.
The other big challenge for learning guitar chord playing students is barre chords. You will be learning open chords in the first position when you first learn to play the guitar. Open chords are fingered by between one and four left-hand fingers used to fret separate strings and leaving some chords sounding without being stopped by the fingers. Barre chords use the index finger placed across two, three or all sic strings with the second, third and pinky fingers fingering other frets.
Learning to apply the correct amount of pressure to play chords cleanly is the first part of learning to play both open and barre chords, then you must practice slowly and methodically so that you can change chords smoothly. This requires a great deal of daily practice. You need to practice the chord changes in your favorite songs to start with. This will give you something to aim for and the song will give you a rhythmic structure to relate your chord changes to.
If you are feeling that you now have a long sentence of boring and uncomfortable work ahead of you, you are only partially correct. The length of time you will need in order to learn guitar chord playing will be in proportion to the care you take in learning economy of movement when changing chords. Every time you give in to the urge to rush your chord changes you are making the learning process longer.
Do you want to learn to play the guitar? Learn How To Play A Guitar For Free is a constantly updated blog which contains all the resources you need for: learning to play solo guitar, how to learn guitar chords, how to learn to read and play easy acoustic guitar tabs, finding a free online guitar tuner, looking for free guitar lessons online, and how to learn guitar scales.
View more articles from Ricky Sharples
Learn To Play Guitar Like A Pro
Why Simple Guitar Songs are Great for Beginners
by elaine hatton
When it comes to learning the guitar, it generally requires a lot of time and patience. Probably, one of the greatest instruments to play would be the guitar because of the great music that it can produce. Aside from that, listening to the music being played on the guitar is soothing.
This is one of the reasons why a lot of people are interested in learning how to play the guitar. They are probably inspired by their favorite guitarists and they would like to learn how to play the songs that they frequently listen to.
If you are a big music fan and you would like to learn how to play your favorite songs on the guitar, then you need to start by learning the basic guitar skills through simple guitar songs. It is important to start with the simple songs first because through these songs, you will be able to learn the fundamental skills needed to play the guitar.
Knowing the fundamental skills of playing the guitar would include properly holding the guitar, reading the chords, playing the chords, and also becoming familiar with the sound of the chords. Playing the guitar involves the chords, and with simple songs, you will be introduced with the most basic chords at least three to four at a time per song.
Usually, these simple songs contain two to three basic guitar chords. This is easy enough for beginners because with enough time, practicing these chords and mastering them all would be possible. This is actually the main reason why it is very ideal for beginners to choose simple guitar songs.
Simple songs do not only provide basic chords for beginners but they are also easy to play and can be mastered in no time as long as you are practicing religiously. Through that, you accumulate more skills as you choose new songs until you will be able to play your favorite songs.
If you want to learn some simple guitar songs find out how you can do this easily at discover simple guitar songs
View more articles from elaine hatton
by elaine hatton
When it comes to learning the guitar, it generally requires a lot of time and patience. Probably, one of the greatest instruments to play would be the guitar because of the great music that it can produce. Aside from that, listening to the music being played on the guitar is soothing.
This is one of the reasons why a lot of people are interested in learning how to play the guitar. They are probably inspired by their favorite guitarists and they would like to learn how to play the songs that they frequently listen to.
If you are a big music fan and you would like to learn how to play your favorite songs on the guitar, then you need to start by learning the basic guitar skills through simple guitar songs. It is important to start with the simple songs first because through these songs, you will be able to learn the fundamental skills needed to play the guitar.
Knowing the fundamental skills of playing the guitar would include properly holding the guitar, reading the chords, playing the chords, and also becoming familiar with the sound of the chords. Playing the guitar involves the chords, and with simple songs, you will be introduced with the most basic chords at least three to four at a time per song.
Usually, these simple songs contain two to three basic guitar chords. This is easy enough for beginners because with enough time, practicing these chords and mastering them all would be possible. This is actually the main reason why it is very ideal for beginners to choose simple guitar songs.
Simple songs do not only provide basic chords for beginners but they are also easy to play and can be mastered in no time as long as you are practicing religiously. Through that, you accumulate more skills as you choose new songs until you will be able to play your favorite songs.
If you want to learn some simple guitar songs find out how you can do this easily at discover simple guitar songs
View more articles from elaine hatton
Why Acoustic Guitar Songs Touches Your Soul
Why Acoustic Guitar Songs Touches Your Soul
by elaine hatton
When you turn on your radio you will most likely hear acoustic guitar songs on either of the stations. It is definitely so nice to listen to these songs because they are relaxing. Listening to these songs is calming and you can really feel the message of the song being played. Because of this, a lot of people are inspired to learn how to play the guitar.
Whether you are already an expert in playing the guitar or you would like to learn playing this wonderful musical instrument, you will surely love the idea of searching for songs which can be played on your acoustic guitar.
