Guitar Technique Tutor Podcast
By D A Arlaus
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Podcast Description
Here's a weekly podcast for guitar students and seasoned guitarists alike. The Guitar Technique Tutor Podcast includes segments entitled Intro, Student Spotlight, Acme Award, Question of the Week, News, Take Note and Outro. D A Arlaus has composed by commission, played at elite venues and taught a highly effective, original guitar method throughout the NY metro area for decades. Now it's time to give back and "spread the excellence, one guitarist at a time." Complete audio and show notes archives are available at http://www.guitartechniquetutor.com/podcastnotes.php
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Episode 075: Green but not with Envy | The podcast is “green” again, this week. No students are in the Student Spotlight. Everyone played very well or okay. None of them rose to the level of exceptional this week, so the Spotlight is dark. Hey dudes and dudettes, let’s see some. The Question of the Week is about hammers and bends. News is about a great $110 gift card offer from Takamine Take note is about opportunities to hear music over the summer. If you’re in the NY metro/northern NJ area, make it a point to visit the Mahwah Museum in Mahwah, NJ for the Les Paul in Mahwah exhibit. You have just over a month to see the full exhibit, before it is reduced from the feature that is has been since September, to a significantly smaller installation. The museum is open Wed, Sat and Sun. from 1 - 5. I am certain they will accommodate private time in the museum for a group, if at all possible. Don’t forget the Les Paul Birthday Gala on June 9 if you’re in the NY Metro area. It will be at the Trustees Pavillion at Ramapo College. I want to say Hey to Joas, who I’ve spoken to about lessons. We are having a scheduling challenge so we have not yet had a consultation. He seems passionate about learning to play guitar. He’s already got 1 foot in the music industry. If you’ve been on tenter hooks since last week, wondering if I have had the delight of the aural bliss of new DRs on my guitars, wonder no longer. No. I still haven’t had a second for string changes. Right now, the Memorial Day weekend should afford me enough down time to change my guitars’s strings. And while we’re on the topic, I will be skipping a podcast and relaxing for the unofficial start of summer weekend here in the States. I plan to be back behind the mic the 1st Monday of June. I guess I should say that it’s possible I’ll be a bit hoarse. That weekend I have a major, multi decade reunion to attend. It had to be rescheduled from having been cancelled in October, when we had a freak blizzard. I suspect I’ll be talking a lot, so my voice may suffer for a few days. Thanks for all the good wishes for E-Rex's cancer diagnosis. He has one more laser surgery this week and then radiation in the autumn. | 5/23/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 074: Abridged | I think I’m going to be DR unrequited for a while longer. I can’t even speculate about getting my strings changed this week. We’ll see. Keep your ax humidified. Don’t allow temperate days lull you into a false sense of security. Your guitar needs at least 40% humidity in the environment. Don’t’ forget Les Paul in Mahwah at the Mahwah Museum in Mahwah, NJ and the Les Paul Birthday Bash Gala on June 9th. Congrats to Danielle, Lani and Talia. Keep up the good work. I don’t know what Tal is going to decide to do. The Gibson bus is totally fun for the whole family - most especially guitarists and music fans, but everyone will enjoy it. Try to get there on May 23rd or 24th and see the full exhibit FOR FREE! Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes for my sweetie E-Rex. He’s got a long period of time for treatment with a pre-radiation procedure on the 22nd. I'll do my best to record next week, even if over the weekend. | 5/12/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 073: You've Got to Be In It to Win It | This week, there is 1 student in the Student Spotlight, Arno. The question of the week is from Yoshi who wants my input about him learning to play guitar - this is an interesting one, He was forced to play violin as a child. News is about some great guitar give aways from both Gretsch and Fender, and the Take Note segment is about protecting the finish of your guitar, now that short sleeve and no sleeve weather is approaching. Dont' forget to humidify if your axe isn't always in a 40% humidity environmnet. Don't forget all the Les Paul festivities over the coming month or so. Also the museum exhibit will be shrinking at the end of June. Go now to see EVERYTHING. If you can make it to the Birthday Bash, you can bid on some extraordinary pieces of music history (not just Les Paul). | 4/30/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 072: Les is Still More | I hope your week was great. I’m in E-Rex pre-surgical mode, so I’m the keeper of the count down list. You know, the 10 days before surgery do this, this and this and cease doing this? Well, we’re at 3 days as I record this show. I have noticed he has much more self control or self restraint in Michael's playing. It’s personal and musical maturity to embrace the advice of someone who might know more about some aspect of playing than you do, and actually implement their advice. You rock, dude. This week I’m saving electricity and being green -- no students in the Spotlight, so it’s turned off. Most of my students did very well, but the Student Spotlight is for excellence over and above the usual good work I expect from them. The question of the week is from Luis, from Australia, who I mentioned last week. One of his questions is about someone of his experience and age learning to read music. News is about Les Paul movie night at the Mahwah Museum. The Take Note segment is about the long awaited production called Thank You, Les. Yes, I know I did a Les is More podcast in September or October. Well, this one will be entitled Les is Still More. Because he is one of those few topics that bears repeating and revisiting. In the Les is More podcast, I think I stressed his inventions, innovations and the vast contributions Les Paul made to all of 20th century culture and the music industry. This show’s segments will deal more with his musicianship. If you are not a student of mine but have a question you would like addressed on the show, please email me at guitartechnique@gmail.com. If I use your question on the air, I’ll be happy to send you a Guitar Technique Tutor Podcast pick for your trouble. Although we finally got some much needed rain, here wildfire-hazard northern NJ, a few days of rain won’t keep your guitar from drying out. Continue to check your hygrometer (and if you don’t have a hygrometer, go to the hardwired store and get one). If you have less than 40% humidity in the room in which you keep your guitar, humidify it. How could you forget the Les Paul in Mahwah exhibit at the Mahwah Museum in Mahwah NJ? It’s impossible if you listen to this podcast. Make your plans now, before the installation shrinks to something a 5th of the size it is now. | 4/23/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 071: Angry Bird | Congratulations, Shira, for excellent work at her 1st lesson. I was impressed. Danielle is asking about shortcuts to understanding what key she transposes to when she applies a capo and is reluctant to count intervals or half steps. I see a chart in her future. News from our friends at Fender is about the 2012 American Standard Strats. If one is in your price range, you can purchase a veritable icon of electric guitardom. I did just make up that word but it seems fitting. Save the date of June 9 for the 97th birthday bash for Les Paul at Ramapo College and your opportunity to bid on autographed guitars from Les, himself. | 4/16/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 070: Summer's Coming | This week there are 2 students in the Student Spotlight, the Question of the Week comes from Joel and is about music writing programs, News is from Taylor and the Take Note Segment is about the the National Guitar Workshop summer programs. Welcome, new student, Shira. Students, be sure to change my number in all your contact holding devices. The old number will go away in the very near future. Listeners, if you have visited my web site which is www.GutiarTechniqueTutor.Com and took the number you found there more than 2 weeks ago, please replace it with the current new phone number you will find on the site. Just a note, listeners, I will not broadcast a show next week, although I will be teaching a few students. | 4/3/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 069: Confessions | I'm loving my DRs even though they no longer sound new. Don't miss the Les Paul in Mahwah exhibit in its full glory. Congratualations Amber, Arno, Danielle and Talia. Great work. The application of scale type studies to real life guitar playing is a greater aptitude for improvisation and hearing various key tonalities as well as the dexterous chops to play them. Check out the entire line of Blacktop instruments from Fender. If you drool over low registers, the Blacktop Tele Baritone may be for you. IF you’re taking your guitar ANYWHERE, protect it with a case commensurate with its value. Episode 070 will be next week and after that, I will take a week off during Passover and Easter week. | 3/27/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 068: iTalk | Seely survived having his cast/splint removed from his teeny leg. Still lovin' the DRs. Don't forget the last few months of the full Les Paul in Mahwah exhibit at the Mahwah Museum. In the Student Spotlight this week there is Arno. He did really well, considering the tumult of his last few weeks. Dude! The Question of the Week is about accompaniment, again. My suggestion is Chord Bank or Chord Bank Pro. News is about version 1.2 of Garage Band for iOS. The Take Note Segment is about iRig | 3/20/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 067: Daylight Giving Time | Daylight Savings Time was a killer. This week, there is 1 student in the Student Spotlight, the Question of the Week is from Michael, about whether he should be playing scales with a metronome, the News is about Takamine’s 50th Anniversary guitars, and the