Today we’re looking at 6 notes, and then taking them for the ride of their life! It’s such an important part of playing to be able to vary a sequence of notes. Usually there are loads of combinations you could do – key, time signature, rhythm, speed, intensity or many other factors.

So first up, here’s the jumble of notes that we’re going to do two very simple variations of.

Picking: down up down up

It’s an absolute monster across the fretboard. It’s essential that your fingers are spaced very widely and evenly apart.

Already there is a variation you could apply – picking. You could try to sweep pick this (one fluent downstroke across all the strings as you apply and remove your fingers), or starting with an up pick, even doing it blindfolded hanging upside down from Parliament house.

The next part of this exercise is alternate picking, but breaking up the notes. So instead of just playing through, you’re going to skip a string, come back one and repeat that pattern.

Lastly, in Fig 3 we can see straight out semiquavers. This beastie is a vicious enemy, don’t take it too fast, keep your alternate picking even and focus on consistency over speed.

Overall, these are very simple variations but it all came from 6 notes. For other variations try simple things such as swinging the beat (long note, short note) or playing it an octave higher starting from the top note first. It’s really your imagination that limits it!

Until next week!

Adrian.

Adrian writes this blog on behalf of www.capalabamusic.com.au, teaches at Learn Music in Brisbane’s Redlands district on a full-time basis, and plays shows with his metalcore band “City in Stone” www.myspace.com/cityinstone.  Not only is Adrian one of Brisbane’s promising and exciting new guitarists he is also a fantastic teacher for all musical styles.

Capalaba Music Centre.  Shop 99 Capalaba Park Shopping Ctr, Capalaba, Brisbane, Australia  07 3245  6033 www.capalabamusic.com.au

Welcome to this week’s somewhat confusing lesson. The words ‘up’ and ‘down’ are going to be thrown a whole lot and it may get a little unbearable and push you into insanity! If that happens, I strongly recommend staying indoors and playing smooth jazz.

Last week we had a glance at a parallel linear pattern (link). I’d mentioned starting on the up pick and following through the rest of the exercise using strict alternate picking. Now of course this will go against your almost natural instinct to pick down to start off with. It’s not wrong but it will leave you having to cross down a string using an UP pick stroke.

If you have a look at Fig 1, you’ll see the same notes on the same strings in the same order. This pretty much should scream “PICKING HAND EXERCISE!” And it is!

Try playing this with a down stroke, and continue by keeping constant with your alternate picking.

Fig 1

DOWN UP DOWN UP – You can see that this is taking you on what could be considered the ‘outside’ of either string.

Now start with an upstroke, and continue by keeping constant with your alternate picking.

UP DOWN UP DOWN – This will put you on the ‘inside’ of both strings.

Try comparing both of those at different speeds and see which one is easier for you! If you find the ‘inside’ approach easier, then this next lick will be a bit of a fun for you!

Fig 2 – Start with an up pick and continue your alternate picking from there

Fig 2

Until next week my feathered friends!

Adrian writes this blog on behalf of www.capalabamusic.com.au, teaches at Learn Music in Brisbane’s Redlands district on a full-time basis, and plays shows with his metalcore band “City in Stone” www.myspace.com/cityinstone.  Not only is Adrian one of Brisbane’s promising and exciting new guitarists he is also a fantastic teacher for all musical styles.

Capalaba Music Centre.  Shop 99 Capalaba Park Shopping Ctr, Capalaba, Brisbane, Australia  www.capalabamusic.com.au

I’m back to show you some more applications of the E major linear scale. Yes, the exact same one I’ve been throwing in your faces so far. I like to think of these scales as express lanes to different positions. Rather than boxing yourself in and playing the same thing over and over…and then over some more.

This lick will love you twice as much if you start it on an upstroke, from there it is important to continue the alternate picking, double check that you’re doing a down pick when you cross to the thinner string! If you’re not quite sure about alternate picking then here’s a brief explanation.

Alternate picking – DOWN UP DOWN UP DOWN UP DOWN UP – Repeat until your housemates want out.
or in this instance – UP DOWN UP DOWN UP DOWN UP DOWN – Repeat until your dog packs up and leaves with your housemates.
Getting back on track now…

I’ve included these two examples of the scale you’re playing before you chop it in to fragments of three.
Fig 2 is the E major linear scale (starting on the second note – F#) and Fig 2a is the E major linear scale starting on the lower string on the C#.

The pattern is simple, and is also simply a pattern! Use it in your own ways!

Enjoy!