Nowadays, it is quite popular to create renditions of famous pop songs and turn it into acoustic songs. Those who are already adept in playing the guitar would already be able to play the pop songs into their acoustic guitars just by simply listening carefully to the song. This is because they are already familiar with the tunes as well as the sounds that are produced by each chord. This skill would take time before you’d be able to develop it, so if you are just a beginner and you would like to turn those popular songs into acoustic songs, you may be able to do so by referring to a chords chart or a tablature of chords for that certain song.
Usually, you will be able to look for such tablatures through the internet. The internet is a vast source of almost anything so if you would like to search for tablatures of acoustic guitar songs, you’d be able to find it in the internet.
Listening to music being played on the acoustic guitar is definitely something that brings you relaxation because of the mellowness of the music; it feels like as if it touches your soul and moves you. It surely is a wonderful experience to be able to play these kinds of songs and listen to them at the same time.
If you're looking for acoustic guitar songs find out how to easily learn to play acoustic guitar songs
View more articles from elaine hatton
by elaine hatton
When you turn on your radio you will most likely hear acoustic guitar songs on either of the stations. It is definitely so nice to listen to these songs because they are relaxing. Listening to these songs is calming and you can really feel the message of the song being played. Because of this, a lot of people are inspired to learn how to play the guitar.
Whether you are already an expert in playing the guitar or you would like to learn playing this wonderful musical instrument, you will surely love the idea of searching for songs which can be played on your acoustic guitar.
Nowadays, it is quite popular to create renditions of famous pop songs and turn it into acoustic songs. Those who are already adept in playing the guitar would already be able to play the pop songs into their acoustic guitars just by simply listening carefully to the song. This is because they are already familiar with the tunes as well as the sounds that are produced by each chord. This skill would take time before you’d be able to develop it, so if you are just a beginner and you would like to turn those popular songs into acoustic songs, you may be able to do so by referring to a chords chart or a tablature of chords for that certain song.
Usually, you will be able to look for such tablatures through the internet. The internet is a vast source of almost anything so if you would like to search for tablatures of acoustic guitar songs, you’d be able to find it in the internet.
Listening to music being played on the acoustic guitar is definitely something that brings you relaxation because of the mellowness of the music; it feels like as if it touches your soul and moves you. It surely is a wonderful experience to be able to play these kinds of songs and listen to them at the same time.
If you're looking for acoustic guitar songs find out how to easily learn to play acoustic guitar songs
View more articles from elaine hatton
Using a Professional Music Producer
Using a Professional Music Producer
by Greg Wilson
A professional music producer can take your music production from average run of the mill flatness to top a shelf I just have to have a copy in my collection feeling. Let’s face it. Anyone with a computer can turn out song after boring song that technically could be considered great. The levels can be hot, the bass can be right there in your chest and the kick can thump you where it hurts. And yet when you listen to it you feel like you’ve been robbed. Even GREAT songs can suffer from lack luster production.
But on the reverse of that, if you take a great producer that knows how to use the tweaks that make things come alive. They can take an average or even sub par tune and add the glimmer to make the song a shiny and glossy radio friendly hit. If you don’t think that is possible, take a listen to a lot of the things on almost any top-40 radio station and you can see how some production magic can take a poor song with relatively obnoxious lines that seem to repeat endlessly and run the boring diva want to be vocals through some pro tools plug ins and you have a smash hit.
Then dust off a copy of “This Boy” by the Beatles. George Martin took a very simple arrangement of a song, gave Ringo the treatment and glitzed it up a little and you have a good song made great with talent and not with production. That is precisely what a professional music producer can do for you and your music.
I’m not saying that a sixteen year-old teen queen shouldn’t be recording hit singles. I am noting that there is a lot of non life lessons there that were popped up to make a hit that is boring. The other example grabs you and lets the producer shine through and is memorable.
So what can you do to get that kind of production on your material? That is precisely where places like myMusicCircle some into play. You can go on there and peruse the available producers or even post your own ad for a professional music producer and let the multi talented production folks out there across the world bid for the chance to produce your next platinum hit.
Life is wonderful isn’t it? You can stay there safe in your home and let the world come to you.
Greg Wilson is a prominent creative writer and music veteran with over 20 years of music industry professional experience. His knowledge and expertise extends from all aspects of the music industry including production, audio and video, promotion, music business strategy, music industry philosophy and music industry economics.
View more articles from Greg Wilson
by Greg Wilson
A professional music producer can take your music production from average run of the mill flatness to top a shelf I just have to have a copy in my collection feeling. Let’s face it. Anyone with a computer can turn out song after boring song that technically could be considered great. The levels can be hot, the bass can be right there in your chest and the kick can thump you where it hurts. And yet when you listen to it you feel like you’ve been robbed. Even GREAT songs can suffer from lack luster production.
