Guitar Break - The Guitar Getaway

Overcast Tuesday – Blues Backing track in A For those with a...

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:14:00 +0100

Overcast Tuesday – Blues Backing track in A

For those with a traditional blues persuasion that like soloing in a major key, this backing track is for you! Using a triplet based time signature of 12/8, the chord progression is a little busier than a standard three chord 12 bar and uses the following chords:

|A7 | D7 | A7 Bb7| A7 |

|D7 | D7 | A7 Bm7|C#m7 Cm7|

|Bm7| E7 | A7 D7| A7 E7|

For your soloing, consider using A blues scale throughout, using your ear to see which notes will work best over the chords. If you want further ideas to explore, try A major pentatonic over the A7 chords, A minor pentatonic over the D7 chords and then chord tones (ie the root, 3^rd, 5^th and 7^th notes from the chord) for the other chords. Tone wise, almost anything goes but a humbucker guitar with a little overdrive would be the most suitable. If you have a slide use that on your third or fourth finger for some Allman-like lead phrases!

Mixing a few ethereal guitar chords with some synth pads and a...

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:14:00 +0100

Mixing a few ethereal guitar chords with some synth pads and a laidback 100bpm tempo forms this backing track’s homage to 80s pop funk (albeit with a slight nod to Stevie Winwood). The chords are relatively standard for an Am 12 bar blues (Am7, Dm7 and Em7) except bars 3-4 feature F major to provide further chordal colour. For your soloing, try A minor pentatonic (A C D E G), A blues scale (A C D Eb E G) or A natural minor scale (A B C D E F G). Once you’ve jammed over it a few times, aim to next align your A natural minor notes with the chords. For example, try referencing F notes over the F and Dm7 chords and a B note over the Em7 chord. For your guitar tone, try either a SRV style clean neck singlecoil (Let’s Dance period) or a darker bridge humbucker overdrive reminiscent of LA session master, Mike Landau. Enjoy!

Got an iPad? Got a guitar? Then this iPB-10 Programmable Pedalboard from @DigiTech is for you…...

Sun, 14 Aug 2011 23:54:39 +0100

Got an iPad? Got a guitar? Then this iPB-10 Programmable Pedalboard from @DigiTech is for you… http://t.co/Ah5FB59

Manchester riots: soldier charged with burglary remanded in custody http://t.co/P5EHXri <- Trying...

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 17:19:04 +0100

Manchester riots: soldier charged with burglary remanded in custody http://t.co/P5EHXri <- Trying to sell a stolen Les Paul.

If you like the smokey sound of bluesy hip-hop you’ll love...

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:56:00 +0100

If you like the smokey sound of bluesy hip-hop you’ll love soloing over this backing track by Jason Sidwell. With a mellow 110bpm tempo and a standard 12 bar structure, the sound is hip and modern with three string chord voicings that imply m7 and m9 chords. For your soloing try E minor pentatonic (E G A B D), E blues (E G A Bb B D) or E natural minor scale (E F# G A B C D). Be it with a clean neck pickup setting or crunchy bridge humbucker, the tonal choice is yours!

We’ve heard the new album from GG’s new trio and...

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:24:04 +0100

We’ve heard the new album from GG’s new trio and it’s fantastic! Lots of OTT guitar playing but with jazzy licks, clean tones and gorgeous chords involved too - the stylistic breadth may just surprise you! The Aristocrats - Guthrie Govan (guitar), Bryan Beller (bass), & Marco Minnemann (drums).

"If you’re playing a simple 16th note rhythm, even if it means playing one note, stick to it -..."

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 22:13:09 +0100

“If you’re playing a simple 16th note rhythm, even if it means playing one note, stick to it - you’re adding to the song’s arrangement. Some guitarists will fill every four bars and get too busy - it’s overkill. Also, lock in with the hi hat and watch the dynamics between you and the drummer. If you need to back off to let the hi hats through, do it.”

- Rob Harris (Jamiroquai)

The Guitar Break Newsletter, June 2011… http://bit.ly/nQ2Cfq

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 07:35:57 +0100

The Guitar Break Newsletter, June 2011… http://bit.ly/nQ2Cfq

We’ve got together with World Guitars to bring you a...

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 10:06:35 +0100

We’ve got together with World Guitars to bring you a unique Blues Rock weekend at the beautiful Stonehouse Court Hotel. Here’s Neville and Jason with an example of the kind of thing you could learn on the weekend.

