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Okay, I’m sure you’ve gotten in an argument with your buddies at some point, comparing who you think are the top guitar players of all time. We’ve all been there, but here’s the thing that few realize. Rock and Roll isn’t competition, it’s not about who’s better at this or that. Plus, there are so many musical genres, that to compare let’s say a metal master and a blues king doesn’t really work all that well. It’s like comparing apples and oranges.

When all is said and done, there’s still many guitarists that most people consider to be the best, and every time these types of lists come up, you will typically find their names are mentioned. These guitar players are arguably the most skilled at a specific technique, or are the most influential guitarists to other aspiring musicians, and that’s why they appear on my 15 real guitar hero list.

I’m not going to say these choices are the top 15 because that is subject to ones opinion. Instead I offer you 15 real guitar heros:

1. Jimi Hendrix

Enough said? Jimi Hendrix is usually at the top of every “top rock guitarists” list! He turned the electric guitar from a novelty into a laboratory, experimenting with sounds never even dreamed of before on the electric guitar. Hendrix’s style of raw, fuzzy, feedback-y sound is instantly recognizable, and he has been the influence for very many younger guitarists. You won’t find a more powerful and electrifying stage presence than his. “Purple Haze” and “All Along the Watchtower” set the foundation for a towering monument of rock that stands to this day.

2. Robert Fripp

Robert Fripp of King Crimson like Jimi Hendrix has taken the guitar to dimensions that one would have never thought possible.  His guitar playing is unconventional to say the least showcased in classics like the superb “Fracture” found on the Starless and Bible Black album.  Robert and Brian Eno created “Frippertronics” a tape looping system that adds tremendous depth to the electric guitar experience.

3. Jimmy Page

Another Jimmy! The Led Zeppelin guitar master has been very influential to a lot of rockers nowadays, and his guitar licks are legendary and instantly recognizable. His solo of “Heartbreaker” is legendary, and “Black Dog” and “Stairway to Heaven” are earth shattering rock classics. And no one else I know has ever had a guitar solo using a violin bow? That’s from “Dazed and Confused”,

4. BB King

When you say blues, everything all boils down to its master and ambassador: BB King. He paved the way for the newer generation of blues players, from Eric Clapton to John Mayer. BB King’s powerful bending and vibrato are classic blues techniques, still used today. Also, his guitar is also legendary – who else names their guitar Lucille?

5. Chuck Berry

You know that four-note riff that always reminds you of 50’s rock n’ roll? That came from Chuck Berry. Modern rock n’ roll wouldn’t be possible without the awesomeness that is “Johnny B. Goode”!

6. Keith Richards

Keith Richards is a member of one of the longest-lasting, most influential active rock bands The Rolling Stones. I know you are aware of that classic fuzzy three-note riff from “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”! For all the hits the Stones put out that became foundations of other hit songs, Keith Richards also deserves a spot on this guitarists list.

7. Kirk Hammett

Metal was changed forever once Metallca arrived on the scene. Kirk Hammett rewrote hard rock history with the pounding solos of “Master of Puppets” and, arguably their most popular song, “Enter Sandman”. My favorite album solo by Kirk is on the track “No Remorse” from the album Kill Em All.

8. Carlos Santana

If you’re talking of instantly recognizable tone, there’s the master of Latin-infused rock, Carlos Santana. Before he started collaborating with other musicians, he was a Latin-rhythm purist, improvising with solos that are full of passion and spiritual meaning. Before hits like “Smooth”, there were the soaring, sustained instrumental solos of “Oye Come Va”, “Black Magic Woman” and other magical hits like these.

9. Frank Zappa

A truly talented and original guitar player not afraid to play any kind of music and say what was on his mind.  He produced many memorable guitar solos on such classics as “Rat Tamago” and “Willie the Pimp.”

10.  Tony Iommi

Tony Iommi is the father of heavy metal guitar with those unforgettable monster riffs.  He essentially created a new genre and inspired so many artists to follow.  Tony deserves to be on this list even if critics attack Black Sabbath’s technical skills.

11. Kurt Cobain

The misunderstood genius, Kurt Cobain pretty much ended the era of 80’s “glam” metal in a totally unique way. He favored simple, heavy tunes instead of hair metal’s theatrical style, and it reflected better the angst of the time. His most defining contribution to society was the original anthem of misunderstood generations, the four-chord monster “Smells Like Teen Spirit”.

12. Eddie Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen ushered in the era of the guitar virtouso.  He also introduced the guitar neck tapping technique that many great guitar players have adopted and integrated into their own styles since.

