2010 June | Guitarists Info Store

Putting it Together

June 26, 2010 By T.J.Jones Leave a Comment

Odds are, if you have a band, you have tried recording or have considered the possibility of mixing a song with multiple tracks.
Whether you’re recording a jamming session with your group, or using amp simulators, drum and bass machines or other solo multi-tracking devices, there is a general order in which band music is constructed and tracks for each individual instrument are laid out.

Like most things, music consists of a base or foundation upon which a melody is built. There are constant and variables that change slightly amongst genres, but all repeat a general pattern of musical order. In a classic rock band line-up:

The drums or percussion establish a beat and tempo to the mix, a constant that makes up the first and most important layer of foundation for a song.
The bass aids the drums, incorporating a new, more defining tone for the rhythm of the song that gives cue to a rhythm pattern for the guitar.
The rhythm guitar’s groundwork is more flexible than percussion and bass, and establishes a new base for the lead guitar to work around.
The lead guitar is the most versatile and variable constant in a set of tracks, since the wavelength of sounds it can tackle is almost infinite in comparison to the founding instruments that require a more demanded constancy to maintain a tempo for the rhythm-pattern base.

Project Studios & Multi-Track Recording

From intricate DAW’s, mixing consoles/soundboards, isolation booths, commercial quality soundproofing to the physics of acoustics; recording studios have all the gadgets to produce quality sound multi-track records.
At home however, when putting together a project studio, it’s a little different.
Home studios are molded to each artist’s musical orientation and expertise, their space and budget.
Mixing consoles operate electrically for track mixing, sub-mixing and layout. Each track (signal) is processed and controlled independently. Like in many other multi-track recording devices, each signal can be managed with effects even after being recorded. It can also be merged into another track to create a sub-mix (or bus) like with a drum and bass, and be manipulated with many other recording/sound treatments.
In addition, many modeling amps have recording capabilities and sample tracks incorporated which can as well be used for these purposes.

Multi-track recording can now be easily achieved with multi-track recorders such as MIDI’s, analog and digital recorders, some as small as the size of an iPod.

In this video, I use a BOSS Micro BR 4-track recorder that provides me with built-in rhythm patterns, multi-effects and simultaneous playback tracks to explain track layout for a 4-man band.

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Filed Under: Featured, Guitar Central, Play Guitar Like Tagged With: amp, backing track, bass guitar, musical, video lesson

Johnny B. Goode

June 26, 2010 By T.J.Jones 1 Comment

The song Johnny B. Goode has proved to be the number one song in rock n’ roll history, with more than 25 covers by many iconic bands. Recorded by guitarist and songwriter Chuck Berry, the song was released on March 31^st of 1958 by Chess Records, immediately striking the music scene and later becoming rock’s best representation.

Spoken by Chuck Berry himself in 1972 to the Rolling Stone Magazine, the song is a fictional-autobiographical reference of the songwriter’s climb to stardom.

Similar to Johnny B. Goode’s story of a poor country boy who becomes a rock star, Berry was working as a beautician in Chicago in 1955, when he met Chess Records’ main star Muddy Waters. Waters referred him to Leonard Chess, co-owner of the record label he was working with, and by 1959 Chuck Berry had become a legend in the world of rock.

Johnny B. Goode reached #8 on Billboard’s pop charts not only due to Chuck Berry’s energy filled guitar play, but also due to cultural role the song played upon its release. The themes that were covered by music players have always been ample, but until 1958′s release of Chuck Berry’s Johnny B. Goode, there had been no songs developing the ‘American Dream’. The song talks about a poor country boy who rises to stardom, despite his unprivileged resources. The message of hope was identified and understood by many, making Johnny B. Goode an pop icon that has since been utilized by the media to represent not only the essence of rock n’ roll, but also the attainable opportunities behind U.S.A.’s famous dictum.

One of the most acclaimed popular references to Chuck Berry’s Johnny B. Goode appears on the film Back to the Future that opened in 1985. After travelling back in time to 1955, protagonist Marty Mc. Fly plays the hit song at a High School Dance, after the band’s guitarist Marvin Berry (note Berry) injures his hand.

