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Check out Gus G's new Japanese Custom Shop ESP's that he has been playing live in 09'
You can check out the specs at http://www.espguitars.co.jp/artist/gus_g/index.html
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11.19.2009
Gus G's ESP Custom Shop Guitars
Video Guitar Lesson - Rusty Cooley on 12 Note Split Patterns w/tabs
You can get Rustys incredible instructional DVD at The Rock House Store
11.18.2009
Buckethead Signature Les Paul
From his prolific solo work, to his prominent memberships in the supergroup Praxis and rock legends Guns N’ Roses, Buckethead has displayed one of the most fiery creative personas of our times, and has continually affirmed his stance in the upper echelon of contemporary shredders. Equally attention-grabbing as his incendiary chops, Buckethead’s stage show and visual presence remain unique among the rock field, and his Gibson guitars—a white Les Paul in particular—have always been a big part of that. As Gibson continues to roll out the Rocktober action, the Buckethead Signature Les Paul celebrates this unparalleled artist’s achievements. With an oversized, chambered Les Paul body, a marker-less ebony fingerboard, and Buckethead’s choice of Gibson’s contemporary ceramic humbucking pickups—complete with modified electronics and “arcade” style kill switches—this is a Les Paul like none to have come before. It’s primed to get you noticed, and designed for utmost performance for the contemporary rock, metal, and shred performer.
Check out the specs at http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Buckethead-Signature-Les-Paul.aspx
David Ellefson - Rock Shop #23 "Taking It On The Road"
Taking yourself or your band on the road is a critical part of the music business, David discusses some basics of the business after taking The Rock Shop on the road these past few week. David hashes over subjects such as your equipment, learning how to critic your performance and how to stay on top of things going on while on the road.
Catch up on the whole series of "Rock Shop" with David Ellefson at http://www.youtube.com/davidellefson
David's other sites are:
http://www.davidellefson.com/home.aspx
http://www.hailthemasses.com/home.aspx
http://www.myspace.com/davidellefsonofficial
11.17.2009
Are You an Intermediate Guitar Player Yet?
Guitar Intermediate Skills Overview
Are You an Intermediate Player Yet?
(For Electric or Acoustic Guitar)
By John McCarthy
Are You an Intermediate Player Yet?
(For Electric or Acoustic Guitar)
By John McCarthy
Let’s see if you have what it takes to be called an “Intermediate Level Guitarist.” I put the following list together to help you assess where you are as a guitarist. It's more general and is not genre specific so there may be a few things that should be added or taken out if you specialize in one specific style of music. I feel that an intermediate level bassist should be playing for at least one year to be able to gain the knowledge and feel needed to attain this level. If there are a few things you find you are lacking but you still consider yourself at the level I suggest that you work quickly to attain this knowledge.Scales
Minor Pentatonic Scales – You should have these memorized and be able to play them across the neck in all keys
Major Scales – All seven scale positions in all keys
Scale Patterns – Be able to play these scales in patterns of 2’s, 3’s and 4’s forwards and backwards
Techniques
Bending – You should be comfortable bending whole, half and quarter step bends with all four fingers.
Hammer-Ons and Pull_Offs – you should be proficient with these techniques and be able to use them within the scales listed above.
Basic Major and Minor Arpeggios – you should know three major and three minor versions
Chords
Major, Minor, and Dominant Seventh Open Form Chords – small versions located within the first four frets of the guitar usually containing open strings, you should know five voicing of each
Major and minor bar chords – both 6th and 5th string roots, these should be memorized cold across all 12 frets.
Strum Patterns – By now you should be comfortable alternate strumming with varied syncopations. Your arm is relaxed and your motions are smooth.
Theory
Key Signatures of all 15 Keys – You should know the sharps and flats that are in every key this will give you the knowledge to start writing song and creating progressions.
Chord Formulas for Major, Minor, Major 7th and Minor 7th Chords – These formulas can be used on all the 15 keys to learn the notes that make these chords, now you will be able to create your own voicing and fingerings.
The Chromatic Scale – The 12 notes that make up all music KNOW THEM COLD! Starting on any note.
