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TheGuitarGuy

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

It is hard to believe we have come this far over these past few months. You guys reading along have shown me support and have reached out to me to ask questions and that means a lot to me. I made this blog not only for my Social Media Marketing Class, but also for me to vent to you guys about something that I am passionate about. I believe that it was it all comes down to is finding a hobby you really enjoy, and purposefully trying to make a lifestyle out of it. Everyone has hopes and dreams, and I don’t want to be that guy who doesn’t give it his all and misses an opportunity to pursue his dreams.

Today, I would just like to talk about some of my most favorite songs to play on the guitar. With that being said, my favorite song to play is Vultures by John Mayer. The song is so catchy and bluesy; I could listen to it on repeat all day. His Continuum Album version is catchy, but the Live in LA version is so much better. It is complete funk and John uses intricate soloing techniques that includes percussion and picking. The 2ndsolo took me forever to learn, and I still haven’t perfected it, but wow does it sound amazing on my Fender Strat. I usually throw on a backing track with bass and drums, and play guitar over both with my amp. The song speaks volume to me because of the lyrics and notes that produce a lovely melodic sound. The end of the song includes a solo of just john playing and no one else and that is what I am currently learning to play.

Another favorite song of mine to play is The Man Who Sold the World by Nirvana during their Unplugged performance. Kurt, Dave, Krist, and Pat play an amazing rendition of a David Bowie song with acoustics. Nirvana is able to incorporate a sense of grunge during this song because of some distortion that Kurt uses on his acoustic guitar. He plays lead, while Pat plays rhythm and together, they kill the song. I love playing Nirvana songs such as Drain You, Lithium, and On a Plain because they are all tuned differently. I have been able to learn different tuning styles that either lower or higher the key that the song is played in. Nirvana has a lot of songs played in a Drop D tuning which means you tune the guitar down a whole step. They also drop each string down a half step as well in some of their songs and you can hear it particularly in the Unplugged performance. I use to use a tuner on my iPhone to change my guitar, but I’ve done it so much now, I can listen to each note until I hear that it is right on key.

I have appreciated those who have stuck with me throughout the 10 weeks of posting, and I hope that one day, I’ll be able to come back to these posts and continue writing more. Until then, this is Vince Guadagno signing off as TheGuitarGuy.

Thank you.          

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TheGuitarGuy

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome back to the blog! Last week, I rambled on about what the guitar means to me in my life and how I am working on a daily basis to refine my skills. I’m not going to lie, sometimes, I feel as though I have plateaued in my skillset and I won’t be able to progress to play like Stevie Ray Vaughan. The only thing that keeps me motivated is my dream of playing guitar on a stage. It also takes 10,000 hours to master something and I can probably account for a little over 200 hours! I still have a long way to go, but I am fortunate to have found this passion of mine and I do not mind creating a lifestyle out of it.

I talked about bands in my last blog post and I would like to reiterate what I said just because it means so much to me! If anyone is out there and wants to create some music, direct message me and let me know what you play. I can play the acoustic, electric, and bass guitar. I also play a little saxophone and drums as well, but my main forte is the guitar. I want to be able to play in a live band and it really only takes a drummer, a bass player, and a guitar player. I feel as though any other instrument is just a bonus, depending on what kind of music you’re playing. I have personally asked multiple people through social media and in person about playing, but it is tough with everyone’s schedule. I play lacrosse, work, and go to school almost every day. Anytime I get the chance to play, I do. I feel as though once I am done with college and are just focused on working, I will be able to exponentially improve at the guitar.

One thing that I need to get better at is simply picking the guitar. I usually finger pick rather than using an actual guitar pick because I find it way easier to grab each string and play a more melodic note. I am fairly good at it, but I cannot shred like Steve Vai, John Mayer, and BB King without using a guitar pick. Chords, riffs, and scales sound much more sharp with a pick and that is what I will need to get used to. There are certain picking patterns that I need to work on. I can start slow and work up my speed to be able to solo like a guitar god!