13. Eric Clapton

A true son of the blues, Eric Clapton had influences in rock, creating classics like “Layla” with his early band Derek and the Dominoes, and progressing to one of the most recognizable blues guitarists, from “Bell Bottom Blues” to his heartbreaking “Tears In Heaven”.

14. Mark Knopfler

The guitar player that refuses to use a pick.  Mark Knoplfer is an awesome player that I would describe as the virtuoso smooth blues rock man.

15. Rickie Blackmore

Richie Blackmore master hard blues rock extraordinaire that created the legendary “Smoke on the Water” riff for which he’s best known for.  He really can make a guitar go with his technically proficient solos that scream greatness.

There are so many great guitar players that I need to mention a few more here and please excuse me if I didn’t mention your favorite. A few more guitar heroes:

Duane Allman
Mike Bloomfield: Often forgotten, he could really play the blues.
The Edge: Many say he’s great for not overplaying.
Bo Diddley: You gotta love the way he strums.
Joe Satriani
Randy Rhodes
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Robert Johnson: Not many recording but highly influential.
T-Bone Walker
Buddy Guy
Dave Mustaine

I know for a fact that most people will have a much different list of 15 guitar real guitar hero players than mine, but that’s the effect of growing up with varying musical backgrounds. There are countless talented guitarists from many different genres to choose from. Whoever we pick says a lot about our favorite styles, criteria and our personality as guitarists. Till then, happy rocking!

If it is rock music you are interested in and have never played a instrument or sampled the joys of Rock Band then it is safe to say it is worth giving it a go. Although in comparison is it is nothing to a real instrument it is certainly worth having a go as it can be a bit of a laugh. The whole point of the entire game and perhaps every game is to enjoy playing it.

Although Rock Band can be enjoyed alone it is a lot better when you have a couple of players bashing out some serious rock along with you. Another benefit to the game is you can choose your would be favorite instrument whether that is guitar, drums, bass as well as one of those fancy microphones being thrown in too. Of course there is also the benefit that the game can be played online with friends or if they are not online can be played with anyone in the world which is is great if you feel like rocking out at 3 in the morning.

Of course it is all fun and games but it is true that you should never rule out playing a real instrument as it is something to be proud of. Of course the major issue is that it is not an easy thing to do its not going to be quick and its going to take a lot of work, but the outcome for yourself is far greater than bashing out a couple of tunes on a game. If its singing you are into then an AKG microphone or even a Akai drum sequencer could be what you are after.

There is no age limit in which you can have lessons to learn how to play an instrument. Of course Rock Band cannot be compared to the real thing and the company are not trying to say this, they just want everyone to have the chance to hammer out their favourite rock songs which of course is certainly nothing to complain about. So next time you’re playing Rock Band, Guitar Hero or any other of the music games why not have a think and at least consider actually learning to play.

As awesome as guitar playing is, at times it gets difficult if you’re not realizing the results you want to. This can be a familiar feeling if you;re just starting out, but even experienced players feel this and it can be hard to beat. Believe me, I should know. I’ve been playing for 16 years, and while I’ve had a blast, sometimes I hit a wall. It can also be annoying when you’re trying to learn from less than stellar materials and courses. After coming across this package awhile back, I decided to write my own Jamorama review.

Professional guitar teacher BenEdwards, and the rest of the team at Jamorama, have really addressed these issues in the most recent version of Jamorama. The first release they put together was a smashing success, but they’re trying to improve upon it with the latest version. In my optionion, this new package really amazes in terms of sheer quality and completeness. It’s got plenty of great features that will have newbies and professionals alike expanding their playing and taking their guitar skills to the next level.

So what’s inside? For starters you’ve got a heap of great guitar instruction in a glossy two book series, but my favorite part is the nearly 150 video examples and exercises they put in the course so the student can hear and see exactly what they should be doing. This is priceless… it’s great to read about guitar, but nothing beats an instructor showing you, up close from 2 different camera angles, how to play a chord or phrase. Another thing in this package (which I’ve never seen before, and I’ve reviewed tons of guitar products) are the two special computer games made to help your music reading and pitch recognition. Well done.

On top of this they throw in the pro version of Jayde Musica and GuitEarIt! as free bonuses that will help you develop the ability to easily play songs after just hearing them on the radio. Both of these programs are excellent free bonuses, but more importantly they’re easy and fun to play.

