What was really behind SRV’s tone?
Plus, how to use chords to make awesome licks
Got a bunch of great guitar stuff for you this week - lessons, some tone chasing, and great new music. Cameron Cooper shares licks to help your picking, Jack Gardiner and Nathaniel Murphy bring some smooth jazz vibes, and Samurai Steve digs into what really makes SRV’s tone. Plus, Al Di Meola talks fusion, there’s a cool music theory trick, and Corey Congilio drops a new song.
Back at HQ here, I’m finally seeing the light after getting over the flu! I recently re-strung my PRS Silver Sky, and I’m finally getting back to playing. Alright let’s get into this week’s links!
This week’s guitar links!
4 Licks That Will Transform Your Picking Technique - Cameron Cooper put out an awesome lesson this week, focusing on licks that'll improve your picking technique. Cam shows off 4 licks in the style of guys like Guthrie Govan and Zakk Wylde. Try one of these licks each day at the top of your practice routine.
LEARN THESE AMAZING SMOOTH JAZZY Licks from Jack Gardiner and Nathaniel Murphy - It's so fun to pick and choose licks that turn your ear, and see why they're so effective. That's what John Cordy does here with licks from Jack Gardiner and Chicago Music Exchange's Nathaniel Murphy. The Gardiner lick is a slick altered style phrase, while the Murphy one is something you could incorporate over your favorite 2-5-1.
The SECRET to sounding like Stevie Ray Vaughan - Samurai Steve experiments with what really makes a difference when it comes to tone - is it guitar, string gauge, amps, pedals, etc? Or is it not gear related at all, and comes down to playing style? At the end of the day, no one will truly sound exactly like SRV, but it’s fun to try and get close.
Al Di Meola on Art, Rhythm & Reinventing Fusion - I loved this interview with Al Di Meola, live from the “Breezin With The Stars” event for George Benson. Rick Beato talks to Al about how he comes up with his arrangements and his signature playing style, along with some awesome playing in between all the great stories.
How To Transform Basic Chords Into EPIC Guitar Licks! - What happens when chord tones aren’t enough, and you start to sound like you’re just going through the motions? Charlie Long shows us how using chord shapes can be the roadmap to making better licks (the biggest impact will be using notes outside the chord shape). It’s a dead simple idea, but it’ll produce great results if you incorporate it when you’re creating lead lines.
How “The 1-7 Rule” Opens Up Every Scale - I love little hacks that make understanding guitar and music theory easier. Andrew Clarke shows us the 1-7 rule, which will have you thinking of scale degrees rather than note names. This is super helpful when it comes to transitioning between chords or keys.
Corey Congilio - She's Like The Weather (Official Music Video) - Corey Congilio is one of my favorite guitar teachers on YouTube. I was psyched to see him put out some music of his own, with “She's Like The Weather". It's a feel good pop rock song that has some great guitar playing in it, and a great solo break. I hope we get to hear more stuff from Corey. Later in the week, Congilio made the case why every musician should have a YouTube channel.
How to introduce “murder mystery” guitar chords to your playing – without getting your fingers in a twist - If you're looking to add a little suspense to your chord changes, you should check out this lesson from Guitar World. Richard Barrett gives us 5 different chord shapes that sound expensive and mysterious, but won't make your hands hurt after playing them.