2011-04-08
ROB SWIFT DJING AT GUITAR CENTER SESSIONS (FULL ROUTINE)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bN4OUf97a4&hl=en
2010-12-19
Chord Extension Guitar Music Theory Lesson
Major and Minor Seven Guitar Chord Extensions
At their core, major and minor chords are built from triads which consist of root, third and fifth (1 3 5) intervals. These intervals are derived from the major scale and named according to their scale degree. Other notes, or extensions, from the major scale can be added to chords such as seconds, fourths, sixths and sevenths (2 4 6 7). Adding extensions creates more complex chords with richer sounds. This free guitar lesson will give you a quick introduction to this topic and how to apply this music theory principal to the fretboard and popular songs.
Major Scale Patterns and Chord Progressions
Before you begin to study extensions you should first learn how to build major and minor chords (triads) from the major scale. This would include guitar chord progressions and playing by numbers (a.k.a. the "Nashville Number System"). You might even need to take a further step back and learn major scale patterns. Remember, each music theory topic builds on the one before it. Major scale patterns and building chords are two topics that are foundational to understanding and applying chord extensions.
Chord Building Theory
If you've already been through the process of building chords for the entire major scale, then you're ready to start adding chord extensions. All you have to do is repeat the whole process, but this time add an additional interval to the triad. For example, a seventh interval ( or 7). Starting on a G note in the key of G, 1 3 5 7 are G B D F#. The F# note is a major seven interval and is just one note shy of an octave. Any time you add an F# to a G major chord you create a G major seven chord (or Gmaj7). This can be done with any G major chord shape in any position, and any F# note regardless of the octave. You'll have to rearrange your fingers in order to accommodate this extra note.
Next, add a seventh interval to the ii chord in the key of G, A minor. To do this, count the notes of the G major scale STARTING ON A. If you do this correctly the seventh note away from A is G. This interval is called a flat seven because it's one fret less than a major seven (or two frets shy of an octave). When you add a G note to an Am chord you create an A minor seven chord (or Am7). This can be done with any Am chord shape in any position, and any G note regardless of the octave. You'll have to rearrange your fingers in order to accommodate this extra note.
Now that you have identified the seventh interval for the first two chords in the key of G you can continue the process with the rest of the scale. If you do this correctly the following sequence should emerge:
Harmonized Major Scale With Sevenths
I Gmaj7
ii Am7
iii Bm7
IV Cmaj7
V D7 (which means "dominant" seven)
vi Em7
vii F#m7b5 (whoa, that's a mouthful!)
Dominant Seven Chords
The V chord, D7, is unique in that it's a major chord but it has a flat seven interval like the minor chords. Because of this it has special name which is "dominant" seven. For some strange reason, it's the dominant seventh chord that is written simply as "7." The major seventh chord must always include "major."
As with any music theory topic you learn about, you must apply extensions to the guitar fretboard by playing songs. The follow lists will help to get you started by naming some well-known tunes that use seventh chords.
Guitar Songs That Use Major Seven Chords (Maj7)
"Under the Bridge" Red Hot Chili Peppers (verse end)
"Fire and Rain" James Taylor (intro/verse)
"Plush" Stone Temple Pilots (verse)
"Everyday" Dave Mathews Band (intro/verse)
"Riviera Paradise" Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble (verse)
"Dust in the Wind" Kansas (intro)
"Best of My Love" The Eagles (intro/verse)
Guitar Songs That Use Minor Seven Chords (m7)
"Tears in Heaven" Eric Clapton (chorus)
"Change the World" Eric Clapton (chorus)
"Let it Ride" Bachman-Turner Overdrive (intro/verse)
"You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" Bachman-Turner Overdrive (intro/verse)
"Oye Como Va" Santana (intro/verse)
"Long Train Running" The Doobie Brothers (intro/verse)
"Black Water" The Doobie Brothers (intro/verse)
"Stairway to Heaven" Led Zeppelin (interlude)
Guitar Songs That Use Dominant Seven Chords (7)
"Black" Pearl Jam (intro)
"Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" James Brow n(intro/verse)
"Nothing Else Matters" Metallica (intro/verse)
"Cross Road Blues" Cream (intro)
"Roadhouse Blues" The Doors (verse 2)
"Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" KT Tunstall (intro/verse)
"Sitting, Waiting, Wishing" Jack Johnson (intro/verse)
Guitar Songs That Use Minor Seven Flat Five Chords (m7b5)
"Change the World" Eric Clapton (chorus)
"Smooth" Santana (verse)
"I Will Survive" Gloria Gaynor (verse/chorus)
Other Songs Worth Learning
"It's Too Late" Carole King
"Ventura Highway" America
"Let's Stay Together" Al Green
"One" U2
"Collide" Howie Day
"Daughters" John Mayer
"Ooh Baby Baby" Linda Ronstadt
"Don't Know why" Nora Jones
This is merely an introduction to adding seventh intervals to chords. Because there are so many different ways to make major and minor chord shapes on the guitar fretboard, there are many ways to build chords with sevenths too. In fact, the whole CAGED chord system can have seventh intervals added to it. Once you get a handle on extending chords with sevenths, you can try adding seconds, fourths and sixths. From there, you can get into chords with multiple intervals added, but don't get ahead of yourself. At least now you can begin to understand what those numbers next to chord names are for! that's the beauty of learning guitar theory
Play Until Your Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna (Google Me!)