Adrian.

Adrian Goleby is a Brisbane based guitar player that specialises in most parts of rock and metal playing. He is influenced strongly by rock and metal bands of the 80’s and instrumental guitarists all over the world. At the age of 14 years old he began working at playing songs that he had learnt on previous instruments when he, much like other players his age, discovered rock.  The old big band saxophone tunes were never seen again.

Adrian writes this blog on behalf of www.capalabamusic.com.au, teaches at Learn Music in Brisbane’s Redlands district on a full time basis, and plays shows with his metalcore band “City in Stone” www.myspace.com/cityinstone.  Not only is Adrian one of Brisbane’s promising and exciting new guitarists he is also a fantastic teacher for all musical styles.

Capalaba Music Centre.  Shop 99 Capalaba Park Shopping Ctr, Capalaba, Brisbane, Australia  www.capalabamusic.com.au

Todays lesson focuses on alternate picking for guitar.

Good day fellow string touchers!

On this merry day we shall be discovering the art of Alternate Picking. Alternate picking is an important part of any guitar players’ arsenal; if you can’t do it properly you may be pelted nightly with tomatoes.

This lick is once again based on our E Major linear scale but can easily be thrown onto another string and still sound great. If you don’t know the E Major linear scale, follow this link to have a peek:  Guitar Clinic – Tapping lick No 1

In Fig. 1 we have established that we will indeed be playing notes, a lot of them. Don’t be confused by the jumbled numbers because there is a pattern,  Fig. 2 has arrows pointing to where each pattern is starting.

Make sure your right hand isn’t picking too fast for your fretting hand or else you’ll end up with a mess of … Something.  Let yourself experiment with pick attack and discover the differences harder and softer picking can do to the sound of your guitar.

And remember:

PICK DOWN PICK UP x infinity.

Until next week…

Adrian.

A little info about Adrian Goleby…

Adrian Goleby is a Brisbane based guitar player that specialises in most parts of rock and metal playing. He is influenced strongly by rock and metal bands of the 80’s and instrumental guitarists all over the world. At the age of 14 years old he began working at playing songs that he had learnt on previous instruments when he, much like other players his age, discovered rock.  The old big band saxophone tunes were never seen again.

Adrian writes this blog on behalf of www.capalabamusic.com.au, teaches at Learn Music in Brisbane’s Redlands district on a full time basis, and plays shows with his metalcore band “City in Stone” www.myspace.com/cityinstone.  Not only is Adrian one of Brisbane’s promising and exciting new guitarists he is also a fantastic teacher for all musical styles.

Capalaba Music Centre.  Shop 99 Capalaba Park Shopping Ctr, Capalaba, Brisbane, Australia  www.capalabamusic.com.au

One of the best musical instruments that man has ever created is the guitar. It is a fact, that more than 65% of Americans know how to play the guitar. Learning how to play the guitar is as easy as 1-2-3 and for this reason so many people can play this excellent instrument. All that is required is some interest, determination, and the love for music, in order for anyone to learn how to manipulate a few strings.

It is believed by many experts that learning how to play the guitar depends entirely on the type of guitar that is being used. It is suggested by such experts that in order to learn how to play the guitar correctly, in as short time as possible, it is beneficial to use a good quality guitar.

It would like to be believed, by many people that, all guitars are in fact the same, as they have similar attributes. However, it is simply not suitable to assume this. This is because guitars are not created in an equal manner. Each kind of guitar owns it very own distinctions and differences.

Listed below are some tips for purchasing a guitar, for those individuals who are not yet familiar with the way in which to choose the correct guitar.

1. Determine Your Budget First

Most guitars are relatively expensive, as they are not made of second-hand class materials.

By firstly determining your budget, you will be aware of exactly how much money can be spent on a guitar. It is not always a good idea to settle for a cheap guitar, especially those which are less than $200. Therefore a budget is necessary.

2. Know What Style Of Guitar You Require

You can easily determine what kind of guitar you wish to purchase, by having the knowledge of what type of music you wish to play. If you are interested in acoustic music, for example, then an acoustic guitar would be the correct item to purchase. And the correct guitar to purchase, if you are interested in jazz, would be an arch top guitar.

3. Know Your Level of Expertise

If you still consider yourself to be a beginner, but would however like to personally own a guitar, then it would be in your best interest to purchase an electric guitar, as it will provide an easier manipulation of the strings.

