Rock House instructor Marc Rizzo shows you how to add flash to your lead lines with a guitar lesson showing you the lead intro to his song "KIlocycle", Talk about finger frenzy WOW.
Pick up your copy or instant download of Marc's Rock House DVDs, "Modern, Speed & Shred" Level 1 & 2 at Rock House OnDemand today! If you are serious about taking your playing to the next level sink your teeth into this program with Marc Rizzo, one of today’s new breed of young guitarists who stands out as master musician with phenomenal technique. Through your one-on-one lessons with Marc you will develop skills needed to play Modern, Speed and Shred Metal. Learn scales spanning the entire neck, power chords, speed picking, tapping, Marc’s personal bending technique and an arsenal of riffs for you can play. He will even show you how to get that growling metal sound.
Guitar Shop TV is a new web based TV show for guitar and music fans. Over the past 18 months GSTV has amassed over 300 hours of unique HD video content and they have interviewed dozens of artists, manufacturers, collectors and enthusiasts. The folks at GSTV are passionate about their work and are committed to bringing viewers the best possible online TV show filled with news and information for the guitar nation around the world.
In their latest video episode Brian Lippy, GSTV's host and founder, gives you some thoughts for the holidays with his latest video "The Holiday Gear Gift Guide". It showcases some of the coolest gear he has encountered over the past year that would make great gifts for guitarists.
Check out the 300 hours of video exclusively for guitarists by clicking the logo below. It's free...it's GSTV!
At age nine, a fascination with the rock group Kiss led Alex Skolnick to a desire to learn guitar. At age sixteen he tried out for a local band called Legacy. Shortly after graduating from high school, he found himself recording his first album with the group, who by this time had changed their name to Testament. What followed were five albums and countless tours with, among others, Megadeth, Slayer, Judas Priest and White Zombie. Alex received critical acclaim for his lead guitar work, which had been inspired by heroes such as Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads, ranking high in many guitar magazine polls, often as 'Best Thrash Guitarist' and 'Most Underrated Guitarist.'
In addition to his metal accomplishments, Alex has made a mark that no one would have predicted: as a jazz guitarist. In 1988, while working on the second Testament album, nineteen year old Alex happened to capture one of Miles Davis’ guitar driven electric bands on television. This inspired an intense study of jazz, leading to his eventual relocating to New York City, where he earned a BFA from the New School University's jazz program (class of 2001).
It was at the New School where Alex Skolnick Trio was born. Their first recording, “Goodbye to Romance: Standards For A New Generation” brought together the worlds of metal and traditional jazz in an unprecedented blend. 'GTR' reached the top 30 on the US jazz radio charts, earned a full page article in Billboard and received rave reviews from Downbeat, Jazziz and other many other magazines; on-line retailer CDBaby listed GTR among it's top sellers.
What followed was a recording contract with Magnatude Records and a sucessful follow up CD, Transformation. Alex Skolnick Trio continues to tour at jazz and rock venues as well as festivals, including the Rochester Intl. Jazz Festival, Riverbend Festival in Chatanooga, TN. and South by Southwest in Austin, TX, along such diverse artists as Apocalyptica, Dave Brubeck and The Allman Bros.
As if jazz and metal weren't diverse enough, Alex is also a featured member of several high profile rock/pop/theater projects. Most notable of these is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, which performs to sold out crowds across the U.S. at such venues as New York's Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles’s Staple Center. With TSO, Alex has had television appearances including Good Morning America and Live with Regis and Kelly. Alex is also featured in Jekyll & Hyde In Concert, the first touring version of the hit Broadway show, and is a key element in the new Jekyll & Hyde soundtrack album on Koch records; Composer Frank Wildhorne writes in the liner notes 'It all became clear when I heard Alex's incredible guitar playing. It is his sound, his sense of theater and the passion that lives in his playing that was, for me, the musical voice I had to have for these songs.'
Another hit composer who Alex has been working with lately is Jim Steinman, who created the songs for Meatloaf's classic album 'Bat Out Of Hell.' Jim's latest project, the 'Dream Engine' is a group including Alex and AST drummer Matt Zebroski, performing a collection of his new songs and classics including 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart' whose singer, Bonnie Tyler, is a frequent guest at the Dream Engine's live shows.
