A course of study

Renato

Hello to everyone, and I would like to congratulate and thank you for the material that is available on the site. My problem is connecting the different topics covered in the site. I would like to ask about a summary scheme, maybe as a block diagram that schematizes and connects the different aspects that make up the theory and technique of the guitar; for example, connections between the melodic (scale) technique, harmonic (chords) technique and harmony, etc... I think it would be something useful, even for the other visitors.
You are right, and in fact, shortly we will have an on-line guide regarding this type of educational tool. For now you can consult the general index of the site found in the sitemap section.

Passage Transcriptions

Great. It's the first time that I visit your site, and discovered it by chance. Finally I've found someone who can supply me with all the information that I need to improve my guitar ability. I have been playing the electric guitar for one year, and fortunately now I can learn more sweep arpeggios. I want to ask if you can add some Steve Vai, or Joe Satriani, my idols, to the Songs section. Thanks for everything, and I say again that your site is great and I would be very grateful for a prompt reply.
I believe that your question has to do with the insertion of passage transcriptions for Satriani, Vai etc. Unfortunately, for reasons of copyright protection, we currently cannot insert complete passage transcriptions, of any type, unless previously obtaining permission from the owner for authors rights. This, as you can imagine, involves costs that are not currently included in our sponsors budget. Obviously, we would like to do this as soon as possible.
But we can insert fragments of passages, for educational purposes. We have already have plans for a section where you can analyze a few sections of passage transcripts, that will be active as soon as possible.

Scales and chords in Jazz-Fusion

Hi, this is Ruggero from Verona. I have been playing the guitar for awhile and like to play various genre. I would like to dedicate myself to learning jazz/fusion. Could you tell me which scales and/or chords I should study? Thanks
Fundamentally in jazz and fusion, all the scales are used. Certainly, some of these are more frequently used than others, but basically what distinguishes these musical genre is the possibility to play a little bit of everything.
You should practice those most commonly used, which are the modal scale, the pentatonic scales and those defined as "synthetic". Very soon on Soundme, we will open a special section dedicated to this vast subject.
Regarding the use of the chords, the same rules apply, in that the chord comes from the harmonization of the notes of one scale, and therefore any given scale corresponds to a series of chords. We will also dedicate a large section of the site to this subject.

Transcriptions

Manuela, Pesaro

Is there a manual for learning to transcribe for guitar?
I don't believe there is a manual of this type. Transcription is a technique that is learned with time and experience. But I can give you some brief indications. It's very important to have a good "ear": some naturally have it, but the ear can (and must) exercise. Therefore with a little practice the ear learns. Furthermore, you need a good theoretical and technical knowledge, even if I have seen people transcribe without even knowing how to read a note on the pentagram (because they have an uncommonly good "ear").
You can also trust equipment and software that slows the passage without altering the intonation. Finally, you can and should transcribe parts even for other instruments, readapting them to the guitar.
I personally believe that transcribing is of primary importance in the life of a musician.

AlecB tremolo bridge

Sebastiano, Civitavecchia (Roma)

I frequently hear people talking about an Italian tremolo bridge by AlecB. Could you give me more information?
It is a new type of tremolo bridge that moves on its rollers, instead of springs as in the classic Fender bridge, of which maintain approximately the same dimensions. The qualities are in the maintaining of the tune and in the sustain of the strings, which are much higher with respect to a normal bridge. There is no need for a sustain blocker on the headstock, even if a Sperzel type mechanical auto tuner is recommended.
This is actually mounted on some guitars as standard equipment.

Is the study of Blues of primary importance?

Martino, Biandrate (NO)

I have been studying classical guitar for awhile. I have been told that you cannot become a good guitarist if you don't know how to play the blues. I admit that I have never listened to it and therefore am asking you if it would be useful to study.
It depends on your musical choices. If you want to continue just playing classical music, it might not be helpful to know what the blues are and all that it involves. But if you are open to modern music, such as jazz, blues, rock, etc. I recommend that you study it. This musical genre is at the base of all modern rock. There is now an new section dedicated entirely to the blues.

When studying, which path should I follow?

Paolo

Hi, my name is Paolo, and I have been playing the guitar for about a year. I want to improve, lets say speed up my movements. I didn't have the intention of learning theory, but then people suggested it because during this study, you perform many exercises that will help you (at least that's what I was told). I have found your site very useful for my needs. I did however get lost between the pentatonic scale, major minor, etc, etc. Could you tell what are the first steps I need to take?
The subject of the scales is quite vast. The recommendation that I would give to you, is to make the most of the fingerings proposed in this site to practice under two main aspects.
The first deals with the coordination of the right and left hands, while the second aspect relates to the fact that it is very important to know perfectly the fretboard of the instrument. This, along with a good knowledge of theory and harmony, will definitely bring good results in terms of composition, arrangement and improvisation. Closely follow the indications, especially in the coordination and scales section, and try to create a good technical base by working on a daily basis. In fact, working daily on the instrument is what actually gives you a basic technique.

The instrumentation of Kirk Hammet

Luk

I would like some information of the amplification systems used by Kirk Hammet of Metallica (amplifier, pre-amp, finals, etc).
For many years, most of the work done by Kirk Hammett has been done using an ESP guitar, which is also an endorsement, and in particular the KH Signature Series. In studio he also uses other models, like the Gibson Les Paul Standard and Junior, a Fender Strato and Telecaster (with string bender), a Gibson ES335 etcetera, with Marshall ampli, Soldano, Fender Twin and Mesa Boogie. He also uses a Roland midi system mounted on an ESP guitar, connected to a Super JV expander, then passing the signal in the Marshall. Hammet, like many others, has taken advantage of the Roland VG8
When playing live, besides the ESP guitare, he puts trust in a Gibson Flyng V and a Martin semiacustic. As amplifier, the Mesa Boogie.

Levinson Guitars

Celestino

Congratulations for your site, there are very few around that are this nicely organized. I would like to ask you a question. I recently purchased a Levinson guitar that I was previously unaware of, at a good price. Since I wanted to verify the original price and look at its characteristics from a technical point of view, I wanted to ask you if there is a site that talks about Levinson guitars in Italian.
If you are alluding to the Blade, forefather of the series in which you are refering to, as far as I know they are no longer in production. Gary Levinson, in fact, is the designer of this guitar and were made in Switzerland. From the information that I have, a new series should be coming out, with the same name as yours.
Regarding websites in Italian, I don't know of any, but I will refer your request to someone who may know more about this than I.

Major Scale or Major Diatonic Scale?

Manuele, Caltanisetta

I have heard you talk about the major diatonic scale. Is is different than the major scale?
Absolutely not. It is a term that indicates the characteristics of a scale to play all the notes with different names one to the other. This is explained in detail in the Theory section on this page.