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Set List

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2010-06-01T12:25:47-04:00

Set One ... 4 All Along the Watchtower ...Set Two ... 4 If 6 Was 9 ... 6 Third Stone from the Sun ... 9 The Wind Cries Mary

Hendrix Rehearsal Notes 29 May 2010

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2010-05-30T17:35:46-04:00

Also, thanks to Nick Soldo for dropping off a truckload of White Castles—that was the first time I had lunch on a Saturday.

...The show is finally here and the following tunes still need a little tuning up: ...

Looking back, it's been a season with many more highlights and only a few setbacks. The setbacks I can count on one hand while the highlights are too numerous to mention. For me these highlights will become happy memories that I will always remember.

...For those that would like to share their experience with the show, lessons, etc. there will be a friend of mine, Stephen Ott, at the Ollie's show on Saturday who will be filming testimonials.

The Future of Lightning Licks Part II

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2010-05-24T23:10:12-04:00

I recently worked on a casting people on the street for a promotion for the new "Twilight" film so I have a lot of experience working with people who are new to the camera. I wondered if I could interview some of you for a video to be posted to Ed's site in the future? Did you ever wonder why celebrities always seem so relaxed when they are interviewed on Oprah or The Tonight Show? ... Well, if it's good enough for Jimmy Fallon and Lady Gaga, then it's good enough for us, so I am sending all the questions I will ask so you can think of your answers. I may not ask them all each time, but this is a good idea of what we'll be talking about. ...If you don't, please tell me so and I can bring some of the worst jokes I know to help you relax.

Hendrix Rehearsal Notes 22 May 2010

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2010-05-23T18:30:34-04:00

As we finished each tune I would begin asking each song member if they felt that there were any problems that they might like to address. ... I would then quietly ask one of the song members (one who I felt would give it to me straight) if they felt so good about the tune that they could confidently go on stage at that very moment and play the tune without any regrets. What I received this time was broken eye contact as they looked to the floor, ceiling or wherever searching for an answer.

...I know that summer is coming, it’s nice out and it’s Saturday, but we have 6 hours of rehearsal left and 25 tunes to rehearse. ... Or, you’re going to have a long night when you’re trying to make it to the end of the tune without screwing up on show night—and, that’s not fun. ...That did not fully happen this week and it was only a few of you and you should know better.

The Future of Lightning Licks

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2010-05-17T23:27:34-04:00

As this show season comes to an end the future of the Lightning Licks website needs to become a priority. As such, I’ve decided to create a music instruction website. I’ve also commissioned a PR consultant to help with branding, marketing and creating a buzz. He would like to begin by recording some testimonials from students and parents at the Hendrix Show. This, of course, made me uncomfortable at first but I did commission him to follow his suggestions.

So, if some of you would like to contribute—and please don’t feel that you have to—then please email me or Stephen Ott and he will forward you the questions that he is planning on asking.

Hendrix Rehearsal Notes 15 May 2010

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2010-05-17T11:12:22-04:00

We’ve never had the luxury of a full roster of students attend the rehearsal and this week was no different. ...

I understand that it is difficult to play the tunes fully without the complete lineup but, at this point, you all should be able to play the tune from beginning to end with a metronome by counting through the verses and choruses, etc. ...

Things haven’t gone that way that we’ve wanted them to go but we have had to make adjustments. ... We still need to work on tunes and that is why the schedule has been setup to allow you the time to play each tune two or three times. ... We don’t stop playing tunes once we get them right, we stop playing them once we can’t get them wrong.

...The only way to get you all to number 3 is by playing the song over and over again.

Hendrix Rehearsal Notes 8 May 2010

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2010-05-12T01:02:09-04:00

I have been doing a lot of work with the next stage of Lightning Licks and, unfortunately, this week I’ve experienced some corrupt files that have compromised the site. I could begin rebuilding the site—but with only 3 more rehearsals and much more work to do—I’ve decided to continue updating the Teacher Blog (Ask the Guitar Teacher dot com) and leaving the Lightning Licks site alone. ...Everyone played strong with the exception of “Can You See Me” which is the only song on the chopping block (if this song doesn’t get better than it will taken out of the show). ... With the exception of Arielle, the guitar players are hesitating when they need to play the pickup lick for the Verses and they can’t seem to find their way out of the solo section. ...For those of you that haven’t, you may want to take advantage of this now as I don’t think we’ll be doing this again in the future. ...The only way to look cool sitting down is if you’re a 70-year old, 600 lb. black man.

Bring Your Toothbrush

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2010-03-21T04:20:30-04:00

When I graduated from Berklee College of Music I was fortunate enough to go on the road and travel with a nine-piece R&B band that was in the style of the Blues Brothers. ...I then ask the other gentleman if either of them lived there to which he replied that he was the owner of unit 211 and his name was Attila Zoller. ...

Not 3 1/2 to 4 hours later I noticed that Attila was going out for a jog after a night of drinking and playing jazz. ...

He told me that he noticed the toothbrush in my back pocket every week since I began to see him. He then continued to inform me that if I hadn’t brought the toothbrush with me, as he had commanded more than suggested, that he wouldn’t have accepted me as a student. ... If I showed up to the lesson without the toothbrush he would’ve told me that he wouldn’t accept me as a student without any explanation.

