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How to get a Jazz Guitar Sound

2008-03-17T19:06:00.000-07:00

How to get a Jazz Guitar Sound By Adrian Martin

The word Jazz often evokes a darkly light Smokey club with musicians expertly improvising against seemingly complex chord progressions. Featuring passionate tone – getting that jazz sound can be a complex process – in this article we’ll address what you’ll need to get a great jazz guitar sound.

A Jazz Guitar

Getting the right guitar for a jazz sound used to be expensive. Jazz masters such as Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass may have played expensive Gibson Semi’s but these days there are a variety of entry level guitars that are suitable for getting a jazz tone.

For an authentic jazz tone, you should have a semi-acoustic hollowbody electric guitar. Models such as the Gibson ES-175 or the Gretch Tennessean can run into thousands of dollars but there are also excellent entry models such as Ibanez Artcore line of guitars. Guitar manufacturers such as Yamaha or Guild also make entry level semi-acoustics similar to the more expensive Gibson 335. There are also numerous Epiphone hollowbody guitars that will also be suitable and come from the Gibson stable. Explore your local music store and try out what they look for something that is comfortable to play and can produce a tight clean tone with plenty of sustain.

Hollow body guitars will provide a suitable mellow tone and most will be fitted with two humbucker pickups allowing you to vary your sound accordingly. Most guitars will be fitted with tone controls. Practice rolling the treble off your tone and experimenting – Jazz guitarists often play with a less trebly sound as it produces a rich mellow resonance that is suitable for the style.

A Jazz Guitar Amplifier

Whilst it could be said that there is “no jazz amp” there are a number of considerations for the jazz guitarist when selecting an amplifier. Firstly it is important to determine the playing style and sound that you wish to attain. Traditional jazz guitarists often choose amps that can produce a clean sound which compliment acoustic archtop guitars. For this sound solid state amps produce a nice clean tone. For a more distorted sound a tube amp may be more applicable. There are many popular amps that are used by Jazz guitarists for example – try experimenting with a Fender Pro or a Polytone Another requirement may be on board effects this may range from simple reverb to an overdrive channel – again this will depend on the style your trying to achieve.

Effects

Traditional Jazz may only require a hint of reverb but many modern jazz guitarists apply a range of effects from Chorus, Overdrive through to delay. There are many effects units available from single stomp boxes to complex digital “modeling” devices such as the Line 6 Pod. When choosing effects ensure they compliment your playing style and that you retain that “clarity” in your tone. Too many effects often muddy the sound and do not produce a quality sound.

Conclusion

In summary there are primarily 3 things that you should investigate when trying to get a jazz tone. Ultimately you should also listen to a wide range of jazz greats – listen closely to their sounds and try to emulate them. Ultimately when you have done this a few times they will begin to merge and you will begin to develop your own tone that will sound equally brilliant!

ShanzuGuitars.com offers the latest guitar news, resources, online lessons,tools and tips for budding guitarists everywhere.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adrian_Martin

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Fender Guitar - A Rock-N-Roll Legend

2008-03-06T03:57:00.000-08:00

Fender Guitar - A Rock-N-Roll Legend
By Daniel Wright

"Fender" is the dream of every lover of the guitar. It's one of the most popular guitars, being used by many guitarists. Before going to buy one of the various types of fender guitar, let us take a overview of the Fender musical instruments corporation.

Arizona is the home of this guitar manufacturer. The wild success of Fender's "Stratocaster" and "Telecaster" guitars has helped it's rise to fame. A solid body is a feature of both of these electric guitars. Even though many popular brands of electric guitars are on the market today, the reputation and likability of Fender guitars is without comparison.

To date the Fender guitar at the top of the popularity list is the Fender Stratocaster. The Stratocaster is a solid body electric guitar which features a maple neck and maple, rosewood or ebony fret board. This versatile guitar also has three single-coil pick-ups. The Stratocaster is known for being able to produce a very diverse spectrum of sounds. Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and many other guitar greats have chosen to use Fender guitars.

Likewise, another well-known Fender guitar is the "Fender Telecaster". This electric guitar has two single-coil pick-ups. The Telecaster is popular for its prominent sound quality. Even today, after almost six decades of its birth, the Telecaster continues to impress millions with its crystal clear sound. Many beautiful melodies have been developed on the Fender Telecaster.

Fender manufactures other electric guitars like the "Fender Esquire". Designed in 1950, the Esquire had one single-coil pick-up. This guitar is also a solid body guitar. Though essentially being a single pick-up guitar, the Fender Esquire never failed to impress the audience with its perfect tone and melody.

If you know the type of sound quality you want in a guitar, then it's not hard to select a Fender guitar to meet your needs. Fender electric guitars are available worldwide, plus there are many online music stores where you can purchase your chosen musical instrument.

Browse dozens of Fender guitars and hundreds of other electric guitars at The Guitar Center. New merchandise every day!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Wright

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Popular Brands of Electric Guitars

2008-03-04T08:44:00.000-08:00

Popular Brands of Electric Guitars By Victor Epand

Are you an guitar freak? Do you want to know about the popular brands of electric guitars? Then here is the just what you want.

There is a long list of popular electric guitar brands. Information about some of the most popular ones among them is given below.

Fender:

Fender is a very renowned name in the arena of electric guitars. Mr. Leo Fender introduced this company in the year 1946. For times, Fender has supplied series of brilliant electric guitars. Their guitars are used in every genre of music. Like, rock, pop, rock and roll etc.

They have got different models of electric guitars like, VG Stratocaster, American Deluxe telecaster, Showmaster FAT HH (Flame Ash Top), Showmaster QMT HH (Quilt Maple Top) etc.

Ibanez:

Ibanez is another popular brand of electric guitars. Mr. Hoshino Gakki started this company in 1978.

Ibanez have a varied range of electric guitars. Like, Ibanez RG220, Ibanez IJX40, Ibanez GRG170DX, and Ibanez SZ320 etc.

Ibanez has made some brand new guitars in 2007. They are, Xiphos XPT700 (X Series), V Blade VBT700 (X Series), RG 8 String RG2228 (RG Series).

