Monthly Archive for August, 2008

Your Beginner Guitar Lesson Online Can Be Very EASY!

by MsMimee

Are you frustrated with the regular way of learning how to play an acoustic guitar without even perfecting a single tune? Are blisters forming on the tips of your fingers and yet nothing's making sense? Maybe you need look to the INTERNET for your beginner guitar lesson online.

Well, maybe a couple of manuals will do and if you're not satisfied with that, then for sure you need an internet access. But first you have to make sure that your guitar is properly tuned. Nobody would dare listen to a complete mess. If you don't know how, find someone who knows.

Then choose from the wide variety of resources. You could search for a private teacher, GO ONLINE, or just go it alone with your references. Such as with books and manuals. You might consider private tutors such as friends, neighbors, your relatives or someone who is paid. But an internet opportunity for your beginner guitar lesson online might also be a real good choice.

Then you need to right place to practice. It has to be comfortable. Your guitar must be supported, if not by your thighs. Hold it steady maintaining your right hand on the strings just above the sound hole and the left hand on the fretboard.

Now, a lot of suggestions were implied by numerous guitarists who had your position once before, a beginner. They suggested that, above everything else, you have to use those two organs hanging on the side of your head just below your temporal lobe, your ears. Right?

Of course you have to use other important senses, like your eyes. That would be a very positive view. But what about those who are blind? Has it occurred to you that at some way they have mastered the art of playing a guitar without even seeing what it looks like. They just follow their instincts and feel the chords. Yes, they listen.

Listening is one of the most effective ways of learning. Remember you're handling an acoustic guitar. It doesn't require any of those crappy contraptions just to make music work. You need more than an amplifier to change your voltage of music current. All you need to do is effectively listen to the melody and determine whether you're getting the tunes right.

In the event that your practicing goes wrong, you can always go back to the drawing board. Memorize the chords. The emphasis on your memorization must be basic. The C,A,G,E,D chords are considered as the building blocks to bountiful success in guitar playing. Not only are these chords easier to achieve but they are in most of the songs that are played nowadays. Surprisingly, even including R & B.

So, keep on practicing with the basic chords. Make sure to try it without looking. That will be able to help you to know if you're strumming the wrong way. You need to feel your strings tremble and stop. You have to take control of your music. These various ways of playing isn't the exact key to learn but only a guide.

Take a look on the internet in finding your first beginner guitar lesson online. It IS the information highway after all. It could be just what you're looking for in learning the Acoustic Guitar. Good luck! I know YOU CAN DO IT! So get started RIGHT AWAY! You'll feel good about your new ACCOMPLISHMENT.

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Learning Guitar Chords

by Greg Smithers

One of the first things people try to learn when playing guitar are the chords.

When you first start learning guitar you might find the hardest thing is trying to learn the guitar chords. So what are the easy to learn guitar chords?

The easiest way to learn guitar chords is through progression and becoming familiar with the structure of the chords. It is easy to learn guitar chords this way and one of the best ways to do this is to start with the E D A D chord structure.

Most people start with this structure as they are some of the easiest chords to learn.

When you're a beginner you should be aware of a thing called a 'lockup' . A lockup is when your fingers an arm tense up and you can't work through it no matter how hard you try.

Lockups can be caused by trying to tackle complex chords to fast. This can lead to frustration, so it is a good idea to keep it basic to begin with.

What is the ii-V-I method?

Well this is certainly an easy to learn guitar chord and should probably be one of your first chord progressions you learn. When you start learning the ii-V-I chord you will know that you are starting to learn guitar as it actually sounds good and strings together well.

You don't just have to pluck random sounds from your guitar.

The type of music most played through this easy to learn guitar chord is jazz or rock and what is called 'happy' or 'related' music. This is because of the general melody and feeling that this chord gives.

Overall, the best way to learn is to start off basic, and then practice as much as you can. Once you learn the easy chords then you will gain confidence and find it easier to learn more complex ones.

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Playing Guitar Can be Easy

by Greg Smithers

Most people are interested in knowing how they can learn guitar before learning it. First you have to dedicate yourself to learning about the instrument before you learn how to play it.

People can lose interest in the first few days of lessons because playing a guitar is harder than they thought.

People must understand that they have to get through the basic steps and make time for their lessons to be good at guitar playing.

1. People must have an understanding of how to hold a guitar properly and correctly. People are considered good guitar players based on how they hold their guitar. When sitting they must remember to find a comfortable position and sit forward.

2. When people are sitting they must rest the body of the guitar on one of their legs depending on which hand they are, if they are right-handed, they should use their right leg, vice versa if they are left handed.