Author of Fretboard Theory
http://www.Guitar-Music-Theory.com
Scales, Chords, Progressions, Modes
2010-08-11
Taking Online Bass Guitar Lessons
If you are keen on learning how to play the bass guitar make sure you give some thought to having online bass guitar lessons. Chances are that you won't locate anybody locally that has the same degree of competence as those which might be found online, and it's actually considerably more affordable to undertake the lessons from your home.
It's particularly hard to fund personal classes if you are a beginner mainly because you need to take lessons all the time. Finding cash for each and every class often becomes difficult and lots of people stop simply because they simply cannot pay for it.
What they don't know is there presently exist internet courses that charge a flat fee and you're able to have all of the classes you desire to be able to learn to play the bass guitar.
There isn't any crazy schedule to comply with, and also you really don't need to have any past understanding of guitars to get going. These courses work mainly because they are created by professionals who have devoted their life to the music.
They're able to come up with lessons to assist individuals advance and develop a powerful group of skills. One of several major advantages to utilizing an internet course is that you could go as fast or as slow as you have to.
You do not have to hurry to master something and then stumble along in future lessons. You are capable of doing exactly the same class as often as you wish.
For those who genuinely would like to learn to play a bass guitar, not just simply memorize chords, explore some of the online applications available. Online bass guitar lessons tend to be fun and cost-effective, and the best part is that you really don't even have to leave your home to meet up with with a specialist instructor.
Choosing the best online Bass Guitar Lessons is a big factor on how fast you will learn. If you are interested in the fastest method go to http://startguitar.info.
2010-07-26
Unleashing 5 Great Places to Find a Guitar For Cheap
As a beginning guitarist, you might get the idea of buying a guitar for cheap instead of full price like everyone else and that's a very good idea. If you don't have the money, or you're a bargain-hunter, getting a lower-priced guitar is very possible with the number of musicians that are giving up and turning in their instruments.
You have to understand however, that by looking for a cheaper guitar, you're running the risk of purchasing something that may not be the highest performing quality that you need. Be sure to inspect all aspects of the instrument that you're considering before you make a purchase.
But, to get you on the right track, here are 5 places that you can possibly find that cheap guitar that you've been looking for.
1. General Music Store
To find a guitar for cheap, you need to check everywhere that you would normally consider in case there are sales or used instruments available and that includes your local music store. Look for a bargain immediately by large sale tags or mountains of gear that's usually stacked to draw the attention of customers.
2. Pawn Shop
These places may appear pretty shady from the outside, but every now and again, you can find a pretty good guitar for cheap. Take a look at what they have and how old the items might be. Beware however of the salesmen because they usually don't give the most honest responses to questions like "Does it work?" and "How old is this?"
3. Classified Ads
There are musicians out there just like you who are having trouble getting started on the guitar. The only difference between them and you is that they quit and posted their guitars up for sale!
When you check your local paper there is almost always a used guitar that someone tried to play but gave up on. Be sure to check there every week so you can grab all the sales before someone else does.
4. Online Auctions and Classifieds
Everybody knows that eBay is the king of online auctions and it stands with musical instruments as well. Craigslist is probably the most popular online classifieds web site and you can even search for guitars locally.
5. A Friend's House
Now who said to find a guitar for cheap that you had to travel to a store or something? More than often, your friends have attempted to play the guitar and quit from discouragement as well. So, if you go around and ask a few of your buddies that you suspect tried to play the guitar, or knows someone who followed that path, you might be able to pull one out of a dusty closet.
Of course when everything is done and you have that wonderful guitar of your dreams, are you going to know how to play it? If you have a sincere outlet for learning how to play, then that's great!
However, for the rest of us, you can always try your hand with online guitar programs. They're convenient to access and download from any computer hooked up to the web and you're almost completely guaranteed to learn all of the skills you need to play the guitar or you get your money back.
