Innehållsförteckning för August 2024 från Guitar Techniques

SIMON BARNARD Simon is a graduate of ACM and The Guitar Institute, holding a Masters degree in music. He teaches, examines and plays everything from rock to jazz. DECLAN ZAPALA Declan is one of the UK’s top classical guitarists and teachers. He is a Master graduate of RCM and his solo arrangements are sublimely creative. JON BISHOP Jon is one of those great all-rounders who can turn his hand to almost any style. He’s also rock legend Shakin’ Stevens’ touring and recording guitarist. MARTIN COOPER A tutor at BIMM Brighton, Martin’s Rock columns show an incredible breadth of technique and style. His 2006 album State Of The Union is out on iTunes. CHARLIE GRIFFITHS Charlie is a well studied guitarist who specialises in high end rock playing and plays with…

WHEN WE EXTEND CHORDS, we don’t always use every scale tone or things might become too harmonically dense: play C-E-G-Bb-D-F, A all at once on a piano and you’ll see what we mean. Technically, this is a C13 chord, but most often the 11th (F) doesn’t make the cut. Also, the Major 3rd can seem such a strong presence that distracts from more interesting stuff going on in the higher register, so why don’t we dispense with that, too? We can still call it C13, because it contains the b7 (Dominant 7), the 9th (D) and the 13th (A) from which the chord takes its name. This stripping down of excess harmonic content is common – particularly on the guitar and most commonly in jazz. These chords are a mixture of…

This month’s lick involves playing quick string bends with fretted notes to achieve a keyboard player’s pitch wheel effect. On most keyboards the size of bend can be fixed to whatever the player desires. But for this idea I’m assuming that the bend size is set to a semitone throughout. This allows bends to be performed quickly and also from fingerboard locations that you might not usually use. In bar 0-1 the short pick-up phrase contains a quarter-tone bend from the b3 (C) to nearly (C#). In bars 2-4 comes the pitch wheel idea. This is a Minor Pentatonic phrase that has all the tone intervals filled with a bend from the chromatic note a semitone below each starting point. Notice how the same note repeats three times every two beats.…

ABILITY RATING Moderate Info https://bit.ly/4bghT62 Key C Tempo 135bpm Will improve your… ✓ Scale knowledge ✓ Compositional potention ✓ New fretboard shapes and phrasing As guitarists we’re always looking for new sounds and inspiration, and love to explore new techniques. But if you still find yourself trapped in the confines of Pentatonic and Major scales, a good way to break this harmonic stalemate is to explore new sounding scales. Although most popular music, rock included to some extent, has a fairly familiar ‘westernised’ sound, music from other countries often carries distinct characteristics that reflect culture, tradition, and history. Just compare music from Japan to the sound of popular western music and you’ll hear many different aspects, from instrumentation to scales and harmony. Japanese music emphasises different intervals, too, and understanding…

ABILITY RATING Info https://bit.ly/4bghT62 Key G Major (Dorian) Tempo 190/170bpm Moderate/Advanced Will improve your… ✓ Campanella technique ✓ Plucking-hand arpeggiation ✓ Knowledge of the Spanish vihuela During the Renaissance period the lute become a popular instrument to write for, with composers such as John Dowland, Francesco Canova da Milano, and Pierre Attaingnant publishing hundreds of works for the instrument, much of which is still regularly performed today. In Spain, however, a lesser-known instrument called the vihuela had become popular alongside the lute with a somewhat more humble list of composers including Luis de Narváez and Luis de Milan who largely created the repertoire for the instrument. The Spanish vihuela was one of the earliest incarnations of what eventually became the modern Spanish or classical guitar. The instrument was slightly larger…

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ABILITY RATING Moderate Info Key: Various Tempo: Various https://bit.ly/4bghT62 Will improve your ✓ Minor key soloing ✓ Solo building ✓ Melodic phrasing “Carlos is a musical pioneer, and even made an album with John McLaughlin.” Carlos Santana came to prominence in the late 60s and quickly pioneered a powerful blend of blues-rock and Latin influences. The appeal of this fusion continues to this day with an impressive career that continues to thrive. Carlos is also a musical adventurer and even made an album with his longtime friend, jazz-rock pioneer John McLaughlin. Another notable collaboration was his appearance on John Lee Hooker’s comeback album, The Healer. One of Carlos’ early influences was the topic of last month’s column, British blues great Peter Green. Green’s classy and vocal phrasing, combined with a…