They really seem to like the bonuses, and add to this package, they cram in two additional free bonus ebooks. “Advanced Learning Techniques for Guitar” and “How to tune your guitar”. Advanced Techniques demonstrates the concept of mental visualization, which I found to be helpful in speeding up the learning curve. This mental technique is like practicing, but you’re not actually playing. At first I thought this was a little silly, but when I tried it I was pleasantly surprised that it helped me speed up my learning. The second bonus book, “How to tune your guitar” may seem basic, but it’s got some great information and a tip I’d never heard of before.

Other bonuses? Oh yeah, they throw in a metronome for you, which is an essential practice tool.

With all of the high quality books, games, videos, and bonuses they give you with this package, I was highly impressed with Jamorama and have no problem recommending it to My Guitar Guide readers. I have been a guitarist for many many years, and if I got plenty of value from it then I know anyone will be able to. My only regret is that I started playing guitar in the early 1990s, before the Internet took off, and I had to learn the hard way  Oh well… there’s never been a better time to learn guitar than today!

This package is by far the most complete and fresh approach to guitar playing that I have seen in a long time, and the subscribers of My Guitar Guide have rated it 5 stars as well. I strongly recommend this package because I really do believe it will give you the results you want and have you playing like a pro using the best techniques. They’ve got something for everyone, whether you just started or you’ve played for years (like me). And at the current cost… well, suffice it to say that you don’t need to waste your money on $200 guitar courses out there, Jamorama does an excellent job for under $50. I really hope this Jamorama review has helped you, and that you can use this package to help your playing today. You can view Guitarra Jamorama Revisor aqui.

 

What makes Jimi Hendrix’s sound easily recognizable from Carlos Santana? How can you easily tell metal from funk, even if let’s say the metal player and the funk player are playing the same song (very unlikely, but bear with me here)? The answer: guitarists use effects to color their sound and give it a kind of modification suited to the type of music involved.

Normally these effects can be housed separately in small effects pedals, or in multi-effects hardware, or built into amplifiers, or simulated in computer software. They can be used singly, or you can turn on combinations of effects to get a particular sound. We will identify the different types of guitar effects so you can choose the one that is perfect for creating the sound you want.

Distortion effects are popular in genres like rock, metal, etc. This is what produces the heavy, rough, raw sound you hear in these genres. Distortion effects can be divided into categories like overdrive/distortion (this is the well-known rough sound), fuzz (which is used to copy the sound of a vibrating torn speaker – thus being “fuzzy”), and high-gain (the thick, loud, “chugging” sound used in heavy metal). Almost all rock bands have these as a given, and is a good, basic investment.

Filtering effects are effects which shape the sound by enhancing or minimizing certain frequencies. Here you can find equalizers (similar to how normal equalizers work), and wahs (a foot-operated pedal that lets through increasingly higher or lower frequencies by rocking the pedal). The wah pedal is named because it sounds like a person saying a long “wah” when rocked (the low frequencies are the “w-“ and the high frequencies are the “-ah” part). You can hear this mostly in funky grooves.

Volume effects are just that, they modify the volume in different ways. Examples of these are volume pedals (these are just volume knobs in the shape of a pedal which you can rock back and forth), tremolos (which is used to copy the sound of a volume knob being turned up and down quickly, making the tone “fluctuate”), and compressors (used to preserve a certain volume level as the signal gets louder).

Time-based effects take a sound signal and copy it, making a kind of echoing sound. Delay pedals can change the delay time between the original sound and the copied sound, up to very long delay times, making a rolling echo-like sound (a notable user of delay effects is U2’s The Edge). Reverb pedals, however, duplicate the sound produced in a large space, where small echoes pile up and decay rapidly. Aside from distortion effects, these are also well known, and may be an essential part of your rig.

Modulation effects are effects which actually change how the sound sounds. Examples of these are phase shifters (which makes a sort of whooshing sound by copying the original signal and then putting it out of phase regularly), flangers (which create a kind of speeding-up or slowing-down sound), chorus pedals (copying the sound of several guitarists playing at the same time), and rotary speakers (copying the sound of a signal going through spinning speakers, making a kind of wavy pitch-changing effect). These types of effects are used to create those experimental, space-age-sounds.

Pitch shifters change the pitch of a signal, then combines it with the original sound so that it sounds like two guitars blending together in harmony. It can even be used as a bass guitar if you set it one octave lower than normal, or produce a video-game sound if set one octave higher.

You can experiment with combinations of pedals and connect them in chains to figure out what type of sound you want to create. After a while you can tell which effects were used in your favorite songs, and I hope this introduction can help you on the road to creating your own sound, and adding new dimensions to your musical adventure.

