The Guitar Players Club

You know, I do occasionally promote more than one guitar learning course at a time. HOWEVER, I don't just randomly pick something because it looks good. Also, if I do ever have more than one link on this site, it's because there are different courses sometimes that specialize in a particular area of playing.

A good example is Playing through the Blues. It's a digital product that isn't intended to be a complete, end-all, never need another, guitar learning course. It's (obviously) intended to be educational material to teach the blues, and it does that well. Don't let me mislead you though, it does do a good job of teaching lead guitar well, but it mostly concentrates on the Blues genre.

Here's a quote from the author's site. I believe it sums up the course very accurately.

Playing Through The Blues - A Guide for the Lead Guitar Player is the most comprehensive, easiest method to learn blues lead guitar. You don't have to mess with driving back and forth to private lessons, you don't have to alter your schedule around your teacher, and you don't have to devote hours out of every day to a tedious practice schedule.

You will learn every amazing lick, scale, technique, and cool trick that you'll ever need to know ... and that's just the beginning. You'll learn what guys like Eric Clapton, BB King, Buddy Guy, SRV, Angus Young, Jimi Hendrix, Freddie King, Robert Cray, and so many more have amazed audiences around the world with.

I've also recommended, and still highly do recommend, the Musicnotes.com Guitar Guru method of learning.

Again, it's not meant to be a complete learning course. It's very specific in what it helps you accomplish. If you haven't checked it out yet, you really need to if you're just wanting to learn some specific songs very quickly. For just learning songs without going through the extremely painful, mind-numbing process of record (guess it's CD now) copying, Guitar Guru can't be beat.

I've got some programs that slow down the songs (while keeping them in key), but that's not the same. Guitar Guru will allow you to slow down the tune, but it has a graphic keyboard that also shows you EXACTLY which notes to play. Additionally, every song has printable music (and TAB) that shows the guitar parts. You couldn't ask for more if you're looking for the quickest way just to learn specific songs.

Musicnotes also has a great library of some classic songs for Guitar Guru, and it's growing more nearly every day. It's a great, huge library, plus they show an info. box at the bottom of the GG page shwoing what tunes will be released soon, and actually allow the customers to suggest which songs that they would like GG sessions for. The cool thing about this option is...THEY ACTUALLY LISTEN!! I can't say enough good things about Musicnotes and their incredibile Guitar Guru software, but read below.

You want to hear what is quite possibly the best testimonial for a company ever ? A while back I had made a very sizable (financially) purchase on some Guitar Guru sessions. I was printing some of the sessions and had a problem (mine, not Musicnote's). I wasn't sure exactly what to do so I called the toll-free number and actually talked to the CEO directly!! She was extremely nice, very helpful, and told me to call back if I had another problem.

You think I don't place this company in high regard ? 

Now, back to Learn and Master Guitar. This program is released by Legacy Learning Systems. If you're not familiar with them, do a little research. Most likely what you find out about Legacy Learning Systems will be enough to sell you on Learn and Master Guitar. What ? That didn't quite do it ? Ok, in case you haven't heard of Steve Krenz, then have a look at his bio.

This guy is the real deal and is the author and instructor of the course. He's worked with the best of the best in the music industry...people like Eric Clapton for example, and is a fantastic communicator and a pleasure to learn from.

I'm not going just reproduce everything here that you're going to see on the Learn and Master Guitar site, there's no reason to. However, I will say, for a program that now (new for 2008) includes 20 DVDs, plus the additional play-along CDs, printed material, student support site, as well as the community site (with over 6,000 active members!), you must have a look at this course if you're serious about wanting to play the guitar.

Look at it this way...for just the price of several weeks of private lessons, you can actually own this complete course. The videos are always there to review anytime that you want.

You could take lessons from a music shop 'instructor' that probably doesn't really even have the credentials to justify the costly lessons, for several years, spend thousands of dollars, and never learn a fraction of what Steve and his outstanding course will provide.

Which way would you rather spend your money ? The more you use the course, the less the lessons cost...think about it.

Just go have a look, view the demonstration and you will be hooked.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention...this course actually won two Telly Awards for excellence in the categories of Education and Use of Music. That's very impressive recognition.

If you haven't heard Tommy Emmanuel play the guitar yet, you have to get hold of a CD, like right now. I first saw him on a national TV show (not sure which one), and I was absolutely blown away. This guy is almost beyond words.

His career spans over four decades now, and he appears to still be in his prime. I can't imagine him ever being any better than he is now. I can't imagine anyone being any better...EVER!!

I've always loved guys like Chet Atkins, Steve Howe and the guys that really master the guitar, not just play well. Well, Tommy Emmanuel is right up there at the top of the list. Don't take it from just me though.

Chet Atkins was one of the first players to inspire Tommy all those years ago, and eventually Chet also became a fan. In 1996 Chet and Tommy recorded 'The Day the Finger Pickers Took Over the World.' Emmanuel recieved his first of two Grammy nominations for his effort.

Possibly one of the best honors bestowed on Emmanuel however, was when Chet Altkins desiginated him 'Certified Guitar Player.' There were only three other players to have that title given to them by the master himself, Chet Atkins. The other three players were Jerry Reed, Steve Wariner and John Knowles. I'd say Tommy is in pretty good company there.

Emmanuel, born in 1955 in his Australian homeland would appear to have many more years of prime playing years, but if you ever get the chance to see him play live, I'd hop on it!! To see this guy play live would surely be something that you'd never forget. I will see him at some point. I don't care if I have to travel to Australia to do so. I've actually always wanted to visit Australia, so that would be a great excuse.

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I'm sure you've heard by now that AC/DC has released a new album, their first in 8 years. It's entitled 'Black Ice' and debuted at No. 1 according to Billboard Magazine, which is probably not a big surprise.

AC/DC, Australia's primo Rock 'n Roll powerhouse is nothing new to selling lots of albums, but not only is their new album very hot, it's triggered an amazing upswing in sells of previous albums also.

For the week ending Oct. 26, 2008, Black Ice has sold over 784,000 copies, and their older catalog efforts have sold a combined 92,000 copies!! Those are obviously some impressive numbers.

Back in Black, the band's huge 1980 hit, sold 21,000 during the week in question, that's up from 9,000 the week before. According to the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), the album is the fifth all-time biggest seller in the United States. Sells to date are a staggering 22 million copies.

The album High Voltage, the band's 1976 debut, sold 11,000 copies in the week ending Oct. 26, 2008, that's up from 4,000 units the week prior.

What's the reason for these awesome numbers ? It's simple, AC/DC ROCKS!! As a guitarist, I've always loved Angus Young and his playing. Although he hammers out simple chords on his famous Gibson SG, nobody does it better, or makes it work so well.

This however isn't a review of AC/DC, or any of their music. I just wanted to mentiont the new album and the fact that the boys down under haven't lost their touch. I doubt they ever will either, as long as they still enjoy what they're doing. You can tell from the cuts on Black Ice that they still do enjoy playing their fantastic music.

If you haven't heard the entire album yet, you need to get a copy. It's very deserving of the accolades it's been receiving.

Let There Be Rock!!