Putting it Together
June 26, 2010 by T.J.Jones
Filed under Featured, Guitar Central, Play Guitar Like
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.
Free – History of a Band
February 15, 2009 by T.J.Jones
Filed under Featured, Guitar Central, Play Guitar Like
Free was a British band that formed in Battersea, London during April 1968. An imminent result of the British Blues boom of the late 60’s, and influenced by the many artists that collaborated with the movement’s birth, Free adopted a hard blues-rock musical style. After having played together in the R&B band “Black Cat Bones”, 17-year old guitarist Paul Kossoff and 18-year old drummer Simon Kirke wanted to move forward. Having had recruited bassist Andy Fraser, who at 15 years of age had already performed with high profile bands such as John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, the band was only missing a lead singer. Found not long after at a Brown Sugar concert in Finsbury Park’s ‘Fickle Pickle’, Paul Rogers was summoned by Kossoff to complete the final lineup of the band.
In November 1969 the group recorded their first studio album, ‘Tons of Sobs’ which wasn’t released until the following year along with their second, self-titled album. The debut of the band, however, was overlooked until the release of their third follow-up ‘Fire and Water’ in 1970, featuring the song “All Right Now”. An exceptionally acclaimed hit, the song placed #1 in UK’s rock and single charts and #2 in the U.S.A’s; also setting the band in excellent musical standings. Later, in 1990, it was recognized by the ASCAP for amassing over one million radio plays and awarded by the British Music Industry when the two million mark was reached. The release of a #1 song and a #2 album facilitated Free the opportunity to land a spot in 1970’s Isle of Wright Festival. A 600,000 people event, with shows from notorious blues-inspired groups such as The Who, The Doors, and guitarist Jimmi Hendrix; the festival provided the band with an even bigger public exposure. In addition, it allowed them to exploit one of their best abilities as a musical group and for which they’re still renowned for; their live performance.
During September of 1970, Free released their fourth disc ‘Highway’. Not selling well and under-placing on the 
charts, the album forced the band into retreat. Due to the inconsistency of sales and reputation, personal differences between Paul Rodgers and Andy Fraser, and the drug-abusing tendencies of Paul Kossoff the band broke up on April 1971. Despite their dissolution, the group still released their fifth, farewell album ‘Free Live!’, only to reform during early 1972 in an attempt to help Kossoff overcome his drug-addiction. In June of the same year they released their 6th album ‘Free at Last’, also lacking in popular recognition, at which point Andy Fraser left the band fed up at Kossoffs predictable unreliability.
In replacement of Fraser came in Japanese bassist Tetsu Yamauchi and an extra member, keyboardist John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick, was added. The new, short-lived lineup was called ‘Kossoff, Kirke, Tetsu and Rabbit’ and released Free’s final album ‘Heartbreaker’.
In early 1973 Free ultimately disbanded. With Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke forming Bad Company, Andy Fraser creating the Andy Fraser Band and Paul Kossoff going solo as the Back Street Crawler; this was finally the breaking point of the group.
Three years later, on March 19th of 1979 and at the age of 25, Paul Kossoff died of a drug-related heart condition on a flight from Los Angeles to New York. Roughly a month shy of the ‘reunion’ tour the former members had planned featuring the Backstreet Crawler headlining Bad Company; Kossoffs death marked the final chapter of the band.
A band of young members and fresh ideas, Free marked the post British blues boom period of the 70’s. Along with other bands and guitarists that emerged during and after the boom, Free experimented with and partly founded many of the various applications of a new genre that are still influencing musicians today.
Did you take that all in? Good! Then, on with the lesson
[Here is the backing track for you (to download backing track right click ’save target as’ )
How To Play Guitar Like Lynyrd Skynyrd
January 24, 2009 by T.J.Jones
Filed under Featured, Play Guitar Like
Hi All,
This lesson is how to play guitar like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Its the ‘Freebird’ Intro & Chords. Before we start the video lesson of how to play ‘Freebird’ here is a bit of history of the band for you.