Gibson

This is one of the best among popular brands of electric guitars. Mr. Orville Gibson founded this company in 1902.

Some brilliant models of Gibson electric guitars are, Gibson ES175 Reissue Electric Guitar, Gibson ES137 Custom Electric Guitar, Gibson Standard SG Electric Guitar, and Gibson SG Standard Left Handed Electric Guitar.

Washburn:

This company was started in Chicago, in the year 1883. From then on it has not stopped creating quality guitars.

Washburn WI66PRO Idol Pro Electric Guitar, Washburn HB30 Hollow Body Electric Guitar, Washburn WI64DL TBL Electric Guitars are some of their high in demand guitar models.

Yamaha:

Yamaha is a very old and reputed company. They are somehow different from other popular brands of electric guitars. This company is in the instrument circuit since the end of 1800. But at that time they used to make organs. In 1900 they made piano. And in 1942, they started making guitars. Their guitars are very much popular and loved by various musicians all over the world.

Some very popular Yamaha electric guitar models are, Yamaha AES420 BL Guitar, Yamaha AES420 RM Guitar, Yamaha PAC012 Pacifica Electric Guitar Pack BL, and Yamaha PAC012 Pacifica Electric Guitar Pack DBM.

ESP:

ESP is a very famous brand now. E.S.P. stands for Electric Sound Products. At first they used to make replacement parts of other guitars. But from 1976 onwards they started making guitars.

ESP LTD Standard M100 guitars, ESP LTD H200 , ESP LTD Standard EX50, ESP LTD Deluxe EC1000 etc.

These are some popular brands of electric guitars. These brands of guitars are useful, user friendly, stylish and of good quality. Sometimes they are a bit expensive. But it is worth spending handsome amount of money for real good brands.

Overall these brands are very famous and they have a reputation to keep. So you can rely on them and can believe that they won't let you down.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for guitars, drums, and synthesizers. You can find the best marketplace for guitars, drums, and synthesizers at these 3 sites: electric guitars, yamaha guitars, fender guitars, drums, drum sets, and synthesizers, keyboards.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victor_Epand

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Guitars - Yamaha

2008-03-03T07:13:00.000-08:00

Guitars - Yamaha
By Michael Russell

In the world of guitars, Yamaha isn't exactly the first company that you think of. Known more for keyboards, digital pianos and synthesizers, Yamaha still makes some decent guitars which are more than reasonably priced. We're going to go over some of the guitars that this 40 year old company makes.

Yamaha started in 1966 long before the first synthesizer came out. But by the mid 80s they were making some of the best synthesizers on the market, including the classic Dx-7. But in spite of their reputation as a keyboard giant, the land of guitars was not very far away.

Yamaha guitars are not the fanciest looking models around but they do have a decent sound. The AES series includes the AES 420 through 920 series numbers, with the exception of the 820 which doesn't exist. No explanation is given for the missing number.

The Pacifica series, which has a somewhat sleeker look than the AES series, includes the PAC 012 through 812, again missing a couple of series numbers including, again, the 8 series. They must have something against that number. Yamaha was always very unoriginal when it came to naming instrument models, whether they were keyboards or guitars.

The Gigmaker series is one of Yamaha's newest additions. The look is very similar to the Pacifica series but that's where the similarities end. The Gigmaker series features 20-watt, 2-channel drive guitar amp, protective gig bag, Qwik Tune Digital chromatic tuner, guitar cable, instructional DVD, guitar strap, extra strings and guitar picks. It may not sound like a big deal for those who have purchased the bigger name brands but for the price, this isn't a bad guitar. The best part about this series is that it comes with a lifetime warranty. Even if you drop it off of a building, they'll replace it free of charge.

One of the smaller series of guitars as far as how many are made, is the E series, which consists of only three models, the 112, 103 and 121. The guitars are actually very well made and come with not two, but three pickups. Two single coil and one humbucking pickup. Plus, they come with a vintage vibrato system and tremolo bar. And they don't cost a fortune.

Another small series of guitars is the RGX series. Consisting of the 320, 520 and XA2, these guitars feature two Yamaha humbucker pickups and the original Yamaha AES series bridge. The three position pickup switch is a nice touch.

The Archtop series of guitars, which have some really fat looking bodies include not one but seven different models. They come with three single bar coil pickups, duel three way selector switches and a chrome Bigsby tremolo. These are some nice sounding guitars.

Rounding out their line of electric guitars is the Eterna. This guitar also comes with three pickups, two single coil and one humbucking.

No, you won't find Yamaha guitars being played by your bigger rock and roll bands, but that's not to say that they don't make a decent instrument, especially for somebody who doesn't have $2500 to spend.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Guitars

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

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Best Acoustic Guitars

2008-02-29T01:08:00.000-08:00

Best Acoustic Guitars
By Damian Sofsian

Some of the best-built acoustic guitars include the Alvarez, Gibson and Yamaha. The Alvarez offers the Yairi models. Their Aj60SC acoustic electric and the 12 string are two of the most popular. These models have a solid spruce top with maple back and sides. The have die-cast tuners, white pearl rosette, multiple binding and the Alvarez logo on their headstock. They are comfortable to play and have a powerful sound.

The handmade Gibson models offer many choices for beginner and seasoned guitar players. There are two new Gibson models that have recently hit the market and are making quite an impact --The J-150 and the J-200. The J-150 is reasonably priced (much less than the J-200), but has all the features and sound of the J-200. It has a big body, solid spruce top, figured maple back and sides, mother-of-pearl crown inlays, decorated pickguard, and the trademark Moustache bridge. The differences in the two guitars are mainly cosmetics. The J-150 is not bound on the neck and headstock or around the truss cover like the J-200 is. The J-200 has a more colorful pickguard and stands out a bit more than the J-150. But, they basically sound the same.

Finally, the Yamaha has introduced a premium acoustic guitar at a very moderate price. The FG series Yamaha's come with solid Sitka spruce tops, multiple top binding, bound fretboards, and precision craftsmanship. The Yamahas look and sound fantastic and are considered the best buy for any serious guitar player. Serious players will tell you that the Yamaha sounds as good, if not better, than guitars that cost hundreds of dollars more.

