Archive by Author
Tips To Choosing Your First Electric Guitar
August 27th, 2009 by Nathan Spencer, under Music. No Comments
Now that you have made a decision of playing the electric guitar, it is high time that you purchased one. Now that you have decided to learn the electric guitar thoroughly and then enjoy playing the same buy one for yourself instead of strumming a few tunes on your brother’s acoustic guitar. Before you purchase your best first guitar, remember that there are various differences between the electric guitar and the acoustic one not just that one of them needs power to play and the other plays without power.
There are various types of guitars available in stores that sell musical equipment. Purchase your best first guitar from online sites like eBay or Amazon, since they provide you with good offers, even for brand new guitars. Choose one electric guitar that best suit your personality, and these guitars come in different colors and designs nowadays. You should also verify the shape and make sure that it is comfortable for you. Your best option would be to opt in for beginner’s guitar.
Observe the reputation of the person you are buying your best first guitar from if you are planning to buy it from online sites like eBay or Amazon. This will ensure that you do not land up with a substandard guitar. The price of the beginner’s guitar is one more valuable point that you should look out for. Purchasing a high priced guitar initially is senseless. Once you have learnt playing the same quite well you can opt in for a better and a costlier model. Going in for a combo pack that includes both the electric guitar and the amplifier is sensible.
Purchased separately they might prove to be costlier. You should also take a look at the guitar stand which helps you by taking the load of the guitar off your shoulders. There are various companies which manufacture such guitars and some of the popular ones are Squier, Epiphone, Yamaha, and Danelectro. Before taking the plunge and purchasing one, take your time and observe the pros and cons of them all. When you are purchasing your first guitar, having an authority beside you helps, so consult your brother.
An Yngwie Malmsteen Biography
August 21st, 2009 by Nathan Spencer, under Music. No Comments
The year 1983 ushered in a new era for guitar enthusiasts of America. It was in this year that the famous guitarist Yngwie J. Malmsteen left his native country, Sweden, and emigrated to USA. This guitarist is famous for inventing a new style of music that is an ear catching fusion of the beauty of both classical music and metal bombast. It is this style of Malmsteen that sets him apart from other guitarists of his genre. The musical scene of America changed with his arrival largely due to the strong European stamp that his music carries.
Born in the city of Stockholm, Sweden, on the 30th of June 1963, Malmsteen was exposed to the charms of classical music from the tender age of five. His mother who used to listen to the compositions of Bach, one of the all time greats of music composing was responsible for this exposure. Having a family that is engrossed in music helps and it was the same case with Malmsteen whose father too played the guitar. His sister played the piano and the flute whereas his brother played the accordion, violin, piano, drums, and the guitar.
Malmsteen, who has a make of guitar dedicated to him, was also influenced by the 19th century violinist, Nicolo Paganini. This turning point of his life made him take over to playing the guitar. The magic spell that Malmsteen casts by his guitar performance leaves lucky viewers of his show spell bound. His solo album, “Yngwie J. Malmsten’s Rising Force” that was also nominated for a Grammy is a must hear for those who are interested in neoclassical rock guitar.
It might be coincidental but the day Malmsteen picked up the guitar for the first time, on the 19th of September 1970, was the same day when one of the world’s legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix expired. Guitarists cannot be made unless they have a special desire within them is Malmsteen’s point of view. He also specifies that the rest of the journey is quite smooth once beginners get past the basics of guitar playing. If you too want to replicate the feats of this great guitarist and want to become famous like him, go in for Yngwie Malmsteen guitars which are considered to be the best guitars for rock. They are the best solo guitar.
Neal Schon – Oklahoma City’s Guitar God
August 19th, 2009 by Nathan Spencer, under Music. No Comments
If you are a music fanatic, especially one that has a craving for guitars, there is no way that you might not have heard of the name Neal Schon. This world renowned Oklahoma guitarist is considered by many to be guitar’s God. Born on the 5th of February, 1954, this American guitarist is famous for his performances with the world famous band Journey. Of all the members of the band Journey, Neal is the only one to have played in all of their recordings. This guitarist who was born in an air force base situated close to Oklahoma City, picked up the guitar at the tender age of 5.
Few people know that his father too was into music and was a jazz saxophonist. Neal was a fast learner and at the young age of 15 he joined Santana. Neal was associated with Azteca prior to forming the group Journey in the year 1973, which he still leads. Those who are familiar with the playing style of this guitarist consider it as soulful. Neal has also cut albums with many other musicians, apart from the fourteen studio albums he has made with the group he founded.
Neal had been requested by another guitar great, Eric Clapton, to join his group, Derek and the Dominos, quite early on in his career. Since he was first called upon by Santana, Neal turned down this offer. Santana was joined by Neil Schon for recording the album Santana III. The first guitar used by Neal was an acoustic Stella and this fact might be interesting for those who are interested in learning electric guitars. Two years later this guitar was replaced for a Gibson ES-335. Neal substituted his stolen Gibson with the 1956 make Les Paul Goldtop reissue and he performed using the same for quite a number of years.
Gibson guitars are currently endorsed by this famous guitarist. There are some limited editions signature models also available which are known as the “Neal Schon Signature Model Custom Les Paul”. According to Gibson’s official website, only thirty five of such custom guitars were built. A number of other guitars were also used by Neal during his vast career and Goldin guitar is one of them which he had used for the single album “Beyond the Thunder”, which was released towards the end of the 1980’s. Schon endorses Gibson, which makes some of the best solo guitars.
