it will take to keep it going. There's nothing more that I would like than to have a useful site for aspiring guitarists, so I'm going to do everything I can to make it happen.

In the mean time, I'm going to be posting what I can, anything that may be useful to someone, anyone.

I was just flipping through a book on playing guitar. It's entitled, 'The Infinite Guitar', and is written by a fabulous guitarist, Chris Juergensen. This guy has paid his dues and put in the time and effort necessary to reach the upper limits of what can be accomplished when you set your mind to something. I highly recommend you get a copy of his book. Yoy can get more information at ChrisJuergensen.com.

I entitled this post 'Music Theory' because I caught a glimpse of a section of Chris's book about Music Theory. I'd just like to say that I realize many guitarists either seem to have the mindset that music theory is something that's maybe too hard to learn, or something that they don't need to learn.

Although you can get into some rather complicated aspects of music theory, what you need to learn from theory, is very doable....and very necessary. Obviously there are many musicians, not just guitarists that never bother to learn very much as far as theory goes. This doesn't mean that you can't become an excellent player...obviously. Although my theory knowledge isn't extensive, I know enough to help me tremendously. That being said, there are many, many players that I'm sure now less theory than myself, but are still better players. It just comes down to, if it helps you, why not do it ?

I can tell you, if you take some time to devote to learning some theory, you will never regret it. When you can hear the music, analyze it, and truly understand it, it opens up a whole different world to you as a musician.

If you're like me, and probably most players, you've spent your time listening to the same tracks over and over, trying to learn that blistering lead, or that different chord progression. Well, when you understand some of the theory behind the music, you can analyze what's being played, and then you can understand why it sounds like it does, and what is being played, even before you pick up the guitar. Believe me, that's better than just jumping all over the neck trying to see what fits.

Before I started to learn theory, I saw that the same chords would be used together in certain songs, but I didn't really understand the progressions. It makes it a lot easier to concentrate on your actual guitar playing technique, and not spend most of your time trying to decipher just what is being played.

I have a friend that studied, actually studied music from early on. When most of us where out partying, playing, and running around, he was hard at it. Needless to say, it paid off... very well. When I was trying to figure out the basic chords to a simple (now) classic rock song, he could just listen to music, understand the chord progression, and pick up a guitar (or sit at the piano) and play it.

I guess a good way to put it into words would be....use your ears and brain BEFORE, AND during your playing. It shouldn't just always be about picking up the axe and 'jamming'. It's fun, but there can be so much more.

Before attempting to learn the modes, a full understanding of the major scale is a must. If you don't know the major scale, stop here and go learn it. It's simple to learn, but make sure it is committed to memory before you move on. Also, when learning the modes, learn one, know it, memorize it and then move on to the next. There is nothing to be gained by knowing something 'a little'.

The first steps in learning the modes of the major scale are learing the names and the order.

Here is the formula of the modes in a C major scale. I'm using a C major here for added simplicity, but the formula (order & names), is always the same, regardless of the key. Only the notes will change.

In C major, when we play the C major scale from C to C, we have the IONIAN Mode (major scale). Going D to D gives us the DORIAN Mode. Next, we get the PHRGYIAN Mode when going from E to E. If we start on F and go to F, we have the LYDIAN Mode. In following, we will obtain the MIXOLYDIAN Mode when we play from G to G. A to A is the AEOLIAN Mode (natural minor), and lastly we get the LOCRIAN Mode by starting on B and going to B.

1.) Ionian (major)

2.) Dorian

3.) Phrygian

4.) Lydian

5.) Mixolydian

6.) Aeolian (natural minor)

7.) Locrian

If you've noticed the rather strange names given the modes, well, we have the Greeks to thank for that. They're terms from Grecian culture, some pertaining to some of the groups and subgroups of people of the period.

The modes give a very distinct 'feeling' when played over the appropriate chord progressions, hence a good understanding is necessary to become a good soloist. Although certain modes are often more associated with certain styles of music, it's best to learn all you can about modal playing.

The great Philosopher Plato believed that listening to music played in a particular mode, would cause one to have behavior associated with that mode. He suggested that soldiers listen to music in the Dorian or Phrygian modes to help make them stronger, and also believed they should not listen to music in the Lydian, Mixolydian or Ionian modes. He believed that those modes might 'soften' them. Plato also believed that a change in the musical modes of the state could cause a wide-scale social revolution.

Soloing Using the Modes

Although we won't get into the modes in depth until a later time in the lessons, I will make a point here. MANY people get confused in the area of modes. They keep hearing how important that they are to know, and they are important. However, I often hear students say something to the effect, 'How come when I play the D dorian scale, it sounds identical to a C major scale ?'. Well, it's going to, it IS a C major scale. You're just starting on the D note of the scale. It isn't the scale, it's the chord that matters. When playing a C major scale over a C major chord, regardless of what note in the scale you start on, it's all going to sound the same, like a C major scale. It's when you use the mode in conjunction with the appropriate chord that you get the 'modal effect'. So, if you play that same D dorian mode (C major scale), over a D minor chord, you will get the modeal effect of the Dorian mode..

The important thing to remember, other that the modes themselves obviously, about modal playing, is...it doesn't matter on which note that you start and stop on when playing. It matters what chords or chord progression you are playing 'against' or 'over'. This is an area where nearly all students get confused unless it's explained very thoroughly starting out.

