how to play guitar | The Musicians blog

Songs Every Guitarist Should Learn to Play…

I recently came across a website that mentions the top 20 songs every guitarist should learn to play. Spending time at this site had me realizing that knowing many great tunes is a nice reference, indeed. However, I was further reminded that having a list of guitar ‘tabs’ is one thing. Yet, also having a great reference to how the chords are developed for each song, is a wonderful compliment.

So, take a look at the website (below) and maybe consider grabbing a Music Dial Chart or two, to make your guitar tab reading much easier.

Jam On!
-Ron

(via: Ultimate-Guitar.com)
This week’s traditional Wednesday Question saw the UG community debating the mater of songs that every guitar player should learn to play. Kicking things off with an all-time classic, we have Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb.” Universally hailed as the tune with the greatest guitar solo of all time, it’s quite apparent why this one made the list…

Find the rest of the list of the top 20 songs every guitarist should learn here, and be sure to visit MusicDials.com to compliment your tabs!…

https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/ug_news/top_20_songs_every_guitarist_should_learn_to_play.html

Grateful Dead’s 50th anniversary…

In the year of the Grateful Dead’s 50th anniversary, the quintessential jam band appears to have greater currency than ever among the indie, the underground, and the generally weird.

Here’s a recap of GD’s July 4th Chicago, Soldier Field gig.

It’s hard to imagine the Grateful Dead without Jerry Garcia… but, remembering their mainstay as the most respected rock band in the industry is a must, indeed. This article provides a decent insight into their last stand on the music scene…
Jam On!
-Ron

By Rob Mitchum via: https://pitchfork.com

Not too long ago, the Grateful Dead might have been forbidden territory for this scene. The image surrounding the Dead for much of their later years—a traveling drug-fueled circus of ’60s nostalgia, soundtracked by lengthy, solo-filled jams—was the antithesis of the punk/alternative/indie ethos…

10 Commandments of Jam…

Jamming in a band takes on a whole new set of rules and dynamics. When we as musicians blend our abilities, it takes some additional attention to details to create the best jam possible. In this article you might find interest in Derek Trucks’ insightful take on the 10 Commandments of Jam.
Jam On!
-Ron

In 2004, Alan Paul interviewed Derek and wrote up his 10 Commandments of Jam for Guitar World… Pretty right on and deep thinking, as per usual for DT…

Read the complete ’10’ list here:
https://alanpaul.net/2015/04/derek-trucks-10-commandments-of-jam/

432 hz tuning vs standard 440 ‘A’…

This might be considered controversial however, it is definitely interesting to note that 440 hertz ‘A’ tuning only found its way to modern music within the last century. Jamming in the 432 hz tuning can be not only different and soothing, it’s fun to note the response of your audience compared to standard tuning… Give it a go and see what you feel.
Jam On!
-Ron

(Credit given to Jamie Buturff)

The launch of SXSW and it’s flashback years…

SXSW

South by South West moves forward this year beginning this week. Lots of fanfare and lots of music and music related elements for sure. I found a great way to keep-up with all the doings @ SXSW this year, without dealing with travel, accommodations and the crowds… aka, Surviving SXSW

Jam On!
-Ron

(by: entrepreneur.com)
Entrepreneur is on the ground in Austin for SXSW 2014. Feel as if you’re there with us as we share the latest innovations and give you a sneak peek at the launches and ideas that will change how you connect to your world…

Keep up with all the doings @ SXSW here:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/topic/sxsw

Les Paul: The Lost Interviews…

Les Paul guitars are what legends are made of… From the earliest LP Junior to the classic Standard Les Paul’s, the original electric guitar and the maker thereof has deep roots in music history, to say the least. This article investigates a new book about Les Paul, written by Jim O’Donnell…
Ron-

(By Empty Mirror)

What comes to mind when you hear the name “Les Paul”? Maybe the iconic guitar, launched at the dawn of rock and roll and played by many of music’s most talented guitarists. Or perhaps you think of the musician, the performer, the songwriter – or the man who invented the aformentioned Gibson guitar, multi-track recording and a host of other musical innovations… More Here ->s
https://www.emptymirrorbooks.com/features/music/review-les-paul-the-lost-interviews-by-jim-odonnell.html

Joan Jett at 55 Still Rockin’…

You’d have to admit that Joan Jett (whether you like her or not) is considered one of the main women Rockers of all time. Here’s a quick recap of her October (’13) tour gigs with pics…
Ron-

(By Cassie Carpenter for Online Mail @ dailymail.co.uk)
She penned The Runaways’ Cherry Bomb in 1976.

And 37 years later, Joan Jett still looked toned and taut in her red catsuit as she rocked out Santos Party House in New York Wednesday.

The 55-year-old guitarist – born Joan Larkin – finished off her signature slinky look with a silver belt and Converse high-tops…

Revisting Shredding Fusion Genious, Hugh Ferguson…

Although it was the early part of 2012 when fusion guitar extraordinaire, Hugh Ferguson passed-away… it just seemed like a good time to revisit his wonderful writings and sounds. The first article I found was from a Truth in Shredding blog, which spends some time devoted to Hugh’s past. The other site I found fascinating was the actual (still exists as of today) Hugh Ferguson .net website. The section I really found intriguing was his ‘ask’ section of the blog. The questions were the type that real players would ask, eg., gear, recording, sounds, scales, etc (you know, deeper stuff)…
Ron-

(by Laurie Monk via, Truth in Shredding blog)
Hugh started his career in music on the drums at the age of six, playing his first concert at eight. Originally from the Boston area, he grew up in a musical family with two older guitar-playing brothers. Switching to guitar at eleven. Hugh grew up with the sounds of rock and roll through the 60’s and early 70’s. By the ripe old age of 14 he was already playing the Boston Club scene…
>read more here->
https://www.truthinshredding.com/2013/07/hugh-ferguson-bostonian-legato-legend.html

AND, be sure to read this section of ‘Ask Hugh’ on Hugh Ferguson’s blog… good, deep musician questions and answers to be had…
https://www.hughferguson.net/ask_hugh.php

Crazy Regulations for Live Entertainment…

OMG… As a live performance musician this story might get your distortion frequencies going crazy. Hard to believe that Homeland Security has now expanded its role to include issuing permits without which restaurant owners are barred from playing live music. FGS… it’s hard enough for a small venue owner to hire musical talent (and pay them decent fees)…
Ron

(By Rick Yencer via Muncie Free Press)

Mike Martin, musician and owner of a local Indiana music venue, Folly Moon, was claimed to be in violation of state law by failing to obtain an entertainment permit for live music at the downtown establishment…
Worth the further read here: (musicians unite!)
https://www.munciefreepress.com/node/29089

Saving Bob Dylan’s Dinkytown Guitar Store…

So… they want to tear-down (for Condos) the distinguished district, inclusive of the original music store where Bob Dylan purchased his earliest guitar for recording, Blood on the Tracks. The music store, the Podium, has been saved and will move down the street and kept for nostalgia.
Ron

(by Maury Glover – via Fox Twin Cities)
The place still holds a special spot in Dylan’s heart. The native of Hibbing, Minn., spent a good portion of his past at the shop while studying at the University of Minnesota before he moved to New York and became an American icon…

Further on this story here:
https://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/22799855/bob-dylans-old-dinkytown-hangout-gets-new-life