Posted September 13, 2010 at 4:30 pm | 3 comments
Gear. Effects Pedals. Amps. Guitarists love their toys. Whether it’s a tricked out Strat, a hot-rodded Marshall amp or the latest effects pedal, most guitarists have a big soft spot when it comes to technology and their instrument. Even classical guitarists, who play unplugged, suffer from the same disease. Don’t think so? Next time you’re hanging out with a classical cat, ask about their footstool or nail files. They’ll regale you with all of the latest developments in sandpaper technology and why you absolutely must use a diamond tipped nail file to get the best tone. See, we’re all part of the same, gear-addicted club.
Posted in: Great Guitar Blogs, Reviews
Posted September 11, 2010 at 6:19 am | 2 comments
One of the most overlooked aspects of practicing any instrument is what I would call “micro-practicing,” which is the practice of isolating a small passage of a musical piece or technique that may contain a challenging element. This single, challenging element is what we’ll focus on when we micro-practice. The entire solo, riff, lick or composition is not repeated over and over again, only the area that may contain whatever it is that we find challenging, and thus prevents us from performing at our optimum level.
Posted in: Guitar Lessons, Rock Guitar Lessons
Posted September 11, 2010 at 6:18 am | One comment
What do you get when you combine some of the top metal bands, booze, stage diving and partying outside on a broiling hot New Jersey summer day? Hell, it must be the Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival. This festival, like the Rockstar Mayhem Festival, has two stages of live music and plenty of the same drunken craziness.
Posted in: Concert Reviews, Metal, Reviews
Posted September 10, 2010 at 7:00 am | No comments
I’m going to start this review with a generalization; I think that a guitarist never thinks his “tone” is good enough unless he feels happy about the gear he is using.
Posted in: Gear Reviews, Guitars and Gear, Reviews
Posted September 9, 2010 at 5:53 am | No comments
By: Dr. Matt Warnock For three days in July I had the pleasure of teaching at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music’s annual Guitar Weekend Workshop. The three-day event featured workshops and masterclasses taught by some of the finest guitar pedagogues from the Milwaukee and Chicago metro areas. The workshop was attended by students of all […]
Posted in: Reviews, Rock, Workshops and Events
Posted September 8, 2010 at 6:00 am | 2 comments
Everyone in his or her own way contributes to the guitar’s evolution.
Posted in: Classical, Op-Ed, Reviews
Posted September 7, 2010 at 5:47 am | 6 comments
Guitar blogs, like the guitar itself, are an international phenomenon. They are run by writers of all different backgrounds, tastes, geographic locations and nationalities.
Posted in: Great Guitar Blogs, Reviews
Posted September 6, 2010 at 5:04 am | 10 comments
It wasn’t until I went to secondary school in 1992 that I found out about Guns n’ Roses. Nearly everyone one in my school listened to it. They were huge. It is also the first time I heard Slash. I wouldn’t pick up the guitar for another two years but already his lead playing captivated me.
Posted in: '80s Rock, Guitar Lessons, Rock Guitar Lessons
Posted September 3, 2010 at 6:45 am | One comment
Playing various scales on the guitar is a solid, foundational technique that any player would do well to master.
Posted in: Beginning Lessons, Guitar Lessons, Rock
Posted September 2, 2010 at 5:00 am | No comments
This fantasy comes to life each year at Heritage Guitar Inc. located at 225 Parsons Street, Kalamazoo Michigan.
Posted in: Gear Reviews, Guitars and Gear, Reviews
