Lynyrd Skynyrd vs. Neil Young

Almost everyone is familiar with the fact that Lynyrd Skynyrd's song, Sweet Home Alabama, was written in response to Neil Young's song, Southern Man. Well, this may be somewhat outdated, and even a bit controversial, but I'd still like to express my opinion on the subject...

I've read some negative comments online about Neil Young and his song Southern Man. The ignorance and misunderstanding presented in such posts are sad, to say the least. One commentator said that Young had no right to create such a song because he isn't from Alabama. Well, the Lynyrd Skynrd band isn't either. They originated in Jacksonville, Florida.

What does that have to do with it anyway? What about freedom of speech? What about any issue that forces a person to draw a conclusion for conscience sake regarding what is right and what is wrong? Should we simply keep silent? Nothing would ever change if that were the case. Shouldn't we rather appreciate those poets and songwriters who are the catalysts for change in a society?

Many of my young guitar students want to learn how to play Classic Rock songs. Now, why do you suppose that is? One obvious reason is that they are good. But another reason may be that some of these songs convey a message of relevance and personal conviction. They are powerful and full of meaning. Southern Man is one such song.

Well, enough of my ranting. I can only assume that those who write such things are young and therefore have no personal experience with the racial discrimination that troubled America during '50s and '60s.

Racial Discrimination in Birmingham, Alabama During the '60s

That's why, when one of my students asked to learn how to play Sweet Home Alabama, I suggested she also learn how to play Southern Man. Then I gave her a brief history regarding the circumstances surrounding the two songs.

Sweet Home Alabama Tab

Southern Man Guitar Tab

Free Help Learning These Songs

Perhaps you have your own opinion about these two very popular guitar songs, so I thought it might be fun to have a mini Battle of the Bands Contest right here. Watch the two videos and then leave a comment telling me which is your favorite and why.

Sweet Home Alabama:



Southern man:

Till next time...
Keep practicing!

Free Guitar Tips

Guitar Techniques

There are several different guitar techniques you can utilize to embellish a chord or scale. Probably the most common ones are: hammers, pull-offs, trills, slides and bends. Today I'd like to show you how to play a hammer, which is also referred to as a hammer-on.

The hammer technique is easy to do. Just follow these simple steps to give it a try:

• Begin by striking the first string (open E)
  
  
• While the sound is still ringing, use the first finger of your fretting hand to hammer-on the note at the first fret (F). The action is similar to how one might use a hammer to pound a nail.

E: --0^1--

Hint: Only strike the string once with your pick. The second note is created when your finger hammers the string.

Move to the second string and repeat the process.

B: --0^1--

Continue playing the hammer on each string:

E: --0^1--
B: --0^1--
G: --0^1--
D: --0^1--
A: --0^1--
E: --0^1--

Now try playing this technique starting with your first finger on the first fret. Hammer-on with your second finger:

E: --1^2--
B: --1^2--
G: --1^2--
D: --1^2--
A: --1^2--
E: --1^2--

You can also practice playing the hammer on each fret while moving up the neck:

E:--0^1----1^2----2^3----3^4--etc...

Remember: The numbers represent the fret, not your fingers! You can use any finger to play a hammer, but the first and second fingers will be easiest to use.

A hammer can also be used to embelish a chord.

Try this:

• While holding a D Major chord, take your second finger off the first string.


• Strum the chord and while the sound is still ringing, hammer back down on the first string with your second finger.

It may take some practice before you're able to get a good sound, but as your fingers get stronger, the technique will become easier. Work on accuracy. Strive for tonal quality before speed.

Click the link below to learn more...

Guitar Tab Techniques

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

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GUITAR SECRETS YOU CAN USE!

Today I have a little guitar secret I want to share with you, but before I do, I was wondering how much you would be willing to pay for quality online, or offline, guitar lessons that include tab, video and audio? While you are thinking about this, remember that most guitar instructors, myself included, charge somewhere between $30- $50 an hour for private lessons.

Which brings me to the exciting news I want to share with you...

In case you haven't heard, right now you can get access to Guitar Secrets Charter Members area for only $27. That's a whopping $20 off the regular price of $47 and even less than you'd pay for just ONE lesson with a private guitar instructor! These lessons are like having your own personal instructor and include tab, audio and video files.

If you do the math you can see that a one-time payment of $27 for lifetime access is only $0.48 a lesson. Believe me, it will be hard to find a better deal than this anywhere else!

Here is an overview of the Guitar Secrets Course:

Section 1: Introduction:

• The key elements of a guitar


• What are the different types of guitars available today?


• How to choose a guitar that suits you best


• Learn how to hold a guitar properly


• Learn the basic techniques of playing the guitar


• What are the different types of guitar strings available today?


• What are the different types of guitar picks available today?


