Blueprints – or what you’ll find here
Welcome to my blog. What you’ll find here is information about GuitArchitecture (which deals with a pedagogical/performance approach to applied sonic visualization on the guitar), links to media, lesson material and various related music projects that are ongoing.
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This is a place I post things GuitArchitecture-related as well as things related to other areas of interest of mine: practicing, pedagogy, gear (and laptop based guitar in particular), music business and personal motivation.
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I’ll try to keep this area updated but I’ve sorted various blog posts here by subject in chronological order (newest to oldest). There may be multiple listings if things cross categories.
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Guitar Lessons – Practicing – Tips
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An important note:
You’re free to download and distribute any of the lessons here but I maintain the copyright on the material (so it doesn’t show up in someone else’s website uncredited (or worse – their book) which happens more often than you might think.)
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Books:
THE GUITARCHITECT’S GUIDE TO CHORD SCALES IS OUT NOW (AS WELL AS THE NEW 4-BOOK PDF BUNDLE!)
GUITARCHITECTURE PRINTED BOOK EDITIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE!!
A BOOK UPDATE AND A LOOK AT THINGS TO COME….
ENDS AND ODDS – BOOK ORDER UPDATES, AU LAB AND MORE
THE GUITARCHITECTURE HOLIDAY BOOK BUNDLE: $30 FOR 3 PDFS is Over!!!
The GuitArchitect’s Guide To Modes: Harmonic Combinatorics “Pre-Release” Now Available
THE GUITARCHITECT’S POSITIONAL EXPLORATION PRE-RELEASE NOW AVAILABLE
THE GUITARCHITECT’S GUIDE TO MODES: MELODIC PATTERNS BOOK “PRE-RELEASE” NOW AVAILABLE
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LESSONS
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Modes:
GUITARCHITECT’S GUIDE TO MODES PART 11 – GETING INTO MODAL ARPEGGIOS – 7TH CHORDS
GUITARCHITECT’S GUIDE TO MODES PART 10 – GETTING INTO MODAL ARPEGGIOS PART 1
THE GUITARCHITECT’S GUIDE TO MODES PART 9 – VISUALIZING MELODIC AND HARMONIC MINOR
The Modal Microscope And A Sequenced Arpeggio Approach
Slash and Burn – Creating More Complex Sounds With Slash Chords
The GuitArchitect’s Guide to Modes Part 8 – Major Positional Modal Interchange and Complimenting Modes with Chords
THE GUITARCHITECT’S GUIDE TO MODES PART 7 – MINOR POSITIONAL MODAL INTERCHANGE AND COMPLIMENTING MODES WITH CHORDS
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THE GUITARCHITECT’S GUIDE TO MODES PART 6 – THE CIRCLE OF 5THS AND MODAL INTERCHANGE
THE GUITARCHITECT’S GUIDE TO MODES PART 5 – MAKING THE MOST OF ONE PATTERN
The GuitArchitect’s Guide To Modes Part 4 – Modes and Chords
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THE GUITARCHITECT’S GUIDE TO MODES PART 3B – SEEING THE SIX-STRING MAJOR SCALE
THE GUITARCHITECT’S GUIDE TO MODES PART 3A – SEEING THE SIX-STRING MAJOR SCALE
THE GUITARCHITECT’S GUIDE TO MODES PART 2 – SEEING THE TWO STRING MAJOR SCALE
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The GuitArchitecture Guide To Modes Part 1 – Seeing The Single String Major Scale
Making Music Out Of Scales
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Pentatonics:
Making Sense Of The Pentatonic Scale – Diagonal Forms – Part Two
MAKING SENSE OF THE PENTATONIC SCALE – DIAGONAL FORMS – PART ONE
Free Sweeping Pentatonic Minor Scale Lesson on Live4Guitar.com now online
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2 STRING SHAPES OR MAKING SENSE OF THE PENTATONIC MINOR SCALE
THE BAKER’S DOZEN APPROACH TO PENTATONIC SCALES
GUITARCHITECTURE, SONIC VISUALIZATION AND A PENTATONIC APPROACH FOR THE HOLIDAYS
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Chords/Triads/Superimposition/Arpeggios:
CREATING CHORDS AND LINES FROM ANY SCALE – A HARMONIC COMBINATORICS / SPREAD VOICINGS LESSON
AUGMENT YOUR KNOWLEDGE: SONIC SHAPES AND GETTING MORE FROM AUGMENTED CHORDS
Slash and Burn – Creating More Complex Sounds With Slash Chords
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GETTING HIPNESS FROM A MAJOR TRIAD OR MORE CHORD RECYCLING PART 3
Getting Hipness From A Major Triad Or More Chord Recycling Part 2
GETTING HIPNESS FROM A MAJOR TRIAD OR MORE CHORD RECYCLING PART 1
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Getting Through The Gig – Negotiating A Chord Chart Part 3
Getting Through The Gig – Negotiating A Chord Chart Part 2
GETTING THROUGH THE GIG – NEGOTIATING A CHORD CHART PART 1
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RECYCLING CHORDS PART II: TRIAD TRANSFORMATION
RECYCLING CHORDS PART I OR WHERE’S THE ROOT?