Sure you can be the life of the party or someone who is really adored by music lovers or, the list goes on. You can play exceptional music through the playing of your guitar. And people would scream out “Play More!” That would be really nice isn’t it? Do you like the idea? Well, read on as this article shows you some of the most exciting and fulfilling advantages when you have learned to master the techniques and chords in the world of guitar music.

Advantage #1

Playing a guitar enhances your thought process to work hard and to command your hands on mentally memorizing where to place your finger on a particular fret, pressing on the right chord and learning the right way to strum.

Advantage #2

The pleasure of gratification is satisfied. Thus, your self-esteem is working its way through your personality. A book once said, a psychological book to be exact, that men has to satisfy basic needs to be able to advance to his self to the highest level which is the self-actualization. Something like that.

Advantage #3

The fact is that a guitar is one of the most convenient instruments there is. You can’t bring your drums wherever you go. It would be exhausting on your part to carry a drum set around your campus and constantly beat it. It can cause so much distraction. Whereas if you have been a full pledged guitarist your whole life, you could play music where you can.

Advantage #4

Being able to take your guitar everywhere, might as well earn something from it. A talent like that would eventually be discovered. Playing along the streets of the city is not the idea but if you want to try it, then yes, you could try. You could ask some of your friends to back you up.

Advantage #5

You, yourself, is a unique individual. Out of ten people only one becomes a pure musician. And by some luck, that person is a guitarist. Or can be someone with ultra musical talent who can play not only the guitar but many different instruments and even some percussion ones. Some say it is learned but real talent comes from the soul. It is that spirit within you that makes you distinct.

Advantage #6

Nobody can call you a guitarist with no specific talent. Yes, you could fail all of your tests and miss every graded recitation during school hours but when those various parties come, you are the star. Even an A+ won’t come close to the recognition you can achieve from being an accomplished artist.

Advantage #7

You are the “it” guy. Everyone can hate you or mess you up. But the moment you have mastered your own craft, everyone will soon realize how good you are. Even those people who didn’t know you existed before will find an effort to. People will love you for the talent that you are.

More advantages are seen by simply playing the guitar. Playing is one thing but mastering is another. So if you are still struggling to play such tunes, don’t give up that dream. Although it may be only a hobby or past time, you never know, with skill, it may take you to new heights. Something brighter. Something more intense. Something close to stardom.

In the simplest terms, a guitar tab is a word that is used to describe a musical notation, which may contain either numbers or letters and explains to the musician where to place his/her fingers on the beginner guitar. Guitar tabs are made up of six lines that is often called a “staff notation”.Each separate string on a guitar is represented by a line on the guitar tab.

New musicians often find guitar tabs to be especially baffling in that the strings are written backwards. The highest string is found at the top of the guitar tabs, which is often difficult to learn since most people would expect that guitar tabs would be written from top to bottom instead of the other way around. In actuality, guitar tabs are written from the highest to lowest and the numbers on each line represent the guitar fret. In order to understand guitar tabs, all new guitarists need to learn string placement and how to correctly read frets.

Depending on the music publisher, guitar tabs, usually written in a standard format may vary a little. Even still, guitar tabs are easier to read than learning staff notation. More than any other kind of music, new musicians are more comfortable reading guitar tabs because of their visual representation.

When learning the acoustic guitar, musicians will become familiar with the instrument and how it works. This can be done in many ways including videos, reference books and even private instruction. In some cases, classroom lessons may even be used to help better equip the musician to learn acoustic guitar and how to read guitar tabs. The neck, fret, sting and chord are terms describing the guitar you need to be familiar with., he/she will also begin to easily read guitar tabs.

When first beginning to play, guitar tabs will seem intimidating. With so many different numbers, letters lines and symbols you may be confused at the beginning. With practice and time, a guitar tab will be as easy to understand as the links found your favorite website. Few musicians can play by ear without first learning a song via sheet music, which is why reading guitar tabs is the first step that a guitarist must take before learning how to play.

If you need further information on finding a guitar instructor, check the local yellow page listing or stop by your local high school or college and ask the music director for a recommendation.

So you’ve played guitar hero enough times to decided that you yourself want to do the real thing. So what do you need to know before buying your first guitar? These are a few tips that you should keep in mind when looking for your new guitar.

