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How To Play An Insane Guitar Solo

Author: Jason Parker

What’s the most insane guitar solo you’ve ever heard? One by Paul Gilbert? Yngwie? Eddie Van Halen?

If you’re going to play an insane solo like the guitar heroes, here’s what you need to start getting good at. These guys didn’t learn this stuff over night! Let’s get that straight up front. Shredding, especially shredding not just up and down scales, takes years to master. Not just that, but these guitar gurus are always pushing their own playing to the limit in their recordings. You can imagine the difficult road you have ahead of you.

32nd Note Legato Runs

At some point during the insane solo, most of our favorite guitarists will play abnormally fast, 32nd note legato runs. This will be the fastest, most impressive point to the “lay person.” We guitarists know shredding is much harder, although slower.

It’s important to develop legato techniques (all hammer-ons and pull-offs) along your 3-note-per-string scales and Pentatonic Scales. You’ll want to skip strings, do amazing finger stretches, and of course, full neck legato runs. Listen to Joe Satriani in particular and you’ll hear all kinds of crazy legato sequences.

Finger Tapping

For the most insane solo, add finger tapping, as pioneered by Eddie Van Halen, though brought to a whole new level today. There’s 2, 4, 6, and even 8-finger finger tapping. For the most dramatic effect, learn 8-finger finger tapping and not just on the upper register, more like the middle register and upper register combined. Be sure to tap arpeggios as well as be inventive in your note choice. The greatest taps are created with “worldly sound” in mind in my opinion.

Shredding

Get your metronome and start increasing your speed until you can play 16th notes at roughly 200 beats per second. The insane guitarists don’t only shred up and down scales at this speed, but also sweep arpeggios and Pentatonics at this speed. Get a book that teaches you all of the arpeggios, not just diad.

Tetrachords

Throw in tetrachord runs. Tetrachords require intense finger stretching. These are essentially 4-note-per-string diatonic scales. Type “tetrachords” into a Google search and there you’ll find what you’re looking for. Charles Gacsi at WholeNote has a great lesson on the theory behind tetrachords.

Guitar Face

As if it weren’t enough just to play an insane solo technically… You need to develop a guitar face worthy of the masters. No simple facial expression will do. You must practice this in the mirror, coming up with an original guitar face.

Tension and Release

Don’t be afraid to go outside your comfort zone and experiment. Even by hitting “the wrong notes” you’re doing something right. You’re creating tension. Use Chromatics to create tension or rip some notes off a bizarre scale for tension. Because it will be released to create a great feeling of contrast in your listener once you begin playing in key again. For the best release, only a simple melody will do. A simple melody repeated on and off within your insane solo will make it a memorable one.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/how-to-play-an-insane-guitar-solo-302374.html

About the Author
Jason Parker is a guitarist and teacher at Atomic Guitarist where free guitar lesson videos abound.

Beginning guitar lessons

Author: Tomas

When you think of beginning guitar lessons for yourself or kids or someone you know, you have two options to do that. One is taking the learning materials such as those found in online programs and going through the course at your own pace. The learning materials can be e-books audiovisuals charts pictures or interactive softwares.  On the other hand if you choose to take a school to learn guitar playing then you have chosen a good option that will help you master the skills faster. This is because you have a tutor in front of you and you can ask anything that comes in your mind. Also you have to follow the curriculum within the given time. But this can be a problem for many of workers because they may not have ample time to follow the schedule.

Many people want to know how to play guitar but they think it is too complicated and that it takes much time. But I am here to tell you that you can master basic aspects of guitar playing in weeks. The perfection comes with time. If you once master the basic skills the rest remains with you to maximize the level. As you keep on playing the guitar you will increase in knowledge and can play more like a pro.

When we come to the cost of online guitar playing lessons as to that of taking physical schools, they have a lot of difference. You can get self teaching materials much lower than the other.  So if you have the time and the money it is advisable to take the physical school but if not take the online guitar teaching program.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/beginning-guitar-lessons-1629287.html

About the Author

I have been playing the guitar for the past 15 yrs. It is the best music instrument I adore.Check my BLOG for further information.

