GUITAR COACH MAGAZINE : Issue 001

The FREE Magazine created exclusively for iPad ISSUE 001 Beginners Bootcamp Riffs & Licks Coaching Sessions & Gizmos FREE Skills & Techniques Tutorial Videos for Songs, Riffs, Licks & Solos Going to school with Nils Lofgren Play Clapton, Dire Straits & The Eagles Step by step video lessons Plus guitar news, features, profiles & cool new Apps. MAGAZINE

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Contents Features

Note from the Editor 5 Nils Lofgren...page 33 Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band’s legendary News in brief 6 guitarist Nils Lofgren shares some Guitar Guitarist profile 14 School secrets and much more... Ask Andy 19 Chord of the month 20 Guitar Top 10s 29 Song writing tips 41 FAQs 43 From Tabs to Apps...page 26 Lesson Videos, Tutorials and Tips Songsterr brings together technology and tabs in one super cool App - it’s a must-have Beginners Bootcamp 7 tool... From buying your first guitar, to playing songs and staying motivated.

Coaching Session 16 A short 20 minute session to get you working on your power chords and playing Clapton

Skills & Techniques 23 Steve Stine...page 21 Time for some string bending and a great lick from Dire Straits and Guitar George As a top guitarist and teacher, both online and offline, Steve Stine offers his tips for learning quickly and easily... Guitars & Gizmos 28 Top 10 riffs you may not know, plus the latest guitar Apps and tech stuff

Riffs, Licks & Solos 37 Lets’ start with a simple yet effective solo from U2’s classic song, Vertigo. Editor’s note Guitar Coach Magazine 5

Hi and welcome to Guitar Coach ...

In this first issue of Guitar Coach magazine, we’ve not only got some great video coaching sessions for both Beginners and Intermediate players, but also Guitar News, Reviews, Hints, Tips, Techniques, Interviews and much more. We really hope you enjoy it and that you’ll tell all your friends about it too, particularly as it’s free! But more important than that, we hope this magazine helps you learn and have fun playing your guitar :) Contributors As you can seen on the previous page, we’ve broken down the magazine content into separate sections, to make it easy Many thanks to our contributors: for you to navigate around the articles and lessons. Nils Lofgren Steve Stine In future issues of the magazine, you will see these same The Songsterr Team sections and be able to build your own library of coaching Robin Frederick sessions for Riffs, Licks and Techniques etc. And to our writing team: Bob Cianci So, have fun, and do let me know what you think about the Graham Land magazine. Just email me at [email protected] Steven Andrews Ben Vine Tom Rosier

Jonathan Howkins And our special thanks go to: Editor, Guitar Coach magazine Andy Partridge of BandJammer

Keeping it Free!

We hope you enjoy this issue of Guitar Coach All you have to do is tap the “Rate Us” button magazine and we look forward to bringing you below and leave us a comment and a rating. much more great free stuff in the next issue. If you’ve enjoyed this magazine, then we hope But we need your help :) you’ll give us a 5 star rating! In order for us to continue to produce this Thank you. magazine free of charge, we need to get the word out to as many people as possible - and to do this we need your help. Tap Here To Rate Us News Bulletin Guitar Coach Magazine 6

Hot news in the world of guitar this month: By Tom Rosier

Lamb of God’s Front Man Arrested for Manslaughter. Andre 3000 to Star as Jimi. Lamb of God singer Randy Blythe is arrested in Oslo Outkast founder Andre 3000 is set to for the alleged manslaughter of a fan during a Lamb play the role of in an up of God show. Blythe denies the charges and the coming movie about the rock legend’s band are appealing for funding from fans to aid his life and career, though none of Hen- legal proceedings. drix’s music will be used in the picture. Gretsch Introduce New Models. Dave Grohl Re-honoured by Hometown. Gretsch introduce seven new models of the hugely Living rock legend Dave Grohl is already successful Electromatic series guitars, basses and honoured by his hometown of Warren, left-handed guitars. Ohio after the naming of Dave Grohl Alley. Now the town are due to honour Grohl The Cult Survive Bus Crash. again, by erecting two 900-pound drum- sticks. Members of The Cult narrowly avoid a near 80-foot fall from a cliff after their bus veers off a road in Blur New Single Under (the west) Way. Croatia. Blur unveil the video for the ‘Under the Rotten Debates Drug Legislation. Westway’, the first of two new singles released by the band. The band neither Sex Pistols’ lead ‘singer’ John ‘Johnny Rotten’ Lydon confirm nor deny that they will continue debates with British politicians about the legalisa- to work together after their gigs at Hyde tion of drugs in the UK on televised debate show Park this summer. Question Time. Children of Bodom Singer Hospitalised. Radiohead Work on New at Jack White’s Studio. Children of Bodom guitarist and singer Alexi Laiho is rushed to hospital in Oslo, Norway after suffering Radiohead have confirmed from stomach pain at a concert. that they have been work- ing on new material at Fender Announce Summer Releases. Jack White’s Third Man Studios, but the White Fender announce the release of a new range of Stripes front man has acoustic model guitars this summer, including the denied that he has been Tim Armstrong ‘Hellcat’ 12- string, dreadnought bass involved in the writing and pair of mandolins. and/or production process. Guitar Coach Magazine 7

– How to stick with it – Buying your first Guitar – Easy songs: The Eagles, Lyin’ Eyes Bootcamp Guitar Coach Magazine 8

Staying motivated: How to stick with it by Graham Land

As anyone who has attempted to learn In his best-selling book Outliers, author to play a musical instrument knows, Malcolm Gladwell states that the key to it takes hard work, patience and success in any discipline is practicing for dedication. We've all had the experience 10,000 hours. As an aspiring guitarist, of visiting a friend or colleague's house you may not have the goal of being the and spying a dust-covered guitar sitting next Jimi Hendrix, so don't sweat it if in the corner, woefully out of tune and you can't practice playing guitar in your suffering from neglect. bedroom or garage for 10,000 hours. The point is you need to put time in to get “Oh I tried it for a while, results. Practicing not only improves your playing, it gives you a sense of got nowhere and then achievement due to hard work and gave it up. I should perseverance. And though it may not seem like it sometimes, practice can be probably give it another a lot of fun. go, but I don't have the time or motivation.” Continued... Sound familiar? Maybe you've even said something similar yourself at some point. If so, how do you recapture that fire that made you fork over a consider- able sum for a guitar or bass, with dreams of creating sounds that bring pleasure to the ears of others (or at least your own)? Why did you feel you were getting nowhere fast? How can we avoid getting caught in the trap of losing inspiration and giving up? Bootcamp Guitar Coach Magazine 9