Acoustic Guitars provides detailed information on Acoustic Guitars, Acoustic Guitar Tabs, Left Handed Acoustic Guitars, Used Acoustic Guitars and more. Acoustic Guitars is affiliated with Used Banjos.
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Tools For Learning Guitar

2008-02-27T07:08:00.000-08:00

Tools For Learning Guitar
Submitted By: Jon Broderick

Guitarists are insatiable learners and the world is full of great guitar learning material. First of all, there are countless tablature books which show you in the easy-to-learn guitar tablature format how to play all your favorite songs even if you can’t read sheet music. If you can read sheet music, then there is sheet music available for every popular artist and thousands of classical and lesser-known composers. There are also “method books” that teach how to play a particular style, and there are instructional guitar DVDs that show you and tell you everything a single guitarist knows how to do. There are books with CDs full of audio examples, there are DVDs that come with tablature books; the list of available guitar learning resources is endless.

Guitar lessons are still the number one way that guitarists pick up new information. In-person guitar lessons with a local guitar teacher are probably the most effective way to learn new things about the guitar. The world is full of part-time and full-time guitar teachers, who put their heart and soul into teaching their students how to be an ever-improving guitar learning machine. Guitar teachers are expensive, however, and not everyone has the money or the time to commit to in-person lessons. So while this is a truly effective method, it is not for everyone.

Over the last 5 years, online guitar lessons have become an outstanding resource for guitarists wanting to learn guitar at a convenient pace and at very low cost. In my opinion, online guitar lessons have come of age, and are now the best tool for learning guitar available to anyone anywhere. I don’t propose that online guitar lessons should supplant books, sheet music, DVDs, and in-person guitar lessons. What I would like to suggest is that online guitar lessons are more convenient, cheaper, more useable, and provide more breadth of information than any other method available.

Convenience: Tablature books are OK, as long as they come with some audio examples. DVDs are OK, as long as they come with a book. The problem is that keeping your place in the book and your place on the CD/DVD in synch is difficult. Every time you take a break (every day basically) you lose your place and have to synch up all over again. Online guitar lessons, on the other hand, solve the problem of synching the tab, explanation, and audio/video samples. A web page is the ultimate guitar lesson format: audio, video, and text all together in one document.

Price: Books and DVDs have to be manufacturer, shipped, and inventoried. If you have ever burned a CD or made some copies at a copy shop, you know that manufacturing a product costs real money. Imagine if you had to turn around and sell your product at a profit? Shipping a book or DVD to the retailer is another expense in traditional publishing that occurs before the product is even ready to be sold. Inventory, the hidden expense, can be the largest: every month the book sits in the store, it costs the owner a percent of the price to pay for it to be kept out of the rain, and if the inventory is bought on credit, there is interest on the loan as well. All told, it is no wonder there are few places that sell guitar lesson products even in a large city.

Breadth: Guitar books generally can only have a few hundred pages; DVDs can only hold a couple of hours of video. A web site can expand to the size of a whole library full of books and DVDs. This is one aspect of the size advantage of online guitar lessons, but the more important aspect is this: getting a book published is so difficult, that many great guitarists simply never try it. Publishing a web site is so easy that many fantastic guitarists who would never previously have published their knowledge can now publish their guitar lessons online where you can find them.

As you can see, online guitar lessons have significant advantages that should make them an important part of any guitarist’s learning strategy. As the internet continues to grow, and the use of video on the internet spreads, look for online guitar lessons to one day be the recognized leader in helping guitarists improve their skills in a convenient, inexpensive way.

About the Author:

Jon has been playing guitar for over 30 years. He is the webmaster for http://www.guitartricks.com/, which has been publishing online guitar lessons since 1998. Guitar Tricks now has over 2500 lessons from 43 guitar instructors from all over the world.
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Classical Guitar

2008-02-22T01:34:00.000-08:00

Classical Guitar Submitted By: Charlie Buquette

Although the precise origins of the classical guitar are open to debate, there is plenty of evidence of the existence of similar instruments dating back as early as 5000 years ago. The idea of a hollow body with tensed strings anchored between two points is seen in many instruments, including the violin family, sitar, piano and harp; they all use the string’s vibrations to resonate the body and produce sounds. However, because the guitar is fretted, it allows pitch-perfect chords to be played over six strings, which differentiates it from the unfretted (and often bowed) violin family. The guitar as we know it today started to take shape during the Renaissance and Baroque period, when it was used mainly as an accompaniment. Cousins of the guitar are the mandolin, balalaika, banjo and lute. There are enough similarities between these instruments to relate them all, but to give a guitar a unique definition, it would be a six-string, fretted instrument tuned between low E (a thirteenth below Middle C) and the E two octaves above. Of course – these are merely the open-string tunings. Notes approaching two octaves above this are achievable through fretting. This tuning allows the guitar’s whole range to be represented on the treble clef, albeit with three ledger lines for the lowest notes.

Playing the classical guitar

The classical guitar is played in the seated position, the curvy shape of the body helping to keep it steady by resting on the thigh. Right-handed players fret with their left hand and pluck with their right, and the highest toned strings are nearest to the ground. If a purely rhythmic sound is required, the guitar can be played using a plectrum strummed across all or some of the strings; the plectrum can also be used to pick out monophonic melodies. More expert players will use their fingers, however. This allows very complex tunes to be played, with bass notes and melodies plating simultaneous. In the hands of a true virtuoso, it can sound to the untrained ear like several musicians are playing at once. Chords can still be played with the fingers, either by simultaneously plucking multiple strings with various fingers or stroking the strings and taking advantage of the instrument’s sustain. Playing with the fingernails gives a sharp, almost rasping sound, whereas playing with the soft front of the finger gives a softer tone.

