Picture this: a live music performance. The lead guitarist shreds an electrifying solo, captivating the audience with face-melting riffs and lightning-fast melodies. But what's often overlooked is the driving force behind this spectacle—the rhythm guitar player. While not always in the spotlight, the rhythm guitarist is the unsung hero of any band, providing the essential […]
These days, practically all of us have computers, and since COVID, we have engaged in online activities and events like Zoom meetings, on-demand learning, live streaming, etc. We also want to be part of these online conversations without the annoying echo and low quality of the built-in computer mic. Where does that leave us? In […]
The right combination of guitar + pedals + amp = sonic glory. In the 90s, I was OK loading my car with all the necessary gear to achieve tonal goodness. But, I was also a gigging musician in the NYC area where paid parking costs more than the gig pays, and the performing area is […]
I love the smell of a new acoustic guitar. And, to be honest, it's really the smell of the wood. Yeah, there’s glue and metal there, too. But, it’s the woody scent of a new guitar that I love—I don’t know why. I remember when I brought my first steel-string acoustic guitar. As soon as […]
Harley Benton guitars are surprisingly good instruments, and they are hard to categorize among the many entry-level instruments due to their extraordinary value for the money. My first guitar was a Harley Benton Stratocaster copy, which I’m more than excited to review for all beginners looking for the best budget-level electric guitar. This article covers […]
The acoustic guitar is a marvelous and perfect grab-and-go instrument for the company picnic, backyard barbecue, campfire gathering, and just about any informal social rendezvous. Its portability and versatility make it a must-have model for every six-string hobbyist. But, with so many makes and models, how do you choose? That's why I put together this […]
Welcome to this month's Home Recording Trade Secret, my fellow six-string mavens. I originally had a couple of different ideas to share with you. Instead, I received an urgent email that required my services. So, let me give some context before we get into the nitty-gritty. As some of you know, my home recording business […]
And, What I Learned Welcome to this month's Trade Secret. And my goal is to sound like David Gilmour using only the plugins available in Logic Pro and my Dean Zelinsky Tagliare S-style guitar. There are a few reasons why I chose this topic: It's the 50th Anniversary of the release of Pink Floyd's "Dark […]
When I think of Marshall amps, I think of the concerts I frequented in my teens and twenties. The wall of Marshalls was a sign that the band had arrived. Later on, when it was revealed that those backdrops were empty cabinets just for show, it felt like that day that I found out that […]
My first guitar could have been better, and I made several rookie mistakes when I purchased the guitar. I was 12 years old and saved up my summer job money to buy a guitar. But, I had no idea what to look for—and, if you don't, I cover this topic in my article, How to […]