Face Lift

I've just changed the template for the blog, so if it doesn't look familiar, you're in the right place.  The dark background, as much as I liked it, was a drag for disseminating the copy because the text was pale pale peach.  So, now, with dark text, that problem is solved.  
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Summer's Here!



[ 06/15 /13 show notes from Guitar Technique Tutor Podcast Episode 106]

Intro

So how were your last couple of weeks?.
No, I didn’t get to change my nylon DRs, so I didn’t play my nylon string guitar too much. This coming week is going to be over scheduled, but I’m hoping to get fresh strings on her tout suite. Bridget and Shira are rocking their Neon pink DRs. I admire their good taste.

I didn’t get to the Les Paul 98th Birthday Gala but one of our neighbors, down the hall, did. Diane and I saw Boris there, last year, too and he said last weekend’s event was also excellent. I’ll try to arrange my schedule to attend next year. 

Summer begins this week. Here’s my annual reminder: if you’re leaving your guitar home while you travel, be sure it’s in a room in your home, in which it will not be subjected to extreme heat or cold. If it’s hot where you live, don’t leave the guitar in a room that will get 100 degrees. If you HAVE TO leave it in your home/apartment, be sure that it’s in the coolest possible place, like your basement. If you live in a frigid climate, be sure the guitar will be left in the warmest place etc. My suggestion is to ask a friend to hold it for you in a home that will be appropriately cooled or heated for human occupancy, thereby keeping your guitar temperate, and avoiding climate-caused damage.

If you are planning to fly with your guitar, if you cannot bring it onboard with you, which is the best option, loosent the strings at least a half turn, lock your case, and if possibly, put the case in a large box that doesn’t have anything other than FRAGILE on it. You can get boxes from guitar cases at guitar stores. The only thing is, if the box bears a guitar company’s name, I’d Sharpie over it, or put some Contact paper over it, just so any baggage handler that would like a new guitar, doesn’t choose yours. That’s the reason for the box. This might be a good time to look into a travel guitar, which can definitely fit in overhead storage on a plane.

You have 2 weeks to see the full Les Paul in Mahwah: A Tribute exhibit at the Mahwah Museum in Mahwah, NJ. The museum will close for a couple months over the summer and when it reopens, the Les Paul permanent installation will be significantly reduced from what is now on display.

While we’re on the subject of Les Paul tributes, don’t forget the stellar recording and documentary by Lou Pallo, the rest of the Les Paul Trio and other admiring artists called Thank You, Les.


There are still beach towns at the Jersey Shore (and likely NY, too) that are nowhere near restored since Super Storm Sandy. As I record, we’re in day 228 of recovery.

Our thoughts and hopes for a legion of volunteers to help the Oklahoma tornado victims continues. There’s another opportunity for human kindness to cover a lot of sadness.

This week, there are 2 students in the Student Spotlight, the Question of the Week is, "Why doesn’t it sound right?", News is about the PRS parties, concerts and fan days during the summer and Take Note is about Fender’s Passport Mini amp - which is perfect for playing on the deck, the beach, in a part, of just for a practice amp.

Links

DR Strings
Les Paul in MahwahPurchase Thank You, Les
Follow Me on TwitterGuitar Technique Tutor Blog
Sandy NJ Relief
Help Oklahoma Tornado Victims


•••Raptor Picks USA•••

Hey, did you read the great review of Raptor R Series picks on the Fifth Fret blog? 

His conclusion:
"It's a well engineered pick, made with the players (of almost any style) in mind, and it's inexpensive at $4.75 and down, based on how many you order. That's not a bad price at all for a boutique acrylic pick!"

At that cost, it wouldn't hurt you to pick one up and give it a try. Who knows? This could very well be your favorite pick.


Raptor Picks USA thanks Pappy for the great review. You can read the whole thing at the Fifth Fret blog.

Links

Raptor Picks USA - genuine Raptor picks Raptor Picks USA on Facebook Raptor Picks USA on TwitterFifth Fret
Fifth Fret Raptor Review


Student Spotlight

In the warm glow of the Student Spotlight are Bridget (of course) and Mike. Bridget is remaining consistent and is tackling everything I throw at her and succeeding very well. Mike had been off for a couple weeks, due to business and some personal travel. This is an uberbusy guy, who mainly ekes out time to play on the weekends. Well, since the last lesson we had, he improved excellently. His lesson was by no means, flawless, but there was tremendous improvement and for that, he has earned Student Spotlight status. Nice work. I hope you’ll be able to at least, maintain the amount of time you can spend with your guitar.

I’m looking forward to a threesome in the Spotlight next time. Let's see what happens

Question of the Week

This week's question came from a student that wanted to know why, when they played particular music, it didn’t sound like what they were used to hearing. Do you have a couple days for the full answer? Even if you do, I don’t, but here it is in a nutshell.

First, he was playing an acoustic, nylon string guitar and what he was listening to was a solid body electric (one of which he has, as well as a steel string acoustic and more guitars). If you are not using the same axe or at least the same type of axe, you’re not going to sound like the artist whose music you’re playing

Second, his speed wasn’t close to the speed of the reference recording, AND his rhythm was off because for him, it’s an effort to think of time and beats. He also isn’t able to hear and “feel” the complex rhythm, which is how many musicians get over the obstacle of complex rhythms. If they can hear them and execute them accurately, the beat dissection that is necessary for a non-natural musician is unnecessary.

