Archive for May, 2010

What To Do On A Rock Concert

Monday, May 31st, 2010

So you are a teenager that haven’t experienced going in to a rock concert, and you are planning to finally attend on one. What should you do? You ask yourself. Well, there are lots of things to do when you’re inside a rock concert moshpit and mind you, you can get hurt while at it so best be prepared and read these few tips that would certainly help you in your journey to the pit.

What to do:

  1. Try your best to get to a spot that is nearest to the stage. This way, you’ll see all the action. Shove people away while you’re at it, but don’t shove them too hard or you might get beaten by guys larger than you.
  2. Know the basics;
    1. Head banging – bobbing your head up and down, making your hair flail. Must be synced with the music’s beat.
    2. Jumping – jumping up and down in tune to the music’s beat. Sometimes done with one hand raised upwards.
    3. Horn sign – this sign is done with the hands raised. Must be flashed whenever the band says something. Like some sort of sign for agreement. To do the horn sign, close your fists, and then raise your index finger and your pinky finger.
    4. Crowd surfing – okay, this one’s a bit critical. Before you do this, you must make sure that; you have friends in the crowd, or the people will catch you. If you fail to secure these things, you might end up on the floor.
    5. Make sure you know the lyrics of the band’s song. Most concerts, bands will allow you to sing – along with them and it would be a shame if you don’t know the lyrics to their song so better be ready.

Alright, there you have it. These few steps are enough to gear you up and ready for a rock concert. See you on the moshpit!

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Guitar Effects Processors – Which is the best?

Friday, May 28th, 2010

There are tons of Guitar Multi Effects Processors available in the market. Some are obviously better in features than others, some are cheaper yet of top quality. But before you go out and decide that you would buy one, you should first ask yourself, “can you handle it?”

Some digital guitar gadgets (another term for Guitar Digital Multi Effects Processor) are huge enough to emulate large stomp pads, and functions almost as good as the good old stomp boxes that we love. There are also some that are very user friendly, editing patches are a piece of cake. But some gadgets are just so difficult to adjust, edit and set up, with all their alien languages and buttons, they’re not meant for humans to tinker with.

A few things to consider when buying a digital effects processor:

  1. It should feature sweet varieties of distortions and other effects that you need.
  2. The amp emulation must be authentic sounding.
  3. Must be user friendly.

Basically, these are the three things you need to understand and consider when buying a guitar effects processor. The closer it is to an analog stomp box, the better. (that’s my opinion, though.) try and search a few stuff in the internet to learn more about it before you actually purchase it.

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The P.R.S. Guitar

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Paul Reed Smith Guitars or PRS is a popular, high – quality guitar maker. Famous for their double – cutaway solid – body guitar and as well as the single – cutaway version. These are just two of the many models that PRS makes, but different versions of these models are also available.

Paul Reed Smith started PRS way back in 1975 by building his first guitar when he was still in college. Later on. He started doing business selling the guitars he made by hand in his house’s attic in Annapolis, Maryland, USA. He was assisted by his friend, John Ingram. Eventually, the guitars he made received some attention. Ted Nugent tried to play the second PRS that they ever made and gave it to him later on after the guitars were finally shown to other musicians. After a few years, he sold it for 200 US Dollars. PRS also built a guitar for Peter Frampton in 1976. The first big break he had was when Al DiMeola ordered a 12-string version of the guitar. DiMeola later on spread the word that PRS can actually make any guitar that they ever dreamed on. Eventually, word reached his ultimate idol, Carlos Santana, and started using a PRS and would be using a custom-made PRS.

PRS’ are quite expensive but the quality is worth every penny.

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The Acoustic Effect

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

I don’t know if it’s just me but there is something really different about acoustic guitar, something unique. When I was still in my high school and wanted to impress girls, I don’t bring a drum set with me or a piano, I bring an acoustic guitar and sing to them acoustic songs. Acoustic songs are somewhat relaxing to the ears. It’s what I need whenever I’m distressed or stressed or when I wanted serenity. It’s effective, it soothes my mind. Even the heaviest of the rock songs when played in an acoustic guitar version, it transform into something else, something really good.