Staying motivated: How to stick with it

But those are just the “facts”. We need 4. Find support ways to continue playing – methods that keep things fun, measure our success Do you have any friends who play the and make our efforts satisfying. Here are guitar or another instrument or would five tips to keep you from quitting the like to learn? Maybe they're just starting guitar and hopefully inspire those of you out. Playing or talking with others who who have already quit to pick it up, dust share the same passion for the guitar it off and try again. can provide important motivation. If you can't find others in your area, join an on- *A fun alternative to learn- 1. Give yourself clear, attainable goals. line community to discuss your musical ing other artists' songs is to progress and exchange ideas. simply create your own. Do you want to be able to perform Follow the same steps and “Capricho Arabe” like Segovia or just play 5. Visualize your success the opening riff from “Smells Like Teen goals for learning your Spirit”? *Hint: the latter is probably more Picture what it will be like to achieve favourite songs and apply realistic and therefore more functional, your goal. Imagine how it will be to play them to making your own but it's up to you. Either way, decide on your favourite songs, alone or with other songs instead. This adds a your long and short-term goals and write budding musicians accompanying you. special creative satisfaction them down. Write down the following: to learning the guitar. 2. Time your goals • Where are you in this imagined sce- nario? Give yourself a daily, weekly or monthly schedule for achieving your goals. Say to • When is it – a week, a month or a year yourself: This week I'm going to learn from now? “Teen Spirit”, next week “House of the • How does it make you feel to be able to Rising Sun” and within six months I'll nail play these songs? “Johnny B. Goode” or the entire contents of Led Zeppelin IV. If you prefer, just give In this way, having a “dream” helps you to yourself the goal of practicing for one progress towards the realization of your hour at a time, once a day or once a goals. This is how your imagination plays week. Whatever you think you can ac- a role in achieving practical, realistic ob- complish. jectives. 3. Measure your goals Summary Depending on your experience or skill Remember: playing guitar and making level, break your goals up into simple, music is fun. Learning, improving and be- measurable and understandable steps. coming comfortable with the instru- Learn your songs “riff by riff”. If you man- ment should be an enjoyable and age to play the intro to your favourite rewarding experience and never some- song in one practice session, you'll have thing to beat yourself up about. Everyone achieved something and this feels great! started out not even knowing a single Next session – main chord progression; chord or scale, but they gave themselves the session after that – chorus... until goals, put the time and effort in and fell you've finally mastered “Careless Whis- in love with the guitar. per” and can serenade your sweetheart or drive your neighbours insane. Good luck and stick with it! Boot Camp Guitar Coach Magazine 10 Buying your first acoustic guitar by Graham Land

Every guitarist remembers their first guitar. Some look back with horror and disbelief, while others recall their introductory instrument with fondness, regardless of its quality.

Most wish they knew back then what use layered wood laminate, while pricier they know now. For this reason, it's a models have tops made of solid pieces of good idea to seek a bit of expert advice wood, which vibrate more easily and on the subject of your first guitar. therefore have a better sound quality than laminate. Though solid wood tops Here are a few important tips: provide a nicer, fuller tone and improve with play, these are not the chief con- The main factor for most is price. Con- cerns for a beginner guitarist . sider your budget for a starter guitar. This usually means buying a low-end guitar or perhaps a used, mid-range New or Second Hand? model. A practical solution is to opt for a beginner's guitar pack. Packages include You can often get some great guitars at great prices, by buying second hand. a strap, plectrums, tuner and bag. Well- You can check out some of the deals Andertons have to offer right here: known brands like Fender and Yamaha offer decent beginner packs. www.andertonsmusic.com Price differences on acoustic guitars gen- erally reflect the grade or type of wood Tap here to visit Andertons used to construct the guitar and the fact they can be accurately tuned and stay in Online Music Store tune for longer. Less expensive guitars Boot Camp Guitar Coach Magazine 11 Buying your first acoustic guitar

Most important in terms of pleasure Size – A smaller acoustic guitar may be and learning to play are comfort and more comfortable and therefore more playability. The size and shape of the playable for a novice guitarist, especially guitar and its action (how close the women and those of shorter stature. Try strings are to the fretboard) are the main out different sizes, shapes and models to factors for comfort and playability. These find what suits you best. aspects greatly facilitate learning to play the guitar and give far more satisfaction Last but not least, get a friend who is an than an expensive guitar of better sound experienced player to help you choose quality that is more difficult to play. your first guitar.

The Fender Starter Package You can get all the details on the Fender Acoustic Guitar Package mentioned in the video right here: Tap Here For Details Boot Camp Guitar Coach Magazine 12 The Eagles: Lyin’ Eyes by Steven Andrews

So you can now learn the introduction to Lyin’ Eyes by The Eagles. Andy shows you a simple strumming pattern using some open chords, but a Lyin' Eyes was a hit for slightly more challenging chord change. The Eagles in 1975, and was the second single from their One Of These Nights album.

Chords used The next chord is a G Major 7 and is slightly more difficult. It’s the same as The first one is a G Major. It is made up the G chord, except you move on the top of the top E-string 3rd fret which is a G string on the 3rd fret down to the 2nd note, an open B, open G, open D, 2nd fret. fret A-string, which is the B note, and finally, the 3rd fret bottom E-string which It consists of the top E 2nd fret, then an is the G. open B, open G, open D, 2nd fret A-string, and 3rd fret bottom E-string.

The Chords

OOO OOO XOO XOO X X O 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3

G major G major 7 C major A minor D major Boot Camp Guitar Coach Magazine 13

The Eagles: Lyin Eyes

Next is an open C chord, made by having the Strumming pattern top E open, a C note made by the 1st fret on the B-string, open G, 2nd fret on the D string, In the strumming pattern we’ll be leading and the 3rd fret on the A-string. It doesn’t with a down stroke, and omitting the up- matter much if you play that bottom E- stroke to give us an accent on the chord string, but do your best not to strike it too changes. hard. The rhythm goes 1, 123456; 1, 123456; 1, 123456; The next chord is A Minor, made with a top E 1, 123456. It may not be the exact way it’s open, 1st fret B-string, which is the C note, played but it works here. It comes down to 2nd fret G-string which is the A note, an E practicing those chords and that strumming note on the 2nd fret of the D string, and the pattern. A-string is open. Now practice! Then we have a D chord, made with a 2nd fret on the E string, 3rd fret on the B string, OK, watch the video and play along with the which is a D note, 2nd fret on the G string, practice session until you’ve got it nailed. which is an A note, and an open D string. Have fun! Profile Guitar Coach Magazine 14

Guitarist Profile: Jimi Hendrix

Born: November 27th 1942 Died: September 18th 1970 Choice of Guitar: Fender Stratocaster The Facts Jimi Hendrix was named Johnny Allen Hendrix when he was born and was nick- named “Buster” as a child. He received an honourable discharge from the US army for being an “unsuit- able” soldier. Records show he fell asleep on duty and couldn’t aim a gun. Purple Haze: Cover by BandJammer It was Keith Richards girlfriend Linda www.bandjammer.com Keith that really gave Hendrix his big break. She became friends with him and recommended him to the Rolling Stones recording sessions led to the break up of manager. He didn’t like Hendrix music, so the Jimi Hendrix Experience before Linda introduced him to Chas Chandler, Woodstock in 1969. At that show Hen- bassist of the Animals, who became his drix introduced the new line up as manager. “Gypsy Sun and Rainbows”. 24 hours before he died Jimi played an The Influence impromptu show at a jazz club in Soho Bob Dylan was so impressed with Hen- with American band War. This show drix’s version of “All Along The Watch- was recorded on a cassette player and tower” that he played it live from the the two Hendrix songs played at the time Hendrix died. Dylan claims it feels show were later illegally distributed on a more like a tribute to Jimi than his own bootleg tape. This tape was later re-mas- song. tered and is the last known recording of Jimi Hendrix before he died. The Jimi Hendrix Experienced played their last live show in the UK in London’s The Saville Theatre in 1967. The audience in- Jimi’s first album, Are You Experienced, cluded the country’s rock royalty who only got beaten to the number one spot were all impressed and influenced by in the UK charts by Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hendrix’s style. They included Eric Clap- Hearts Club Band, which spent 27 weeks ton, Jack Bruce, Brian Epstein, George at number one. Are You Experienced is Harrison and Paul McCartney. Jimi considered to be one of the most iconic opened with a cover of the title track of albums of all time. Sgt Pepper’s, which had only been re- leased three days before and rehearsed Electric Ladyland was Jimi Hendrix’s first minutes before the band took to the full dive into experimenting in the stu- stage. dio. The recording of the album was no- toriously slow and unorganized leading Jimi Hendrix is frequently voted best gui- Chas Chandler to quit. Hendrix invited tarist in music magazines and has influ- guests to the studio who sat in on live enced all areas of music, especially the recording sessions. blues. His songs have been covered from diverse artists including Rod Sterwart, The tension of the Electric Ladyland Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Jamie Cullum. Guitar Coach Magazine 15

Play guitar and Jam with a full Band...

