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Guitar Tips

Must Learn Country Guitar Licks

February 20, 2014 admin Leave a comment

Country guitar is one of the most exciting musical genres of all. Fast and furious, country guitar is generally regarded as something that should be explored only by experienced players. This is definitely something we’d endorse, as just picking up your guitar and getting started with country music isn’t something that is easy to do.

Although the diversity of country music is such that there are many different styles you can learn to play, there are a number of must learn country guitar licks that will help you to become proficient in this style.

Traditional Country Lick

The first essential country guitar lick is a simple lick that you play in A. Play notes on the fourth and second fret followed by an open string on the G string, followed by the same on the D string. Follow this by playing the third and fourth frets on the A string, then the second fret and open string back on the D. Return to the A string and play the second fret with a downward bend, and you have a simple and traditional country lick.

Other than the second two notes on the D string, play this lick with upstrokes.

Double Stops (E)

This is a great lick that brings the blues sound to your country music. Beware that this is a fast lick so you should already be confident playing country style guitar before trying this chord sequence.

Play the 14^th fret on the B and G strings together followed by the 12^th fret on the same strings. Then, play the 14^th fret on the D string.

Perform this sequence a second time, but after the D string play the 12^th fret on B and G once more.

Still playing B and G, again play the 14^th and 12^th frets followed by the 14^th on the D, followed by a quick 14^th on B and G and back to the 14^th fret on D. Now, play the 12^th on B and G and bend the strings downward, and lick complete!

Western Swing

Our final must learn lick suggestion is a great one for those who want a more jazz and blues inspired country sound. The key to getting the western swing sound right is to start with an upstroke and then play alternate up and down strokes throughout this lick.

Start on the e and play the 8^th, 5^th, 6^th, and 7^th frets, before moving onto the B and playing the 8^th, 7^th, 6^th, and 5^th. Then play the 7^th fret on the G before moving back to the B and playing the 10^th, 7^th, and 8^th frets.

Finish back on the e playing the 8^th, 6^th, 7^th, and then 5^th, before a final 8^th fret on the B to complete this country guitar lick.

History

Most Influential Musicians of the 20th Century

February 17, 2014 admin Leave a comment

The music industry is one where influence is far reaching. Whenever an artist makes it big, they always talk about those that came before them who inspired them and helped them to decide that they wanted to be musicians themselves.

Influential musicians can be found wherever you look in the industry, from legends of rock and roll to famous flamenco guitar players. Here are some of those who did most to influence the musical landscape in the 20^th century.

Jimi Hendrix

As far as guitar playing goes, Jimi Hendrix took everything that the world already knew and understood about playing the guitar, then ripped it up and rewrote exactly what it means to play guitar.

There isn’t a guitarist alive today that doesn’t cite Hendrix as one of their main influences, and the fact that his songs are still among the most iconic in the world tells you everything you need to know.

Ramon Montoya

From one style of guitar to another now; Ramon Montoya is one of the most famous flamenco guitar players and undoubtedly the main who did the most to change the genre in the 20^th century. He was followed by his nephew, Carlos Montoya, who would take the work of his uncle and take it even further to become a huge musical influence in his own right.

John Lennon

In truth, we could probably have put any one of The Beatles here, but in terms of influence on a solo level John Lennon is probably just ahead of everyone else, particularly given the fondness with which he is missed and remembered by music lovers all around the world.

Ironically, it probably wasn’t until pre-Beatles that Lennon truly emerged as a remarkable, giant of a man within the music business, but tracks like Imagine and Merry Christmas (War is Over), along with many, many more, inspired generations that followed and will continue to do so for many years to come.

Elvis Presley

If people were asked to name a musical icon of the 20^th century, the chances are that Elvis Presley would be mentioned. He was one of the first to bring what became known as rock and roll and pop music into the mainstream, and could sing in a variety of styles to the degree that musicians from numerous genres from R&B to rock cite Presley as a huge influence on what they do today.

Nearly 40 years on from his death, Presley still sells huge volumes of records every year.

Guitar Tips

How to Have Fun with Your Acoustic Guitar

February 13, 2014 admin Leave a comment

Whenever you learn to play an instrument, the first thing you want to do is start picking up notes, chords, and eventually songs that enable you to have fun. Many people will start learning with an acoustic guitar, which is perfect for having fun whenever you pick up your instrument. There is also a number of fun and relatively easy songs that you can learn to play, enabling you to pass yourself off as an accomplished player even if you have only been playing for a few weeks.

Here are our favourite fun acoustic guitar songs that we think everyone should be playing.

Hotel California

This classic track from The Eagles is not only one of the most instantly recognisable songs in the world; it is thankfully also a fun and relatively simple track to learn on your acoustic guitar. You’ll also find that, as you can play a world famous song, you can always organise an impromptu sing-a-long whenever you want to.

While Hotel California is a top track, there are many other fun acoustic guitar songs you can learn that aren’t as well known, which will make you stand out as an even more impressive player.

We’re Going to be Friends

Whenever you think about songs by The White Stripes, you probably wouldn’t think about this one. Although Seven Nation Army is probably their best known track and the one most people would play on the guitar, this is a great alternative and a track that most people wouldn’t even have heard of – it is also a natural for acoustic guitar whereas Seven Nation Army just doesn’t sound right. Have fun playing We’re Going to be Friends and impress your own friends by playing something different.