Third, the music supplied to my student (not by me) was not in the same key as the recorded version. Not only was it semi-transposed, but it was altered beyond that, so the harmonies were quite far off in some sections.

So, if what is going to please you, is to play some of your favorite artists’ music:

FIRST: use the most similar instrument you can -- which is not to say you have to run
 out to buy a Les Paul if you have a Telecaster (not that running out to buy a Les Paul is such torture or anything), but realize that if you’re playing a steel or nylon string acoustic and you are trying to emulate music played on an electric guitar, especially if there’s overdrive or flange or any other amp or studio effect, you’re not going to hear what you want.

SECOND: work on your chops - including speed and rhythm

THIRD: have realistic expectations of yourself

FOURTH: play in the same key/tonality/positions etc to most closely approximate what you’re hearing

FIFTH: practice practice practice and do so while LISTENING to your object recording and to yourself

Links

Email Me if you'd like to submit a Question of the Week or suggest an additional segment topic.
If I use one you submit, I'll send you a Guitar Technique Tutor pick.

News

In the news this week is a short list of some PRS events, which all lead up to Experience PRS in September. I had a coupled comments about the Taylor Road show segment, asking if any other guitar makers did anything like it.

Here are a few PRS events that are upcoming. Perhaps one is in you’re area:

June 29 – PRS Gear Heaven Party & Concert at The Glen, Watkins Glen, NY
Come hear and play all the latest PRS and DW gear, hang with our artists, talk with PRS, DW and Guitar Center staff, tour the DW Mobile Music trailer packed with DW and PRS gear, jam out with PRS and DW on the mobile stage, take a paddock tour, meet GRAND–AM Drivers, watch qualifiers & races, enjoy a complimentary Hazlitt wine tasting, maybe even win a prize or two. Includes a VIP Backstage pass for the concert with DAVY KNOWLES. Ticket gives you access to the track for the entire Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen Event Weekend so be sure to camp out or come back the next day to catch the GRAND–AM Rolex Sports Care Series Race!

July 25 – PRS Gear Heaven Party & Concert at the Hard Rock Cafe, Indianapolis, IN
Meet and greet – Artists, Drivers and Celebrities, tour the DW/PRS Mobile Music Trailer filled with PRS and DW gear, play all the latest PRS Guitar and DW gear in the "Jackson" Room, hear some awesome product demonstrations, light fare compliments of the Hard Rock Cafe, concert featuring Davy Knowles and Lance Lopez, Prize drawings. 

August 3 – PRS Fan Day at Guitar Center, Independence, MO
Product Demos, Setups, PRS staff on hand for any questions, Race to the Stage auditions, DW Mobile Music Trailer packed with PRS and DW gear.

September 14 – PRS Fan Day at Guitar Center, Manchester, CT
Product Demos, Setups, PRS staff on hand for any questions, Race to the Stage auditions, DW Mobile Music Trailer packed with PRS and DW gear.

September 20–21 — PRS Experience 2013

Links
PRS Watkins Glen and IndianapolisPRS Fan Day, Independence, MO
PRS Fan Day, Manchester, CT 
Experience PRS 2013


Take Note

My take note topic this week is the Fender Passport Mini. Hey, it’s summertime. Portable amps have a lot of pros and cons. I wasn’t going to do this particular take note because I haven’t personally played with a Passport Mini, but Acoustic Guitar Magazine will be reviewing it in the upcoming issue and the short video review suggests that it’s an amp you should consider if you’re looking for something relatively inexpensive and portable. 

Here’s a bit about it.
Passport® mini offers convenient amplification for any instrument or microphone. It's perfect for performances by street musicians and students, as well as a basic public address system for events and presentations. It goes anywhere thanks to its dual AC- or Battery-powered capabilities. It can even be used as a music media playback system or computer recording interface.

Model : 0694600000
$199.99MSRP Street is about $150 or sometimes less.

It has a Vocal Channel with Volume, Tone and Reverb Level controls and an Instrument Channel with Volume, Preset, Effects and Tap Tempo Button controls.

It’s smaller than a 10” cube and weighs only 7.25 pounds
The Passport Mini has one - 6.5" Full-Range Speaker with 8 ohms of impedance
Its 2 Channels are Instrument and Microphone

The Inputs are two - (1/4", Input Two has -10db Pad Switch)
and one Auxiliary Input which is 1/8" Stereo

For a little amp it has a decent selection of effects:
Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Vibratone, Vintage Tremolo, Slap-back Echo, Small Room Reverb, Fender ’65 Spring Reverb, Stereo Tape Delay, Tape Delay+Room Reverb, Chorus+Hall Reverb, Vibratone+Room Reverb

There are 2 Line Outs which are Speaker Emulated USB and 1/8” Headphone Jack Doubles as Speaker Emulated Line Out

This is a presentable amp but not a boutique model.

