The Weekend Read for May 28th - Guitar Articles, Lessons and More

The weekend read for May 28th is a good list of guitar related articles on guitar lessons, gear reviews and news that I found from our blog roll. Be sure to check out the Rock House Lesson for this week Guest Post - Beginner's Guitar Lesson to Fingerpicking From guitarfriendly.net

Desafinados - (Use your web browsers translator)Greg Howe has published an article on String Skipping in its column of Premier Guitar. In the lesson it explains the benefits of the enfatización of notes that do not belong to the agreed one but they equip that it with color, with the aim of expanding agreed/arpegio basic with the inclusion of extensions...Greg Howe: String Skipping with colorful

Double Bass Blog - More cool stuff to do this summer–now’s the time of year when this news starts really piling up in my blog inbox. It’s from the International Society of Bassists E-Bass Line...Stanford Jazz Workshop this summer

Fretbase - apparently I’m not alone in splitting (and sharing) my time between baseball and guitar...Baseball Players That Also Play Guitar

Guitar Noize - Today is the first in what I hope will be a series of many guitar lessons that focus on techniques of various influential guitar players. To start the series I have chosen my biggest influence when I first picked up the electric guitar back in 1988, Eddie Van Halen...In The Style Of: Eddie Van Halen Part 1 - Tremelo Picking and Wide Vibrato

I Heart Guitar - I was psyched when the Aguilar Octamizer drifted across my desk. Aguilar best known for their bass amplification, but they produce a pedal range consisting of three models: the Tone Hammer preamp/direct box; the TLC Compressor, and the Octamizer Analog Octave...REVIEW: Aguilar Octamizer octave pedal

Mark McGuigan Musicians Blog - When I was in high school I thought that practicing was just playing music over and over and over again until I magically got it right. My first guitar lesson in college proved me wrong...What is practicing?

Rock Guitar Life - I’ve been in a swirly sounds Leslie speaker mood for a while now. I’ve copped some convincing Leslie sounds out of my old Zoom Chorus pedal. I went on a cheap faux Leslie Beer Can Leslie binge...Beer Can Leslie

Share My Guitar - The hard driving sound of a rock and roll guitar riff is unmistakable. However, there are so many styles and sounds of rock guitar. Each one has its own signature. For the amateur player, getting a good rock guitar tone is not easy...Getting A Good Rock Guitar Tone

The Classical Guitar Blog - A fret dot allows you to avoid using whiteout or another semi-permanent alternative. I recently put one in both my new Michael Thames guitar as well as Chris’ new Thames. Here is what you will need...How to Install a Fret Dot

The Philosopher Of The Future - The truth is, the music industry has been vastly transformed by these technical innovations. The line between the major label artist and the independent hobbyist has been blurred...The Impact of YouTube on the Performing Arts Industry

Tone Freq - Tone Freq's Daily Pedal: EVH Flanger by MXR

True Fire - Virtuoso acoustic wizard and fingerstyle master, Sparks presents Fingerstyle Roots, Rags & Blues, an insightful exploration of Early Americana Roots music and intensive fingerstyle study program for intermediate and advanced students...“Mississippi Blues”

Truth in Shreading

Jemsite

Have a Rockin' Weekend

Sarge

Jackson Guitars - 30th Anniversary RR5FR Rhoads

As the Bloodline celebrates its 30th sonically sinister year, Jackson is very proud to unveil a very special limited edition model of the guitar that started it all, specifically designed and decorated to commemorate the occasion—the 30th Anniversary RR5FR Rhoads.

Only 150 of these guitars have been made—30 apiece in five different combinations of colors and Jackson 30th anniversary graphics (black with red, gold or white graphics; white with black or red graphics). Each of the five versions is hand-numbered 1 through 30 on the back of the headstock.

A formidable instrument in its own right, the RR5FR arms the famous asymmetrical V-shaped body of the Rhoads with a rock maple through-body neck, compound-radius rosewood fingerboard, a pair of DiMarzio® Tone Zone™ pickups, a Floyd Rose® double-locking tremolo, black hardware and a Jackson guitar case.

Jackson began in 1980 with the slashing form of what would become the Rhoads guitar sketched on paper by the great Randy Rhoads himself. Now, three decades later, the limited edition 30th Anniversary RR5FR Rhoads pays homage to the very heart from which the Bloodline pumps—Randy Rhoads.

From left, the 30th Anniversary RR5FR Rhoads in black with red graphics, black with yellow graphics, black with white graphics and white with red graphics.

More info at http://www.jacksonguitars.com

Gibson Guitar Introduces The Les Paul Standard 2010 Limited

Les Paul, Gibson and the Les Paul guitar have always been about innovation. Now, Gibson Guitar, the world’s premiere musical instrument manufacturer and leader in music technology, is bringing the innovation of Robot Guitar tuning technology to the classic Les Paul model with the release of the Les Paul Standard 2010 Limited. With a legacy as one of the most versatile electric guitars available, the new Les Paul knocks versatility right off the charts, courtesy of Gibson USA. 