Ask any professional guitarist about what is the easiest, quickest and most fun way to develop your guitar skills, and you can guarantee that they’ll say it’s to play with others. However it’s not always that easy to get a band to- gether in your home, when it suits you. With BandJammer, the band are always ready and waiting with some great songs for you to have some fun with. You can either join the band for a jam session as an additional guitarist, or actually take the place of the Lead or Rhythm guitarist - the choice is yours! Each song has super detailed multi-camera, step by step lessons (on average 20 videos per song), so you can work through each one at your own pace. If you’re a relative beginner you can choose one of the easier songs and take the Rhythm guitar, or if you’re more at an intermediate level, you might want to take the Lead and nail some awesome solos! Join the Band and let’s have some fun!

Tap Here For Details

www.bandjammer.com Guitar Coach Magazine 16

– Cocaine; JJ Cale (and Eric Clapton) Coaching Guitar Coach Magazine 17

Your 20 Minute Coaching Session Cocaine: & Power Chords Hi and welcome to this Guitar Coaching session. The idea with these sessions, is to make them brief and fun! We’ll be covering skills and techniques and combining these with learning some cool riffs and licks, or even complete songs! All you need is your guitar and a spare 20 minutes. So let’s get started.

Video 1: Introduction In this first video I’ll run through exactly what we’ll be playing so you’ve got a feel for the result we’re aiming for. I’ll then go on to explaining everything step by step in video 2. The Power Chords 0 1 5 3 X X X X X X X X X 1 X X X 2 4 6 2 5 3 7 3 4 8 6 4 5 7 9

E5 Power Chord D5 Power Chord C5 Power Chord B5 Power Chord Coaching Guitar Coach Magazine 18

Cocaine: & Power Chords

Video 2: Teaching So we are now playing the E5 power chord one octave higher than when OK let’s have a look at the Power Chords played in the open position. All the to start off with. Now Power Chords are power chords used in Cocaine use this Cocaine was originally also known as fifths. A Power Chord is same shape, but in different positions on written and recorded by ‘powerful,’ just as it is described. What the fretboard. Because of this I am not American singer- we are actually doing is playing the low- going into a lot of detail. All we need to and guitarist JJ Cale in est three notes of a major chord and remember is that the root note of the E5 making sure we use the root note for the 1976. Eric Clapton covered power chord is on the 9th fret of the lowest note. the song in 1977, and it string. has since become regarded I'll explain. In an E5 Power Chord (open Using this same shape therefore (albeit as one of his greatest hits. position) we are playing the bottom three notes of the E major chord. So we in different positions on the fretboard) have an open E, we've a B which is the means the root note for each power second fret of the A string and we've an E chord you play will always be on the A note which is the second of the D string, string. and these are the only notes we play for OK, when you've played that E5 chord a power chord. twice, then the D5 and back to the E5, What JJ Cale has done, or the Eric Clap- release all the pressure off your hands on ton version has done, is to take that E your left hand so it doesn't ring out. Or Power Chord and play it further up the alternatively use your right hand to stop neck. So the Power Chord we have and the strings or notes ringing out. the three notes we are playing are E, B, E, but this time the E note is on the 7th fret Now we play the D5 again and let the of the A string. And then we have the D notes ring out. You can see the brilliance string where you hold down the 9th fret of this riff is, first of all, its simplicity, and (the B note), and then the E note which is secondly the timing. When we play the the 9th fret for the G string. second D5 chord there is a slight gap. Coaching Guitar Coach Magazine 19

Cocaine: & Power Chords

So it’s like 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (letting the D5 ring out on the 5 count). It’s the Get more Coaching Sessions... accuracy of the timing that makes the riff distinctive. You can join Andy for some regular Guitar Coaching Sessions via his Blog. Simply enter your Next we are going to work our way details below. You’ll then receive an email from down the fretboard, still using the same Andy, when there’s a new session posted. shape, strumming each chord just one, We start by playing the E5 chord, moving down 2 frets to the D5, down two more frets to the C5 and finally down one more fret to the B5. When we hit that B5 we do not let it ring out. And that’s all there is to it! It’s such a great riff to play and is actually not as simple as it first sounds. You need to try and make sure that your timing is spot on and that when you are playing the chords they come out very clean, very clear and there is that distinctive gap between the E5 and the D5. I hope you’ve had fun with that and I'll see you again for another session in the next issue. So make sure you’ve subscribed to Guitar Coach Magazine. Bye for now!

Any guitar questions?

Contact Andy with your questions and we’ll include as many as we can in the FAQ section of your next issue of Guitar Coach magazine. Simply tap the contact button below and email your question. Thank you!

Tap Here To ‘Ask Andy’ Guitar Chords Guitar Coach Magazine 20 Chord of the Month: Fmaj7th Welcome to our first Chord of the Month. This regular feature is all about looking at the more unusual chords (not standard majors and minors) explaining the fingering, their qualities and what chord sequences sound good with them, giving some examples of songs that use them effectively. These articles will develop your chord chord but with the first finger removed knowledge and also give you chance to from the top E string, so the note on this gradually increase the number of chords string drops by a semitone or one step. you can play. This will, in turn, widen the The purists amongst us will not repertoire of songs you will be able to strum the A and Bottom E strings master. Chords that go well because the root note is F, which is with Fmaj7 So let’s have a look at the chord of Fmaj7 the note on the D string (3rd fret). and the notes that make up this chord. Generally, the root note should be Two songs I believe use the Fmaj7 the 1st string you strike when Here is the chord chart: executing a downward strum. chord within a simple chord However, in this instance, the open effectively sequence are both XX O A and open bottom E strings are written by Sir Paul McCartney. still notes that make up part of the 0 chord, so strumming them is not an The acoustic guitar leading into the inexcusable error. However, leading 3rd section of Band on the Run by the downward strum with the bot- Wings uses C to Fmaj7

1 tom E note does not make it sound like the F maj7 chord should sound. Silly Love Songs repeats this se- quence throughout the song. – C, My suggestion on the best way to

2 Em7, Fmaj7 strum the chord is to omit striking the bottom E string altogether or, This just a taster of what is to alternatively, mute it with your come. Future articles will feature 3 thumb so it does not “ring out.” You can also do the same with the A more complex chords and intro- string but, as striking it is not the duce you to a whole new world of end of the world (i.e. it does not “guitar fingering.” Fmaj7 take as much away from the sound of the chord as strumming the As you can see, the notes you will be open bottom E) it may be best to only playing/strumming (starting from the “try” and not strum the open A string. If high E string) are; you do, it won’t matter too much. Let’s face it, when you are playing live you Top E String – Open (E) don’t want to concentrate too much on B String – Second Fret (C) perfection! Enjoy the experience and G String – Third fret (A) have fun. D String – Third fret (F) In general terms, major chords are A string – Generally muted or not played happy chords and minor chords are sad Bottom E String – Generally muted or sounding chords. I like Fmaj7 because it’s not played a halfway house between the two, so If you study the chord shape, you will you can relate it to whatever mood you note that the top 4 strings (E,B,G and D) are in at the time – especially whilst make up the majority of the F major song writing. Feature Guitar Coach Magazine 21

Steve Stine: Guitar Teacher

Fargo, ND resident expounds on his guitar teaching theories and background, traditionally and online.