In the middle of McFly’s futuristic performance, Marvin calls his cousin Chuck to listen-on, to which Chuck says is the “new sound [he's] been looking for.”

The song has also been used in the presidential campaigns of candidates John Kerry in 2004, and John McCain in 2008 as a resource to appeal to bigger audiences while representing the U.S.’ reputation as the ‘land of opportunity.’

Johhny B. Goode was recorded by Chuck Berry on guitar, Willie Dixon on bass, Fred Below on drums and Lafayette Leak on piano, for the album ‘Chuck Berry is on Top.’ The number one covered song in music history, Johnny B. Goode was interpreted by over 25 bands and artists. These include B.B. King, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Sex Pistols, Johnny Winter, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Beatles.

Due to its popularity, later in his career Berry recorded songs with the names ‘Bye Bye Johnny’, ‘Go Go Go’ and an album named ‘Concerto in B. Goode’, extending the legacy of the tune.

Truly a song of the people and for the people, when Johnny B. Goode plays it’s hard not to be reminded of the opportunities life can bring to even the most unfortunate. With Johnny B. Goode, Berry stroke a chord of hope for the people of the world, creating a new thread to the themes that can be addressed by the music repertoire. One of the first musicians to be inducted to the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, Berry still continues to perform, tour and record today.

“If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it ‘Chuck Berry’” John Lennon

Well, here is my version, I am doing the Jimmy hendrix version

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Filed Under: Tony Jones

Tips to Buying a Guitar Online

June 26, 2010 By T.J.Jones Leave a Comment

Choosing the guitar you want to buy can be an exciting and successful process. However, when time comes to purchase the instrument, many people drift away from online buying options in distrust of the safety, and effectiveness, of the online ordering process. What many don’t know is that buying a guitar online can, not only, be a walk in the park, but it can save you a lot of time and money while broadening your options.

One of the main advantages of ordering your guitar from a Web Store is the ability to do your shopping from the comfort of your home. You can browse guitars for as long as you like, with no salesmen watching over your back.

Online instrument stores also offer wide variety of guitars, wider than probably any local music store you could visit. A lot of guitars available online can be hard to find at your local instrument shop, including vintage guitars that might be otherwise impossible to find in your hometown.

But what makes an online instrument-selling company safe and reliable? There are 2 main factors that you must look into; in order to determine the reliability of the business you are planning to buy from:

1. Company Reviews & Testimonials

There is no one better to hear an opinion from, than the customers themselves. Doing a little bit of research of people’s thoughts on the quality of the company’s services can give you a real glimpse of the business’ strengths and weaknesses.

Don’t get overwhelmed by really bad reviews, or extremely good ones. A good way to measure the company’s reliability is with the percentage of satisfied customers. If the rate is below 95-97%, then odds are the company has had some mishaps, and you’re better off considering someone else.

2. Return Policies

This is probably the foremost important aspect that you should never miss in your online guitar-buying search. In the case that something goes wrong during shipping or in case you find out that you don’t like the instrument, picking a company that will have your back if this happens must be top priority.

You’d be happy to hear that the U.S. has laws that apply to these companies, in which they are required to offer their customers a full 30 days for them to make their returns. Even if you don’t live in the U.S. and since most stores offer international shipping, this law will apply to you if you choose to buy from one of the many U.S. based online guitar stores.

Returning Your Item

In the case that you do go through with a purchase online, and something goes wrong so you have to return the item, you must follow the proper steps to make sure you will be refunded of your money in full.

Once you decide to send the item back, you have to call the shipping company to let them know you will be returning the instrument. If the Web Store Customer Service hasn’t given you one, you must request a Return Authorization Number to include with your shipment.

You should also pack the guitar just as it came, otherwise companies will give you trouble for this and might reject the return altogether.

If you disposed of the packing materials and decided to return your guitar unexpectedly, you can hire a packing company, such as Mailbox Etc. to do the packing, professionally, for you.

Always save all the paperwork for your purchase and have it handy at the time of doing your claim.

A good way to take full advantage of the variety that online stores offer is to order the Free Catalog that they have available on their sites. While you have to wait a week or two to receive it over the mail, it can simplify your search and let you browse guitars without Internet access. You can also order by phone or send a catalog order form, if you’d prefer.