With Robot Guitar automated tuning capabilities, two different but seminal magnetic pickups, a piezo-loaded bridge, and Chameleon Tone Technology courtesy of its Master Control Knob (MCK), the Les Paul Standard 2010 Limited packs a dizzying array of sonic capabilities, all primed to unlock your inner creative potential. From the raw, biting crunch of a hot, chrome-covered, hum-canceling P-90H in the neck position and the sizzling wail and punch of an overwound BurstBucker 3 in the bridge, to the subtle acoustic response of its piezo bridges saddles — and any conceivable blend of the three, accessed instantly from the MCK — the Les Paul Standard 2010 Limited really does pack all the tonal colors of the rainbow. And to keep it all sounding true, Gibson’s exclusive Robot Technology puts you perfectly into tune in seconds at the push of a button, or shifts you into any of a countless number of open and alternate tunings, all accessed at your command. Technology aside, it’s a top-flight Les Paul in the traditional sense, too, yet with a plethora of custom upgrades befitting its Limited status. Constructed with a Grade-AA flamed maple top, Grade-A chambered mahogany back, and one-piece mahogany neck, the Les Paul Standard 2010 Limited offers classic Les Paul tonewoods, combined with a look that’s exclusive to this run of only 400 guitars.

A unique new Fireball finish with dark ’burst edges graces its top, while its back, neck and sides are dressed in a deep Vintage Sunburst with a dark cherry center and dark edges. Like several of Gibson USA’s models of years past, the Les Paul Standard 2010 Limited’s fast, slim ’60s profiled neck carries a dark Grade-A ebony fingerboard with block inlays, while its headstock wears a chrome truss rod cover and a Les Paul designation. Quite simply, there has never been a Les Paul like it — and once they are gone, there never will be again.

All Les Paul Standard 2010 Limited’s include an owner’s manual, two batteries and an independent charger, and come protected in a Limited Edition plush-lined, white, hardshell case with plated emblem. MSRP $6,009.
For more information on the Les Paul Standard 2010 Limitied http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Les-Paul-Standard-2010-Limited.aspx , please visit or www.gibson.com

Gibson Guitars Unveils The 50TH Anniversary 1960 ES-335TD

Press Release:

Gibson Custom has unveiled the 50th Anniversary 1960 ES-335TD. The original ES-335TD (“TD” for “thinline, double-pickup”) was a raging hit simply because it addressed so many different guitarists’ needs in one new design. The arched top and f-holes appealed to jazz and dance-band players who were still attached to the look of traditional Gibson “jazz boxes”, but who appreciated advancements such as a thinline, double-cutaway body. The maple centerblock that ran from neck tenon to end pin reduced feedback and provided the sharper, snappier tone that rock and roll and country players demanded, and also enabled the use of Gibson’s solid new Tune-o-matic bridge and stop-bar tailpiece pairing, which further aided tone and sustain. In one form or another, the ES-335TD (and its siblings, the ES-345 and ES-355) would land in the hands of Eric Clapton, Alvin Lee, Chuck Berry, B.B. King, Larry Carlton, and countless other groundbreaking guitarists. Gibson Custom has commemorated this classic with the release of the 50th Anniversary 1960 ES-335TD.

In the late 1950s, Gibson was boldly pushing the envelope on electric guitar design. The effort resulted in several models that were just too far ahead of their time to sink in with players of the day—the Flying V and Explorer being cases in point — and were gone from the catalogue by 1960. The ES-335 however was an instant classic, embraced by blues, rock, country and jazz players the world over. By 1960, this model was really hitting its stride though it was certainly a year of transition for the iconic model.

In the beginning of 1960, the ES-335TDs were built to the same specs as the 1959 versions and were offered in only Natural and Sunburst finishes. By about midyear, neck specs began to change to a thinner and more elliptical feel and ultimately, production of the Natural ES-335TD would cease and the Cherry finish would take its place in the latter part of the year. It is this later version that many argue the 1960 ES-335TD’s features had settled into their optimum form. With a fast new neck profile, striking new “insert” or “reflector” tone and volume knobs, the ES-335TD still retained early-spec details such as the dot fingerboard inlays, a kind of “Mickey Mouse” double cutaway profile, full-length maple centerblock, and nickel-plated hardware that players have long seen as indicative of the model’s zenith. 

All these and more are brought back to life in the Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1960 ES-335TD, a reincarnation of one of the most legendary semi-hollow electric guitar of all time, handcrafted by Gibson Custom’s Memphis division to celebrate the model’s “golden anniversary”. For this celebration, Gibson Custom is offering the later 1960 “fast neck profile” version, the most unique of the year, and is available in Antique Vintage Sunburst, Antique Faded Cherry or Antique Natural finish, all aged in Gibson’s acclaimed VOS (Vintage Original Specs) process, and loaded with period-correct hardware including “insert” volume and tone knobs, double band tuners and a pair of accurate PAF-style 57 Classic humbucking pickups.