3. A person should focus in his fretting hand so he must place his hand where he has the nearest reach to the neck of the guitar especially when he is sitting. Remember to place the thumb of the fretting hand at the back of the neck of the guitar. The fingers should be in a curled position where they are placed above the strings of the guitar.

4. You should practice different types of picking to improve your picking ability. You shouldn't worry about your speed that you play as you begin but more of your technique.

Playing guitar can prove to be much fun for people but they must remember to keep interested and dedicated to playing

There are many ways to learn, but the most important thing in the end is to enjoy playing the guitar.

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The Secret Influence of Blues On Popular Music

by Zack Roberts

There is an old lyric from a classic blues track that says, "the blues had a baby...and they called it rock n' roll."

Trust me, there is so much truth going on in that single verse You can listen to all the first rock n' roll songs and listen to the blues guitar riffs, chord progressions and scales being played, just in a less bluesy kinda way.

"Johnny B. Good" is a key example of a blues guitar progression being played with a rock drum beat and a vocal melody that is unusual from how a blues vocal melody would sound. It doesn't finish there though. The influence on modern music is nonetheless very prevalent. We hear it in hip-hop, rock, emo, indie, reggae, r & b, funk, etc

The popularly used 1 - 4 - 5 chord progression (3 chords) that is used in blues is also used in practically All type of music that exists. Even Mozart uses this chord progression as well as many others from the classical period. Not only do blues guitar riffs and chord progressions gets played in modern music, but most guitar solos also have blues overtones in rock music as well as the other styles that I mentioned. It has been a Essential component in forming the shape sound of modern music no matter how you look at it.

Discovering how to play the blues should be a top priority on any guitar players 'to-do' list. Once you learn the ins and outs of this genre, you can improvise it to create your own classic songs, riffs and/or solos. Many guitar players that I know improvize on the blues scale to make their main riffs and super spectacular leads as well as use the chord progressions to write radical, more modern music.

Don't let anybody convince you that the blues is out!

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?How To Play Complex Guitar Chords Easily

by Philips Turner

Many of the 7 chords and their extensions, 9,11,13, are very tough to play with your fret hand. However, there are a couple of tricks that can assist you creating these beautiful chords without growing two more fingers.

Most jazz instrumentalists normally apply "small chords" . Jazz players do very much of what is known as comping. The comping is a assortment of rhythm and bass runs; playing that demands quick changing of chords. Therefore, playing the full voicing of chords is not always attainable and in reality, isnt always compulsory.

We can get the core of most chords with only four notes, as little as three if one is performing with a bass player. Before we look at the chord shapes, lets talk about playing technique.

While playing jazz beats, I do not use a pick. I use my thumb and four fingers on my pick hand. I can use them in unison when I want to play chords or I can use them separately when finger picking and playing a bass rhythm individually from the chords. There are some players who can hold the pick between their thumb and index finger and use the resting three fingers to play the other tones.

The reason will become evident when we look at the chord voicings. The basis behind this technique is not playing all of the strings. A Lot of these voicings will need you to skim strings in the middle of the chord. Whatsoever method you develop to deal with this is up to you. Playing with just my fingers works fantastic for me. If you would like to develop the pick and finger method, check out info on Bluegrass playing and flatpicking. You don't have to be involved in the genre of music, but the method is well used in that musical style.

First we will look at the small style of the 7 chord shapes. Then we will go on towards 6,9,11 and 13 chords. These chords are movable upward and downward from neck.Hence, switching from a G7 to A7 is simply a matter of moving up two frets, much similar to barre chords. There truly isn't too much more to talk about with these chord patterns. So, Ill just show you the shapes and you play them. Work with combining these patterns in progressions. I will show the shapes in either G or C all dependant on the root string. Over Again, bear in mind that these patterns are movable so just see at the bass note to get your chord name. I'll discuss various fingerings as we move through the lesson. However, I will offer fingerings in a traditional style and they will be shown as follows. First, the chord chart will indicate

G7 - Barre E,D and B strings with Index and fret G string with Ring.

Gmin7 - Barre E,D,G and B with Index.

First, the G7 and Gmin7. You can discover how easily one could modify from one to the other. Besides, notice how the A string and the high E are not played, this is what I was bringing up above.

G7sus4 - Barre E,D and B with Index and fret G string with Ring.

GMaj7 - Barre E and B with Index, fret D with Middle and fret G with Ring.

The G7sus4 and the GMaj7. Over Again, only four notes per chord and easily movable.

Gmin/Maj7 - Barre E,G and B with Index and fret D with Ring.