Taking Back the Lesson

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-11-18T01:34:04-05:00

One of the dangers of becoming close with a student is allowing them too much latitude to explore boundaries and try out new philosophies, ideals and in more simpler terms “flex their muscles.” Unfortunately, some times during this process they forget that there is still a teacher/student relationship as well as an adult/teen interconnection that needs to be respected. ...I never had a teacher for more than a few months and only a couple that I studied with for two years at different times of my life. ...The bottom line is that we’ve become friends and let’s face it, the teacher/student relationship is just that, a relationship that needs to be nurtured like any other. ... Therefore, in the process of the student and teacher becoming friends there is sometimes a respect issue that needs to be addressed. ...Fortunately, I have established a strong enough relationship with many—I hesitate to say all—of my students that we can explore these boundaries without the relationship faltering.

Talent and Laziness

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-10-08T23:08:47-04:00

Although the two are mutually exclusive, many times a student that shows promise will look for shortcuts in either learning a new topic or practicing an old concept or both. ...The student with good ears will sidestep learning theory and developing sight-reading because those two skills do not give him the immediate gratification that his listening skills have provided him. ... Therefore, having to think—which is a byproduct of learning theory—causes him or her to slow down and process the music slower than he or she is used to. ...In many cases, they’ve outgrown their teachers and have not really been challenged so they now rest on their laurels and get by without any real effort. ...Firstly, I believe that a teacher without a teacher has a fool for a teacher; that is, they are teaching themselves and there is always something to learn. ...I know from experience: once, due to some miscommunication, I didn’t tell me all of my students of a hiatus that I was going on to finish some writing projects that I was commissioned to do.

Problem: Broken Strings

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-02-03T03:08:42-05:00

I was hanging out at the music store when in storms an angry mother making a beeline towards the first person with a store polo shirt to make eye contact with her. ...At this point, she looks directly at me and pulls me into the drama to which I calmly tell her that broken strings are—not only a positive sign that Little Johnny’s practicing but—a common occurrence. ...I often look at my students strings then run my fingers over them as they sheepishly say, “I know, I know, it’s time to change my strings.” ...These gauges are light enough for beginners to play and enjoy the experience while they’re still building calluses. 13s, for me, sound the best but you need strong fingers. ...I had an angry mother tell me that I must get a kickback from the music store because I told her child that I changed my strings that often. ...Little Johnny is actually Lisa and I ended up teaching her for three years until she went to college where she formed a band and gave guitar lessons on the side.

Problem: Teachable Moments

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-02-13T03:06:45-05:00

In fact, students are not always approachable during their lesson time and are, at times, more open to discussing and exchanging ideas outside of the lesson room where they feel that they are on more equal footing. ...Because of the first point, the student takes a more passive role and expects the guidance that he receives to be guitar-centric and/or music based. ...I didn’t have a syllabus and never realized that this was week three and I should’ve reviewed the lesson for week three. ...I try to take a little bit of time to find out what their favorite classes are, if they play organized sports, what television shows they watch, etc. ...Once they trust you, lesson time will go by quickly, they will begin practicing and be a little ashamed when they don’t practice. ...Treat this moment carefully because dismissing their question may cause them to become guarded again and it may take awhile to have this opportunity with them again, if at all.

Problem: Teacher Burn Out

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-02-15T03:04:30-05:00

After the passion for teaching has waned—especially if it was originally a transitional career in lieu of that of a performer/recording artist—and you begin to hope that your students cancel, bitterness and resentment begin to set in. ...Third, if you are one of the fortunate few that are able to establish a teaching practice out of your home or office and can pick and choose your students, then you can more easily avoid burn out. ...I enjoyed teaching when all was going well; that is, the students liked me and I liked them, they asked me things that I knew the answers to and paid attention during lessons. ...There are certain days that the personalities of the students that I have drain my energy more than others so a day and time change would serve better than a teacher change. ...This conversation can go on and on, and by the end of the lesson he will understand a little music theory with the motivation that he’ll soon be able to solo. ...A few months later they called me saying that they had an opening for a music editor and if I was interested I could come in and be tested for the position.

Problem: Choosing Junior’s 2nd Amp

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-02-18T03:00:02-05:00

His brother plays drums and they play together but, for now, he can’t be heard over the drums—yes, this is his second amp; not the little “5 watt, I’m-not-sure-if-he’s-interested” model. ...His mother wants an amp that is a little bit bigger than a practice amp but won’t make the neighbors call the police. ...The Randall and Vox are two lesser-known brands that are also good values (I’ve owned both brands in the past and never had any problems with them). ...Also, asking them some basic questions (like the ones in the email above) will empower you, the buyer, and tell the salesperson that you are serious. ...In my email I attached a PDF with a photo of each amp, some descriptive text, the price, and a link to the website where they could learn more or order the item. I’ve left that out of this column because each situation is different and, in the interest of being objective, did not want to have my suggestions misinterpreted as advertising.