Know the Names of the Notes on the Neck – Be able to play any note on the neck and say its name instantly
Applications
Songs – you should know how to play at least 10 of your favorite songs, rhythm and leads
Lead Guitar – You should have backing tracks that you can use to play the scales listed above over and be able to create basic melodies of your own. I’m not saying you should be ripping it up yet but you should be able to create melodies.
If this sounds like you, then you're on the way to becoming an advanced player.
Now let’s hear some jamming!!!
Rob Balducci - Lick of The Week "Shine"
Rob Balducci's newest "LIck of The Week" is the track Shine From his new CD Violet Horizon. This is a cool track and has a positive vibe to it.
The Rock House Instructor and favored Nations Artist says "The inspiration behind this tune is, we all have people throughout our lives that have an effect on us. I have people who I have met from childhood to now who have a positive effect on me. All of us have special people in our lives. This song is about how there spirit and soul Shine's on you and stays with you throughout your life".
The Rock House Instructor and favored Nations Artist says "The inspiration behind this tune is, we all have people throughout our lives that have an effect on us. I have people who I have met from childhood to now who have a positive effect on me. All of us have special people in our lives. This song is about how there spirit and soul Shine's on you and stays with you throughout your life".
See all of Rob's LOTW at his you tube site www.youtube.com/robbalducci
Chimaira News - New pictures and Resident Evil Trailer
Chimaira is now featured in the latest trailer for Machinim The video company used their song Impending Doom for their new Resident Evil Trailer. Check it below.
There are also some new pictures of the band performing on their “Into The Mouth of Hell We Tour” at
http://www.prophecy21.com/bands/chimaira.html and http://www.metaluniverse.net/compterendu/categories.php?cat_id=2841
News source: http://www.chimaira.com/
Name Freekbass' new project
Freekbass and his new band mates DJ Logic, keyboardist Steve Molitz (Particle, Phil Lesh & Friends) are asking people to "Name the new DJ Logic, Steve Molitz, Freekbass groove project. All ya have to do is Tweet them using the hashtag #logicmolitzfreek or hit DJ Logic and Freekbass directly at twitter.com/projectlogic and/or twitter.com/freekbass. The person whose name is chosen will be on the Lifetime - Guest List to this "yet to be named band's" shows.
11.13.2009
The Weekend Read November 7th - 13st ; Guitar Lessons, Articles and More
The Rock House Blog Weekend Read.
Bring you the best articles from around the web. Articles include guitar lessons, guitar bass guitar news, guitar playing tips and tricks and just some plain old good reading.
Dolphinstreet Guitar Gear Blog - Ok, I admit it, I am lazy. So lazy, that I haven't ever changed strings on my SX acoustic yet... Changing guitar strings
Double Bass Blog - Jason’s wife, Courtney, here. Though I’m not a bassist, I do play alarge instrument (the harp, whose lowest note is the same C as a bass’with a C extension), and as such I feel an affinity for my bass-playing bretheren and hope you’ll indulge me in a guest post...You want me to play…. with those?
Freekbass' Blog - Combining three capsules and four different pattern settings, the Yeti is the ultimate tool for creating amazing recordings, directly to your computer...Yeti USB Mic Is "The World's First THX Certified Microphone"
Fretbase - Have you heard of the classic song Old Black Joe?...Old Black Joe on Martin OM-21 Special (Video)
Guitar Answers - The members at JazzGuitarist.be site have voted and turned in their list of the Top 100 Jazz albums and Top 1o Jazz guitarist.It is interesting to see "who" is popular at the "moment"...Top 100 Jazz Albums and Top 10 Jazz Guitarist List Now At JazzGuitar.be
Guitar Licks - talk about one hell of a hot keyboardist! This is something that you would be exposed to when you witness my old keyboardist friends Tony F or Rick M while sitting on the side of the stage!...Great Balls of Fire
Guitar Noize - Gibson are about to unleash their latest technologically advanced guitar,.. Gibson about to launch Dusk Tiger
Guitarz - Uh-oh! You know you're in for trouble when you see a Tennessee-brand guitar. They are often very wacky instruments, but don't be fooled as the workmanship is shoddy and the instruments themselves are reported to be virtually unplayable...Pointless triple-neck
I Heart Guitar - Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine is going to auction off some of his personal guitars. If anyone wants to show their appreciate for I Heart Guitar by buying me one of these, I won’t be offended, hehe...NEWS: Buy one of Dave Mustaine's personal guitars!
