Learn Guitar

I found a really great acoustic guitar video lesson today on arpeggios. This video is part of the launch for Dan Denley's new Acoustic Guitar Secrets course which is due out on December 12, 2007. Dan basically introduces arpeggios and then puts together a really nice arpeggiated chord progression that's both melodic and atmospheric.

I always get asked what arpeggios are so I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to let you know about this video. You can see the full video below.

http://www.learntheguitarnow.com/ags/

Dan will be releasing several more videos on acoustic guitar so its well worth you joining the email list to get the rest even if you aren't interested in the Acoustic Guitar Secrets course. Dan's been around for a while now and has produced several guitar courses including Amazing Guitar Secrets and Lead Guitar Secrets. I've been on his email list for ages and have never been spammed so I have no problems recommending him.

Here's the link again and I'll get a review of Acoustic Guitar Secrets on the website as soon as I receive the course.

http://www.learntheguitarnow.com/ags/

Labels: free guitar lessons, guitar video lessons

I know, I know! It's been done to death but every guitar blog should have a top 10 list of best and worst guitar solos and I couldn't resist, besides it's fun. Here's my top 10 worst guitar solos. I've included some videos for some of the solos as well.



Smells Like Teen spirit - Whilst Curt Cobain was undoubtedly a great song writer he was rubbish at playing the guitar and this so called solo is the worst part of what is widely regarded as a grunge classic.



Always - Richie Sambora's guitar tone of this solo is just plain awful and thankfully he has somewhat redeemed himself on live versions of this track.



Any solo on the first Motley Crue record - What can I say? Mick Mars had a stinker on this one and despite having an ear for a melody (check out the solo on Home Sweet Home) there's absolutely no technique on this album.



Yngwie Malmsteens live acoustic solo - Does anyone really enjoy this? I mean seriously?



Paul Stanley's solo on the Animalize concert DVD. - Only Paul Stanley would have the ego to think he could ever pull this off in front of a live audience. I think it's the worst example of tapping I've ever seen. To think I actually thought it was pretty cool when I was14. What was I thinking?




Unskinny Bop by CC DeVille - I think this entire track has to go down as one of the worst ever which is saying something for Poison. I really liked the native tongue album though, Richie Kotzen managed to bring out the best in those guys.



Nigel Tufnell's Live solo in Spinal Tap - "widdlywiddly widdlywiddly widdlywiddly eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" Ouch my ears hurt!

Layla - I know I'm going to get some stick for this one but Duane Allman's slide guitar at the end of this track is pretty dire in some places.

Anything solo by Graham Coxon from Blur - Am I the only one that really doesn't like his playing?

Do you feel like we do by Peter Frampton - Consistently comes up in nearly every poll of bad guitar solos. Nuff said.

Disagree? Want to add your opinion? Go on, add a comment you know you want to!

Labels: guitar solos, guitarists

I posted some Andy McKee guitar tabs on the website a while ago and since then its been one of the most popular entries on the blog. So we are going to feature more artists in the future and I couldn't resist starting with a band that have created a bit of a storm on Guitar Hero recently. They are of course Dragon Force, a power metal group that formed in 1999 in London England and have against the odds gained huge popularity.

You'd be forgiven for thinking that we had suddenly gone back to the eighties but the combination of sheer speed and melody is something quite spectacular and its no wonder they are so popular right now. Metals back alright! The stand out highlight is "Through the fire and flames" which you can see below.



Operation Ground and Pound is equally impressive.

Dragon Force Video Guitar Lessons

Herman Li and Sam Totman have really embraced their roles as guitar heroes and have posted several instructional videos on youtube. The lesson below is on how to play "Through The Fire and Flames".



This clip is from Young Guitar DVD and features Herman Li and Sam Totman in superb form during some excellent demonstrations.



Another Guitar Lesson this time featuring Herman Li.

Dragon Force Guitar Tabs

A full list of Dragon Force tabs

Through The Fire and The Flames

Operation Ground and Pound

Well thats it for now but if we find any more Dragon Force videos and tabs we'll add it right here.

Labels: dragon force tabs, guitar tablature, guitar video lessons

If your a guitarist and you've performed live or just got together for a casual jam with your friends then you will have experienced guitar feedback.

If you don't know what feedback is then it's an awful high pitched sound that comes from speakers of your amplifier. This usually happens when you place your microphone too close to the speaker or you get too close to the amplifier when your playing.

Not only does this put a dampener on your live performance but it's incredibly annoying for your audience and could even damage your hearing so avoiding it has many benefits.

We have put together a few tricks to avoid feedback from occurring in the first place

1. Turn the treble down

The first recommendation is to turn down your treble on your amplifier. Too much treble will invite feedback so ease off the treble on your amplifier settings.

2. Watch the volume

The second step is to turn the volume on your guitar up about three quarters. Try not to turn your volume up full as this can invite huge feedback! Always leave a little room on your volume and you will be guaranteed to reduce feedback at least 80% with this trick.

3. Easy on the distortion

One other trick is to turn down the gain or distortion on your amp. When you play softly, you can turn your gain or distortion full. But when you start playing with some serious volume, turn your gain only 50%.

You will still get the same sound and distortion, but this is the trick to avoiding feedback from occurring when you play at higher volume levels.

4. Watch the effects

Finally, if you're using an effects pedal, only turn it up 3/4 the way. Like your guitar -- always leave a bit of leeway as it offers more control over the sound and keeps your playing tight!

So Remembe, if you keep control of your volumes, you reduce the level of feedback and have a much tighter sound as an over all band. If you turn everything up full and try to rule the world, you'll sound messy and out of control.

Videos

Guitar feedback can, however, be used to great effect. I can't think of anyone better than the master of feedback, Jimi Hendrix, to demonstrated this. This iconic rendition of The Star Spangled Banner from his 1969 Woodstock appearance demonstrated incredible control and musicality.



Finally, this next video provides an excellent introduction to guitar feedback and distortion.

Labels: guitar articles, guitar tips

Ain't that the truth! This video from BBC's 7 Ages of Rock features some great stuff from Robert Plant and Keith Richards. Keith plays some cracking acoustic blues on this video and I really think he gets to the essence of what blues is all about.

"You can't write this. It's just a matter of how you play it, does it have the intensity? Does it make any sense to anyone else? ... that's what I like about the blues ... you can't fake it"

Keith Richards.

This is for all those blues fans out there, so just grab a coffee, sit back and enjoy. The teaser clip is below and the full video about the blues can be viewed here (UK visitors only).

Labels: blues guitar, guitarists, keith richards

The hugely anticipated reunion gig for Led Zeppelin has been postponed as lead guitarist Jimmy Page has fractured a finger. Page has been ordered by doctors not to play guitar for three weeks and the gig has been moved to 10th December.

It's not been revealed which finger he broke, or on what hand but for guitarists everywhere it goes without saying, any injury of this kind is a huge deal. Thankfully he is clear to start rehearsing on 23rd November. The reunion gig will also feature Pete Townshend, Bill Wyman, Paolo Nutini and Foreigner and will be held at London's O2 arena.

Can't Wait!

Labels: guitar news, guitarists

Mark Knopfler gives a short interview and insight into his unique playing style on Sultans of Swing. There's some great stuff here and towards the end of the interview he gives a great demonstration of how he gets that great staccato rhythm sound. The BBC's 7 Ages of Rock is well worth checking out if your into classic rock and they have videos about the guitarists of the Yardbirds, Cream, Kiss, Metallica and loads more.

Labels: guitarists