Here are just a few things that online guitar courses teach:
* How to properly pick and strum the instrument
* How to read musical notation like sheet music and tablature
* How to follow closely with a tempo like a metronome
Really, online guitar courses are great for learning how to play, but it can be rather difficult to find an honest offer, even from the major online programs. For instance, you can learn why an experienced guitarist absolutely HATES the popular program called Jamorama guitar and all other Jamorama guitar products.
2010-07-23
Steps on Easily Understanding Bluegrass Guitar

Image : http://www.flickr.com
Bluegrass guitar music is rarely heard by many. For some it is known to associate with bass guitars and other music linked to country music origins. If you know Tom Sawyer and the likes of his kin, then you know what I am talking about. You just have to imagine what the music they are used in dancing into is. For even more modern samples, you may even heard of the Rascal Flatts who popularized, the song, "Life is a Highway," and or Broken Road," or Dixie Chicks or Wilson Phillips who had won Grammy awards for some of mixed bluegrass guitar, country music.
Further, for many artists learning all facets of music helps them build a keener sense and grasp of any music they would want to create. This may also help be flexible, well-rounded and more importantly more creative in producing your own songs. Come to think of it, all songs even though mainstream are a mixed of something else! There may even be a pop-rock, jazz-blues, or even a rap-rock! Point being, a lot of the people are enjoying a new found conception of music, and bluegrass isn't a new term.
Educating yourself is also not difficult. It's enjoyable and challenging at the same time. There is only one important step you need to remember in quickly learning this, and this catching the music by the ear. Essentially, this is training your ear and broadening your imagination. This amazes even the skilled musicians who know how to read musical notation. The reason being is that, people with good grasp of hearing are able to re-create the sound at their own! Well, this is not done in a snap of finger. This is made through constant practice and exploration of old and new musical samples.
This is a throughput process in which you automatically let your brain hook up with your guitar as well as with your music or sound. If you master this, everything will follow through your fingers, your brain and most importantly your heart towards the music of your bluegrass guitar. If you're really into knowing bluegrass guitar lesson, I would recommend learning both the fundamentals and practices in guitar playing. This would further enhance your learning process and ease your way through producing bluegrass music of your own.
Don't waste any more time, act now and find out at Learn Guitar Songs. You'll be amazed at how simple and easy it is!
Stop throwing away your money and be the pro you wanted to be! Know more about your bluegrass guitar Learn Guitar Songs in as easy as 1-2-3!
2010-07-15
Learn How to Play Guitar

Image : http://www.flickr.com
The internet has made it very easy to learn how to play guitar, for those with the patience and self-discipline to study. With the new guitar player sites and video tutorials on sites like YouTube, it is extremely easy to learn by mimicking experienced players. Accordingly, there are several places where you can find lessons on theory and instruction on technique that help you obtain the level of proficiency you desire. Perhaps the only obstacle on your path to guitar mastery is the fact there may be too much information to sift through.
One of the first things you can learn, is simply how to play the most common songs. Folk music and classic rock songs are always very popular among the budding guitarist because they consist of basic chords and natural progressions that are comfortable to play.
They are also easy to recognize so even though you may not know the names of all the chords or how to shape them, you'll be able to tell if what you are trying to play matches the melody you know. Also because the classics never change, you will be able to get immediate help from other players who have already learned the song.
Once you become familiar with a few chords and progressions, and can understand how many popular songs are constructed the time will come that you might want to start writing your own songs. At this point, you should consider studying music theory.
Though it is not necessary, knowing how to properly dissect a song and its chords will better help you when the basic tones aren't enough to satisfy your experienced ear. The more accustomed you become to applications of theory the more chords and scales you will have at your disposal in your library.
Of course you could always seek the physical help of a seasoned professional to walk you through the steps of chord, scale, and song construction.
With individual and personalized guidance from a licensed guitar teacher, you will quickly break any bad habits you probably have and begin developing the proper mentality that will keep you focused on your lessons and your overall improvement. The best teachers will cost you a pretty penny, but they are worth it if you treat it as serious as you would any schooling and take full advantage of every tool they have to offer you.
All in all, there are two things you will need more than anything else if you want to learn how to play guitar. Patience and persistence are very important because though you may have lofty goals of superstardom, it will take time for you to assimilate the necessary techniques. Playing the guitar should feel natural, eventually, but at first you will be shaping your hand into somewhat uncomfortable positions. This takes a lot of practice, but in time the chord shapes, neck movement, and fret work will all become like second nature and you will know that your patience and persistence have paid off.
Learn to play guitar like the experts with easy online lessons at Learn Guitar Online, or visit