Category: Shredding

DUDE CD, Days 1 & 2

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Be A Part Of Mike's New CD!

Day one started with a trip to the Dr.  due to a pinched sciatic nerve…now I am on steroids…works for athletes we’ll see how it gets me through the CD’s completion…lol I was up until 3:30 AM working on the music so I guess I am PUMPED up! Only problem is I was up at 7:30 AM to hit the pavement.

Campaign Update:

No sooner then the campaign was released the first backer purchased the Guitar/Craftbeer Aficionado package(Includes the CD, VIP invite to CD Release Party(Nov 4, 2017) and a commemorative beer mug($1 off fills at Oceanside Ale Works for life of mug) Thanks to Risa Lin for being the first contributor and sparing me any time of looking at a $0 goose egg!! We have never met but she is part of the Slayen clan who settled in Canada probably over 100 years ago before my grandfather moved to California. Thank you Risa!!!! Of course mom and Aunt Diane were right there at the beginning too!

Special thanks to our first sponsor, as well!! Eric Schweinfurter of Apex Contracting & Restoration, came in early on day 2. The tax-deductible sponsorship package offers: your image in the DUDE label which will be prominently featured on the back of the CD, among other perks including VIP and early entrance to the CD Release Party. Just like the name says Apex can help you with all your contracting AND restoration needs!!!

And of course many of the awesome items we are offering contributors would not be possible without the agernous support of Mark Purciel and Oceanside Ale Works. If you haven’t been make sure you go, if not before, then definitely  on Nov 4 for the CD release party!

Cheers,

Mike

Paco De Lucia, RIP Maestro

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Fell asleep on the couch last night. Woke up to head up to bed but checked my iPad first and saw the extremely sad news. One of the guitar world’s heroes has passed away.

Paco De Lucia IS an amazing legendary guitarist. A flamenco guitarist who crossed many boundaries which furthered the genre’s cause. He played with Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin in THE Guitar Trio, marking his crossover into the jazz/fusion world. His long hair and rock look, coupled with his amazing guitar chops, piqued the interest of the heavy metal and rocker guitarists. And his association with greats like Los Romeros gave him notice in the classical realm.

I was lucky enough to see him in the 90s in San Diego. We had front row seats(directly in front of the Romeros) and will never forget that show!

RIP the guitar world has lost a giant…

(Paco is not the one pictured in the video capture below, he is on the left of your screen)

Here’s to a Musical 2014!

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Been a great year on many fronts. Day to day it was great, life and work, enjoyable and getting better, although, overall it was a weird year and I can’t really say I am sorry to see 2013 in the rearview mirror.

Blogging was waaaay in the backseat this year, for many reasons. To ALL my fans and followers(mom) I greatly apologize.

Still there were a few interesting trends at 12 Notes & the Truth!

-The little Michael Schenker post I wrote a couple of years ago continues to get hits all the time. Personally I am glad to know there is so much interest in one of my all time favorite guitarists!

-Folks are interested in 12×12 Sudoku, lots of continued hits there, as well

-Malaysia found its way to 12 Notes ALOT. In fact more than any other non-English speaking country. And I know my mom was not in Malaysia this year. Welcome and hope you keep visiting!

-Allegedly Google’s privacy policy has blocked  the ever valuable resource of knowing the ‘search terms’ that led visitors to websites. I am SURE they didn’t mine your information any more either…right?!

-One thing that has not changed is my lifetime love of music. Creating, performing, listening, studying and discussing the effect these 12 Notes have on our lives!

Soon this blog may split between another website http://www.guitarguys.com keep an eye out for it as the year develops and I am sure I will let ya know, as well!

Well that’s it short and sweet…

I am looking forward to many great projects and wish you all a prosperous and healthy New Year 2014!

I always teach my kids/students, major, sounds happy and, minor, sounds sad…with that in mind…

Keep life on the Major Sonority side of the street!

Peace,

Mike

Better Than Coffee, Joe Satriani, “Surfing With the Alien”

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Click here for previous Better Than Coffee posts.

imagesI think most of you who read this blog would agree music is the best ‘drug’ of all time…including our beloved morning coffee.

This series has been and will continue to be a public service for those of you trying to cut your caffeine intake, by enjoying some fast/energetic music…. ;)

…Or for those of you looking to enhance that morning cup.

“Surfing With the Alien,” was Joe Satriani’s introduction to the mainstream in the late 1980’s. The title track from album same name started a revolution of guitar based rock/metal instrumentals.

This one always gets the blood flowing.

Happy Friday, Enjoy!

Happy 4th of July, 2013

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Happy 4th of July everyone! Hope you have a fun and safe holiday while celebrating the  anniversary of our Nation’s Independence!

Just wanted to post two quick versions of the Star Spangled Banner guitar style.

I recently saw Yngwie Malmsteen in San Diego and he performed a tribute to the military with a rendition of the National Anthem( bottom video)

The top video is Yngwie performing the SSB at a Miami Marlins baseball game. I could lament how I think the Anthem should be played traditionally when played for events but c’mon lets face it no one really watches Marlins baseball anyway. Musically he does a remarkable job incorporating all his guitar fireworks into the structure of the song.

Enjoy your freedoms like they mean something to you! Happy 4th!

Girl Guitar Power, Eruptions, Cover

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TinaOne of the coolest things I’ve noticed over the years, of teaching, is the amount of girls taking lessons. Guitar has been predominantly a male oriented instrument …but, for no good reason really.

Here is the Internet’s newest sensation, 14-year-old, Tina with an amazing cover rendition of Van Halen’s classic guitar solo, “Eruptions.”

Good luck to Tina in her musical endeavors!!!!!