LES PAUL DIES AT AGE 94

The legendary guitar player/songwriter/inventor, Les Paul, died Thursday, August 13, 2009 at the age of 94. He will be remembered by millions of fans for his contribution to music and the development of the electric guitar.

Les Paul was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin on June 9, 1915 to George and Evelyn Polsfuss. He began performing and singing country music at age thirteen, using his guitar and a harmonica for accompaniment. Somewhere along the way he decided to change his name from Les Polfuss to Les Paul (probably because it's much easier to remember.)

Back in 1948, Les severely injured his right arm in a near fatal car accident. Doctors said he would never regain movement in his elbow, but Les was not deterred. Instead, he had the doctors set his elbow at a 90 degree angle so he could still play the guitar. Now that's what I call determination!

Watch this Les Paul & Chet Atkins Video:



Among the many things attributed to Les Paul are...

Recording Innovations:

• overdubbing
  
• delay effects
  
• phase effect
  
• Multi track recording

Unique Playing Style Innovations:

• licks
  
• trills
  
• chord sequences
  
• fretting techniques
  
• timing
  

Of course one of the things he's most famous for is his contribution to the development of the Gibson Les Paul Electric Guitar. Les was one of the first people to design and build a solid-body electric guitar.

He built "The Log" (his electric guitar prototype) in 1939 and tried to convince the Gibson Company to manufacture an electric solid-body based on his model. They weren't interested at first, but quickly changed their mind after the Fender company began producing solid-body electrics of their own.

The Gibson Les Paul Standard has since become a popular model which has been played by many famous musicians, including Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix. The Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty is one of my very favorite guitars- the name says it all.

You'll be amazed at the price difference between a slightly worn model and one in perfect condition...

Les Paul Standard Worn Series

There's also quite a difference in price between a "copy" and "the real thing"...

Epiphone Les Paul Custom

Though I can't afford "the real thing" right now, I do have Les Paul Black Beauty "copy" sitting next to me as I am writing this. :0)

Until next time...

Keep practicing!

Free Guitar Tips

WOODSTOCK'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY!

This August 15, 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the legendary Woodstock Festival that was held in upstate New York on Max Yasgur's dairy farm. Nearly a half-million people attended the concert that is now considered to be one of the most important events in rock and roll history.

It was 1969 and a generation of disillusioned baby-boomers were brought together by the simple power of music, forming the largest crowd that was ever assembled in one place before. The United States was at war in Vietnam and at home the country was in turmoil over the conflict. In contrast, 400,000+ "hippies" attending the Woodstock Festival got along peacefully, rain or shine.

Much of the music during those 4 days reflected the spirit of the times; often expressing anger over the war and a desire for peace in the world. Jimi Hendrix' rendition of The Star Spangled Banner, which was played on the last day for the 30,000 or so people still remaining, struck a chord that continued to reverberate long after the concert ended. He made that Fender guitar of his sound like missiles and machine guns were being fired from it!

I love his version of this song because it captures the real essence of war and what our freedom costs. I often listen to it on the 4th of July because it helps me remember those who have risked their lives in combat to preserve the freedom I enjoy. Watch this video clip to see Hendrix in action...



Free Star Spangled Banner Guitar Tab Here

Jimi's performance of The Star Spangled Banner was improvised spontaneously that morning. Not even his band members knew he was going to play it. How cool is that?!

Richie Havens, who opened the concert on the first day, was another one who improvised part of his performance. After playing his set, (he had been on stage for 2 1/2 hours) the crowd shouted for more. He didn't know what else to play, but went back out on stage and made-up a song on the spot. The vibes were right and out poured Freedom, another great tune that reflected the sentiment shared by so many others of that time.



More Free Guitar Tab Here

Of course there were other great performers at Woodstock- thirty-two in all. Among those who were invited, but didn't attend were...

Bob Dylan

Jethro Tull

The Doors

The Byrds

Led Zepplin

Tommy James and the Shondells

The Moody Blues

Mind Garage

Spirit

It's a Beautiful Day

and Joni Mitchell

(Joni wrote the song "Woodstock" which later became a huge hit for Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.)

It was an idealistic era. The mini-nation that was born at Woodstock during the summer of 1969, flew the banner of peace and love. When the concert was over Max Yasgur said: "if we join them, we can turn those adversities that are the problems of America today into a hope for a brighter and more peaceful future..."

Something for all of us to think about.

Till next time,

Keep practicing!

Free Guitar Tips

LEARN GUITAR WITH VIDEO - Free Drawing!

Have you ever tried to use a video to learn guitar? Some people find it easy to learn this way, while others think it's confusing, especially if the guitarist is playing too fast. Well, I have some good news for you...

I recently learned of a new "soon to be released" product that will be able to change the speed of a video so that you can watch it in slow motion. Here is a screenshot...

How it works...

Let's say you found your favorite song (like Stairway to Heaven or something) on youtube, but had trouble learning how to play the lead guitar part because it was too fast.

All you would have to do is download the video and then you could use this new tool to create a loop of the lead guitar part.

After that you would simply slow down the video to a comfortable speed and practice along until you mastered it.

There is a drawing now in progress where you can enter for a chance to win 1 of 25 free copies of this cool software...

ENTER TO WIN VIDEO SURGEON

Winners will receive the download version plus the Extended Upgrade Protection.

The project launch date is set for August 18, 2009, and many have already registered for a chance to win, so don't wait too long to enter.

More information about the drawing, plus several free demos of the software in action is available online at:

videosurgeon.net/

Until next time...

Keep practicing!