Listen….I am an amateur! I have considered taking lessons, but I would only do so if it was a one on one experience. I am still educating myself on equipment and modifications that I can use to produce music such as pedals. I am curious to know everything about the instrument which is why I decided to start this blog! If anyone has any advice or questions, feel free to comment below or direct message me! Thanks everyone, and ill see you next week.  

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TheGuitarGuy

Welcome back to week 8 of The Guitar Guy! If you’re just tuning in, greetings from the Blog! We have covered material such as albums, songs, tunings, and history involving the guitar! From Nirvana to Gretta Van Fleet, we’ve dissected the sounds and distortions used to create their songs and genres like Rock and Roll. We have dived pretty deep into what makes someone a guitar player and I hope you guys are ready for more!

I have been playing an ENORMOUS amount recently and to this day, it still is the one thing I can use to get away from the world. I get so focused on the sound of music, that I blank on everything else. If I can’t play the song or riff, I won’t stop till I get it right. There is a Euphoric feeling and a sense of gratitude when I finally land the tune. I envision myself playing the song in front of a crowd with a band beside me; that’s the vision. I can see me wearing a nice blazer with my Fender Strat in my hands. Right now, I am trying to figure out what music I want to go after such as grunge rock or jazzy blues. I know I should be patient and let the riffs come to me, but that is all it takes. I also try to put myself in the artist’s shoes and wonder, how did they come up with the lyrics they do? Why this tune and why these lyrics? I have taken a stab at writing lyrics, but they seem to forced. I need to think of my life and put it on paper. My thoughts, feelings, and emotions along with life experience can help generate lyrics to a song. Songs not only speak to people through the beat, but through words as well. The story of songs become relatable to whoever is listening and builds a connection which is another reason why people enjoy a certain genre or artist. I feel heavily connected to John Mayer’s music through his guitar skills, and choice of words for certain songs. I am able to relate my life and it makes me feel better about myself. There is a universal feeling that every human takes in when listening to music and I find that very powerful.

I plan on doing more with music, but it is definitely hard to surround yourself with people of the same energy. I have a few friends who are interested and we just need the time to come together and play which can be difficult. I don’t think I will stop until my vision becomes a reality. The guitar is something that I am very passionate about, so it makes sense to take action if no one else will. I was always told that patience is a virtue and if now is not the time, then wait it out and keep practicing the craft. A cover band sounds fun, but eventually, I want to have my own band with my own music. What do you guys want out of life?      

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TheGuitarGuy

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

I hope everyone is having a fantastic week so far! For today’s topic, we are going to cover the brand Fender. Majority of guitar players are familiar with the company, but I am here to educate you on how they became so popular. Let’s jump right into it!

Leo Fender founded the brand in 1946 in Fullerton, California. Since then, Fender has become an American manufacturer that specializes in electric guitars and bass guitars. They are well-known for their Stratocaster, Telecaster, Precision Bass, and Jazz Bass. You have more than likely seen a famous musician use one of these guitars. I’m talking about legends like John Mayer, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and David Gilmour. These masters of guitar have crafted their own series of Fender Guitars such as Mayer’s PRS Silver Sky and David Gilmour’s “Black Strat”. If you’ve seen any of these musicians play, you would understand that the guitar is what stands out and makes their performance iconic. Eddie Van Halen is known for playing Eruption on his red, black, and white striped Fender. You can check out all these guitars on my Tumblr page if you are interested in their appearance.

I own a Fender Stratocaster myself and I am obsessed with it; especially since it was designed specifically for my left hand. The sleek sunburst design reminds me of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Fender and really puts me in my element whenever I play it. From the neck, down to the base of the guitar feels secure and smooth. The pickups are tremendous and you can really hear the bite on each note. My Fender is a standard Strat that cost me $450.00, but they range from that up to about $25,000.00. It really just depends on how old and authentic it is.