Take Note segment is about the “C Shape” - not the chord, the left hand position. The Les Paul exhibit will shrink at the end of June so get there ASAP. I love my DRs. I picked up a G7TH Nashville capo, which I really like and tthe little bird is almost free of his splint/cast.Shazam, Talia found her humidifier. Really! Please note my business phone number is changed. | 3/12/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 066: (the real one) Inseparable | No one is in the Student Spotlight this week. It's sad but true. The Question of the week is from a student asking about the importance of strum direction, News is about the PRS DGT Standard Limited Edition guitars and Take Note is about another gallery talk that is part of the Les Paul in Mahwah exhibit. If you’re free Tuesday night, March 6, keep listening and reserve your spot. | 3/5/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 065: Oye, Oye | Family pet crisis is under control and I think I'll be back to weekly podcsts. Yay!. New DRs are on 2 guitars. Double Yay! This week there are 3 students in the Student Spotlight, the Question of the Week came in via email from Ruth and is about getting back to playing after not playing for years, News is from our amigos at Epiphone, about the 2 Joan Sebastian signature guitars they are offering and Take Note is about your inspiration to play. I was reminded of my original inspiration for beginning to play the guitar when I saw something in the news last week. | 3/1/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 064: Ode | This show is in memory of our dearest friend, Dot. There's an ironic continuation of the humidifier story, Julia is alone in the Student Spotlight, the Question of the Week is about Humbucker pickups and came by email from Kenji, the News is about Gretsch's reintroduction of the 50's era Rancher acoustic series and the Take Note segment is about a George Harrison guitar collection app. I've been on trauma overload for a while and hope to resume weekly podcasts on February 27. Sorry for the frequent breaks lately. | 2/18/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 063: An Offer You Can't Refuse | I have still not changed my strings and the gutiar that needs the strings screams at me every time I walk past her, “I need DRs, now!! Help me!!” I’ve got to do it. For those of you following the infamous unnecessary humidifier (I know, a humidifier is never unnecessary - bear with me, here) the unnecessary humidifier that I picked up for a student who claimed she didn’t have one, until I took one to her and her mother said, “Oh, that! We have one.” Hence the humidifier I took, was unnecessary. Today I gave that humidifier to Michael, who has never humidified any of his guitars. I suggested he humidify a guitar he has that has a crack in the top, just so if the guitar dries out, the crack is not made worse. I hope Michael uses it. You need to humidify your guitars too. Remember, it’s almost guaranteed that you need a humidifier if your dwelling is closed up and either the heat or air conditioner is on. If you’re in the NY metro area, don’t forget to visit the Les Paul in Mahwah exhibit at the Mahwah Museum in Mahwah, NJ. This will not be a full feature podcast. but rather an abbreviated version. I’ll confess at the start, this is a podcast. We’re sort of in vigil mode. Our dear friend is in her last days, possibly hours, so my distraction level is high. If there is no podcast next week, don’t be surprised. We may have it wrong and she may live a couple weeks, but I can’t imagine she will be able to endure what she is going through for that long. Our hearts are heavy over this and it’s a challenge to function hour to hour, not knowing exactly what’s going on. We expect update calls around the clock. So today, I’m going to mention students who are in the Spotlight, News and Take Note. I’m going to dispense with the Question of the Week, because I didn’t receive anything that intriguing or interesting from students or by email and I’m not inclined to tap my memory today. In the Student Spotlight there are 2 students, the news is about a new Signature guitar from Fender and 2 that will be introduced later in the year and the Take Note segment is about the Jersey Guitar Mafia. No, I’m not kidding. I’m Italian, so it’s okay for me to talk about the mob. Don’t let my last name fool you. | 1/23/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 062: You've Got to Tell Somebody | Humidify or your guitar will sound like a cicada before you know it. I hope I’ll get those DRs on this week. Congrats to Julia and Lani. Great work, dudettes, let’s see a little more effort and time and you’ll both be spectacular guitarists. Which came first? The lyrics? The melody? The chord progression? It depends on who you ask. If you’re free on January 28, get to Ocean Grove for the 9th annual concert to benefit the Ocean Monmouth food bank. Don’t go empty handed. They will be collecting non-perishable food. If you or your loved one is taking lessons and has any kind of learning or processing challenge, make sure the instructor knows about it. Don’t forget the Les Paul in Mahwah exhibit at the Mahwah