Marks Guitar Blog - One thing that has been progressing is my right hand technique, though. I think it all started when Robert Renman from Dolphinstreet.com came by my studio to visit last December and while playing my guitars sounded totally different than me...How I'm doing at the moment in my own battles and my discovery of "Sarod" picking
Share My Guitar - How does one begin to learn the entire fretboard? This is one of the most common questions posed by students learning the guitar and also one of the first things a good guitar instructor will tell you...Relative Modes: Using the Modes to Learn the Entire Fretboard, Part 1
Strat-O-Blogster - It's that time again! And remember, every year Fender generously provides us with 16 months, so for 4 months you can display two current Custom Shop calendars with different features! Tricky!...2010 Fender Custom Shop Calendar
The Classical Guitar Blog - p i m, Giuliani RH study no. 2. One of the most basic arpeggios, and easy to master...Fun with p i m
The Guitar Buzz - OK… this post is bound to bend the E-Strings of a few guitarists, but for the life of me, I don’t understand the attraction to “relic” guitars...Relic Guitars? What’s The Appeal?
Truth in Shreading - Do you know how a guitar pickup work (I mean, really knows how it works)?...
Magnus Olsson: vibrato the heart of guitar playing?
Epiphone Releases A Limited Roy Orbison 12–String Acoustic Guitar
News Release from www.epiphone.com
Epiphone Guitar announced today the release of the Limited Edition Roy Orbison 12-String Signature Acoustic model. Produced in cooperation with the legendary singer/songwriter Roy Orbison estate, the model is based upon Roy’s own 1962 Epiphone “Bard” 12-string acoustic guitar. Orbison used his original Epiphone acoustic to write and perform many of his most well-known songs including perhaps his biggest hit, “Oh, Pretty Woman.”
“As a young, brilliant guitar player growing up in West Texas, Roy would have never dreamt that he would one day have his own Epiphone signature guitar named after him. Roy wrote ‘Oh Pretty Woman’ on his Epiphone 12-string acoustic which has remained iconic to this day. I hope the next generation of artists will feel inspired to write another great rock-n-roll song thanks to this amazing limited edition tribute to Roy,” said Barbara Orbison, Roy’s wife.
The Epiphone Roy Orbison 12-string is a faithful reproduction of the 1962 Bard with a solid spruce top and hand scalloped bracing. It also features a solid mahogany back, a rosewood 12-string bridge and vintage tuners. As an added touch of authenticity, Epiphone has added the replica of the original blue rectangular sound hole label used during the famous Kalamazoo, MI years. For this limited edition release, the back of the guitar’s headstock includes a replica of Roy Orbison’s signature and the notation for the first measure of the famous song’s introduction riff. Also included is a hard case with Roy’s signature and “sunglass” icon on it, a certificate of authenticity hand signed by Barbara Orbison and Roy’s son Roy Orbison Jr., a black and white photo of Roy with his original Epiphone Bard 12-string, a sunglass lapel pin and a copy of the “Oh Pretty Woman” sheet music. The certificate and photo come in a leatherette presentation binder. The offering of this Limited Edition model gives fans of Epiphone and Roy Orbison an unprecedented opportunity to own a classic, vintage vibe 12 string and a piece of one of the most famous and iconic American singer/songwriters of our time.
In celebration of the launch of the Epiphone Limited Edition Roy Orbison 12-String Acoustic, the guitar maker will be launching worldwide promotions throughout the month of November including the search for the ultimate “Pretty Woman,” and giveaways of Roy Orbison’s signature sunglasses in-store and in-market tied to media promotions and special musical star appearances. From New York to Nashville and from Mumbai to Singapore, Orbison fans will have a chance to celebrate and be part of the famous “Oh Pretty Woman” hit during the month long promotional campaign. For more information on all of the promotional programs go to www.gibson.com or www.epiphone.com. Check your local dealers for a chance to take part in a special one-day Roy Orbison event in-store where fans will have a chance to demonstrate their musical talents on the Roy Orbison model and have a chance to win special prizes.