Alex's past collaborations have including bassists Stu Hamm (Joe Satriani/Steve Vai), Les Claypool (of Primus), Michael Manring (Wyndam Hill recording artist), singer Ozzy Osbourne (the Prince of Darkness himself), rock band Savatage (Atlantic recording artists) and more. Alex has composed pieces for the EA video game "Hot Wheels Turbo Racing", the USA Network’s broadcast of the 2002 Westminster Dog Show (a big band jazz piece), and the MTV series "Makin’ The Band."
In 2005, Alex reunited with Testament (after 13 years) for a series of sold out concerts in across Europe, Japan and America, including festivals with Korn, Def Leppard, Guns'nRoses, Black Sabbath and Judas Priest. These reunion shows were such a success that more dates continue to follow and a new album could be in the works.
Alex added in a recent conversation, "Althiough most people know me from my Testamenrt years, Jazz is my passion os rather than come out with a metal program I thought it would be fun to come out of the gate with my first instructional product ever being a Jazz program. I just didn't realize we would have so much content. As the title suggest, yes I do break down some of those tradtional barriers. Most Rock guitraist would be intimidated by a Jazz prorgam, but I don't think they will by this one. I am a Rock player and show how over the years that I have been able to succesful expand into Jazz really using some basic prinipales. So don't worry, it's going to be ok, you'll be truning out Jazz licks and you find yourself, like me including them in your Rock playing".
Alex's most recent collaberation with Rock House is quite euniqe. 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.
To ensure constant progress and high motivation you have to develop practice habits that will keep you interested and challenged. I am going to lay out an outline to help you design your perfect practice regiment.
I always tell my students that you must practice things you don’t know or have trouble doing, it is very easy to fall into a routine of playing something that you have perfected because it sounds a lot better. I remember when I was first learning to do sweep arpeggios I would go over and over an “A” major sweep pattern for hours on end, I drove everyone in my house crazy (my sisters used to throw shoes at me and scream stop). My point here is if you heard me practicing this technique as I was learning it you would probably think I was a beginner even though I had been playing for years, but a few months later I was sweeping everything except the kitchen floor!
Let’s start with a practice outline, you should combine a series of components in your practice routine that will help you develop all aspects of your playing, here is a list of my favorites:
Technique exercises for the left hand
Technique exercises for developing your picking
Technique exercises for coordinating both hands together
Scales and patterns
Performance pieces
Creating leads over progressions (backing tracks)
Classical pieces
Fun playing
Mental perception (visualization away from your instrument)
You should pick things that you wish to improve on or learn and keep the same routine for three or four weeks and then change sections to keep your interest peaked.
There are four requirements that must be met in order to achieve results:
Determine your goal
Decide how you are going to achieve your goal
Define all obstacles
Determine how to eliminate your obstacles
You should have many short term goals (one day to six months) to feel good about yourself each time one is attained as well as long term goals (six months to five years). It is important to make your short term goals help you attain your long term goals. For example, if you have a long term goal “I want to learn to improvise free form Jazz” then a short term goal can be “learning all seven modes of the Major scale.”
As you move forward with your practice routine there are a few other things you should do:
Practice consistently – I have had many students come to me and say I missed four days of practice and on the fifth day I played 4 hours. This is not the way to practice and see results because you do not give your fingers a chance to gain muscle memory. Practice every day even if it is for a short amount of time, be consistent.
Have a practice spot set up so you can have privacy to focus on your playing. It is a great idea to have a music stand to help position your music so you can sit comfortably. I remember when I started playing and I would lay my music on my bed and twist my neck to try to read and hold my guitar up properly, it was a real pain in the neck! Always have your guitar out of the case, I use the expression “out of sight out of mind” if you see your guitar sitting there on a stand you are more prone to pick it up and play. When it’s in a case under your bed it’s work to take it out and this may detour you from practicing. Besides when your friends come over your house and see your guitar they will be impressed!
Set a scheduled practice time each day, say you want to practice before school or work every day make this time a routine then later in the day you can play for fun and jam a little more.