But on the reverse of that, if you take a great producer that knows how to use the tweaks that make things come alive. They can take an average or even sub par tune and add the glimmer to make the song a shiny and glossy radio friendly hit. If you don’t think that is possible, take a listen to a lot of the things on almost any top-40 radio station and you can see how some production magic can take a poor song with relatively obnoxious lines that seem to repeat endlessly and run the boring diva want to be vocals through some pro tools plug ins and you have a smash hit.
Then dust off a copy of “This Boy” by the Beatles. George Martin took a very simple arrangement of a song, gave Ringo the treatment and glitzed it up a little and you have a good song made great with talent and not with production. That is precisely what a professional music producer can do for you and your music.
I’m not saying that a sixteen year-old teen queen shouldn’t be recording hit singles. I am noting that there is a lot of non life lessons there that were popped up to make a hit that is boring. The other example grabs you and lets the producer shine through and is memorable.
So what can you do to get that kind of production on your material? That is precisely where places like myMusicCircle some into play. You can go on there and peruse the available producers or even post your own ad for a professional music producer and let the multi talented production folks out there across the world bid for the chance to produce your next platinum hit.
Life is wonderful isn’t it? You can stay there safe in your home and let the world come to you.
Greg Wilson is a prominent creative writer and music veteran with over 20 years of music industry professional experience. His knowledge and expertise extends from all aspects of the music industry including production, audio and video, promotion, music business strategy, music industry philosophy and music industry economics.
View more articles from Greg Wilson
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Learning the Pentatonic Guitar Scales for Soloing and Lead Guitar
Learning the Pentatonic Guitar Scales for Soloing and Lead Guitar
by Dave Fraser
Learning the Pentatonic guitar scales is a must if you want to play any lead guitar or have been trying to and want to improve. These are the most important scales for soloing and coming up with unique riffs for any major form of music.
Starters
There are major and minor pentatonic scales. Each scale consists of 5 notes which differs from most other scles which are generally 7 or more notes. This can be helpful to beginners with less notes to remember and fewer chances to get lost on the neck.
The major and minor pentatonic scales have the exact same shape (positioning and fingering on different strings and frets) , they're just played at different locations on the neck. It's advisable that you do know the notes on the first couple of strings to make this a bit easier since the shapes are the easy part, knowing the starting and ending notes is the key to knowing what scale you are and need to be playing.
The Shapes
There are 5 different shapes for the pentatonic first through fifth position. Each shape corresponds to the note from the scale you start with.
EXAMPLE: An A minor pentatonic scale on the 6th string would stat at the 5th fret for an A, then slide up three frets, slide of two frets, slide up two more frets, then finally slide up three frets. These are the 5 notes of the A minor pentatonic scale.
To play the sale in a particular position would mean to start at a different note through out the scale. So for the first position of the A minor pentatonic scale you'd start at the 5th fret on the 6th string. The second position you would start that the second note of that A minor scale. So according to the example above if the first note is the 5th fret on the 6th string the second note is after you slide up 3 frets, being the 8th fret on the 6th string.
I know this can be difficult to visualize images do come in handy when you're learning the pentatonic guitar scales. For each of the 5 notes in the A minor pentatonic scale there is a different position.
So the positions would start at:
Position 1 - 5th fret of 6th string Position 2 - 8th fret of 6th string Position 3 - 10th fret of 6th string Position 4 - 12th fret of 6th string Position 5 - 15th fret of 6th string
The shapes themselves will have to be for another lesson since it would be a long drawn out and confusing article if I chose to try and explain each shape. A good learn to play guitar dvd should outline the shapes and stress the importance of not only memorizing the scale(s) and notes on the string but also the require shapes for each position.
The shapes stay the same, it's just the root notes that are modified to play the different major and minor pentatonic scales. This takes some practice and you should start slow and try to find some backing tracks if possible. Playing these scales over full band tracks is fun and a better way to learn then just sitting there playing it over and over alone.
A quality guitar lessons program that will teach you the pentatonic scales along with the guitar theory needed to go along with it is Learn and Master guitar. It's a top rated guitar lesson dvd program that includes backing tracks you can practice along with once you feel confident with your scales.
View more articles from Dave Fraser
by Dave Fraser
Learning the Pentatonic guitar scales is a must if you want to play any lead guitar or have been trying to and want to improve. These are the most important scales for soloing and coming up with unique riffs for any major form of music.
Starters
There are major and minor pentatonic scales. Each scale consists of 5 notes which differs from most other scles which are generally 7 or more notes. This can be helpful to beginners with less notes to remember and fewer chances to get lost on the neck.
The major and minor pentatonic scales have the exact same shape (positioning and fingering on different strings and frets) , they're just played at different locations on the neck. It's advisable that you do know the notes on the first couple of strings to make this a bit easier since the shapes are the easy part, knowing the starting and ending notes is the key to knowing what scale you are and need to be playing.