Another great guitar that Fender makes is the Telecaster. I was hesitant on purchasing my Strat because I also wanted the Tele. This guitar is so versatile, that it is played in almost every genre of music! John 5 uses a Tele for his Rock Music and so does Brad Paisley for his Country Music. Some of the basic Telecaster features include a maple neck, maple fretboard, 2 single-coil pickups, and 22 frets. These guitars also range in price level due to its age and authenticity. I hope that one day, I will be able to afford another fancy Fender guitar like the Telecaster.

I own an Ibanez bass guitar, but have never played or even seen the bass guitars that Fender makes. The fundamental difference between the Precision Bass and the Jazz Bass is mainly structure over sound. The body shape of the Precision Bass looks more like a Strat vs. an offset looking shape on the Jazz Bass. The neck width is more wide and consistent vs. a Jazz Bass that is thin taper. The pickups on a Precision Bass are split-coiled rather than single coiled. I am no bass expert, but I would prefer the Jazz Bass over the Precision Bass because I like thin necks.          

Overall, Fender has definitely come a long way through history and has helped craft music into what it is today. Thank you guys for tuning in and make sure to come back next week!

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TheGuitarGuy

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome back to the sixth blog of the semester! Time has flown by since midterms and it is actually starting to feel like Fall outside. I don’t mind spending my time inside while it is cold as long as there is heat, food, and my guitar. It is important to keep guitars at a certain temperature, so the strings don’t tighten up. When winter hits, I will be placing all of my guitars inside their designated cases rather than leave them hanging on the wall. This will ensure safety for both my SG and Strat. Today, I will simply be discussing a couple of my favorite guitar themed movies such as Crossroadsmade in 1986 and The Dirt released in 2019. Watching these movies always encourages me up to pick up the guitar and play for hours. Let’s discuss the movies.

Crossroads is an older film that entails a young boy named Eugene, who is quite talented on the guitar, and loves blues music. The lighting boy is played by Ralph Macchio, who is known for his role in The Karate Kid, and he attends Julliard to study classical guitar. During the movie, he tracks down an old Blues player named Willie Brown and encounters a girl named Frances. Together, they head down South where the old man once made a deal with the devil. I won’t spoil the whole movie if you have not seen it, but basically, the three characters’ find themselves on many adventures which eventually leads to the climax of the movie where Eugene faces Jack Butler, played by Steve Vai, in a guitar battle. Steve Vai is a guitar legend and is known for his articulate soloing. It was said that Steve actually played his guitar during the making of the movie and during the solo. I will post the epic guitar battle on my Tumblr page, don’t worry. Playing this solo takes skill and I have yet to learn the whole thing. Eventually I will, just because it sounds so cool; I could listen to it on repeat.

The next movie is based on the real Rock band, Mötley Crüe. The Dirt was filmed earlier this year and includes actors such as Pete Davidson, Machine Gun Kelly, and Douglas Booth. The movie shows us the birth of the gnarly band and how they rose to stardom. If you are not familiar with Mötley Crüe, this movie is a great place to start. The group was founded by bassist Nikki Sixx, lead guitarist Mick Mars, drummer Tommy Lee, and lead singer Vince Neil. Together, they sold 100 million albums worldwide and created hits such as Kickstart My Heart, Home Sweet Home, and Girls, Girls, Girls. The band was known for their chaotic performances where they smashed instruments, crowd surfed, and fought anyone who said no to them. I could go into more detail, but I don’t want to ruin the experience for you. I like the movie, but more importantly, I love the band. I find it fascinating how no one saw their fame coming and then all the sudden, they became the next big thing. I guess it really is just being at the right place at the right time with the right people. I hope you guys are enjoying these little reads along with the videos I put up. If you haven’t already, follow my account for some weekly posts. Thank you!             