Composers of classical guitar music

The rich history of the guitar and its forebears means that many composers have written music that can be played on a modern guitar with some degree of success. J.S. Bach is perhaps the most well known, and his many pieces written for the lute and even the cello and violin have found their way onto the classical guitarist’s repertoire. Bach was predated by Dowland and Narvaez, and his contemporary Scarlatti wrote some enduring music that works well on the guitar. In more modern times, Villa-Lobos, Rodrigo and Segovia have written music specifically to be played on the guitar, and Stanley Myers’ classical guitar theme tune to The Deer Hunter proved to be hugely popular.

About the Author:

Charlie Buquette wrote this article about Classical Guitar Sheet Music

Article Tags: classical, guitar, strings
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Guitar Lessons - Basic Power Chords

2008-02-20T23:20:00.000-08:00

Guitar Lessons - Basic Power Chords
By Bill McRea

Not to over simplify Rock N’ Roll but a huge variety of music is based on two patterns: The blues vamp and the power chord. Blues vamps and power chords are just names for rhythmic patterns and chords. Today were looking at the power chords.

What is a Power Chord? Power chords are "movable chords", meaning we can move their position up or down the neck, to create different power chords. It’s the same shape just starting in a different position. The power chord contains two notes, the root note, and a note called the "fifth". Power chords are known as "fifth chords" (written C5 or E5, etc). Power chord are not a Major or Minor in tonal quality. The sample below is a power chord in TAB Format.

E-------------
B-------------
G-------------
D-------------
A----3--------
E----1--------

The first fret on the Low E is an F so this is and F5 Power Chord. In this case you want to play only the two notes on the Low E and A strong.

E-------------
B-------------
G-------------
D-------------
A----7--------
E----5--------

The fifth fret on the Low E is an A so this is and A5 Power Chord. In this case you want to play only the two notes on the Low E and A strong. Notice this is exactly the same shape as the F5 just move up one step or two frets.

In both of these examples we are looking at power chords with the root note (the one that names the chord) on the Low E or sixth string. The same chord shape can be played with the root note on the A or 5th string.

E-------------
B-------------
G-------------
D----9--------
A----7--------
E-------------

The 7th fret on the A string is an E so this is and E5 Power Chord. In this case you want to play only the two notes on the A and D string, and mute the note on the Low E with the tip of your finger pressing down on the 7th fret of the A string.

The following Power chords are the same chord but played in different positions on the fret board. Confused?

E-------------
B-------------
G-------------
D----9--------
A----7--------
E-------------

E-------------
B-------------
G-------------
D-------------
A----2--------
E-------------

Don’t be. Play around with these cool little chords. Add some distortion to your amp and play the notes with all down strokes while alternating string mutes. This is the basic techniques used in most hard rock, metal and grunge styles of Rock N’ Roll.

Bill McRea is the publisher of Guitar Warehouse the best place to Buy Guitar and learn Guitar Playing Techniques. Visit our site for over 60 free guitar lessons and our Free eBook on playing guitar.

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A Brief History Of Yamaha Electric Guitars

2008-02-18T07:17:00.000-08:00

A Brief History Of Yamaha Electric Guitars
Submitted By: Clive Oliver Blacksmith

With over a hundred years of experience manufacturing musical instruments, Yamaha is universally acknowledged as the producer some of the world's finest instruments. Yamaha started guitar production in the mid 1940's and from that day to this have produced a wide variety of guitars to fulfil the needs of all players, from beginner to enthusiast and on to professional.

In February of 1964 The Beatles appeared on the "Ed Sullivan Show" in the USA and at a stroke the music world was changed, the electric guitar was here to stay. In the wake of this Yamaha began producing solid body electric guitars at their Hamamatsu facility in 1965 and early models of both electric and electric bass guitars debuted in 1966.

By the mid 1970's legendary guitar artists such as Carlos Santana began to use Yamaha Guitars eschewing some of the great American brand names in favour of the unique features and superb build quality provided by these instruments. With the development of the SG2000 model in consultation with Carlos Santana, with it's through neck construction and patented "T-Cross System" and "Sustain Plate", Yamaha truly broke the mould, and in doing so the stranglehold of the two big American manufacturers. These innovations gave the instrument monumental sustain in conjunction with a powerful and warm tonality. With the ringing endorsement of legendary musicians such as Bob Marley, Steve Cropper, Phil Manzanera, and Carlos Rios, Yamaha's SG range of guitars had sealed their place amongst the elite manufacturers of electric guitars. From there on Yamaha Guitars have gone from strength to strength, not just producing the instruments we see being used by some of the worlds great guitar innovators, but also truly blazing a trail in the production of high quality, affordable instruments for beginners and intermediate players alike.

At the end of the 1980's Yamaha Guitar Development opened in North Hollywood, California. One of the first designs to come from there was the Pacifica series, this was a quantum leap for Yamaha Guitars, as it was an instrument designed and prototyped in the American custom shop with direct input from pro players. From this series there is a direct lineage to the entry level Yamaha guitars produced today. Today Yamaha provide a range of electric and bass guitars to cover all genres and to suit every pocket, so whether you aspire to the adrenaline fuelled world of hard rock, the smooth sophistication of jazz or anywhere in between there is something for you.

In the same way that the SG2000 took the electric guitar world by storm, in 1977 the release of the Yamaha "Broad Bass" or BB1200 bass guitar turned the world of bass guitarists upside down. Once again Yamaha were amongst the forerunners in the introduction of through neck construction, with it's enhanced sustain characteristics and inherent advantages in terms of stability. This coupled with peerless build quality made the BB basses an instant hit, with Paul McCartney himself playing a BB1200S in the early 1980's. To this day Yamaha's place in the world of bass has been ensured with great session players like Abraham Laboriel and Nathan East playing Yamaha Basses, alongside cutting edge artists such as Billy Sheehan, John Patitucci and John Myung. Once again the developments made with these wonderful musicians are put to good use in the instruments Yamaha make for beginners and intermediate players making for a great playing experience for all.

A brief look at some of the legendary names that have wielded Yamaha guitars and bass guitars gives you an idea of the exalted company you'll be keeping when you buy yours. Jimmy Page, Paul Simon, Bob Seger, James Taylor, John Denver, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Brian May, Carlos Santana, Bob Marley, Lee Ritenour, Martin Taylor, Nathan East, Billy Sheehan, Michael Anthony... the list goes on.