4. Have Some Knowledge of the Store

Under no circumstances should you purchase a guitar from just anywhere that you see one for sale. It is always advised to make the purchase from a quality shop or store. By doing this, the quality of the guitar will be assured, plus it is easier if the guitar should need any repairs or additional services.

Playing a guitar is a much easier task than going out and purchasing one. However, it is essential that you keep in mind at all times when purchasing a guitar that, it is not only a good investment for your money, but also a great investment for your skill. As is stated by many, a good guitar creates good music.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Sinclair

Capalaba Music Centre

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Tapping Lick No1 – 15-May-2010

Good day fellow string touchers! Today we’ll be looking at a useful tapping lick that will trick your neighbours into thinking you’re breaking the light and sound barriers.

This particular lick is based on the E Major linear scale (Fig. 1) and can be easily translated across all 6 strings. A small amount of tapping knowledge is needed to nail this sucker right off the drawing board. But for those of you who are new to tapping territory need not panic.       Tapping is all about pointing at your frets, really hard! Every other note in this exercise is a result of a hammer on or a pull off. You can give your pick to your soon to be impressed  audience for this one

Fig 1

The ‘T’ over each number 12 means tap. So tap-tap-tap it in! It’s important that the tapped note has the same rhythm as the rest of the notes, don’t rush it!

Keep a powerful wide stretch by lowering your thumb on the back of the neck, You’ll need it to continue the pull offs down the neck and to keep your hammer ons back up sounding even too.

Fig 2

Fig 3

Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 all use the same fingerings – 1st finger on your lowest sounding note and 4th finger on the highest sounding note that isn’t being tapped. (keep that stretch wide!)

Combine all these licks to make an E major bonanza.

More fun riffs and licks next week – stay tuned folks!!!

A little info about Adrian Goleby…

Adrian Goleby is a Brisbane based guitar player that specializes in most parts of rock and metal playing. He is influenced strongly by rock and metal bands of the 80’s and instrumental guitarists all over the world. At the age of 14 years old he began working at playing songs that he had learnt on previous instruments and when much like other players his age discovered rock.  The old big band saxophone tunes were never seen again.

Adrian writes this blog on behalf of www.capalabamusic.com.au and teaches at Learn Music in Brisbane’s Redlands district on a full time basis and plays shows with his metalcore band “City in Stone” www.myspace.com/cityinstone.  Not only is Adrian one of Brisbane promising and exciting new guitarists he is also a fantastic teacher for all musical styles.

Capalaba Music Centre.  Shop 99 Capalaba Park Shopping Ctr, Capalaba, Brisbane, Australia  www.capalabamusic.com.au

So you’ve decided to enter the exciting world of home recording? Congratulations, you’re about to start a rewarding journey that will bring you plenty of fun and maybe even fame and fortune. So the question is, “how do you get started?” I wrote this article to answer some of the most common questions I get about the home recording basics.

The Recording Process

Let’s start with an overview from start to finish. Your sound originates from a sound source. This can be from vocals, a guitar, drums, etc. Next, the sound is converted into an electrical impulse that can be read by your mixer and recorder. The mixer will allow you to combine the impulses and make adjustments. The recorder will store these signals. Now you can use signal processors to make all kinds of cool adjustments to your tracks, including chorus, pitch shifting, reverb and more. Once you’re satisfied, the final product can be rendered to an audio file and released to the world!

What Equipment Will You Need?

If you’re thinking, “mixers, recorders, mics, signal processors… how am I going to afford all this?” Don’t worry; technology has given us some inexpensive options here. After all, most of us start recording from home to avoid expensive pro studio time.

One option is to use recording software like pro tools, logic, cakewalk, etc. These programs combine the mixer, recorder, signal processors and more. Another option is to get a studio-in-a-box (SIAB). This is a physical piece of gear that also combines the vital components.

You will need to purchase a good microphone and some monitor speakers to listen to your work. Overall, start with the essentials and let your studio grow with your abilities.

Where to setup your studio?

Ideally, you would have a dedicated space, a way to isolate vocals, sound deadening material, and so on. My advice is to not stress about this too much in the beginning. Find a spot where outside noise is at a minimum and start recording. As you get comfortable and your ears “tune-in” you’ll get an idea of what you need to do acoustically.

Most importantly, experiment and have fun!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_P_Sloan

www.capalabamusic.com.au

Any amateur band will know the dread of facing neighbours after rehearsals. No matter how much you try to soundproof the garage or lounge room, those who live nearby inevitably find themselves part of an impromptu audience – and not always with good grace.

The options for practice outside the studio have been limited, ranging from acoustic rehearsals to attempting to route everything through an amp and somehow share the experience with headphones.