The Shapes
There are 5 different shapes for the pentatonic first through fifth position. Each shape corresponds to the note from the scale you start with.
EXAMPLE: An A minor pentatonic scale on the 6th string would stat at the 5th fret for an A, then slide up three frets, slide of two frets, slide up two more frets, then finally slide up three frets. These are the 5 notes of the A minor pentatonic scale.
To play the sale in a particular position would mean to start at a different note through out the scale. So for the first position of the A minor pentatonic scale you'd start at the 5th fret on the 6th string. The second position you would start that the second note of that A minor scale. So according to the example above if the first note is the 5th fret on the 6th string the second note is after you slide up 3 frets, being the 8th fret on the 6th string.
I know this can be difficult to visualize images do come in handy when you're learning the pentatonic guitar scales. For each of the 5 notes in the A minor pentatonic scale there is a different position.
So the positions would start at:
Position 1 - 5th fret of 6th string Position 2 - 8th fret of 6th string Position 3 - 10th fret of 6th string Position 4 - 12th fret of 6th string Position 5 - 15th fret of 6th string
The shapes themselves will have to be for another lesson since it would be a long drawn out and confusing article if I chose to try and explain each shape. A good learn to play guitar dvd should outline the shapes and stress the importance of not only memorizing the scale(s) and notes on the string but also the require shapes for each position.
The shapes stay the same, it's just the root notes that are modified to play the different major and minor pentatonic scales. This takes some practice and you should start slow and try to find some backing tracks if possible. Playing these scales over full band tracks is fun and a better way to learn then just sitting there playing it over and over alone.
A quality guitar lessons program that will teach you the pentatonic scales along with the guitar theory needed to go along with it is Learn and Master guitar. It's a top rated guitar lesson dvd program that includes backing tracks you can practice along with once you feel confident with your scales.
View more articles from Dave Fraser
Changing Your Guitar Strings
Tips and Accessories to Change Guitar Strings Easily
by Dave Fraser
It not that tough to know when your strings need changing. They're no longer sound bright and they begin to feel almost dirty or rusty. Breaking a string or two can also cause you to have to change your strings, possibly sooner then you had wanted.
Removing strings and replacing them isn't a tough job, but there are some simple rules you should follow not to mention some accessories that can make the job easier. In this article I'm going to explain the simple steps to removing and replacing a string along with a couple of accessories worth having.
One String at a Time
Some people might tell you differently but I'm a fan of only removing and replacing one string at a time. This reduces any chance that you could warp the neck of your guitar by removing all the strings, reducing tension on the neck and then adding tension back all at once.
Start at either the 1st or 6th string and work your way up or down until they're all changed.
Don't Wind too Tight
Once you remove a string only wrap it 3 or 4 times around the tuning peg on the head stock. There's no need to have a bunch of excess string that just makes it more difficult to remove next time. Also pay attention to the way you wrap the string around the peg. It's easy to put one string on backwards. This is another benefit to only taking one string off at a time you can match the new one up to the old strings still on your guitar.
Stretching
It takes some time for strings, especially if they're nylon strings, to stretch. I suggest you don't wind the string up as tight as it will go right away. Go slowly giving the string time to stretch. It takes a while for your strings to finally stop stretching and finally remain in tune so don't rush it. Tightening a string too quickly can result in breaking it.
Accessories to Help
A couple of nice accessories that make changing guitar strings easier are:
String Winder String Cutter Electric Tuner
Each of these are ideal when changing strings on your guitar. The winder makes it a lot faster to tighten up new strings. Your fingers can only twist so fast and it can take some time to tighten up a new string. Of course once all those new strings are on you're definitely going to want to cut off the excess, and an electric tuner helps you find the right pitch and note for at least one string. You can tune by ear if you'd like after that but unless you have perfect pitch an electric tuner will help a lot.
If you're just starting out you might want to read about our guitar lessons dvd that covers the basics right from the parts of the guitar and string names. Also our blog on beginner guitar tips has many useful articles from how to play basic chords to advanced scale and soloing techniques.
If you're just starting out you might want to read about our learn to play guitar dvd that covers the basics right from the parts of the guitar and string names. Also our blog on beginner guitar tips has many useful articles from how to play basic chords to advanced scale and soloing techniques.
View more articles from Dave Fraser
by Dave Fraser
It not that tough to know when your strings need changing. They're no longer sound bright and they begin to feel almost dirty or rusty. Breaking a string or two can also cause you to have to change your strings, possibly sooner then you had wanted.
Removing strings and replacing them isn't a tough job, but there are some simple rules you should follow not to mention some accessories that can make the job easier. In this article I'm going to explain the simple steps to removing and replacing a string along with a couple of accessories worth having.