Guitar Break tutors Neville Marten and Jason Sidwell perform a...

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 17:03:00 +0100

Guitar Break tutors Neville Marten and Jason Sidwell perform a short blues piece entitled, Blow By Blues. Based in the key of D minor, it’s a variation on a typical 12 bar blues progression featuring a 6/8 feel, sophisticated chords and emotive soloing. The chords used are Dm7, Dm6, Dmb6, G/A, A9, Bb6/9, Ebmaj7 and A7add11. The solo features mostly D minor pentatonic.

"Practice slow 80% of the time and then 20% of the time try to do it for speed. It’s important..."

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 16:06:10 +0100

“Practice slow 80% of the time and then 20% of the time try to do it for speed. It’s important to try to do it at speed but keep going back to slow where you can play it perfectly. You need to have the experience of fast but playing slowly avoids too many mistakes and sloppy playing.”

- Steve Morse on improving speed

We have got together with World Guitars to create a superb...

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:50:00 +0100

We have got together with World Guitars to create a superb weekend of Blues Rock tuition at the Stonehouse Hotel just round the corner from the iconic shop. More details and booking information can be found here.

"I came home brimming with ideas and after seeing Jason draw his circle for organised practice and..."

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 09:53:04 +0100

“I came home brimming with ideas and after seeing Jason draw his circle for organised practice and the stage sessions I realise I have completely missed out freestyle jamming with backing tracks.”

- Guitar Break Guest

Contusion play Larry Carlton’s moody fusion blues...

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:02:00 +0100

Contusion play Larry Carlton’s moody fusion blues instrumental, Last Nite.

Jason Sidwell - guitar, Stuart Ryan - guitar, Dave Johnston - bass, Kevin O’Rourke - drums.

Jason’s gear: PRS HollowbodySC/II guitar, Providence SOV-2 overdrive and Chrono Delay pedals, POG2 octave pedal, Egnator Rebel 30 amp.

Stuart’s gear: Gibson 339 guitar, Lovepedal Vibe and Providence chorus pedals, and Two Rock Jet 22.

Contusion’s forthcoming gigs:

Tues 19th July: The Coronation Tap, 8 Sion Place, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4AX
Monday 1st August: IGF guitar festival, Park Campus, The Park, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 2RH
Monday 22nd Aug: The Bell, 103 Walcot St, Bath, Avon BA1 5BW

An electronic jazz blues instrumental, Jeff’s Runner,...

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:41:58 +0100

An electronic jazz blues instrumental, Jeff’s Runner, recorded in February 2011 by Guitar Break tutor, Jason Sidwell. Enjoy!

Contusion filmed in Bristol (May 2011) playing Stevie...

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:38:00 +0100

Contusion filmed in Bristol (May 2011) playing Stevie Wonder’s classic funk fusion instrumental, Contusion.

Jason Sidwell - PRS Hollowbody SCII, Protone Gold Label Premium Overdrive and Providence Phase Force pedals, Rebel Egnator 30 amp.

Stuart Ryan - Anderson Drop Top Strat, Providence Chorus pedal, Two Rock Jet 22 amp

Dave Johnston - bass

Kevin O’Rourke - drums

The new console game that requires real guitars. Yes, real...

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 22:56:00 +0100

The new console game that requires real guitars. Yes, real guitars. We are going to get ourselves a copy and get the GB boys to put it through it’s paces.

RT @MusicRadar: 100 most influential drummers of all time http://bit.ly/mgpgDv courtesy of...

Tue, 03 May 2011 23:06:12 +0100

RT @MusicRadar: 100 most influential drummers of all time http://bit.ly/mgpgDv courtesy of @RhythmMagazine

"I had to dispense with the safety net and attempt to jam a solo with another real live human being...."

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 23:34:00 +0100

“I had to dispense with the safety net and attempt to jam a solo with another real live human being. But it really inspired me to get out of my kitchen and find some buddies who could use a soulful hooligan with a heart of gold.”

- Guitar Break Guest

Guitar Break special guest tutor, and arguably the world’s...

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 23:32:00 +0100

Guitar Break special guest tutor, and arguably the world’s best guitarist, Guthrie Govan demonstrates ‘modes’ in his own wonderful and entertaining way. For more visit http://www.guitarbreak.com