Additionally the neck features a holly head veneer, tortoise shell side dot material and has been completely re-tooled with accurate truss rod channel depth and profile based on scans by the Gibson Custom Shop Engineering Team. The Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1960 ES-335TD is the closest today’s player can come to obtaining the look, feel and tone of an original dot-neck 1960 ES-335TD, short of remortgaging the house and sinking the kids’ college fund on the venture.

With its historically accurate tonewoods, electronics, and hardware, the Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1960 ES-335TD packs all the tonal versatility of the original, and proves once again why the design has remained a favorite of guitarists from every genre of music since its introduction half a century ago. All Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1960 ES-335TDs come with a silk screened Gibson Custom Shop hardshell case, a Certificate of Authenticity and a full complement of “how to” literature.

For more information on the Gibson Custom 50th Anniversary 1960 ES-335TD, please visit
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/ES/Gibson-Custom/50th-Anniversary-1960-ES-335TD.aspx or www.gibson.com

Guest Post - Beginner's Guitar Lesson to Fingerpicking From guitarfriendly.net

This weeks lesson is a guest post from Brett at guitarfriendly.net. It's a cool lesson for someone wanting to learn about fingerpicking in particular "Travis picking", so grab your guitar sit back and learn some good basics about finger style picking.

Beginner's Guitar Lesson to Fingerpicking

Fingerpicking as a style originated in the late 1800s and early 1900s from southern American blues guitarists as a way to mimic ragtime piano. While classical composers who played guitar in the 18th century provided some basis for the fingerpicking style, fingerpicking should not be confused with any style of guitar that uses fingers to pluck the strings. Fingerpicking distinguishes itself by simultaneously providing a melody over a consistent bass-string accompaniment. Folk, country, jazz, blues, and pop music styles often utilize the fingerpicking style.

One fingerpicking style is known as "Travis picking," which is named after Merle Travis. In this fingerpicking style, the thumb and fingers are both used to pluck the strings. 

In this guitar lesson, we're going to learn a basic, but extremely versatile Travis fingerpicking pattern. 

Hand Position

For this style, a correct fingerpicking hand position will use your thumb, index, middle and ring fingers for picking. Your thumb will pluck the low E string, A string, and D string, while your index finger will pluck the G string, your middle finger will pluck the B string, and your ring finger will pluck the high E string.

There will be times where your fingers will pluck other strings, but this should work as a base fingerpicking position. 

You'll also want to make sure your hand is relaxed as possible. Your wrist should not be bent or twisted as it lays across the top of the strings. Any tension will limit your speed, endurance, and accuracy as a fingerpicker.

Refer to the following picture for the correct fingerpicking position:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, you're utilizing four of your fingers. A common mistake is to start fingerpicking with only using your thumb and index finger. This isn't completely bad, but you'll be much more thankful down the road if you learn this correct position, because you'll be able to do a lot more with it.

Let's Learn a Fingerpicking Pattern

We're going to learn an "Inside-Out" fingerpicking pattern. Let's first learn this over a C major chord. 

You're going to first pluck the 3rd fret of the A string, which is a C note, with your thumb. Generally when we are fingerpicking, we will want to pluck the root of the chord (in this case it is C) first. Then, we will pluck the open G string with our index finger. Then, we will pluck the 2nd fret of the D string, which is an E note, with our thumb. Lastly, we'll pluck the 1st fret of the B string, which is a C note, with our middle finger. 

C major chord

At first, start very slow. It may take you awhile for your fingers to adjust, build strength, and to build speed. Speed will come as you become more comfortable. Do not try to force speed. You'll also want to count out loud so you are fingerpicking in time. This pattern is played in duple meter and each note gets an eighth note. So you will want to count out 1 & 2 & where on each count you should be playing a different note.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you begin to get more comfortable with this pattern, let's throw in a chord change. Let's continue to use the "inside-out" fingerpicking pattern to play an E minor chord.

E minor chord

You'll notice that the fingerpicking position doesn't change much from the C chord except that you are plucking the low E string with your thumb first, and then you are alternately skipping over with your thumb to pluck the 2nd fret of the D string, which is the E note, on beat two. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fingerpicking an E minor chord is close to fingerpicking a G major chord. Check it out.

G major chord

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you've learn a C major chord, E minor chord, and a G major chord, give yourself a bit of a challenge and try to learn a D major chord.

For a D major chord, we'll utilize our ring finger. So the pattern will look like so.

D major chord

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feels different doesn't it? Again, you'll want to start slow and take your time with each chord. It gets much easier as you go on, but you gotta be able to walk before you can run. 

As you get comfortable with each chord, try switching between chords, but while also staying in time. This will be a good challenge, and if you can switch without missing a beat, you'll be able to play a lot of songs with just these four chords. One song I can think of off the top of my head is Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver. 

Do I need to grow out my fingernails? 

Some guitar players will grow out their finger nails to achieve more control and better dynamics with their picking. Often those who use their fingernails will be able to produce a bit of a brighter sound with a bit more of a sharper attack. Those who just pick with the ends of their fingers will usually produce a warmer and more mellow sound. Either way is not bad, it just depends what type of sound you want. 