One String at a Time
Some people might tell you differently but I'm a fan of only removing and replacing one string at a time. This reduces any chance that you could warp the neck of your guitar by removing all the strings, reducing tension on the neck and then adding tension back all at once.
Start at either the 1st or 6th string and work your way up or down until they're all changed.
Don't Wind too Tight
Once you remove a string only wrap it 3 or 4 times around the tuning peg on the head stock. There's no need to have a bunch of excess string that just makes it more difficult to remove next time. Also pay attention to the way you wrap the string around the peg. It's easy to put one string on backwards. This is another benefit to only taking one string off at a time you can match the new one up to the old strings still on your guitar.
Stretching
It takes some time for strings, especially if they're nylon strings, to stretch. I suggest you don't wind the string up as tight as it will go right away. Go slowly giving the string time to stretch. It takes a while for your strings to finally stop stretching and finally remain in tune so don't rush it. Tightening a string too quickly can result in breaking it.
Accessories to Help
A couple of nice accessories that make changing guitar strings easier are:
String Winder String Cutter Electric Tuner
Each of these are ideal when changing strings on your guitar. The winder makes it a lot faster to tighten up new strings. Your fingers can only twist so fast and it can take some time to tighten up a new string. Of course once all those new strings are on you're definitely going to want to cut off the excess, and an electric tuner helps you find the right pitch and note for at least one string. You can tune by ear if you'd like after that but unless you have perfect pitch an electric tuner will help a lot.
If you're just starting out you might want to read about our guitar lessons dvd that covers the basics right from the parts of the guitar and string names. Also our blog on beginner guitar tips has many useful articles from how to play basic chords to advanced scale and soloing techniques.
If you're just starting out you might want to read about our learn to play guitar dvd that covers the basics right from the parts of the guitar and string names. Also our blog on beginner guitar tips has many useful articles from how to play basic chords to advanced scale and soloing techniques.
View more articles from Dave Fraser
Guitar Practice Tips
12 Guitar Practice Tips: The Best kept Secret of Professional Guitarists
by John Mackinnon
If you really want to learn to play guitar well you must do one simple thing before anything else. You must learn how learning takes place between your muscles and brain. If you understand the process that your brain must go through to train your muscles your practice sessions will produce predictably effective results.
You have probably heard the term muscle memory. This is the process of your brain learning and storing a set of precise instructions for each group of muscles needed for every small task you want your fingers to perform on the guitar. When muscle memory is solidly established it becomes a naturally effortless and an almost unconscious act to play the guitar well.
These tasks need to be practiced at speeds that are slow enough so that you can consistently perform them perfectly. If you practice the guitar at a tempo that produces lots of mistakes you end up teaching your muscles how to play the exercise with the mistakes included. Unfortunately muscles cannot distinguish between playing with mistakes and playing without them.
Here are 12 tips for having practice sessions that will support the development of good muscle memory:
1. Prepare your whole body for the practice session.
Practice while relaxed. Just like an airplane pilot checks over the plane prior to take off you should check your body for any tension, stiffness, tightness, pain or any discomfort. Tight muscles can become tighter during practice which can seriously limit the full range of motion needed to master the guitar. Even tension in the shoulders can travel to the arms and then eventually to the fingers. Stretch and warm your entire body before playing in order to stay loose. Begin practicing with slow, easy exercises to prepare your hands for more demanding new material.
2. Practice in a quiet, comfortable place where you are unlikely to be disturbed.
3. Commit to a specific time each day for practice.
Begin each day with a firm commitment to a practice plan that includes the specific details of when, where and what to play.
4. Keep your practice sessions short, frequent and very specific.
It is more effective to practice 20 minutes everyday than to practice two or three hours once a week.
5. Always practice with a metronome.
Let me repeat that. Always practice with a metronome. It is surprising how often even good guitarists break this rule. Training yourself to play at a consistent tempo will make your music sound professional. This is valuable whether you plan to play just for friends at a party or in a stadium full of screaming fans.
6. Tune the guitar before each practice.
7. Determine your optimum practice speeds. For each part of a scale, exercise or song find the fastest metronome speed that you can play without making mistakes. Practice it for a day at 25% to 30% of that maximum tempo. Follow this with a day at 50% of maximum then another day at 75%. On day four practice at your old maximum speed. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that you have a new, faster maximum speed. Be forewarned, however, that this routine might seem ridiculously slow but, hang in there because it really will pay off.
8. Do not try to learn too many different things at each practice session.
Practice only small sections of an exercise or song at a time. Working on an entire new song, all in one setting, makes it more difficult for your brain to cement solid muscle memories. Just like a newborn baby can’t handle an entire meal of solid food we need to practice only a few, small musical spoonfuls at a time.