G7b5 - E-Middle, D-Ring, G-Pinky and B-Index

Now Let us discuss about developing some remarkable jazzy chords. The G7b5 chord fingering can be tricky. I play in a style that is best-known as "thumbing the bass." Many guitarists have applied this technique, Grant Green, Richie Havens and even Jimi Hendrix.The Classics however do not like these techniques.educatedgroomed guitaristsguitar players. The technique simplymerelyusuallyjust involves wrappingrolling your thumb aroundroundjust aboutclose to the neck of the guitar enablingpermitting you to useapplyemploy your thumb to fret the bass notestones. I can domake this with bass notes on the E A and even D string when necessaryrequired. I like very much the techniquemethod and my rhythmmusical rhythm playing is respectedvaluedhonoured in the circlesgroups in whichwhere I playperform. You can, howeverstill, simplymerelyplainly fret the chords as barre chords or as four finger chords, as one would have to do with the G7b5. Work on differentvariousseveral positionssets and findcheck something that is comfortableeasyhomely and effectivegoodimpressive for you.

Gmin7b5 - E-Middle ,D-Ring ,G-Pinky and B-Index

GAug7 - Barre E and A with Index and barre G and B with Ring.

Here are somea few reallytrulygenuinelyvery jazzy sounding chords. TryAttemptTestTry Out the different fingerings. The min7b5 will probablylikelyin all likelihood have to be playedexecuted as a thumb bass or a four finger chord. The Aug7 could be playedexecuted like a barre.

Gdim7 - E-Middle, D and B-Barre w/ Index and G-Ring

GMaj6 - E-Middle, D-Index, G-Pinky and B-Ring

FingeringPalpating these chords is a little trickydelicatedifficulttoughhardchallenging. AlsoAs Well, we seefind our first new categoryclass, the Maj6 chord. This is where my techniquemethod of thumbing the bass reallytruly comes in play.

Gmin6 - E-Middle, D-Index, G-Ring and B-Pinky

G13 - Barre E and D with Index, G-Middle and B-Ring

OkayRight, here are more jazzyrhythmic chords. The 13 chord is one of my favorites. This particularspecificspecialunique voicing of the 13 has the root, the b7, the 13 and the 3rd, just enoughadequatesufficient to make the chord sound like it should. The 5th can be added if desiredpreferred. Now, lets movego on to someseveralspeciala few chords with roots on the a string.

C9 - A-Middle, D-Index, G-Ring and B-Pinky

Cb9 - Barre D and B with index, A-Middle, G-Ring

Okay, these 9 chords are fantasticgreatremarkablespecialmarvelouswonderful for jazz and fusion. I findfeelnoticediscover these have a greatremarkablemarvelousspecial soundvoice with some distortion or clean. One thing to point outmentioncommentremonstrate is that the Cb9 can be confusingpuzzlingunclear. This is a C9 with a flat 9, not a Cb with a 9. As you know, Cb=B and is very rarelyseldomly usedappliedutilisedemployed. ButExcept, if this were shown as a Db9, then it could be confusingpuzzling. If it is shownexpressed as a Db9, you may assumepresume it is a D9 with a flat 9. If the chord intended is a Db/C# 9, the composer will most likely call it a C#9 to avoidavert confusiondisarray. AlsoBesides, if the chord intendedspecified is a Db9 with a flat 9, you will seefinddiscover either C#b9 or you may see Dbb9. rarely you come to such unique rythems. and they can be confusing as you can see. TakeMake the chords in contextmilieu and the correctrightproper chord is usuallynormally quitepretty apparentobvious.

Cmin9 - A-Middle, D-Index, G-Ring and B-Pinky

CMaj9 - A-Middle, D-Index, G-Pinky and B-Ring

Okay, I thinkbelieveconsider that is enoughsufficient for nowtoday. We have discussed 16 chords that can be played with all 12 differentunique roots, That's 192 chords! Have fundelight with these.

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An Overview of 50Blues – Blues Backing Tracks

by Mike Contreal

For most guitarists, the dream of perfecting their Blues style is one that most achieve for. But the problem is in achieving blues guitar greatness is finding the ideal atmosphere that will allow you to expand and grow your style and technique. But what is the best way to do it?

The secret that all blues guitarists know is that the key of the perfect riff is improvisation. There is always that one moment when you are jamming with the band, when the music just overcomes you, and the perfect blues riff just flow seamlessly from your fingers. But other than getting the band together and every possible moment, there are not many opportunities for you to perfect your style to achieve such greatness.

That is where 50Blues comes in, providing blues backing track to develop and expand your technique. With over 50 blues backing tracks available to use, the possibilities are endless in what you can achieve.