• How to get the maximum life out of your guitar strings


• How to tune your guitar - standard tuning


• How to tune your guitar - drop D tuning


• How to tune your guitar - whole step and half step tuning


• How to read guitar tabs and play songs you've always wanted


• Learn every note on your guitar neck


• Easy to follow chord guide for your reference


• Finger stretching exercises before you begin

2. Getting Into Chords:

• Learn the 7 major chords


• Learn the 7 minor chords


• Learn the dominant 7th chords


• Learn the major 7th chords


• Learn the minor 7th chords


• Learn the major 'sixth' chords


• Learn the minor 'sixth' chords


• Learn how to hold 4 different power chords


• Learn how to hold a barre chord


• Learn the 6 major barre chords


• Troubleshooting those common chord problems

3. Practice Strumming Chords:

• Try these different strumming patterns and techniques


• Practice riff using 3 main chords


• Learn how to swap between chords quickly and easily


• Learn how to play the 12 bar blues riff and in different keys


• 8th Note Strumming - Part 1


• 8th Note Strumming - Part 2

4. Getting Into Leads And Scales:

• Introduction to scales


• What are the key elements of a scale


• Learn the 5 major pentatonic scales


• Moving the 5 major pentatonic scales on the fretboard


• Learn the 5 minor pentatonic scales with root notes


• Learn the 5 major diatonic scales with root notes


• Learn the 5 minor diatonic scales with root notes


• Practice song with a basic lead


• Practice song using these new advanced lead licks

5. Expoloring Further Lead Techniques:

• Hammer on's using single and double notes


• Pull off's using single and double notes


• String bending techniques


• String sliding techniques


• Pick sliding tricks


• Improve your leads with these ideas and techniques


• How to work out those leads you're struggling with


• Triple the speed of your leads with this "alternative" technique


• Flashy lead licks that will blow your audience away

6. Hot Extras How to make your guitar sound like a violin

• What is a good amplifier to go for?


• Sample settings to get the best sound out of your amplifier


• Special guitar effects and samples sounds to listen to


• Harmonics - what are they and how to play them on your guitar


• Quick tab software to make music a lot easier
  

7. Free Bonus Gifts (valued at $88)

• How to create your own successful original song


• 5 sample jam tracks for you to use


• Easy Guitar Chord Dictionary Software


• Scale Tool Generation Software


• Download the entire site to you home PC

Guitar Secrets includes a full 30 day money back guarantee if you're not completely satisfied, so there is nothing to lose.

Order the Gutar Secrets Course Here

Make sure you click through to the order page after selecting your payment option. That is where you will see the discounted price if it is still available.

I don't know how long this offer will last. The truth is, no one told me about it. I just happened to see the offer when I was on their website and clicked through to the order page. Apparently the price has been lowered due to the current economic crisis.

So, if your looking for an affordable way to get some quality guitar lessons, this is it. As a member you will have the option to access the entire site of lessons online, download them to your own computer and work offline, or even have a special CD of all the lessons created and sent to your physical address by snail mail. The choice is up to you.

It's such a good deal that I'm planning to order and use their resources with my own students as soon as I finish writing this blog.

I highly recommend that you take advantage of this excellent opportunity while it lasts too!

Here's the link again..

Order the Guitar Secrets Course Here

Till next time...

Keep practicing!
Free Guitar Tips

Guitar Fretboard Memory

How is your guitar fretboard memory coming along these days? Can you identify all the tones in various positions along the neck? You've probably heard that your knowledge of the fretboard is absolutely essential to developing your skills as a guitar player.

Below is a systematic way to help you begin learning where the tones are located on the guitar fretboard...

The very first step is to memorize the open strings:

1 - E

2 - B

3 - G

4 - D

5 - A

6 - E
Here is an acrostic you can use when starting from the sixth string:
Eephants And Dogs Grow Big Ears
Here is another one to use when starting from the first string:
Easter Bunnies Go Dancing At Easter
(that's a good one for this time of year :0)

Next, practice "playing and saying" the notes on each string as you move up the fretboard to the 12th fret (the sequence repeats itself after the 12th fret).

Example:

6th string: E--F--F#--G--G#--A--A#--B--C--C#--D--D#--E-

Be sure to do this with each string, "playing and saying" each note out loud.

Now play the entire exercise again in reverse. The sharps you played moving up the neck to the 12th fret become flats when you move from the 12th fret down to the 1st fret.

Memorize this Rule of Music:

Raising a natural tone (ABCDEFG) one fret (half-step) creates a sharp (#).


up -> A A# B

Lowering a natural tone one fret creates a flat (b).


down -> B Bb A

Most people find it harder to say the alphabet backwards and think in flats, so remember to play and say the notes out loud as you move back down to the first string. The key is repetition!

After you are familiar with how the fretboard is layed out, you should focus on memorizing a specific area or position. I suggest you start by memorizing the notes moving across the strings in first position.

Example:

FIRST FRET:

1 - F

2 - C

3 - G#

4 - D#

5 - A#

6 - F


SECOND FRET:

1 - F#

2 - C#

3 - A

4 - E

5 - B

6 - F#


THIRD FRET:

1 - G

2 - D

3 - A#

4 - F

5 - C

6 - G


Start with sharps, then repeat this process using flats. After the first 3 frets are memorized, begin memorizing the notes across the frets where the small dots are located on the side of the neck. These are important reference points that are commonly marked on most guitars.

Your goal is to develop your fretboard memory by building an association between the notes and your fingers.


Until next time...

Keep practicing!

Free Guitar Tips