About the Author:
This article was written for Chappell of Bond Street. Yamaha guitars are very close to their hearts at Chappell's Wardour Street, London store.
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by: Clive Oliver Blacksmith Article Source: www.iSnare.com
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Learn How To Play Guitar - 4 Tips To Improve Your Guitar Playing

2008-02-17T02:18:00.000-08:00

Learn How To Play Guitar - 4 Tips To Improve Your Guitar Playing
Submitted By: Tim Lee

Playing guitar as a hobby or professionally can be very fulfilling. It is a great outlet for one's creativity and passion, and is the perfect expression of one's self. Whether you are a beginner guitar player or not, you could use the following tips and instructions to improve your guitar playing.

1) Good posture is Truly Underrated

While you can play guitar in almost any position, good position is integral to getting the most out of your guitar. Without good posture you could put yourself in greater risk for straining muscles – not to mention that wrong posture is truly awkward and uncomfortable to the player. You could even acquire or exacerbate back pain playing in the wrong position.

In a sitting position, sit up straight and cradle the guitar with your legs. Armless chairs are better for this sort of playing. If you are a classical player you might want to purchase a foot rest to elevate your left leg (if you are right-handed).

While standing, make sure you have good footing, with feet properly spaced. Keep the guitar high on your chest. If you have a guitar strap then you could avoid getting fatigued while playing your guitar.

2) Hold Your Pick the Right Way

If you are a pick player, one common mistake you can avoid is to hold your pick the right way. The proper way to hold a pick is to grip is firmly but not too tightly.

If you hold your pick to firmly, you could get your arm tired real easily. If you hold it too loose you could easily lose your pick during a very vigorous strumming session. The best place to hold your pick is somewhere in its middle.

Choosing the right pick is also another important choice you will have to make. If you are a beginner, you may want to use soft picks for strumming. They are also easier on the arms and do not need to be gripped too tightly. However, most flabby picks do not perform well when used to pluck individual strings, bass strings, or when flat picking.

3) Practice your arpeggios

After giving strumming a thorough work out, try working on arpeggios as they could seriously improve you playing style and will open you up to new guitar skills. Some players start with arpeggios before jumping into serious lead playing or complicated playing.

It also gives your playing much more variety than would be available if you stuck to simpler chord playing. And as mentioned, arpeggios are the gateway to higher level playing skills.

4) D Chord Secrets Revealed

The D-sus chord is a beautiful flourish when used to lead back to the D-chord. It is easily done by adding your pinkie finger to the chord at the third fret. Practice how this chord is used and you will find that it easily integrates into most contemporary songs.

You could also use this with other chords. You may refer to most chord charts to find out how these chords are done.

Conclusion

In the end practice is still the best way to get better at guitar playing. However, you can avoid wasting your time during practice by learning to practice smarter instead of just more. The tips mentioned above will help you get started on this road.

About the Author:

To learn how to play guitar using the easiest to follow method, please visit http://www.Guitar-Playing-Tips.info/

Article Tags: hold, pick, playing

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The Seven Best Sources For Basic Guitar Lessons And Learning Techniques

2008-02-15T20:55:00.000-08:00

The Seven Best Sources For Basic Guitar Lessons And Learning Techniques
by: J M Jones

The seven best sources for basic guitar lessons and learning techniques
There are two ways of learning anything, and they're not the hard way or the easy way, nor are they my way or the highway. No, they're teach yourself, or get a teacher.

Let's look at teachers first. They come in four guises, and some are more effective than others. The more effective, the more expensive--usually.

The cheapest and possibly least effective teacher you can get is probably a friend. I don't say that to be disrespectful to anyone's playing abilities, but simply to point out that unless that friend plays by the book, and is a qualified teacher, you'll probably pick up any bad habits they have. They're also not likely to be available on a regular enough basis, and may either become impatient with you when you don't pick things up fast enough, or may just let things slide, allowing you to form bad habits of your own. The cost is good, though--usually free.

You may be fortunate enough to be still at school and have guitar lessons available there, either for free or at a greatly subsidised rate. If so, take them. Your teacher will be qualified, lessons will be regular, you'll have fellow pupils you know to swap notes with outside of lessons (and maybe even get together to play with!).

school, except you have to make the effort to get there after a day's work. That usually means you'll have other things going on in your life--things that may intrude. Not only that, your classes will probably be larger, so you may have less input about what you want to learn. The cost will be very reasonable, though, when worked out as an hourly rate.

A professional teacher is the most expensive option. A good one will bring out the best in you, but will get frustrated if you don't practice. (Classical guitar teachers will encourage you to take grades, because their reputation grows according to how many people they get to pass). If you have the money, the time, and are prepared to put the work in, this is one of the most effective routes to take, because they'll correct any bad habits, and sessions are one-to-one.

If you can't afford a professional teacher, and you don't have night school lessons or a friend handy, the second option is to teach yourself. There are three possible options,

You can buy guitar tutors fairly cheaply at most guitar shops, or online. They used to come in book form, but increasingly incorporate CDs and DVDs to take you through the basics. There's a one-off cost, non-refundable, and you progress at your own pace.

Once you've got the basics together, you might decide the best way to teach yourself is to learn to play standards by ear. So you get out your favourite songs, listen to them over and over, work out the chords and lead work, then play. The advantage of this method is that it'll give you confidence, and if you mess up, no one will know. It's also cheap--presumably you've already paid for the music.

(Of course, there are fan sites online where you can download lyrics and sheet music to your favourite songs, thus saving you the time of doing it yourself. This can be handy. Beatles songs, in particular, use some rather ingenious chord sequences, and you might have difficulty working them out for yourself.)

Finally, there's the online course. For the cost of a single live lesson with a professional teacher you can get a DVD with a course aimed at various levels of proficiency. The product usually comes with a money-back guarantee, too, which is not true of the other methods. Another advantage is that you can learn whenever is convenient for you--teachers are usually available only at certain times of the day.

