The Sound Hounds

Spring Concert

Saturday, April 24, 2010

6:30 – 10 P.M.

Lone Star College – Kingwood

20000 Kingwood Drive
Kingwood, Texas 77339

10 mistakes amateur guitarists make when performing.

1. Tuning on stage

Tuning your guitar should be the last thing you do before getting on stage. If you get out of tune while playing, unplug the guitar and use an electronic tuner. The other members should talk to the audience while you are tuning to keep them distracted. Do not tell the audience you are stalling while the guitarist tunes. This is a perfect time to tell a joke or introduce the members of the band individually.

2. Doodling

Playing riffs on guitar between songs is a no no. When performing, keep the guitar silent except during the songs.

3. Blowing the element of surprise

When the leader calls out a song many musicians are insecure and you can hear them playing the riff in a last minute effort to make sure they know it. The audience knows what song they are about to play. The element of surprise is lost.

4. Rushing the tempo

When performing, our adrenaline is up because we are excited. We tend to play faster or speed up. This is very common. I have been guilty of it myself. When performing, the last thing you should do before starting a song is concentrate on the tempo.

5. Silence between songs

If there is a delay between songs because of technical problems be prepared to talk to the audience. Entertain them with a joke or a story.

6. Acknowledging mistakes

Making a mistake or hitting a bad note is not the worst thing that can happen on stage. The worst thing is letting the audience know that you made a mistake. Do not grimace or sneer when you make a mistake. It is very likely the audience won’t realize you made a mistake unless you tell them verbally or with body language. Never let on. Just move on. Never apologize for mistakes or make excuses for shortcomings. Just do your best and let the audience decide for themselves if they like it.

7. Stepping on a guitar cable

Many guitarists step on their cable. It comes unplugged and makes an obnoxious sound through the amp. This problem is simple to fix. Run the cable through your guitar strap above the strap button before plugging it into your guitar. Make a habit of this and it will never be a problem.

8. Not using dynamics

Play much softer when the vocalist is singing or an instrumentalist is playing the melody. If you are accompanying with rhythm guitar it should be much lower than the melody.

9. Using foul language

Never use foul language on stage. It’s a great idea not to use it off stage either.

10. Dressing bad

You are entertaining people. Give them something nice to look at as well as something nice to hear.

STANDARD NOTATION VERSUS TABLATURE

There are two types of music notation typically used by guitarists to learn music: standard notation and tablature (tab). Standard notation is the traditional notation used by most musicians. When we speak about reading music or sight-reading, we are usually referring to standard notation. It is a comprehensive system that allows you to read and write music. Tablature, on the other hand, is a simplified system of reading and writing music, which applies only to string instruments

ABOUT STANDARD NOTATION

1) Standard notation is the language of all musical instruments. If you play together with musicians that are using standard notation, you can understand each other’s concepts and communicate using the same terminology.

2) By learning the alphabetical names of the notes, you are also learning where the notes are on the fretboard of the guitar.

3) While you are learning to read music, you are also learning how music theory works, through concepts such as rhythm, keys, harmony and scales. So in essence, you get a bigger picture of music.

4) Since standard notation is such a comprehensive notation system, it expresses details that can not be expressed using tablature.

5) If you intend to study music in school and college, or do research about music, you will need to read and write standard notation.

ABOUT TABLATURE

1) Tablature is easy to read, so beginners see progress faster and they get excited and encouraged.

2) Tabs show you exactly where to play the notes on the fretboard.

3) Tabs for pop songs are easy to find.

4) You can use tablature for playing other string instruments.

5) When playing altered tunings, tablature does not change, so it is less complicated.

A WORD OF WARNING ABOUT TABLATURE

Tablature presents a risk that should be considered. Since tablature is easier to read, and beginners are able to play songs using only tab, many times they are tempted to procrastinate learning standard notation. It is important to keep in mind that doing so will represent several disadvantages for the student.

If you don’t learn standard notation, you will not be able to communicate appropriately with other musicians that play other instruments. Also, since tabs do not teach you the alphabetical notes on the fretboard of the guitar, you are not learning music theory as it applies to the fretboard.

Given that tablature usually doesn’t give you the details of the music, it presents some limitations. The fact that you will not find tabs in school or higher learning institutions will present limitations also. Standard notation is essential to study classical music and jazz. Tabs are more prevalent in pop and folk music.

