guitar theory Archives

Nitro vs. Poly – Which Guitar Finish Is Best?
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Nitro vs. Poly – Which Guitar Finish Is Best?

Guitars, Theory

Nitro vs. Poly – Which Guitar Finish Is Best?

Last update 26/8/2023 Close your eyes and picture your dream guitar. Perhaps you are thinking about a bright, shiny Fender Stratocaster, its solid color gleaming under bright stage lights? Or maybe a vintage Les Paul with stories to tell. In addition, its nitro finish has 'checked' and is worn unevenly from decades of passionate play. Table of contentsGuitar finishesNitrocellulose vs NitrocelluloseWhat is a guitar finish?What is the purpose of guitar finishes?Humidity and guitarsHumidity controlled roomsGuitar finishes help protect the guitar.Types of guitar finishesNitrocellulose guitar finishesHistory of NitrocelluloseFender and NitroGibson and NitroNitro featuresNitro finish checkingNitro examplesRelicing guitarsIconic guitars and players with [...]

Peter2023-08-26T11:34:09+10:00March 25th, 2022|

Guitar Triads and Spread Triads | a Caged System Alternative
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Guitar Triads and Spread Triads | a Caged System Alternative

Guitars, Learn Guitar

Guitar Triads and Spread Triads | a Caged System Alternative

Last update 30/8/2023 This video tutorial will show you how to use triads instead of the caged system to further your playing skills. Table of contentsPart one - Triads vs. caged systemWhat is the CAGED system?What Are Triads?Major and minor chordsWhy is the CAGED system limited?Why is learning triads useful?Inverted ChordsUseful DiagramsHow about 7th chords and other extensions?How do you practice guitar triads?1-minute changesSoloing over one chordFinal thoughtsWhat are Spread Triads?What are the advantages of using spread Triads?Significant advantages of using spread triadsThis method offers many sonic possibilities when improvising.You can visualize intervals easily.Useful DiagramsHow to practice Spread Triads on [...]

Altin Gjoni2023-08-30T16:37:37+10:00December 9th, 2021|

It’s Incredible How Musical Instruments Help Your Brain
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It’s Incredible How Musical Instruments Help Your Brain

Guitars

It’s Incredible How Musical Instruments Help Your Brain

Last update 26/8/2023 Studies indicate that the popular activity of learning to play a musical instrument will decrease the age-related decline in hearing for adults. We are going to discuss why playing musical instruments helps your brain. Companies that are offering brain training are doing an enormous business. Companies such as Lumosity, BrainHQ, and Cogmed are parts of a business making millions. Those businesses are growing and are expected to exceed $3 billion by 2020. However, do their programs for brain training benefit your brain? Some researchers do not believe that they do. The University of Illinois has decided that [...]

Peter2023-08-26T11:05:16+10:00November 22nd, 2021|

A Glossary of Gibson Les Paul Guitar Terms

Last update 24/9/2023 Some of the glossaries of terms for the Gibson Les Paul electric guitar described here are also valid for many other electric guitars and acoustics. That is to say, many of these terms are worth remembering; alternatively, bookmark this page for future reference. Table of contents 60's neck The flatter, thinner neck profile was adopted on Les Pauls and most SG Electric guitar models in the 1960s. Conversely, the slim-taper neck is another name for it. Pickup 490R A neck (or R for rhythm) pickup from Gibson's Modern pickup range uses Alnico 2 magnets to deliver a [...]

Peter2023-09-24T17:55:54+10:00August 21st, 2021|

Distortion Effects Explained
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Distortion Effects Explained

Electric, Guitars

Distortion Effects Explained

Last update 20/9/2023 Distortion, in context to the electric guitar. A specific type of tone is often described as "gritty," growling, or ballsy. It's usually achieved by high-gain settings on an amp. The opposite of distortion is, referred to as a "clean" or low gain tone. Table of contentsDistortion pedals - What's the difference between overdrive, distortion, and fuzz?Classic DistortionOverdriveFuzzOk, So What Is "Boost" Then?What Distortion Devices Do to a Guitar SignalSoft, Hard, and Extreme ClippingIn Conclusion Distortion pedals are designed to allow the player to dial in the type of distortion desired. For most players, the level of distortion [...]