Background & Theory are essential to truly understand the “You Tube is great, but elements that are lacking in an the problem is, there Guitarist and guitar teacher Steve Stine, individual, whether they are weekly or on are a million things a resident of Fargo, ND, typifies the new a per-lesson basis.” breed of guitar teacher who makes use out there with a million In-Person vs. Online Teaching points of view, and it of both traditional and time-tested methods, as well as the Internet, in We asked Steve to compare and contrast can be very confusing, formulating individualized lesson plans. in-person versus online teaching, and or at the very least A full time veteran guitar teacher with this was what he had to say. limiting” twenty-five years experience, Stine teaches private and group sessions at “Person-to-person lessons are more North Dakota State University in Fargo, personal, obviously, because you can at a local Montessori School, and at the work with the student from a couple of Elevate Rock School, also in Fargo. feet away. Online lessons are a bit less Additionally, Stine markets guitar intimate in that aspect, but still very instructional videos with GuitarZoom, effective, as many students want to take and still maintains a satisfying family lessons from a teacher they trust and life and touring/recording schedule. understand, and sometimes, that’s not available locally. One plus to online Stine says one of the reasons he has lessons is they can be recorded and been successful is because he pays watched over and over. Some students attention to detail. prefer the online experience, as they’re more comfortable at home instead of “I read between the lines. Because I’ve sitting in a store or stranger’s house. been a music teacher in the school system, I have had classes-and continue “The general quality of online teaching to do so-in psychology and the growth of can be great, but there are two things children, and methods of teaching that that make a big difference: the speed of attain results. I can break ideas down to the Internet connection on both sides, into their smallest theoretical or visual and the software used to interact be- concepts, teach them and build them tween teacher and student. Many people back up. Group classes are great for use Skype for lessons, but there are far general ideas and education, as you better options out there, and they cost usually have a large number of students more money, which may be worth it to of a variety of ages, but private lessons the student.” Feature Guitar Coach Magazine 22

Steve Stine: Guitar Teacher

What are the challenges of developing “I don’t simply do this for income; I do this because it’s what I’m good at. I have online guitar tuition? a knack for finding that ‘cutoff’ point, “Finding software or online applications where you push students too hard and that are clean, clear and sound good, lose them. My goal is not to have them with options of sending and receiving become me or follow my musical belief files easily and immediately is the system, but to encourage them on their challenge. Some people ask me, ‘Why journey.” should I pay for any guitar tuition when By Bob Cianci YouTube is free?’ “You Tube is great, but the problem is, there are a million things out there with a million points of view, and it can be very confusing, or at the very least limit- ing, because there’s no continuity. And if you find something that has continuity, who’s to say it will work for you? It’s always more beneficial to have someone Check out one of Steve’s online guitar courses: who can work with and help you. Even Steve Stine’s 96 Rock Licks my DVD products are formatted with the idea of not missing anything between the concepts being taught, and there’s tech support-which is me-along the way. “Online guitar teaching is evolving. There’s a product out there called eJam- ming, which is incredible for interactive jamming, although you can’t jam with someone simultaneously via the Skype style methods. I see this, integrated with great video-to-video interaction and more Internet speed, as the future of guitar lessons.” Teaching Style When asked to analyze his teaching style, Steve commented, “I have been doing this my entire life. I cater to each student, I don’t use method books, and I create methods for each based upon their wants and needs. I always remember that a student does not have to be here. I need to make the lesson an experience they enjoy, one that keeps them excited to practice. I am available Tap here for 96 Rock Licks after the lesson to help them with any questions they may have. Guitar Coach Magazine 23

– The art of string bending – Dire Straits, Guitar George Skills & Techniques Guitar Coach Magazine 24 Techniques: String Bending

If you want to play and sound like your rock guitarist heroes, then you will need to learn the art of String Bending.

It’s a technique all the top players use to can also release the pressure and let it add colour and emotion to their solos in return to its normal pitch i.e. a bend the genres of blues, rock, jazz, country release. and . The range of a pitch bend is limited to String Bending is achieved by moving a some extent by the type of guitar you are held down string with your fretting hand using, by the material the strings are in a direction perpendicular to its axis. made of, how taut they are, and by the You are moving the string up and varying area of the neck in which you are playing. its pitch. This can be done for one, two or Steel strings can be bent further in pitch three notes. than nylon strings can and thin strings Basic technique bend further than thick strings. It is far easier to use String Bending in the To bend strings you put a finger on the middle of the neck than playing near the string and then, while pressing the string nut at the top. down on the fretboard, play it while pushing it up to the side. This stretches Problems and Solutions the string and makes its pitch go higher. The most difficult problem for beginners Bends of one or two semitones are com- is getting the string bent the correct monly used, but very skilled guitarists amount, to hit the right note you’re aim- may use bends of 3 semitones or even ing for. You should first play the higher. target note on a higher fret, listening carefully to its sound and then try to To bend a string well you must make bend the string to get the exact same sure you fret it properly. You may need to pitch. use three fingers to get the pressure you need to perform the String Bending you The more you practice String Bending want. the better you will get and the easier you will find it to play using this valuable You must also let the note ring out. You technique. Skills & Techniques Guitar Coach Magazine 25

String Bending: Dire Straits and Guitar George

In this video Andy will show you a neat little riff, packed with bends. It’s from the Dire Straits classic song Sultans Of Swing. Feature Guitar Coach Magazine 26 Songsterr: Expanding The World Of Guitar Tabs By Bob Cianci Russian/American-based site now offers iPad App feature & more Tap Here For Details

Have you ever looked over an online An interesting feature A Little Background guitar tab and said to yourself, “What of the Songsterr iOS App, Songsterr debuted in August 2008, a was this idiot thinking when he wrote which is not supported on curious and perhaps unlikely this? It’s completely wrong!” Unlike other the website, is offline collaboration of Russian and American archive sites such as Chordie, where in- mode. It will run offline technology and ingenuity, and since correct tabs are legendary, prevalent, and tracks you played when then, has garnered over 152,000 Likes remain available online until enough you were online. on Facebook and over 6200 followers on people complain, this doesn’t seem to Twitter. Songsterr receives millions of be the case at Songsterr. Experienced visitors on their website, Songsterr.com, Songsterr editors check all tabs to ensure and features over 80,000 songs and accuracy, and, as stated earlier, more than 400,000 tabs. Those are participant members can easily report some impressive numbers for a tab site any errors that might slip through. that is just four years old. In the simplest terms, Songsterr is an Why Choose Songsterr? archive of guitar, bass and drums tabs. To quote reviewer Jason Kincaid in his Any person with internet access can August 2008 article on contribute new tabs or make changes to www.techcrunch.com, “One of the prob- existing tabs, and according to their lems with typical guitar tablature is that website, it is impossible to cause damage, as the software allows for easy it does a poor job representing rhythm reversal of errors. According to Oleg and the duration that each note is played Lyubchenko, marketing manager at - both of which are essential. To remedy Songsterr, “recently, we implemented this, most people play a recording of the error report tools, so everybody can original song as they examine a tab so report errors in tab, vote up or down they can figure out when to play each error reports that look useful or not note. But this process is frustrating and useful, flag inappropriate error reports time consuming. Songsterr is looking to for deletion by moderators, or report skirt this issue by accompanying each Oleg Lyubchenko, off-topic, abusive, low quality, duplicates, song with an audio file that plays along- Songsterr etc.” side of it.” Feature Guitar Coach Magazine 27