Fingerpicking requires a lot of control and coordination, but as you take your time and work on consistently striking each note and in time, you will be able to build up the speed, control, dynamics, accuracy, and endurance that'll make you an excellent fingerpicker. 

 

 

 

Brett McQueen is recently basking in the glory of completing his studies in music and theology at university. In the unsettling freedom of currently not having a steady job, he is a worship leader, musician, songwriter, and blogger. Brett is passionate about teaching free guitar lessons for beginners so other people can succeed and reach their goals as musicians and artists.

Alex Skolnick - New Website and Blog

Rock House Instructor Alex Skolnick announced that he has launched a new web site. The new site will host Skolnick's ever popular blog SkolNotes as well as links to his bands Testament, The Alex Skolnick Trio and appearances with Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Lamb Of God and The Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

The Multi-talented guitarist stated on his blog, " Its going to be a much better system having the blog contained within our own website. You'll be able to comment on the new blog and have individual threads as well. We don't have all your old comments synced to the new blog yet, but that's being worked on. There are also some new features being tweaked for the new site, its not complete yet, but it was time to get it up and running".

Check the new web site at http://www.alexskolnick.com.

Rock House's Anthony Lawrence Looking For Website Creator

We love it when things are going good for one of our own. Rock House's Anthony Lawrence's band Inpuria is finding very good success and gaining in popularity. In fact so much that they have decided to dive deep and fast into the cyber world.

In a recent message post on Anthonys Facebook he stated, "My Band Impuria needs artwork done for a logo, concept art for: t-shirts, an E.P., a full length record, and online related things (flash included). Website creation/maintaining and redesigning our current myspace into a boss myspace also a necessity. If you have these skills or want to take a stab at the art section, message me a.s.a.p".

You can send Anthony a message on his Facebook at  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=608440743 or shoot him an email at anthony@rockhousemethod.com

Rock House Member Quizzes Updated

Rock House quiz tech Anthony Lawrence has just updated the quizzes in the members area. Take the test and check out your knowledge of what you have learned with the product you have from Rock House.

Link: Rock House Quizzes

Rob Balducci's Lick Of The Week - Chord Melody of "Yesterday"

Rob Balducci is doing something a little different this week. He is playing a chord melody to the Beatles tune "Yesterday" . Rob says, "this sort of playing is not really my cup of tea, or like I said Tea Baggin it lol... but it is cool to experiment with this type of playing. I use this sort of thing on my song called Of The Earth from The Color Of Light. I also did a cover of a Santana song using this type of thing". 

Hit Rob up at his site http://www.robbalducci.com

Kiko Lourreiro and Angra - 2010 "Back to Life Tour" (South America)

Rock House Instructor Kiko Lourreiro and his band ANGRA are continuing to work on 7th seventh full length CD at Norcal Studios. They have also been booking tour dates for a 2010 "Back to Life Tour”. The concerts confirmed so far will take place in São Paulo (SP), Itapira (SP), Campinas (SP) and Barra do Garças (MT), besides the ones that had already been booked before in Guarulhos (SP) and Bogota (capital of Colombia).

Check Kiko's site for upcoming additional dates to the tour. http://www.kikoloureiro.com.br/

05.06.2010	Angra's New Tour Motorcycle do Araguaia	Barra do Garças/MT - Brazil
26.06.2010	Angra's New Tour Clube Santa Fé	Itapira/SP - Brazil
27.06.2010	Angra's New Tour Teatro Metro	Bogota - Colombia
16.07.2010	Angra's New Tour Mart Center (Anime Friends Festival)	São Paulo - Brazil
18.07.2010	Angra's New Tour Rancho - Av. Guarulhos, 2212	Guarulhos/SP - Brazil
31.07.2010	Angra's New Tour Campinas Hall	Campinas/SP - Brazil

Gus G. to guest on new Kamelot CD

Press release from www.kamelot.com:

Guitar phenom Gus G (Ozzy, Firewind) has added his signature style and soloing to one of Kamelot"s new songs that will appear on the band"s upcoming CD.

"Gus and I have been talking about working together for a few years now, I first met Gus when Dream Evil played with us on the Japanese Tour in a few years back. Since then Gus" band Firewind has toured with us in Europe and Japan and we have become great friends. I have always thought Gus" style was very special and very unique, its really great to have him on the new album!" states Thomas

Gus G. adds" "Kamelot is a very unique band with a sound of their own and I"ve always liked them. To be invited to play on their new album is an honor and jamming on their track was a lot of fun. During the time our bands toured Japan and all over Europe together, Thomas and I became good friends. I have great memories from being on the road with the guys and I"m glad I contributed to their new album."