Museum in Mahwah, NJ. It’s open Wed, Sat & Sun. and is worth the trip. There is more Les Paul info there along with his amazing inventions, guitars and other memorabilia than anywhere else. | 1/16/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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061: Nuts and Bolts | Well, almost everyone is back from their vacations and students are getting back to their usual practice routines. That’s a good thing. I have to say, some of them were suffering from spring fever in January last week. We had a few down right balmy days for January in New Jersey. I had planned to review a particular guitar for this podcast but some family matters and illness (not E-Rex this time) are sucking up a lot of time and attention and will probably do so for a while longer. Did you change your strings for the new year? Some people like to have fresh strings on their guitars for the 1st of the year. That reminds me… Last week a few students were assigned the New Year’s Eve song Auld Lang Synge to play by ear and write in notation. Now there’s a song, the words of which I have determined almost no one knows! It was so funny to work through it, with some students, and always reaching some point where it was blah blah blahs rather than the lyrics. What a hoot. That should be a Final Jeopardy Answer. I have 1 guitar that needs new DRs and I’m going to try to take care of that this week. There’s 1 lonely dude in the Student Spotlight this week. The Question of the week is about the International Guitar Hall of Fame. News is about the 54th anniversary of an iconic guitar and the Take Note segment is about rhythm exercises. | 1/9/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 060: Make a List | Yes…. it’s Monday and I am back behind the microphone as in months gone by. It feels great to be back on schedule and to have my E-Rex getting well and me being healthy. Happy 2012. Did you ring in the new year with a large or small celebration? We kept it quiet with a nice meal and a delicious, sparkling glass of de-alcoholized Asti when the Times Square ball dropped. Are you a resolution maker? Customarily, I am not, but this year I’m going to confer with each of my students and I’m going to have them create a list of goals they should be aware of and working toward. It will be interesting to see if them having a tangible list, will help keep them motivated and focused as the year progresses with its playing challenges. I’ll address this idea in this week’s Take Note segment. You may find it helpful to set your sites on very particular aspects of playing this year. You can follow me on Twitter, where I'm GuitarTechnique. I'm not a tweeting maniac, I tweet to update anyone following me and retweet what I think is interesting. On my home page and the podcast page of my web site, you'll find links to subscribe to the podcast in a variety of ways and/or to subscribe to the show notes by email or a reader. Don't hesitate to email me your question for the Question of the Week segment. If I use your question I will be delighted to send you a Guitar Technique Tutor Podcast Pick. | 1/2/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 059: Better Late than Never | Sorry for the ongoning interruption in what heretofore has been pretty regular podcasting for nearly a year and a half. Unfortunately, when I returned home from teaching a few days after my last podcast, E-Rex was in bed and sick again. After his brush with death a few weeks earlier, everything other than getting him well again, came to a halt. Once he was stable again, I came down with a terrible stomach bug that had me out of commission for 4 days. We're both fine, now. I want to wish you a belated Happy Chanukah, a belated Merry Christmas, and an on-time Happy New Year. Providing there are no further health set backs in our family, I will resume podcasting on the 2nd of January. In most cases, Monday will remain my recording day and the podcast should go live by Monday night or Tuesday afternoon. | 12/30/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 058: Played Out | Thanks again for your forbearance during my absence while my dear E-Rex was incapacitated and last week. I had every intention of resuming the podcast, but I think I had post traumatic stress syndrome. All I could manage was working and family administrative necessities. I just couldn’t remain focused for anything more than that. I’m drowning in paperwork and I’m his social director of medical appointments - but I’m not complaining because E-Rex is improving daily. Well, a week ago Saturday, some of my students and I were at the Les Paul in Mahwah exhibit. I was delighted to play Les’s gold semi-hollow body guitar through HIS amp. Despite that the strings were played out ( a little like the way I felt), the guitar sounded really sweet. Remember if you purchase a guitar online, use a reputable dealer. if your year end holiday travels bring you anywhere near northern NJ or the NY metro area, check out the Les Paul in Mahwah exhibit at the Mahwah museum in Mahwah, NJ. It’s open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (but check Christmas and New Year’s