This week Nashville picker/Instructor Andy Gurley takes over the Guitar Tricks channel as guest host! In this episode, Andy teaches Read more »
Anyone who loves playing or listening to music has probably wondered what it’s like to be in a recording studio. While it might seem like a glamorous place on TV or in movies, it actually takes a lot of time and hard work to make a good record. With the high hourly rates of professional recording studios, most musicians never even get a chance to record their music.
Now, thanks to modern technology, you can make your very own recording studio in your house for a fraction of what it used to cost. You can build something really simple if you’re just looking to get your feet wet, or go all out if you have plans of stardom. Here are a few key ingredients to help you make your own recording studio at home:
Once you have your room set up, your recording software ready, and all the necessary equipment you’ll be set to make music like the pros. Be sure that you’re familiar with the software and equipment before you record something important otherwise you may find yourself searching for some backup and recovery services, to get back that masterpiece you lost.
Micah Castro is a freelance writer for M5Networking. M5Networking provides network solutions and IT support to clients all throughout Arizona.
1. Tab Benoit’s version of “Shelter Me” is pure genius. In fact, it was so good that it made its way onto TV as the Sons of Guns theme song, which is a popular show about a Louisiana arms manufacturer on the Discovery Channel. The guitar’s simple stinging and repetitive rhythm builds and builds, as a great compliment in this remake of the original Buddy Miller version.
2. “And on a rainy night” by Shawn Mullins, haunted me the first time I heard it. It was one of those songs where the guitar just reaches into you and grabs hold. Shawn’s voice is the other half of this equation, which is the perfect accompaniment to the guitar. The song holds steady until the end, where it picks up in to a great crescendo and the whole tone of the song changes.
3. If you haven’t ever heard James Taylor’s “Steam Roller,” do yourself a favor. Stop reading this right now, and find that song! You will hear what is quite possibly, one of the very best renditions of a blues song ever to have ever been sung by a white man. Plus, who would have ever fathomed they’d hear James Taylor drop the F-bomb?
4. “All Along The Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix is one song that nearly puts me at a loss for words. This man does not even play the guitar… he summons witchcraft from somewhere deep and dark inside his being, and merely releases it upon the strings of a guitar. Just hearing the first three seconds of “All Along The Watchtower” drums up cinematic images of Vietnam era helicopters flying through dense Asian jungles. Honestly, it’s difficult to really even have him on this list, because his abilities are so transcendent.
5. A guitar riff is not exactly the first thing that comes to mind when one mentions Michael Jackson. Although, it is near impossible to imagine “Beat It” without that iconic electric guitar adding a little 80’s rock edge to the song. It’s an interesting dynamic in this song, when such a prominent instrument almost rides shot gun to Michael’s driving and renowned voice. Give this song another listen, and hear the guitar again… for the first time.
6. Norman Brown is possibly one of the most talented guitarists that I’ve ever heard. His songs “The Feeling I get” and “Just Chillin’” off of the Just Chilin’ album are two excellent showcases of his jazz based talent.
7. The guitar is so subtle in “6th Avenue Heartache” by the Wallflowers, that it lends the piece some very interesting depth. It would be an easy case to make if one wanted to classify the song as a duet between Jakob Dylan and the slide guitar, which was played by Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. An interesting side note for this song is that Dylan wrote this song when he 18 years old.
8. Oasis is one of the first bands I ever tried to mimic when I first picked up a guitar. “Wonderwall” is the name of the song I tried to duplicate. To this day I still have trouble with the strum pattern, but none the less, I love this song.
9. Santana’s “Smooth” reminds me of what I would imagine to be the after effects of a flash bomb. What I mean by this is that there was just pure, initial shock the first time I heard it. It probably took a solid 30 seconds for me to realize what was going on. The way that Carlos Santana manipulates those guitar strings is next to insane. Couple that with raspy and mysterious vocals of Rob Thomas, and you have a formula for a very explosive song.
10. I have to admit that when I hear Billy Joe of Green Day, his voice usually upstages the guitar in my opinion. It’s just one of those unmistakable voices. “When I come around” happens to be one song that the guitar sticks out to me, and tends to stay stuck in my head all day. In a way that is classic and unequivocal.
This is a guest post from an author who goes by the pseudonym: P.F.Blogger. With over 450 posts, spanning seven different blogs, P.F.Blogger is behind such blogs as Lawsuit Millionaires, Travelfire, and even a fashion blog called Her Best Deal.
Guitar Player Interviews and Free Guitar Lessons: www.guitartricks.com As Canadian musician & producer Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, STEVE VAI, Read more »
Many of us who love music have always dreamed of learning to play the guitar. The guitar is probably the most basic musical instrument that anyone can learn. The fact is that you can not become a Joe Satriani or a Steve Vai overnight. To become a great guitar player, years and years of practice is required. However, we are not trying to become a musical prodigy here; we are just trying to learn the basics of playing the guitar. Every guitar master started with the basics, so we start with the basics. If you are planning to learn playing the guitar some time in the future, the best time would be now.
Performing for millions of people is the ultimate dream of any musician. For us common folks, however, learning to play the guitar in our living rooms is reward enough. Whether strumming rhythm guitar chords or plucking the strings on lead guitars, everything begins with the basics. The transition from rhythm to lead guitar requires progressive learning. Many individuals say that learning the guitar is like living life, you continue to learn. The day you stop learning is the day you die. In a way, guitar playing is like that.
Before anything else, the first thing you should do is familiarize yourself with the instrument you want to learn playing; in this case, the acoustic guitar. Learn the basic parts of the guitar, as well as the different types. You might also want to learn how to properly hold the thing if you wish to learn how to play it. The next thing you should do is learn playing the basic chords. Once you familiarize yourself with the chords and can play them comfortably, you can start playing simple songs. You can even purchase those basic music lesson books at your local bookstores or in one of those music centers.
You should keep on practicing playing those easy-to-play guitar songs, until you can play them with little or no mistakes at all. You may also want to check online for guitar lessons and tutorials that are offered. Although a lot of individuals have taught themselves to play the guitar effectively and masterfully by using books and hundreds of hours of practice, it would still be of great help to see a master guitar player play. If you are serious and passionate about learning to play the guitar, perhaps you can invest in lessons offered by professionals.
While teaching yourself to play the guitar is impressive and admirable, seeking professional help would still be a good investment. The problem with self learning is that you might develop certain habits that can hinder your progress significantly and there is no one around to tell you so. Whereas, if there is a professional teaching you, you can be fairly sure that you are definitely on the right track in terms of developing your guitar skills. The seemingly simple task of tuning a guitar and maintaining it is also a key to your progress as a guitar player. A true guitar player should know how to tune and change the strings of his guitar, wouldn’t you agree?
This guest post was written by Anthony Wakefield. Anthony is a tech enthusiast, singer / songwriter & guitarist, and enjoys travelling the world and cooking up delicious food. When he’s not galivanting the globe, he writes about the latest Musical Instruments News & Reviews. Check it out for yourself at http://musicalgear.net.au/ – Musical Gear Australia.
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