Problem: Taxes and Accidents * Pages o Meet the Guitar Teacher * Archives o August 2009 o July 2009 o June 2009 o May 2009 o April 2009 o March 2009 o February 2009 o January 2009 * Blogroll o Guitar Crosscurrents o Music Business and Trend-Mongering o Music Education and Technology o Musician’s Wages o Online Piano Lessons o Themes o WordPress Planet * RSS 12 Seconds TV Channel o Carl Roa at Winter NAMM 2009 January 19, 2009 […] o Matt Smith Video January 19, 2009 […] o [iPhone] First Try December 28, 2008 […] * Recent Posts o Becoming a Working Musician o Becoming a Better Guitar Player o The Six Ts to Becoming a Good Guitar Player o Stories from the Road: Expect the Unexpected Part II o Stories from the Road: Expect the Unexpected * Categories o Announcement o Buying an Amp o Choosing a Teacher o For Parents o For Students o General o Instrument Care o Lessons o Music Gear o Teaching Advice o Teaching Philosophy o Uncategorized * Recent Comments o Lynnette on My Best in Show for Winter NAMM 2009 o Lynnette on Problem: Taxes and Accidents o Mike Harmon on Problem: Taxes and Accidents o Ed "The Guitar Teacher" on My Best in Show for Winter NAMM 2009 o Sardittefrillqnxm on My Best in Show for Winter NAMM 2009 * Tags 12 seconds tv Acoustic Guitars art of teaching Berklee College of Music blog Boss broken strings Buying an Amp Carl Roa changing strings Composite Acoustics Digitech Electric Guitars Flaxwood Flaxwood Guitars gig Godin 5th Avenue guitar Guitar Amps guitar instruction guitar lessons guitar teacher guitar teachers guitar tone illiterate guitarists Line 6 matt smith music books music musician teaching music software music teachers music technology NAMM NAMM 2009 nile rodgers ovation performance R Technology 150+ Amp strings Teaching Philosophy Tech 21 Tech 21 Power Engine The Carbon Edge the idea preamp tone That’s What I’m Talkin’ ‘Bout: The Educated Guitarist 25th March In my previous post I talked about the negative influence that a musically-illiterate guitarist can have on an impressionable up-and-comer. I even used a YouTube video and a quote from Guitar Player magazine to help make my point. Well, lo and behold, as I walked by my kitchen table to pick up an older issue of GP (April 2009) and quickly scanned it to see if I was ready to file it away. And, I wasn’t. There were still two articles that I had not read: interviews with Joe Louis Walker and Nile Rodgers. Both influences and inspirations. Joe Louis Walker is almost 60 years young and he has crossed paths with a who’s who of blues and rock giants: From sharing a rehearsal space with Jimi Hendrix, to bunking with Mike Bloomfield, to opening for B.B. King, to learning slide guitar from Mississippi Fred McDowell and Earl Hooker, to the legendary list of greats that he’s recorded with. A bluesman since the age of 12, JLW took a break from his career to go back to school. He was in his 30s at the time and earned his degree from San Francisco State University. Yes, JLW is a bluesman with a degree in Music and English. Nile Rodgers, who was born in NYC, is a session guitarist, producer, songwriter, and founding member of the disco/R&B band Chic. In his GP interview (April 2009) he talks about being the house guitarist at the Apollo Theater in Harlem and being a session player. “You had to read back then and be able to interpret… and you had to do it fast,” Nile recalls. This was the era when they were making records and doing sessions, the golden age of recording. He also talked about his jazz and funk influences that became a part of his style which, at its core, comes from the George Van Eps method of inverting chords and visualizing them in string-sets of three. Here are two successful guitarists that fly somewhat under the radar yet are leaving their marks on music. They have also managed to adapt to the ever-changing music scene and utilized their knowledge and education to expand on our musical language. During his hiatus from the music scene, JLW also took the time to study Gospel music and learn to, as he put it, sing it right. You can hear this influence on his music thereafter. JLW has transformed himself into an American Roots musician. NR, on the other hand, took his love for jazz and funk and helped create and define the 70s and early 80s disco/R&B sound as well as the style of guitar playing that made him and his hard-tailed white strat so famous. Take a listen to the R&B of that era and compare it to today’s version. There is a much more spiritual connection and organic vibe to the music of yesteryear. Both of these players have had very different journeys yet they both haven taken the time to learn their respective crafts. I know I may be speculating but I believe that if you asked them if they found their musical education limiting their creativity in any way they would not only say no but would quickly claim the opposite. ShareThis Posted in For Parents, For Students, Teaching Advice, Teaching Philosophy | No Comments » Tags: art of teaching, educated guitarists, guitar instruction, guitar lessons, guitar player magazine, guitar teacher, illiterate guitarists, joe louis walker, music musician teaching, nile rodgers, Teaching Philosophy Problem: Glorifying Illiterate Guitarists 24th March I came across two things last week. The first, I was surfing through YouTube the other day and came across a video from Dave Navarro’s Spread TV. His special guest was George Lynch and, in this video, they both admit that they are not knowledgable musicians. George states (at 2:44 of the video), and I quote, “I have absolutely no musical knowledge… I couldn’t play a major scale if you put a gun to my head…” To which Dave responds, “Right, me neither…” Now, Lynch has a Guitar Dojo that provides instruction and guidance to aspiring guitarists as well as producing his own instructional videos. And the second, I was reading the latest issue of Guitar Player (May 2009) and the Back Page feature was an interview with Nancy Wilson of Heart (from a December 1979 issue). Nancy Wilson is a self-taught player and the interviewer asked if she had regretted not taking formal lessons. Her response was no, because she felt that (playing the kind of music that she plays) it is most important to play by ear and that she knew of other people who were confined by their learning and couldn’t feel the music. I do understand where both are coming from. On the one hand, no one can deny the contributions that both Lynch and Wilson have had on the guitar community let alone music in general. However, it is these contributions that have put them in a position of influence where one word from them and they would probably send scores of future musicians in search of music education. On the other hand, we wouldn’t want them to go against their beliefs and, in Wilson’s defense, she simply stated that it was not for her and that decision was contingent upon the music that she