My Current Setup

Not much has changed these last few years, but my current setup entails a Toneport UX2 interfacing with my IBM T42 with output leading to my Marshall MGx. The Toneport allows two microphones to be hooked through, with a few instrument inputs. I've just recently started experimenting with the microphone, but have used the Toneport to capture some songs and riffs.

This is a totally useful tool for recording and the options for effects are endless. If I like, I can convert the song into an MP3 or video file to share with fellow musicians online or the occasional curious friend.

I've been trying to get my hands on a Korg Pandora, but this will have to wait. I like the idea of a pocket amplifier with builtin effects. I simply lack the cash right now.

Last Friday I plugged in my Schecter. I think it is time this was brought to the shop for a setup. While the strings were new, the tuning up and down the fretboard was a little off.

Anyone familiar with the Korg Pandora, and if so, what are your opinions?

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.

Some Guitar Heroes

I know it is cliche these days to mention who our favorite guitar players are. Especially when considering the wildly popular video game with the fake guitar. True, but as a guitar player, who has been listening to guitarists for longer then I've played, I have a few guitarists that I fondly admire. Some of them are well known and highly influential to most modern guitarists, and others are largely unknown yet hold a strong amount of respect for those who know them.

To start, I will begin with the lead guitarist of King's X, Ty Tabor. I first heard his band when I was about 10 years old. I received a gift certificate to Strawberry's Music Store and my uncle guided me to listen to King's X. Gretchen Goes to Nebraska was the first album I purchased of theirs, and to be honest, I didn't like it at first. It took a few listens, but it definitely grew on me. Summerland is a tune that is forever ingrained in my mind. I still hum the intro from time-to-time and find myself absently plucking it on my guitars when relaxing.

Tabor has some strong riff-sense. Meaning, his riffs are unparalleled in the hard rock\blues metal world. He is a master of the blues solos melded with hard rock and those who have found his music will appreciate his inspiring melodies. The man has soul. What can I say, but he has probably been the most influential guitarist for me. He's not always blazing fast, but he is such an accomplished musician, he leaves everyone else frustrated and awe inspired.

So please take a listen at some older King's X material. Faith Hope Love and Gretchen are two favorites of mine.

Now, moving in a somewhat different direction, I'll explain why Dimebag Darrel is another guitar hero of mine. Dime was the lead guitarist of Pantera. We all know his story, and if not, simply search his name, and you'll find his tragic story mentioned thousands of times. I was not a huge Pantera fan, but being into heavy metal as a youth (during the 90s) it was required of my peers to like this band.

He set the tone for modern day metal, and changed the way we think of Texas guitar players (I will eventually detail my respect for Mr. Vaughn). While he was a huge rock star, he seemed to be the most laid back guitarist of the entire 90s metal lot. Namely, the fame did not get to his head as much as it did his peers. I appreciate him for that, and I appreciate his wild sense of creativity. His riffs are copied everyday by mallcore bands around. This is in no way an insult to Darrel. He was in the forefront of modern day metal, and as usual, the artist who is influential and ground breaking will eventually become copied.

It was a sad day when he was shot. He was taken from fans of his music prematurely, but yet, his tone and sounds will continue on.

More to come later...

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?

Feel the Bass

Bass guitars are an essential instrument for keeping rhythm and simple melody. While I myself have only played a bass guitar on occasion, I appreciate the bass guitarists that I have jammed with.

I think it is a good idea for a serious guitarist to at least play bass lines on the guitar. This helps the player to gain valuable timing skills. When I am trying to learn a song from ear, I usually try to identify the bass guitar. This helps to then find the correct key, beat, and melody. From there, I can then fill in with the proper chords and scales.

What I have noticed throughout the years, is that the bass guitarist is typically the unsung hero of the group. The picture of the bass player with the dark sunglasses, standing towards the back of the stage, calmly plucking his strings is the epitome of laid-back coolness. Of course, there are some obvious exceptions to that stereotype, but by and large, most bass guitarists seem to be the quiet, logical members of the band, if not a bit eccentric.

There have been times when I have been tempted to make the jump and play bass guitar in a band. But lo, I do not feel as if my personality type can fit into that of a bass guitarist. For now, I'll have to be satisfied with the click, thwack, beep, bop of other bass guitarists.