Other Features are that it uses universal AC power supply (included) or six "C" batteries, instrument channel with 24 presets (built from 8 amp models) optimized for acoustic and electric guitars and other instruments, 12 effects (additional effects available with free Fender® FUSE™ software), Tap Tempo button for adjusting delay time and modulation rate, separate Vocal channel with XLR and ¼" inputs and dedicated Volume, Tone, and Reverb controls, AUX input for media player, digital chromatic tuner, metal handle doubles as a tilt-back stand, stereo headphone output for silent practice or line out, USB connection for Fender® FUSE™ application and digital recording output, USB cable included.

It’s a cute, light weight amp for playing out or practice


Links
Fender Passport Mini AmpAcoustic Guitar Magazine video review of the Passport Mini Amp 


•••Raptor Picks USA•••

Once in a great while, something comes along that's literally revolutionary. The Raptor™ R Series guitar pick is just such a creation. It affords its user a sublime quartet of sounds which can be summoned with a mere rotation of the brilliantly designed Raptor™ pick. Not only is it a beautifully executed, ingenious idea, but the first experience of playing with it is almost impossible to describe because it’s so different from anything you’ve ever employed.

Get past the unusual feel of the Raptor™ guitar pick and the door to faster, cleaner and more creative playing swings wide open. Your grip will be sure. Your attack will be silent. Your projection will be enhanced. Add to that the technology that enables the pick to glide over your strings, rather than bluntly striking them and the genuine Raptor™ “R” Series pick stands alone as an asset to every guitarist who uses one. 

Seasoned pro? This pick allows for more subtle differences of expression because of the variety of timbres it produces. 

Intermediate recreational guitarist? Improve your sound by upgrading your pick.
Rank beginner? Prime your creativity right from the outset. 

Genuine Raptor™ “R”Series guitar picks are available at RaptorPicksUSA.com. Free Raptors with a purchase of 4 or more is just another way of “spreading the excellence, one guitarist at a time.”

Raptor™ picks are a registered design. All rights are owned by Black Carbon.

Links

Raptor Picks USA - genuine Raptor picks Raptor Picks USA on Facebook Raptor Picks USA on Twitter


Outro

I hope i can get my nylon DRs changed in the coming week. I avoid my axes that need string changes until I change them.

Nice work Bridget and Mike. I hope you have company next time.

Be sure you’re comparing apples to apples when you assess how you’re playing covers. If you’re in a different key or tuning, if your chops of any variety are not up to par, if you’re not playing even the same type of guitar, you’re going to be disappointed. Unless you’re a fairly advanced guitarist, you’re going to have to work on your music, so don’t whine about it. Do what you need to do.

Catch a cool PRS event at a venue near you this summer, and while you’re at it, plan an autumn getaway to Experience PRS 2013, in September.

It’s time to take your playing on the road. The Fender Passport Mini may be just the amp for you.

If you’d like to further assist SuperStorm Sandy victims, Sandy NJ Relief Fund will put 100% of your contribution to excellent use. The recovery here is going to take years and some communities still have condemned homes and unlivable conditions.

Don’t forget the Les Paul in Mahwah exhibit at the Mahwah Museum in Mahwah, NJ which is open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays just until the end of the month and the marvelous tribute to Les Paul by Lou Pallo, the trio and other musical friends, called Thank You, Les.

If you’re not comfortable, your guitar isn’t either, so don’t leave your guitar in a cold car or basement, or a hot car or attic. Humidify if your guitar lives in an environment in which there is less than 40% humidity. If you’re going on a vacation - ask a friend to keep the guitar at their home until you return, if you can.

If you're seeking expert competent guitar instruction in the Bergen and Rockland County towns in which I teach, such as

 Airmont, Allendale,  Cresskill, Fair Lawn, Franklin Lakes, Glen Rock, Hawthorne, HoHoKus, Hillburn, Mahwah, Midland Park, Montebello,  Montvale, Oakland, Oradell, Paramus, Park Ridge, the hamlet of Ramapo, Ramsey, Ridgewood, River Edge, Saddle River, Suffern, Tallman, Teaneck, Tuxedo, Tuxedo Park,  Upper Saddle River,  Viola, Waldwick, Washington Township, Westwood, Woodcliff Lake or Wyckoff please contact me. 

For lesson inquires, calling is best and my number is on the web site. If we can coordinate our schedules and you're a good candidate to learn to play the guitar, perhaps we can work together.

Whether you are a beginner guitarist, a gigging professional or at any level in between, a genuine Raptor™ guitar pick will catapult your playing forward.  Visit RaptorPicksUSA.Com to order yours today.

Practice,   and until next time, I'm  D A Arlaus, doing my part to spread the excellence, one guitarist at a time.  

Happy Fathers’ Day to all you dads.





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Leaving in 2 Minutes

[06/ 02 /13 show notes from Guitar Technique Tutor Podcast Episode 105]

This week, there is  1 student in the Student Spotlight,  The Question of the Week is about asymmetrical necks, News is about the unlikely contest sponsor from whom you can win a guitar signed by all the members of Maroon 5 and my Take Note segment is about the Taylor Road Show, coming to a location near you.

Intro

So how were your last couple of weeks? 