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TheGuitarGuy

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome back to another great blog post! As you know, last week we covered some excellent rock bands and their style of music. Today, we are going to discuss Blues, Jazz, and Folk music! I’m talking about pentatonic scales on the electric guitar like B.B. King plays in The Thrill Is Gone. Well, I am in a good mood and I hope you are too! Let me begin by asking you one question….Do ya like Jazz?

It seems as though jazz/Blues music has fallen off in today’s music charts. Every once in a while, there is a feature with a blues legend like Stevie Ray Vaughan or saxophone jazz player Kenny G, but for the most part, the genre stays hidden beneath the rap and pop music. I enjoy it probably because I grew up listening to it with my parents and grandparents. I admire the simplicity of a couple chords being played along with a pentatonic scale to produce a rhythmic tune. A pentatonic scale contains 5 tones, hence the name, pentatonic. Those 2 things alone, the chords and the scale, are the main variables in the formula to create Jazz music. For Example, playing a G minor pentatonic over a G Major chord or playing a C Major pentatonic over a C Major chord will sound jazzy. You are able to move up and down the fret board depending on what scale you approach. Here, is an example of a G Major Pentatonic Scale.

I enjoy listening to all sorts of jazz and blue music, but my favorites consist of B.B. King, John Mayer Trio, and Christone Ingram also known as Kingfish. Some other nominees include Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. If you have not heard any of these people preform, I suggest you do. I will drop a couple videos down below for you to be enlightened. B.B. King is a legendary blues player from Mississippi who basically created the blues genre. He started recording in the 1940s and released over 50 albums throughout his career, many of them classics. Songs like Sweet Little Angeland Every day I Have the Blueshelped pave the way for guys like Stevie Ray and John Mayer. John Mayer Trio consists of bassist Pino Palladino, drummer Steve Jordan, and guitarist John Mayer who play extraordinary live concerts such as Where the Light Is: Live in Los Angelesand John’s nationwide tours. Using his iconic Fender Strat, the group created singles such as Who Did You Think I Was, Come When I Call, andOut Of My Mind. They also covered songs like Wait Until Tomorrow by Hendrix. I listen to their Try! album, which consists of mostly live music, every day in my car. I strive to have a group similar to that trio when I am older. Last, but not least, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. The young protégé absolutely slaughters the electric guitar and has been gaining a lot of attention. He did his first big shoot with Fender, promoting the “Vintera Series” and covered, I Put A Spell On Youby Annie Lennox. I’ll drop that video down below for those of you who want to be entertained.

Some people consider Blues the devil’s music like in the movie Crossroads, but we will address that on next week’s blog post! Until next time, keep learning to play the guitar and try to implement a couple Jazz techniques. Barry Benson would be happy!  

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TheGuitarGuy

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome back to the blog! I hope everyone tuning in today (no pun intended) is ready to soak up some knowledge about the history of Rock and Roll. By history, I just mean a couple of my favorite true, oldie bands and how they rose to fame.

Let’s start with Led Zeppelin! The English band, formed in 1968, includes Robert Plant (vocalist), Jimmy Page (guitarist), John Bonham (drummer), and John Paul Jones (bassist/keyboardist). Their style drew from blues, psychedelia, and folk music which was unethical at the time due to social norms. Once they signed with Atlantic Records, their careers took off with 8 studio albums including songs like Stairway to Heaven, Kashmir, Whole Lotta Love, and Immigrant Song. Unfortunately, the band came to a close in 1980 because of John Bonham’s death from alcoholism. After his death, Led Zeppelin participated in reunions as their platinum records were still producing numbers and scaling the billboard chart. In 1995, the band was inducted into the United States Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the 3 remaining members are still alive today. Robert’s vocals and Jimmy’s guitar skills will forever be iconic and inspiring to the younger generations; myself included. I remember one of the first songs I learned on the guitar was Stairway to Heaven. The mysterious intro with the lead guitar and flute playing is transcending. Once I was able to play that one song, I was hooked on guitar!

