Happy Birthday Mark Knopfler!

Happy belated birthday to my favourite sultan of swing! Mark Knopfler

Thank you!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who viewed/followed/contributed to this blog. I have just received a very satisfactory mark for the work that was put into it. I hope you enjoyed the lesson's and hopefully you got something out of them! See you all soon!  Ger

Mixing blues with heavy rock and a dash of classical too!

In a previous post I mentioned that I appreciate all styles of playing, this video clip is taken from the 1986 movie called Crossroads starring Ralph Macchio ( better known as The Karate Kid) and shows how varius styles can be intermixed and really appreciated. He is basically going on a journey into the roots of Mississippi blues with the help of an old man (Joe Seneca) who was the sidekick of the legendary Robert Johnson, the story goes that Seneca sold his soul to the devil for fame and fortune that never materialized and eventually he agrees to bring . Macchio  (a highly talented classical guitar player) to go on a journey to discover the 'lost song'. The attached clip is the end of the movie where Macchio must play against Steve Vai, if Macchio wins, Seneca gets his soul back and if not the devil also gets Macchio's soul. This is some fantastic guitar playing:

Greatest guitar player ever?

Its all a matter of personal opinion. You could argue about this subject until Christmas but it is really a just a personal opinion. My opinion is Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970). I have watched many of his performances and the man was just in a world of his own! He completley blew the boundaries of learning out of the water and to this day nobody has managed to recreate his exact sound. The first player I really listened to and admired was The Edge from U2, then I heard Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page and the list goes on. He lived his life and he was easily led, what a shame he died so young. Check out the attached videos:

                         

A famous interview given by Pete Townsend from 'The Who'

                                   

Lesson 3

Hi folks, this may be my last lesson I can post but will try to post up the larger ones If I can. This one covers the famous tune 'Shakin All Over' by Johnny Kidd and The Pirates. This has been covered by various bands over that last 40 years or so. My apologies if the sound isn't the best but hopefully you get something out of it, I have attached the original version so you get the idea - Enjoy!

My favourite guitar player

I couldn't write this blog without mentioning who my favourite guitar player is. Although I listen to a lot of different players from jazz, classical, blues, rock, country etc and appreciate them all, my outstanding favourite has to be Mark Knopfler. I have listened to all of his stuff (Dire Straits, working with other artists, and solo) plus  have seen him three times in concert. He is very expressive through his sound and (in my opinion) is the best ever. I found this video clip of him discussing his first guitar which was a cheap copy of the beloved Fender Stratocaster and how he managed to get different sounds from it. Enjoy!

Acoustic or Electric?? This is my opinion

I wanted to answer a question that is frequently asked by people learning to play. "Should I buy an electric or an acoustic guitar"? Well, its really up to yourself as there is no right or wrong answer. Some people think that the electric is a follow on from the acoustic (its more advanced) but in my opinion it isn't. If you take two guitars in the same price range that are both correctly set up, the acoustic will probably be harder to play as in most cases you have to press on the strings harder. This is one of the reasons (in my opinion) that people give up trying to learn so soon, the fingers become very sore and the notes they are hitting will sound awful. With an electric guitar however, it is easier to move and down the fret board (you will still develop sore finger tips but not as harsh) as the necks on electric guitars are generally smoother. Your choice will also be influenced on the style of music you want to play, if hard rock is your thing then go for the electric. If you want to learn classical or folk music, it has to be an acoustic.Having said all that most guitar players I know own both electric and acoustic guitars (some just own an acoustic and dislike electric!!). If I had to choose one it would be the electric. Like I said this is just my opinion, the final decision is down to you. Keep practicing!! I one met this girl at a guitar exhibition here in Ireland two years ago and she gives some good advice - Enjoy!

Lesson 2 (Finally!) Again, due to circumstances beyond my control I can only upload videos less than 500MB's. There is also a slight issue on the sound in parts too but the actual chords should be straight forward enough. Cheers!

Lesson 2

Hi folks, time to upload my next lesson. I hope you enjoyed the first one and you practicing really hard!! While I'm waiting for the video to upload, feast your eyes on this place, its my idea of guitar heaven. This place is called Rudys music shop, its based in SoHo on Broome St and is probably the best known guitar shop in the USA. I love the look of the place and the way everything is laid out and would literally spend all day in there. I visited New York once a few years back but never got the chance to visit it, this place stocks the cream of the crop and supplies guitars to the best known players in the world. Enjoy:

I recently mentioned that I play a Gibson Les Paul Standard Faded but never put up any pictures, I really love the feel and the sound from it. I've had a few guitars over the years but this one is a real keeper, I could sit playing it for hours......