Great practice habits will result in better overall playing and take you to the next level. In the months to come I will dig deeper into specific practice routines and exercises that will focus on specific techniques.
Nashville-based entertainment firm, The Lowry Agency, has officially announced the addition of renowned guitarist/musician/composer and one of the most sought after instructors in New York and Favored Nations artist, Rob Balducci to their client roster.
"In this business it is important for you to surround yourself with people who understand what you do, believe in what you do and represent you as an Artist in a professional and honest manor. The Lowry Agency meets this criteria and I am excited to be working with them." says Balducci of his relationship with The Lowry Agency.
A native of New York, Rob Balducci has defined himself as a guitarist, musician, composer and one of the most sought after instructors in New York. His music is drenched in layers of sonic colors, each representing a tangible emotion, desire, depth, feeling, thought and mood. His music is really like vocal songs with the guitar as the vocals. Guitar World said after hearing Balducci’s debut CD, “Hum-able Shred! What a concept.”
Balducci has the pleasure of working with and endorsing such giants as Ibanez Guitars, Cornford Amps, D’Addario Strings, Dimarzio Pick-ups, Dunlop, Xotic pedals and many others. The musical community has taken notice of him with scores of global publications loudly singing his praises (most notably Guitarist UK, Guitar World, Young Guitar, and Burn).
David Lowry, president of The Lowry Agency remarked, "We are honored and very excited to be working with Rob Balducci! It is a thrill to be able to showcase musicianship of his caliber. He brings a melodic virtuosity to the guitar which is rarely seen this days and we are chomping at the bit to be able to share this with the world
Have you ever dreamed of owning a guitar and pickup system that could give your playing a powerful edge? Seymour Duncan has teamed up with Guitar World to give you a chance to win the guitar setup of Ozzy Osbourne and Firewind virtuoso Gus G. Simply sign up on our Facebook page for a chance to win a limited edition GUS-600NT (MSRP $1298) featuring our newest product: the Gus G. FIRE Blackouts System. Combining the best aspects of active and passive pickups, the Gus G. FIRE Blackouts System features the massive tone of Blackouts with the expressive look and feel of passive pickups.
Want to learn more about the Gus G. FIRE Blackouts System? Click HERE.
2010 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
Cavalera Conspiracy which features the multi-talented guitarist and Rock House Instructor Marc Rizzo will be hitting Austrailia for a 2012 tour. The guys promise to raise meyhem while touring the outback.
JAN 24 - Panthers - Newcastle JAN 26 - Anu Bar - Canberra JAN 28 - Metro Theatre - Sydney FEB 01 - Billboard - Melbourne FEB 06 - The Hi Fi - Brisbane
In this guitar lesson, Rock House Instructor & guitar virtuoso Kiko (Angra) Loureiro shows aspiring rock players in this video lesson how to go from Rock to Fusion using the Lydian Mode. The video is from Kiko's New Rock House DVD "CREATIVE FUSION, Beyond Power Chords and Pentatonics".
The 2 DVD set contains over 2 hours of lessons with Kiko. He shows rock guitar players how to incorporate fusion elements into their playing and helps them expand their guitar vocabulary by understanding new concepts by moving beyond power chords and pentatonics and helps open up a new musical universe for you.
120 minutes on 2 DVDs, Also Inlcudes Live Performances, Behind the Scenes pics, Interview, 32 Page Tab Booklet you print right from the DVDs iPod ready Video, Lifetime web membership to RockHouseMethod.com for 24/7 lesson support!
Favorite Nations Recording Artist Rob Balducci has defined himself as the instrumental guitarist with an unparalleled ability to combine solid, catchy songwriting with a keen melodic sense and technical fury. From his virtuoso rock solos, Balducci's extreme versatility has been showcased worldwide in concerts, clinics, as well as on his own solo instrumental albums. He was introduced to guitar at the age of 11 by his older sister. Says Rob, “Music means so much to me, growing up it was my escape from the world and gave me a voice of my own.” Rob started teaching and playing gigs at age 14. Rob singed with Steve Vai’s label Favorite Nations and has released three successful solo CDs, his debut was titled “Balance”, the follow-up “Mantra” and most recently the critically acclaimed “The Color of Light”. Rob has toured the U.S., Japan, Europe and Australia in support of his music.