50Blues is the perfect way to expand your style and technique because of the sheer simplicity behind it. After purchasing online, it only takes about five minutes to get the downloads you need, and it won't be long before you have the perfect blues backing track to practice with.

The blues backing tracks are also available for purchase via CD for all those people who are more comfortable around hi-fi systems than computers.
While there is a sheer number of options available when it comes to blues backing tracks, but what makes 50Blues rise head and shoulders above the competition is the absolute quality that comes flowing out of the speakers when you load up the tracks.

All tracks are performed by a full blues backing band, so it gives the serious blues player the chance to truly feel the mood and tempo of the music rather than try to focus on other tracks that do not provide the same quality.

The choice of blues backing tracks with 50Blues is endless, so regardless of the style and tempo you want to perfect, the choice will be at your fingertips with relative ease. And 50Blues is not just for blues guitarists, as the blues backing tracks are perfectly formed that it is regardless you play the guitar, harmonica, harp of just about any instrument that can achieve inspirational blues riffing.

Finding opportunities to perfect your style are hard to come by, so the choice of 50Blues means that you can practice your style and technique how you want, when you want.

For all serious blues musicians, there is no doubt that the secret in becoming the master is the need to take every chance to practice.
With 50Blues providing quality sounds of a true blue backing band at a simple click, it won't be long before you discover the blues music just jumping out from within!

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A Review of Planet of Rock’s Guitar Backing Tracks

by Wendy Cho

Are you tired of waiting for your band to get it together so you can get some high quality practice sessions? Do you have a burning desire to get so good at your guitar licks that people can't wait to hear your next song? Perhaps today has found you "in between" bands. If any of these situations ring true for you, then you will be overjoyed to discover the guitar backing tracks at Planet Of Rock!

What are guitar backing tracks? They are music tracks that have been digitally remastered without the lead guitar or vocals. You can use them either for practice or live performances. They are also good for practicing rhythm guitars, for singers to perfect their performances, or even for karaoke practice. Guitar backing tracks give you an instant band to back you up, at the touch of a button!

Planet of Rock is run by musicians, so they know what you want. No matter what kind of rock you like, you will find high quality guitar backing tracks here to give you all the songs your heart desires. They have Hard Rock, Punk Rock, Classic Rock, Southern Rock, Modern Rock, Alternative Rock, and Heavy Metal. And for a change of venue, you can also get Blues or Country. They are conveniently delivered to you on CDs, or you can instantly download them in MP3 format.

Speaking of MP3s, Planet of Rock has plenty of sample tracks for you on their website. Use these sample guitar backing tracks to jam to the sweet tunes of Aerosmith, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Queen, Metallica, John Petrucci/Dream Theater, Joe Satriani and more!

Want more free stuff? Sign up for their VIP membership to get over $2837 worth of free lessons, videos, audios, interviews with rock legends, guitar jam tracks, and an "Ultimate Tone" guitar book. Learn how to do the cool moves of the rock stars, like how to play your guitar "backwards"! Find out what's hot in the latest guitar "gear" from insider experts. Discover how to perfect techniques like pick sliding, shredding effortlessly, or sweep apeggios.

As luck would have it, right now you also get a 15% discount off their already low prices on your favorite tracks when you buy from their web store! Plus, you can buy your guitar backing tracks with confidence from Planet of Rock. Testimonials from their many customers attest to their superb customer service.

Let Planet of Rock help you play like you've always wanted to play. You'll never know what kind of complicated licks you can do until you've practiced enough to get them down solid. With instant guitar backing tracks, you can joyfully learn and perfect the techniques you've only dreamed of being able to play. A new future awaits you. Go for it!

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50Blues Guitar Backing Tracks Review

by Yasmin Simmons

Here is a review of 50Blues backing tracks as seen from the editors at Guitar Player Magazine

I have been looking for good blues backing tracks for the longest time.

Finally, I have found the ones that I know will improve my guitar playing tenfold. I can't believe how great the sound quality really is, I feel like I'm actually jamming with a professional blues backing band

Normally you get a bunch of ready-made MIDI tracks which are just fake digital instrument sounds that are worse than television game sounds from the 80s!

50Blues has an amazing deal where you get 50 blues backing tracks that are Instantaneously download-able after ordering them. You can also opt for the 2 CD physical version

They have everything from slow blues ballads, shuffles, fast, funk, jazzy blues and much much more. Now, with a click of a play button I can apply my guitar riffs and licks over a professional band that remains in tempo and loves how to support a lead guitarist.

Any real blues musician will tell you that practice is what makes the difference. That is hands on practising with a real blues backing band. Of course playing live is always the best because you can practice playing in front of people as well as playing along with the band.