The next band I would like to address is Nirvana. Everyone has heard the name one way or another whether it’s the band members or their well-known songs like Come As You Are,Smells Like Teen Spirit, and All Apologies. The band included lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain, bassists Krist Novoselic, and their most well-known drummer Dave Grohl. I say that because Nirvana started in 1987, but went through a mixture of drummers until 1990. The band found unexpected success after their second album, Nevermind. After signing with DGC Records, Nirvana popularized the grunge scene and alternative rock for generation X. Their performances were untraditional and sloppy, including mosh pits and chaos, but that was the trend during the early 1990’s. Their most iconic performance was during the MTV Unplugged in New York series that ended up winning them a Grammy in 1996. The band explains during an interview how unprepared they were for an acoustic concert. They had barely rehearsed and became less confident during their sound check. I find it hysterical how that ended up being one of their most viewed performances. Kurt Cobain was never able to accept his reward since the singer committed suicide in 1994. Although it was too much for Kurt to handle, the band left a significant legacy as being one of the best-selling bands of all time.

Nirvana taught me to not care about the traditional style of play and a dirtier style can actually be seen as more attractive. I was also inspired by Kurt, who was a left-handed guitar player and despite his tragedy, I am able to still learn from him as I continue to play the guitar.    

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TheGuitarGuy

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to my 3rd blog post! I hope you guys are thirsty for some knowledge on today’s topic. Last week, we covered a small portion on the acoustic guitar and how the instrument is played using different techniques. Today, we will cover the same material, but with ELECTRIC GUITARS! I’m really excited about this topic, so you will probably notice me rambling on about certain things, but it’s just because I’m so passionate about it! I feel like I could talk about the electric guitar for hours, but I will make it short and sweet. Sound good? Alright, let’s get started!

The electric guitar has shaped music into what it is today. Rock and Roll, Country, Pop, and even Rap include sounds made from all sorts of electric guitars. With today’s technology, you can plug your guitar into a computer, amp, or pedal to create any tune or beat you want. The possibilities are endless! My personal setup is a Fender Stratocaster with a Line 6 Spider 4 amplifier. I also have an MXR classic distortion pedal that helps change the sound of my guitar when playing songs that change tones. An example would be playingLithiumby Nirvana from the introduction to the main chorus. The sound of the guitar changes throughout the song and a distortion pedal is what makes that possible. The amp that I mess around on comes with stock sound effects such as reverb, tap echo, phaser, and tremolo. With these effects and my pedal, I can either play blues music or heavy metal. The gain, drive, and pickup are also important on an electric guitar to figure out the kind of sound you want. It can be overwhelming with all the gadgets the instrument has to offer, but it is mainly trial and error to figure out what works best for you.

Some of my favorite electric guitarists include John Mayer, Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen and, Jimi Hendrix. They have all crafted a certain style over their professional career that has put them in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Whether it is John soloing over a blues chordor Jimmy Page tuning his guitar down to DADGAD to preform Kashmir, they have both mastered the art of the electric guitar and have found what works best for them. The cool thing about the electric guitar is tapping. Tapping is when you hit the string with only your finger in a fret. Tapping sections in songs are usually more fast paced. A lot of rock bands like Van Halen have tapping sections in their songs. I will post a link above of Eddie Van Halen shredding the guitar on Eruption. Another legend is Jimi Hendrix who is known for his iconic performance during Woodstock. He played The Star Spangled Banneron the guitar which melted everyone’s heads off with his grungy style of play. He inspired me as a lefty to pick up the guitar and find a way to play because he learned the guitar upside down on a right-handed guitar. I decided to take the right-handed guitar I had and string it lefty because I couldn’t afford a new guitar. This just comes to show that if you are passionate about something, you’ll find a way to do it. Get inspired and pursue those dreams of yours!