HEAVY METAL’S ‘BIG FOUR’ MOVIE THEATER EVENT ON JUNE 22nd

Press Release from www.thebigfourlive.com

The “Big Four”, Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax are bringing their historic European tour to the global stage by beaming the event via satellite to movie theaters around the world in a special HD cinematic event. These four legendary acts broke out of the underground thrash movement in the 1980’s to dominate the metal world, selling millions of records and packing arenas across the globe. Despite huge demand, these musical giants have never shared the same stage until now. The legendary June 22nd concert from the tour’s stop of the Sonisphere Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria will air the same day in 450 theaters in over 140 markets in the U.S., as well as beamed into theaters in Europe, Canada and Latin America. Delayed screenings are planned in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. Tickets for “The Big Four:  Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax” go on sale starting today Friday, May 21st in the U.S. and internationally starting Friday, May 28th at participating theater box offices and at www.thebigfourlive.com, where fans can also view the event cinema trailer.

 

In December 2009, the bands announced that they would be joining forces to take part in the traveling Sonisphere Festival for only 7 shows across Europe. Now, this one-time only event from the Sofia show makes it possible for fans far and wide to participate in what otherwise is a very limited run of dates. The high-definition concert presentation will memorialize the event and the impact will be amplified globally with the cinema screenings, making the dreams of fans around the world over become a reality.

 

Lars Ulrich of Metallica says of this historic announcement, "Who would have thought that more than 25 years after its inception, thrash metal's Big Four would not only still be around, be more popular than ever, playing shows together at stadiums all over Europe, and on top of that, coming to a movie theater near you in High Definition (for better or worse??!!).  Bring it on!"

Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian says “Damn, as if this Big 4 tour wasn't exciting enough now we get to be on the big screen worldwide! Metal at the movies, two big horns up!  It is unbelievably gratifying that this means so much to the metal community around the globe. Get your tix, grab some popcorn and get ready to bang your head!”

Declares Slayer’s Kerry King, “I can’t believe someone didn’t make this happen 15 years ago!  The fans finally get what they want.  I think it’s awesome!”

Says Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine, “The magnitude of this event hasn't really sunk in yet, and I am thrilled to know that people around the planet will be able to walk into a movie theater and experience the greatest line up of Heavy Metal in the history of the world!” 

“The Big Four: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax” digital cinema event is distributed globally by New York-based BY Experience.

Chimaira - Spreading The Infection Tour: UK/IE

This fall Chamaira will be touring in The United Kingdom and Ireland for a headlining tour.  Check the dates below tickets go on sale Monday, spread the word!

September 30th Bristol, UK – O2 Academy2  [purchase tickets]
October 2nd Belfast, IE – Stiff Kitten  [purchase tickets]
October 3rd Dublin, IE – O2 Academy2  [purchase tickets]
October 5th Colchester, UK – Arts Centre  [purchase tickets]
October 6th Norwich, UK – Waterfront  [purchase tickets]
October 7th Portsmouth, UK – Wedgewood Rooms  [purchase tickets]
October 8th Stoke, UK – Sugar Mill  [purchase tickets]
October 9th Leeds, UK – Cockpit  [purchase tickets]
October 10th Manchester, UK – Academy 3  [purchase tickets]
October 12th Aberdeen, UK – Warehouse  [purchase tickets]
October 13th Glasgow, UK – King Tuts  [purchase tickets]
October 14th Liverpool, UK – O2 Academy2  [purchase tickets]
October 15th London, UK – Borderline  [purchase tickets]
October 17th Oxford – O2 Academy2  [purchase tickets]

Chimaira Update: More Summer Shows Announced

Chimaira recently announced they have added more dates to their headline tour. Get out and see these guys, they're sick! And if you do make it to a show, throw the horns at Rock House Instructor Rob Arnold ;-)

Chimaira Headlines
June 18th Cleveland, OH – Peabody’s Down Under    [purchase tickets]
June 29th Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection  [purchase tickets]
June 30th Milwaukee, WI – The Rave  [purchase tickets]
July 5th Spokane, WA – The Seaside (formerly BLD)  [purchase tickets]
Co-headline with Shadows Fall
July 6th Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater   [purchase tickets]
July 7th Chico, CA – Senator Theatre  [purchase tickets]
July 8th Reno, NV – Knitting Factory   [purchase tickets]
Co-headline with Norma Jean
August 2nd Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend  [purchase tickets]

New Marc Rizzo Video - Slayer Cover "Mandatory Suicide"

New video of Rock House Instructor Marc Rizzo and his band doing a cover of Slayer's "Mandatory Suicide"

Be sure and check out Rizzo's "Legionnaire" on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/marc-rizzo/id80030449

The Weekend Read for May 22nd - Guitar Articles, Lessons and More

The weekend read for May 22nd is a good list of guitar related articles on guitar lessons, gear reviews and news that I found from our blog roll. Be sure to check out the Rock House Lesson for this week Guitar Lesson - Intro to Tapping

Fretbase - Today, Gibson announced that it is launching the Arlen Roth degree program. This program builds on the Arlen Roth guitar lessons that Gibson has been making available on its website for the past year and a half...Gibson Guitar Uses YouTube to Launch Arlen Roth Degree Program