So, knowing standard notation will make you a well-rounded musician. It will save you from awkward moments, when you sit down with other musicians, and you realize you are unable to participate. Although it is true that learning to read standard notation is more challenging than learning to read tab, it is also true that, when you learn it, you experience a greater feeling of success. I encourage you to make learning standard notation a daily regimen. Tabs are fine and fun, but don’t neglect sight-reading standard notation.

A WORD OF WARNING ABOUT STANDARD NOTATION

On the other hand, some musicians become excellent sight-readers but they neglect the art of improvising. They are not comfortable unless they are sight-reading. When they are attempting to participate in folk jam sessions they struggle. So, try to create a balance between sight-reading, and improvising using your ears without sheet music.

If you have questions please post them on my blog or email me. I’ll be glad to answer them if I’m able.

guitarlessonsbybrian.com

There are five types of 7th chords.

The five types of 7th chords are major 7, dominant 7, minor 7, diminished 7, half diminished 7.

The major 7 chord has the intervals 1, 3, 5, 7. The nomenclature (symbol) in the key of c is C or C MAJ7.

The dominant 7 has the intervals 1, 3, 5, b7 (b = flat). The nomenclature (symbol) in the key of c is C 7

The minor 7 has the intervals 1, b3, 5, b7. The nomenclature (symbol) in the key of c is C min7 or C-7.

The diminished 7 has the intervals 1, b3, b5, bb7 The nomenclature (symbol) in the key of c is C dim7 or C o7.

The half diminished 7 has the intervals 1, b3, b5, b7. The nomenclature (symbol) in the key of c is C m7b5.

For more info on chords visit guitarlessonsbybrian.com

There are only five types of triads. A triad has three notes. There must be at least three notes to create a chord. Three notes played simultaneously (in harmony) create a triad. They are the smallest chords.

The five types of triads are major, minor, diminished, augmented, and suspended 4.

The major triad has the intervals 1, 3, 5. The nomenclature (symbol) in the key of c is: C or C MAJ

The minor triad has the intervals 1, b3, 5 (b = flat). The nomenclature (symbol) in the key of c is: Cm or C –

The diminished triad has the intervals 1, b3, b5. The nomenclature (symbol) in the key of c is: Cdim or C 0

The augmented triad has the intervals 1, 3, #5 The nomenclature (symbol) in the key of c is: C aug or C +

The suspended 4 triad has the intervals 1, 4, 5. The nomenclature (symbol) in the key of c is: Csus or C sus4

For more info on chords visit guitarlessonsbybrian.com

I installed a LR Baggs M1 Pick-up on my new Allen Rich guitar last night. They are very easy to install. The only hard part is replacing the end pin with the input. It needed a 1/2 inch hole. It is a good idea to get a pro to do this. Allen brought his drill and drilled the hole for me. Complete installation took 30 minutes. I plugged it into my old Roland JC120 and it sounded great. The Baggs pick-up and JC120 sound great together.

Afterwards we stopped by Zachary’s Cajun Restaurant to give it a try. I wasn’t disappointed. Andy Rodriguez is the host of an open mic on Thursdays. So the guys had some great Cajun food while the musicians took turns entertaining the guests. Zac’s is very casual, very friendly people, and great food. I love their jambalaya, I get hungry blogging about it.

I have a new guitar. It was custom built by Luthier Alan Jay Rich. I had a gig three nights in a row this past weekend at Café du Bois in Kingwood. I left my Martin D35 at home. I love my new acoustic guitar. The back and sides are constructed of Texas Mesquite. This guitar is so unique and I love the tone! This guitar is high quality workmanship and competes with the big names.

Here are the details:

Guitar Type Dreadnaught

Scale Length 25.4”

Top Alaskan Sitka Spruce with Herringbone Rosette Inlay Spruce “Martin-Styled” Scalloped X-bracing

Back and Sides Texas Mesquite

Neck Mahogany neck with mortis and tendon joinery Mesquite Headstock Veneers

Fingerboard Rosewood with Mother of Pearl dots

Bridge Rosewood Bridge with Rosewood pins

Bindings Ebony

Finish Low Gloss Lacquer

Built By Alan Rich Dec 2009

I added more guitar goodies during my Christmas vacation:

1) Basic barre chords

2) Blues and pentatonic scales in all twelve keys

3) How to practice guitar

4)  Chords and interval maps in all twelve keys

5) Becoming a guitarist: Evolution of guitar resources since the 1960s

They are free. Go to guitarlessonsbybrian.com and click on guitar goodies.

Happy pickin’

Brian