Tag: technique

Do You Remember the 21st Night of September? EWF

on By

“September,” is truly one of the gems of the 70’s disco era…and who didn’t love Earth, Wind & Fire?

My favorite part…you guessed it…the opening guitar riff. Every time I hear the song I immediately try to picture how he is getting that snappy sound on his guitar. He might just be using the very edge of his pick, like a pick squeal technique without using the fleshy finger. However, it has a peculiar sound like he is actually pinching the string between his thumb and finger and snapping it, almost like you would do with a rubber band. When I play this song that is what I try to do. It is kind of hard to control each note since it is so quick which would mean he is a pretty skilled guitarist.

Here is it “September,” by Earth, Wind & Fire

Guitar Practicing Tips – A Secret to Changing Chords

on By 2 Comments

For you beginners out there learning to play chords you are going to love this!

So you’re struggling making that dreaded change from C to G!(or any tough change). What are your options….practice over & over & over…best option! Practice slow and keep your rhythm…great option. Get frustrated and throw your guitar against the wall…not recommended, condoned or liable if you do try it!!!!

The not so secret is if you keep practicing you WILL get it!

The secret is there is a ‘cheating’ technique, although it is not cheating because guitarists do this all the time. Even arguably the greatest rock song of all time Stairway to Heaven employs this method.

Use a strum that ends in an eighth note, i.e., 1 2+ 3 4+ where the numbers are strummed down and the +(ands) are strummed up.

On the very last strum, the up stroke of beat 4, take your left hand off the neck and strum the open strings. Use this ‘free time’ to get to the next chord on rhythm for beat 1.

So the strum would go 1 2+ 3 4-(open strum), 1 2+ 3 4-(open strum)

Try it out it makes life much easier to change your chords and sounds stylistically correct.

Good luck and keep at it…it WILL come!