Walking In Memphis

   Recently I spent 3 days in Memphis, TN. and it's an experience I will remember for a long, long time. I arrived in Memphis after viewing the nice rolling hills of Georgia, Alabama, and finally entering Tennessee. After  relaxing a bit from being road weary, I hit Beale Street. I was treated to some really good blues music and some great BBQ. I called it an early night to rest up for what lied ahead of me the following day.
   The next day I woke early and headed off to the Gibson Factory.  There are 3 Gibson Factories in the United States. One in Montana, which is where the acoustics are made. ...

This is one of the hardest exercises I’ve come across but most definitely one that has improved my picking technique greatly.  Give this exercise a try and let me know what you think.

Underneath the tab you'll find which finger to use for each note.  First try this exercise as written then once you have it down, try starting it using an "UP" "DOWN" stroke instead of the "DOWN"  'UP".

Click HERE for Tab.

I recently received a comment on my practice blog asking for some more tips and advice.  It is difficult to give specific advice to a student without being able to assess their abilities or level.  I will however give some tips that I have found to be helpful.  I think one of the most important things that a student can do is listen.  Listen to as much music of varying styles as possible.  Even if you don't particularly care for a certain style at least give it a listen.  You never know what you'll get out of it.

I'm basically a rock player but I spend most of my time studying jazz.  I tend to gravitate to minor tonalities.  So a lot of the rock music I play is in minor keys and of course I play minor scales for solos.  Through my study of jazz I discovered chord voicings in fourths.  The more that I practice the more I use these chord voicings to comp both major and minor chords.  A ...

Using your Ears part 2

If you guessed the 6^th 4^th and 3^rd strings for the intro to Day Tripper you’re right.

The 1^st note of the intro is also the lowest note We can play on our  guitars in standard tuning.

Here’s another tip.

Learn how to determine major chords from minor chords. No matter how many strings you strum or how many fingers you use to make the shape ---Major and minor chords are only 3 notes based from a major or minor scale.

It seems as if we are coming full circle in popular music. I'm referring to guitar playing and virtuosity. Through the 80's, we saw a surge in "Guitar Gunslingers": players who prided themselves on their abilities. Then we had the 90's, which was great for songwriting and experimentation, but not so great for shredding guitar playing. Now we're seeing a resurgance of speed demons, bent on playing as many notes as possible in a very short time. I'm not against this, as long as it's done tastefully. I've heard some playing that I would consider well done, and I heard some playing I could do without. One band in particular that I think is doing justice to shredding is: Avenged Sevenfold. Their approach to speed is done with a slice of Neo-Classical reminiscent of Yngwie Malmsteen and Tony MacAlpine. I enjoy listening to them play.

Who are other players that you like from this century that you consider "shredders"?

I just wanted to let Zeppelin fans know that I have recently been working on "Stairway To Heaven."  The lesson has been tracked.  At the moment I'm taking a break from content verification to let everyone know that the lesson will be out sooner rather than later.  I also hope to track the solo part of the lesson in the very near future.  So, if you really like this song or your a huge Zeppelin fan hang on, "Stairway" is coming.

Using your Ears. Part 1

It’s important to all of us at Talking Tabs that  our students develop strong ears. After all, We’re an all audio CD.

It’s also important as teachers to make sure our students have all the guitar playing capabilities  to be on their own some day.

I’m doing a series of  tips for  figuring  out chords and riffs by  using your ears.