David Hodge

In this first lesson on accompanying yourself with guitar we focus exclusively on using arpeggios to create interesting song arrangements.

The Circle of Fifths can be a very useful tool for guitarist for things from learning the fretboard to making highly educated guesses about upcoming chords in a progression.

Two years ago, Guitar Noise ran two articles to bring FODfest to the attention of our readers. You can still find both of them on our website. Here’s how they were “premiered” in the October 1, 2008 issue of Guitar Noise News.

Led Zeppelin is one of the most influential rock groups of all time. Until their split in 1980, they put out rock and roll anthems like Stairway to Heaven, Communication Breakdown, Heartbreaker and dozens of others that ensure Jimmy Page will always be thought of first as a guitarist, when in fact his contributions as a producer are some of the most interesting and diverse that a rock guitarist would ever create.

Knowing the basic structure of the twelve bar blues will help you immensely as both a guitarist and a musician, particularly if you want to play and jam with other musicians. Here’s a guide to explain how it works.

FODfest, a series of concerts that use the healing power of music to bring people of all backgrounds together, is en route to Israel and the West Bank region in October 2010. Todd Mack, founder and organizer of the event, takes a few moments to discuss the tour as well as the new “FODfest in the Schools” program that has been launched this past year.

Diatonic Chords are chords formed using only the notes in a single major scale. Knowing the diatonic chords of whatever key in which you’re playing a song can help you in more ways than you might dream possible!

Suspended chords, or “sus chords” for short, such as Dsus4, Asus2 or just Gsus, can be a guitarist’s best friend. These easy-to-play chords can make your strumming a lot more interesting.

There’s a very simple reason a lot of solos sound more like someone playing scales rather than solos and it all comes down to how you practice. Learn how to solo by learning how to practice soloing.

The only place where speed actually means something is in the case of grace notes. In music notation, grace notes are smaller than regular notes and are often tied to the “regular” note that comes after it.

Here’s a very cool single-guitar finger style instrumental blues piece that will teach you about driving, single note bass lines and creating cool melody lines and fills.

Learn how to recognize and play swing eighth rhythm in less time than you’d imagine! David walks you step by step on this vital part blues and jazz rhythm that you will find in almost all genres of music.

Some beginners give up on guitar after a short time. David explains why the physical shape of your first guitar may be why your first efforts at playing are more frustrating than they should be.

“The Musician’s Way,” by Gerald Klickstein, offers the reader a wealth of vital and practical information on how to make the most of practicing and performing, as well as tips on keeping at one’s best when it comes to playing. Highly recommended.

Steve Cropper is the epitome of the soul guitarist. When asked about Cropper, Keith Richards simply said, “Perfect, man.” Steve has been named one of the best guitarists by numerous magazines – coming it a Number 2 (behind Jimi Hendrix) in Britain’s Mojo Magazine.

Bonnie Lynn Raitt was born into a decidedly musical family. She took up the guitar at a young age and always thought of it as a hobby. Her 1989 album, Nick of Time, sold over five million copies and won three Grammys, including “Album of the Year.” She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

Guitar Noise’s favorite Scandinavian lap steel player’s second album is a wonderful tribute to the songs and stylings of Jimi Hendrix.

While you’re getting ready for another solstice, here’s your June 15 issue of Guitar Noise News, the twice-a-month newsletter from Guitar Noise (www.guitarnoise.com).

Guitar Noise presents the first in a new series of songs written specifically for guitar studies. Here is a cool blues number, reminiscent of Taj Mahal’s “Fishing Blues” to help you develop your finger picking, hammer-on skills and use of syncopation and timing.

This is the GN newsletter for June 1, 2010. We have some concert news and contest winners to announce. Jump right in.