Songsterr: Expanding The World Of Guitar Tabs

of over 400,000 songs directly from Songsterr.com. There’s no need to upload tabs from your computer or download them from third party sites. iPad apps can be purchased from Apple’s App Store, and of course, directly on Songsterr’s website. An Android App was similarly launched in January 2012. Lyubchenko commented on the iOS App as follows, “An interesting feature of the Kincaid’s review was written almost im- Songsterr iOS App which is not sup- mediately after Songsterr’s unveiling. He Tap Here For ported on the website is offline mode. It made note that Songsterr lacked sym- Details Of The will run offline tracks you played when bols for slides, bending, vibrato, and you were online. There is a section called Songsterr App more. In all fairness, this issue has long ‘History’ with a list of tabs available for since been corrected, and the symbols for offline mode. You can access these songs these and much more are easily accessed not only from History, but also from in Songster’s Help section. other sections, such as most popular, Songsterr has two plans available for tags, search and favorite. You don’t have users-Free and Plus. The Free plan gives to play the whole song; you just need to one access to all tabs contained, and wait a few seconds while the whole track what is referred to as a “subset” of fea- is being uploaded to your device. tures; Playback, Mixer, Solo and Count In. “Also recently, in partnership with Jam- One needn’t sign up for a Free plan to play.com, we launched a new section use the basics, but will allow you to con- called Lessons in an iPhone version. This tribute to the archive and use favorites. section gives you access to a few series The Plus plan costs $9.90 per month and of video guitar lessons.” includes advanced player features, such as Print, Half Speed, Backing Tracks, Chro- While Songsterr has taken off like the matic Tuner, Metronome, Focus Mode, proverbial rocket ship, there have been Fullscreen, Loop, Tuner, and much more. the inevitable detractors who compare Take it from me; you will want all the and contrast Songsterr to older tab sites goodies paid membership provides. such as Ultimate Guitar and Guitar Pro. Having navigated through several of And if you’re wondering whether Song- them myself, it appears those criticisms sterr is legal, rest assured it is. The site’s may have been unfounded. I particularly paid subscribers allow Songsterr to pay liked the rhythm notation and streaming royalties to artists, so everything is on audio file features on Songsterr, and the up and up. Unlike other tab sites that found these to be very useful in helping have been in and out of business, Song- me get a handle on certain tabs. sterr isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. www.Songsterr.com The Songsterr iPad App www.facebook.com/songsterr twitter.com/songsterr And finally, Songsterr launched a tab player App for iPhone, iPod and iPad in April 2011, the last of which will be of particular interest to our readers, allow- ing instant access to realistic playbacks Guitar Coach Magazine 28

– Guitar Top 10’s – Guitar Geekery – Coolest Guitar Apps Guitar Top 10’s Guitar Coach Magazine 29 Top 10 Guitar Riffs: That Don’t Appear In Top 10 Lists by Ben Vine

Mr Brownstone and Down". The riff is reminiscent Smooth of the White Stripes, bluesy and No its not “Sweet Child O’ Mine” swapping between power chords Supernatural was Santana's but the 5th track on Appetite For and a lead lick. Great for strutting award winning album, featuring Destruction is a masterpiece in it- down the street to on your head- guest appearances from everyone self. The riff is simple, running up phones. from Eric Clapton to Wyclef Jean. and down the scale and is a great "Smooth" features Rob Thomas driving mechanism for the track. Plug In Baby from Matchbox 20, and the truly The song in itself is a ballad smooth guitar riff and improvised about the pains of heroin addic- Starting with a scream of feed- licks throughout the song defi- tion, and added to the superb back, “Plug In Baby” is "original" solo is a summary of the things Muse. Combining classical guitar nitely fit the title. It always fea- Guns ‘n’ Roses are most well influences with heavy effects tures on summer playlists, but known for. that make it seem like Matt Bel- now it gets it's rightful place in a lamy is struggling to control the guitar top ten! Crosstown Traffic guitar. was a breakthrough album for the Stay With Me Track three on Jimi Hendrix' iconic album Electric Ladyland, band, with "Plug In Baby" leading Faces' "Stay With Me" is one of “Crosstown Traffic”, is a great the charge as arguably the best the less known tracks on this list. track. A firm live encore favourite. example of the experimental But featuring the likes of Ronnie production techniques that Hen- Walk Wood on guitar, it definitely isn't drix doesn't get much credit for. out of place. The interplay be- The riff features guitar accompa- Pantera's "Walk" is the first true tween guitar and keys occurs nied by a kazoo, forming an metal song to make the list. Once throughout the song, but the tra- again simplicity is key, with a driv- original sound that makes it both ditional overdriven blues riff that catchy and easy to hum along to! ing, menacing riff introducing the leads it is the most prominent. song. It’s written in 12/8 timing, And, as I'm sure you'll agree, any Dammit Dimebag Darrell’s soundcheck song that includes a shout of jam became one of the bands Blink-182 have had many iconic "guitar!" before a solo is a winner! pop punk hits, but the simplicity most recognized songs and was of “Dammit” shows them flaunt- their first top 40 hit in the UK. It’s Taylor ing their more influ- been covered many times, most ences. The guitar part is notably by Avenged Sevenfold. Once again not in the traditional deceptively simple, but this is vein of guitar lists, Jack Johnson's Is This Love what makes it effective. It be- track "Taylor" is not one to be dis- comes part of the chorus, provid- Bob Marley isn't a prominent fig- missed. Sure, it's played on ing an interlude before each ure in guitar articles, however the acoustic guitar rather than a Strat verse. riff in "Is This Love" is the moment doused in overdrive, but the tech- the idea of guitar being a lead in- nical and rhythmic ability shown Your Touch strument in reggae suddenly while playing a lead riff is fantas- The dirty and raw opening riff of made sense. The album Kaya, tic. Little slaps of the strings and “Your Touch” by the Black Keys which the track is taken from, rapid hammer-ons make this has never featured on a top riff was a way to make Bob Marley intro an impressive party piece at list (that I know of). However it is appeal to a wider audience a BBQ. And the video starring Ben a familiar accompaniment to TV through use of guitar. Maybe it Stiller is not to be missed either! and film, appearing on the likes could be classed as selling out, of "Zombieland" and "Eastbound but who cares? It works! Guitar Geekery Guitar Coach Magazine 30 MicroGuitars: enter the world of the hacked axe by Graham Land If you hear the words “guitar tech” and immediately think of the roadie who changes strings and tunes up for successful rock bands, think again.

A synthesis is taking place in the basements, bedrooms and garages of tech-savvy guitar players and music- interested computer geeks. Some build 6-string Frankensteins, others construct nano-scale axes that really play, while others are focused on the software that enables musicians to create and share their music in an increasingly technol- ogy-dependent world. Some do all three! Guitars and technology have gone hand in hand since Les Paul and others experimented with adding electric mini basses, synths and even microphones to acoustic guitars. The microphones, effectively creating an ‘My latest guitar project is computer and IT revolution means entire micro rock band. fitting an accelerometer hackers and guitar nerds are now taking from wii controller inside Chris sells his hand-made, custom things to an entirely new level. The result designed MicroGuitars and other my guitar and hooking it is a special breed of geek who combines MicroInstruments through up to a simple wah circuit. cutting edge DIY techie innovations and www.microband.co.uk. Clients can The idea is that you raise the passion only a true muso could choose which kind of guitar model muster. and lower the guitar to they'd like (SG, Flying V, Stratocaster, activate the wah pedal’. Brighton-based Chris Holden, who holds customized, etc.) as well as a range of the distinction of being both an old samples to be loaded into the guitar. –Chris Holden school programmer and a musician of 20 You can even decide which fret on the years, has experimented with combining fingerboard will trigger each sample! various musical instruments and com- MicroGuitarists can also create their puters in his own DIY style. He's actually own songs or “micro mash-ups” of their more of a guitar hacker than a computer favourite artists by using a simple hacker, often buying cheap guitars off recording program and easily share their eBay, experimenting with various guitar MicroBand creations on the internet. hacks and add-ons like built-in effects The MicroBand website provides a bank and flashing LED lights. of samples or guitar riffs, a place One of his projects that's been garnering to upload your songs and a a fair bit of attention is his work with community to share them with. mini instruments, especially his line of Another project Chris is working on is a MicroGuitars. He began creating small way to turn a mobile phone into a mini USB devices inspired by 80s tabletop guitar amplifier, allowing tech geek gui- electronic drum kits – remember tarists to free themselves from cumber- Mattel's Synsonics drums? Using a laser some wired connections and PCs for the cutter and drum software, Chris and a ultimate in wireless mini mobility jam- friend made their first mini in ming. the course of just one evening. From there they moved on to mini guitars, Visit www.microband.co.uk. Guitar Apps Guitar Coach Magazine 31 App of the Month: Guitar Toolkit by Tom Rosier

