Online Guitar Lesson

Choosing An Electric Guitar: Main Points To Consider. By Peter Mack.

2006-09-25T06:35:00.000-07:00

Ask any guitarist, and they will you that nothing comes close to jamming with a guitar. In fact, no other instrument has influenced modern music so much as the guitar, and its ongoing popularity is reflect in its ubiquitous appearance in bands, radio stations and music videos throughout the world. Certainly one of the coolest instruments, the guitar is synonymous with contemporary pop and rock music. That said, no guitar is more symbolic of rock music than the electric guitar. Whether you are an expert or a mere learner, getting a new electric guitar is a thrill. Perhaps you have only ever played an acoustic guitar, and want to branch out? Maybe you are simply learning guitar from scratch? Whatever your reasons, buying an electric guitar means you will be able to play searing riffs and haunting melodies like you have never experienced with any other instrument. There are a number of things to decide upon when choosing an electric guitar. The first decision you need to make is what body shape you want your guitar to be. To date, the most popular guitar shape is the solid-body Les Paul shape. You can also opt for the SG Style, which has a thinner double cut-away body. Other most common shapes are the Stratocaster and Telecaster. Once you have chosen the shape of your guitar, you will need to decide what pick-up you want, either single or humbucker pick up. These refer to the copper wire that is wrapped around the bar magnets. As its name implies, the single pick-up it is composed of one copper wire wrapped in a single coil around a single bar magnet or several rod magnets. The humbucker pick-up, on the other hand, uses two coils which tends to increase the intensity of a guitar’s sounds. Choosing the right bridge is another important step. You will need to decide between the stock tremolo, double-locking or Floyd Rose double locking system. Depending on the style, the strings may be positioned differently, looser or tighter, and more or less responsive to your touch. These are just some of the things you will need to consider when you select your new electric guitar. The choice you ultimately make will vary depending on the sort of music you want to play, as well as your knowledge and level of experience. Your budget will also bear upon your decision, and for those with less money, secondhand guitars are always an option. Seeking help from friends who play the electrical guitar, or staff at the music store is always invaluable. Once you have the right guitar, your playing will be more enjoyable... and the better for it.
About The Author
Peter Mack writes for http://electricguitarshow.com, a website packed with electric guitar articles and resources.

Review: Jamorama – the Ultimate Guitar Learning Kit

2006-09-17T08:31:00.000-07:00

This package really CAN show you how to play popular tunes on your guitar… and be the center of attention in no time!
If you are learning the guitar as a beginner, as a slightly more advanced player or as someone coming back to playing the guitar, you can appreciate how frustrating it is learning the skills and techniques without seeing any noticeable results. The time and effort that many put into exercises don’t seem to be reflected in their standard of playing. There also seems to be a frustration in the lack of quality information on the market.
Ben Edwards and the team at Jamorama have bucked the trend with the latest version of Jamorama. They had considerable success with their first release of Jamorama, and given the positive feedback from the success of this package, the team decided to develop the product further. They have come up with a new package that is unrivalled in terms of quality and its comprehensive nature. This package truly does enable guitar students to accelerate their learning, and includes an impressive array of features.
In addition to the quality information in the glossy two book series, the team at Jamorama has spent 1,000s of hours developing 148 video examples and exercises so the student can hear and see exactly what they should be doing. The Jamorama team have also included two exaexclusive educational computer games to develop your skills in reading and training your ear to transcribe music. They also included the pro version of Jayde Musica and GuitEarIt! as free bonuses that give the student the ability to train their ear to recognize notes and transcribe songs from the radio. Both of these programs are very well made and presented, and most of all are easy and fun to play.
Add to this package the two additional free bonus ebooks "Advanced Learning Techniques for Guitar”.and “How to tune your guitar”. Advanced Techniques introduces the idea of mental visualization, which is a powerful tool in speeding up your rate of learning. Mental visualization uses the same pathways inside your brain other than the fact you are not performing the activity physically. The second bonus book, “How to tune your guitar” solves the problem with tuning guitars, and introduces the reader to the most effective way of tuning a guitar.
If that weren't already enough the Jamorama Metronone also comes with the package at no additional cost.
With all of the information in this package there really is no excuse to delay learning to play your guitar. The Jamorama team has given the reader four high quality books, two fun educational games and access the Jamorama forum with all the resources you need to play like a professional in no time.
This package is by far the most complete and fresh approach to guitar playing that I have seen in a long time. I highly recommend this product because I do believe it will deliver results and have you playing popular songs like a professional using the most effective techniques. There is something here for every guitar player, regardless of ability. And at the current cost, it really is worth every dollar spent!