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FAVORED CURRY OR SPICING UP CHORD SCALES AND TRIADS PART 2
FAVORED CURRY OR SPICING UP CHORD SCALES AND TRIADS PART 1
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RECYCLING SHAPES OR MODULAR ARPEGGIOS FOR FUN AND PROFIT
GLASS NOODLES – ADAPTING A PHILIP GLASS ARPEGGIO APPROACH TO GUITAR
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Practicing:
MELVILLE, MADNESS AND PRACTICING – OR FINDING THE DEEPER LESSON PART 2
Some Useful Online Practice Tools
POSSESSION IS 9/10S OF THE LAW BUT PERCEPTION IS EVERYTHING OR PRACTICING PART VII
TESTING YOUR VOCABULARY OR PRACTICING PART VI
PRACTICE WHAT YOU PLAY OR PRACTICING PART V
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DEFINITIONS AND DOCUMENTS OR PRACTICING PART IV
TENSION AND THE SODA CAN OR PRACTICING PART III
PROPER POSTURE IS REQUIRED FOR PROPER PERFORMANCE – PRACTICING PART II
PRACTICE MAKES BETTER AKA PRACTICING PART I
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Misc:
VISUALIZING VIDEO GAME LICKS OR AN INTRO TO SYMMETRICAL 12 TONE GUITAR PATTERNS
MAS MODELING!! POD FARM, POD HD, SCUFFHAM AMPS AND A WHOLE TONE LICK
MELVILLE, MADNESS AND PRACTICING – OR FINDING THE DEEPER LESSON PART 2
FINDING THE DEEPER LESSON
INSPIRATION VS. INTIMIDATION
What’s wrong with playing “Flight of the Bumblebee” for a world speed record?
KEEPING YOUR EGO OUT OF THE SONG’S WAY
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SURVIVING THE GIG
A Lesson In Improvisation And Jargon From A Cooking Show
WARMING UP: FINGER EXERCISES, THE 3 T’S AND THE NECESSITY OF MISTAKES
BUILDING BLOCKS – OR MORE EXAMINATIONS OF A LAPTOP GUITAR SETUP
THE INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY BEHIND “HOW NOT TO DO THINGS”
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A QUICK LICK – AND A RIG DU JOUR UPDATE FROM HO CHI MINH CITY
“THE LIMITS OF MY LANGUAGE ARE THE LIMITS OF MY WORLD”
A BRIEF THOUGHT ABOUT MUSIC THEORY
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Music Business and Personal Motivation
THE MUSIC INDUSTRY TAILSPIN, SHARK TANK AND A BLACKIE LAWLESS QUOTE SHOWING WHY IT DOESN’T MATTER
The Perils of Panaceas and Instant Gratification
THE 5 WORDS OR LESS RULE.
