Archives: July 2011
Hey, kids! Welcome to Free For All Friday, where we throw random stuff at the wall to see what sticks. It’s like a musical food fight! Who’s hungry?
Today’s agenda includes:
1 – A great soundtrack revisited
2 – What guitarists can learn from weightlifters
3 – The most creative band merchandise ever
Let’s do this! Continue reading “Free For All Friday, July 29, 2011” »
So my new current obsession is the song, “Rolling in the Deep”, by the British singer, Adele. Truth be told, I was somewhat familiar with Adele, but didn’t even know that the song pummeling my senses everyday over the car stereo and at the gym was hers. I just knew it was a great song with tremendous vocals and a cool, bluesy vibe.
It was really one of my students (yo, Savannah!) who inadvertently turned me onto Adele via her impassioned Facebook posts. So I asked her which Adele song I should check out first. She said, “‘Rolling in the Deep’ is her biggest song, so you could probably start there.” And so I did. And the rest is history, culminating in the following guitar lesson! Continue reading “How To Play…”Rolling in the Deep”” »
Hey, kids! Welcome to Free For All Friday, where we throw random stuff at the wall to see what sticks. It’s like a food fight, if the food consisted of deep-fried nuggets of musical goodness. Sounds yummy! (get it?)
Today’s agenda includes:
1 – Why guitarists are happy to be musical illiterates
2 – The second-greatest and most underrated group in pop music history
3 – Great vocabulary builders for the budding jazz guitarist
Let’s get this party started! Continue reading “Free For All Friday, July 22, 2011” »
Hey, kids! Welcome to Free For All Friday, where we throw a bunch of stuff at the wall to see what sticks!
Today’s agenda includes:
1 – Zen Guitar
2 – The 30 Day Challenge from Matt Cutts
3 – Rush in 2011
Guaranteed to make you stronger, wiser, and better looking. Enjoy! Continue reading “Free For All Friday: July 15, 2011” »
This post is all about repetitions. “Reps”, for you cool cats. You need more of them. When you think you’ve done enough, do a hundred more.
I’m not kidding. I get the clear impression that most folks trying to learn a skill – say, how to play guitar, for example – think a couple repetitions of a new phrase or chord or strum or scale is enough. Then you move on to something more, you know…fun! Apparently to some guitarists, getting your reps in is akin to torture… Continue reading “Thank You Sir, May I Have Another?” »
Welcome to the inaugural edition of “Free For All Friday“, where we throw a bunch of stuff at the wall and see what sticks…
Ever wonder how much money goes into making one of today’s hits? NPR’s website has a great article detailing the money that went into the making of Rihanna’s album, Loud, and, let’s just say, it was substantial. But big money doesn’t always guarantee big hits, even when you’re apparently paying off the radio stations. And I thought “payola” died in the 70s…
How Much Does It Cost To Make A Hit Song?
Whether it’s the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2011 or AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies, I’m a total sucker for Top Whatever lists. I love the debate and I love the chance to learn a little something about some of the entries with which I may be unfamiliar. So I was pretty psyched to read Guitar Player Magazine’s choices for 40 Most Influential Rock Solos! Can’t say I’m in total agreement with all of them – that’s part of the fun, of course – but it’s great reading for all of you rockers out there.
My own personal “most influential” solos include “Crossroads” (Eric Clapton), “Kid Charlemagne” (Larry Carlton), and “Stormy Monday” (Duane Allman and Dickey Betts) – how’s about you?
Guitar Player’s 40 Most Influential Rock Guitar Solos
“You may have more talent than me, you may be smarter than me…but I will NOT be outworked, period. I’m not afraid to die on a treadmill.” There’s no doubt in my mind that, after his film career is over, Will Smith has a career waiting for him in motivational speaking. I found this interview with Tavis Smiley posted on Alli McKee’s Fitness Blog, but it immediately resonated with me in terms of playing guitar at a high level. If you’re ever looking for guitar lessons, Will, I’m your guy. Seriously. Call me.
See you next Friday, kids!
Privacy by SafeSubscribeSM
For Email Marketing you can trust
Jim Bowley is a well-known Bel Air, Maryland based guitar instructor. Jim is respected throughout Harford County, and the MD/DC/PA region, for his guitar teaching technique of tailoring instruction for each student’s skill level — he gives lessons to beginner, intermediate and advanced adults and children.