Rob composes his instrumental music in a way that gives his guitar a voice of its own. “I judge my songs on how the melody stays with you long after you listen to It.” states Rob. Each of his songs come from his personal life experience, pouring out his emotion Rob’s music is an ambitious collision of inventive songwriting, versatile guitar playing and a modernistic sonic framework and his masterful guitar technique and melodic flavor makes people forget there is no vocal track. Says Rob on his approach to songwriting “Music is related to painting in the sense that you're starting out with a blank canvas and then you create your own structure with musical colors just like a painter does."
The Queens, New York bred musician has spent years teaching others to realize their dream and dedicated himself to mastering his instrument. These well-spent years of wood shedding, and perfecting his technique had paid pay off handsomely. In 1990, Balducci won a local contest sponsored by Guitar For The Practicing Musician proclaiming him New York's best guitarist, his six-string education includes a degree in music performance and theory, all three of his albums have reaped unanimous praise from press and guitar enthusiasts, and is a featured guitarist on "Rewired” A Tribute To Jeff Beck," "Crushing Days” A Tribute To Joe Satriani" and on the forthcoming salute to Carlos Santana. A native of New York, Balducci's music is drenched in layers of sonic colors, each representing a tangible emotion, desire, depth, feeling, thought and mood. Rob does not see creating instrumental music as an opportunity to show solos and technique, he sees it as a chance to bring emotional songs that have meaning and that penetrate the musical fabric, providing a cohesive glue that ties everything together seamlessly.
As far as Rob's Newest Guitar Instructional DVD with Rock House Method "Innovative Guitar Rock Beyond the Boundaries", Rob States "Of course performing and composing music is my life's passion; However, sharing what I have learned about the instrument over my 24 years of playing, is something I love. So when Joe P. approached me, and it was for Rock House, it was an easy decision to make. Working with John was really great , he is very open to ideas and was brilliant at helping me organize my thoughts and message in this format. In my programs share with you the unique tools that I use and show you how to use them tol help you squeeze emotion out of the instrument.!"
His fans include, Joe Satriani who adds “ Rob is an excellent guitarist… I’ve always had his CDs around and I am waiting for him to become the next big guitar player ” and Steve Vai adds “ Rob is a great player and is as dedicated to his work as one can get and it shows in the construction of his audio emotions” A native New Yorker, Rob's has defined himself a guitarist, musicians, composer and one the most sought after instructors in New York City. His music is drenched in layers of sonic colors, emotion and depth.
Legendary pickup company Seymour Duncan unveils Gus G."s signature pickup set called "Fire Blackouts"! Read the press release below:
Hard rock and metal guitarists no longer need to choose between the power of active pickups and the response of passive pickups. The Gus G. FIRE Blackouts System blends the best aspects of both.
“This system combines the massive tone, kick, and distortion of Blackouts with the rich tone and expressive feel of my favorite passive pickups,” says Gus G., the exciting young guitarist just off the road with Ozzy Osbourne. “It responds perfectly to all my picking techniques, and more of my personality comes through than with any active pickup I’ve tried.”
Created for Gus G., the electrifying young virtuoso just off the road with Ozzy Osbourne, the Gus G. FIRE Blackouts System includes a pair of traditional-looking humbucking pickups and a low-noise, high-output dual active preamp. Now hard rock and metal guitarists can get the explosive power they demand without sacrificing the expressive, hair-trigger response of a great passive pickup. It's the most organic-sounding active pickup system ever.
Enter this year's Megadeth Christmas Card Contest and win big! Send us your designs and you could win first prize of a phone call from Dave Mustaine on Christmas Day, two meet 'n greet passes to meet Megadeth on tour, and a limited edition "TH1RT3EN" lithograph autographed by the band! Prizes will also be awarded for 2nd to 10th places! Winners will be picked by Dave Mustaine. Contest closes midnight PST Saturday, December 17.