Lynyrd Skynyrd – The Show Must Go On
Lynyrd Skynyrd is a band influenced by rock-blues inspired groups of British music, as well as by their own southern foundations. The American Southern Rock band originated in 1964 in Jacksonville, Florida when Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Allen Collins and Gary Rossington (guitar) formed the group “The Noble Five.” Undergoing several name changes before settling on Lynyrd Skynyrd, the group identified as “My Backyard” when Larry Junstrom (bass) and Bob Burns (drums) joined in 1965, and later as “One Percent” when keyboardist Billy Powell united in 1970. The bands final and current name derives from a mocking homage to Robert E. Lee High School’s gym coach Leonard Skinner who enforced the school’s dress policy that didn’t allow boys to have long hair that would fall below the ear line.
The Discovery
In 1972 bassist Leon Wilkeson joined in replacement of Larry Junstrom and this same year, after playing at a club in Atlanta, Lynyrd Skynyrd was discovered by al Kooper of ‘Blood, Sweat and Tears” who signed them to MCA records. Under management of Allen Walden, the band produced their first album the following year, ‘(pronounced ‘lĕh-’nérd ’skin-’nérd)’ which included the hit song ‘Free Bird’. Eventually reaching #19 in the Billboard Hot 100, the hit is still acclaimed to be a rock & roll hymn to this day.
Rising Success
Lynyrd Skynyrd underwent rising success and gained a solid fan base throughout 1973 and 1974. Releasing their follow-up “Second helping” the group revealed their breakthrough hit ‘Sweet Home
Alabama” that placed #8 on the charts. The album itself reached #12, and ultimately went multi-platinum.
They released their third and fourth albums, ‘Nuthin’ Fancy’ and ‘Gimme Back my Bullets’ in 1974 and 1976, respectively. These, however, didn’t achieve as much recognition as the first two had accrued. Having lost guitarist Ed King midway through the tour of ‘Nuthin’ Fancy’, the band needed to recover the 3-guitar lineup that had been their hallmark during their earliest years.
Despite recruiting several high-profile guitarists, it wasn’t until Steve Gaines was auditioned that the band found their missing link. With him aboard, they released their 5th, double live-album ‘One More from the Road’ and toured the UK with the Rolling Stones. Selling half a million records upon release, 1977’s follow-up ‘Street Survivors” proved Gaines’ guitar and songwriting contributions to be the band’s ideal complement.
The Plane Crash
On October 20th 1977, three days after the release of ‘Street Survivors’ and four dates into the tour of said album, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s plane crashed close to their destination of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. At around 6:42 PM, 2 hours and 42 minutes into the flight, the Convair 240’s engine magneto failed and, after loosing communication with the Houston Center, the aircraft went down 5 miles NE of Gillsburg, Mississippi.
Upon crashing, Pyle, the only ambulatory band member along with two other members of the crew, called for the help of nearby farmer Johnny Mote. Soon after, paramedics and rescue workers arrived at the scene to help the injured and move the dead.
Out of the 24 passengers on board, the accident claimed the lives of pilot Walter McCreary, co-pilot William Gray, Ronnie VanZant, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, Steve and Cassie Gaines. Allen Collins suffered two cracked vertebrae and severe injuries in his arms. Leon Wilkenson, another surviving band member, sustained a punctured lung and had most of his teeth knocked out. Gary Rossington broke both arms, both legs and his pelvic bone also suffering puncture wounds to his stomach and liver. Billy Powell virtually lost his nose due to severe facial lacerations upon impact and backup singer Leslie Hawkins broke her neck in 3 places, suffering a concussion. Artimus Pyle also endured several exposed fractured ribs.
The accident brought along some media and public attention, bumping ‘Street Survivors’’ placing up to #5 in the US charts. The group, however, found it a better decision to dissolve and disbanded following the tragedy.
More Tragety
Years after the plane crash, misfortune still seemed to haunt some of the remaining founding members of the group. Collins, who had joined Rossington, Wilkenson and Powell to become ‘The Rossington-Collins Band’ lost his wife and unborn son to internal hemorrhaging and complications during pregnancy. Later, in 1986 he crashed his car costing the life of his girlfriend and also resulting in his complete paralysis from the waist down. Pleading guilty to a charge on DUI manslaughter, he avoided jail time due to his condition. After reuniting with surviving members for a tribute tour, he contracted pneumonia and died on January 23rd 1990.
Supposedly a one time event due to legal band/band name ownership issues, the remaining members kept up with the Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour and even settled in continuing the band under the Lynyrd Skynyrd name.