Guitar Toolkit is one impressive App. It’s absolutely brimming with features and is very user friendly. Tap here to check out this App

Since the launch of Apple’s iOS and the options allow you to navigate through release of the iPad and iPhone there the App with minimal space taken up have been hundreds upon hundreds of on screen, allowing the user to take full apps that have claimed to be a cut above advantage of the retina display and the rest in terms of what they can offer, offering quick and simple navigation how they can offer it and at what price it through the apps many functions. can be offered. When first opened the user is greeted by In this monthly article I aim to bring the familiar look of a guitar tuner, with these apps to the forefront, take you the friendly EADGBE label in the corner, through their operations, examine them, aiding beginner guitarists with the and let you know what applications de- string tuning arrangement down the serve your money. This month I will be neck. But with one swift press of the looking at Guitar Toolkit by Agile Part- ‘mode’ button the tuner transforms into ners. a musicians best friend, a chromatic tuner. This alone would account for Guitar Toolkit between $0.79 and $2.99 of the apps Now the first thing that I noticed about price tag, as some apps that I have this App was obviously its price tag. In trialled, especially the lower price range comparison to many apps that offer and free apps, do not offer the accuracy similar operations this App does seem of this tuner. It also offers a high contrast slightly on the expensive side. Priced at mode, so that instead of having the $9.99, it could almost be in contention needle alone pointing you in the for the most expensive guitar based App direction of pitch, you also have LED style available on the App Store. lights pointing you in the right direction. … However, this could be considered its Guitar Toolkits next feature is the scales only draw back. feature. Within this section you can pull up any scale of your choosing (literally At first glance the App is very user any) for whatever key you want, and in- friendly, and aesthetically pleasing to stantly be shown where these notes say the least. Across the bottom you appear on the fretboard. Simply click on have your main window options. These the scale, choose your scale or arpeggio, Guitar Apps Guitar Coach Magazine 32

App of the Month: Guitar Toolkit the type of music the scale you intend to possible chords that are associated with use (including world, classical or modal, the two notes, and again by adding more Asian or Indian) and then the scale notes reducing the number of chord name, be it pentatonic minor or altered possibilities open to you. I found this diminished. Literally the world is your particularly useful for working out oyster. However this function does not harmonies, as having an application stop there. By pressing the magnifying open in front of you, which is also inter- glass in the corner of the screen you can active, lets you try out harmonic flip the screen to an alternate scale help possibilities and aids doing so in a wizard. This will allow you to press on methodological fashion. any fret you like, placing a marker on that string and fret, and it will analyse all The last section of this app is the scales that the chosen note fits into. settings. I won’t go into too much detail, Then by adding more notes the App will but if I were to say that you could have then narrow down your choice of scale. I all of the options that I have described should probably add that when you for essentially ALL stringed instruments press the marker the note will play, that may give you a rough idea of what which I found especially useful. to expect here. You can even flip over the settings to accommodate left handed And then there was the metronome. guitarists, add a capo and even edit the No-one really likes metronomes, and I tuning of the guitar that you will see in can’t imagine any guitarist out there the windows I have described. would ever choose to play with a metronome for fun, but as a learning All in, I would probably say that thus far and development tool (especially if play- this is by a long way the best paid app ing alone or acoustically) it really is good. that I have seen on the app store. Sure, In the centre of the screen you have a $9.99 could be considered a little hefty, large simple on/off button. Great! And a and you can get all of the functions of simple scroll wheel that allows the user this app elsewhere for free or a fraction to easily and quickly navigate to the of this apps price. But after buying this tempo they desire. It would be nice to app it is unlikely that I would pay for simply type the tempo in also, but I another app like this ever again, as it has won’t give it any negative points for that. everything I would ever need and its all Then by pressing the small ‘i’ button in in one convenient place. It doesn’t have the corner you can transform this the recording functions of other metronome by changing its sounds (to applications, and it also doesn’t have essentially any sound you would ever amp emulations which would be a very desire), reversing the sounds if having a nice addition, but it does exactly what it higher pitched beginning beat confuses says it does, and does it extremely well. the user, enable a flashing display, accent The Verdict: the flashes on the display and of course select you time signature. Brilliant! Value for money: Next up is the chords page. Just like the Functionality: scales page, the chords page can display Ease of use: any chord of your choosing, in all of its possible variations. Just what every Looks: guitarist needs. But again, like with the Total: scales page you can press the magnify- ing glass and transform it into what I would describe as a ‘chord analyser’. By Tap Here For Details Of Guitar Toolkit selecting two notes the app will list all Feature Guitar Coach Magazine 33 Guitar School: with Nils Lofgren

‘Keep exploring, keep learning, because it’s a never-ending journey.’ Feature Guitar Coach Magazine 34 Guitar School: with Nils Lofgren

Nils Lofgren Guitar School: The Origins: “I said, ‘Who told you that?’ And they never know, but they think that. So, I Part 2 of this interview Guitarist Nils Lofgren, usually thought of decided to put together one hour lessons with Nils Lofgren will be as an ace sideman for Neil Young and and offer them on my website, because I in the next issue of Bruce Springsteen (he’s currently on tour wasn’t going to give lessons in my home. Guitar Coach magazine. with The Boss and the newly-expanded I have a Beginner’s School starting at 18-piece E Street Band), as well as a suc- zero, for people who think they have no cessful solo artist in his own right, has talent or rhythm. You don’t need to know been offering online guitar lessons from anything. All you need is a guitar and a his website, www.nilslofgren.com, for way to tune it, and I’ll teach you to enjoy nearly five years. We asked Nils how he playing guitar. got started on guitar and how his Guitar School developed. “In the Beginners’ School, there are five lessons that are built around the blues “I started on accordion and took ten scale, and I get deep into it with the years of classical lessons, but switched to acoustic and electric guitar. guitar and took lessons for a few months and had some great teachers. It was “Then, there’s an intermediate school actually my brother, Tom Lofgren, who that’s a little more advanced for people got me started with an old beat-up gui- that know a bit and want to take some Tap Here For Details tar at home. So, I’ve been playing and more sophisticated lessons. All the of Nils Guitar School studying music, literally since I was five. lessons are an hour long, which might Over the last four decades, people have take you eight months or eight days, been coming up to me constantly, telling depending on how crazy you are. When me they’d like to play rock guitar for fun you’re ready for more information, you but weren’t allowed to, because, “I have go to the next one. Once it’s in your no talent, I have no rhythm.” computer, it’s yours for life. Feature Guitar Coach Magazine 35 Guitar School: with Nils Lofgren