The news about Oklahoma was devastating and over the weekend, more tornado activity left destruction in its wake.   I saw to Oklahoma, on broadway, and although I have never been to the state,  the song lyric has always caused me to associate Oklahoma and wind.  To call what blew through Moore, merely “wind,” is the understatement of the year.  As much as I have been mentioning the relief effort for Sandy survivors, here in NJ, I have to spread my appeal to the Moore, Oklahoma survivors. There are several well-respected charities that are rushing relief to the victims.  Here's a site that will give you a choice.  You can go and literally help, on scene, donate air miles to assist volunteer travel or you can donate financially.  Many survivors have been left with absolutely nothing or nothing and also lost loved ones.  

We finally made it to the Jersey shore, not long after I recorded the last show.  Although Sandy blew through on October 29th, there were still some rental units being restored to livable conditions, roofs being repaired and some of the board walk was replaced and some was still missing. 





It was good to see that things are moving along, but seeing the old Christmas trees on the beech, where the dunes used to be was a reminder of everything that we didn’t see. The trees  serve as a dune nursery. 



This week, my student Shira, is sporting new DR Neons, like Bridget’s.   She’s happy and loves the sound, feel and color.  They look great on her transparent purple finished Luna Passion Flower guitar.  

 


My Neons?  They’re great.  My nylon string guitar is approaching string change time.  She’s been good but she’s starting to sound a little bland.  Maybe I can make some time next week.

Hey, this Friday is the Les Paul 98th Birthday Gala at Ramapo College.  I had planned to attend but something has come up and I cannot. I’m bummed because the first concert was great and last year didn’t disappoint.  Were I able to go, I was planning to bid on the auction guitars. This is a reminder to Arno, who might be in the market for a Les Paul, and why not win an autographed one? Lani’s family enjoyed the Gala last year, so Lani, if you go again, have fun. I’ll be thinking of you.  I regret that I’ll be missing Nicki Parrott. She’s an awesome stand-up acoustic bassist and singer.  According to an email I received a couple days ago, there are still tickets available.  If you’re thinking about going, don’t think about it any more. Get your tickets now.  The theater is intimate and there isn’t a bad seat in the house.  

You may be able to pick up Thank You, Les, Lou Pallo and the Les Paul Trio’s memorial to Les, while you’re there.  They and numerous admiring musicians did wonderful work on the audio and documentary.  



The full Les Paul in Mahwah: A Tribute exhibit will only be available to visit in its present, expansive state through the end of this month.  The Mahwah Museum, in Mahwah, NJ, will close, as is their custom, for the summer and will re-open in September, with a pared down permanent installation of Les Paul exhibits.  If you can possibly see the full exhibit, choose a Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday to do it.  You won’t be sorry.   

Student Spotlight

In the warm glow of the Student Spotlight is Bridget - what a surprise.  She’s loving her pink neon DRs, but she was playing well and remaining dedicated even before the pinkness took over.   She continues to progress well - not because she isn’t being presented with challenges - she is.  It’s because she is consistently applying herself and overcomes obstacles.   Excellent, Bridget.  Keep up the good work.

Question of the Week

This week's question cam in by email from Emitt.  He wrote, “You have gone into some good detain about guitar necks but I didn’t hear anything about asymmetrical necks. What are they?”

Well, someone is reading about guitars! Thanks for the question Emitt. Just as it says, and asymmetrical neck, the profile of which is modified in a way that moves the deepest spot on the neck away from dead center.  I’ve never seen nor played an modified neck that didn’t move the deepest spot on the neck bass-wise. By that I mean closer to the 6th string. There’s no reason one couldn’t be made that had its deepest spot toward the treble side, but I believe it would hinder any guitarist.  

So why make the neck asymmetrical?  Well, if you have  short fingers or the neck width is a challenge, or if you play mostly on the treble strings, an asymmetrical neck might help you play faster or longer, since the profile may allow you to reduce the pressure of your grip, which might allow you to play longer.  

There are some good images online, of various asymmetrical neck profiles.  Several makers use them and if you are having a custom guitar built, decide if a standard neck is best or if an asymmetrical one would benefit you.



Thanks for the inquiry, Emitt.  A Guitar Technique Tutor podcast pick is on its way to you, in Idaho.  You should have it in a few days. 


If you have  a question that you would like me to address on the podcast, please send it to me.  If I use your question, I will be glad to send you a Guitar Technique Tutor Podcast pick.

News

In the news this week is something I was shocked to see.  Did you know you can win a guitar signed by all the members of Maroon 5?  Do you know from where you can win it? Not a guitar shop.  From K-Mart!!!  For real!  There is no purchase necessary and the steps to entering are easy.  You increase your odds of winning if you decide to use social media in addition to your traditional entry.   All of the rules can be found on this Shop Your Way page. I’ll link to them.

I frequently mention guitar companies that are giving away guitars but this is a new one on me.   Please consult your parent or guardian if you want to enter and you’re under  18..

I hope one of my listeners wins. 

Take Note

My take note topic this week is The  Taylor Guitar Road Show.  It’s that  time of year for road trips and our friends at Taylor Guitars knows that all too well.  The Taylor Road Show will be in a variety of  American cities, as well as European ones throughout the month of June.  