Missed one of our superb recent issues? Get one now while stocks last. JULY GT362 RIFFS: FROM 50S TO 00S! With six decades of riffs on offer, learn how these small but powerful musical statements changed music forever. Plus: Mika Tyyskä and Ardeshir Farah videos; Peter Green, Al DiMeola, Sylvain Luc, Sister Rosetta Tharpe & more! JUNE GT361 THE BEATLES ROCK OUT! Lennon, McCartney and Harrison had three distinctive electric guitar styles. We reveal how the Fab Three rocked! Plus: T-Ride video lesson; Keith Richards acoustic, Nita Strauss, David Gilmour, Tarrega classical, Dean Brown & more! MAY GT360 COUNTRY ROCK Learn how Albert Lee, Joe Walsh, Brent Mason, Dickey Betts and others blend scales to create new sounds. Plus: Modern Legato, Allan Holdsworth, Eric Johnson, Ulf Wakenius, Muddy Waters, Metallica,…

TROY REDFERN INVOCATION (RED7 Records) 8/10 Slide rocker Troy Redfern is quite the name on the UK live scene. And for good reason as he presents an enticing mix of blues, rock and Americana enriched by propulsive chops. With a new 11-track album, he continues this blend with songs and a production that’ll sound great at home or in the car. Opener, The Strange is resolutely rock with melodic slide phrases, 70s glam beat and a corker of a chorus. Getaway has a late 80s, early 90s Sunset Strip vibe with strong vocals and a tasty solo. The mosh rock of recent single, Van Helsing is a powerhouse, glistening with thick guitars and well-honed vocals, while The Calling is dripping in cool guitars and maybe the album’s best solo with two-hand…

GUITAR VIRTUOSITY is nothing new. It’s been around for decades, indeed centuries if we go back to classical composers and performers such as Luigi Legnani (1790-1877), Agustin Barrios (1885-1944), Francisco Tárrega (1852-1909) and Andrés Segovia (1893-1987), to name four. With electric guitar it’s a case of take your pick, be it Joe Pass or Jimi Hendrix, John McLaughlin or Allan Holdsworth, Stanley Jordan or Shawn Lane. That said, there are players that are genuinely groundbreaking and change the notions of what great guitar playing is about. We’ve seen it with Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen and Steve Vai - pretty much household names (especially if a guitar player is already living in the house!). This issue, we address the young Italian virtuoso, Matteo Mancuso. We’ve featured him in…

GT: What is it about guitar instrumentals that appeals to you? MA: Mostly the detailed storytelling that you can imagine or feel. Interesting music to me involves intriguing chords and melodies. But I don’t listen to ANY instrumental guitar music other than classical guitar. GT: What can an instrumental provide a listener that a vocal song can't? JE: A vocal puts most of the song’s spotlight on itself. When you don’t have a human voice in a piece of music, you are forced to make sense of the music without it clearly dictating to you what you should be listening to. GT: Any tendencies that you aim to embrace or avoid (rhythms, harmony, playing approach, etc)? MA: I love marching drum cadences. A lot of the time I think of trying…

ABILITY RATING Info https://bit.ly/4bghT62 Key Various Tempo Various Moderate/Advanced Will improve your… ✓ Jazz vocabulary ✓ Application of Melodic Minor modes ✓ Speed, accuracy and articulation This month GT is thrilled to present an exclusive video lesson from American jazz virtuoso Dan Wilson. We have six fully transcribed musical examples that showcase a broad range of melodic ideas, concepts and approaches and a range of lines outlining the II-V-I sequence, V7-I resolutions, Altered and Symmetrical Diminished scales, all executed with flawless articulation and a classic jazz tone. Dan is considered to be one of the shining stars from the current crop of jazz artists active on the scene today, much lauded by guitarist and composer extraordinaire, Pat Metheny, and greatly championed by the superstar double bassist, Christian McBride. Wilson’s musical…

Brought to you by… ABILITY RATING Moderate/Advanced Info Key: Various Tempo: Various https://bit.ly/4bghT62 Will improve your ✓ Chromatic lines ✓ Modern blues language ✓ String bends and vibrato Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram is a modern star in the world of blues, capturing the attention of audiences and critics alike with his soulful voice and virtuosic playing. Born in Clarksdale, Mississippi in 1999, Kingfish was immersed in music from a young age. Influenced by blues legends Robert Johnson, BB King, and Muddy Waters he began playing at 11, quickly displaying a talent that belied his years. Despite his youth, Kingfish’s music resonates with a depth and authenticity associated with artists many years his senior. His playing is steeped in the Delta blues tradition, yet he brings modern flair using elements of rock,…