Even though buying online shopping can be dangerous territory, it can also be a great experience, taken the necessary precautions.

If you do, ultimately, decide to buy a guitar online, you can check availability at your local store to test it out and make sure it’s the one. If you can’t test drive it and you’re feeling insecure, just remember that you shouldn’t worry about putting your order in if the factors mentioned above are in order.

Below I have compiled a list of the top guitar selling companies on the Web with positive reviews and testimonials that you can trust. All of them offer free shipping, and international delivery – as well as law abiding return policies and customer satisfaction guarantees.

Most of these respectable, online instrument stores also offer their clients good customer service personnel that can aid you in your search, with some professional advice.

Top Online Companies

MusiciansFriend.com

The largest and most trusted online instrument-selling company.

Free Shipping within the US – International Shipping Available.
Return Policy: 45 Days since Shipment is initiated. 10 days for stringed instruments over $1999.
Low Price Guarantee: 45 Days

Zzounds.com

One of the largest instrument selling-companies on the Web. Good customer reviews prove its reliability.

Free Shipping to US Only
No Sales Tax (except NJ)
Low Price Guarantee: 30 days
Return Policy: 30 days since shipment is initiated.

Music123.com

Trusted online instrument store with a wide variety of choices.

Free Shipping within US -International Shipping Available
Return Policy: 45 Days
Low Price Guarantee: 45 Days

GuitarTrader.com

Trusted online instrument store with a wide variety of choices.

Free Shipping
No Sales Tax (except CA)
Return Policy: 30 days with a 15% restocking fee for Open-Box returns.
Low Price Guarantee: 30 days

1800instruments.com

This is an instrument-selling company that runs as an EBay Store. Positive customer feedback and good product reviews award it a place on the list.

Return Policy: 30 days
Insurance Offered with Shipping

Filed Under: Guitar Central Tagged With: buying a guitar, buying options, instrument shop, instrument stores, return policies

Muddy Waters-Muddy as Can Be

June 26, 2010 By T.J.Jones Leave a Comment

Muddy Waters

{Muddy Waters}

Muddy as Can Be

Born McKinley Morganfield on April 4^th of 1913, Muddy Waters has since then contributed greatly to the Blues genre, and to the music world in general.

A Chicago native, Muddy Waters was deemed the Father of Chicago Blues, and was ranked #17 in Rolling Stone’s Magazine list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Starting his career in 1941, Waters carried the sound of the Delta Blues to Chicago, where he adopted many Chicago Blues influences, and he himself inspired many of the great musicians of that era. His first recordings were destined to the Library of Congress, performing in a style similar to that of legendary artist Robert Johnson.

Waters was known for playing mean Chicago, Delta and Electric Blues that, since then, has influenced multiple generations of blues guitarists and blues inclined musicians. Also one of the most proficient guitar players in the history of music, Waters notable Gibson Les Paul and Fender Telecaster have sung classic tunes like ‘Hoochie Coochie Man’, ‘I Can’t Be Satisfied’ and ‘Got My Mojo Workin”, just to name a few.

Lifetime Achievements

During his active years (1941-1983), Waters played with iconic blues performers such as Little Walter, Willie Dixon and Junior Wells; while inspiring the adoption of the blues by young, white artists like Johnny Winter, Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones.

Also skilled at blues vocals and the harmonica, Muddy Waters recorded with popular Chicago record labels like Testament Records, Aristocrat Records and Chess Records (the label that also signed blues songwriter Chuck Berry upon Water’s recommendation). In his lifetime, Waters released more than 40 albums, and 40 singles, and was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1980, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992.

After his Death: Waters Remembered

Waters died in his sleep in 1983, while at home in Westmont, IL. A year after his death, the city of Chicago honored his musical achievements and cultural influences by assigning a one street block near his former home on E. 43^rd St. the ‘Honorary Muddy Waters Way’.

A true icon of music history, and one of the biggest contributors to blues based genres, Muddy Waters will be remembered not only for his immense talent and contagious tunes, but also for imminent effect he has had, and still has, on American music.