Foundations

Kate Nash probably didn’t go on to achieve the global domination status that many predicted she would when she first arrived on the music scene, but no one can deny she’s been a breath of fresh air for the industry, particularly in the UK.

Foundations was the track that saw Nash breakthrough and is fun and easy to play on acoustic guitar, as well as being another that everyone can sing along with. It isn’t something particularly mainstream that has been played to death, either, meaning it will always have a novelty factor of sorts.

Viva la Vida

This isn’t considered one of Coldplay’s landmark hits despite being one of their best known, but it is great fun to play on the acoustic guitar, particularly as the song itself is relatively basic and relies on other string instruments and drums for its distinct beat. This means that playing it acoustic sounds fresh, fun, and relevant, and something you can play around and experiment with as much as you want to.

Image Author: Flickr / ravijain_92

Guitar Tips

Great Guitar Pieces to Play at Weddings

February 10, 2014 admin Leave a comment

We’ve all been to weddings where the DJ looks and sounds like he’s appeared through a time warp from the 1970’s. We’ve also all been to weddings where a singer or a band has left a lot to be desired. However, you can also keep it simple and have nothing but a solo guitar playing, whether through your reception or during an evening party. Ideas can range from playing Spanish guitar wedding songs to other styles and genres that you and your partner enjoy. It is also a great option if you’re having a themed wedding, too.

What are the best guitar pieces to play at weddings?

Romance Anonimo

This is one of the most beautiful pieces of music in the world and is definitely something you should be thinking of when it comes to Spanish guitar wedding songs. You can have this piece of music playing as a first dance or during your reception, and it might even be something good to play while wedding guests are walking into the church.

Spanish Dance

Keeping with the Spanish guitar wedding songs theme, the Spanish Dance piece of music is something fun and upbeat that everyone will love and recognise. If you have a lot of friends or family members coming to your wedding and they’re not normally the type who are going to get up and dance and get the party started, playing this piece of music is sure to lift the mood and get even the most miserable guests into the swing of things.

Wedding March

The obvious answer this one, but one that not many couples explore. Still, if having the big organ playing isn’t for you, then going for the Wedding March played in classical guitar is definitely something fun and unique that you should consider. Rather than have a recording playing, try and get a guitarist to play live at your wedding venue instead.

Italian Renaissance Style

Although this isn’t a specific song, playing anything in the Italian Renaissance style is a great way to increase the romance value of your wedding. Again, rather than buying a CD to play at your wedding, you should definitely try to find a solo guitarist or even a group that can play in your preferred style.

You may also be able to find a group that can play a variety of styles and songs and bring a real cosmopolitan feel to your wedding.

Image Author: Flickr / Katsunojiri

History

The History of Metal Music

February 6, 2014 admin Leave a comment

Although most people see metal as a relatively new genre, its roots can actually be traced back as far as the 1950s, when power chords and riffs reliant on distortion effects were first introduced. However, metal itself wouldn’t begin to grow or become known until into the 1960s.

Early Metal

Legends of the music industry Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin are most often credited as the founders of the genre, but other bands, including Steppenwolf, are often thrown into the conversation, too.

However, U.S. west coast band Blue Cheer actually recorded the first metal song, which was a January 1968 cover of “Summertime Blues.” The same month also saw the release of Steppenwolf’s debut album that included their signature track, “Born to be Wild.” Despite these being seen as early examples of metal music, it is accepted today that these were widely experimental, and it wasn’t until Led Zeppelin’s 1969 debut and the emergence of Black Sabbath and Deep Purple in 1970 as leaders in the genre that metal was truly born.

Leaning Towards Punk

In the 1970s and 1980s, metal music became unpopular almost as quickly as it had once risen to prominence. Metal during this time became disliked due to its tendency to be over produced and have too much going on, and punk would become loved for its simplicity.

However, bands like Motorhead and Van Halen would enjoy huge success by being able to straddle the two genres.

Later Metal

This traditional metal music is what would become known as ‘heavy metal.’ Throughout the late 1980s and up until the present day, heavy metal has been seen as something of a generic categorisation.

The following subgenres of metal would often be used to describe the type of music a band or artist was producing:

Thrash metal, which was categorized by faster riffs and more aggressive music, was pioneered by bands like Metallica and Megadeth.
Death metal takes musical inspiration from thrash, but uses lyrics associated with Satanism, among other things. Napalm Death and Morbid Angel are recognized as leaders in this genre.
Black metal came from Europe, categorised by growling and almost indecipherable vocals from bands like Cradle of Filth.
Alternative metal is sometimes used to categorize the grunge sound that bands like The Pixies and Nirvana brought into the mainstream in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Nu-metal is a controversial genre, used to group bands such as Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, and Slipknot, who would emerge from the U.S. in the 1990s, although Slipknot in particular are regularly classified as a thrash or death metal band.

Metal Today

Metal remains popular to this day, but is more a combination of genres rather than being out and out metal. Bands like Bullet for My Valentine, Avenged Sevenfold, and Mastodon are widely seen as being the closest to producing what would be considered a metal sound while gaining mainstream exposure.

Image Author: Flickr – Saad Faruque