Create Any Chord and Only Five Chord Shapes

A couple of videos by Griff Hamlin at Blues Guitar Unleashed has tow videos (free, as far as I know) that break down music chord theory into simple terms - with a real live demonstration.

How To Create Any Chord You Could Ever Need Or Want...
http://bluesguitarunleashed.com/how-to-make-any-chord/

The Five Shapes On The Fretboard (that's it... there's no more...)
http://bluesguitarunleashed.com/the-5-chord-shapes/

Have fun.

The B.B. King Blues Box for Blues Guitar

Build a "box" for better blues solos.

In the style of famous Blues guitarist, B.B. King, build this "box" around the root note of the scale in which your song is being played. This provides a good basis for a blues solo over many different songs.



The embedded video is by Marty Schwartz from GuitarJamz (http://guitarjamz.com/blues_scales/) and I am posting it here for my own reference. I need all the help I can get with this venture of learning to play guitar.

Remember: Don't practice until you can get it right - practice until you can't get it wrong.

Blues Soloing Without Scales or Theory

Just want to play something cool...

...without learning scales or theory? I found this video by "BluesGuitarUnleashed" that shows how to have some fun with your guitar.



So - what do you think?
Click on over to YouTube (right on the video, lower-right corner) and subscribe.
Also, check out Griff Hamlin's website at http://bluesguitarunleashed.com.

Pentatonic Cheats for Guitar

Instead of memorizing all of the pentatonic shapes for doing simple solos, I found a way to "cheat" a bit by incorporating a portion of three shapes into one. This is accomplished by using only a portion of three shapes, from low tones to high tones, going up the guitar neck. This video explains it and show a few variations to keep it more interesting. If you like this idea you might consider following Darrell Braun Guitar, "Guitar CHEATS! - 3 Tips For Soloing Like A Pro!



Follow Darrell of Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarrellBraunGuitar/

Martin D-18 Inside an Old Yamaha FG-140

I picked up an old Yamaha FG-140 "Red Label" Guitar...

...on eBay a couple months back and, even though it is pretty beat up, it has a truly wonderful sound. I bought it because I was looking for an old Guitar similar to the old Yamaha Guitar I bought new in 1991.

The "Red Label" signifies a Yamaha manufactured in Japan (MIJ) by Nippon Gakki. Shortly after this guitar was made the production was moved to Taiwan and the label color changed to green or tan. The serial numbers (supposedly) had the letter "T" added to the numbers. My guitar has seven digits in the serial number, no letters.

I participate in a Facebook Group for Yamaha Guitar Players that has members from all over the world. Many of them seem to be quite knowledgeable about this brand. Recently photograph old Yamaha Acoustic Guitar was posted with a "guess the model" label - and it evoked some serious discussion. Highlights below...

The owner of the guitar stated: "But its a 1969-1971 Yamaha FG-140 red label Nippon Gakki made in Japan one of the last fg series made in Japan they didn't make many as they where moving production to Taiwan an then they made them in green an tan label which sound pretty undertone compared to the MIJ the fg-140 was one of few made by hand mahogany neck back an sides maple fret spruce top ivory but an bridge an tuning pegs also known as a Yamaha 3 hole due to the Yamaha plate screwed on the head stock it's serial number is 7 numbers no letters the letter T is a big giveaway for a Taiwan made which are lower quality the fg 140 is a copy of the 1957 Martin D-18. I love this guitar I will never part with it I will have it buried with me or giving it to one of my kids if they end up playing guitar an get good. Lol"

I responded a bit later with this: "Yup, a 1969-1971 Yamaha FG-140 red. I have the same model. Mine is in pretty rough shape - just got it a few weeks ago - but everything works and it sounds wonderful and plays beautifully (not me, the guitar). I knew many of the Japanese guitars were based on Martins (often called "lawsuit guitars") - but didn't know this was a copy of the 1957 D-18. Sweet! (Photo of my sound hole and label.) BTW, serial number is 7 digits, no letters. Thank you for posting that info, Kyle." I included the photo shown above.

Here is an interesting quote from Guitar World magazine - "Even if you have only the most basic, rudimentary knowledge of the guitar, you probably already know that the Martin D-18 is one of the greatest steel-string acoustic guitars of all time."

A real Martin D-18 knock-off. Who woulda thunk it, eh? What a sweet sounding guitar - I always wondered why this old eBay-find sounded so good and played so easily. Now I know. Happy camper? You betcha.

Sounds of Silence

A lesson with integrated chords and melody. This may be a challenge to learn - but I like it.



What a wonderful song. Simon and Garfunkle were true artists. I was fortunate to see them play this in concert shortly after it was released. Yes, we were all a lot younger then. :)

Chord Structure in Songwriting

Guitar Chord Reminder...

Just posting this (temporarily) as a reminder.

A chord sequence that blends well is, according (yes, pun intended) to Brian at ActiveMelody.com, is: "To find chords that fit together within the same key just follow the major scale for that key and apply this formula: Major, minor, minor, Major, Major, minor, diminished."

Makes sense. Now to give it a try the next time I am noodling around on a guitar. I am working on a melody have a few words that seem to fit... :)

Hey, what's going on here?

I got this nickname from the most important young lady in my life. Yup, you guessed it - my Granddaughter.

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