First prize: A phone call from Dave Mustaine to you on December 25th, two meet 'n greet passes to meet Megadeth on tour, and a limited edition "TH1RT3EN" lithograph autographed by the band.
Second prize: Two meet 'n greet passes to meet Megadeth on tour, and Megadeth's"TH1RT3EN" CD autographed by the band.
Third prize: An autographed Megadeth collectable tour laminate, and Megadeth's "TH1RT3EN"CD autographed by the band.
Fourth to Tenth place winners: Megadeth's "TH1RT3EN" CD autographed by the band.
Your card design should be 8" X 5" (20cm X 12cm), portrait or landscape, and be in any medium you choose; hand drawn, photoshop, etc. You must have a copy saved or scanned at 300DPI resolution to send in if you are chosen the winner. Send all cards in at a smaller, low res versions when entering. Send as jpg only. You may enter as many times as you like.
All Megadeth fans are welcome to submit entries.
Contest is open now and closes midnight Pacific Time, Saturday, December 17.
E-mail your entries with "CHRISTMAS CARD CONTEST 2011" in the subject line towebmaster@megadeth.com.
January and February tour dates for Testament which, features Rock House Instructor Alex Skolnick showing his chops for Testament.
TESTAMENT TOUR DATES 2 0 1 2 with Anthrax and Death Angel
NOTE: All dates subject to change. Always check with the venue, first. [updated: 12/05/11]
22 Jan 2012 House of Blues – Las Vegas, NV 23 Jan 2012 House of Blues - Anaheim, CA 24 Jan 2012 Marquee Theatre – Tempe, AZ 30 Jan 2012 Orange Peel – Asheville, NC 03 Feb 2012 The LC Pavilion – Columbus, OH 07 Feb 2012 Ram’s Head Live – Baltimore, MD 08 Feb 2012 Best Buy Theatre – New York, NY
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In this guitar video lesson, Rock House instructor Jeff Loomis, shows you the main arpeggio lead section from Miles of Machines off his solo CD, Zero Order Phase. The guitar lesson comes from his 2 DVD set Extreme lead Guitar from Rock House. The DVD features over 40 lessons.
A good, quality guitar should last a lifetime. Following these tips will help ensure years of enjoyment from your instrument:
If you don't already own one, get a good quality case or gig bag for your guitar. It's the least expensive insurance you can buy for a guitar. Also, get a good guitar stand to keep it on between playing sessions.
Keep your guitar in its case when not in continuous use.
Keep your guitar away from extreme heat, cold, or humidity changes. Avoid placing your guitar on its stand near heat and air conditioning vents, windows, doors, outside, or in your car for long periods of time.
Use only quality guitar care and maintenance products - not furniture polish or abrasive dust cloths.
Never detune and remove all the strings at once. The truss rod is designed and adjusted to provide counter tension to the strings - removing that tension suddenly can damage or warp a neck.
Change your strings regularly, depending on how often you play. Remove, replace, and tune up one string at a time—constantly keeping the guitar in tune as you go.
Keep your guitar tuned to standard pitch. You should consider purchasing an electronic tuner if you don't already have one.
Invest in a quality guitar strap—especially if you stand while playing.
Find a reputable guitar repairman, and take your guitar in for annual checkups coinciding with weather changes. If you're not trained and experienced with truss rod adjustment - leave it alone and let the professionals do the tweaking. The same goes for fret filing and crowning, bridge and saddle work, nut adjustments, and so on. Many a guitar has been damaged by wannabe luthiers. Either leave it to the pros or get expert hands-on training if you're the do-it-yourself type.
Play your guitar often. A fine quality instrument made from solid woods just gets better and better the older it gets and the more it's played. It's a win-win for both you and your guitar—the more you enjoy it, the better it sounds—and the more you'll enjoy it in the future.
As an aside, when you buy a guitar make sure the store goes through a complete quality check. This includes checking and adjusting the truss rod, neck, tuning keys, action, bridge/tremolo, finish, body, bracing, structural, pickups, electronics, intonation, and even the case.
This ensures you will receive a properly adjusted and inspected instrument—so you'll get off on the right start with your new guitar. Combine this with the tips above, and you'll be in guitar heaven for years to come.
