Slide guitar: A tutorial in six videos
If you haven’t ever tried to play slide guitar, all you need is a metal or glass slide, some patience, and to apply a few basic tips, as presented in these six videos. Read the post.
music history
John Gustafson: the second most important bassist to come out of Liverpool
In a career that spans decades and features collaborations with an array of influential artists, John Gustafson is a name you might not know, even though he recorded on over 100 albums, including his solo album, Goose Grease, in 1976. Read the post.
Riot Grrrl and the true spirit of rock n’ roll
Great rock music is a combination of explosive energy and an explosive message, which makes the Riot Grrrl movement one of music’s more potent pills. Read the post.
Get to know a drummer: Jaki Liebezeit
While his name may be missing from “top” lists around the web, Jaki Liebezeit forged a legacy with Can and numerous other artists on his way to being one of the greatest drummers you’ve never heard of. Read the post.
Women in rock — three luminaries who made their mark
Among the great writers, performers, and trailblazers in rock music, women who have advanced the cause hold a special place. We look at three women in rock whose music still resonates as they continue to influence modern music artists. Read the post.
Berry, Domino & Little Richard: Three rock ‘n roll pioneers
The music these three rock ‘n roll pioneers created changed music — and helped shape the culture of the US and the world. Read More.
Three guitarists you may have overlooked (and why you should check them out)
There’s nothing wrong with big, noisy rock, but here’s a perspective from three guitarists who use their instruments to create a vibe rather than flex their muscular musical chops every chance they get. Read More.
The birth of the humbucking pickup
Excerpted from Chapter 3, “From the Flying V to the Jazzmaster” from the new book, Electric Guitars: Design and Invention (Backbeat Books), this post gives a brief history of the invention of the humbucking pickup. Read More.
Why Bob Dylan is important to songwriters
Love him or hate him, there’s a lot about Dylan’s career arc that is important and inspirational for songwriters, from his transforming song form to the fact that he’s kept writing almost non-stop for six decades. Read More.
Tom Petty saved rock n’ roll from the ’80s
Tom Petty record sales have increased over 6,000 percent since his death. Let’s hope people revisit the values embedded within: authenticity, independence, rebellion, skepticism, and love. Read More.
The early days of the Fender Precision bass
Excerpted from The Bass Book, here’s a brief history of the Fender Precision bass – an instrument that revolutionized modern rock ‘n roll. Read More.
Eric Clapton and the Gibson 335 guitar
Excerpted from The Gibson 335 Guitar Book, take a glimpse into Eric Clapton’s heralded Gibson 335 hollowbody that was first featured with Cream and went on to garner $847,000 at auction in 2004. Read More.
Guitar icons and the Gibson Flying V guitar
So many iconic guitarists have made their mark on music history using a Flying V, and a host of others who have made significant use of the guitar, either on record or live. Untold numbers have dabbled with this legendary guitar model, and there are a host of non-Gibson Flying V users who deserve inclusion in the list. Read more.
Part 2: The evolution of guitar effects pedals – today’s market
Each of the basic effects pedals we covered in Part 1 is still made today, by a variety of manufacturers. That’s one of the things that makes the pedal world so fascinating. New takes on classic effects come out continuously, each offering some sort of variation or wrinkle that can help you further refine your own special sound. Read more.
Guitar effects pedals and the evolution of music – Part 1
In part one, we rewind some of the history of these interesting devices, including links to product pages and demos of effects pedals in action. In part two, we identify some of the current stomp boxes and multi effects units that can help you create signature sounds. Read more.