The Other Side Lessons

Have you ever noticed that most of the people playing and talking about playing guitar are guys? Most of the authors (ok, all of the other authors) on this website are guys. Many of the artists talked about are guys. Not to say that guys aren't great guitar players, writers and composers. But what about the Other Side??? Don’t think of guitar as a male sport; it’s for anyone with a love of music.

The Other Side By Laura Lasley Have you ever noticed that most of the people playing and talking about playing guitar are guys? Most of the authors (ok, all of the other authors) on this website are guys. Many of the artists talked about are guys. Not to say that guys aren't great guitar players, writers and composers. But what about the Other Side? Don't think of guitar as a male sport; it's for anyone with a love of music.

A Conundrum By Laura Lasley The adage that practice makes perfect must have been written by a guitar player. In order to play well you need to practice. But in order to play at all you must be inspired. Inspiration comes from enjoying what you play. That's tough when what you play doesn't sound inspiring. Hmm, a conundrum worthy of exploring...

Not Just Another Pretty Face By Laura Lasley Practicing alone often works well so that no one else has to suffer with you as you get the sound you want coming from your guitar. However, playing with others adds a dimension to your music, and actually frees you to find new ways to express yourself in the community of musicians. There are, however, stereotypes out there about girls in bands.

Shopping By Laura Lasley I find that shopping for a guitar is much like shopping for anything else. The available information can be overwhelming, especially on the internet. There are a million web sites about every kind of guitar and every style. I have a few simple shopping rules that I like to follow which apply to clothing, TV's, cameras, cars, houses and yes, guitars and guitar accessories.

Finding Your Rhythm By Laura Lasley I've played with and heard so many amazing lead guitar players that I do despair of ever sounding as polished as they are. But every mountain climbed began with a thought and the desire to achieve that particular summit. I know that there is a lot of natural and raw talent out there, but with some hard work, I can make my guitar cry and sing.

Interview with Dar Williams By Laura Lasley Dar Williams is a folk singer who started her career playing in Boston coffee houses. She has played at the Newport Folk Festival and at Lilith Fair. She's shared a stage with Joan Baez, who has also covered Dar's music. This summer, our intrepid Other Side correspondent, Laura Lasley, was able to catch Dar for an interview in a Manhattan diner.

Performance: The Concert for New York - Madison Square Garden, October 20, 2001 By Laura Lasley Musical artists have a long history of doing benefit concerts for causes that matter to them. This performance was amazing because of the numbers of accomplished artists participating as well as the historical context of the concert. It embodied many of the reasons that live music and performance are powerful forms of expression.

Melissa Etheridge: Alive and Alone By Laura Lasley I have followed Melissa Etheridge's career since her first self titled album. While I enjoy her albums, I really love seeing her in concert. I have seen her perform each time she has toured to promote a new album. She's been in large and small venues, and has performed solo sets interspersed with her band sets. She inspired me to pick up a guitar and learn to play it.

Favorite Songs By Laura Lasley There are so many great songs out there that it's hard to choose. It depends on what instrument you're playing at the time, and what mood you are in. My favorite song is usually the one I'm currently working on. When you've sweated to figure out how to twist your fingers into the chords required you have entered a love/hate relationship with the song.

Landslide - Fleetwood Mac By Laura Lasley One of my favorite songs is Landslide, which was written by Stevie Nicks when she was with Fleetwood Mac. I bought a Fleetwood Mac songbook and attempted to learn the song. I was discouraged by the chords that were written out, and was unsuccessful at deciphering the box code. I begged my teacher to help me with the song. It turns out that this is a very simply song...if you use a capo!

Interview with Kelly Richey Part 1 By Laura Lasley Kelly Richey is a blues-rock guitarist who has been compared to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, for her amazing guitar leads. Her new album, Sending Me Angels is a must check out. For Kelly's viewpoint on learning the guitar, teaching music, electric vs. acoustic, and practicing music read on!

Interview with Kelly Richey Part 2 By Laura Lasley Kelly Richey is a blues-rock guitarist who has been compared to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, for her amazing guitar leads. Her new album, Sending Me Angels is a must check out. For Kelly's viewpoint on her career in writing, performing and playing music, read on!

Fame By Laura Lasley It's a bonus when someone recognizes you for your performance and appreciates you for that. But then, of course, the pressure of recognition sinks in. Like many of us, I then begin to worry that I won't be good enough next time, that I don't practice enough, and that my future performances might disappoint any listeners.

Music At Mary's By Lee Budar-Danoff Somewhere in Maryland Mary has been hosting pot luck jams at her home. Everyone brings some food and their instruments and music, and then they all see what they can do! Mary provides name tags and beverages.

Another Approach By Lee Budar-Danoff Do you feel shy about playing the guitar? At a recent guitarists' night out at a local music store, you could count the number of females on one hand, and that included a mom and a clerk. I started thinking - do girls take a different approach to playing guitar? Does it hold us back from going for it? I decided to survey some girls to find out their approach to playing guitar.

Looking and Listening By Lee Budar-Danoff When selecting a guitar, the most obvious advice will be to select one with the sound you like best. But on walking into the mega guitar store, you are confronted with hundreds of guitars, and sound is not the thing that makes you take one off the rack to try. You are not a shallow person for selecting something based on looks, although hopefully it will not limit your final choice of guitar.

How Young is too Young to Play By Laura Lasley Laura's latest article discusses children and musical instruments. How young can one start? What things should be taken into consideration? There's some wonderful tips and advice here.

Acoustic Vs. Electric By Laura Lasley Laura examines the finer details of the acoustic vs. electric debate through her own experience with these two guitar types and shows how they are indeed two totally different takes on the same idea.

What Key is it In? - Jamming at The Studio By Laura Lasley You may not know it, but if you live in or around New York, there's no excuse for you to not meet and jam with other musicians. Take a tour along with the Lasleys of this terrific place!

Performance Anxiety By Laura Lasley There are all sorts of reasons to not join in on the fun of playing with others. Hopefully, though, you'll find that you can work your way through most of them! Here are some thoughts from our resident doctor, mom and guitarist that might help you overcome some of the anxieties that may cause you to miss out on some great times.

Making Music - part three - Playing Well With Others (and other rules Mom gave you to live by) By Laura Lasley Sharing music is what Guitar Noise is all about and what better way to do so than to help give a little encouragement to someone? Here is a cool story and some advice from Laura Lasley, writer for Guitar Noise's The Other Side.

A Giant Guitarist To Note - A Brief Profile of Memphis Minnie By Colette Dumont There have been important women guitarists around for about as long as there have been guitars. Colette Dumont gives us a profile of Memphis Minnie, one of the first of the guitar greats at the turn of the century.

Guitar Goddesses By David Wagle Women play guitar and play it well. If you're not familiar with any great women guitar players, Guitar Goddesses, if you will, then let David Wagle get you acquainted with four exceptionally talented ones right now!

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