But with blues backing tracks from 50Blues you are THAT MUCH CLOSER to the real deal. My lead guitar playing has already improved by at least twice since I have been playing along with these backing tracks. It makes it so much fun practicing.

If you are just starting out with blues guitar or if you are looking to improve your present soloing skills I highly recommend this product to you. I give it two thumbs up and 5 stars!

The only negative thing about it is that you can't practice in front of masses like you can when playing with a real live professional band at a club or event or gig.

But lets face it...this is the next best thing and you might like it better being able to practice on your own before letting loose your skills to the rest of the world!

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Blues Guitar – The History and Origins

by Zack Roberts

The blues is a kind of music that can be vocal, instrumental (blues guitar) or both. It applies the 'blue' notes which are established on a 'minor pentatonic' scale almost all the time, otherwise accepted as the blues scale.

Blues music was derived from the African-American communities in the U.S. out of work songs, spiritual songs, field hollers, chants, shouts and elementary ballads that rhymed. A lot of facets of the blues are indicitive of African influence.

The call-and-response aspect of the music came straight from African origins and there were a lot of lines that would get duplicated thrice or more. This later developed into a line repeating twice and then on the third time around there would be an 'answer line'. You will be able to still discover these characteristics of early blues in modern day music, especially hip-hop.

The term 'The Blues' refers to the 'blue devils' which signifies down spirits or sadness.

The blues guitar brings a important role in blues music as well as contemporary music. It has influenced Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Bluegrass and even heavy rock genres The original blues of the early 1900's, differently known as "poor man's blues" was usually related with hard times, oppressiveness from white folk, harshness of the police, gambling, economic depression, floods, magic, farming and dry periods. This music was fueled by a lot of heartache and sorrow. Usually a lost loved one or an general hostile surrounding invigorated the lyrics and the tone of the blues guitar.

After the world war, you began to see blues songs that were about family relationships and sexual activity. Also, wit was expanded to the mix. Here is a funny example:

"That must be your woman, cause mine don't look like that... I said That must be your woman, cause mine don't look like that... Have you seen my baby? She's so big and fat..."

The blues guitar style came forth from the American South's instruments of the time which were the banjo and the Diddley Bow. This was a home made one stringed instrument that was best-selling in the early 20th century. Figures such as Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Son House and Blind Willie McTell were a part of the delta blues style which used a lot of finger picking techniques and slide guitar innovations.

Eventually, after WWII 'electric blues' became increasingly popular where the blues guitar was played on electric guitars as were the bass guitars. This was most prevalent in the Chicago area.

The history of blues guitar and poor man's blues is rich with culture and narratives of good times and bad. I could go on for days about the history of the blues guitar but let's make this part 1 so you don't fall asleep on me!

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4 Basic Tips for Your Blues Acoustic Guitar

by Z Roberts

Acoustic music is one of the most well-received kinds of contemporary music these days. After all, how can you ever ignore a person who seems to be baring his/her soul with an almost-a-capella rendition of a particular song? There's no other instrument than can go with his/her voice than an acoustic guitar.

There are a lot of people who believe that blues acoustic playing is really easy. Usually, the songs played are slow, which can give them ample time to position their fingers at the right keys. They also don't have to think about complementing other sounds that may com from the drums or the keyboards. But then again, there's also plenty of room of mistake, and one wrong move can eventually destroy the entire presentation.

Here are 4 basic tips when it comes to playing acoustic guitar:

1. Match your height with your guitar. One of the most important things in acoustic blues guitar playing is that you have to be extremely comfortable with it. If you have a constant gig, then you're going to be utilizing the instrument the whole time. You should have no reason to feel sore for carrying it all over your shoulder. Hence, make sure that you pick a guitar that's the right size for you. This will also help you reach out to the keys more easily.

2. Adjust the strings to the proper pitch of the song. It's highly essential that you truly have an ear for music. This will help you determine if the music requires a low or high pitch. Depending on the real pitch of the song, you need to adjust the tuning pegs of your acoustic guitar accordingly. When you tighten the strings, you are in for a high pitch. Conversely, a low pitch is produced if you're going to loosen the guitar strings.

3. Start with standard tuning first. This is considered the default mode in acoustic guitar and thus real easy. If you're a beginner, you better start with standard tuning before you decide to play on some more complicated notes. You simply need to match the tune of your guitar to the pitch of the song. All six strings should be compatible with the sound produced by the singer.

4. Use a pick. You can always make use of your fingers, but if they get burned out for long playing moments, you will surely get distracted, and you won't be able to play as better as before. Moreover, fingers don't really create a much louder sound, which you may need when you're playing in a large crowd. The best solution to this is to use a pick.

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