If you’ve never attended a Taylor Road Show, it’s very well done, usually takes place in a guitar or music store and attendees get the opportunity to play a lot of Taylors - often more than the store ordinarily offers.  The Taylor reps will also match you to the perfect Taylor for you.  Tell them what you like to or aspire to play, allow them to size you up (pardon the pun) and they will suggest models with which you are most likely to live happily ever after.  The Road Shows are a Taylor Tradition and they are excellent to broaden your general guitar knowledge and introduce you to one of the premier acoustic guitars made in the USA.  If you’re in the market for a Taylor that the stores near you do not stock, it’s your opportunity to make sure it’s right for you, before you purchase.  Check out the link and get yourself to the Taylor Road Show near you.



Raptor Picks USA

If there’s a guitarist in your life who is about to graduate from college, high school, middle school or elementary school, you may well be planning to acknowledge their hard work and mark their milestone with a gift.  Maybe putting a little icing on the cake is in order.  After all, graduation isn’t an everyday thing. Acknowledge their musical pursuits as well.    There isn’t a young guitarist that wouldn’t appreciate the inspiration that a unique Raptor R Series guitar pick, with 3 different picking tips, can unleash.  


The unique beveling of the molded acrylic pick offers amazingly silent attack.  The Raptor R Series pick is destined to become a pivotal tool for creative guitarists of every playing level.  Personally, I haven’t played with anything but a Raptor R Series since the very first time I touched one and I don’t think anyone will be disappointed once they play with a genuine Raptor R Series pick.

Get some today for the Class of  2013 guitarist in your life, or for you  at RaptorPicksUSA.com   Free Raptors with a purchase of 4 or more is just another way of “spreading the excellence, one guitarist at a time.”

Raptor™ picks are a registered design. All rights are owned by Black Carbon



Outro

Oh, Oklahoma, our words may be a fleeting comfort, but what you need is lasting relief.  I’m hopeful that you will receive it.

If you’d like to further assist SuperStorm Sandy victims, Sandy NJ Relief Fund will put 100% of your contribution to excellent use.  The recovery here is going to take years.
Bridget, you are a regular in the Student Spotlight.  Whether you realize it or not, you are building something more than guitar skill.  You’re building character with your consistency.  Good for you!

An asymmetrical neck may be just the customization that will allow you to play more and better.  Check them out.

K-Mart’s Shop Your Way site has all the details for how you can enter to win cool guitar signed by each member of Maroon 5.  The contest ends  June 15, so get right on it.  Under 18, please check with a parent or guardian.

Want to play a variety of Taylor guitars that the shops near you don’t always stock?  See when the Road Show will be in your area and take advantage of the array of instruments they bring, their assessment of what models would suit you best and the sheer delight of playing lots of Taylors.  

Don’t forget the Les Paul in Mahwah exhibit at the Mahwah Museum in Mahwah, NJ which is open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and the marvelous tribute to Les Paul by Lou Pallo, the trio and other musical friends, called Thank You, Les.   The 98th Birthday Gala is this coming Saturday. If you’re anywhere near Mahwah, NJ, don’t delay in getting tickets. It’s going to be a great night. 

If you’re not comfortable, your guitar isn’t either, so don’t leave your guitar in a cold car or basement, or a hot car or attic. Humidify if your guitar lives in an environment in which there is less than 40% humidity. We’ve had the A/C on this week and my humidifiers are drying up more quickly than usual.  Check yours every couple days to be sure your axes aren’t drying out.

The best way to subscribe to the podcast audio is through iTunes.
All Show Notes and Podcast Audio Files can be found on this blog.  

If you're seeking expert competent guitar instruction in the Bergen and Rockland County towns in which I teach, such as Airmont, Allendale,  Cresskill, Fair Lawn, Franklin Lakes, Glen Rock, Hawthorne, HoHoKus, Hillburn, Mahwah, Midland Park, Montebello,  Montvale, Oakland, Oradell, Paramus, Park Ridge, the hamlet of Ramapo, Ramsey, Ridgewood, River Edge, Saddle River, Suffern, Tallman, Teaneck, Tuxedo, Tuxedo Park,  Upper Saddle River,  Viola, Waldwick, Washington Township, Westwood, Woodcliff Lake or Wyckoff please contact me. For lesson inquires, calling is best and my number is on the web site. If we can coordinate our schedules and you're a good candidate to learn to play the guitar, perhaps we can work together.
Whether the Dad or grad in your life is a beginner guitarist, a gigging professional or at any level in between, a genuine Raptor™ guitar pick will catapult their playing forward.  Visit RaptorPicksUSA.Com to order some today.
Practice,  and until next time, I'm  D A Arlaus, doing my part to spread the excellence, one guitarist at a time. 









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Sloppy Joes

[05/17/2013 show notes from Guitar Technique Tutor Podcast Episode 104]


On the show, this week, there’s 1 student in the Student Spotlight, the Question of the Week is, 'How can I do it?', News is about the budget friendly Squire Affinity Series from our friends at Fender, and my Take Note topic is Sloppy Joes.

Intro

So how were your last few weeks? I know I one more week than my original plan, but thanks to an old dear friend, birthday festivities for me began a week before my birthday. I want to thank you  listeners for the birthday wishes I received by email.  I appreciated them. Thanks!

Tomorrow we are venturing to the Jersey Shore for the first time since Sandy devastated it.  We aren’t going to the State Park beach to which we usually go, but rather to Ocean Grove, a town we love.  It’s loaded with Victorian bed and breakfasts, cute shops, great restaurants and Day’s home made ice cream.   There are a couple things going on there that will make for an enjoyable day, and a little sea breeze makes it all the better.  The weather will also be cooperating with us.  On this podcast I have mentioned the food bank fund raisers done in Ocean Grove, to benefit the Monmouth County food bank.  It’s always a good time and the musician who donate their time and performance are always accomplished ones.  

