This month we’re going to be jamming over a C Dorian progression using diatonic triads, melodic motifs and descending Intervallic lines. Let’s take a look at the chord progression first, and get a visual breakdown of why we are looking at a C Dorian tonality. The Chord Progression This month’s two-bar chord sequence contains a… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 12 – Triads, Motifs and Intervallic Lines
Although he had been performing and recording for many years, most listeners first heard the talented guitar stylings of David Ryan Harris on Dionne Farris’ hit single “I Know,” back in 1995. The rootsy slide parts of Farris’ tune might seem disconnected from Harris’ smooth R&B work or his playing with John Mayer, but dig… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | David Ryan Harris
This month we’re going to be jamming over a C Lydian progression. We’ll be using a simple, but unique approach to outline that modality, perhaps one you’d never thought of. The rhythmic approach to the chord progression features several “pushes” (upbeat anticipations) and a cool double-stop embellishment … so it’s well worth learning the chord… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 11 – Instant Lydian Using the Minor Pentatonic Scale
Kentucky native Theo MacMillan is currently taking Nashville by storm (along with his banjo-playing sister) and he has lots to say about acoustic construction, good tone, and cool custom inlays.
This month we’re going to be jamming over a funky D7(#9) progression. In fact, all three chords in this progression are altered dominant 7th chords with a sharp ninth alteration. These chords are often referred to as the “Hendrix” chord. Think of the song “Purple Haze” and you’ll understand why. The tonal center resolution point… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 10 – Nailing The “Hendrix” Chord
The master of tone and touch reveals what makes him feel “connected” to a guitar and why sometimes less input produces better results.
The “Big Four” of thrash—Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, and Slayer—rewrote the rules of metal in the 1980s. And if you were ever to expand that list beyond four bands, Exodus would most certainly make the cut. The Bay Area outfit was wildly influential and are regarded worldwide as pioneers of the genre. For more than 20… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Jack Gibson
The late, great Les Paul once said he wanted to create music that was so unique his mother could instantly tell his playing apart from anyone else’s. It’s a goal few guitarists have truly achieved, and one met by perhaps an even smaller number of bassists. One four-stringer, however, who has always had a super… Continue reading Catching up with Billy Sheehan
If Dobro superhero Rob Ickes says you can play, you can really play. Bluegrass guitarist Jake Eddy not only got that verbal blessing from Ickes, he got a musical one too, as Ickes and other bluegrass luminaries guested on Eddy’s eponymous record in 2021. More recently, Eddy collaborated with his brother Carter and Victor Furtado… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Jake Eddy
The pop music world is no stranger to hyperbole. Everything is a smash, every artist a star… or a megastar. Those terms get thrown around so easily that they can lose their meaning. But what if you found yourself on what is, quite literally, the biggest tour in history? Well, you could ask Amos Heller… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Amos Heller
Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month! Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. We’re celebrating by sharing some of our favorite tracks by musicians of Hispanic Heritage. Enjoy this playlist curated by… Continue reading Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
Stereophonics bass man Richard Jones has played a lot of big gigs on a lot of big stages with his storied Welsh band. From his rock-approved beginnings dressing up as AC/DC’s Angus and Malcolm Young with Stereophonics’ frontman Kelly Jones when they were just wee lads, Richard has spent the last 30 years creating infectious,… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Richard Jones
This month we’re going to be jamming over a cool B Dorian rock progression. The B Dorian mode is the second mode in the key of A Major. Simply put, B Dorian is the A Major scale played from B to B. The intervals we create by sequencing from the second tone of a major… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 9 – Targeting the Six and Nine
The Smashing Pumpkins guitarist Jeff Schroeder is a tough guy to pin down. On the one hand, he plays in one of the biggest alternative bands of all time, and yet it’s not out of place for him to wear a Michael Schenker t-shirt while he does so. He seems equally at home playing dreamy,… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Jeff Schroeder
Jordan Tice’s deft fingerstyle work has made him a steadily rising star in the bluegrass and Americana worlds since his 2005 debut. Whether on his solo releases (including his most recent, Motivational Speakeasy) or his collaborations with Hawktail and Haas Kowert Tice, or even performing the music of actor/musician Steve Martin, Tice delivers touch, tone,… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Jordan Tice
Many music fans were introduced to Fred Sablan when he was tapped as the Deftones’ bassist in mid-2022. Originally from Cupertino, CA, Sablan played both guitar and bass in various punk bands and, like many of his contemporaries, was influenced by Joy Division and New Order bassist (and Yamaha signature artist) Peter Hook. Sablan’s career… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Fred Sablan
This month we’re going to be jamming over an R&B style groove, with a tonal center of E7. That means we’ll be phrasing our lines and licks towards the chord-tones of E7. The tones of E, G#, B and D will be the strongest tones to resolve on, from the two melodic devices I’ve chosen… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 8 – Melodic Contours
Corey McCormick has lent his deep bass grooves to performances and recordings with such diverse stars as Neil Young, Chris Cornell, Willie Nelson, Vertical Horizon, and his current gig with Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real. And if you’ve heard his playing or caught a live show, he was probably working his low-end magic… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Corey McCormick
Alison Whiteacre has had an amazing music career as a recording artist, producer, composer for film, TV, and commercials, and the publisher of her own 4500-plus track music catalog. She’s also a parent, a daughter, and a transition and leadership coach. Through her own transformative quest, Alison has cultivated a profound ability to guide others… Continue reading Breakthroughs | Alison Whiteacre
Record Store Day is a day for the people who make up the world of the record store—the staff, the customers, and the artists—to come together and celebrate the unique culture of a record store and the special role they play in their communities. To mark this year’s Record Store Day, we spoke to Yamaha… Continue reading Record Store Day 2023: Jamie Lenman
Record Store Day is a day for the people who make up the world of the record store—the staff, the customers, and the artists—to come together and celebrate the unique culture of a record store and the special role they play in their communities. To mark this year’s Record Store Day, we spoke to Yamaha… Continue reading Record Store Day 2023: Steady Holiday