played. But Lynch has a responsibility as the owner of “The George Lynch Guitar Academy” to choose his words carefully. Maybe someone should ask them if they feel that they would benefit from being educated musically. Some of you may be wondering, what’s it to you Ed? My concern is that in teaching teens and tweens I’ve noticed how impressionable they are by the folks that they admire. In many cases it’s monkey see, monkey do. You notice it in how they express themselves: From the way they dress to the guitar that they play to the way that they carry themselves in general. In this era of signature guitars with signature amps and pedals it’s very easy to see who the young guitarists’ idols are. Also, with the availability of YouTube lessons and downloadable tabs, young fretburners are learning licks faster than ever before. But don’t we want to see the guitar language grow? Today’s working musician is asked to be incredibly versatile with the ability to hear and feel the music as well as to communicate in an intelligent musical manner. Only guitarists and some bassists will understand that 5th string, 3rd fret is a C. Many guitarists are being disillusioned into thinking that playing faster and faster is the answer. And for some that may be okay, but for the aspiring musician who happens to play guitar a simple statement like “I can’t play a major scale if you put a gun to my head,” could lead to disappointment and time wasted. At 3:00 of the Navarro/Lynch video Lynch jokes (about their lack of musical knowledge), “What are we doing in the business then when there’s people who know these things and we don’t?” And Navarro responds, “They lack the creativity and that’s the difference.” This statement also sums up Wilson’s point as well. But what they don’t know is that maybe by learning a little bit of information that they may challenge their creativity. My point is that “Knowledge is Power.” A little bit of information can only create more options and those options are empowering. In addition, I also feel that we owe it to arm the future torchbearer with as much information as well as our experience so that they may further the development and evolution of the musical language that has given so much to so many. In closing I would like to add that I’m a fan of the three guitarists mentioned in this post and am not looking to make a mockery out of their beliefs, if that is indeed what they are. I remember reading a Guitar Player interview (yes, I’ve been reading GP for my entire guitar playing life) and there was an interview with Adrian Smith and Dave Murray from Iron Maiden where they joked about not knowing scales. I felt uncool about knowing scales and music theory; that is, until I discovered Larry Carlton, Pat Metheny and Mike Stern, and understood their interviews that were probably in Guitar Player magazine too. ShareThis Posted in For Parents, For Students, General, Teaching Advice, Teaching Philosophy | No Comments » Tags: Dave Navarro, George Lynch, guitar, guitar instruction, guitar lessons, guitar teacher, Heart, illiterate guitarists, Iron Maiden, Larry Carlton, Mike Stern, music teachers, music theory, Nancy Wilson of Heart, Pat Metheny, Spread TV, Teaching Philosophy Announcement: Free Voice Screening for Professional Singers 17th March MusiCares® Sponsoring World Voice Day Outreach Event: Free Voice Screening for Professional Singers Up to $1000 in vocal assessment and diagnostic services to be provided FREE of CHARGE to pre-screened, pre-approved clients. Tests include stroboscopic exam of vocal folds, vocal use questionnaire and physician examination. WHEN: Saturday, April 4th, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm WHERE: The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, Voice and Swallowing Institute, 6th Floor, 310 East 14th St. @ 2nd Ave. NYC HOW: Call 212-245-7840 or 877-303-6962 for more information and application materials. Completed MusiCares applications must be on file and approved in order to confirm appointment. ShareThis Posted in Announcement, For Parents, For Students, General, Teaching Advice, Teaching Philosophy | No Comments » Tags: free voice screening, MusiCares, professional singer. singer, voice, voice screening Problem: Constant Noodling 16th March What is it about the guitar that renders the player into a semi-conscious state of executing uncoordinated single-string non-melodies characterized by nauseating tone at irritating volumes? Why do they succumb to this zombie-like state that they fall into and out of where there is no rational communication possible? I imagine that to them I sound like the teacher from the Peanuts as I try to talk them back into reality. Can they hear the unpleasant sounds that are emanating from their instruments? Or, is the delusion of rock stardom so intoxicating that they cannot pull themselves away from noodling without the help of a 12-step program? Let’s take a look at a common scenario. A Typical Lesson The student storms in without knocking, drops his case in the middle of the floor, pulls out his guitar and kicks the case to the side. He then plugs in, doesn’t pay any mind to their guitar being out of tune, and tweaks the knobs of the amp—usually the channel that’s inactive. Then it starts: their eyes glaze over as they stare at their fingers flying haphazardly over the strings. Their hands out of sync like when you were learning to ride a bike and your feet kept trying to catch the pedals without—God forbid!—slowing down. I usually patiently wait for them to stop—and, many of them do after 30 seconds or so of rockstar dreamland—and, while I wait, I quietly wonder if they can actually hear themselves. A few things that I’ve noticed is that boys are more susceptible to this zombie-like state while girls seem immune to it. Most students will visit the above scenario for a few seconds at a time but there exist those problem students that will go from social user to habitual abuser. The problem with the latter is that it disrupts the lesson and turns bandmates against them. Yes, this problem spills over into band rehearsals. Back in the lesson room… The lesson begins and is soon interrupted by, you guessed it, more noodling. We slowly trudge through the lesson repeatedly starting and stopping for yet another round of incessant noodling. The problem is simple. This is a bad habit that needs to be broken. I usually begin by making students aware that they’re noodling. If this doesn’t work then I remind them, while adding, that noodling is not only a bad habit and inappropriate during the course of a lesson but it is also rude. This is when they usually feel a little bit ashamed and promise to not do it again. My Experience I’ve travelled the corridors of many music schools, conservatories, high school music departments and colleges alike. During these trips I’ve witnessed trumpeters and saxophonists warming up with long tones while working on their embouchure; in addition, I’ve seen violinists and pianists play long, lush arpeggios while percussionists execute dynamic paradiddles. The thing that they all have in common is that they’re loosening up with musical phrases and exercises. Which brings me back to my first questions. Is it the rock and roll rebel in us? My Story Yes, I, too, was an incessant noodler. I’d been playing for a couple of months and didn’t realize that I was noodling. My teacher was none to happy and strongly stated how rude it was to noodle while he was talking. This was a lesson that I never forgot and as I continue to teach I realize just how much noodling affects everyone. The lesson that I learned from my teacher has actually helped me get gigs. In my current band—a corporate band that performs at business functions, civil events, social affairs, casinos, etc.