So there you have it--the seven basic guitar lessons sources: a friend, school lessons, night school, a professional teacher, a book or course, learning by ear, or an online course.

Which is best?

Depends on how serious you are, how much time you can devote to practice, and what you want to achieve.

If you're just starting out, it might be best to go with the least expensive route. That way, if you don't persevere, you haven't lost much.

If you do, though , and you want to get really good, you'll eventually want to consider a professional teacher.

Wherever you want your journey to take you, I hope you get there and have fun travelling!

About The Author
J M Jones (the Guitar Dog) helps you go from beginning guitarist to intermediate. Get the building blocks for your guitar success: to receive your free online guitar lessons, visit: http://www.guitarism.co.uk/
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Guitar Lessons: Guitar Playing Must Be A Passion

2008-02-14T06:29:00.000-08:00

Guitar Lessons: Guitar Playing Must Be A Passion
Submitted By: Bill McRea

The first time I picked up a guitar my whole life changed. I think I slept with it the night I brought my first new guitar home. It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but it is true. I remember the feel of the guitar in my hands and the shape, which reminded me of a girl I once dated. But seriously it was love, pure love.

Then I plugged it in and hit those first magic notes….. Wow did it sound awful, maybe the worst noise I ever heard in my life. So started my journey in the world of music some 23 years ago, I found my one and only mistress, the guitar.

Today I am happily married with 3 kids, a real job, and my guitars. The only thing my wife has ever been jealous over is my guitars. I told her once I could have girlfriends or guitars, she said she’d settle for the guitars. Thus is the secret to a happy marriage.

Oh more importantly, the guitars. No two are the same, even the same model, made in the same year, with sequential serial numbers, are going to play and sound different. They have their own personalities, their own feel and their own mood swings. I have Fender’s, Gibson’s, Washburn’s, Parker’s, solid bodies, hollow bodies and semi-hollow body guitars.

Every week I go to a friend’s house, or a local store and just pickup every guitar I can and play it for a few minutes. It really is an obsession. I think, dream and dwell on playing guitar 24 Hours a day.

Is this story the same as your’s. As humorous as this may sound, many of my playing friends say the same thing. You can never have enough guitars, or spend enough time playing your guitar.

Do you have a passion for playing as well?

About the Author:Bill McRea is the publisher of The Guitar Warehouse and Guitar Playing Techniques. Both sites offer free lessons and product sales.
Article Tags: guitar, guitars, playing
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Bored? Look At These Hobby Ideas!

2008-02-11T19:55:00.000-08:00

Bored? Look At These Hobby Ideas!

Have you ever played one too many computer game or watched one too many old rerun? You just can't get into another mystery and you just feel flat? Maybe you are suffering from boredom, that familiar accomaniment to our automated, precooked lifestyles. If so, you need to check out these hobby ideas. Hobbies have been found to be therapeutic as they relieve stress and get the mind active. In this article, you'll find hobby ideas for every sort of person, from the intellectual to the athlete, from the homemaker to the attorney.

Many times we are bored because we have become too inactive. If this is your problem, you might like a sports hobby. Have you ever tried tennis? How about golf? Many people simply love bowling until it becomes an important part of their lives. Sports hobbies get you out of the house and often are a way to make friends with others. Then again, some active hobbies can be enjoyed in our own homes, such as weight lifting and doing aerobic dance to a video.

Speaking of aerobic dance, dancing is another great pastime. When you think of hobby ideas, don't forget the many forms of dance. Square dancing is fun for people who like getting together with groups, while ballet and modern dance appeal to the more contemplative souls. And while we're on contemplation, you might enjoy doing yoga stretches as a hobby.

Maybe we're feeling bored and listless because we've been cooped up in the house too long. If that's the problem, here are a few hobby ideas to get you out in the fresh air. Have you ever thought of taking up canoeing, hiking, or trapping? How about getting involved with an environmental group? In many states, you can form groups to clean riverbanks and monitor water quality, and the state will provide perks such as t-shirts, work gloves, and first-aid kits. Or maybe you'd like studying the flora and fauna of your region. It can be great fun to stroll through the woods and fields with a field guide, learning to identify each wildflower, insect, tree, and bird.

There are almost as many hobby ideas as there are bored people in the world, because everyone puts their own spin on their favorite hobbies. Maybe you'd enjoy decorating your house with antiques, or learning to bake specialty breads from around the World. Maybe you'd like to take part in a little theatre production, or learn to play guitar. What about the fine arts of weaving tapestries or painting with oils? Candle making, soap making, and many other old-time crafts are being enjoyed again. Truly, with all these hobby ideas, there is no reason to stay bored for long!

This free article is provided by the FreeArticles.com Free Articles Directory for educational purposes ONLY! It cannot be reprinted or redistributed under any circumstances.
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Ideas For Creating Themed Gift Baskets