ABILITY RATING Moderate/Advanced Info Key: Various# Tempo: Various Will improve your ✓ Chromatic sequences ✓ Powechord riffing ✓ Alternate picking and downstroke mixing Since Slayer’s 1983 release, Show No Mercy, Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman have established a brand of sinister, frenetic thrash metal that took the world by storm. Their fast-paced, 16th-note picking, chromatic sequences, and use of notes both inside and outside of the key make way for an energetic, adrenaline-fuelled sound laced with attitude and tension. Despite their fair share of riffs based on unrelenting aggression, Slayer also make effective use of mid-tempo, arpeggiated chords, as in Seasons In The Abyss. This creates dynamic space while keeping the listener drenched in the mood and atmosphere of the song. Slayer have used various tunings over the years, but…

ABILITY RATING Moderate Info Key: E Major Tempo: 86 bpm https://bit.ly/4bghT62 Will improve your ✓ Picking-hand speed ✓ Fretting-hand accuracy ✓ Moving between chords Astonishingly Paul Simon has been in the music industry virtually his whole life, since his first hit came at the age of 15, when he and Art Garfunkel entered the Top 50 with Hey Schoolgirl. Simon started from a background in 1960s pop before moving to American folk with schoolfriend Garfunkel. He has also experimented with ethnic music including styles from Brazil, South Africa, New Orleans Cajun, and more. The development of Simon’s guitar style is interesting and his sophisticated, worldly approach elevates him above many of his peers. There are all the usual references you would expect of an artist of his era from trad-blues…

Brought to you by… ABILITY RATING Moderate Info Key: Various Tempo: Various https://bit.ly/4bghT62 Will improve your ✓ Bluegrass picking ✓ Crosspicking ✓ Playing in open position This month I’m concluding my look at Americana with more examples from The Americana Guitar Book. You’ll explore the styles of key artists who shaped the genre in its infancy, and then as it was gathering pace. First, Clarence White, perhaps best known for his playing in The Byrds, a bluegrass master whose picking style influenced a whole generation. Tony Rice fused bluegrass with jazz, gospel and more to form the ‘newgrass’ sound of the 1970s and 1980s, taking this Appalacian mountain music in a whole new direction. In the 1980s singer-songwriter Steve Earle’s driving style took standard chord progressions but added colour and…

Tap the links Finding your way around the magazine is easy. Tapping the feature titles on the cover or the contents page, takes you straight two the relevant articles. Any web and email links in the text are tappable too Animated tab & audio All the mag’s main lessons have the audio built in with a moving cursor that shows you exactly where you are in the music. Simply tap the‘play’ button and you’re off - you can fast-forward or scroll back at will. Play the videos Certain articles have accompanying videos full of useful insight and additional information. Once again, tap the play buttons to enjoy video masterclasses on your iPad (recommended) or smartphone.…

It’s disappointing that buying new fitness equipment doesn’t make us healthier. Anyone else got a gym membership they hardly use? Same with diet books - the purchase doesn’t help, it’s all in the DOING! Of course the same applies to music education. I’ve got a good number of probably great books about jazz guitar that I was excited about when I bought them, but didn’t stick to, and they’ve ended up gathering dust. Same with orchestration, I love ‘the idea’ of studying it, but it’s hard work and I’ve just not done enough work to get much practical benefit. Some of the books and courses that I have bought have been expensive. I’ve told myself that because I spent a load of money on it, that it would help with…

➊ Sweet Whisky Blues - A Minor We start with a slow 6/8 blues jam in A Minor, where A Minor Pentatonic (A-C-D-E-G) is a great place to begin your improv journey, and A Minor scale (A-B-C-D-E-F-G) to conclude it. ➋ Bluesy Lo-fi Jam (A) Next up is a fun lo-fi style groove jam in A. I recommend hitting up A Major Pentatonic (A-B-C#-E-F#) for some sweet, uplifting blues vibes, but of course A Minor Pentatonic (A-C-D-E-G) will provide a darker edge. ➌ Dark Trip-Hop Blues – C Minor This trip-hop style track in C Minor is great for passionate blues soloing. C Minor Pentatonic (C-Eb-F-G-Bb) is your friend, but try some of the chord tones: Cm (C-Eb-G), Fm7 (F-Ab-C-Eb), Abmaj7 (Ab-C-Eb-G), and G7 (G-B-D-F). ➍ F Minor Groove Jam We…

ABILITY RATING Moderate/Advanced Info https://bit.ly/4bghT62 Key Various Tempo Various Will improve your… ✓ Economy of motion ✓ fretting hand versatility ✓ Rest stroke/free stroke plucking Aborn and bred Sicilian, Matteo Mancuso hails from the city of Palermo and has recently gained international acclaim, receiving high praise from many of the guitar world’s luminaries including Steve Vai and Joe Bonamassa who have applauded his versatility and brilliance at taking the instrument to a new level. Al Di Meola was so enthralled by him that he invited Mancuso on stage to duet with him at the Eddie Lang Jazz Festival in 2022. Aside from his jaw-dropping virtuosic and lyrical writing style, it is Mancuso’s distinctive technique that turns many guitarists’ heads. This technique didn’t simply appear out of nowhere but is rather…