—I noticed during the audition process that the other final three guitarists were great players. I was just hoping to do my best. When it was all said and done, I was told that I got the job. they told me that from a performance standpoint we were all pretty even so they started looking at other points. I was told that I was the most professional by the band’s management company. The music director told me that the other guitarists were, of all things, noodlers. ShareThis Posted in For Parents, For Students, Lessons, Teaching Advice, Teaching Philosophy | No Comments » Tags: Add new tag, art of teaching, guitar instruction, guitar lessons, guitar teacher, guitar tone, noodling, Teaching Philosophy What’s a Shred-o-meter? 14th March I want to thank Lynnette from Beansprout Productions for suggesting this in a previous comment. The shred-o-meter is invented by guitar virtuoso Tobias Hurwitz and is the next generation in metronomes. Hurwitz describes his creation as a super metronome that can measure notes up to 1300 BPM (beats per minute) and also detects the player’s speed and clocks it in NPS or notes per second. Check out the demo videos for the shred-o-meter. Shred-O-Meter Part 1 Shred-O-Meter Part 2 ShareThis Posted in For Parents, For Students, Music Gear | No Comments » Tags: guitar, metronome, music technology, shred-o-meter, shredometer, tobias hurwitz Problem: Online TABs 9th March To begin with, are downloading free tabs from the internet a problem as I stated in the title of this post? Or, are they simply supplemental material that can add to the enjoyment of learning how to play an instrument? These are questions that I discuss with friends and colleagues. I often play devil’s advocate to explore the topics a little more in depth. Let’s begin with the “pros” and later we’ll look at the “cons.” The Benefits of Downloading Free TABS 1. I can download the song that I want to learn how to play in seconds without paying a dime. 2. I can get the song that I want without having to buy a book that has a bunch of songs that I don’t want just because my song isn’t available by itself. 3. I can get it now. 4. In addition to studying the instrument I get to have fun playing the songs that I like and not forcing my guitar teacher to learn the song and then show me. These are all valid points that some of my students share with me. However, there is always another side to the story. The Drawbacks of Downloading Free TABs 1. There are parts missing and/or incorrect! I really only needed one point for the “cons” section. I wanted to be as objective as possible when listing the “pros” and “cons.” My Story When I was first learning how to play I had a difficult time finding a teacher. Some would last for a few lessons, others didn’t really know how to teach, while others didn’t care, etc. I did find someone that I later learned didn’t really play guitar—he played jazz-style, pedal-steel guitar; which is a different animal compared to my six-string best friend that I’ve come to know and love. He wouldn’t teach me how to play guitar, let alone tunes and licks. But instead, he taught me about music. I learned how to play during the Big 80s when there was no internet, P2P file sharing, free MP3 downloads, YouTube, and free online TABS. If you wanted to learn a song, you figured it out with two ears and two hands or you found a friend who knew how to play the song to teach it to you. Many aspiring guitarists would head to the record store after school on a Tuesday to pick up the latest rock record. They would then lock themselves in their rooms and listen (yes, listen) to the record from beginning to end a couple of times. After those first few critical listens, it was time to plug in your axe and start figuring it out: riff by riff, lick by lick, chord by chord. There was a famous story about Jimi Hendrix playing “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” at a party that the Beatles were attending to celebrate the release of the record by the same name. The astonishing part was that the record was due to be released a few days later. Hendrix learned the tune from a private preview. Now that, my friends, is a Guitar God. My teacher didn’t give me the licks. He showed me how to get them myself. Unfortunately, I never did thank him for that. Instead, I resented the hours of lessons spent in front of the piano learning solfege and analyzing Bach chorales. My Position on Downloading Free TABS It simple… I’m against it because, once again, the artist is getting shafted on his or her royalties. Free TABs is the same as file sharing MP3s. In my day (wow, I sound like my dad) we paid for music, songbooks and lessons. The message that we’re giving the youth of today is that we condone “free” by turning a blind eye to it. Today’s generation feels that they’re entitled to free. I wouldn’t have a problem with free TABs if they weren’t at the expense of someone else’s hard work. From a teacher’s point of view I’ve seen many downloaded TABs that are incorrect, incomplete, or both. Yet, the students (tweens, teens, and adults) will look at the TAB like it’s the Holy Grail and then look doubtful at the teacher. All of that time that I spent listening to records and figuring out riffs, licks and songs was valuable and I don’t regret it one bit. I learned how to listen (something that the aforementioned students still struggle with) and I learned how to get a good tone from my guitar and amp (yet another thing that students today struggle with). If you’d like to buy music books then please go to Sheet Music Plus or if you’d like to download one song at a time then try Sheet Music Direct or Music Notes. These TABs are created by professionals and are complete and accurate with the owners of the song’s license receiving their percentage. What do you think? ShareThis Posted in For Parents, For Students, Teaching Philosophy | No Comments » Tags: download tabs, free tabs, guitar tabs, music notes, online tabs, sheet music direct, sheet music plus Problem: Taxes and Accidents