The Acoustic Bass Guitar: A Relative Newcomer

Author: Victor Epand

If you find out someone is a guitarist and you ask them what kind of guitar they play, chances are that the answer will not be “the acoustic bass.” In the world of guitars, this instrument does not have an overly large following. It lacks the historical tradition of the classical acoustic guitar and the sexiness of the electric bass. However, the acoustic bass should not be discounted, as it does hold a certain place in the world of music. Although rarely utilized in its early years, it gained a foothold during the late 1980s when it was used during MTV Unplugged programs.

Acoustic bass guitars are an extremely recent advent as compared with most other versions of the instrument. The first acoustic basses on record are those made during the 1950s, and the first modern such instrument was developed in the early 1960s. The modern acoustic bass is accredited to Ernie Ball of California, who was supposedly felt that since electric guitars had bass instruments, acoustic guitars should too. Regardless of his motivation, Ball went on to collaborate with a man named George Fullerton and together, the two of them developed the first commercially produced acoustic bass, the Earthwood. This instrument was produced from 1972 to 1974 and again from 1976 to 1985.

An acoustic bass guitar, unlike its electric cousin, has a hollow wooden body similar to that of a steel-string acoustic guitar. It is generally fretted and possessed of four strings, although variations on this makeup do occur. The sound produced by this instrument is quite low, and as a result it can be difficult to hear unless an amplifier is used. Therefore, most acoustic basses have pickups that allow them to be used with amplifiers. Manufacturers of these instruments include Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, Tacoma and a number of other companies.

It should be noted that while the modern acoustic bass dates back only to the 1950s, traditional Mexican music has utilized this instrument for much longer. This style of music actually uses several kinds of acoustic basses. One of the most common is the “baja sexto,” which resembles a twelve-string guitar that has simply been tuned an octave lower. This instrument has been used in Texas since the 1920s, when “Tex-Mex” music began to become popular. A variation on the baja sexton is the “bajo sexton,” which is tuned slightly differently.

Finally, it is impossible to discuss bass guitars without bringing up the “guitarron,” the largest of the Mexican acoustic basses. This instrument is very large and has a strikingly deep body. It has six strings, as opposed to the modern acoustic bass’s four, and is commonly used in the music of mariachi bands. Because of its great size, the guitarron produces a loud sound and does not require electric amplification, at least in smaller venues. This attribute, the number of its strings and the fact that the guitarron is fretless all make it noticeably different from the modern acoustic bass. Despite these variations, Mr. Ball is believed to have used the guitarron as inspiration for his invention.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/the-acoustic-bass-guitar-a-relative-newcomer-565450.html

About the Author

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for guitars, drums, keyboards, sheet music, guitar tab, and home theater audio. You can find the best marketplace at these sites for guitars, acoustic bass guitars, guitarrons, sheet music, guitar tabs, and home theater audio.

A Brief History of Epiphone Guitars

Author: William McRea

When thinking about the history of Epiphone, one must start in Greece where Anastasios Stathopoulos made lioutos (a Greek stringed instrument), mandolins, fiddles, and lutes. The family moved to New York, and his son, Epi Stathopoulos inherited the company in 1915.

The company name changed from the House of Stathopoulos to Epiphone, a combination of his name and the Greek word for sound. The change was made official in 1928. It was during this time that the company was active in making banjos, and they even bought out a banjo company in Long Island. After the change was approved, the company became the Epiphone Banjo Co.

Epiphones guitars were launched in 1931. This was a full line of what are known as archtop guitars, a style that is popular with jazz and blues musicians. They quickly became one of the top guitar produces with Gibson being one of their biggest rivals. Notable Epiphone players of that time include Tony Mottola with the George Hall band and two band members of Benny Goodman.

Epi unfortunately died of leukemia and left the company to Orphie, who before his death was the second in command. His other brother, Frixo, became the Vice President. The two brothers later have a feud and Frixo sells his stock. After that, company had some trouble and eventually stopped producing a lot of instruments.

In 1957, Chicago Musical Instrument purchased Epiphone and made them a division of Gibson. Epiphone now still maintains their own line of guitars and the Gibson and Epiphone labels remain separate.

Current Epiphone models include a few Gibson copies (Epiphones version of the Flying-V and Les Paul are a few examples), and a few original Epiphone lines. The original guitars include all the versions of the Casino, Zephyr, and Sheraton, the Wildkat, the Broadway, and the Emporer.