David Slavlovic2023-09-20T14:47:30+10:00May 2nd, 2021|

Best Guitar for Small Hands – What You Must Know
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Best Guitar for Small Hands – What You Must Know

Guitars, Theory

Best Guitar for Small Hands – What You Must Know

Last update 13/9/2023 "My hands just aren't as big as they should be…Can I still learn to play guitar?" Looking for the best guitar for small hands | Age DOES MatterCompensationShort Scale GuitarsSuitable guitars for small handsBest Bass Guitar for Small HandsConclusion The question above is common for people considering taking the plunge and trying to learn how to play guitar. It's understandable why some may think that! Also, seasoned players may struggle with playing specific chord fingerings, let alone full-out barre chords that may go across the entire neck or solos with superhuman finger stretches to reach that last high [...]

Jerry Mathis2023-09-13T06:51:32+10:00December 28th, 2020|

Pros and Cons of Guitar Multi-Effects Pedals – What You Need to Know
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Pros and Cons of Guitar Multi-Effects Pedals – What You Need to Know

Accessories, Guitars

Pros and Cons of Guitar Multi-Effects Pedals – What You Need to Know

Last update 11/9/2023 Effects pedals are cool - we really don't think that anyone can debate that statement! Since introducing the first effects pedals back in the 1960s, there has been a constant and ever-changing market and demand. Name one type of effect - just one, mind you - and there will be countless versions and models available from many different manufacturers, Table of contentsCostReliabilityEffects QualityAmp ModelingThe 'fun' factorConclusion While having a good number of guitar effects pedals can open up your sonic options, there are some aspects where having multiple effects pedals are not so cool. But what are [...]

Jerry Mathis2023-09-11T08:55:10+10:00October 21st, 2020|

Chord Progressions | an Overview
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Chord Progressions | an Overview

Guitars, Theory

Chord Progressions | an Overview

Last update 9/9/2023 Chords are the backbone of pretty much every song that has ever been written. This is true no matter the genre of music or how complex the piece may be. For example, it's not uncommon to find an old jazz standard that changes chords on almost every beat; simultaneously, 'Tomorrow Never Knows by The Beatles is one single chord all the way through. Table of contentsBasic chords for this scaleChord progression notation translates to any key.Common chord progressionsFamous examples of the I-IV-V chord progressionsThe I-V-vi-IV progressionConclusion Several chords are found in numerous songs; some are much more [...]

Jerry Mathis2023-09-09T14:53:30+10:00September 14th, 2020|

All about Barre Chords – Open Up Your Playing
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All about Barre Chords – Open Up Your Playing

Guitars, Theory

All about Barre Chords – Open Up Your Playing

Last update 8/9/2023 One of the best things that you can do to advance to the next level with your guitar playing is learning how to play barre chords properly. Table of contentsAbout barre chordsWhat is a barre chord, and how are they different from open chords?Barr chords - pretty simple, right?Positioning on the neckFlexibility and movabilityHow to play a barre chordGuitar setupConclusion They are commonly found in almost all styles of music. Furthermore, having a good grasp of playing them (and playing them correctly) will significantly enhance all you can do with the instrument. That being said, barre chords often [...]

Jerry Mathis2023-09-08T09:58:51+10:00July 21st, 2020|

How to Read Guitar Tablature and Get to Playing
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How to Read Guitar Tablature and Get to Playing

Guitars, Theory

How to Read Guitar Tablature and Get to Playing

Last update 24/8/2023 When you're a beginner just starting out to learn how to play the guitar. There may be many things about the whole deal that may seem a bit overwhelming to you. For many players, the idea of learning to read sheet music or guitar tablature can be one of them. Table of contentsGuitar Tablature DefinitionHow to Read Guitar Tablature SymbolsHow Does Guitar Tablature WorkSheet musicPretty easy, right? It is just that simple!How to Read Guitar Tablature ChordsPros and cons of guitar tablaturePro - SimplicityPros - Exact note positionsCons - TimingHistory of Guitar TablatureConclusion And, truthfully, for a [...]

Jerry Mathis2023-08-24T09:18:18+10:00July 14th, 2020|