In this episode of “Gurzi Guitar Sessions” Mike shows us how to implement “chord scales” into a major key, including the addition of the 7th chord (the diminished triad or dominant 5 chord). We hope you enjoy this new educational series… we have many more of these in the works. And of course, Mike would […]
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Over the past two Gurzi Session Videos, I have been talking about chord scales. I thought I would recap and elaborate a little in this week’s article. If you read the last article, I explained the major scale. Chord scales are the equivalent of playing scales, in this case the major scale, by using the […]
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In this episode of “Gurzi Guitar Sessions” Mike shows us how to solo over chords using primarily root notes. Part 2 will focus on using the 3rd and 5th notes in harmony with the chord root note. We hope you enjoy this new educational series… we have many more of these in the works. And […]
The post Soloing Over Chords (Part 1) appeared first on The Acoustic Letter.
In this episode of “Gurzi Guitar Sessions” Mike shows us how to solo over chords using the 3rd and 5th notes in harmony with the chord root note. Good Luck! We hope you enjoy this new educational series… we have many more of these in the works. And of course, Mike would love to hear […]
The post Soloing Over Chords (Part 2) appeared first on The Acoustic Letter.
I have always wondered what it would have been like to see and hear the players of the past perform. Those who blazed the musical trail long before recordings or YouTube. Whether to see Bach composing at the keyboard or Mozart improvising, or the early guitar composers like Fernando Sor or Matteo Carcassi. I have […]
The post Gurzi Files #8: Fingerpicking vs. Flatpicking appeared first on The Acoustic Letter.
In this episode of “Gurzi Guitar Sessions” Mike shows us one of his most popular tunes, “Williamson County” and how it relates to his recent “chord scale,” and “soloing over chords” lessons. Download and stream “Williamson County” on Mike’s website: http://www.mikegurzi.com We hope you enjoy this new educational series… we have many more of these […]
The post Mike Gurzi’s “Williamson County” (original song & lesson) appeared first on The Acoustic Letter.
In this episode of “Gurzi Guitar Sessions” Mike shows us variations of chord shapes in the key of E. This can be super helpful! We hope you enjoy this new educational series… we have many more of these in the works. And of course, Mike would love to hear from. Feel free to leave a […]
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Today’s episode of “Gurzi Guitar Sessions,” Mike & Chad jam a tune and have an open discussion about why rhythm is so important in music. Enjoy! We hope you enjoy this new educational series… we have many more of these in the works. And of course, Mike would love to hear from. Feel free to […]
The post Playing Rhythm in a Band or Duet appeared first on The Acoustic Letter.
Freshly announced at Summer NAMM 2016, the DJR2 is the sapele top model to the DJR launched in 2014. This should be a hit for players who prefer a more mellow tone. The Junior has proved to be a great value guitar, coming in under $1000 for a full solid Martin. The D JR2 will […]
The post New Martin Dreadnought Junior Models for 2016 appeared first on The Acoustic Letter.
Today’s episode of “Gurzi Guitar Sessions,” Mike & Chad play a classic fiddle tune, “Lonesome Moonlight Waltz.” Hope you enjoy! We hope you enjoy this new educational series… we have many more of these in the works. And of course, Mike would love to hear from. Feel free to leave a comment below.
The post “Lonesome Moonlight Waltz” with Mike Gurzi & Chad Fadely appeared first on The Acoustic Letter.
In today’s episode of “Gurzi Guitar Sessions,” Mike gives us an introduction to crosspicking… specifically the “down down up” method of picking which aims to add variety to your strumming pattern. Good luck! Crosspicking Article/TAB: http://acousticletter.com/gurzi-file-3-flatpick-guitar-crosspicking/ We hope you enjoy this new educational series… we have many more of these in the works. And of […]
The post Crosspicking (Part 1): Down Down Up Style appeared first on The Acoustic Letter.
In today’s episode of “Gurzi Guitar Sessions,” Mike expands on his “Down Down Up” Crosspicking technique with a slick little lick. Enjoy! Crosspicking Article/TAB: http://acousticletter.com/gurzi-file-3-flatpick-guitar-crosspicking/ We hope you enjoy this new educational series… we have many more of these in the works. And of course, Mike would love to hear from. Feel free to leave a […]
The post Crosspicking (Part 2): The “Down Down Up” Lick appeared first on The Acoustic Letter.
In today’s episode of “Gurzi Guitar Sessions,” Mike takes crosspicking one step further by introducing the “alternate picking” pattern. This is VERY useful. Good luck! Crosspicking Article/TAB: http://acousticletter.com/gurzi-file-3-flatpick-guitar-crosspicking/ We hope you enjoy this new educational series… we have many more of these in the works. And of course, Mike would love to hear from. Feel free […]
The post Crosspicking (Part 3): Alternate Picking appeared first on The Acoustic Letter.
In today’s BONUS episode of “Gurzi Guitar Sessions,” Mike and mandolin player, Chad Fadely (AL guitar advisor) jam a bluegrass classic, “Big Mon.” Simple as that – no lesson today, just playing… Enjoy! We hope you enjoy this series… we have many more of these in the works, including our next sessions focusing on, “The Blues.” And […]
The post “Big Mon” Acoustic Jam (featuring Mike Gurzi & Chad Fadely) appeared first on The Acoustic Letter.
In this bonus episode of “Gurzi Guitar Sessions” Mike welcomes renowned pickers, Tim May (guitar) and Steve Smith (mandolin) for a quick interview and a performance of their original tune, “Live Oak” from their “Murder of Crows” album. Enjoy! More about TIM MAY and STEVE SMITH: http://timmaymusic.net http://www.desertnight.com http://www.hardroadtrio.com/shop/ We hope you enjoy this series… we have […]
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Today, we take the very popular Taylor 814ce Grand Auditorium and compare 2 models… one with a sitka spruce top and one with an adirondack top. Which do you think will sound better? Similarities: Grand Auditorium body shape East Indian Rosewood back & sides Expression 2 pickup system Venetian cutaway Rosewood pickguard Advanced performance bracing with relief […]
The post Sitka Spruce vs Adirondack (Taylor 814ce Comparison) appeared first on The Acoustic Letter.
In today’s episode of “Gurzi Guitar Sessions,” Mike leads us into his next section of videos focusing on “The Blues”… and in this video, Mike specifically targets blues progressions and dominant 7th chords. We hope you enjoy this new educational series… we have many more of these in the works. And of course, Mike would […]
The post Exploring the Blues (7th Chords) appeared first on The Acoustic Letter.
The Blues is truly an American musical art form. It was born in the African American south and eventually migrated to the big cities across the United States. Today, we know that the blues has influenced all forms of music, form Bluegrass to Bop and Jazz to Rock. As such, there are several stylistic approaches […]
The post Gurzi Files #9: The Blues appeared first on The Acoustic Letter.
In today’s episode of “Gurzi Guitar Sessions,” Mike walks us through the “quick change” blues progression, and introduces us to some movable chords structures that offer a comfortable alternative to bar chords. We hope you enjoy this new educational series… we have many more of these in the works. And of course, Mike would love […]
The post Exploring the Blues, Part 2 (Movable Chord Structures) appeared first on The Acoustic Letter.
In today’s episode of “Gurzi Guitar Sessions,” Mike takes us deeper into his exploration of “The Blues” by introducing the use of “Approach Chords,” which are 1/2 steps meant to add a little interest to an otherwise standard blues progression. We hope you enjoy this new educational series… we have many more of these in […]
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