Online Jam

Anyone ever try eJamming? http://ejamming.com/. If so, did you find it was worth it? I have a friend (my drummer) who moved down to Florida. I live in NJ. You all know how hard it can be to find a quality drummer, so I was thinking of giving this a try. Maybe there's a better (or cheaper) alternative.

Anyway, I had an awesome jam session with my piano player, and my lyricist (my wife). We wrote the elements to an entire song in one evening, which is astoundingly rare! I must say, I believe this song has the potential of being an epic tune, which is a far cry from what I typically write.

Again, let me know if you all have experience with online jamming, and if so, what are the pros and cons from your experience!

A New Start

Ok, this site has become severely neglected. I'm still playing guitar, but I quickly became bored with creating lessons, so I'm going to use this site as a place to just talk about guitars...and music.

I am no expert, but I love playing. I'll try to use this site to keep inspiration, and hopefully to connect with other players allowing an educational, and fun exchange of music and guitar playing.

With that said, I'll go into my practice habits. Maybe someone out in the internet world can critique my style of practice, give tips on improving my technique, etc.

So every night after dinner, and after the kids are settled into bed, or close to settling into bed, I pull out my acoustic. I have two folders of music, one filled up with contemporary worship songs, and the other with random rock tunes I enjoy.

I usually go through about 10 worship songs, just to stay fresh in case my church comes calling for a substitute worship guy. After the worship songs, I'll pick a rock song to practice. Maybe its the Beatles, or King's X, whatever it is, I'll try to get a part down until I think it sounds right. Unfortunately, I have to try to have more patience, because I want to get that tough part of the song right away, or I can become tempted to ignore it, or fake it.

After playing one or two rock songs, I will try to work on any licks I've created on my own. This can get boring, because I don't feel like I'm the most creative guy in the world, so my licks can sound totally uninspired at times. However, I think it is important for all guitar players to avoid getting stuck in that "cover song" attitude. You know the guy. He can play all of the popular songs with no problem, but if you ask him to lay out a jam, 1-4-5 in D he's left scratching his head.

That brings into the last part of my practice, which is the most neglected. Theory and technique. I don't know about you, but I just want to pick up the guitar and become awesome. So I often neglect this key element, and as a result, I know my playing suffers. When I remember, I try to pull out an instructional book and work on some theory, or picking techniques, perhaps a few odd scales or chord patterns. I hate this part, but have to admit, I find myself expanding my guitar playing when utilizing that which I learned during the technique and theory portion of my practices.

So, it seems that a big chunk of practice is just myself tooling around on someone else's song, a bit on my own, and tiny fraction spent on theory.

Anyone else have a similar session? How about any tips for practice that you found useful? I'm not sure if there is any wrong way to practice.

Mandolins

Well, I know this is a blog made strictly about guitars (well, guitars and all things music), but I was given a Mandolin over the weekend. It is an 8 string Ovation Acoustic/Electric and a gift from my dad. My mandolin knowledge is limited, in fact it is an entirely foreign instrument to me.

The action is terrible, so I'm not sure if that can be adjusted, and I haven't even figured out the standard tuning. On top of that, I don't know many songs that feature the mandolin, but I do know that the mandolin is a cool instrument.

Ok, so a quick wiki search reveals the standard tuning as GDAE. Simple enough. And obviously the mandolin is in the lute family of instruments, so the transition should be quite simple. I'm not much of a bluegrass fan, but there are plenty of modern artists in more mainstream forms of music who have incorporated the mandolin into their music.

I have yet to even attempt to play it (the high action is the speed bump here), but I think a new instrument is in order for me. While I love the guitar, I've been stuck on a plateau for a long time now, and I'm feeling very uninspired. Maybe the mandolin will be a nice diversion while I reach the next plateau.

If anyone has any experience with the mandolin, please feel free to give out your advice.

Power Chords on the Acoustic

Lately I've been enjoying the blissful simplicity of power chords on the acoustic guitar. From playing old Black Sabbath songs to punk riffs, it is all good!

While I enjoy more complex chords, the power chord will always hold a special place in my musical heart. So easy, yet so pointed is the power chord.

Do you find yourself playing songs intended for the electric on your acoustic, and if so, do you remain true to the song, or "acousticize" the song to your liking?