Professor Lofgren “One of the problems that’s very frustrat- ing is that guitar is like gymnastics for the hands. Everything is moving in a way it’s not used to. I’ve counselled people saying, ‘Here’s something you can do with one finger that takes no talent or rhythm, and I’ll back you up on a blues. They can make music immediately. Do that now with me and make music and focus on that part of it. The point of my Beginner’s School is, ‘Play music with me and feel what it’s like to make music right now, today.” Lofgren well understands how difficult learning guitar can be for the average person. immediately, don’t throw it away. Chip ‘I’m very excited about “It’s all about putting in the ‘frustration’ away at it slowly.” this, because I’m still and the practice. Are you ready for ten minutes of practice? How about twenty Life Onstage With Bruce learning every day, minutes? Obviously, you have to practice, even while on the road but if you get frustrated, go back to the “I think it was on The Rising tour. Bruce with Bruce and The E fun one-finger stuff and jam along with always plays a long solo in ‘Because The Street Band.’ me and walk away. Tomorrow, when you Night.’ One night, we were doing the come back, maybe you’re ready for song, and it came time for Bruce’s solo, twenty minutes of practice. and he just pointed at me, as if to say, ‘Go!,’ so clicked on my fuzz and did a solo Nils’ filming techniques for Guitar School almost three minutes long. It was are equally simple and basic. unexpected, but that’s Bruce for you. Sure enough, over the next forty shows, “It’s not a fancy three-camera shoot; just Bruce played the solo every night! Now, me in my studio, sometimes with my years later, I’m playing the solo on that dog, showing you what I do. Sometimes, song every night. when I need a close-up, I’ll just walk right into the camera. “Lately, I’ve come up with a solo for it that incorporates a harmonic minor scale “I’m very excited about this, because I’m that’s dark and modal, which is a sound I still learning every day, even while on the love. One of my problems is, I have short, road with Bruce and The E Street Band. thick fingers, not beautiful long hands I’m still applying what I’ve learned over and fingers like Jimi Hendrix. Playing the years. The whole idea, especially with that minor solo has been very hard for the Beginner’s School, is to get people me, because I can’t come close to playing enjoying it before adding the frustrating it at the tempo of the song. But, I haven’t practice stuff. The goal is to have guitar given up on the idea of doing it. A lot of playing be a therapeutic healing hobby. times, after two or three weeks, I’ll make It’s not a race; don’t give up on some- a decision, as my own teacher, ‘You’re thing because you can’t play it right never going to be able to do it at that away. The beautiful thing I learned from speed.’ OK, then we’ll let it go, or we’ll accordion lessons was, if you can’t do it Feature Guitar Coach Magazine 36 Guitar School: with Nils Lofgren change it. I’ve learned to let it percolate and give it a bit of time. You should never beat yourself up about not being The new Album able to play something right away. I give The new album, Old School, covers a variety of topics myself permission to take it slow to including desperation, self-doubt, true love, departed friends, start. All guitar players-all musicians- holding on to your dreams and the world gone mad... along have physical limitations. with a tribute to the late, great Ray Charles. “Keep exploring keep learning, because "These songs reflect characters with some radical feelings it’s a never-ending journey.” and beliefs," states Lofgren. "They're definitely thought- Old School provoking." "Old School has many different types of songs and feels... Nils’ latest recording is titled Old School, some rough, bluesy tracks to haunting acoustic songs," and he considers it one of his best works. continues Lofgren. "There's some interesting and He recorded it in his home studio with controversial characters in these songs and I look forward guest artists like vocalists Paul Rodgers to everyone's reaction." and Lou Gramm from Foreigner. The album is available directly from his web site “We had the great Sam Moore from Sam www.nilslofgren.com & Dave come in to sing. Standing in the studio and singing with him face to face was a real honor. “I turned sixty when I was recording, and there’s a song on the record called, “Sixty Is The New Eighteen.” I wanted the album for be an accurate representa- tion of what’s like to be sixty today, with the stigmas this crazy planet attaches to age.” by Bob Cianci

Tap Here To Visit www.NilsLofgren.com Guitar Coach Magazine 37

– U2 Vertigo, guitar solo Riffs, Licks & Solos Guitar Coach Magazine 38 Vertigo, U2: Guitar Solo Tutorial

Learn to play the lead for Vertigo by U2. The lead solo in Vertigo is short and relatively easy to play, although it can be challenging getting the timing just right. Hopefully, when you’ve got bass and drums going along with everything, it’ll all fall into place.

Also this is a good solo to have a play around with some effects (if you have Vertigo is the opening them). track and first single by U2 from the album, In the introductory video Andy’s playing the solo over a simple backing track How to Dismantle an which just has the bass line to help with Atomic Bomb, released the timing. in 2004. It soon be- came an international Sound setup Andy and the band cover U2’s Vertigo. Recorded hit. In this tutorial Andy starts by using just live during a rehearsal session. the middle pickup on his guitar, then adds some chorus, echo and drive to build up the sound. However the Edge tends to add in some delay as well. But feel free to experiment yourself and find a combination that sounds good to you. Riffs & Licks Guitar Coach Magazine 39

Vertigo, U2: Guitar Solo Tutorial

The solo You can use the bass line Throughout the solo we’re just using the backing track to get the feel E, B and G strings. There are four se- of it, then jam with the full quences where we are hitting just two at band using the video on the a time. previous page. The first sequence To start with we’re using the 12th fret of the top E-string which is the E note, and The fourth sequence the 10th fret of the B-string which is the A note. You play three down strokes on The final sequence of notes is 10th fret these two notes. on the B string (A note) and the 11th fret on the G string (F sharp note). The second sequence These are the only notes used in this solo You then move the finger on the A note but the strings must be struck at differ- (B string 10th fret) down one fret to the ent times, and a different amount of 9th fret (which is now the A flat note). times. Then you hit the same two strings three If you now watch the videos you’ll see times. how it’s all put together. The third sequence The next two notes are on the B and G- Good luck and have fun! strings on the 9th fret. So barre it and again you play them three times. Advertisement Guitar Coach Magazine 40

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www.bandjammer.com Song writing Guitar Coach Magazine 41 A THREE-STAGE ROCKET TO LYRIC WRITING By Robin Frederick

When NASA wants to blast a rocket into orbit, they do it in stages: There’s the big lift-off, then one or two smaller stages to get the payload into orbit and then fine tune it. So, what’s this got to do with writing lyrics?

will be? Every phrase suggests different You can think of the lyric writing process in three stages: questions. And every songwriter will find 1. Getting started. (Lift off) different ones to ask. 2. Developing your idea. (Getting into orbit) STAGE TWO: DEVELOP YOUR IDEA 3. Rewriting to fine tune your lyric. Decide on your song structure. For most songs, it’s a good idea to write in a form Just like a successful launch, you need to that has a chorus section, such as… go through each stage. Don't expect a song in the "getting started" phase to be VERSE/CHORUS/ VERSE at the final stage! Too often /CHORUS/BRIDGE/ CHORUS. confuse the very first idea with the final Feature your title prominently in your goal. I do it. We all do. Next time you sit chorus section. It will provide an anchor down to write a lyric try this three-stage to which you and your listeners will re- writing process. turn again and again. Surround your title STAGE ONE: GETTING STARTED with lines that support it. For example, you might choose to answer the ques- Beginning the lyric writing process with tion you feel is the most important. Or a TITLE can give you a central beacon describe the emotions that are going on. that will keep your song lyric focused - Remember, the chorus sums up the very important if you want to keep lis- heart and soul of your song. Be sure to teners involved. keep it focused on a peak emotional mo- ment. Don’t try to explain too many spe- OR…you can start with the first line of cific ideas in the chorus—save that for your song. Let’s say a terrific line occurs the verses—you’ve got to make your lis- to you that launches a whole string of teners FEEL what you feel! (See Stage ideas. Write them all down, then go back Three.) and look them over. Do you know what this song is about? Can you put the lines Lay out your verses around the chorus. in some kind of order that develops an Try answering one of your questions in overall idea? By the time you write the each verse and the bridge. If you run out second line of your first verse, you should of questions, think about going deeper have a good idea where your song is into one of them. By laying out your song headed! instead of just writing whatever comes to you, you’ll stay focused on a single OR…find any short phrase that’s - idea in each verse and you won’t wonder tionally intriguing for you. Something what you’re going to write about when you WANT to write about. Then, make a you get to the bridge! list of questions the phrase suggests. These are the questions you're going to If you’re writing songs for the film & TV answer in your song. Try questions like: market, keep the focus solely on a peak What does this mean? Why do I need to emotional moment and try to avoid a say it? How does it feel? How did it hap- specific storyline. The script will take care pen? What do I think the consequences of the story details. For film & TV, the VRS Song writing Guitar Coach Magazine 42