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-03-09T02:56:33-04:00

I apologize for being MIA for the past few weeks but since my last entry I was involved in a car accident and had to file my taxes. While each one is more than enough to deal with, both at the same time turned February into a month that I will hopefully not have to repeat again in the near future. Unfortunately, there are still forms left to fill out as well as loose ends that need attention but, thankfully, the bulk of the work is over. BTW, nobody was hurt in the accident and, after a week in the body shop, my car was looking good again. But it did acquire a weak bladder and started leaking fluids—so, it was back to the shop. At any rate, I’m back to the blog and will be updating regularly again.

Problem: Online TABs

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-09-04T02:54:29-04:00

I can get the song that I want without having to buy a book that has a bunch of songs that I don’t want just because my song isn’t available by itself. ...In addition to studying the instrument I get to have fun playing the songs that I like and not forcing my guitar teacher to learn the song and then show me. ...I did find someone that I later learned didn’t really play guitar—he played jazz-style, pedal-steel guitar; which is a different animal compared to my six-string best friend that I’ve come to know and love. ...If you wanted to learn a song, you figured it out with two ears and two hands or you found a friend who knew how to play the song to teach it to you. ...I learned how to listen (something that the aforementioned students still struggle with) and I learned how to get a good tone from my guitar and amp (yet another thing that students today struggle with). If you’d like to buy music books then please go to Sheet Music Plus or if you’d like to download one song at a time then try Sheet Music Direct or Music Notes.

What’s a Shred-o-meter?

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-03-14T02:51:58-04:00

I want to thank Lynnette from Beansprout Productions for suggesting this in a previous comment. The shred-o-meter is invented by guitar virtuoso Tobias Hurwitz and is the next generation in metronomes. Hurwitz describes his creation as a super metronome that can measure notes up to 1300 BPM (beats per minute) and also detects the player’s speed and clocks it in NPS or notes per second. Check out the demo videos for the shred-o-meter. Shred-O-Meter Part 1 Shred-O-Meter Part 2

Problem: Constant Noodling

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-03-16T02:47:56-04:00

He then plugs in, doesn’t pay any mind to their guitar being out of tune, and tweaks the knobs of the amp—usually the channel that’s inactive. ... I usually patiently wait for them to stop—and, many of them do after 30 seconds or so of rockstar dreamland—and, while I wait, I quietly wonder if they can actually hear themselves. ...Most students will visit the above scenario for a few seconds at a time but there exist those problem students that will go from social user to habitual abuser. ...If this doesn’t work then I remind them, while adding, that noodling is not only a bad habit and inappropriate during the course of a lesson but it is also rude. ...During these trips I’ve witnessed trumpeters and saxophonists warming up with long tones while working on their embouchure; in addition, I’ve seen violinists and pianists play long, lush arpeggios while percussionists execute dynamic paradiddles. ...When it was all said and done, I was told that I got the job. they told me that from a performance standpoint we were all pretty even so they started looking at other points.

Problem: Glorifying Illiterate Guitarists

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-03-24T02:44:11-04:00

George states (at 2:44 of the video), and I quote, “I have absolutely no musical knowledge… I couldn’t play a major scale if you put a gun to my head…” To which Dave responds, “Right, me neither…” Now, Lynch has a Guitar Dojo that provides instruction and guidance to aspiring guitarists as well as producing his own instructional videos. ...Her response was no, because she felt that (playing the kind of music that she plays) it is most important to play by ear and that she knew of other people who were confined by their learning and couldn’t feel the music. ...On the other hand, we wouldn’t want them to go against their beliefs and, in Wilson’s defense, she simply stated that it was not for her and that decision was contingent upon the music that she played. ...And for some that may be okay, but for the aspiring musician who happens to play guitar a simple statement like “I can’t play a major scale if you put a gun to my head,” could lead to disappointment and time wasted. ...In addition, I also feel that we owe it to arm the future torchbearer with as much information as well as our experience so that they may further the development and evolution of the musical language that has given so much to so many. ...I remember reading a Guitar Player interview (yes, I’ve been reading GP for my entire guitar playing life) and there was an interview with Adrian Smith and Dave Murray from Iron Maiden where they joked about not knowing scales.

