Just posted a new video in my series of lessons on strategies for playing piano riffs on guitar. This installment covers the Hunter Hayes song “Wanted,” which features a tasteful arpeggio figure in the key of C major. You’ll learn the note-for-note intro/verse piano part (with a capo at fret 5), the guitar theme, and how to practice fills using the pentatonic scale. Enjoy!
The Fray “How to Save a Life” Guitar Lesson
For at least two years, I’ve thought about offering guitar lesson videos. At long last, I’ve turned those thoughts into substance, and I’m pleased to share my first offering! I wanted to avoid repeating lesson topics that have been thoroughly covered elsewhere. While looking at guitar lessons on YouTube and elsewhere, I noticed that when guitarists cover keyboard tunes, the strategy is typically to strum chords, rather than doing a note-for-note interpretation. So, for my initial topic, I decided to do a series of lessons on strategies for playing piano riffs on guitar. While it’s not always possible to copy a piano part exactly, it’s a rewarding challenge to try to get as close as you can. You’ll develop your ear, and broaden your technique.
In this lesson, you’ll learn the main theme of “How to Save a Life” note-for-note, using fingerstyle technique and a capo. This song is also a nice example of melody notes sustained over an arpeggio figure. A lead sheet (with tablature) is available here. Enjoy!
An overdue pedalboard rebuild
In the past two or three months, I’ve transitioned out two cover bands. Moving forward, most of my gigs (for the time being) will be the Lebowskis duo with vocalist John Laprarie. Playing in the duo for a couple of years, I’ve collected a consistent set of pedals I like to use for those gigs. Since I won’t be using my “rock gig” pedalboard for a while, it’s a good opportunity to do a teardown, clean & rebuild.
Here’s my old setup:
There’s a Boss digital delay (for long delay), a Boss DM-3 analog delay for short delay), a Boss volume pedal, Line-6 MM-4 (choruses, flange & tremolo) and a Peavey channel/boost pedal. These pedals cover a lot of ground, and work well with the Peavey Bandit I’ve been using for rock gigs.
This cleanup job was way overdue! I have other amps and pedals for my practice area, so my gig gear gets stowed in between jobs, and I rarely see this stuff in daylight. After some heavy work with the shop vac and a damp cloth, the case started to look a bit more respectable:
For my duo gigs, I’m using a Peavey Delta Blues amp (tube amp w/15 inch speaker). Instead of amp gain with this setup, I’ve been going for a bluesy overdrive sound for leads, using the Vox Ice-9. I kept the Boss DM-3 for short delay, and now use an MXR Carbon Copy for long delays (especially with the tube amp, the MXR has a warmer sound). Also in the mix are a Boss Super Octave, MXR Micro Amp (clean volume boost) and Boss Loop Station. With this new configuration, I couldn’t fit in a volume pedal, but where I want to use a volume pedal, it sits within easy reach off to the right side.
Here’s the new setup:
When we do gigs seated on high chairs, this board sits nicely on top of my toolbox for elevation. And, getting these pedals mounted really cut down setup and teardown time!
Acoustic duo at Bar Louie in Perrysburg!
John and I will be laying down the acoustic jams tonight at Bar Louie in Levis Commons, Perrysburg. Cheers!!
Chavar Dontae “Smile” video
A few weeks ago, I had a killer gig as a sideman for Chavar Dontae, opening for Mike Posner at the Omni in Toledo. If that wasn’t cool enough, Chavar used footage from that show for the video for his song “Smile.” Once again, a good gig opens the door to another opportunity! Check out the video:
Opening for Mike Posner at the Omni
Last night I played a sweet gig as a sideman for Chavar Dontae, opening for Mike Posner at the Omni in Toledo.
Though this was an awesome gig and a rewarding experience, I had one moment of vivid terror. There were several opening acts, and a super-tight schedule. We had all our gear on stage before the show, but things had to be shoved back and covered for the first opener. So Chavar didn’t have to appear on stage before we started playing, I was responsible for moving his pedals center-stage during the very short break between bands. Unfortunately, none of his pedals are mounted on a board, so the process involved scooping up an armful of pedals and cabling, moving it twenty feet, and trying to not make a royal mess of it.
So I move the pedals, and check Chavar’s guitar. No sound from the amp! This is maybe 3-4 minutes to showtime. Is the amp on? Check. I checked the power supply for the pedals, and all cabling. Still no sound. Fortunately, Chavar came over to see what was up, and we were able to determine that the volume on his overdrive pedal had been turned to zero. From there, we were able to start on time, and played a killer set!
So, if you have more than one or two pedals in your setup, I’d strongly advise you to mount ’em on a pedalboard, preferably with a lid!
Also, here are a few shots from the evening. Hangin’ with Terry Rice and Chavar pre-show:
Mike Posner’s setup, just before soundcheck:
During our set, crowd shot from my viewpoint (stage left):
Crowd shot (stage right):
Mike Posner on stage (it was a packed house!)
Update: New gear!
Since we started the four-piece version of Creamy Goodness, we’ve been using a smaller P.A. left over from earlier projects. But no more — we recently acquired a new setup with much bigger cabinets and twice the power! This week, we’ve tested the gear, sorted the cables (with plenty of spares), and worked out other logistical details. In short, we are ready to blow some doors off!
These are the stage-left top and sub:
Brent, resident tech wizard:
Matt (and assistant) loading the power amp rack:
And the completed amp rack:
Maiden voyage for the new setup will be Breakroom in Maumee, October 8.
Lebowskis acoustic gig at Casa Barron!
Great acoustic gig at Casa Barron last night. Good to see so many family and friends out! And, of course, I never argue with a gig where the band gets a good meal. I’ll hopefully have some new Casa Barron dates to announce before the end of the week!
September 2011 Gig Update!
Lots coming up this week! The Lebowskis will be jammin’ at Quimby’s in Lambertville this Thursday from 7-11PM. These Quimby’s dates are always a blast, because friends sit in and jam throughout the evening.
Friday, the full band will rock the Breakroom in Maumee. If all goes to plan, that night we’ll be using some new (louder!) PA gear for the first time.
Then on Saturday, The Lebowskis return to Casa Barron in Perrysburg. Me gusta!
Erie Island gig update
Great gig at Erie Islands Resort & Marina last night, despite inclement weather, and despite me dropping part of Matt’s bass rig into a pond during load-in (could happen to anyone! Besides, everything still works fine!). As always, a great crowd makes everything all right!
Here’s a few shots from the show:
