Check out my review of the new music theory book Vaideology, by none other than Steve Vai. Steve shares music theory basics and illustrates the entire 90 plus page book, that has his unique voice throughout.
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Enter to win The Advancing Guitarist
I haven't given away any cool guitar books yet in 2019, so I figured I'd give away one of my favorites - The Advancing Guitarist by Mick Goodrick. Here's what I had to say about the book, in a review of the best guitar books for beginner to advanced players.
If you're more of a do-it-yourself kind of learner, you should absolutely check out The Advancing Guitarist by Mick Goodrick.
Not only is Mick funny, but the book is extremely useful for learning theory, efficiency, technique, playing over chords and more. Similar to Creative Guitar by Guthrie Govan, Mick is all about having you put in the work to learn what he's laying out. While you'll spend more time learning this way, it'll pay off, and at the same time teach you a great way of learning.
This is the type of book you'll be coming back to over and over again. One, because you'll be becoming a greater guitar player by learning what Mick's teaching, and you'll also want to share in Mick's genuine passion and happiness for the guitar.
This month you can win this book for free by entering the giveaway below. The winner will be announced in two weeks. Good luck!
What's the first guitar album you fell in love with?
I remember riding on route 76 with my Dad as we were on the way from New Jersey to the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame in Ohio. I was just a teenager then, but taking that trip changed my life.
When we finally arrived to the enormous glass building, I was in awe. I got to see props from Pink Floyd's the Wall tour, countless famous guitars, lots of amazing pieces from their Woodstock exhibit, and so much more.
The most important part of the trip was the CD that my Dad got for me in the RnR HoF store. I had just started to pick up the guitar, and that day he got me a greatest hits disc of Jimi Hendrix.
I listened to that disc over and over on my Discman on the ride home. It had such a profound impact on me, and I would go on to listen to it for years to come.
Hendrix was my first real "guitar" CD. I couldn't believe what he was doing or how he played. It was the same way when a couple of years earlier I had picked up Pearl Jam's Ten on cassette. Mike McCready blew me away, and Pearl Jam would go on to become one of my favorite bands.
Around the same time I was introduced to two other giants of music in the same day by my Uncle. He showed me Images and Words by Dream Theater, and then he put on Stevie Ray Vaughan's Texas Flood.
In both cases I was floored at how Petrucci or SRV could play the way they played. These four albums laid some of the early groundwork for my own playing.
But I know my story! What about you? What was the first guitar album you ever heard? Let me know by reaching out on Twitter or Facebook.
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Photo: John Henderson / Creative Commons
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52 Weeks, 52 Songs - The Guitar Song of the Week Playlist
Each week throughout 2018 I’ve hand picked one great guitar song for you to listen to, and put them on the Guitar Song of the Week playlist. Now all 52 songs are ready for your listening pleasure, with a playlist clocking in at just under 5 hours of great guitar music. Here’s my takes on why I chose each and every song on the list!