Acoustic Guitars

I've been playing the guitar for years now. My first guitar was a gift to me for my 10th birthday, it was a Harmony folk guitar. I learned some simple melodies and held onto that guitar for years, despite the fact I skipped most of my teens playing the guitar. When I was about 17 or 18 years old, I purchased an old Ibanez and then a brand new Washburn electric guitar. Along with the small gorilla amplifier, I was in business.

For the next few years I continued to play electric guitar as my primary instrument. My wife had a Takamine acoustic which I inherited, but the action was terrible on it. So we bought an acoustic guitar for myself. The Larrivee D-03. This is a beautiful instrument. Since picking up the Larrivee a few years ago, I have shifted from being a mostly electric player, to an acoustic player. I now have my heart and mind set on this certain Breedlove which I had the pleasure to test out a few months ago.

Anyway, the acoustic guitar is an important part of my life. What kind of acoustic guitars do you own and what are your dream guitars?

Quick Update

Wow, I really haven't posted here in a long time. Well, that will change. I am still into the guitar and playing. I plan on putting more lessons up and discussions on all things guitar.

I even wonder if I've moved beyond the CAGED method since starting this blog. Yes, there are certain aspects of CAGED that help, especially if one is familiar with the Circle of Fifths, but I think Modes are probably the best way to go for the serious guitar theorist.

While I will have the occasional lesson posted here, I think this site will be better served as a site that discusses guitars, hence: TalkGuitars. In fact, I may open this up as a community with multiple posters if it ever grows to that need.

I am solely using my acoustic guitar right now, though I do pick up my electric once in a while so I don't become too rusty.

About Guitars I've Owned Past and Present

Take some time to really practice the Major Pentatonic mentioned below. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment me. If something is wrong, please let me know, we are all teachers and students in the world of music.

Occasionally, I will use this site to discuss the ins and outs of the guitar. This is a newer thing for me. There are probably plenty of sites that break down the mechanics and design of the guitar nice and thoroughly. Me, I'll try to keep it simple, and hope to reinforce the workings of a guitar myself by writing about it.

To start off, I currently play a Larrivee D-03 with a B-Band preamp. Though the D-03 is considered their entry level guitar, it still put me out by about 950.00. I knew little about Larrivee before I first picked this up, but became an instant fan. I was at the local Sam Ash's trying out various Taylor and Martin guitars priced at a higher rate, and for kicks, picked up the D-03. I was sold within minutes, but spoke about it over lunch with my wife. This was probably about 2 years ago, and I have used it at fire camps, plugged in at church, at home and anywhere. Sounds great unplugged, and sounds awesome plugged in.

For electric, I have been playing a Schecter Diamond Series 006 Elite. The Elite 006 was a pleasant Christmas surprise from my significant other going back about 5 years now. From metal to blues and everything in between, the sound has been great. I do plan on changing my humbucker out to something with better pickup clarity, but other than that, I have no complaints whatsoever.

Now, going back in time, my first guitar was a folk guitar built by Sears, I believe. This was a birthday gift from my parents. I wanted an electric, but they got me the folk. I did learn Smoke on the Water and Stairway to Heaven on it, but I did not get too much into it back then. By the time I was 17, that guitar was so destroyed, I decided to put it out of its misery and smash it. >Sniff<

At around 14 or 15, I finally landed an electric guitar. This was a heavy Ibanez that had terrible action and the pickup was crap. I kept this for a couple years, eventually giving it to my uncle, who now passed it on to his 15 year old son. I think they put some work into it, and it probably sounds better than ever. I would have retained it, had I known then what I do now about hand-built Japanese guitars (try buying a guitar made in Japan today).

At about 17, I got a rather small Washburn, with white paint, a whammy bar, and a new set of strings all for 150.00. Around the same time, a friend gave me her Martin acoustic. I wish I still had that, but sadly, it is no longer breathing (not my fault). The Washburn served me for about 5 years, as I was a poor student with no disposable income. I finally gave that to one of my roommates who played the drums, but had a small interest in the guitar.

Along the way between my Washburn and Martin, I have also had a Takamine Acoustic (given to my sister-in-law, this one was technically my wife's), a Giannine Classical (old thing, but worked ok), and a 12 string of which I cannot remember the name, and couldn't stand to play anyway.

I plan on keeping my current guitars, as I am forever sentimentally attached to them. My next major purchase will probably be a new amp for the Schecter, as the 30 Watt Marshall is not sufficiently loud enough for bragging rights.

Until next time, reply back with your favorites or your dream guitars. Remember to keep the practice sessions up, and don't let yourself become discouraged. The guitar was meant for enjoyment after all.