The market, it seems, was screaming out for a quiet solution that didn’t mute the music – and American company BreezSong answered the call with a range of JamHub electronic “silent rehearsal studios”.

Perhaps “silent” is a bit of an exaggeration unless you’re a purely instrumental band, because the vocals are also fed through the hub via microphones.

What’s in the box?

The GreenRoom is JamHub’s mid-range offering, sitting between the BedRoom and the TourBus. The main differences are the number of band members who can use the hub: five in the case of the BedRoom and seven for the GreenRoom and TourBus; and recording options, which increase up the range.

The GreenRoom, which is packed in a very large thin box, consists of a mixing hub, a power supply and a SoleMix remote unit.

How does it work?

The GreenRoom is essentially a collection of personalised mixing desks joined together in a single unit. Each player gets a dedicated section of the hub – colour-coded and numbered; and this model can accommodate up to seven players.

Each personal hub has an instrument input where you plug in your guitar, keyboard, electronic drums and microphone. There’s also a headphone socket to listen to the mix. The volume is controlled on the panel, where you can also adjust the input levels and panning. But not only can each player control their own volume, they can also control the volume of all the other players in their own personal mix. So, if you’re a bass player and you want to turn up the drums and turn down the lead the guitar, you can adjust each of those – without affecting the levels anyone else hears. And that’s the real beauty of the JamHub system. It would be almost impossible using any other solution to gain that level of personal control over the mix you hear without affecting what everyone else hears.

The direct feeds are reproduced with excellent quality and in its default setting, the sound may in fact be too clean. So the JamHub master control includes a range of effects – delays, reverbs, flangers, etc – to recreate different environments and enhance the feel. These effects only apply to the microphone inputs since most electronic instruments already have access to FX (either inbuilt or via external boxes), and again, each player can control the effects levels from their individual “panels”.

Clearly, some instruments are perfect for the JamHub devices. Electric guitars, electric bass, keyboards and synths already send out electronic signals, so they can be used straight out the box. Drums are a different story. Electronic drums also plug straight in, but acoustic drums will need to be “miked” up. In essence, this defeats one of the aims of the device since the jam will no longer be silent. But the JamHub is not a one-trick pony, and it’s not only about reducing noise. It’s also about control, and even with drums thrashing in the background, other players can still control the mix in their headphones – and can still concentrate on perfecting their performance.

Another powerful application is recording, and here the GreenRoom works like a classic mixing desk, combining the individual inputs into a single output. The GreenRoom version of the hub has two output options – analogue via a 1/4” jack or digital via USB. The first allows you to record a stereo mix through the line-in on any recording device, while the latter allows for digital recordings direct to computer. And another great feature is that the final output mix can be different from all the individual player mixes – and is not affected by the settings chosen by each musician.

The verdict

The JamHub GreenRoom is a convenient and powerful practice aid which helps keep the noise down without compromising on performance energy. It is versatile, allowing each player to personalise what they hear without affecting anyone else’s sound experience.

The system works best with electric and electronic instruments, although microphones can be used for acoustic guitars, drums and, of course, vocals. And to get the most out of the JamHub, all players will need a decent set of headphones.

Players should love the JamHub – but probably not as much as the neighbours!

Fact Box:

JamHub GreenRoom

21 audio channels for up to 7 musicians

7 XLR and 7 TRS input jacks

1 SoleMix remote included, four jacks available

Built-in 24-bit stereo effects

Phantom power (+48V)

Recording via 1/4” jack (analogue) or digital USB

RRP: Bedroom: $649AUD; GreenRoom: $999AUD; TourBus: $1,399AUD.

The Jam hub is now in stock at Capalaba Music Centre.  Call us on 07 3245-6033

www.capalabamusic.com.au

Great news!!!! With our fantastic friends at Learn Music we will be presenting a number of HOT workshops at our store in Capalaba.   Presented by experienced industry professional and music teacher of many years, Shayne Browne (Learn Music), the first of the workshops will be on Guitar Maintenance.  I’ll let you know more information shortly.   We’ll have room for between 10 to 20 people in the workshops to give everyone a really personalized experience.

If you are interested in knowing more about what’s coming up in the store, go to www.capalabamusic.com.au and register your details with us.  You’ll also go in to the draw to WIN an Ashton Rhythm VX Digital Drum Kit worth $599.

bye for now.

Russ Tatlow

Russ Tatlow

Fender News:Pickups: Bucking the Hum.