weekends.) Nice work Anya and Arno. Keep it up. If you want to surprise someone with a guitar or big guitar accessory, think gift card, don’t just buy anything to get it done. Check out the new Epiphone ES-339s. They are 21st century guitars. Listen to yourself ruthlessly and be sure to balance your individual playing style with the original intent of the composer if you are not playing original music. Links for everything and show archives are available at http://www.guitartechniquetutor.com/podcastnotes.php | 12/14/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 057: What's Up? | How’s everything going? I hope you’re playing well, conquering your technique challenges and on the road to mastering your guitar. As for me, I’ve been MIA from the podesphere for a couple weeks. My beloved E-Rex, formerly known as the E-Man, fell deathly ill almost 2 weeks ago on November 10th. Literally he was at the brink of death with a 105.7 temperature, terribly low blood pressure, and septic shock. The culprit was an infected, distended and stone laden gall bladder. It had to be removed so it wouldn’t burst, under much less than ideal circumstances the following day. He was in the hospital for 8 days with some complications from the infection and severe dehydration. I’m so grateful to have been able to bring him home Friday. He still needs a lot of care, so that’s what’s up with me. I haven’t taught for 2 weeks, but if E-Rex is well enough, I will resume next week. Then, the following week, I hope to return to podcasting. At that time I should have plenty of fresh info for you. In the mean time, if you're a newer listener, you might want to check out previous shows until I'm broadcasting again. I hope to return to regular, weekly podcasts featuring the Intro, Student Spotlight, Question of the Week, News and Take Note segments you usually hear, on the 1st Monday of December, providing things on the home front are progressing well. Students, you know you can call me if you need something new or more to play and you really know that you should be practicing as though I were to see you tomorrow. Practice, have a great couple weeks and until next time, I'm your host, D A Arlaus, doing my part to spread the excellence, one guitarist at a time. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. | 11/22/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 056: Don't Make Me Put a Bag Over Your Head | Nice work, Arno. You're the only one in the Spotlight this week. I know you’re between jobs and it will be soon that you have to return to the daily grind. Your consistency is admirable. Whether you’re a student being tested or a musician who’s uniformed or rusty about relative minors, just descend a third to find any major key’s relative minor and conversely ascend a third from any minor key to find its relative major. There’s a new book out by Olivia Harrison, about George and Gretsch is giving away their G6128T-GH George Harrison Signature Duo Jet® guitar, along with a copy of George Harrison: Living in the Material World, the companion book to the documentary by Oscar-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese. Please please please refrain from neglecting your ears as you learn and practice and perform. For the love of your axe or axes, HUMIDIFY. Now that the heat is on in our wee space, I have had to rewet my humidifiers much more often. | 11/7/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Epispde 055: Engage! | I was bummed to have missed Sharon Isbin as a special guest of Stanley Jordan at the Iridium last Monday. I had the pleasure of seeing a former student, Tommy, yesterday. He looked good and reported that he just changed his strings. That means one broke or he’s playing a lot at college. I’d like to think the latter. I’m happy to be welcoming Talia back in to my schedule. She went away over the summer, which is her custom, but then, her home was flooded in the hurricane and there have been some other personal family issues going on, so Talia, I am looking forward to seeing you Thursday. I missed you!!! Andy, it was great to speak with you over the weekend. I’m sorry we can’t work together at this time, but feel free to contact me if things change. I am loving the DRs on all my guitars. I’ve played a lot of strings for a lot of years. For me, there is no better string on the market. I have a rather big social event this coming weekend. There’s a possibility that I will skip this show next week. This week there is a lone student in the Student Spotlight, the Question of the Week was actually some lazy student statements and questions that I need to address. News is about taking a tour at your local guitar builder. and my Take Note topic engage your brain, not just ears or just eyes or just muscle memory. | 10/26/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 054: The French Connection | Les Paul in Mahwah Museum Talks should be excellent if they fit into your schedule. Check in December for additional times to book your private session to play one of his guitar on the Museum stage. Congratulations Olivia. You’re Superchick. Julia, a little less rebellion and you’d be Superchick too. French Polish