Rickey and Hughie
The band recovered an infallible 3-guitar-lead when Rickey Medlocke and Hughie Thomasson joined in 
1996. Medlocke, better known as the lead guitarist and front man of ‘Blackfoot’, had grown up with the founding members of the band and once already been a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1970. In 1971 he left in order to reform ‘Blackfoot’, joining Skynyrd once again 25 years later in replacement of Ed King. Hughie Thomasson, on the other hand, was a former member and main writer of ‘The Outlaws’. When they disbanded in ’96 he joined Lynyrd Skynyrd, where he remained as one of the 3 lead guitars, until 2005 that he left so as to reform his former group “The Outlaws”.
Leon Wilkenson
The group faced death once again when bassist Leon Wilkenson passed away at a Florida hotel due to lung and liver disease in 2001. More recently on the 9th of September 2007, Hughie Thomasson, former member of the band for over 9 years, died in his sleep of an apparent heart attack at the age of 55.
Despite being repeatedly surrounded by loss and misfortune, Lynyrd Skynyrd still manages to transcend, continuing the legacy of their names. Under the lead of original members Gary Rossington and Billy Powell and a little VanZant heritage, the band still records and tours today.
Before we go on I would just like to dedicate this video to my lost friend B.B.(Brian Bird) R.I.P.
On with the lesson
My version for Brian R.I.P.
Anybody want to have a go at the end lead break? Here are a set of video’s for you. Of course this is my version.
Free Bird Lead Break Part 1
Free Bird Lead Break Part 2
Free Bird Lead Break Part 3
Free Bird Lead Break Part 4
Free Bird Lead Break Part 5
Free Bird Lead Break Part 6
Free Bird Lead Break Part 7
Free Bird Lead Break Part 8
Have fun
Hope this helps
Tony J.
How To Play Guitar Like Deep Purple
January 24, 2009 by T.J.Jones
Filed under Featured, Play Guitar Like
Hi All,
This lesson is how to play guitar like Deep Purple, Its the ‘Black Knight’ riffs. Before we start the video lesson of how to play ‘Black Knight’ here is a bit of history of the band for you.
Deep Purple
Deep Purple is a classic hard rock band that overcame the side-effects of line-up changes and sustained
success with a consistently heavy, agile, progressive sound. Pioneers of heavy metal; with 18 studio albums and over 20 live ones, Deep Purple is considered one the hardest touring bands of all time.
The origin of Deep Purple dates back to 1967 when a mega-band was idealized by former Searchers drummer, Chris Curtis. By means of Curtis’ recruit and management of HEC enterprises, vocalist Rod Evans, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, keyboardist Jon Lord, drummer Ian Paice and bassist Nick Simper came together to form ‘Roundabout’.
After obtaining their first gig in Denmark on April 20th they continued to tour the rest of the country. Soon after, they changed their name to Deep Purple, making mention of Blackmore’s grandmother’s high regard for the Bing Crosby song.
The Replacements
Deep Purple gained rapid success, placing #4 on the US Billboard for their cover of John South’s ‘Hush’ featured in ‘Deep Shades of Purple’, and supporting Cream during their ‘Goodbye’ tour. Their supple hard rock sound immediately impacted the U.K. and U.S. alike.
During early 1969 however, style differences amongst members caused Paice, Blackmore and Lord to furtively agree to the replacement of Simper and Evans. With assistance of Episode Six’ drummer Mick Underwood, secret sessions were programmed for the conscription of vocalist Ian Gillian and bassist Roger Glover. Still uninformed, Simper and Evans continued to play for Deep Purple while rehearsals and recordings were already underway for the new line-up, Mark II. The unpleasant news came to light eventually and Deep Purple Mark I performed their last show at the Cardiff Top Rank, to be followed only six days later by Mark’s II first performance in London.
Black Night
Subsequently, Mark’s I album ‘Deep Purple’ was released in the U.S. with broad acclaim.
The new line-up gained unfocused recognition by collaborating in Jon Lord’s orchestral epic solo project with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as in ‘Gemini Suite’, another of Lord’s orchestral compositions. The group, however, was looking to project a different musical scope; a less classical, more hard-rock, heavier style of play. This being perhaps the reason to the title of their 1970 album ‘In Rock’, which placed #4 on the UK charts. Thereafter, the UK single ‘Black Night’ was released, rapidly climbing to the Top 10 rankings.