/ VRS / BRIDGE / VRS form can work well. vowel rhymes. Check out Try using your title in the last line of each www.WikiRhymer.com and www.B- verse. If you repeat that last line each Rhymes.com for lists of near rhymes. time the verse comes around, it will add weight and create a chorus-like feel. ONE LAST THOUGHT... STAGE THREE: REWRITE AND POLISH At times during this process, there’s likely to be a strong line that “just occurs to Fill in more lines around the ones you've you,” a line you really want to use. If you written. Use images, comparisons, and laid out your song as a rough sketch first, physical expressions of emotion to make take a look to see where the line might your listeners really feel it! Don’t just tell belong and put it there. If it doesn’t them what you experienced; make them seem to belong to any section, then it experience it, too. Replace a cliché with a might provide the germ of a new song. fresh idea. Punch up your language. If Write it on a separate sheet of paper and you wrote "I NEED..." try "I HUNGER..." or put it to one side. You can come back to “I CRAVE...” it later to see where it leads. In Song writing, no good line is wasted – you just Go through your lyric and make certain you’ve answered the important ques- have to find the right place for it. tions about the emotional situation. Did REALLY... ONE LAST THOUGHT... you say something in your lyric that raised more questions or hinted at some- If you write melody and lyrics together, thing else? You’ve got to deal with that— try letting the natural melody of speech either answer the question or change suggest a melody as your write. Record it that line. You don’t want to leave the lis- onto whatever's handy - a handheld tener feeling frustrated. recorder, or even your phone. Just as a lyric goes through three stages, so a Now is the time to "encourage" some melody gets started, develops, then goes rhymes. Don't force them; never change through a rewriting stage. Use what the natural word order of speech to ac- comes to you initially and rewrite it later commodate a rhyme – you’re likely to by changing phrase lengths, playing with lose the authentic, believability of the lyric. Look for a rhyme that feels easy and the rhythm patterns, and altering note natural. if you use "vowel rhymes" you pitches. have a huge selection to choose from. Like the name implies "vowel rhymes" merely rhyme the vowel sound. You can read more here: Fine/time, now/house, love/stuff are all www.robinfrederick.com

Robin Frederick has written more than 500 songs for television, records, theater, and audio products. She is a former Director of A&R for Rhino Records, Executive Producer of over 60 albums, and the author of "Shortcuts to Hit Song writing" and "Shortcuts to Song writing for Film & TV." Both books are available at Amazon.com FAQs Guitar Coach Magazine 43 FAQs Here’s a short selection of the most popular FAQs this month. Please send my your questions and we’ll try and cover as many as possible in the next issue.

My advice always with this question is I know this sounds boring, but learn the How to learn to play try and play with other guitarists – not Pentatonic Blues scale, and finally...find guitar quickly and eas- on line, but in the same room. someway to record yourself...this is an in- ily while having fun? valuable tool for hearing areas of your You will improve 10 times as fast playing playing that need more work. I have wanted to play and practicing with others, then you will the guitar all my life. sitting at home in your room alone. Ok, I can't guarantee it'll all be fun, easy, and quick if you serious about playing Where is the best place Try to find someone who's a better gui- the guitar a lot of times it'll be the oppo- to start when learning tarist (if they can put up with you) and site but almost nothing beats the falling to play? get together to sing songs, write music..etc..at least once a week. You will of learning a new song on the guitar or constantly pick up new techniques, tips a new technique. and tricks that you wouldn’t necessarily To go back to the 1st part of the ques- learn on your own. tions, always start with the absolute ba- Having said that, it's also very important sics like being able to fret a note and that you FORCE yourself to sit down learning the basic open chords. This may everyday with the express purpose of well become a bit tiresome and possibly practicing. one of the most challenging parts of your guitar journey, but once you have Some days you may not feel up to it, but these basics, you will be ready to start if you force yourself - if only for 15 min- playing and learning from others. That’s utes a day - you'll find the time stretch- when the improvement will really take ing into an hour or more. off.

Learn a minimum of 3-4 different ways You can always employ a guitar tutor, but to play each chord. This will involve par- this can be quite restrictive. There are so tial or whole bar chords up and down the many great, inexpensive on-line guitar neck, but will give you a great under- sites that teach from beginner to ad- standing of the fret board. vanced and, of course, there’s YouTube, For example, if someone is playing the although the quality of “lessons” may standard G chord 3-2-0-0-0-3 realize vary. Try out free samples from various that you can play a little 3 string G chord sites and choose the one hat fits what up at the 7th fret, that's shaped like the you want to learn that has an engaging normal D chord x-x-x-7-8-7 teacher. That way you won’t get bored.

A good question and imperiously diffi- want to achieve. This is the root cause of I am about to start cult to answer. But I will give you my 3, a lot of frustration. playing the guitar. based on that wonderful gift, hindsight. What do you regard 3. Enjoy it. as the top 3 pieces of 1. Set yourself a major goal, chunked Link this into the 1st question asked and I advice I should take down into smaller milestones. believe you will have more than enough to get started. on board? 2. Don’t become impatient if you are not always immediately achieving what you Best of luck! Ask Andy Guitar Coach Magazine 44

FAQs The easiest way to complement a friend Eb = capo 1 D or capo 3 C shape What guitar chords is to use a capo and play the same chord could I play if someone in a different position on the fretboard. There is also a completely separate else plays different In fact, if you learn the CAGED capo method for an electric guitar to comple- chords? method, you can easily do this for whole ment an acoustic guitar using 3 string songs. I don't have time to get into that, chords, but from your question, I don't What chords could I but to answer your specific question, think that's what you're going for. here are some options for you: play while she plays B Alternatively, you can discard your capo flat, F, and E flat? Bb = capo 1 A or capo 3 G shape altogether and learn the shapes as bar F = capo 1 E or capo 3 D shape chords.

So – where do I start with this one? gether. There is a whole bunch of theory I want to write a song. you can extract to understand what How do I start and To begin with, there is no set way to chords fit well together. (Dominant/sub what are some guitar write a song and I would guess that vir- dominant/tonic etc…). As it sounds like tually every chord sequence possible has you are new to the guitar and songwrit- chords that flow nicely been used at some time or another; al- ing, I thought it best to simply provide together to make a though it has to be said that some some examples: song? chords will sound better together in a se- quence and flow better than others. CCCC FFFF CCCC GGGG FFFF CCCC (G) As far as song writing is concerned, I sup- The last G being a kick or turn around. pose there are 4 ways you can write a song. Some common patterns revolve around this pattern: A lyric-based approach, used by Bob Dylan where the lyrics are the starting C, Aminor, F, G or C, Eminor, F, G... point (maybe what is in you head at the time) with a melody and chords added Another popular variation is to do a walk afterwards up through the changes: The Melody-based approach – probably C, Dminor, Eminor, F, G used by Paul McCartney. A melody or Beyond this set of simple patterns, you hook line will be the starting point to should open your ears while you play. Lis- writing a song. It could even be the ten while you make changes. If you write whole song has a complete melody be- a simple melody, you'll find it fairly easy fore an instrument is even picked up to put it over one of these patterns or an- Riff-based approach - which starts with a other, then, when you hit a spot where Note: See also the riff and develops into a song. A bit like your melody isn't quite working with article on Songwriting the Sweet Child of Mine intro played by those chords... be inventive. Throw in out- in this issue, which Slash morphed into the full song. Could side chords (such as a D major in the key will provide you with be The Rolling Stones employed this of C, or E or A major in the key of C). Hope numerous hints and method in some of their writing this isn’t getting too complicated!!!!! tips. The mish mash approach. Just jam and The best way to learn this is to get song- To improve, there is no sing and build up your jigsaw puzzle. books and study the chords. Could be that many a progressive rock substitute to strumming song from the 70’s used this technique. . It takes a little time and effort, but this along to a live band. kind of basic theory is necessary if you Now onto chords that sound good to- want to write music. Reviews Guitar Coach Magazine 45 Keeping it Free!

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With many thanks to: Nils Lofgren, Steve Stine, The Songsterr team, and Robin Frederick Articles written by Bob Cianci, Steven Andrews, Graham Land, Ben Vine and Tom Rosier Special thanks to; Andy Partridge of BandJammer www.bandjammer.com for video contributions Look out for next month’s Issue. Coming Soon.