It can be a daunting experience when you first start playing but, by having lessons and reassurance from a qualified tutor, the chances of persevering through the initial difficult stages, are much higher.
Here is my latest video, part of a semi regular series (its a year since the last one!!) where I play something using my TC Electronic Ditto looper.
I like this one a lot and its an idea that I think I can get a new song out of. I find using the Ditto can be quite inspirational but, at times, it can be hard to think what to play! I’m nowhere near as good at using it as some of the guys on youtube are, but when you hit the right idea, magic can happen!
Here is my latest video. I thought I’d do a run down of my current pedalboard, as I think I’m finally settled on the perfect setup. I’ve said that before, but I really like this combination. Although I do like the look/sound of the Wampler Tumnus and JHS AT pedal!
Anyway, if you want to watch me witter on for 13 minutes about guitar pedals, this is the video for you!!
I have been accepted as a full member of the Registry of Guitar Tutors (RGT) I will be listed shortly on their website and they have provided me with this lovely certificate.
Here is my latest video. I’ve had this little riff knocking around for a while, so I thought I’d see what I could do with it. I’m trying to keep my playing a little more “off the cuff” in these latest videos. Warts and all!! Sometimes, I feel my lead playing can be a bit too planned out.
Anyway, enjoy this one, there is a lot more to come…
Wow. I’ve just seen that my video demo of the Victory Amplifiers V50 The Earl Head, has gone past 10,000 views. Even though that number is chicken feed compared to what some of the Youtube “stars” get for their videos, it makes me feel proud. Here is the video in all its glory.
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve been watching a lot of videos featuring one of my main guitar inspirations, Mr David Grissom. I first discovered him around 1991 when I bought the album Whenever We Wanted by John Mellencamp. David’s playing on that record is so fantastic and he has one of the greatest tones out there.
One thing I love about his playing, is the fact that he is so obviously talented but never overly flashy. And did I mention that tone? 😉
Like a lot of players, I’m comfortable soloing using minor pentatonic and blues scales, but I’ve never really felt as at home, when soloing using major scales, so its something I try to work on.
In this video, I programmed a very basic backing track using bass guitar and drum loops in Logic. I added a bit of Hammond Organ afterwards, just to fill the sound out in places. Playing over such a simple bass line, locked into the key of G, really made me think about where I could go on the fretboard in that key.
There are some cool open string possibilities in the key of G and I also tried to incorporate some of the hybrid picking and pedal tone techniques that David uses.
Anyone who likes David’s playing should definitely check out his Truefire video tuition courses.
I hope you find something useful from my humble tribute to a monster player!
Gear used:
2009 PRS DGT guitar
Victory Amps V50 Head and Zilla 1×12 Cabinet
Wampler Euphoria Overdrive pedal
Strymon El Capistan Tape Echo pedal
Shure SM57 on the speaker cabinet
Into Logic via an Apogee Duet 2
You can definitely hear the 70s rock vibe going on here. When I wrote the music, it became immediately apparent that the song would lend itself to that sort of sound and we tried to keep that sound during the recording.
The Stratocaster I play in this video, is my heavily modified 2008 American Standard. I really like playing this guitar, even though I still have my PRS addiction!!
This is the last of the playthrough videos for a while, as I have other stuff to be getting on with now.
guitar geek 