“As a young, brilliant guitar player growing up in West Texas, Roy would have never dreamt that he would one day have his own Epiphone signature guitar named after him. Roy wrote ‘Oh Pretty Woman’ on his Epiphone 12-string acoustic which has remained iconic to this day. I hope the next generation of artists will feel inspired to write another great rock-n-roll song thanks to this amazing limited edition tribute to Roy,” said Barbara Orbison, Roy’s wife.
The Epiphone Roy Orbison 12-string is a faithful reproduction of the 1962 Bard with a solid spruce top and hand scalloped bracing. It also features a solid mahogany back, a rosewood 12-string bridge and vintage tuners. As an added touch of authenticity, Epiphone has added the replica of the original blue rectangular sound hole label used during the famous Kalamazoo, MI years. For this limited edition release, the back of the guitar’s headstock includes a replica of Roy Orbison’s signature and the notation for the first measure of the famous song’s introduction riff. Also included is a hard case with Roy’s signature and “sunglass” icon on it, a certificate of authenticity hand signed by Barbara Orbison and Roy’s son Roy Orbison Jr., a black and white photo of Roy with his original Epiphone Bard 12-string, a sunglass lapel pin and a copy of the “Oh Pretty Woman” sheet music. The certificate and photo come in a leatherette presentation binder. The offering of this Limited Edition model gives fans of Epiphone and Roy Orbison an unprecedented opportunity to own a classic, vintage vibe 12 string and a piece of one of the most famous and iconic American singer/songwriters of our time.
In celebration of the launch of the Epiphone Limited Edition Roy Orbison 12-String Acoustic, the guitar maker will be launching worldwide promotions throughout the month of November including the search for the ultimate “Pretty Woman,” and giveaways of Roy Orbison’s signature sunglasses in-store and in-market tied to media promotions and special musical star appearances. From New York to Nashville and from Mumbai to Singapore, Orbison fans will have a chance to celebrate and be part of the famous “Oh Pretty Woman” hit during the month long promotional campaign. For more information on all of the promotional programs go to www.gibson.com or www.epiphone.com. Check your local dealers for a chance to take part in a special one-day Roy Orbison event in-store where fans will have a chance to demonstrate their musical talents on the Roy Orbison model and have a chance to win special prizes.
11.12.2009
Video Guitar Lesson - The 7 Modes, From Modes Demystified DVD
In this lesson with John McCarthy, creator of The Rock House Method system of learning he shows you how all 7 modes live within the C Major Scale. This lesson comes from his 2 DVD set Modes Demystified. To get it, go to the Rock House Method Store.
11.11.2009
Rob Balducci - Ibanez Tube Screamer Demo
Rob Balducci has been a long time Ibanez endorser. He recently demoed and put the Ibanez TS808 and TS808HW to the test. Listening to the demo I can certainly see where this pedal could play an important part in helping you find the sound you are looking for whether you are looking for a nice boost in your blues sound or whether you want to chase Rob's sound.
David Ellefson - The Importance of Networking as A Musician
Pick a job, any job and one of the things you find yourself doing either consciously or unconsciously is networking. In the music industry it more important than many realize. In episode of David Ellefson's "Rock Shop", the Rock House Instructor talks about the importance of networking in the music business. It is probably one of the most important videos on advice that David has produced. It's not long but his advice goes a long way.
Catch up on the whole series of "Rock Shop" with David Ellefson at http://www.youtube.com/davidellefson
David's other sites are:
http://www.davidellefson.com/home.aspx
http://www.hailthemasses.com/home.aspx
http://www.myspace.com/davidellefsonofficial
11.10.2009
Win Mick Thomsons Signature Seymore Duncan Blackout™ Pickups
Enter to Win Mick's RigSanta Barbara, CA –Seymour Duncan announces the release of the latest addition to our popular Blackouts Humbucker series; the Blackouts AHB-3 Thomson EMTY. Mick Thomson from Slipknot asked for tighter bottom, and more searing top end cut, and Seymour Duncan delivered with the EMTY, a pulverizing new edition to our Blackouts line. Mick depends on EMTY to execute his completely psychosocial tone that defines the Slipknot sound; because to play extreme metal, you need extreme tone.
To celebrate this new release, Seymour Duncan is giving fans the chance to win Mick Thomson’s signature Ibanez© MTM1 with Mick’s new signature Seymour Duncan Blackouts EMTY installed. Ten second place winners will receive signed sets of EMTY pickups and a host of third place winners get Slipknot or Seymour Duncan swag. To win, contestants need to go to: www.seymourduncan.com/mickblackouts and enter into the drawing. The contest runs to midnight January 31, 2010.