2012: HOW NOT TO REPEAT THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST (OR NOTHING EVER GOT DONE WITH AN EXCUSE)
A HOLIDAY THOUGHT THAT MAY HELP THE WHOLE YEAR
ON TALENT, TENACITY AND SELF-DEFINITION
A Music Business Thought – Or What The Death Of The CD Means For You
DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE WORK
“A Tale Of Two Cities” – Or A Lesson On Managing Consumer Expectation
Some Observations On Inertia And A Cool Online App For Getting Things Done
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“Man has the rights he can defend” or the reality of copyright protection for working musicians
MUSIC BUSINESS 201: SELLING IT VERSUS SELLING OUT
A Music Business Lesson From The Producers
On “It is what it is”
“When You Come To A Fork In The Road Take It”
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Circumnavigating The Wall You Just Hit
INSPIRATION VS. INTIMIDATION
TWO STEPS BACK OR SETBACKS IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT
KEEPING YOUR EGO OUT OF THE SONG’S WAY
Hobo With A Shotgun Or band with a song?
SURVIVING THE GIG
NOW IS THE TIME OF THE CONTENT CREATOR
THE AMERICAN IDOL LITMUS TEST
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The Power Of Inertia Or Know Your Flow
2011: HOW NOT TO REPEAT THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST OR NOTHING EVER GOT DONE WITH AN EXCUSE
THE “NEW” MUSIC BUSINESS IS A YUGO ENGINE IN A BMW SHELL
STRONG OPINIONS ARE LIKE STRONG ODORS OR SPEAK SOFTLY AND CARRY A THICK SKIN
DO YOU CARE ABOUT SOME BEATLES ON YOUR APPLE? MEL BAY AND SOME MUSIC INDUSTRY OBSERVATIONS
THE DOUBLE EDGED SWORD OF “FIX IT IN THE MIX”
THE MYTH OF PRINCE CHARMING OR MUSIC BUSINESS MANAGERS 101
COMPLEX CASSANDRA OR WHAT ELVIRA MISTRESS OF THE DARK COULD MEAN TO YOU
FACEBOOK IS THE NEW E-MAIL
WHAT ROCKULA ON NETFLIX SHOULD MEAN TO MUSICIANS
THE INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY BEHIND “HOW NOT TO DO THINGS”
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“A MAN’S GOT TO KNOW HIS LIMITATIONS” OR LIMITING OPTIONS IS A KEY TO PRODUCTIVITY
POSSESSION IS 9/10S OF THE LAW BUT PERCEPTION IS EVERYTHING OR PRACTICING PART VII
WHERE TO GET YOUR GUITAR REPAIRED IN LA OR LESSONS FOR THE SELF EMPLOYED MUSICIAN
ALUM(O)NEY OR PAYING DUES VS. BEING PAYED MONEY
MUSIC, MOVIES, MONEY AND MODELS TO FOLLOW
“COMMON SENSE IS NOT SO COMMON” OR WHY THE INTERNET IS PROBABLY WRONG
FOCUS, MUSIC AND THE BIG PICTURE – A QUOTE TO CONSIDER
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“THE LIMITS OF MY LANGUAGE ARE THE LIMITS OF MY WORLD”
DEADLINES ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND
SEEING THE FOREST INSTEAD OF THE TREE
FOCUS, MUSIC AND THE MARATHON MENTALITY
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Laptop Guitar Rigs
ENDS AND ODDS – BOOK ORDER UPDATES, AU LAB AND MORE
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MAS MODELING!! POD FARM, POD HD, SCUFFHAM AMPS AND A WHOLE TONE LICK
SooperLooper Live Looping AU Update 1.6.18 Announced
Should you upgrade to OS X Lion?