finish isn’t about where the polish is from, it’s a finishing method. There are pros and cons to this finish. It’s fragile and must be handled with thought. But it can be re applied and it’s peerless for sound quality. Be informed before you jump in. Check out the Epiphone Phant-o-Matic if it’s specs are what you’re looking for in your next electric. Protect your French Polish or traditionally finished guitar from the cosmetically deleterious effects of your skin, lotions, perfumes etc. by using one of the barriers made for just such a task. | 10/17/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 053: Opportunity Knocks | Don't forget the Les Paul i Mahwah exhibit at the Mahwah Museum in Mahwah, NJ on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Had some distraction last week but I hope to succeed at getting fresh DRs on my guitar this week. I’m salivating just thinking about them. Love you, Gibson. I hope you’re able to create beautiful instruments, unfettered. Check out the rally in support of the guitar titan last weekend. Congrats Arno and Danielle. Maintain your self-discipline and guard your practice time well. If you’re a whining guitarist because you don’t what to continue practicing something you’re recently learned, you better reassess your point of view. Bob Taylor’s gang has beautiful fall limited editions this year. Get them while you can. They’re now in stores. If you are looking for a delicious new Taylor, this year's collection boasts four distinctive offerings. A quartet of all-koa models and a pair of cocobolo/spruce beauties are linked by a wood-rich appointment scheme that includes a shared rosette design motif. They also brought Indian rosewood to the 400 Series and added a cedar top to the rosewood laminate nylon-string NS24. For full details, including photos, specs and dealer availability, visit the limiteds link in the Show Notes. Calling all singer songwriters! Taylor Guitars and Guitar Center, the world's largest retailer of musical instruments and equipment, has announced "Guitar Center Singer-Songwriter," an artist discovery program which aims to find the nation’s best unsigned singer-songwriter. Along with other top musical instrument and accessory manufacturers, Taylor Guitars will join Guitar Center to award one career-altering prize package to the top singer-songwriter, which includes a three-song EP with Grammy Award-winning producer John Shanks, worldwide distribution through TuneCore, $10,000 cash, and gear from participating companies, including a Taylor 814ce for the grand prize winner and GS Minis for the semi-finalists. The contest, which is part of the companies' shared mission to support emerging artists, kicks off on October 3 and runs through November 30. Artists can sign up today | 10/10/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 052: What's the Opposite of Acme? | Thanks for joining me! If you've been listening for a while you may recall me mentioning that I had a student consultation coming up with a man I thought I had had a consultation with before. As it turned out, yes, Jules was someone I had met with and spoken to in the past. I met a producer named Chris last week. His background and experience are not so well rounded yet. I talked to him about broadening his knowledge. I'm going to put DRs on my other nylon string guitar this week. I love love love those strings. DRs I have found that illusive sound I love. This week, there are 3 students in the Student Spotlight, The Question of the Week came in by email, from Shaya, about bends and slurs. News is about the PRS SE Acoustic Angelus guitar, and Take Note is being replaced, just this week, with the terrible Nadir Nomination Congrats to Arno, Danielle and Olivia for their excellent work this week. The Question of hte Week "What's the difference between a bend and a slur? I know one looks like an upside down or right side up V and the other looks like a curve. What's the difference in how you play them?”. A bend is a slur. You can bend extra tones, tap, hammer, pull them off or slide to them. It's an important point… you'll notice that the right side up V begins with a standard size note and the 2nd note is the teeny one AND the teeny one is lower in pitch. The right side up V is a PREbend. That means you bend the string without picking it, to what you know or at least presume, is high enough, THEN pick it and while it is sounding, move the string into its correct position, thereby lowering the pitch. This technique takes some experience to bend the correct amount before hearing the tone. As for the curved line you mentioned in your question, that's either tapping, hammering or pulling off. The difference between a hammer and tapping is which hand you use. News: The Paul Reed Smith SE Angelus Acoustic Guitar. The initial model for this new line will be the PRS SE Angelus, named after one of PRS’s most popular Maryland-made acoustic models.The product line will expand to include models with built-in pickup systems early in 2012. My take note topic this week is being replaced by the Nadir Nomination, a new anti-award, meant to embody the opposite of the Acme Award of excellence. Anya is the "winner." Don't neglect humidifying your guitars if your indoor environment is less than 40% humidity. I'll be changing another nylon string guitar's strings to DRs. Can't wait. Nice going, Mike and congratulations to Arno, Danielle and Olivia for being in the Spotlight this week. Be sure to articulate the various slurs you run into in your music, correctly. I don't know the price point, but if you're in the market for a fine acoustic guitar, you may want to check out the new SE Angelus model from Paul Reid Smith. Anya, I can't believe you! Don't forget that the Les Paul in Mahwah exhibit at the Mahwah Museum is worth your time and travel. | 10/4/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 051: Les is More | I'm going to ask you to indulge me 1 more week of departing from my usual, structured: intro, student spotlight, question of the week, news, take note and outro segments. There was just too much Les Paul in Mahwah going on to not talk about it today. Monday, the 19th, was Media Day at the Museum. Naturally, I attended. While there, I had the pleasure of meeting Jim Wysocki, a close friend of Les Paul's, who was with Les when some of the exhibit pieces were removed from his home. According to Wysocki, Les had tears in his eyes. On Thursday evening, when I was finished teaching, I buzzed over to a lecture being given by Michael Cochran, the author of Les Paul in His Own Words. Michael gained access to Les Paul through Chet Atkins, a musical idol of Cochran when young and someone Cochran later became acquainted with and about whom Cochran eventually wrote the biography, Me and My Guitar. Cochran interviewed Les Paul for 8 years, in order to compile the material for the biography. Friday was the Donor's Party at the Museum. I heard is was a great night. Then, there was the Tribute concert on Saturday night at Ramapo College. When I arrived, the Gibson Guitar bus was parked and open for visitors. I took some very low light pictures with my iPod . The bus was very cool. Upon entering the Sharp Theater lobby, there was a lot of anticipatory excitement. The concert was a sell-out. t The Sharp Theater is small, intimate and the perfect venue for the tribute. As I mentioned in Episode 050, I purchased the last orchestra seat in the theater - and it was a good seat. Row J 103. The 1st set was played by Bucky Pizzarelli, the vocalist and guitarist, John Pizzarelli's father. I've been listening to Bucky since I was a teenager. I'm astounded that he still has his chops. He may not still have the endurance of a young player, but he's still fast, clean and tasteful. You jazz cats and jazz kittens would have been impressed to listen to anything he played. There was a break and then Lou Pallo played his set. He as accompanied by John Colianni on piano (who was smoking' hot and amazing) an acoustic bassists who I have seen and heard play before and a Ramapo College instructor on Drums. I think he was called Bobby Daish but I may not have heard it correctly. Their last tune was a duet of Lou Pallo and Les on a video screen. The artists received a standing O and played one more song. It was a terrific night. . The following day, Sunday, the 25th, everyone was grateful that the rain forecast for the early afternoon held off. Notable guests at theLes Paul in Mahwah Exhibit at the Mahwah Museum Grand Opening ribbon cutting were Rusty Paul, Les Paul's son, Lou Pallo, Gibson Guitar and several others. I took a not-high-res video which is up on YouTube if you'd like to take a look. I'll link to it. if you find yourself in any kind of traveling distance from Mahwah, NJ on a Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday (I would guess not Christmas or New Years Eve or Day), you MUST visit the Mahwah Museum to experience and learn about Les Paul in Mahwah. The exhibit is mind boggling for a small town museum. If you're a guitarist, it's worth the trip. Don't forget that for a $25 donation to the Museum, you can play one of Les Paul's guitars through his amp, on a stage. The museum will be open for just you and your guests (small number) and you will be free to have pictures taken on that stage. Support the great work the Museum has done. I'm looking forward to next year's Tribute Concert, which the Museum board is hoping will be an annual event, attracting a wide array of guitarists and other musicians. Thanks for your forebearance. Next week, Episode 052 will return to standard fornat. Praactice, humidify if necessary and please listen again next week. | 9/29/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 050: Genius | I had a great experience last Thursday. I met Charles Carerra, at the Mahwah Museum. He gave me a "pre" preview of the fabulous Les Paul exhibit that will open on Sunday. When I say pre preview, I mean no velvet ropes, no barriers, some displays were exposed and not enclosed and the staging of the exhibit was still under construction. I made the appointment to interview Mr. Carerra, not even allowing myself to think about sneaking a peek before the media, donors or the public. When he graciously offered, I was exceedingly appreciative. He spent quite a while with me, walking me through the priceless