The Sandy NJ Relief Fund is making a significant difference in the recovery effort, so if you’re so inclined to assist residents and businesses return to stability and productive commerce, know your contribution there, will be put to wise use quickly.  Or, if hands-on is your thing, there are always  projects for which your willing hands can be a welcome addition.  Clean up and restoration is going to take years.   Just this past week, the gigantic Seaside Heights Ferris Wheel was removed from the Atlantic Ocean, where it had languished since the storm October 29th.

On more guitar-y topics:

In previous episodes I spoke about the importance of a guitar fitting your body size, and that the comfort level you have with a proper fit will allow you to play better.  One of the brands I have mentioned is Luna.  One of my guitars is a Luna. I have only one small design criticism - and it’s really minor.  Lunas are great guitars for anyone of petite frame -- I often recommend them to my small female students.  How would you like to win the Luna of your choice?  Yvonne, at Luna has created a Pin & Win contest. If you win, you will receive the Luna instrument of your choice!!  The contest began May 15th and runs through July 14th.  I’ve said this before, about other contests that I have mentioned: If the deadline is a given date, be sure you get your entry in at lease a day before - just to compensate for time zone differences etc.  If I were entering, I’d have my entry in by July 12th, rather than  15th, but that’s just me.   So, if you’re a Luna aficionado or would like to be, the contest doesn’t cost anything but your time and creativity.   Check it out.



Don’t forget that Experience PRS 2013 registration opens to the public May 20th through August 15th.  If you are a PRS devotee, like I am, and can attend the event,  which kicks off on September 19, let this reminder serve as your stimulus to make your plans.  Yes, I know that’s several months away, but if you need to arrange time off from work, or to make travel arrangements, now is the time to get your ducks in a row.

Wednesday, I  made a DR Neon Believer of my student, Bridget.  We put pink Neons on her acoustic guitar. She dressed for the occasion - when I arrived, she was sporting pink, head to toe, including pink nails.  





I love that K3 coating - and pink, all the better.  DR, the best string I have ever used, and I’ve used them all, makes coated bass, electric and acoustic strings.  They aren’t all neon. There are black, silver, blue and red if you’re a demur type.   I use DRs and only DRs on my guitars.  IF you’ve never played them, you should try a plain or K3 coated set. DRs are the best strings out there. For the life of me, I don’t know why Taylor Swift doesn’t use the red ones, since her trademark color is red. Maybe she hasn’t tried them.  If that’s the case, Rosa better get on it!


I want to say happy housewarming to my student,  Aviv, and her family.  They just moved into a new home, which I’ll finally see in another week.

Don’t forget the Les Paul 98th Birthday Gala  at Ramapo College on June 8th and the Les Paul in Mahwah: A Tribute exhibit at the Mahwah Museum, in Mahwah, NJ.  The exhibit will be much smaller after the museum closes for the summer at the end of June and reopens in September. At that time, the permanent smaller installation will be available to visitors, but it will be a fraction of the size of the current, expansive Les Paul collection. If you’re in the NY Metro area and don’t go to see it, shame on you. The calibre of Les Paul’s genius is rarely seen.  


The Les Paul Trio, Lou Pallo, Nicky Parrot and John Colianni will be among the artists at the Les Paul 98th Birthday Gala and have created an homage to Les called, Thank You, Les.  You should have it in your library.




Raptor Picks USA

Does your or your kids’ dad love to play guitar?  I know,  dads are burdened with life requirements, but if my students Arno and Mike, who have young active families and who commute into NYC every day, to work, have time to play guitar, your or your kids’ dad probably savors his opportunities to play, even if they are limited.  He’s got enough ties.  He’s got enough tools. He’s got enough gift cards.  A handful of genuine Raptor R Series guitar picks will show him you love him because it shows him that you know what he loves.  What are you waiting for?

I don’t know a guitarist alive that isn’t looking for fresh inspiration and he’s no exception. The 3 uniquely and specifically engineered picking tips on the Raptor entice a guitarist to think about and explore the full range of sound qualities they can create with it.  The unique  beveling of the molded acrylic pick offer amazingly silent attack.  He’s going to love them.



The Raptor R Series pick is destined to become a pivotal tool for creative guitarists, whether they’re moms, dads, sons or daughters.  Personally, I haven’t played with anything but a Raptor R Series since the very first time I touched one and I don’t think anyone will be disappointed when they play with a genuine Raptor R Series pick.

Get some today for the guitarist in your life, or for you  at RaptorPicksUSA.com.  Free Raptors with a purchase of 4 or more is just another way of “spreading the excellence, one guitarist at a time.”  


Raptor™ picks are a registered design. All rights are owned by Black Carbon.


Student Spotlight

The Student Spotlight is illuminating one student, Bridget.  Not just because she has awesome pink strings, but because her degree of improvement/mastery has increased yet again.  She’s doing wonderfully. Bridget, you rocked before you had pink Neon DRs on your axe. Now you rock even more.  Great work.  Keep loving your guitar and applying yourself.