2008-02-11T01:44:00.000-08:00

Ideas For Creating Themed Gift Baskets

Make appropriate gift baskets for all of your friends!
Creating gift baskets are an excellent way to make a personal gift for your friends and family. This article includes quite a few ideas for containers and themes to help you get started on a unique gift basket for everyone on your list.Gift baskets can be a lot of fun for you and the recipient and they don't have to cost a lot of money to produce.The recipient of your gift basketThe first thing to consider is who you plan to give the basket to:
What do they like?
What are their hobbies?
What do they need?
What do they like to eat? Containers to use for the gift basketsThe container itself (or "basket") doesn't have to be very expensive. Simply pick a theme and find a container that matches that theme that can hold some related items or have items attached to it.You want the container and the selected items to go together, and for everything to be usable and practical. Of course, this isn't to say that a few fun things can't be thrown in as well! Below are a few of my ideas for containers but there are certainly many more possibilities.
Baskets (all sizes and shapes)
Bowls
Flower pots
Watering can
Fishing creel
Canvas bag
Day pack
Waste basket
Bucket (ice, plastic, garden, etc.)
Colander
Any plastic container
Storage box
Platter
Tin Ideas for gift basket themesThe various items that you place within the gift basket should all be tied together by a common theme. The themes below serve as gift basket "recipes" that can be modified to fit your needs or to get you started on developing your own themed gift baskets.College student gift basket
Use a basket or most any usable container
Pens and Pencils
Printer paper and supplies
Mouse pad
Washcloth and hand towel
Yummy healthy snacks
Phone Card
Gift certificate for a CD
Nail Clippers
Book light Bath gift basket
Use a nice, attractive basket
Gel eye-pack
Epsom salts or bubble bath
Aroma therapy oils
Scented candles and holders
Pumice stone
Washcloths, scrubber or loofa sponge
Back cleaning brush
Relaxing music on CD or cassette
Rubber ducky Kids coloring gift basket
Use a plastic or rubber storage box
Assorted papers and coloring books
Crayons or colored pencils
Nontoxic markers
Assorted stickers
Paint box and brushes
Safe scissors Photographer's gift basket
Use a basket or a camera bag
Film
Coupons for photo developing service
Camera Filters
Lens cleaner
Lens cloth
Photo printer paper
Picture frame and matte
Picture Album Letter writer's gift basket
Use a square basket or plastic box
Note paper or cards
Various sizes of envelopes
Letter opener
Pen or pencil
Personalized seal
Sealing wax
Return address labels
Rubber stamps for decorating envelopes
Postage stamps Crafters gift basket
Use a rubber storage container
Glue gun and glue sticks
Acrylic paints
Assorted brushes
Craft knife
Craft supplies (this will depend on the type of crafting they do.)
Craft patterns / how-to books
Craft papers
Scissors Pasta lover's gift basket
Use a bowl or colander
Package of gourmet pasta
Tongs or pasta grabber
Package of sun-dried tomatoes
Extra-virgin olive oil
Fancy olives
Spices: basic, oregano, garlic powder, cumin
Collection of your favorite pasta recipes, hand-printed on personalized recipe cards
Pasta cookbook
Jar of gourmet sauce Gardener's gift basket
Use a clay plant pot, watering can, or bucket
Gardening gloves
Hand tools
Vegetable and flower seeds
Liquid fertilizer
Kneeling pad
Gardening book
Subscription for a gardening magazine
Plant markers
Heavy duty hand lotion Cat lover's gift basket
Use a cat bowl or pet bed
Catnip mouse or any other cat toy
Hair ball paste
Cat treats
Cat Brush
Scratching post
Gourmet cat food Dog lover's gift basket
Use a dog bowl or pet bed
Rawhide bone or chew toy
Dog biscuits
Squeaky toy
Dog shampoo
Brush
Collar and/or leash Dogs come in all sizes, so make sure you're sticking the gift basket for the right size dog. And if the basket is for a puppy, chewy stuff is the best.New home owner's gift basket
Use a tool box or tool tray
Slotted and Philips head Screw drivers
Wrench, Pliers, or Vice Grip Pliers
Hammer
Assorted nails, tacks, screws, and washers
Gift certificate for the local home improvement store
Do-it-yourself home repair book
Other assorted odds and ends like:
super glue
light switch covers
light bulbs
duct tape
paint brushes
knobs and handles Guitar player's gift basket
Use a basket or gig bag
Assorted picks
Tuning pipe or electronic tuner
Sheet music
CDs or cassettes featuring accomplished guitar players
Guitar strings
Capo
Polishing rag
Guitar polish
Chord or lesson books Skier or snowboarder's gift basket
Use a small pack or canvas bag
Gloves, mittens and, a warm hat
Hot packs
Sunscreen
Lip balm
Moisturizer
A pass to the local ski slope
Hot chocolate
Ski, snowboard, or sled waxes Grandparent's gift basket
Use a basket or most any reusable container
Scrapbook
Children's artwork
Gifts made by their grandkids
Framed family pictures
Videos of the family
Long-distance calling card
Candy, coffee, or tea
Handmade Christmas ornaments
Polar fleece lap blanket Holiday entertainment basket
Use a nice holiday basket
Holiday Napkins
Holiday Plates
Holiday Cups
Whole Mixed Nuts
Nutcracker
Cookies or baked goods
Holiday floral picks or ornaments for decorating
Cheese ball or Sausage stick and crackers Fillers for gift basketsOnce you have obtained your gift basket items, here are some fillers that you can put around them:
Piece of fabric
Shredded paper, newspaper, or colored paper
Straw
Easter basket grass
Tissue paper or newspaper comics
Raffia
Colored towels or cloth napkins
Cedar shavings Extra items For Christmas Baskets add:
Candy canes
Candles (scented or unscented, votive, tea lights or tapers)
Pine cones
Cinnamon sticks tied with a red ribbon
Greenery (spruce, cedar, holly, or pine)
Decorative Christmas ornaments For any occasion add:
Potpourri
Hot cider, special tea bags, special coffee or cocoa mixes
Oranges, tangerines, or apples
Unshelled nuts or packets of roasted nuts
Wrapped candy or baked goods
Small toys or puzzles
Hand cream
Lip gloss or Chapstick Finishing up the gift basketYou can use colored cellophane to cover the entire container and disguise its contents. Simply tie a ribbon around the whole thing or glue a ribbon on top.Have fun!
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Tips on Buying Guitars