treasure of the guitar icon and telling me some things I already knew, but many I had never heard . To see the octopus (the original sound on sound recorder) which was really the forerunner of Garage Band, was just beyond what I can express. I also saw the legendary "log" and "lathe." The actual workshop that was in Les Paul's home, is there. There is even a piece of the wall he constructed in his recording studio. On today's show, I will play the interview with Charles Carrera that was recorded on Thursday, September 15th. Don't forget that the Mahwah Museum, in Mahwah, NJ will be hosting this exhibit from September 25th through the end of June 2012. Wednesday, September 21, Michael Cochran (mentioned in the interview) will give a lecture, "Les Paul: The Man Who Changed the Music" at 3 PM at Ramapo College, Sharp Theater. The lecture is free. Thursday, September 22, Michael Cochran will give a lecture, "Les Paul: An American Music Genius" at 7:30 PM at Ramapo Reformed Church, 100 Island Road, Mahwah, NJ. Admission is $3 Saturday, September 24, Bucky Pizzarelli an Lou Pallo, good friends of Les Paul and extraordinary musicians in their own right, will play in a tribute concert at 8 PM at Ramapo College, Sharp Theater. I have my ticket I plan to have a follow up on the concert and on tomorrow's Media Day at the Museum . I have to admit that I'm thrilled to have already seen what the media people will only get a glimpse of tomorrow. | 9/18/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 049: Remarkable Guitar Playing | I got through the 10th anniversary of the worst day I have ever lived through. Each anniversary is harder, not easier for me. There's still no EL-00 for me to review for you. I'll try to play one for a review. Check out the Siquiera Lima duo playing Tico Tico if you want a simply sublime experience. Congratulations Arno and Julia for playing excellently this past week. I hope you'll have more company in the glow of the student spotlight next week. Neither you nor Hugo should not put nylon strings on your steel string guitar and vice versa. Guitarists and Les Paul admirers in the Northern NJ area, get your tickets for the Les Paul tribute concert at Ramapo College on September 24 and enter to win a Les Paul signed by each member of the trio. Proceeds will go to the Mahwah Museum which will open its Les Paul Exhibit the following day. If you think your progress is at a stand still or hampered, maybe it's an issue of form, technique or time. Don't forget to keep humidifying unless your environment is continuously over 50% humidity. | 9/13/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 048: Getting Back | A couple weeks ago, I put new strings on my student Julia's guitar. DR's of course. In my opinion, the best guitar strings money can buy. Check them out on your next string change. They are hand made right here in NJ. My week was productive - finally! If you haven't visited the GuitarTechniqueTutor.Com web site for a while, check out its new look. I will be doing some more work on it, but it's fully viewable. The text is displayed in very short lines so those viewing from a tablet or a netback will not see copy running into the left side navigation menu. I'll see if I can create a container element that floats in the center, into which I can put justified copy. If I can do it successfully on a test page, I will modify all the site pages. Don't look for that improvement until October or later. All the podcasts are being picked up by FeedBurner and iTunes. The show notes are being picked up by FeedBurner. Because I moved my feed, iTunes is only listing episodes 046 through this current one. I doubt that I will recreate all the other 45 enclosures for them to go up on iTunes, but if you're interested in earlier shows, they are all available here on the podcast page. My schedule is taking shape and in another week. I will probably have a few openings, so if you are interested, please contact me ASAP. Calling is always best and my phone number is on the web site. For the past couple weeks I had just a handful of students, so no Student Spotlight this week. The Question of the Week involves an naughty pinky. News is about the Epiphone EL-00 and the amazing DR DDTs. Take Note is about what you need to think about if you or a student in your household are thinking about beginning guitar lessons. | 9/7/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Episode 048 beta: Testing, Testing POSSIBLE DUPLICATE | Here's a weekly podcast for guitar students and seasoned guitarists alike. The Guitar Technique Tutor Podcast includes segments entitled Intro, Student Spotlight, Acme Award, Question of the Week, News, Take Note and Outro. D A Arlaus has composed by commission, played at elite venues and taught a highly effective, original guitar method throughout the NY metro area for decades. Now it's time to give back and "spread the excellence, one guitarist at a time." Complete audio and show notes archives are available at http://www.guitartechniquetutor.com/podcastnotes.php | 9/4/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 29 Episodes |
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