Mick stayed involved every step of the way from the precise wiring configuration to the logo and printing on the pickup including his renowned number seven imprinted right on the side of the casing. Seymour Duncan blackouts EMTY come in both neck and bridge and are available in black plastic or black nickel covers. Pickups come with all necessary mounting hardware, including pots, jack, and a battery clip.
News Release from www.seymourduncan.com
Bass Guitar Basics - To Pick Or To Pluck
....And Understanding The Difference
By Chris McCarvill
How do you decide which way to learn to play? Simple question, but it can have far reaching effects. I’m sure you’ve seen videos of bass players playing with either a pick or with their fingers (which is called ‘plucking’) and wondered what the heck way you should do it. Well, let’s find out a little more about each technique before making up your mind too much, shall we?
You can pick your friends…
Yes, using a pick tends to make people think you’re playing a regular six-string guitar, but it couldn’t be farther from the truth. You’re still a Bass player if you use a pick. Some folks I’ve run into over the years frown on playing bass with a pick, stating it’s “not really playing bass”. Ok, they can have their opinion, but tell that to Chris Squier of Yes, or Duff McKagan of Velvet Revolver. I definitely don’t think of either of those guys as guitar players.
Picks make your sound more edgy. More metallic. Try it. Sandwich a nice heavy pick, (or a quarter if you haven’t got a pick), between your first finger and your thumb and downpick a note on your bass. Don’t worry about technique right now. Just listen. Picks have sharper edges than fingers, so they tend to have a sharper sound.
“Plucking” tends to be more versatile for me, mainly because of the ability to be quieter and louder (dynamic) than with a pick. Some great plucking players to check out are Flea, Jaco Pastorious, Victor Wooten and Jeff Berlin.
Should you make a choice?
No, if you want to progress as a player, there’s a strong argument to understand the sounds and techniques that come from utilizing both a pick or pluck approach. In my own case, I was forced to become proficient with the pick after splitting open one of my fingers while on a tour in South America. I have the pictures, but it’ll make Gene Simmons look like a Disney character. Anyways, I had no choice but to pick up the pick ! This meant a crash course in teaching myself how to use a one and getting familiar with the techniques and different sounds a pick makes.
Here’s 3 basics I learned in about 15 minutes.
* I found you can pick at an angle to the string, which slightly drags the pick across the string, creating a very edgy sound.
* Then there’s flatpicking, which is a way of holding the pick so that the flat surface of it rests flat against the string resulting in a more mellow and precise sound.
* The technique of using a pick makes it very easy to mute across the strings with the side of your picking hand. This sound isn’t easily possible with fingers. You can quickly mute your notes plucking to a similar effect, but the muting string pick sound is pretty cool.
So…what happened back on the tour?
To my surprise, the pick sounded totally great through a large amp in an bigger live stage environment. The sound guy even told me it sounded more defined with a pick than with my fingers. However, it was murder on my right arm and hand because none of the muscles were developed like my finger plucking muscles, and I had to jump in and play with a pick just as hard and for as long as my fingers. Not an easy task. The point here is to be prepared. Practice both techniques. In fact, a great exercise for developing versatility would be to try doing any of the JamPages lessons with both picking and plucking. You’ll be surprised at how different the sounds are as well as the muscles involved. So look forward to a variety of picking and plucking exercises in forthcoming lessons.
I’ve also had several gig situations where I was specifically asked me to use a pick (among some other request…). Generally this is a rock stereotype, that you need to be skinny, use a black Fender bass, must hang the thing as low as you can, sing like a bird and not play above an A on the E string. Of course, you’re expected to use a pick. If you are interested in getting a rock gig at almost any level, adhering to above formula will increase your chances very much. This is not to say that if you don’t do these things you won’t get gigs, only in my experience it sometimes feels like many rock artists expect bass players to follow this formula to the letter. The point? Want a rock gig? My advice, learn to use a pick, even if it’s not what you’re going to use the whole time. Just be able to do it.