APOGEE DUET 2 ANNOUNCED
HARDWARE VS. SOFTWARE – OR PRAISES AND PERILS IN LIVE LAPTOP USE
New SooperLooper Update 1.6.16
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RECABINET 3 ANNOUNCED – NEW IRS AND A NEW AU/RTAS/VST SHELL
LAPTOP GUITAR MUST BUY – GATOR VIPER ELECTRIC GIGBAG W. LAPTOP COMPARTMENT REVIEW
X CODE 3.2.5 / AU LAB 2.2 NOW AVAILABLE – CAVEAT EMPTOR
POD HD VS POD FARM: A COST COMPARISON
APOGEE DUET BREAK OUT BOX OVERVIEW
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LINE 6 FBV EXPRESS MK II REVIEW
MONO PRODUCER BAG (LAPTOP BAG REVIEW)
AU LAB/POD FARM 2.0/LIVE LAPTOP RIG TUTORIAL PART 6 – DUAL RIG DISTORTED TONES
LAPTOP GUITAR SETUP OR NOTES FROM A LIVE SHOW
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AU LAB/POD FARM 2.0/LIVE LAPTOP RIG TUTORIAL PART 5
AU LAB/POD FARM 2.0/LIVE LAPTOP RIG TUTORIAL PART 4
AU LAB/POD FARM 2.0/LIVE LAPTOP RIG TUTORIAL PART 3
AU LAB/POD FARM 2.0/LIVE LAPTOP RIG TUTORIAL PART 2
AU LAB/POD FARM 2.0/LIVE LAPTOP RIG TUTORIAL PART 1
SETTING UP “TESTING ENVIRONMENTS” OR MULTI LAYERED TONES IN AU LAB
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AN OBSERVATION FROM A SESSION
BUILDING BLOCKS – OR MORE EXAMINATIONS OF A LAPTOP GUITAR SETUP
A QUICK LICK – AND A RIG DU JOUR UPDATE FROM HO CHI MINH CITY
TECH LIMBO (NEITHER HEAVEN NOR HELL R.I.P. RONNIE JAMES DIO)
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Gear, Gear Reviews and Gear News
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MAS MODELING!! POD FARM, POD HD, SCUFFHAM AMPS AND A WHOLE TONE LICK
POD HD Flash Memory Update, POD HD500 In Live Use And More Thoughts About Gear
POD HD and (OLDER) ATOMIC AMPS Part II – Taming the EQ
Plan B, Re-amping, POD HD and (older) Atomic Amps
Tonal Vacuums or A Brief Note About Tone
Should you upgrade to OS X Lion?
SOME THOUGHTS ON MODELING, GEAR ACQUISITION AND THE POD HD500
LINE 6 POD FARM 2.5 UPDATE AND POD FARM FREE ANNOUNCED
APOGEE DUET 2 ANNOUNCED
New SooperLooper Update 1.6.16
OCTAVE4PLUS A4 – .007 STRING REVIEW
BKP (BARE KNUCKLE PICKUPS) 8 STRING COLD SWEAT PICKUP
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LAPTOP GUITAR MUST BUY – GATOR VIPER ELECTRIC GIGBAG W. LAPTOP COMPARTMENT REVIEW
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS – GATOR VIPER GIG BAG REVIEW
SCHECTER OMEN 8 STRING REVIEW PART 2 – STRING OBSERVATIONS AND SOUND CLIPS
SCHECTER OMEN 8 STRING REVIEW
POD HD VS POD FARM: A COST COMPARISON
APOGEE DUET BREAK OUT BOX OVERVIEW
LINE 6 FBV EXPRESS MK II REVIEW
MONO PRODUCER BAG (LAPTOP BAG REVIEW)
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POD HD500 AND POD FARM CONJECTURES
STEINBERGER GEARLESS TUNERS – REVIEW
TOOTHPICKS AND THEIR PROPER PLACE IN GUITAR MAINTENANCE
THE BIZARRE TALE OF MY ULTRA-RARE GUITAR PICK
WHERE TO GET YOUR GUITAR REPAIRED IN LA OR LESSONS FOR THE SELF EMPLOYED MUSICIAN
GUITAR STREET IN HO CHI MINH CITY VIETNAM
RIG AROUND THE ROSIE OR MEDIATIONS AND MEDITATIONS ON GEAR
LINE 6 POD FARM 2.0 OVERVIEW
VARIAX AC700 REVIEW/WORKBENCH OVERVIEW
FNH ULTRASONIC GUITAR REVIEW
LINE 6 ANNOUNCES POD FARM 2.0 AT MUSICMEESE 2010
NEW JAMES TYLER/VARIAX MODEL ANNOUNCED BY LINE 6
GEAR
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Other
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THE GUITARCHITECT’S GUIDE TO MODES: MELODIC PATTERNS BOOK “PRE-RELEASE” NOW AVAILABLE
On “It is what it is”
The 2 for 1: Rough Hewn Trio and Dumb and Drummer Live in Echo Park
Free Sweeping Pentatonic Minor Scale Lesson on Live4Guitar.com now online
FNH INTERVIEW ONLINE AND OTHER GUEST BLOGGING
Something MORE than the usual going on here, an amazing resource , thank you.