Guitarkadia - Thought I’d give this new series a try. A weekly gallery of 12 photos/gallery with photos taken by Flickr users of their guitar, or guitars, or things that resemble guitars...Weekly Gallery of Guitar Pics on Flickr

i heart guitar - Soulfly’s new album, Omen, is heavy, intense, brutal, energetic and powerful. There’s a punkish energy tempered by the kind of thrashy precision Max Cavalera has long been known for, and there’s little of the tribal edge that defined his final album with Sepultura, Roots, and which has occasionally shown its head in Soulfly’s works too. I spoke with Max a couple of weeks before Omen’s release...INTERVIEW: Soulfly’s Max Cavalera

Mark McGuigan Musicians Blog - This lesson is split into two parts. In the first half we are learning a "Blues Box" scale for you to solo in around the 12th fret. Its not really a regular blues scale but it works a little better with the slide...Slide Guitar Lesson #2 - Open D Tuning Blues Box and Rhythm Guitar

Not Playing Guitar - This easy beginner lesson shows you how to play Hush Little Baby with only two guitar chords. Hush Little Baby is a traditional lullaby in question and answer format. It is thought to have its origins in America because Mockingbirds are found on the American continent but its author and date are not known...Two-Chord Song Lesson - Hush Little Baby

Strat-O-Blogster - Adding a small IC socket in place of the tone cap to easily facilitate switching caps when testing various ones to find the best capacitor for your tone...Finding Which Guitar Tone Capacitors Work for You!

The Classical Guitar Blog - The Classical Guitar Blog represents my past two years in grad school pretty well. I started it during my first semester. As I learned things or had thoughts about music, they made it onto the blog. Here’s some of the stuff that stands out to me as the most valuable...28 Things I learned in Grad School

Tone Freq - After years of hearing customers complain that most Wah and volume pedals (including ours) take up too much real estate on a pedal board, Morley designed these two new Mini pedals at just 6.75” in length, 4.5” wide and only 2.75” in height...Tone Freq's Daily Pedal: Morley's Mini Volume and Mini Wah

The Punch-in - A long and mighty history, owing itself to a lineage of equally mighty individuals, has brought the Electric Guitar out of the treetops of imagination and into the walking flesh of our lives. The Electric Guitar has survived and thrived through ongoing periods of natural selection, hybridism and fruitful bouts of geographical distribution; creating what we have today; seen as the pinnacle of modern technologies...The Evolution of the Electric Guitar

Truth in Shreading - Dave Martone,Shane Gibson,Vinnie Moore,Billy Sheehan, Alex Skolnick: New World Man [2010] Rush tribute

Have a rockin' weekend

Sarge

Native Instruments Introduces DEEP FREQ

New effects suite provides creative real-time sound shaping for

producers and DJs, based on advanced frequency manipulation

Native Instruments today introduced DEEP FREQ, a powerful effects processing suite for use with KORE 2 and the free KORE PLAYER. Complementing the acclaimed DEEP TRANSFORMATIONS and DEEP RECONSTRUCTIONS packages, DEEP FREQ focuses on intense and intricate frequency manipulation to transform audio material in innovative and inspiring ways.

Created by expert sound designer and producer Denis Gökdag, DEEP FREQ provides 150 sophisticated multi-effect combinations based on the powerful sound processing engines of ABSYNTH, GUITAR RIG and ABSYNTH integrated in KORE. Through complex combinations of filters, resonators, frequency shifting, resynthesis, granular synthesis and other advanced algorithms, DEEP FREQ can fundamentally alter and reshape the tonality of beats, melody lines, vocals and any other audio material

with spectacular and unconventional results.

Despite the complexity of the underlying effect configurations, the operation of DEEP FREQ is entirely straight forward due to the KORE user interface. The unified parameter mapping within KORE 2 and KORE PLAYER gives immediate, intuitive control over the sonic characteristics of the effects, making DEEP FREQ an especially efficient and immediate sound shaping tool for musicians, producers and DJs.

DEEP FREQ available for download purchase in the NI Online Shop for

$79 / 69 EUR at DEEP FREQ

Pro Tones New Blasko Signature Bass Overdrive

The Blasko Bass Overdrive pedal is meant to be as versatile as Blasko himself. In the course of an evening onstage with Ozzy, Blasko will need to cover a wide range of styles from tender ballads to hard charging metal anthems. This pedal performs perfectly in such an eclectic set list.

BLASKO Bass Overdrive

The unit comes equipped with a Baxandall EQ system for ultimate tone shaping capabilities and sits in the pocket of low to medium-high gain; at low settings you’ll be pleased to feel its vintage amp like response and tone, while at high gain settings you’ll get some spicy gain heating up your signal, sending it into a modern metal/industrial realm. Pushing the ‘Hi’ and ‘Low’ controls will give you a more scooped mid-range and add additional grit to your signal. Additionally, the unit can be powered anywhere from 9-18volts. At higher voltage you’ll get increased clarity, more output, and an overall edgier tone.

* Gain, Treble, Bass, and Volume controls

* Operates on a standard 9 volt battery or (negative tip) BOSS style adapter

* True Hardwire Bypass for noise free operation

* Stomp switch built to withstand years of hard stomping shows

* Durable aluminum housing

* Neutrik Jacks

* Proudly built by hand in Crossroads, Texas

The Blasko Bass Overdrive will begin shipping on June 15th.