As of today, I continue to pluck my garish, green Bass with my fingers, I use a pick when I feel like the song calls for it, while playing all over the neck and wearing it too high for most rock bands. I get rock gigs. You can too. Be yourself. Pick or Pluck? My answer is Yes!
Give ‘em the finger…
I am primarily a plucker. I know from experience that it’s a little awkward to get comfortable plucking bass strings with your fingertips. Once I got used to it, I realized that there are many techniques involved in using your fingers like: Straight plucking, Slapping, Popping, Muting, and Smashing the strings with your fist (STSWYF), and many more that are not practical while using a pick.
You can pick your friends…
Yes, using a pick tends to make people think you’re playing a regular six-string guitar, but it couldn’t be farther from the truth. You’re still a Bass player if you use a pick. Some folks I’ve run into over the years frown on playing bass with a pick, stating it’s “not really playing bass”. Ok, they can have their opinion, but tell that to Chris Squier of Yes, or Duff McKagan of Velvet Revolver. I definitely don’t think of either of those guys as guitar players.
Picks make your sound more edgy. More metallic. Try it. Sandwich a nice heavy pick, (or a quarter if you haven’t got a pick), between your first finger and your thumb and downpick a note on your bass. Don’t worry about technique right now. Just listen. Picks have sharper edges than fingers, so they tend to have a sharper sound.
“Plucking” tends to be more versatile for me, mainly because of the ability to be quieter and louder (dynamic) than with a pick. Some great plucking players to check out are Flea, Jaco Pastorious, Victor Wooten and Jeff Berlin.
Should you make a choice?
No, if you want to progress as a player, there’s a strong argument to understand the sounds and techniques that come from utilizing both a pick or pluck approach. In my own case, I was forced to become proficient with the pick after splitting open one of my fingers while on a tour in South America. I have the pictures, but it’ll make Gene Simmons look like a Disney character. Anyways, I had no choice but to pick up the pick ! This meant a crash course in teaching myself how to use a one and getting familiar with the techniques and different sounds a pick makes.
Here’s 3 basics I learned in about 15 minutes.
* I found you can pick at an angle to the string, which slightly drags the pick across the string, creating a very edgy sound.
* Then there’s flatpicking, which is a way of holding the pick so that the flat surface of it rests flat against the string resulting in a more mellow and precise sound.
* The technique of using a pick makes it very easy to mute across the strings with the side of your picking hand. This sound isn’t easily possible with fingers. You can quickly mute your notes plucking to a similar effect, but the muting string pick sound is pretty cool.
So…what happened back on the tour?
To my surprise, the pick sounded totally great through a large amp in an bigger live stage environment. The sound guy even told me it sounded more defined with a pick than with my fingers. However, it was murder on my right arm and hand because none of the muscles were developed like my finger plucking muscles, and I had to jump in and play with a pick just as hard and for as long as my fingers. Not an easy task. The point here is to be prepared. Practice both techniques. In fact, a great exercise for developing versatility would be to try doing any of the JamPages lessons with both picking and plucking. You’ll be surprised at how different the sounds are as well as the muscles involved. So look forward to a variety of picking and plucking exercises in forthcoming lessons.
I’ve also had several gig situations where I was specifically asked me to use a pick (among some other request…). Generally this is a rock stereotype, that you need to be skinny, use a black Fender bass, must hang the thing as low as you can, sing like a bird and not play above an A on the E string. Of course, you’re expected to use a pick. If you are interested in getting a rock gig at almost any level, adhering to above formula will increase your chances very much. This is not to say that if you don’t do these things you won’t get gigs, only in my experience it sometimes feels like many rock artists expect bass players to follow this formula to the letter. The point? Want a rock gig? My advice, learn to use a pick, even if it’s not what you’re going to use the whole time. Just be able to do it.
As of today, I continue to pluck my garish, green Bass with my fingers, I use a pick when I feel like the song calls for it, while playing all over the neck and wearing it too high for most rock bands. I get rock gigs. You can too. Be yourself. Pick or Pluck? My answer is Yes!
Give ‘em the finger…
I am primarily a plucker. I know from experience that it’s a little awkward to get comfortable plucking bass strings with your fingertips. Once I got used to it, I realized that there are many techniques involved in using your fingers like: Straight plucking, Slapping, Popping, Muting, and Smashing the strings with your fist (STSWYF), and many more that are not practical while using a pick.
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