That’s What I’m Talkin’ ‘Bout: The Educated Guitarist

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-03-25T02:37:58-04:00

Well, lo and behold, as I walked by my kitchen table to pick up an older issue of GP (April 2009) and quickly scanned it to see if I was ready to file it away. ...Joe Louis Walker is almost 60 years young and he has crossed paths with a who’s who of blues and rock giants: From sharing a rehearsal space with Jimi Hendrix, to bunking with Mike Bloomfield, to opening for B.B. ...He also talked about his jazz and funk influences that became a part of his style which, at its core, comes from the George Van Eps method of inverting chords and visualizing them in string-sets of three. ...During his hiatus from the music scene, JLW also took the time to study Gospel music and learn to, as he put it, sing it right. ... NR, on the other hand, took his love for jazz and funk and helped create and define the 70s and early 80s disco/R&B sound as well as the style of guitar playing that made him and his hard-tailed white strat so famous. ...I know I may be speculating but I believe that if you asked them if they found their musical education limiting their creativity in any way they would not only say no but would quickly claim the opposite.

Problem: The Plateau

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-04-09T02:35:29-04:00

He has good ears and a good sense of rhythm with a non-working knowledge of music theory (he knows some theory but doesn’t understand when he’s doing something or why it works). ...I’m talking about a really good kid who is very into music, respectful, and enjoyable to talk to; however, he does have a chip on his shoulder and shuns away from topics that he’s not into or does not see the immediate value in. He doesn’t necessarily noodle but will play something and then ask questions as to the modality or rhythmic subdivision and the lesson becomes about that topic rather than the one I had previously chosen. ...At this point he wasn’t expecting much from his lessons so there was a little bit of indifference that was introduced to our lesson time. ...I’ve also noticed that all of the things we spoke about at the beginning had been disregarded—a mistake on my part because I hadn’t followed up on the handouts that I had given him during our first lesson. ...I feel that these breaks—when properly handled by the teacher and teaching establishment, and properly communicated to the student and his or her parents—can be a healthy part of the student’s journey.

The 10,000 Hour Rule

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-04-25T02:31:56-04:00

While writing the book, Gladwell noted that “the biggest misconception about success is that we do it solely on our smarts, ambition, hustle and hard work.” Of the many points that Gladwell investigates—and the one that interested me the most—is “the 10,000 hour rule.” ...Basically, the 10,000 hour rule states that anyone who works hard at a specific art or task will become an expert after practicing that art or task for 10,000 hours. ...This is a point that I have begun addressing with my students in an attempt to instill that hard work and disciplined practice is the short road to becoming good at anything. In addition, I break it down to 2 hours and 45 minutes of daily practice for 10 years equals 10,000 hours. ...Some students seem overwhelmed by this idea while others seem indifferent and will continue to look for shortcuts and then there are others that ask me how many hours I’ve clocked in.

Four Simple Letters, One Word: TONE

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-05-16T03:48:22-04:00

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. ...I’m talking about those that are defining their style and are searching for the sound that they hear in their heads but doesn’t come out of their hands. ...No matter what, if you’re struggling with your tone it will affect your playing in a negative way because you will be fighting the instrument just to get something out of it. ...So, I’ve armed myself with a Steinberger ZT3 (I love the chameleon-like nature of Steinbergers and the playability and stability of this instrument is second to none), a Tech 21 Power Engine (the amp without a preamp section that I spoke about in my NAMM favorites post), and a series a digital all-in-one effects units (I’m currently using 3: a Boss GT-6, Roland VG-99, and POD X3 Live). ...The VG-99 I’ve used for it’s midi capability and I’ve been using it to create different sounds; however, this is the one that I use the least for live situations. ...Many other players had heard of me or, not me, but my tone which was achieved by playing the amp at between 11 and 12 O’Clock facing the wall or baffled with a wax-covered box that Budweiser bar bottles came in back in the early ’90s.

Problem: Too Much Distortion

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-05-11T03:45:43-04:00

However, I’ve noticed that too many students use way too much distortion than is appropriate and they use it all of the time. First of all, there is an appropriate amount of distortion to use and many (if not all) students simply overdo it. ...When you take the distortion away you’ll notice that students play very on top of the beat or they simply rush and play slightly ahead of the beat. ...The first hurdle is just getting used to the way that they sound and getting used to listening to themselves in this new environment. ...But I also respect the fact that a lot of the music that the students prefer to play is rock in all it’s distorted glory. ...The only thing that we, as educators, need to do is help our students with their tone and make them aware that practicing without distortion and delay (the other sexy culprit) will only make them better players.

Playing Is Not Practicing

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-05-04T03:11:04-04:00

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. ...A student who uses his time diligently and focuses on the lesson plans mapped out by the teacher will steadily improve while the student who mindlessly noodles for hours rehashing his favorite licks, riffs, and songs will sound flashy and impress non-musicians but will quickly fall out of favor with his colleagues and begin feeling frustrated at jam sessions and in other playing situations. ...Meanwhile, the ones that understand how to read will look for tabs and sheet music rather than take the time to improve their ears and try to figure out music passages on the spot. ...The first thing that I try to introduce to a student—after we’ve gotten to know each other—is, that they are in charge of their journey. ...Instead, it means how much time he will diligently focus on achieving the tasks that I have set before him with the promise that if he does this he will reach his goal.