So, a C major scale, regardless of what note you start or stop on, played over a D minor chord, is a D dorian scale.

We will get more in depth into the study of the modes in a later lesson.

Learning to Play the Guitar with Software

Learning to play the guitar can be a time consuming process. Loading up in the car and taking the trip across town to the Music Center for your lesson can get to be a mundane routine. Today, it is even more expensive with fuel prices sky

rocketing. Well, you can now learn to play the guitar anywhere you have a computer.

Learning to play the guitar with software is fun and easy. It is not for everyone though. Some people just need the personal touch of a teacher to help them. If you learn well on your own and can follow instruction well, learning with software is for you.

There is a wide variety of software packages available to teach you how to play the guitar. Some of these software programs are:

• Jamorama: learn to play the guitar with this low cost software based instruction course. The software is downloadable from the Internet. You must use a computer to take these guitar lessons. You can use your laptop also, to learn most anywhere. There are video clips used to help teach with this software making it better than some of the others. If you are looking for an affordable way to learn the basics of learning how to play the guitar then this software might be right for you.

• Learn and Master Guitar: This software package should be considered one of the best training packages to learn to play the guitar. It covers everything. You have ten different DVDs, a huge 108 page book, and CDs with music to help you learn. It is more expensive than other packages, but none of the others approach the training level in this package. If you really want to learn how to play the guitar with one time buy software, this package is for you. Everything about it is quality. It provides training from the beginning to the advance levels. The play along music CDs and the instruction booklet round out the program and make it easy to learn using this package. You will also get free support from the company producing this learning software. This is a fantastic feature not offered by some competitors.

• Guitar Tutor Pro: this is another downloadable software package and is affordable for any budget. You must practice and learn in front of a computer. It teaches through the use of Ebooks and audio files. It does not provide video clips and this is a drawback.

• Beginner’s Guide to Unlocking the Guitar: this is another in the downloadable computer based training packages. There is no video available and you learn through audio files with pictures. It is affordable and can quickly get the beginner up and playing with a few songs.

These are just a few of the programs that are available to train you to play the guitar. Learning to play the guitar with software is not easy for some people. Many of the companies offer free trials that can help you see if you will be able to learn using their software. Use this trial software to see if you can learn to play the guitar using their software, before you buy. Try before you buy might save you disappointment later. Often times you can't get your money back, or try a teacher giving lessons without paying. Software learning to play guitar is a great way to learn.

Be sure you have a comfortable chair because you will be setting in front of the computer for extended periods of time. If you have self discipline you will be able to learn to play the guitar using software. Find the right package that meets your budget. Using software to learn guitar playing is a unique way to train, practice and learn to play.

Well, welcome to the world of learning to play an instrument. I know quite a few musicians, and there's not one that hasn't went through a rut. It's completely normal, and you do 'come out the other side'. Well, until your next rut that is. Personally, I believe it's just your subconscious trying to tell you something. Something like, I"M BORED, or maybe, let's do something else. My point is, when (not if), you hit a rut, start taking a day off from practicing. That is of course, if you're already practicing everyday as you should be. Maybe take off every Sunday and go fishing (with a pole, not your guitar), go out and see a movie, whatever it is, just something to change the pace a little.

Some people decide they're going to do something, and they become obsessed about it. I can tell you from experience, if you do anything too long, too often, it's going to turn into something that you don't like doing anymore. Don't turn something as great as being a guitarist into something that you don't love anymore. As I mentioned in my practicing post, just play as long as you're getting something good out of it. Granted, if you're working on scales, and trying to build speed, it can get pretty mind-numbing. However, there's a difference between doing what is productive, but difficult, and just grinding it into your brain until you want to scream.

So, I'd bet if your reading this, that you're a fairly new player and not getting bored yet, or in a rut. I just want you to know that we all have our trying times learning the guitar, and even in our daily lives in general. Sometimes you just have to take a step back, relax, and know that it'll be okay. You get out of the guitar, like most things in life, what you put into it. If you get frustrated, through things and scream, you'll have nothing but bad times in your guitar endeavors. Don't be that guy.

For any of those that have found the site, but have also noticed that there isn't much here in the way of quality content, please don't give up. I haven't given up on the project by any means. I am still in the process of

getting lots of material ready to be posted. Instead of trying to get together an entire site, and then uploading everything at once, I'll be adding tips, lessons and much more, in a controlled flow.

This isn't a big corporate site, and it will be operating on a very small budget, with myself responsible for everything that goes on the site. However, that only means that there won't instantly be a fully populated site, it doesn't mean that any of the content will be anything other than useful, entertaing and educational...hopefully.

I've played guitar most of my life and it's something I love, so I do plan to add only items that I would like to see myself. Any lessons, at least initially, will all have to be TAB based because of my very limited budget. Eventually I would like to add some type of FLASH player that will have the capability of playing the TABS, with all the transport type controls that will allow for the typical functions....STOP, PLAY, REWIND, FAST FORWARD etc.

Thanks for stopping by, and please check out the Ebay feed if you're interested in buying a guitar or amp. I've added only the better categories of equipment so you don't have to sort through some of the junk that you would on the corporate Ebay site. I will continue the feed even after I get the site configured as I envision it. I may however reduce the number or categories, and/or items listed.

Thanks for Stopping By and Please Continue to Check Back Occasionally for Updated Content,

Jeff