Pre-orders are being accepted at http://protonepedals.com/?p=599

$249

“Me & My Taylor” Photo Contest Winner

News release from http://www.taylorguitars.com

After clicking through the more than 800 entries that poured in as part of the “Me & My Taylor” photo contest, our panel of judges, led by Bob Taylor, selected Jennifer T.’s photo, “A Compliment to Hannah’s Inspiration,” as the Grand Prize winner. Depicting a young girl with her Taylor in hand and scribbling lyrics, the photo speaks to the soul of singer-songwriters everywhere. “When I saw this photograph it was my instant favorite, and I think we all agreed here at Taylor Guitars,” Bob shared after selecting the shot as the winner. “I think we can all relate to the story it tells. Personally, my goal as a guitar maker has always been to simply help people in their musical pursuits. This photo captures that.”

Five finalists also were selected in the contest. They included Tiffany C. with her photo, “Duet,” which pictures a happy young couple sharing some guitar time. “They say a picture is worth a thousand words,” says Bob. “What can I say about this amazing photo except that it's amazing.”

Finalist Louis F.’s photo, “Simple Happiness,” was also chosen. It depicts an around-the-fire jam with big smiles and a good-time vibe. “This isn't an easy photograph to take,” notes Bob, an avid photographer himself. “It's got flavor, all kinds of flavor.”

Other finalists include “The Reason,” submitted by Chad C, which pictures a father at the helm of his 814ce with his little boy singing into a microphone. “I'd like this photograph on my wall,” Bob says. “It's cool and adorable at the same time. I wish I took that photo. I wanna hear that little boy sing. Is he on YouTube?”

Jason H. also made the cut with his entry, “Life's Most Important Battles Need Spiritual Firepower.” “I love this picture, especially after having just returned from a visit to Iraq,” Bob reflects. “It's message-rich and makes you think about a lot of stuff.” The photo features a group of soldiers embraced in prayer with weapons, save for the chaplain, who is holding a bible and has a guitar strapped to his back.

Stephen N. also earned a place as a finalist with a shot titled “Holy Taylor,” in which he and his Taylor pose in a field with cows in the background. “This shot could totally be an ad or a poster for Taylor Guitars,” Bob says. “It's beautiful and grabs your attention and makes you wish you were there. I love it when a photographer has the nerve to saturate a picture like this.”

As the Grand Prize winner, Jennifer T. will receive a Sony Cyber-shot® TX5 digital camera and a Taylor Guitars prize pack, which includes a Baby Taylor® guitar and other Taylor swag. Her photo will be featured in an upcoming edition of Taylor's quarterly publication, Wood&Steel. All five finalists will receive a Taylor Guitars prize pack, along with honorable mentions in Wood&Steel, and will be prominently featured on the Taylor Guitars Facebook page.

Congratulations to all the Taylor-strumming shutterbugs out there who entered the “Me & My Taylor” photo contest. Be sure to find us on Facebook and Twitter and send us your favorite “Me & My Taylor” shots.

Guitar Lesson - Intro to Tapping

INTRO TO TAPPING

In this lesson I am going to show you how to perform bi-dextral hammer-ons and pull-offs, this technique is commonly known as tapping. Tapping is essentially just performing hammer-ons and pull-offs with the left and right hands at the same time. The biggest question I get from my guitar students is; “How do I know what notes to tap?” The answer is simple; the notes of the scale you are using. For example, if you are going to create a solo in the key of A minor, the A minor Pentatonic scale would be a great choice.

To begin let us look at two forms of the A minor Pentatonic scale.

First Position minor Pentatonic Scale

Second Position minor Pentatonic Scale

Putting it All Together

Now combine these two scale form and make a three-note per string scale pattern that is useful applicable tapping. The white notes are going to be our “tapped” notes. The Black notes are the first position A minor pentatonic scale form.

Tapping

The technique of tapping is simple. Hold down the fifth fret of the sixth string (fattest string) with your first finger of your left hand. Now, take the first finger of your right hand and hammer down the tenth fret of the sixth string sounding the tenth fret. Now remove your first finger off of the tenth fret almost in a downward brushing motion this will make the fifth fret you are holding down ring. Now, while the fifth fret is ringing, with the pinky of your left hand hammer down the eighth fret of the sixth string sounding the eighth fret. That’s it!! The example I just mentioned is the first three notes of the exercise.

©2010 Curt Moye & Fred Russell Publishing, All Rights Reserved. This article can not be used without permission from the Author. To Contact the Author email curt@RockHouseMethod.com

Rock House Releases 3 DVD JAzz Guitar Set Featuring Alex Skolnick

Official Press Release

Today we announced the release of JAZZ GUITAR Breaking the Traditional Barriers, featuring Alex Skolnick who is world renown for creating an unprecedented blend of Metal and traditional Jazz. On his first ever instructional program, Alex shares his perspective and secrets for conquering Jazz guitar. JAZZ GUITAR, Breaking the Traditional Barriers includes 3 DVDs, a 62 page interactive E-tab book, ipod ready video and live performances.