ABILITY RATING Info https://bit.ly/4bghT62 Key Various Tempo Various Moderate Will improve your… ✓ Timing and control ✓ Application of chord voicings ✓ Articulation and range of techniques It’s fair to say that we guitarists like to take solos, and a huge amount of the material we’ve covered in this very series has covered this topic explicitly and expansively. While this is undoubtedly a hugely enjoyable and fulfilling pursuit, in actuality this aspect of our playing is really the icing on a much bigger musical cake. Unless your chosen musical genre is completely lead-centric (such as certain styles of fusion or instrumental rock) then you’ll find yourself in the rhythm guitar chair percentage-wise more often than not. You have two choices; grin and bear your rhythmic role, biding your time until…

ABILITY RATING Moderate Info Key: A major Tempo: 124 bpm https://bit.ly/4bghT62 Will improve your ✓ Creation of vintage-style tone ✓ Pace and timing ✓ Melodic blues soloing This month we bid farewell to Dickey Betts from The Allman Brothers Band who died in April 2024 at 80 years of age. Betts was one of the founding members of the band, along with brothers Duane and Gregg, Berry Oakley, Jai Johanson and Butch Trucks. Along with Duane Allman, Betts helped to forge the sound not only of The Allmans, but of blues-influenced southern rock as well. Duane Allman began recording as a hired gun in the renowned FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, but after growing weary of the scene relocated to Jacksonville, Florida in 1969 and formed the band that bore…

ABILITY RATING Advanced Info Key: Various Tempo: Various https://bit.ly/3vVtyrs Will improve your ✓ Alternate picking ✓ Legato ✓ Harmonics Born in Berkeley California in 1968, Alex Skolnick was a key player in the Bay Area thrash metal scene alongside bands like Exodus and Metallica. Alex originally joined a band named Legacy, but they soon after changed the name to Testament, reserving The Legacy as their 1984 debut album title. Alex’s lead guitar playing style was always seen as more cerebral than his thrash contemporaries. His note choices, use of scales and arpeggios, harmonics and classy vibrato was a perfect recipe for his metal guitar legend status. Our first example looks at how Alex might navigate the neck using legato. The concept here is to take one octave of a seven-note…

ABILITY RATING Moderate/Advanced Info Key: Various Tempo: Various https://bit.ly/4bghT62 Will improve your ✓ Knowledge of Dorian mode ✓ Superlocrian turnarounds ✓ Fusion soloing Let’s be honest, we’re not going to get you up and running as a jazz-rock fusion soloist in the space of month, never mind one short lesson. Not only is fusion notoriously difficult, with its blend of modern jazz complexity and rock bravado, but you’ll never get two people to agree on what it even is, exactly. Fusion is a broad church, covering many, many musical strands from Miles Davis to Animals As Leaders, and despite its reputation for difficulty, most players can gain new ideas from it. As with any seemingly impossible musical obstacle, the trick is to take just one small element and find your…

Brought to you by… ABILITY RATING Moderate Info Key: G Major Tempo: 150 bpm https://bit.ly/4bghT62 Will improve your ✓ Blues phrasing ✓ Fretting-hand dexterity ✓ Finger control The ability to bend notes is a facility not afforded to all instruments. This great technique, along with vibrato, allows guitarists to play with expression, often mimicking the fluidity of a singer. The second and third fingers of the fretting hand are generally the preferred choice for string bends since they are much stronger than the fourth finger. They also allow the option of using additional fingers for support, which the first finger doesn’t. However, these less commonly used digits can be employed to great effect, as seen in the accompanying examples and study piece. One guitarist who is well known for using…

FEATURE VIDEO #1 BRETT GARSED Slide Licks & Solo Our good friend the hybrid-picking Aussie phenomenon returns to GT with some stunning licks plus solo. FEATURE VIDEO #2 COUNTRY-ROCK With Stuart Ryan Stuart shows you a wealth of great licks and phrases to sound professional, based on his new book. CLASSICAL VIDEO FERDINANDO CARULLI Adantino In G Declan Zapala arranges this fun-to-play piece built around 3rd and 10th intervals, from the Italian composer. FEATURE THE CROSSROADS The Steely Dan ‘Mu’ Chord John Wheatcroft examines this unique chord of Fagen and Becker. Once tried, you’ll be smitten! Thirty great blues licks from the last 50 years that will… GET YOUR MOJO WORKING! Along with mastering the techniques and theory required to be a great guitarist, learning licks provides instant vocabulary for…