9. Work on the problem parts not just what you already know.
This may sound extremely obvious but there is a tendency for new guitarists to play the easy parts over and over while continuing to stumble over the problem spots.
10. Spend the first ten minutes warming up, then split the remaining time equally between new exercises and new songs.
11. Set aside some time to just goof around with the guitar.
Make sure to inject a healthy dose of fun in each practice session. If you have been working on blues scales then why not put on some jam tracks or even your favorite blues CD and try to improvise a solo. Select a favorite song to work on at the end of each practice session.
12. If you plan to perform in front of people ...
Perfect your songs in private then practice playing in front of sympathetic friends and family members. Create a practice environment that is as close to the conditions of your upcoming performance as possible. If you will perform standing up then use a guitar strap and practice that way. Tell your friendly practice audiences to feel free to talk and laugh it up during your practice. This will help you learn to become comfortable in a distracting concert environment. Consider recording your practice sessions with a simple home video camera on a tripod.
Opening night jitters can throw off your game no matter how well you know the material. If you have repeatedly practiced playing in simulated concert environments then the real deal can be a breeze.
The bottom line: in order to play well you must acknowledge how your body is programmed to learn then design practice sessions that are complimentary.
John Mackinnon has had a passion for playing guitar for over 40 years ever since he saw a young Ricky Nelson play in a band on the old Ozzie and Harriet TV show reruns. Have you ever dreamed of playing the guitar? I mean really playing - like a master? John has posted over 14 detailed reviews and comparison charts of some of the best and worst popular guitar courses available today. Learn which ones are gems and which to avoid before you buy. click here Guitar Lesson Reviews
View more articles from John Mackinnon
by John Mackinnon
If you really want to learn to play guitar well you must do one simple thing before anything else. You must learn how learning takes place between your muscles and brain. If you understand the process that your brain must go through to train your muscles your practice sessions will produce predictably effective results.
You have probably heard the term muscle memory. This is the process of your brain learning and storing a set of precise instructions for each group of muscles needed for every small task you want your fingers to perform on the guitar. When muscle memory is solidly established it becomes a naturally effortless and an almost unconscious act to play the guitar well.
These tasks need to be practiced at speeds that are slow enough so that you can consistently perform them perfectly. If you practice the guitar at a tempo that produces lots of mistakes you end up teaching your muscles how to play the exercise with the mistakes included. Unfortunately muscles cannot distinguish between playing with mistakes and playing without them.
Here are 12 tips for having practice sessions that will support the development of good muscle memory:
1. Prepare your whole body for the practice session.
Practice while relaxed. Just like an airplane pilot checks over the plane prior to take off you should check your body for any tension, stiffness, tightness, pain or any discomfort. Tight muscles can become tighter during practice which can seriously limit the full range of motion needed to master the guitar. Even tension in the shoulders can travel to the arms and then eventually to the fingers. Stretch and warm your entire body before playing in order to stay loose. Begin practicing with slow, easy exercises to prepare your hands for more demanding new material.
2. Practice in a quiet, comfortable place where you are unlikely to be disturbed.
3. Commit to a specific time each day for practice.
Begin each day with a firm commitment to a practice plan that includes the specific details of when, where and what to play.
4. Keep your practice sessions short, frequent and very specific.
It is more effective to practice 20 minutes everyday than to practice two or three hours once a week.
5. Always practice with a metronome.
Let me repeat that. Always practice with a metronome. It is surprising how often even good guitarists break this rule. Training yourself to play at a consistent tempo will make your music sound professional. This is valuable whether you plan to play just for friends at a party or in a stadium full of screaming fans.
6. Tune the guitar before each practice.
7. Determine your optimum practice speeds. For each part of a scale, exercise or song find the fastest metronome speed that you can play without making mistakes. Practice it for a day at 25% to 30% of that maximum tempo. Follow this with a day at 50% of maximum then another day at 75%. On day four practice at your old maximum speed. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that you have a new, faster maximum speed. Be forewarned, however, that this routine might seem ridiculously slow but, hang in there because it really will pay off.
8. Do not try to learn too many different things at each practice session.
Practice only small sections of an exercise or song at a time. Working on an entire new song, all in one setting, makes it more difficult for your brain to cement solid muscle memories. Just like a newborn baby can’t handle an entire meal of solid food we need to practice only a few, small musical spoonfuls at a time.
9. Work on the problem parts not just what you already know.
This may sound extremely obvious but there is a tendency for new guitarists to play the easy parts over and over while continuing to stumble over the problem spots.
10. Spend the first ten minutes warming up, then split the remaining time equally between new exercises and new songs.
11. Set aside some time to just goof around with the guitar.
Make sure to inject a healthy dose of fun in each practice session. If you have been working on blues scales then why not put on some jam tracks or even your favorite blues CD and try to improvise a solo. Select a favorite song to work on at the end of each practice session.