• What guitar do you want? The myth used to be that you had to buy an acoustic before you could progress to electric. This is rubbish. Buy the guitar that will give you the most enjoyment. You will benefit most from starting on the type of guitar you want to want in the first place. Its the same if you give someone whose interested in acoustic playing an electric guitar- not a good idea. Although you will still be playing guitar, to start on the instrument you want will be a lot better, due to hand positioning and posture.
• Which guitar? So we’ve narrowed down the guitar type that you want, but what style of guitar is going to benefit you and your playing? You shouldn’t get a Gibson 335, a guitar that’s built for blues playing if your thing is brutal heavy metal. The tone of a guitar will vary from guitar brands depending on the pick ups and the wood used to make them. While single coil pickups will give you a ‘brighter’ tone, humbuckers will give off a more bassier tone. Go for a cheaper model to begin with, such as a Squier or a Yamaha guitar. Cheap, yet good solid guitars for playing on. Most guitar brands will offer a starter package anyway with all you need to get started.
• Try out a few guitars before you buy one. You’ll have a much better time if the guitar is suited to you and you should go back to play it a few times to make sure it is. It may seem daunting being a new guitarist while playing around other guitarists, but they know we were all beginners at some point. If your buying the guitar for someone and want it to be a surprise, try to find out what type of guitar they’d like and ask the shop for recommendations. The right guitar can encourage them, while the wrong one can do the exact opposite.

After to get your first guitar and guitar accessories

The great motivator Earl Nightingale came up with the following definition of success…
“Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.” I like that definition very much! What does this definition mean to you? Let’s take a closer look at the worthy ideal part of it…

Spend a few minutes writing down what “worthy ideal” means to you. It is my vision of perfection…a vision of how I would ideally like things to be. It is a vision that I find inspiring and energizing!

If your success with guitar is totally dependent on working towards a worthy ideal, doesn’t it make sense that you first need to figure out what YOUR worthy ideal is? How can you progressively realize something even if you don’t know what it is? Let’s do some exercises to figure your one out…

Please invest at least a couple of hours doing the following exercises. They will really help you to build a picture of your worthy ideal in your mind’s eye…

Exercise 1:
Imagine how would ideally like to play.Try to imagine what your electric guitar will look like, sound like, and feel like. What kind of acoustic guitar are you an expert at? How does your improvising sound? Are you getting better at it? What is going on with your composing? Please write your answers down now.

Exercise 2:
Imagine your ideal guitar playing career. Would you be a expert guitar teacher? What about a wonderful performing artist? Or another goal can be performing as part of a highly successful band? How would you like to be an in demand studio guitarist? What do you really want to do? You can write down your answers now.

Exercise 3:
Jot down your ideas for a worthy career in guitar playing. Write it down in the present tense, as if you have already achieved it.Try to condense it down into a one paragraph statement.

Exercise 4:
If you will invest 5 minutes every morning & night that will help you to reach the goal you want to achieve. This will help you to stay motivated and focused on what you TRULY want.

Clarity is essential. If you don’t do it, you might not be able to start developing an effective career geared towards your goal.

You may find as you answer the questions that self-doubt starts to creep in. You may doubt whatever you right down will be possible or not! This is normal. Just write down your answers anyway You don’t need to know right now HOW you will achieve your worthy ideal. It’s easy, just figure out what it is.

You can improve your guitar skills. You only learn by doing.

What is it that makes the Stratocaster such an individual guitar is the unique, intimate sound that comes from the three single coil pickup setup. Although they can be a little noisy at times and can take time to get to grips with at high volumes, they do have an edge to them  that is perfect for that rock n roll sound. They have a outstanding fit and finish, with great attention to detail. I’m know others would say I’m sure that the Stratocaster holds tuning very well. I found the action on my Stratocaster was setup great for me, which is a plus as well. You’ll often find the manufacturers settings on some guitars higher than you may want it to be. I chose a maple board for my Fender Stratocaster as it seems to glide nicely, and a satin neck which is nice and slick. They do comein a variety of wood finishes, but obviously its all about your own preference. The American Standard Stratocaster comes with a new bridge, with improved bent-steel saddles for that increased resonance and sustain. The saddles keep that vintage look and tone, but with a few modern improvements such as spacing, slot elongation as well as height screw length.The bridge is designed to complement the 22 medium jumbo frets and rolled edges which gives you more space for your fingers . They also elongated the string slot to lower friction and string breakage, while which improves the string break angle over the primary contact point. Besides all this the fact the Stratocaster is after all one of the most sought after model of guitar speaks volumes.

I bought my Fender Stratocaster on the net from Music 123, which is a great site not just because of their prices, but because they are so honest with their reviews. The items they sell are of the highest quality. My Fender Stratocaster was available with various finishes including the wood finishes and colors as well as a number of optional tips, knobs and pickup covers.