When A Favorite Student Moves On

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-06-03T02:41:37-04:00

I’m not naive enough to think that students will stay in lessons forever but this is one of those unique situations. Sometimes kids move on and another shows up to fill the void; but, in this case, I’m going to miss this person. Many of my fellow teachers will attest to the fact that after a full day of lessons if the last student of the day fails to show it is an almost welcome surprise. I, on the other hand, looked forward to whatever surprise my 9PM Monday student would bring—except to find out the she wasn’t coming. ...Our facility just isn’t for her anymore so it wasn’t a complete surprise and I am happy that she is going to continue her music studies. My greatest hope for her is that she continues her musical journey and during that journey she teaches a student that brings as much to her life as she has brought to mine.

Stories from the Road: Expect the Unexpected Part I

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-06-10T02:38:08-04:00

It seems that it is only during these out-of-town jobs that we have a chance to bond and learn a little more about each other. As in most GB situations, the musicians involved are also committed to other situations making time a valuable commodity that doesn’t allow for socializing. This particular gig started as any other with a car pool and a long drive through really bad weather with even worse traffic conditions that turned a three-hour trip into a five-hour ordeal. ... We found our hotel and checked in with about half an hour to get to the sound check for the first gig. ...The first gig has a fully-loaded backline (amps, PA, and drum set) so, even though we’re running a little to close to the edge for comfort, we have a pretty quick setup. ... Well, with so much having happened up to this point, we simply didn’t have the energy to argue and saved our energy for the performance.

Stories from the Road: Expect the Unexpected Part II

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-06-21T02:31:41-04:00

Our sound check is cut to each band member playing a couple quick licks while the rest of the musicians try to figure out the monitoring system and set up their personal mixes. ...I keep playing hoping that the sound is somehow coming through the mains but over my crappy headphone mix I hear the band manager out in the audience shouting, “There’s no guitar! ...We were on concentration overload trying to make it through this first set when one of the singers lost her headphones and started singing to the mix in the mains. ... I even thought that I would try it too but I then noticed that the groove was slipping away and that I didn’t have the hi-hat or bass guitar to guide me. I try to concentrate harder and find myself torn between the vocals and the slippery groove when I notice that the mix coming out of the mains is about a half of a beat behind what we’re actually playing. ...A couple of tweaks to the V-Drum system and a dry drum sound was heard by all complete with hi-hat (my personal metronome as I like to set up my groove to the drummer’s hat rhythm).

The Six Ts to Becoming a Good Guitar Player

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-07-03T00:39:26-04:00

It’s a simple enough question that is often asked and I finally found a guideline that provides a succinct point of view that I humbly attribute to the great studio guitarist Michael Thompson. ...From the way we maintain our guitars, amps and effects to how quickly we dial in the appropriate settings for the situation we happen to be playing in. Also, there is a maturity in the way that we play the notes that goes beyond our gear that is the trademark of any good player. ...From digging into that single-note funk groove to muscling that slide guitar riff to lightening the touch for fast, silky passages, all with the proper use of dynamics, it all comes down to how well we know our instruments so that we can get what we need out of them when the music calls for it. ...It’s also important to be sensitive enough to the rhythm that we can play “ahead of the beat” or “behind the beat” if the music calls for it. Being a solid rhythm guitar player will also win over bass players and drummers—and these are the musicians that you want to impress.

Becoming a Better Player

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-08-29T03:28:15-04:00

The common thread that I see and hear amongst my “more proficient” students is that they can play fast and intricate passages with a little bit of practice. ... However, the other common thread is that they spend most of their time on developing what they’re already good at and dismissing what they really should be working on. ...The two areas that I’m referring to in becoming a better guitar player were discussed in the previous article on the Six Ts for becoming a better player and they are tone and time. Since writing the previous article I’ve been approached by not only students but teachers on different methods and approaches for focusing on these deficiencies in the lesson room. ...King, T-Bone Walker, Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, and every other legendary player you can think of, you begin zeroing in on different aspects of tone. ...In closing, I urge the guitarists who are on that road of getting better to focus on increasing your chord vocabulary and rhythm playing while you also work on the subtleties of effective soloing.

Becoming a Working Musician

ed@rockeromedia.com.com — 2009-08-30T01:20:43-04:00

Many of us teach but, as with most service industries, the number of students declines during the summer months and forces us to lower our overheads, tighten our belts, or whatever metaphor implies not making enough money. ...As much as I enjoy teaching, it’s easy to get burned out and I like the balance that the three areas bring to my playing. ...Although many jobs are found by referral, until you gain some experience and perform or teach for a long enough time to get your name out there you do need to start somewhere. Craig’s List and many local classified ads are valuable resources; however, I have found that the Music Jobs site is the perfect website that covers all three areas of the music business that I’m involved with. ...I’ll also take a non-paying job if I’m not doing anything to gain experience in an area that I’m not familiar with and make new contacts. ...If they move on to other positions or are asked by their colleagues to refer a musician or a band for a paying engagement then they will be happy to return the favor.