Guitar tabs,electric guitars,acoustic guitars

You know, I dig the stage outfit thing, it’s not big deal, we all remember the shiny clothes, KISS with the painted faces, the blood thing and the spikes on leather, OK, you know, but man, I was looking for something today and I suddenly stumbled upon this image with Slipknot.

I don’t know, I’m not into Slipknot, but I do like some heavier music once in a while (like in heavier than…heavy metal)  but I find it hard to understand this. Honestly, I think it is a bit too much.

Now, according to my survey of a couple of weeks ago, probably you will also find it strange, because it seems you are not into Slipknot either…

I understand it is a marketing thing, they created an image and they have to stick with it, but, I can only ask myself if I would have been asked by a producer to be part of this and wear such a hideous mask on my face…would I have said yes? I guess you need a particular personality to be part of it, don’t you think?

I ask myself how these guys are in real life?

I mean picture this : mom, I want to introduce you to my boyfriend, he’s an artist, he’s part of that band you are scared of…

Hmm…

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OK, this post could start a few controversies, I guess. It all started with a talk show here, where an analyst observed that in our elections of a few days ago (for the parliament and senate) a lot of artists were involved, as it happens every year, but without taking a side.

I mean, they asked a few good and well paid artists here if they had political preferences, if they played everywhere where they were invited or they turned down some offers because they don’t buy their crap.

Well, without any reserve, everybody said they played…everywhere they were invited and paid. Pretty fair, I’d say…

However, the analyst observed that this is a marketing mistake actually and it will hurt the political parties more than the artists, who, after all, are hired to do whatever they know to do, to perform.

But the political parties will get hurt on the long run. If they would sign some contract of exclusivity with a particular band, let’s say, then when that band would participate to a particular meeting, playing there, people will know which party is involved. Pretty straight forward. It’s part of a branding process, after all.

Think of Intel. Remember the sound? If not, here it is:

That’s a sound logo. It is unique and communicates the brand on audio channels. Without it, the brand would not be complete. Also, the sound won’t ever appear on other brands, because …it’s part of Intel’s brand. And, because you have heard it so many times already, when you will be in another room, not watching TV, but hearing the sound, you’ll immediately think of Intel. That’s branding.

It’s the same with a political party. If a party manages to associate itself with the sound of a band, it will all become part of a brand. Otherwise, if the band will play for no matter what party in no matter what place, it won’t be any branding, it will only be a big mess. The way it happens here now.

However, in order for this to happen, I guess the band must have strong political beliefs and stop running for money wherever it can find them.

I have another example here, that already happens since a while: smarter than political parties, and more marketing oriented, TV channels already signed up particular artists that appear 99% on their channel and can’t be seen on other channels so if you listen that artist somewhere at a public performance, you’ll immediately think about the TV channel they appear on. In return, the TV channel will heavily promote their artists because building the artist’ popularity will also build their channel popularity on the long run. It’s simple.

If you don’t believe me, think about your TV channels and about your (recent) elections.

Can you tell me you what I say here does not match your elections as well?

Well?

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These days, in Romania, everybody prepares for Christmas. You already get to hear Christmas carols all over (by the way, my wife already overexposed me to such carols), people start to come up on your door singing…

I guess it is the same everywhere, isn’t it? Groups of young people come singing on your door Christmas carols. The fact is that I like it, no matter if the groups is composed of small children barely knowing the lyrics or young adults singing  on more voices, as a result of some religious music studies (it really happens here since people studying to become priests often go singing Christmas carols during winter holidays)

All these give you a nice feeling of Christmas, of winter, of holidays, man, it feels good.

The fact is that I used to sing myself such carols, with a couple of friends, every year, for a lot of years, it all started when I was a small boy in the neighborhood, it was a habit there, all the children did it. I was raised in an area where there were only houses, not blocks or apartments, so going from one neighbor to another was simple. We only needed to beware of dogs…

I even remember after a while I started to take my guitar, we were not children anymore, but we kept on going for a while, singing and playing the guitar, you know, we used to make some money for Christmas presents and for spending during the winter holiday. It was cool, plus that we really loved it, it was Christmas!

So, is it the same the same where you live? Did you ever go singing carols with your guitar? Or your children? Or it is a tradition that only remained in some parts of the world?

By the way, here’s a traditional Romanian Christmas carol. Enjoy!

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I was reading on MusicRadar.com (via GuitarMX) an article about why Chinese Democracy was not a commercial success.

OK, first of all, I must admit that after writing here a couple of posts about it and listening the tracks on YT, I totally forgot about it so, pardon me but I wasn’t aware of the fact that it was not a success, especially after the album generated that big buzz right before being released. I presumed that, even if I don’t like it that much, other people like it and buy it.

Interesting that after all, it didn’t go that well. Personally speaking, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for Axl and his work of 15(?) years, I presume that when you work that much for a record, you put every single hope in it so, it is not something to joke with.

However, reading the reasons MusicRadar listed on that article, reasons for which the album failed to become what Axl planned, I must admit that some of them were quite pertinent.

I mean, the fact that out of the guys in the office of MusicRadar, none could name all the musicians involved in recording the album, it is a sign that there is no band there.