The professor and his two students!

The Edge and Jack White get a guitar lesson!! Long live Zep! This clip is taken from a movie called 'It Might Get Loud' where three famous guitar players get together and talk (and play) guitar. All of the old school rockers watching this will appreciate the significance of it. I will admit that I do like Edge and he is as good as he needs to be and the same goes for Jack but Mr.Page is in a league of his own!

Fender v's Gibson?

Hi Folks,
           At some point your going to play (or own) either of these guitars, if your lucky both! The argument that one is better than the other is as old as the hills and to be very honest - pointless. What I'm trying to say is that although they are essentially the same thing, they sound, feel very different, they are also made using different ideas. To say one is better than the other is like comparing apples and oranges, they produce very different tones too. The Fender gives more of a twang, is very versatile and is generally cheaper, the Les Paul tends to be more expensive and some people think is a bit more exclusive. its a bit like comparing a Ferrari with a Porsche. So whats my personal take on it?
                            Well, I have owned both (currently a Les Paul Std Faded which will never leave me) and I have to say that I love both. Gibson designed there guitars by copying ideas from there acoustic range whereas Fender started with a clean sheet. Gibson also glue the necks to the body's while Fender bolt them on. Most famous players have played both at some stage during there career Most guitar players that I know own both and will never sell them, they are two very different designs but both very beautiful. Or to put it another way, if your going to spend a lot of cash on either one of these bad boy's make sure you try lots of them out. How does the guitar feel to play and hold? What is the finish like on it? How does it sound and resonate?

Decide for yourself:

Hi Folks,
           First lesson uploaded!

All questions and comments are welcome (only nice ones!). Apologies If I look a bit unwell, I was under the weather plus I had vertigo!  Anyway, this is just an introduction - Enjoy!

The Iconic Rory Gallagher!

Yesterday marked the anniversary  passing of a true icon and legend in rock music, Mr. Rory Gallagher(1948-1995). Born in Ballyshannon Co.Donegal, his music and his guitar playing influenced so many musicians not just in Ireland, but around the world!

Rory's first band was 'Taste' which a blues rock trio with Norman Damery and Eric Kitteringham but these were later replaced by John Wilson(drums) and Richard McCracken(bass). They released the albums (two live recordings), Taste, On The Boards, Live Taste and Live at The Isle of Wight.
                                                                                                                                                                                                

When Taste broke up in the 1970's Rory continued to tour under his own name and released several albums; Against the Grain, Calling Card, Photo Finish and Top Priority but unfortunately he did not reach super star
status. Over the years Rory collaborated with many musicians including; Cream, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lonnie Donegan, and Slash from Guns and Roses.

Rorys most famous guitar has to be his beat up Fender Stratocaster which he bought for 100 pounds back in 1963 from Crowleys on McCurtain Street in Cork. It had a lot of modifications done to it over the years and is synonymous with Rory.

Check out the life size bronze replica of the guitar mounted on the wall of 'Rory Gallagher Corner' in Temple Bar in Dublin. Pretty cool!!

Strong combinations of alcohol and prescription drugs caused very severe liver damage and on the 14th of June 1995 he died of an MRSA infection.


Famous quotes about Rory:

Jimi Hendrix: "How do you feel about being the best guitarist ever"?
Jimi's reply: "I don't know, you better ask Rory Gallagher".

Brain May(Queen): so these couple of kids come up, who's me and my mate, and say 'How do you get your sound Mr. Gallagher?' and he sits and tells us. So I owe Rory Gallagher my sound."

Eric Clapton: "He was the man who got me back into the blues".

The Edge:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rv8GmKT9tM&feature=related


Rory was a tragic loss not just to Ireland but to the world and his music and talent will never be forgotten.
Jedward who??

Folks, just to let you know I have sorted the techie issues and my first video will be posted very soon! Just to let you know, this is NOT what I am about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYQ8C05Q_0E

Although Yngwie is a very talented guitar player he just isn't my style.

Hi folks, just a quick update! I have done my first video but need to sort out a few techie problems before uploading. Thanks for your patients and see you all soon - Keep practicing!

Hello and Welcome!

Hello there, I would like to welcome you to my new blog! Over the next while I will be posting up entries on various aspects of the solid body electric guitar. I will be covering a number of lesson's including tuning, how to use a pick, how to produce different sounds etc. I will also cover how buy your first guitar (you may well laugh but few people realize the importance of this!), seeking the right lesson's, sticking with it and keeping up the motivation. I will also include some advice on choosing an amplifier, so watch this space and as I will be posting regular updates - keep practicing!!!!