Tag Archives: Guitar

Guitar In World Music Article at Guitar International Magazine

A new article of mine is available at Guitar International Magazine’s website. This is the first in a series of articles about the guitar in world music cultures entitled “Going Places with the Guitar: World Music.”

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New Year’s Resolutions

It’s a little late, but one month into 2013, I’ve finally settled on some resolutions for this blog! I’m adding a couple of new running topics to the blog such as album and concert reviews, instructional book, DVD, and website … Continue reading

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Free Guitar Resource: Open Chord Bass Notes

Here is a very useful chart for rhythm guitar, alternating bass, and for fingerpicking, bluegrass, and old-time accompaniment. It provides the root, third, and fifth of all of the basic open chords in multiple positions. Open Chord Bass Notes

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Indian Music Article at Guitar International Magazine

Guitar International Magazine just published my Intro to Hindustani Music primer and reviews of two Indian classical guitar DVDs. Give it a read here.

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Jazz Article at Guitar International Magazine

Guitar International Magazine has just published my article “Jazz Improvisation: Licks as a Learning Tool” on their website. This article provides a method for getting the most from pre-composed licks as a model of jazz improvisation.

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From the Archives 2

Just added another old tune to the Music page of this site. I actually dug up the first solo instrumental I ever composed. This dates probably from October 2007. The song is called Leo’s Hedges, inspired by Leo Kottke and Michael … Continue reading

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Coming Soon: Website Reviews

As any student of music is surely aware, there is a virtually unlimited number of instructional resources available, often for free, online. Even when I was learning guitar, I relied heavily upon a number of websites for tablature, playing exercises, … Continue reading

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Coming Soon: The Mike Op Music Beginner Guitar Series!

I’m just putting the finishing touches on my new instructional program the Mike Op Music Beginner Guitar Series! Hopefully this online guitar course will be available for purchase before Christmas. Here’s what it’s all about: This eight-part program is intended … Continue reading

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Book Review: Unlocking the Guitar – Notes on the Neck, by Chuck Anderson

Unlocking the Guitar – Notes on the Neck, by Chuck Anderson. Anderson Music Publications, 2002. ISBN#0-9719730-0-8 This book provides an approach to one of the trickiest topics guitar players of any level face: learning the notes on the neck. The … Continue reading

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Album Review: The Best of Mississippi John Hurt

The Best of Mississippi John Hurt, by Mississippi John Hurt, 1990. Vanguard, 19/20. This album is a live concert recording from Oberlin College, 1965, of one of the most influential and imitated guitarists of the 20th century. Though recorded near the … Continue reading

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