Question of the Week

This week's Question was hard to reduce from its original form.  I was working with Danielle this week. She’s extremely talented and we divide our time between playing, studying theory, composition and other musical disciplines.  She said she wanted to revisit some scales she has slacked off playing.  Being the perceptive instructor that I am, I knew it wasn’t the scales she was interested in playing.  So we worked with one scale - a moveable diatonic major one, and then I asked her to move it to another location on the fingerboard and tell me the name of each note as she played.   Most of you listeners know that just like moveable chords, all closed note scales or for that matter, riffs,  transpose effortlessly by changing the position in which you play them.  BUT… that’s just a physical exercise. Yes, it’s something but zipping around the fingerboard with dazzling speed and agility  only takes you so far.  It’s good, don’t get me wrong.  But for Danielle, because her knowledge and understanding eclipse her comfort in some positions, I inferred that what she was really looking to do by asking to revisit some scales that move all over the neck, was actually a cry for help when she wanders into no-man’s land.   She and I know that she has extraordinary muscle memory, a better than average ear and a very agile mind.  If you’re like Danielle, I want to encourage you to perceive, as Danielle has, that there’s an integral piece missing from your musicianship.  You have marry the muscle memory, the ear and the knowledge.  If all you have is muscle memory chops, you  need to train your ear and gain understanding, too, but that’s another discussion.  

I hope some of you are in Danielle’s boat - not that I want your musicianship to be inadequate, but because I want to be of help.  

Now, Danielle and I have particular studies, exercises, scales and music that is used expressly for technique development.   Danielle knows her tendency is to just memorize it and play it until it sounds the way she wants it to, in terms of speed or rhythmic precision etc.   It’s hard to break habits like that when it’s easy for you even though it takes you counter to your real goal.   So, what do we do with a guitarist as wily as Danielle?  We have to make everything random and force her to learn or relearn in the same manner as she did when she took her first guitar lesson. I like to employ the alphabet game. I have mentioned it before on this show but if you missed it, the challenge at first, is to choose a note - any note including chromatics.  Find every one of them on every string.  Sometimes work from the 6th string to the 1st. Sometimes the 1st to the  6th. Sometimes randomize the string order.  Daily choose 2 or3 well separated notes with which to practice the alphabet game.  A seasoned guitarist should do it with eyes closed, allowing their ears,  instinct and 6th sense of their axe’s fingerboard to guide their finger placement.  Another exercise I want Danielle to work with is a somewhat unfamiliar ascending melodic minor scale that changes position a few times.  We worked with it in her lesson. I want her to practice it, by looking at the fingerboard and literally saying the name of each note out loud.  I also asked her to do the same thing with the same scale at another starting position, mainly because she will have to really engage her brain because of the peculiarity of the key. Danielle asked why I thought these 2 things would be helpful. You don’t know Danielle.  She wasn’t challenging me or questioning my judgement. She genuinely wanted to understand.  I explained to her that my goal is to be able to put my finger on any string and any fret and for her to be able to tell me what note will be produced, without working from some anchor fret that she knows better.   I believe that if she plays G# at the 9th fret of the B string enough times, arriving there via varied and random processes, it will eventually be remembered and be recallable.   This is unconventional, but Danielle is a procedure junkie and she creates ways of doing things - not just musically - which have far too many steps to get to her end result.  I hope that if we counteract it in her guitar playing, she will find ways to counteract it in some of her academic pursuits, before they get her into trouble.

So, if you’re a strictly physical player, mend your ways and balance out your musicianship.  

I hope you found this a helpful discourse.

If you have  a question that you would like me to address on the podcast, please email it to me.  If I use your question, I will be glad to send you a Guitar Technique Tutor Podcast pick. 


News

In the News this week I wanted to mention Fender’s Squire Affinity Series.  Don’t roll your eyes at Fender Squires.  Not every guitarist can plunk down a grand or more for a guitar. This line includes something for everyone, and boy, I like the colors!! Lake Placid Blue, Surf Green,  Black (I know it’s not really a color), Olympic White (ditto, not a color), Arctic White (ditto),  Butterscotch Blonde,  Montego Black Metallic, Metallic Red (that would be mine), Torino Red, Brown Sunburst,  2-color Sunburst, Gun Metal Gray, Shell Pink (that would be mine, too), Burgundy Mist Metallic  and to make it a hat trick, I’d take the Metallic Blue as well.  MSRPs run from  $100 to $499 with many right in the middle. The models in this Series are: Stratocaster HHS, regular Stratocaster, Stratocaster Left-Handed, Telecaster, Telecaster Left-Handed, Mini, Precision Bass, Precision Bass PJ, which is new, Bronco Bass, Jazz Bass and 5-string Jazz Bass V.  The 5-string is the pricier one. By the way, the names of all the instruments I just referenced are Trade Marked and Registered to Fender.  (My brother is an attorney - I don’t want to get sued!!)








Sure, these are not signature models but they don’t command signature prices.  They’re fine entry level axes or secondary instruments.  They’re okay as entry level guitars and basses, but if you or a young person in you home is going to be working with an instructor, check with them, before you buy anything.  They may recommend particular parameters for your first guitar.


