Archive for November, 2009
Everyone is familiar with four, five piece bands and can name many of their favorites but how about three piece bands. This one takes some thought, and don’t cheat with a band like U2 who although has only three instruments does include a singer making them four piece band.
Three bands come in mind for me and they all consist of an electric guitar, bass guitar, some use an electric bass guitar while others use an upright bass. In my mind it started with Buddy Holly and the Crickets. Until he came along it was said you couldn’t have a band with just three guys, boy were the critics wrong. Next on my list is the Stray Cats, who can forget the memorable “Stray Cat Strut”. Last but not least is the “King of Pain” put out by The Police. Well that’s my favorite three piece bands, what’s yours.
An earlier blog had you debating with your friends over the best bands, well how about taking it a step further asking “Who are your favorite musicians”? Your choices can include electric guitar players, bass players, singers, keyboardists, drummers and whatever other instrument comes to mind.
Two drummers that I immediately think of are Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac and Ringo Starr from The Beatles, both underestimated as far as I am concerned. When it comes to electric guitar the list could be endless, however I’ve narrowed my list down to these guys who all have their own distinctive styles, George Harrison The Beatles, Lindsey Buckingham Fleetwood Mac, Eric Clapton, Terry Kath Chicago, and Mark Knapler of Dire Straits. Bass guitar I was always partial to Jim Fielder from Blood Sweat & Tears, I liked Pete Cetera when he was with Chicago and of course Paul McCartney from The Beatles. One person that comes to my mind when I think of favorites is Christine McVie. She is a song writer, singer, and keyboardist, she retired in 1998 and although Fleetwood Mac still tours they don’t sound the same without her. Anyone who doubts my choice of Christine McVie I challenge you to listen to “Songbird”, a song she wrote and performed as a single at the end of their concerts, this has to one of the most beautiful songs ever.
One of the things to consider when you are buying an electric guitar is what style guitar do you like. Another thing to think of is your playing style, are you a rhthym guitarist or more of a lead guitarist.
For a lead guitar you can’t beat the sound of a Telecaster guitar, for rythym a stratocaster can’t be beat. Don’t over look the style and sound of a (Les Paul) LP Guitar. Whatever style you decide on don’t overlook the accessories that are also considered necessities, amplifiers, gig bag, guitar tuners, and even guitar stands make owning a guitar more enjoyable. If you don’t purchase these items at the time you buy your guitar you will at some time be back to buy them, or you can look for Electric Guitar Packages that would include all these items plus more.
Would you like to have some fun, the next time your with you friend or friends ask everyone this question, “Who is your favorite”. Rock “N” Roll, Jazz, Rap, Classical it doesn’t matter what type of music you like everyone has either a favorite band.
For me I have quite a few favorites, Fleetwood Mac (with Christine McVie) has always been one of my top bands, I don’t know what It is, but what ever It is Fleetwood Mac has it. The Eagles are another one of those super groups from the old days. The Doobie Brothers are a very underestimated band and in my mind one of the best, with their electric guitar solos, driving bass guitar, and wonderful harmonies how can you not like them. For me I always liked the early works from Chicago and Blood Sweat & Tears.
I was a teenager in the 1960’s and in my opinion The Beatles are the Best of the Best. From the song writing to the vocals, to the instrumentals there will never be another band that equals The Beatles.
Do you play an awesome electric guitar, does your finger picking style on an acoustic guitar really move your listeners, or are looked at as being an outstanding bass guitar player? Maybe you don’t play guitar, maybe you play keyboards, Have you ever wondered what you would sound like professionally?
Years ago this tecnology would have cost you thousands of dollars, today using you computer it would cost you much less. First you need a digital audio workstation, to my knowledge this can be found on line, you have to find the one that is compatatble with your operating system. Next you need a sound card for your computer, one that will have imput jacks for electric guitars, mics, and headphones. After you get a midi controller keyboard your fun will start. This type of keyboard doesn’t make sound itself, it controls your software for different sounds. If you play a classical acoustic guitar with to amplification you need a condenser mic.