2008-02-08T01:16:00.001-08:00

Tips on Buying Guitars
by: Mantius Cazaubon

There are so many guitar models on the market today. So many types including electric, acoustic, acoustic electric, nylon string, and steel string guitars. How does one make a selection? Here are a few tips to help you choose one that meets your needs.
1. It depends on how much you can afford.
With such a wealth of guitars available, a working person shouldn't have a problem finding one that fits their budget. But this doesn't mean that you should settle for anything. As the old adage goes, you usually get what you pay for. Usually the more money you invest, the greater the returns. You're going to be spending a lot of time practicing so choose an instrument that you can enjoy. An instrument that you can look forward to playing.
2. What style of music will you be playing?
The style of music to be played should influence your choice of guitar. For instance if you plan on playing rock you should buy an electric guitar, since Rock music is better suited to be played on that type of guitar. If Jazz and blues is your thing you may prefer a semi-acoustic guitar from the start. An acoustic nylon string guitar may be better suited to classical music and smooth Jazz.
3. Child or adult.
Are you a parent looking to buy a guitar for your child? Consider buying a 1/2 size or 3/4 size guitar. Your child doesn't have the reach that an adult has, so these smaller guitars are better suited. Regular size guitars will be more difficult to play and can cause a lack of interest.
You may also want to look into buying an electric guitar for your child if you can afford it. They have a small neck and very light thin strings and are therefore easier to play. If money is an issue a second hand electric guitar may be the answer.
4. Wood type and its relation to tone.
Although there are no rules for choosing guitar woods, there is a guide that you can follow. Generally, darker woods produce a brighter tone while darker woods produces a deeper, richer tone. Medium tone wood like mahogany produce a very even smooth sound spectrum. You should compare various wood colors. The best thing to do is to listen to the tones that a guitar produces before deciding.
5. Pay attention to the guitar's features.
Your guitar must have certain important features. Don't simply focus on looks.
For example, your guitar should have die-cast machine heads (or tuning gears). With this feature, you will be able to tune your instrument more accurately and your guitar will stay in tune longer.
A solid top is also very important. A solid top usually consists of 2 solid matched pieces glued together side by side. This is of better quality than a laminated top where various woods are glued together on top of each other. With a solid top the guitar's tone will be more even and accurate and you can expect a sustaining vibration throughout the guitar's body.
6. Buy a guitar that feels good to you.
You're the one who will be playing that guitar. So you'd better buy one that feels comfortable to you, whether you're sitting or standing. For instance, if the strings are too far from the fretboard, playing will be difficult. An expensive guitar that is not comfortable is a waste. Spend time with the guitar before deciding.
7. The bottom line is sound.
If it sounds good, buy it. No two guitars can ever be the same. It's never about looks. It's about the sound that is generated through the use of the right type of wood and through superior craftsmanship.
You should be able to find a guitar easily online. You can order one that suits your needs today. Some of the best guitar prices can be found on the Internet. You even get free shipping to your door.
About The Author
Mantius Cazaubon offers a buying guide to help you choose an electric guitar that meets your needs on his site http://www.electric-guitars-guide.com/. Visit http://www.electric-guitars-guide.com/ for electric guitar lessons, tips, and reviews.

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The History of the Electric Guitar

2008-02-06T03:29:00.000-08:00

The History of the Electric Guitar

By: Paul Smith

When most people think of electric guitars, they think of rock music. But electric guitars are more versatile than you’d think. You can find them in jazz, blues, country music, New-Age compositions, and even contemporary classical pieces. Electric guitars are intimately associated with many famous musicians of the twentieth century—and may be the iconic musical instrument of our time. The demand for electric guitars came during the Big Band Era in the 20’s and 30’s. The big brass bands of the time were very loud, and other instruments had to be artificially amplified to stand up to their powerful sound. Performers experimented with attaching microphones to acoustic guitars. The first manufactured electric guitars were made in 1931 by the Electro String Instrument Corporation. The first time an electric guitar is known to have been used in performance was in 1932. Bandleader Gage Brewer of Wichita, Kansas, received two electric guitars directly through Electro String Instruments, possibly for publicity purposes. Brewer wrote about the guitars in an article in the Wichita Beacon before the performance. The earliest known recording of an electric guitar performance was produced in 1938. George Barnes, a jazz guitarist, recorded two songs with the guitar, called “It’s a Lowdown Dirty Shame” and “Sweetheart Land.” The earliest electric guitars were essentially hollow-bodied acoustic guitars equipped with Tungsten pickups. The problem with hollow-body electric guitars is that the hollow space within the guitar produces vibrations when the strings are plucked or strummed. These vibrations account for the unique tone of an acoustic guitar, but they produce harsh feedback when they interact with the pickups in an electric guitar. Early electric guitar players used to stuff rags and newspapers into their hollow-body instruments in an attempt to get rid of the feedback. One of the earlier solid-body guitars was an aluminium instrument known as the “Frying Pan” or “Pancake Guitar.” These guitars were said to have produced a sound similar to that of modern electric guitars. Several other well-known luthiers experimented with solid-body guitars during the early history of the electric guitar. In 1940, during his time at Gibson Guitars, Les Paul attempted a solid-body instrument called the “log guitar,” so called because it was a simple post equipped with neck, strings, and pickups. The electric guitar did not hit commercial success until the 1950’s, when Fender released its first solid-body model: the Esquire. The Esquire was followed by the Telecaster and finally, in 1954, the Stratocaster. The “Strat” was hailed in professional musical and luthier circles alike, and became a signature instrument of such famous musicians as Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, David Gilmour, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and many others. The electric guitar produced an aggressive sound very different from the melodic and lyrical tones of its ancestor, the acoustic. The sound of the electric guitar became characteristic of rock and roll in the 60’s and 70’s. It was a high-profile instrument during this time, appearing on stage with hundreds of famous bands and musicians. This created demand among the general public for affordable electric guitars. In the 60’s and 70’s, electric guitars were very expensive—too pricey for a buyer who wasn’t a famous musician. Although some companies attempted to fill the gap with cheap imitations, the sound of these guitars did not compare to the real thing. It wasn’t until the 1980’s that Japanese manufacturers stepped forward with affordable electric guitars capable of professional-quality sound. This put pressure on American companies such as Gibson and Fender to provide their own affordable lines. Electric guitars became more and more successful in the consumer market as quality improved, and prices went down as new manufacturers entered the market. Soon, electric guitars were more accessible than they had ever been. Today, the electric guitar is one of the most prolific instruments in popular music. You can find it in a wide variety of genres, from metal to New Age. You can also buy an electric guitar like the rock stars have—without paying the prices they pay. Because it’s so common in contemporary music and in the hands of amateur musicians, there’s little doubt that the electric guitar is one of the most successful instruments of the twentieth century.About The AuthorPaul Smith is managing director of Rose Morris Musical Instruments based in Denmark Street, London – for a wide range of the latest electric guitars including PRS guitars visit http://www.proaudiostore.co.uk/rosemorris/PRSGuitars.html Back

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