Epiphone has had some famous endorsees. Both George Harrison and John Lennon played Epiphone Casinos. Lennon is famous for his personal modifications to the Casino. Other artists include Bob Marley, Noel Gallagher of Oasis, Lars Frederickson or Rancid, and Chad of Nickelback. For a complete list of artists, visit the Epiphone website . The list is quite extensive.

Here are what some uses have to say about Epiphone guitars (source Harmony Central):

About the Epiphone G-400 Custom

Action was really good. Finish was ok. Definately looks different than the rest of the pack. Gold hardware is gorgeous. The custom logo shined in the stage lights. I had to have it and I had fun with it for a few years.

This guitar is solid. Never goes out of tune. Hardware will dull a bit over the years. Strap buttons are solid. Careful with the neck dive on stage. Very top heavy.

About the Epiphone Flying Vee-Wee

I absolutely love this guitar!!! The VeeWee is the perfect shape for lap you can rest your hand on the upper arm of the V, or put it your hand in the point of the V to pick right near the bridge. The controls and cord jack are in the perfect position for lap style as well. Since it is so small and inexpensive, I carry it with me everywhere. I would not dream of bringing my Les Paul into the office, but this VeeWee is perfect for break time noodling. As I mentioned, the sound is great. I now own 5 guitars, and my lap-steel PeeVee wins the Most Fun award hands down!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/a-brief-history-of-epiphone-guitars-54173.html

About the Author
Guitar Warehouse is your place to Buy Guitar and other musical gear. We also offer a wide range of
free guitar lessons and tips.

Fender Highway One Stratocaster Review – Great Deal!

Author: R. S. Rasnick

The USA-made Fender Highway One Stratocaster is located between Fender’s American Standard and the Made-in-Mexico Standard series. Rather than just being a “budget” American-made guitar, the Highway One Stratocaster has a vibe all its own.

The Highway One Stratocaster we examined came in a Flat Black finish. One of the cost-cutting steps of this series is Fender’s choice of a light nitro satin finish. It’s a personal preference, but we liked it, and the light finish will surely allow the alder body to breathe better over time.

The guitar features a large 70′s style headstock with big frets, a vintage-style tremolo bridge, C-shaped maple neck (with choice of rosewood or maple fingerboard), 3 single-coil pickups with Alnico 3 magnets, and a special “Greasebucket” tone circuit. The guitar also ships with a gig-bag rather than the SKB hardshell case that comes with the Fender American series.

Upon playing the Highway One Stratocaster, it becomes immediately clear that the guitar is a quality, USA-made six string, even if it’s got some major differences that set it apart from the American Standard series. As we’ve already stated, we dug the nitro finish and value the result it has on the guitar’s tone (yes, finish does affect tone). Individual notes and chords just seemed to resonate better than with glossy finishes.

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We decidedly loved the pickups, which had a little more “punch” and dirt than American Standard pickups do. We especially dug the Greasebucket circuit, allowing you to diminish the highs without simultaneously increasing the bass. This instrument is especially suited for blues and classic rock tones.

The neck might not be for everyone, but we really liked it. The 70′s headstock is purely an aesthetic decision, but the large frets and satin finished C-shape neck just felt right in our hands. Strings bent like “buttah” and the neck really helps sweep arpeggios and fast runs. It requires the right touch, but we felt like the neck was really well done (we opted for the maple fretboard, by the way).

If you’re not a fan of larger frets, you probably won’t dig the feel, but we thought it was quite comfortable and gave the Highway One Stratocaster a feeling all its own.

With a street price of around $700, the Fender Highway One Stratocaster is a first-class USA-made instrument at a price that won’t break your piggy-bank. From its classy satin finish to its lovely C-shaped neck, the Highway One Stratocaster is an instrument that we highly recommend to Strat devotees who want an instrument just a little bit different.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/fender-highway-one-stratocaster-review-great-deal-1764122.html

About the Author

Need to find the cheapest prices on a used or new Fender Highway One Stratocaster? Then head on over to Ray’s Guitar Shop, which offers the lowest prices on all used and new guitars (electric and acoustic). It doesn’t matter if you need a Fender Stratocaster, a Gibson SG, or a PRS Custom 24, they can help you find the perfect guitar.