When you install your sound card driver set it up to communicate with the recording software. Don’t forget to adhjust the input level for the instrument your are playing then record. Don’t expect miracles overnight, it will take some time to get use to it.
Your concern while playing an acoustic guitar should be more on control, and a finesse that expresses your true feelings, rather than speed. While it is nice to have speed, accuracy and control will go further in your self expression. Acoustic guitar playing is done more with a finger picking style or rather than playing with a pick.
There are two types of acoustic guitars, one is a classical guitar which has a wider neck and employs the use of nylon strings, the other is an acoustic electric guitar that has a smaller neck while using steel strings. This guitar normally has a pickup in the bridge and an equalizer to control the sound that uses a 9v batt. When plugged into an amplifier you get a guitar sound that is different than that of an electric guitar. This type acoustic guitar can be played with or without an amplifier to give you versatility.
There is a t-shirt with a saying on “Tune It Or Die”, truer words were never spoken. Whether you play an acoustic guitar, an electric guitar, or a bass guitar the one thing these or any other musical instrument have in common is the fact that they need to be in tune.
In the old days keeping your guitar in tune was done with the aid of a pitch pipe. This is a device you blew into for the note you were looking for. Each note had it’s own pipe,but depending upon how soft or how hard you blew the note would change, unfortuneately I tell you this from experience.
Presently exists digital guitar tuners that make tuning your guitar easier than ever. There are several types of digital tuners in different price ranges to fit any budget. Some require plugging into them with a standard guitar cable while some clip onto the head stock and require no cable. There is also a pedal tuner that you can keep plugged in and bypass it if you want control of tuning while you are playing a gig.
Once you’ve learned to play a few songs on guitar and perhaps even done some improvising, it’s time to consider the way you want your instrument to sound. Guitar tone can vary from jagged and abrasive to smooth and twangy. The mood of the music you wish to play might dictate your string selection, or you might find that your preexisting strings lend themselves to a certain sound.
Generally speaking, lighter strings bring out a lighter, “happier” tone suitable for an upbeat country song. A heavier string will likely bring out a deeper, plodding tone. If you and your band are searching for a darker, more menacing sound typical of a Gibson guitar, look for a similar discount electric guitar online. Guitars in the Fender tradition typically emit a cheerier tone.
I would like to take some time and talk about some of my favorite bass players, first one being Donald “Duck” Dunn. For those of you that might be saying who?, I’m talking about the bass guitar player from the movie The Blues Brothers.
Now your probably saying oh yeah I remember him, well there’s more to him than The Blues Brothers, his early career was with a band Booker T and the M.G.s. He later played with such greats as Otis Redding, and Sam & Daves’ “Hold On, I’m Comin”. He has played with the likes of Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton and Rod Stewart. He was the bass player on “Stop Draggin My Heart Around” a song by Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty.
In 1998 he along with Fender came up with a candy apple red Precision Bass using a 1950s style bass, it also featured a gold anodized pickguard. This later led to the Skyline Series bass guitar made by a company out of Lakland, Chicago.
With the CMA awards last night I thought I would switch from my normal blog and talk about a guy that is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and is also seen by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame James Burton. His reputation as one of the best guitar pickers in rock or country music is well known and is sought out by many artists.
His career goes back to his early teens where he was part of a radio show band, that led to him playing lead guitar for Rick Nelson from ‘58 to ‘67. When Elvis Presley had his comeback special in 1968, James Burton was asked to play by Elvis and had refused because his popularity was so big he was already invoved in too many projects. When Elvis started playing Las Vegas his first call was to James Burton, who accepted this time and would put togethet the backup band for Elvis known as the TCB Band. TCB stood for (Takin’ Care of Business). At some point in each show you’d hear Elvis say “Play It James”, he was referring the guitar solo by James. He also played with artists such as John Denver, Merle Haggard, EmmylouHarris, and most recently on an album with Brad Paisley. During the summer months in Louisiana there is a James Burton International Guitar Festival, where he also is a member of The Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame.
While he has used a many types electric guitar amplifiers his preferred electric guitar has always been the telecaster.