Regardless of the genre or the musical background, songs that are played using the acoustic guitar are the best for listening. Acoustic versions of some rock songs bring serenity and a solemn feel to it. It’s more emotional when it’s played in acoustic guitar. I want to give you an example, have you heard the song “seven years” by Saosin? It’s progressive rock plus screamo on the original recording, brutal and punchy.

Now, listen to the acoustic version of this song:

I don’t know about you but I could definitely see the difference between the two songs, eventhough their basically the same. The original version has angst and brutality meanwhile, the acoustic version is more honest and raw.

Therefore, we conclude that acoustic guitar music is more honest and you can be sure that it comes straight from the heart.

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Andy McKee’s Fingerstyle Guitar Playing

Monday, May 24th, 2010

If like me, you have seen the movie “August Rush”, you would have wonder if the guitar action in the movie was possible. True, it is possible indeed. One particular guitar player has noticeably popularized this kind of guitar technique. It’s like combining percussion with insane guitar playing. I’m not talking about shredding and stuff, it’s more like, tapping, harmonics, slapping and the likes. It really looks awesome and sounds awesome. It’s as if you are listening to a bass – drums – guitar combo. This guy is Andy McKee.

Andy McKee is an internationally acclaimed guitar player, born in 1979 in Kansas. He’s one of the best finger style guitarists in the world.  He’s currently signed with American Record Label, Candy rat Records. His videos on YouTube have been viewed by over 30 million viewers all over the world. Talking about popularity. His playing style and compositions makes him famous with guitar players, guitar lovers and even the normal people as well. He has recorded five full length albums already and one ep up to date. His latest is dubbed; “Joyland” was recently released and is currently gaining popularity. If you want to see what I am talking about, better check out some of his videos on YouTube. Here’s a sample from Andy McKee entitled, “Drifting.”


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Gifted Child

Friday, May 21st, 2010

Here’s something that I would like to share to all you guitar fanatics, shredders, licks masters and the likes. This  might cause you to feel to different things. It could inspire you or make you wanna pick up your guitar and throw it somewhere far, intentionally hitting some guy outside the window. A 12 year old kid playing guitar. You might be thinking like who i did when my friends first told me about it, “cute”, cute korean boy is killing the acoustic guitar like it has done something evil. When I saw the video, I knew it, the korean kid was just a disguise. He’s an alien from guitar planet. This is impossible, outrageous, whatever!

Anyway, enough of the babbling, THIS KID HAS GOT PURE TALENT! a gift, maybe. I don’t know. If you think it’s just practice, ask yourself, how many years does it take to become that good?

This is Sungha Jung guys, Canon in D, arranged by Trace Bundy Watch it and quit! LOL, I’m just kidding, Be inspired.


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    Alternate Picking

    Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

    Alternate picking is a picking style that is done by picking down and up alternately instead of picking downwards or upwards all the time. This style enables you to play notes faster. Instead of hitting one note, you get two when you pick up and down. Mastering this technique could double your picking speed.

    Basically, alternate picking is not that hard. All you have to do is pick down and up on a string, that’s it. Keeping your hands close to the strings also help you in alternate picking, don’t move your hand too far. Too make things easier, rest your hand against the guitar under the string that you are currently playing and pick away.  Also, keeping the pick flat rather than angled makes it easier for you to alternate pick from string to string.

    Practice this at least one hour a day. Start slowly then gradually build up speed. Try to synchronize the speed of your right hand with your left hand. Exercise different fingering patterns while alternate picking. This would help you get familiar with it. Once you’ve master this style, you’ll be doing fast licks with ease.

