BIG DISCOUNTS ON GUITAR SOFTWARE!

Today through February 28 you can get BIG discounts on the guitar software program known as Song Surgeon.

In case you haven't heard, Song Surgeon allows you to slow songs down so you can learn how to play them note for note. You may have experienced how time consuming it is to try and figure out a song from a recording at normal speed. Well, this software program makes the process a lot faster! Here's what you can do...

• Change the pitch
• Change the tempo (speed)
• Create practice loops
• Reduce or dampen vocals to focus on instrumental parts
• Save modified songs or solos for future practice
• Loop segments continuously
• CD Ripping functionality
• Convert among most popular file formats, mp3, mp4, wav, wma
• Adjust the EQ
• Keyboard shortcuts
• Absolutely simple, easy to use interface
• Wave/loop editor for viewing and editing songs
• Available in English, French, German, Dutch and Spanish

The folks at Song Surgeon are planning to release a MAC version soon. As a result, they currently have some inventory of Song Surgeon on CD that they need to move. So...

BETWEEN today and FEBRUARY 28, 2008

• They are lowering the price of SS from $79 to $59
• They are lowering the price of the CD from $10 to $.99
• They are loweing the price of the upgrade protection from $18.95 to $8.95

THAT IS $30 worth of Discounts!

***AND***

All purchasers will also receive the following...

• Backing tracks for 10 classic rock songs (value of 19.99)
• A guitar six pack course (value of $14.95)

THAT IS ANOTHER $35 worth of BONUSES!

YOU ONLY HAVE A FEW DAYS LEFT to grab this great deal. Come March 1, the promotion will be over and you will have missed the opportunity for the $65 discounts and bonuses.

If you've ever wanted a tool that could help you figure out how to play your favorite songs, this is it. I own SS myself and it's very simple and fun to use. You simply don't want to miss out on this opportunity.

SONG SURGEON

Till next time...
Keep practicing!

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I MET MY GUITAR HERO - Alex DeGrassi

Alex DeGrassi has been my guitar hero for a long time. Last weekend James took me to see him in concert as part of my Valentines Day gift. What a treat!

Here's me standing with Alex DeGrassi just after we got his autograph. Can you believe it?! You can see by my face how happy I was! I was pretty nervous too, but Alex was so nice and casual about it that I began to relax a little.

Actually, I had seen Alex in concert about 12 years ago and had gotten his autograpgh then too. But this was different. Back then he was the new fingerstyle recording sensation on the Windham Hill label. The concert he gave was very intense and powerful as he played songs like "36" (one of my very favorites) from the Southern Exposure album and others from the Slow Circle album.

Alex seemed much more relaxed and mellow during this concert. He played his own arrangements of some of his favorite traditional folk music such as "Streets of Laredo" and "Shortnin Bread" along with several of his own compositions like "Iverness" and "Cumulus." He also played his own arrangement of the song "Angel" which was written by the late Jimi Hendrix. Like many great guitar players, he was a Hendrix fan too.

"Often cited as one of the world's top fingerstyle, steel-string guitarists. Grammy nominee Alex DeGrassi brings a unique voice to the art of acoustic guitar with his evocative compositions and arrangements, a hightly-orchestrated sound, and sheer virtuosity." - Myrna Loy Center

The next day we went to a music store and checked out some guitars. We must have been in there a couple of hours just playing around with different brands. My favorite guitar was a Taylor Acoustic-Electric Cutaway. James and I are both seriously thinking about trading up because Taylor guitars sound great and play much easier than the Martin and Ovation guitars we currently own.

You might be interested to know that Alex DeGrassi will be giving a three-day intensive guitar workshop this summer! To learn more go to:

Alex DeGrassi Summer Guitar Workshop

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

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A 39 STRING GUITAR?? Seeing is Believing...

Check this out...



Awesome. I'm off to see Alex DeGrassi in concert tomorrow night. It's been about 10 years since the last time I saw him in concert. He's one of the best fingerstyle guitar players and composers around and I'm really looking forward to seeing him again. You'll probably hear all about it when I get back.

In the meantime, you can try a free fingerstyle guitar lesson yourself by clicking the link below...

FREE FINGERSTYLE GUITAR LESSON

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

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MUSIC TO MY EARS

Last month James and I traveled to S.E. Asia with Vision Beyond Borders, a Christian organization that is dedicated to bringing seed, medical supplies, bibles and other needed items to people who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus. It was not a vacation. We had 14 different flights within 14 days!

It was truly music to my ears when we happened upon a Worship Service already in progress on our first Sunday morning overseas. Though we couldn't understand the language we did recognize a few songs, and some were even sung in english! The music and fellowship helped to refresh our weary spirits. I whispered to James that it was like experiencing a little bit of heaven on earth.

It is amazing how the universal language of music crosses over barriers and allows communication between peoples of different countries and cultures. We sang praise songs with Burmese children while visiting an orphanage in Myanmar. We also sang praise songs with two Chinese believers as we were traveling in China.

However, I must admit it's taken awhile for me to get back into the swing of things here at home. All who were on the trip have suffered greatly from jet-lag due to the extreme time difference. I'm slowly catching up and feeling somewhat "normal" and believe I'm ready to resume blogging again. :0)

Yesterday I held my first guitar lessons since I've been away. One of my students walked in and excitedly displayed her new guitar for my approval. It was a...

Washburn DK20CET Dreadnought Cutaway Acoustic-Electric

...I had recommended this guitar to her before I left, but had never actually played one. What a beauty! The picture doesn't do it justice.

My student was looking for a decent guitar under $200 and she certainly found one. Washburn is a company I trust for making quality guitars at a reasonable price, so I gave her the specs on this guitar. But I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw how nice it actually was. The guitar features a select spruce top, gold die-cast tuners, rosewood bridge and fingerboard, built-in WT-82 preamp with tuner, plus a gig bag, strap, and picks. The action is also good and the tone is, let's just say, music to my ears!

Another satisfied customer had this to say:

"Awesome Guitar,Excellent Price!!! I've been wanting a nice acoustic/electric for a while now and I've finally found one. It's definetly a keeper. Anyone looking for an A/E guitar, this is a must have,and for 200 bucks? You won't be disappointed."

Follow the link below if you would like to learn more about this guitar...

Washburn DK20CET Dreadnought Cutaway Acoustic-Electric

Anyway, as I was saying earlier, going to S.E. Asia was definitely a trip of a lifetime. It has given me some new insights into the role that music plays in all our lives and how we can utilize this medium to create a spirit of unity and connectedness with one another. There is so much to think about, reflect upon and be thankful for. My life now feels richer somehow.

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

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