12. If you plan to perform in front of people ...
Perfect your songs in private then practice playing in front of sympathetic friends and family members. Create a practice environment that is as close to the conditions of your upcoming performance as possible. If you will perform standing up then use a guitar strap and practice that way. Tell your friendly practice audiences to feel free to talk and laugh it up during your practice. This will help you learn to become comfortable in a distracting concert environment. Consider recording your practice sessions with a simple home video camera on a tripod.
Opening night jitters can throw off your game no matter how well you know the material. If you have repeatedly practiced playing in simulated concert environments then the real deal can be a breeze.
The bottom line: in order to play well you must acknowledge how your body is programmed to learn then design practice sessions that are complimentary.
John Mackinnon has had a passion for playing guitar for over 40 years ever since he saw a young Ricky Nelson play in a band on the old Ozzie and Harriet TV show reruns. Have you ever dreamed of playing the guitar? I mean really playing - like a master? John has posted over 14 detailed reviews and comparison charts of some of the best and worst popular guitar courses available today. Learn which ones are gems and which to avoid before you buy. click here Guitar Lesson Reviews
View more articles from John Mackinnon
Free Online Guitar Lessons
Acoustic Guitarby Philip Edwards
The Acoustic Guitarr
Trying to find the best acoustic guitar for a beginner can often be a daunting task. A visit to the music store, whether online or in person, can yield a confusing variety of acoustic guitars. With so many styles available, how does one choose the best guitar? Several factors need to be taken into account while investigating the inventory. One must consider musical style, shape or body type, size, sound and budget.
There are as many styles of music as there are of acoustic guitars. Heavy metal, hard rock and funk musical styles tend to use electric guitars. Jazz, country, bluegrass, some pop, and classical music genres used traditional acoustic guitars. It is recommended that the beginning guitar player initially learn to play on the type of guitar which is suited for softer styles of music. Once the basics are mastered, he or she can have the option to choose a different style to learn.
It is important to consider the body type or shape of an acoustic guitar. The back and sides of the guitar are made usually of Mahogany or Birdseye Maple while the top is made from other softer woods such as Sitka Spruce. Often the top is laminated, which makes it durable, but sometimes compromises the sound. If the top of the guitar has a light finish, it will scratch and ding easily. However, a guitar with a heavy finishing coat is more expensive than one with a light coat.
The only way a prospective buyer can truly get a feel for what he or she wants in an acoustic guitar is to pick one up, see how it feels, and listen to its tonal quality as it is strummed. Look at the neck and how the frets are placed along its length. Beginning from the tuning knobs, examine how the frets are spaced along the length of the fingerboard. If they are uneven, the guitar will never tune properly.
There are several different top quality manufacturers of acoustic guitars. These include Gibson, Taylor, Fender, Martin, Washburn, Alvarez, Takamine, Ovation and Ibanez. The guitars that these companies produce are known for their solid tonal qualities and distinguishable sounds. It is a matter of opinion as to which of these name brands are considered to be the best. It is trial and error to discover the one most suitable.
Many acoustic guitars have dual components which allow them to become electrified. A small box, also known as a transducer, is mounted underneath the saddle part of the guitar. This allows a plug from an amplifier to be connected to the guitar. One must keep in mind that this feature will often make the guitar more expensive.
The price of an acoustic guitar can be as little as a few hundred dollars or as much as several thousands of dollars. For the beginning player, one could expect to budget about $400-$500 to purchase his or her first guitar. Epiphone and Fender acoustic guitars are brands which fit into a beginner’s price range quite well.
View more articles from Philip Edwards
The Acoustic Guitarr
Trying to find the best acoustic guitar for a beginner can often be a daunting task. A visit to the music store, whether online or in person, can yield a confusing variety of acoustic guitars. With so many styles available, how does one choose the best guitar? Several factors need to be taken into account while investigating the inventory. One must consider musical style, shape or body type, size, sound and budget.
There are as many styles of music as there are of acoustic guitars. Heavy metal, hard rock and funk musical styles tend to use electric guitars. Jazz, country, bluegrass, some pop, and classical music genres used traditional acoustic guitars. It is recommended that the beginning guitar player initially learn to play on the type of guitar which is suited for softer styles of music. Once the basics are mastered, he or she can have the option to choose a different style to learn.
It is important to consider the body type or shape of an acoustic guitar. The back and sides of the guitar are made usually of Mahogany or Birdseye Maple while the top is made from other softer woods such as Sitka Spruce. Often the top is laminated, which makes it durable, but sometimes compromises the sound. If the top of the guitar has a light finish, it will scratch and ding easily. However, a guitar with a heavy finishing coat is more expensive than one with a light coat.
The only way a prospective buyer can truly get a feel for what he or she wants in an acoustic guitar is to pick one up, see how it feels, and listen to its tonal quality as it is strummed. Look at the neck and how the frets are placed along its length. Beginning from the tuning knobs, examine how the frets are spaced along the length of the fingerboard. If they are uneven, the guitar will never tune properly.
There are several different top quality manufacturers of acoustic guitars. These include Gibson, Taylor, Fender, Martin, Washburn, Alvarez, Takamine, Ovation and Ibanez. The guitars that these companies produce are known for their solid tonal qualities and distinguishable sounds. It is a matter of opinion as to which of these name brands are considered to be the best. It is trial and error to discover the one most suitable.
Many acoustic guitars have dual components which allow them to become electrified. A small box, also known as a transducer, is mounted underneath the saddle part of the guitar. This allows a plug from an amplifier to be connected to the guitar. One must keep in mind that this feature will often make the guitar more expensive.
The price of an acoustic guitar can be as little as a few hundred dollars or as much as several thousands of dollars. For the beginning player, one could expect to budget about $400-$500 to purchase his or her first guitar. Epiphone and Fender acoustic guitars are brands which fit into a beginner’s price range quite well.
View more articles from Philip Edwards
Learn To Play Guitar Like A Pro
Learn to Play Guitar Like A Pro with Guitar Strum Patterns
by emily segev
Most everyone starts out by learning a few different guitar strum patterns on the guitar. Although the basic strum patterns are hard enough to master once you get them down you can really start to enjoy playing the guitar. If you want your playing to sound better than it really is it is time to master a few guitar strum patterns that will make your music come alive.
When you start strumming the guitar your patterns will consist of upstrokes and down strokes. An upstroke is when you move your pick toward you in an upward manner and a down stroke starts at the top and goes down. All of your guitar strum patterns will be some variation of this basic movement. When you start adding in variations and different timing patterns your playing will start to sound really good.
The more simple strum patterns usually consist of even up and down strokes. In this type of pattern everything is even with the strums being played not real hard or soft. Take the time to find the right balance and your guitar strum patterns should start to sound right.
Speed plays a big part in your picking. The tempo you play in has a lot to do with how your music feels. Try playing a simple pattern slow and then double the speed using the same pattern and you should feel a lot of difference in the overall feel of the music even though the strum pattern you are playing is exactly the same except for the speed of the notes.
When you feel you have mastered the basic strum patterns it may be time to move on to bigger and better ways to play. There are many ways to learn more advanced ways to play guitar. You can find a local teacher, buy books and videos in almost any style you can think of or go online and do a search for guitar strum patterns.
If you take the time to learn a few different strum patterns your guitar playing will come alive. You can play any style or type of music you want just by mastering the correct strum pattern.
Guitar strum patterns are one part of your guitar playing you need to spend time working on. The right hand is just as important as the left hand in guitar playing. Take the time to figure out the best way to learn and give the method you choose time to work and you should be making beautiful music before you know it.
Is your guitar sitting around not being used? Learn and master guitar online today by visiting www.your-guitar.com a website covering guitar tips, advice and resources.
View more articles from emily segev
by emily segev
Most everyone starts out by learning a few different guitar strum patterns on the guitar. Although the basic strum patterns are hard enough to master once you get them down you can really start to enjoy playing the guitar. If you want your playing to sound better than it really is it is time to master a few guitar strum patterns that will make your music come alive.
When you start strumming the guitar your patterns will consist of upstrokes and down strokes. An upstroke is when you move your pick toward you in an upward manner and a down stroke starts at the top and goes down. All of your guitar strum patterns will be some variation of this basic movement. When you start adding in variations and different timing patterns your playing will start to sound really good.
The more simple strum patterns usually consist of even up and down strokes. In this type of pattern everything is even with the strums being played not real hard or soft. Take the time to find the right balance and your guitar strum patterns should start to sound right.
Speed plays a big part in your picking. The tempo you play in has a lot to do with how your music feels. Try playing a simple pattern slow and then double the speed using the same pattern and you should feel a lot of difference in the overall feel of the music even though the strum pattern you are playing is exactly the same except for the speed of the notes.
When you feel you have mastered the basic strum patterns it may be time to move on to bigger and better ways to play. There are many ways to learn more advanced ways to play guitar. You can find a local teacher, buy books and videos in almost any style you can think of or go online and do a search for guitar strum patterns.
If you take the time to learn a few different strum patterns your guitar playing will come alive. You can play any style or type of music you want just by mastering the correct strum pattern.
Guitar strum patterns are one part of your guitar playing you need to spend time working on. The right hand is just as important as the left hand in guitar playing. Take the time to figure out the best way to learn and give the method you choose time to work and you should be making beautiful music before you know it.
Is your guitar sitting around not being used? Learn and master guitar online today by visiting www.your-guitar.com a website covering guitar tips, advice and resources.
View more articles from emily segev
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