Their ’71 follow-up ‘Fireball’ was smoother and clearly more progressive than the predecessors yet as widely commended. The band traveled to a Casino Hotel in Montreux, Switzerland to record ‘Machine Head’; probably one of the most recognized rock albums in its history. The compilation features the hit “Smoke on the Water”, inspired by the incineration of the recording studio that the group was to use for ‘Machine Head’, which burned down during a Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention session.
Made in Japan
In 1972, Deep Purple underwent four US tours and one tour in Japan, which gave place to the release of the iconic live album ‘Made in Japan’. Even though predicted a Japan-only release, the live album was, and still remains, globally acclaimed.
In late ’72 member differences between Gillian and Blackmore provoked Gillian to quit the band. Blackmore was given free creative control to craft his vision fully and Gillian agreed to fill in for the tour’s remaining bookings. The follow-up ‘Who do we think we are’ was released in March 1973, not receiving much attention and marking the end of Deep Purple’s Mark II.
Vocalist David Cloverdale and bassist Glenn Hughes were successfully auditioned and enlisted, leaving bassist Roger Glover in the dark and persuading him to leave before being pushed out.
Under Mark III Deep Purple toured the US, gathering crowds of up to 200,000 people in the California Jam Festival. In 1974 they released two albums, ‘Burn’ and ‘Stormbringer’, both achieving thriving results.
Goodbye Deep Purple Hello Rainbow
In 1975 the line-up was modified again when Blackmore left the band dissatisfied with its course. He moved on to form Rainbow and talented guitarist and writer Tommy Bolin joined in his replacement. The release of ‘Come Taste the Band’ came thereafter, proving Bolin’s abilities and exposing a more jazz-funky, yet still hard rockish Deep Purple.
Drug addiction overcame both Hughes and Bolin, putting the band in danger and paving the way to their dissolution in July 1976. On December 4th of the same year, Tommy Bolin died overdosing on heroin at the age of 25.
After the dissolution, Blackmore’s Rainbow; Cloverdale’s Whitesnake; Glenn Hughes in Black Sabbath and Gillans Gillan all aided in the continuing success of the broken Deep Purple.
An unauthorized version of the band by Rod Evans emerged in 1980, but the remaining members took legal action and stripped Evans of $672,000 for damages.
The imminent reunion occurred on April 1984, faithful to the early 70’s lineup. Blackmore, Glover, Gillian, Lord and Paice released ‘Perfect Strangers’, an enormous and very profitable success. The reconstituted group toured and released ‘House of Blue Light’’ and ‘Nobody’s Perfect’ in ‘87 and ‘88 respectively.
The Battle Rages On
During 1989 confrontations persisted between Blackmore and Gillan resultant in the latter’s firing. Rainbow vocalist J. Lynn Turner stepped up in his replacement, releasing under this new arrangement ‘Slaves & Masters’ in 1990.
Turner didn’t prove strong to the band and label, and in 1993 Gillan was discreetly brought back. A paid contract was signed with Blackmore for his approval and the group released ‘The Battle Rages On’. Nevertheless, tension continued to grow and Blackmore desisted. Steve Morse filled in the slot.
Deep Purple continued to succeed despite the changing line-ups. ‘Purpendicular’ and ‘abandon’ were released before Lord moved on to do solo orchestral work, being later substituted by Don Airey. Succeeding albums of this arrangement include ‘Bananas’ and ‘Rupture of the Deep’.
Currently and under this last line-up, the band is heading to Europe for the Deep Purple 40 Year anniversary Tour.
Did you take that all in? Good! Then, on with the lesson
Did You Know This?
December 5, 2008 by T.J.Jones
Filed under Guitar Central
- Leo Fender wasn’t a guitarist but a saxophonist. The first product that he manufactured was an amplifier. The aesthetics of Fender’s first amplifier still very much mirrors that of the amps out on the market today.
- The technical denomination of the pick is ‘Plectrum’ from the Greek plektron meaning “thing to strike with”.
- Franz Shuber composed on a guitar hung over his bed as he couldn’t meet the expense of buying a piano.
- Londoner guitar fan Chris Black had a wedding ceremony to marry his melodious and loyal Fender Stratocaster.
- Jimi Hendrix played right-handed guitars, left-handed. In his teenage years, he got expelled from his high-school for holding a white girl’s hand during class.