JAZZ GUITAR, Breaking the Traditional Barriers, Featuring Alex Skolnick. On his first-ever instructional program, Alex shares his perspectives and secrets for conquering Jazz guitar. Using basic Blues progressions, he guides you through Jazz concepts and shows how to follow progressions by targeting chord tones, triads, embellishments, modes and Jazz patterns. He shows how to apply techniques like upper chord extensions, chromaticism, Jazz licks, and to add Bossa Nova, Swing, 6/8 time and Waltz rhythmic styles to your skill set. Alex reveals how he transforms rock songs like the Scorpions’ “Still Loving You” into a Jazz composition, as well as his approach to classic standards such as “Autumn Leaves.” Jazz, Rock and Metal guitarists, will find this program details Jazz theory and concepts that will increase your music vocabulary, repertoire and overall fluency.

JAZZ GUITAR, Breaking the Traditional Barriers three DVD set is available at MI retailers around the world for $29.99 and digitally ON DEMAND at www.RockHouseMethod.com/ONDEMAND. The program includes more than 40 lessons, a 62 page interactive E tab book, live performances and iPod ready video (not available with ON DEMAND version).

JAZZ GUITAR, Breaking the Traditional Barriers also comes with lifetime membership to Rock House’s lesson support site at www.rockhousemethod.com. This feature, exclusive to Rock House and its partners, offers students supplementary support for the lessons. Once registered, students can interact with the community, utilize the additional learning tools and access the special online only features.

Alex is a founding member of Testament, the Trans Siberian Orchestra; and heads his own Jazz project with the Alex Skolnick Trio, a traditional Jazz band known for their inventive Jazz renditions of Rock and Metal standards. Additionally, Alex is featured on the soundtrack for the hit Broadway musical Jekyll & Hyde.

Scorpions’ “Still Loving You” into a Jazz composition, as well as his approach to classic standards such as “Autumn Leaves.” Jazz, Rock and Metal guitarists, will find this program details Jazz theory and concepts that will increase your music vocabulary, repertoire and overall fluency.

Guitar Player Tip - Practice Routine Thoughts and Ideas

You can find all kinds of ways to set up a practice routine for playing guitar. All you have to do is google "guitar practice routines" and you can literally look at them until the cows come home. But I've found most guitarist seem to have the same basic idea when it comes to practice routines. Mines probably not much more different than yours. Some of the things that I currently do are certainly no great revelation but I have picked up some things that, at least, for me have helped and thought I would pass them onto you.

My routine pretty much rolls like this:

1. Warm up with scales

2. Finger exercises

3. Chord runs or progressions

4. Learn something new, like chords or different ways to use scales

5. Theory - ugh!

6. Work on parts of a song I want to learn

I was recently thinking about some advise I got from Kiko Loureiro which is playing guitar does not make you a better guitar player. Practicing guitar is what makes you a better guitar player. So I am learning to give some separation in what I consider practice and playing. So far I think it's been paying off.

With that in mind when I am in "practice" mode I've found that it's a good time to practice what you are having trouble with. Crazy? Well think about it. Most people get stuck in the rut of practicing what they know because they are comfortable with it and it sounds good to them. Try improving what you are weak at. It'll help you become a better player.

Other things I have found to be of benifit lately are:

When practice time is over it's time to play for fun. You know, put on some backing tracks and play some solos over them or or turn on the metromome and play some rhythms over the top of it with different timings and paterns and then play some songs that I know.

I think it's key to have a good collection of backing tracks, their easy to find and download to a folder on your computer. The thing to remember here is not to just use them to play scales backwards and forwards, that's boring, it's where you can separate practice from playing. When practice is over and the backing tracks go on it's time to mix things up, try and be creative and play with some sort of emotion.

A good practice routine is important but don’t forget to have fun that’s why you started playing in the first place.

Rusty Cooley Launches His New Band "Day of Reckoning"

I got an email today from Rock House Instructor Rusty Cooley. He has new bad ass band "Day of Reckoning". The band is just finishing up a 9 song demo that you can listen to at their new my space site http://www.myspace.com/dayofreckoningmetal.

Cooley commented "It's been a while and it was a dark couple of years recovering from the break up of Outworld I never thought I would be putting another band together. But certain doors close so others can open and man not only has it opened ... the door was blown right off of the hinges!

The band features Eric Lauer - vocals, Matt Smith - drums and Andretti Medina on rhythm guitars.

Check out their my space site, the demo teasers will bow you away!

Links for Rusty Cooley:

www.rustycooley.com

www.myspace.com/rustycooley

http://forum.rustycooley.com/

http://www.youtube.com/user/MrRustyCooley

Ozzy Osbourne/Gus G - The Making of "Scream"

The making of Ozzy Osbourne's EPK "Scream will be available June 22nd. Osbournes' band features Rock House Instructor Gus G.

More info will be posted to http://www.facebook.com/ozzyosbourne as it becomes available.