Category: Hard Rock

Better Than Coffee

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Paul Gilbert playing, “Fuzz Universe.” Monday mornings are better with some shredding guitar!

He is part comedian, but, mostly an amazing guitarist, but, there is no doubt he spent lots of time perfecting his chops. You can hear both attributes in his style.

Here’s to a great week, Enjoy!

Randy Rhoads, 31 Years Gone, Still Influencing Guitarists!

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The Classic Randy Rhoads Poster
The Classic Randy Rhoads Poster

The first concert I ever went to was Ozzy Osbourne, January 4, 1982 at the San Diego Sports Arena. I remember it like it was yesterday. The only bummer about this show was that it was right after Christmas vacation from school. Since I was counting down the days until the show I was in essence counting down my vacation….

But, not only was it an Ozzy show, it was Ozzy with Randy Rhoads. Randy Rhoads the guitar legend who would tragically be killed in an airplane crash just over two months after this show. I can still picture the crushed students at my Junior High School wearing black armbands. That was the cool way to pay tribute to a fallen rock idol in those days. John Bonham and Bon Scott were two others so honored, I recall. I always cherish the fact I was lucky enough to see Randy live and my first concert!!

Randy was the first guitar hero to blend a classical approach with heavy metal. Most guitarists at the time were more blues/rock influenced. With only two studio recordings, “Blizzards of Ozz,” and “Diary of a Madman,” to his credit, Randy has left a huge legacy regardless. His influence still reaches out today 31 years after his death to new generations of guitarists.

RIP RR

“SATO,” is a cool song, maybe not one of Randy’s classics. I picked this video as it does a great job featuring him!

Iron Maiden’s Clive Burr, Tribute, RIP

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Clive BurrSad to hear the news that former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr passed away on March 12. He had been living with Multiple Sclerosis since the mid 90’s.

Wether you get Iron Maiden and their crypt keeper looking mascot Eddie, there is no denying their influence on Heavy Metal music. Clive was a big part of their early success.

Here’s to you Clive, RIP!

The Guitar Gods Smiled Upon Me….

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While I always feel ‘crazy’ lucky to be a guitarist for a living….I had a nice little gift from the Guitar Gods this morning during my workout.

Every morning, I trudge out to get my blood flowing, trusty IPod always in tow, shuffling though 8000 or so songs! I like to shuffle, both for the randomness and the fact that with so much music I get  to hear stuff I would probably never pick or even remember that I own.

Anywho, first up on this sunny morning was Joe Satriani’s “Mystical Potato Head Groove Thing,” a classic to be sure. Followed by, Dokken’s, “Tooth and Nail,” with George Lynch’s extended guitar solo, Jimi Hendrix’ classic, “The Wind Cries Mary,” “Espiritu,” by the De Lucia, McLaughlin, Di Meola trio and capped off with, “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love,” Van Halen’s live version.

Good thing it was a short workout or the next song that may have popped up could have been my daughter’s Little Einsteins and ruined my Guitar Gods Smiling on Me theory.

Peace…have a great one everybody!

Guitar Practicing Tips – Blues Scale in Major

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Mike Slayen Studios Picks 2The blues scale is a great way for beginners to start improvising and an integral scale for all guitarists to have in their musical tool box. It is versatile and a bit forgiving in that it is basically a five note pentatonic scale with the added ‘blues’ note…the #4.

It’s easy to know which key to use the blues scale for a minor key. If you’re in A minor you play A minor blues, E minor-E blues…etc.

What is not so obvious is which major key to use the blues scale. Unless you are playing a straight ahead blues you can’t really use the same theory…G major= G blues, etc.

The answer lies with the ‘relative minor’ key. The relative minor is 3 half steps below the root of the major key. So the relative minor of C major is A minor. G major is E minor.

Once you know which relative minor you can rip away.

Here is a list of  Major keys and their relative minors commonly used in guitar.  A cheat sheet to get you started, but, you will NEED to know these intimately as part of your music theory repertoire!

Major key / Relative minor key(where to use your blues scale)

C/a

D/b

E/c#

F/d

G/e

A/f#

B/g#

Click here for more practice tips.

YNGWIE

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YNGWIE, not just a great Scrabble word, one of the most talented rock/metal guitarists.

Thought I would post this in honor of the guitarists upcoming tour bringing him to the House of Blues in San Diego on May 14.

This clip has everything a self-respecting guitar geek would want. A blistering lead guitarist, playing with his teeth, throwing his guitar and all the while backed by a full symphonic orchestra.

If you’ve never heard Yngwie play watch/listen to the clip. He is a very classic influenced guitarist. Actually more Baroque or Romantic period traits, but, it’s all ‘classical’ music to most folks.

Enjoy!

Music to Relax, Friday Edition, Joe Satriani

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Hope you are all having a great Friday evening! Coming off a vacation I am having a nice relaxing evening at home. Well actually I have been working so far, but, I am relaxed.

Here is a cool-funky-chill song from guitar legend Joe Satriani.

Enjoy and relax, especially all you sports fans gearing up for the Superbowl on Sunday.

For previous ‘Music to Relax’ posts click here.