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Beginner’s Guide to Harmonicas

Harmonica Lowdown

Harmonicas are an integral part of America’s musical history, bringing to mind common stereotypes of hobos, bluesmen and folk singers. The harmonica is also used in classical, pop, country and rock and roll. Lately, they’ve been sneaking into electronic music though through effects. Overall, the harmonica can be the perfect accompaniment for the singer/songwriter. Just think of Bob Dylan!

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Beginner’s Guide To Guitar Slides

If you want more color and texture to your playing, then investing into a guitar slide is a great option! A guitar slide will help you get that down home gritty dirty sound evoking country and blues all at once. Slides will enable you to get whines and screams. You are not bound by the rigid rules of fretting 12 pitches an octave.

Sliding simply refers to pressing a cylinder tool across the strings from one fret to the other creating a flowing continuity with the notes. Using a guitar slide allows the player to change the pitch by sliding up and down the neck.

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A Beginner’s Guide To Capos: Versatility

Key To Diverse Playing: Capo Basics

Capos (from the Italian capotasto), also weirdly called fret lobsters function as tools that shorten guitar strings. They clamp down over a string’s frets. Basically, the device is one of simplifying, as one can change key and pitch without retuning the guitar. They can also be used for other stringed instruments like the banjo and even mandolin. Several different styles exist with different mechanisms. The capo functions as a very simple machine. Folk, rock and flamenco have been known as styles that heavily use the capo, while classical and Jazz styles rarely use the device. Capos will allow you to play a song without learning it in different keys if you work with vocals that utilize different pitches. These devices will allow you to accommodate the singer without all the fuss.

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Choosing Bass Strings

Bass Guitar String Basics

Choosing bass strings may be confusing, yet a little knowledge goes along way. Strings create a process of trial and error yet knowing the most basic information will cut that trail and error down, while saving you money in the long run. Remember tone will be the most important factor when choosing your strings. The audience does not care how easy those strings are to play. Finding a balance between playability and sound is essential.

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Beginner’s Guide To Guitar Tuners

Tune It Up: Guitar Tuner Basics

Staying in tune is necessary for the beginner. Guitar tuners are essential for the novice musician. These little devices will help train a beginner’s ears while also allowing experimentation from standard tuning. Guitar Tuners will also allow the beginner to become accustomed to recognizing know what standard tuning sounds like.

The player has choices because one can choose among electronic tuners, simple tuning fork and even the internet. Below are guitar tuners from the most primitive methods to the computer.

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Beginner’s Guide To 12 String Guitars

12 Different Strings: One Guitar

Why would anyone need 12 strings someone may ask when thinking of the 12 string guitar. 12 String guitars can be intimidating because they contain twice the amount of strings. How in the world would you keep a thing in tune? Now get out of that mind frame and really pay attention to why these guitars are so unique. Among the instruments notable players are, Leo Kottke, Jimmy Page, Leadbelly and Derek Deprator are notable 12 string guitar players.

The number of strings can complicate guitar picking. Because of this the 12 string is rarely used for lead parts in songs. The 12 string guitar is perfect for folk song playing of any type.

Though awkward at first, the 12 string guitar can be played with ease given enough practice.

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