A Brief History of Gibson Acoustic Guitars by William McRea

2006-09-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

Orville Gibson, the founder of the Gibson Guitar Corporation, started making mandolins in 1894. From the beginning, Gibson established himself as a quality instrument builder who added his own innovations. His mandolins were modified in such a way that they had a richer sound.
Before Gibson could really watch the success of the company take off, namely their guitars, he died of leukemia in 1918. However, the legacy of innovation did not end with his death. The Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Company, now called the Gibson Guitar Corporation, started to build guitars a little differently than other manufacturers all throughout the 20s and 30s.
In 1936, Gibson launched what is considered by some to be one of the first electric guitars that achieved wide spread acceptance. The electric Spanish style guitar merged design elements of a Spanish guitar and turned it into an electric.
One of their most famous guitar styles is the Les Paul. The story of the legendary Les Paul guitar starts in 1952 when the company worked with the accomplished guitarist, Les Paul, to create this signature model. They discontinued the style after some time but resurrected it in the late 60s.
The company came under new ownership due to some financial difficulties. They had some financial difficulty and looked to the new leaders to move the company in a positive direction. Henry E. Juszkiewicz, David H. Berryman and Gary A. Zebrowski not only saved the company, but they are also the reason why Gibson is still so successful.
Almost all of Gibsons acoustic guitars can be classified in one of seven categories. These are the Super Jumbos, the Jumbos, the Round Shoulder Dreadnought, the Square Shoulder Dreadnought, their Small Bodies guitars, the Signature Artists Series, and their custom guitars. For more information on the different models, visit the website at gibson.com.
There are also a good number of artists who love the Gibson line of instruments. In fact, the list is so extensive that they needed to categorize them in alphabetical order spanning multiple pages. Some of these artists include Aisa, Akihito, Gavid Degraw, Gunner Nelson, Les Paul, and Alex Lifeson of Rush. For more artists visit the site.
Here is what people have to say about their Gibson Acoustic guitars.
About the Gibson Gospel
A lot of guitar bang for the buck. I cannot imagine playing anything else. No desire to upgrade or to see what else is out there. I am fully satisfied with the gospel. If it was lost or stolen I would find me another after a nice long cry. This is the only acoustic guitar I own, and, hopefully ever will. Its absolutely great. It just kind of sits there begging to be played, and who am I to deny.
Another about the Gibson Gospel
Great sound - less boxy, rhythmic and classic for playing in the band or solo flatpick strumming than J45, but fuller bottom end, better projection and string articulation, as expected with longer scale. Big projected, balanced sound for strumming (richer and less trebly/tinny than Taylor 310 and 410) and better for fingerpicking and capo work than J45. If you could pick a single guitar for the night, Id prefer it to the J45 and 310 for live unaccompanied stuff. With B-band, very versatile when run through the board. For the price - about as well rounded a dred as you can find.
About the Author
Guitar Warehouse is your place to Buy Guitar and other musical gear. We also offer a wide range of Gibson Acoustic Guitars and Free Guitar Lessons.

Online Guitar Lesson

2006-09-13T09:02:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog. I will be posting articles and information on Guitars and Guitar Lessons so be sure to check back regularly.
Cheers, Adam