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    Dave Matthews’ Acoustic Guitars

    Friday, May 14th, 2010

    Ever wonder what kind of acoustic guitar Dave uses on his concerts? I saw this old concert he had at Folsom Park, back when LeRoi was still alive. I love the part when they played “Crash into me”, gives me shivers. The acoustic guitar sound that he was producing was huge and raw. I can’t actually explain how it sounds. But the whole point is where does the sound come from? Ofcourse, the technicians made it possible but it won’t hurt to know his arsenal, right? Most of the time, Dave uses acoustic guitars. Anyway, here’s his list:

    Taylor 714 Six-String Acoustic Guitar
    Taylor W65 12-String Acoustic Guitar
    Shure UHF Wireless System
    Shure UHE Antenna Distro
    Furman PL-Plus Power Conditioner
    API 512b Mic Pre-Amp
    Coleman Audio Switcher
    Korg DTR-1 Digital Tuner
    Meyer Sound CP-10 Parametric Equalizer
    Eventide GTR-4000 Ultra-Harmonizer
    Line 6 Gtr Pod
    Korg DTR-1 Digital Tuner

    Also, I found out from a post at acousticguitarforum.com that Dave also uses the following guitars in different occasions. Here’s the list:

    GIBSON CHET ATKINS SST “The Chet”
    Dave’s main guitar for most of the Under The Table, Crash, and Crowded Streets days. Dave admires this guitar for its thin, feedback free design. He began using it because it could cut through the bands thick sound. Dave’s first Chet was a SST Standard, complete with plastic soundhole, used in the “What Would You Say” video. Dave used the newer SST Studio’s in the videos for “Ants Marching”, “Satellite”, “Too Much”, “So Much To Say” and “Tripping Billies”. Dave has appeared to have retired his Chet’s

    YAMAHA COUNTRY JUMBO
    A guitar used for acoustic radio shows and interviews between ’93 and ’96. This guitar appears in the “Satellite” video (1), and the “Stay (Wasting Time)” video (2).

    MARTIN HD-28
    Dave’s main guitar for the 1999 Dave and Tim shows. Dave used this for an interview on Charlie Rose, and on VH1 Storytellers. Dave stopped using this guitar after recieving a Martin signature model

    MARTIN DM3MD
    Dave’s signature model from Martin. Dave used this guitar on the Listener Suppored concert, and most of the DMB Summer 1999 tour.

    TAYLOR 714
    Dave’s touring guitar for 1999-2000. He has four of these guitars, but typically only uses one of them. Dave abuses this guitar quite heavily, as indicated by the wear of the finish above the soundhole. Dave also says that he bled all over this guitar at the 2000 Bridge School Benefit. Dave discovered this guitar at Dusty Strings in Seattle, WA. He recently used it in the “Everyday” video

    TAYLOR 914c
    Found at the same store as the Taylor 714, Dave’s 914c was his main guitar for the 2001 tour. He also used this at the John Lennon Tribute Concert, the Groundworks festival, and the America: A Tribute to Heroes special. Dave has at least 2 of these guitars.

    TAYLOR W65 12-STRING
    Dave used this for several songs on Lillywhite Sessions (such as JTR, Bartender and Grey Street). Dave feels that these are the exception to the typical “strummy-stummy” sound that most 12-strings exibit. Taken on tour in 2000 and 2001. Dave has 2 of these.

    OTHER GUITARS
    Takamine (Model Unknown) – used for acoustic shows at Trax, circa 1992
    Ovation Celebrity (Black) – Dave’s main guitar for the ’91-’92 era
    Ovation Celebrity (Natural) – backup for ’91-’92 days
    Lakewood Acoustic – backup for D&T tours. Shown on the back of Live @ Luther College CD.
    Taylor Custom Baritone – Made for Dave by Taylor in the fall of 2001. The guitar is essentially a LKSM6 body style, with a 26-1/2″ scale. Dave used this at Farm Aid 2001.

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