I recently picked up a new M1 MacBook Air, and the first thing I did when I booted up the laptop for the first time was install my essential music and guitar apps. The apps run the gamut from transcribing software, to streaming services, media players and more.
Most of these apps are for Mac, and some can be installed on Windows as well. These apps have served me well for many years, and would make any musician’s life better.
If last week’s issue was a “short one” at right around 700 or so words…this week’s issue is going to make up for that. I have tons of lessons, new gear, and so much more guitar related stuff to share with you this week! I’m glad to say I’m feeling a lot better than I was feeling last week, and that really pushed me to make a mega-issue of the newsletter.
Going to be a shorter newsletter than usual this weekend. Have been feeling pretty rough this week, but I still wanted to share some of the guitar links that I found to be helpful or interesting. I’m sure I missed some videos, posts or lessons, and if I did, please hit me up on Twitter and let me know what you found!
I’ve spent a lot of time lately going back to blues playing - and not only lead stuff, but really working on new chord shapes I might have missed, or at least never learned the name of. Chords like 13’s and 9’s, and really pushing myself to understand the theory behind each chord, what substitutions work, and how my lead playing can improve my knowing all these important target notes (like the 3rd and 7th).
Steve Vai is launching a Patreon which will feature his Alien Guitar Secrets livestreams, gear giveaways, and more exclusives.
This week’s issue is filled with great lessons - we have everything from where to get started with hybrid picking, to a eye-opening tone tips video from Joe Bonamassa, and much more. I also have a few links to brand new music you can check out - new Liquid Tension Experiment, John Mayer, and announcements from other guitarists too. There’s also a little bit of gear news, with Norm at Norman’s Rare Guitars possibly finding one of the first ever Telecasters ever made. Let’s jump right in!
This is one of my favorite videos that Paul Davids has ever put out. And that's saying a lot, because if you're a reader of Six String Sunday, you'll know I've linked to Paul's slickly produced videos a bunch in the past. In his recent video, Paul guides us through playing open cowboy chords, to being an acoustic guitar pro.
I love how each little step that Paul provides gives us things to work and build on. Whether that be arpeggiating lines, using percussive elements, hammer-ons and so much more. If you play acoustic guitar, no matter what level you are, you should check this out.
