Four Simple Letters, One Word: TONE
16/05/09 03:48 Filed in: Playing Better
Tone is the Holy Grail for serious guitar players. Many spend their lives searching for a the sound that clearly defines, inspires, and motivates them. Whether it’s Eddie Van Halen’s famous “brown” sound, Eric Johnson’s creamy distortion, Nile Rodgers single-coil compression, Randy Rhoads’ phased distortion—the list goes on and on—every great guitar player is recognized by not only the notes that they play but how they sound when they play those notes. Read More...
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Problem: Too Much Distortion
11/05/09 03:45 Filed in: Performance
Yes, distortion is the most popular effect—just look at the amount of stomp boxes that are available. Also, many students look for an amp with built-in distortion. Finally, let’s face it, distortion is one of the sexiest effects out there. However, I’ve noticed that too many students use way too much distortion than is appropriate and they use it all of the time. Read More...
Playing Is Not Practicing
04/05/09 03:11 Filed in: Teaching Advice
I find it interesting that many students don’t understand the difference between practicing and playing; however, I’m astonished when the parents don’t seem to know the difference either. The mother says, “Well, it’s not for lack of picking up the instrument…” While the father says, “He’s got that thing in his hands all of the time…” These are all good things to hear but not quite to the point that I’m trying to make. Which is simply: Practicing is not playing what you already know but, rather, working on the things that you don’t know and, maybe, are not very good at… yet. Read More...