Take Note




My take note topic this week is Sloppy Joes.  No, not the messy meal. Sloppy Joes and Janes and Toms and Dianes are players who are sloppy. Are you sloppy?  It manifests in a number of ways.  It can be that you pick a different string than the one you’re fretting, or that you over strum chords and inadvertently strike non-chord tones that make your playing sound off, at best and muddy and nondescript, at worst.  Perhaps your barred chords are thuddy and each of the notes of the chord do not sound cleanly, or maybe you just guestimate the rhythm.  All of these qualify as sloppy playing and if any of them sound familiar, you should do something about it.  

My guess is that unless you’re a fairly advanced and accomplished guitarist, the easiest place for players to “slide” is in rhythm, especially if they were self-taught or not taught well by an instructor.  Metronome to the rescue, providing you understand and know what you should be doing and just aren’t doing it.  If you don’t know what you’re doing, get help.

Sloppy strumming is characteristic of a guitarist who doesn’t know why you would or would not include certain strings when playing a particular chord.  That screams, to  me, I’m playing a shape, not a collection of tones.  There’s really no excuse if you’re looking at a proper diagram and you’re still over strumming.  Yikes!!  

If you go to play a little riff or melodic line only to realize 4 notes into it, that you began playing on the wrong string, your ears are the culprits.  Remember, it’s all about the sound, not fingerboard geography.  

If you play solitarily and don’t have someone teaching you, do yourself a favor and record a practice or 2.  Don’t stop recording until you’re completely done playing.  The recording will reveal your weaknesses in a brutal way, but if your goal is to master our great instrument, consider it instructional.  If you’re a Sloppy Joe or Jane, begin correcting the problem today.  The first step is admitting your problem. The second step is focus.

Outro

Register now for the Experience PRS 2013 and make your plans to have a great weekend in September.

Yvonne at Luna Guitars invites everyone to Pin to Win the Luna instrument of your choice.  

Bridget, you go and think pink.

My DRs have are still okay, love that K3 coating!!  

Keep the Les Paul 98th Birthday Gala in mind and get your tickets ASAP if you plan to go. There will be raffles and auctions. 

Randomize to overcome habitual memorization that leaves you musically uninformed.

The Fender Squire Affinity Series is priced right and good looking.

Sloppy Joe sandwiches are intended to be messy. Sloppy Joe players will never climb out of the pit of mediocrity.  Admit it if you’re sloppy, focus and dig yourself out.

If you’d like to further assist SuperStorm Sandy victims, Sandy NJ Relief Fund will put 100% of your contribution to excellent use.  The recovery here is going to take years.

Don’t forget the Les Paul in Mahwah: A Tribute  exhibit at the Mahwah Museum in Mahwah, NJ which is open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and the marvelous tribute to Les Paul by Lou Pallo, the trio and other musical friends, called Thank You, Les. 

If you’re not comfortable, your guitar isn’t either, so don’t leave your guitar in a cold car or basement, or a hot car or attic. Humidify if your guitar lives in an environment in which there is less than 40% humidity.


During the past couple of week, during which I did not record a show, I did some life assessing.  Hey, every time a birthday has a zero in it, I think it’s time to take a personal inventory.  Here’s what I have concluded:  I’m a blessed individual, personally, professionally and in all other ways. I have also concluded that at this stage in my life, I need to keep my priorities in view, and one of those priorities if down time or what might better be called personal or family time.  I don’t really have enough. I have realized it for a while and it came clearly into focus since we concluded E-Rex’s daily cancer treatment schedule. (Oh, by the way, his first follow up PSA was great, 1.7. That’s excellent news.) Anyway, I’ve concluded that one way I can have some more family time is to cut this podcast back from what I had been doing weekly, to twice monthly.  I will take a stab at blogging and Tweeting more frequently, so if you don’t read this blog regularly, you might want to subscribe to it and/or follow me on Twitter. I hope you understand this decision.  I don’t want to cease podcasting, but real life is real life.  It’s brief and a treasure.  At this time, I’m planning to produce a show the 1st  and 3rd weeks of the month, barring something unforeseen.  I may make a switch in July to the  2nd and 4th, so as to have the holiday weekend free. We’ll see.

Lessons

If you're seeking expert competent guitar instruction in the Bergen and Rockland County towns in which I teach, such as Airmont, Allendale, Cresskill, Fair Lawn, Franklin Lakes, Glen Rock, Hawthorne, HoHoKus, Hillburn, Mahwah, Midland Park, Montebello,  Montvale, Oakland, Oradell, Paramus, Park Ridge, the hamlet of Ramapo, Ramsey, Ridgewood, River Edge, Saddle River, Suffern, Tallman, Teaneck, Tuxedo, Tuxedo Park,  Upper Saddle River,  Viola, Waldwick, Washington Township, Westwood, Woodcliff Lake or Wyckoff please contact me. For lesson inquires, calling is best and my number is on the web site. If we can coordinate our schedules and you're a good candidate to learn to play the guitar, perhaps we can work together.

Your guitar player dad is awesome, why not get him some Genuine R Series Raptor guitar picks?  Visit RaptorPicksUSA.Com to order some today.

Practice, and until next time, I'm D A Arlaus, doing my part to spread the excellence, one guitarist at a time.  US listeners, have a great Memorial Day, next weekend! 






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