Come on, GNR was a brand, each guy there was a brand, I mean you knew them, you could name everyone of them, the brand was strong, had continuity and personality. When you can not name the band members, you have a marketing problem, I guess.

They also list there the fact that Chinese Democracy isn’t a masterpiece and people calling on the radio didn’t ask one single time the new song but…old hits like November rain, Paradise city, etc. Sad, but true after all. Is there a song on this album to compare to November rain? I don’t think so.

But the most important reason, and one I have always named here on this blog, is the fact that GNR isn’t GNR anymore. I know it, you know it and maybe the most important, they know it. And they didn’t buy it either…

I already said it but I will say it again: I am sorry about it, I would have liked that, against all odds and against my previous posts and feelings, the new album be a success, for the sake of rock music, for my nostalgic feelings of a long gone period and for the fact that I turned to rock thanks to Guns and thanks to Patience.

The fact is that I don’t know what to say more about it, so, the rest is silence…

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Statement: In this world full of Guitar Hero fans, anything that could convince one more person to learn to play guitar is a good thing. Right?

I really believe this, and honestly, I try to explain this to my friends who have children, I tell them that encouraging a kid to learn to play an instrument or to sing, or, as a matter of fact, to get engaged in any artistic activity, will open the universe of the little one to tones of new possibilities, helping him or her to build a creative mind.

The fact is that a lot of people say that hey, I don’t want my son to be an artist, let him learn and get formal education, forget music, that’s bullshit!

No, man, that’s no bullshit! And I have arguments here, so pay attention cause I’m going to say it only once:

1. If a kid will learn how to play the guitar, or piano, or how to draw or paint, this will not necessarily mean that he or she will follow an artistic career. No. It is his or her choice in the future, the grown up kid may end up being a lawyer or a doctor, or a manager, or whatever you think best for your child. But playing the guitar(if guitar is the chosen instrument) will always be a part of his life…
2. Any kind of artistic activity will stimulate your kid to be more creative and active, to stand out of the crowd. Suppose you have in mind that great career as a manager for your kid, right? Do you know what makes the difference between a good manager and a great one? Creativity. The capacity to think out of the box, to come up with fast solutions to problems, to come up with solutions and plans others couldn’t think of. That’s creativity, you know? And being creative is something you can teach your child.OK, some are gifted, think Mozard, for ex. Or let’s forget about music and think about those little guys you see on TV that at 6 years can count better than a computer. That’s something else and honestly, that’s not something you plan, but for the rest of us, real people, creativity can be stimulated.
3. You may not think about it this way, but playing an instrument is one of the best way to relax in the evening. Trust me, I should know. Computers, spending time in the office, all these things may be stressful and may get you to a point where you can just snap. Just play the guitar, have a beer, sing along, bring some friends over, you can not imagine how well you’ll feel! I think that only for this, it is worth to spend money on teaching a kid to play the guitar.
4. Playing the guitar will help your kid be more sociable in school, make friends easier, feel cool, more sure of himself. I guess all of us know that being a teenager is not the easiest period, right? Playing the guitar really helps here.

And you know what? Point 4 can be extended to all your life, no matter your age. I was reading a few months ago an article on one of the blogs I regularly read (unfortunately I don’t remember which one so if you recognize this, scream out loud and I will add a link to you here) where the author was saying that it is easier to start a conversation in some cases on guitar basis. Hey, you play guitar? Me too! What do you know?!!

Or for those of you that are more pessimistic out there: OK, don’t allow your kid to take guitar lessons, because soon you will see your child doing drugs, alcohol, hang out with dubious people, wearing long hair and all kind of ugly looking clothes. Boooo…

OK, I can also add a link here to a site that I stumbled upon a few days ago, www.arealguitar.com, a clever way for children to inform their friends and parents that they want a real guitar

How about that? Do you second me here about the benefits of teaching a kid how to play the guitar?

By the way, if you’re a StumbleUpon user, give this site a thumb up! Thank you!

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I was recently thinking about the fact that blogging requires a great deal of dedication, time, passion and inspiration. After all, blogging is some kind of work of art, online journalism of some sort, I’d say.

Well, at one moment you have the tendency to lose motivation or inspiration and, even if you still write, you can feel something isn’t quite right.

Yesterday I was asking myself if it is the same with rock musicians that are in the business since a long time. You start, usually at a young age, with a lot of passion, creativity, music comes naturally to you, your guitar is right there, as an extension of your body, you compose a lot of great songs, people love you. You have a hit, then another one, success comes, girls, money, fame…

Then, 20 years pass in an instance, you find yourself to be a star, with a lot of money in the bank, beautiful chicks and expensive properties. You have kind of everything one could wish for. But all those years of touring, recording, playing, made you tired. There’s nothing new anymore in playing and recording new songs, there’s just work now. The urge to make it big has gone, your name is already carved in stone on that street of artists , money are already there.

How can you find the motivation to go on in such cases? What keeps you going strong? I don’t mean just playing, because it is your job, but how can you keep the quality of your songs? What keeps you fresh, motivated and inspired in such cases?

Some say an artist must suffer, (I remember here those Bon Jovi’s lyrics “like a poet needs the pain”) maybe others lost it and tried to find new sources of excitement in alcohol and drugs, hoping to find one more thing to bring something new in their lives. I don’t know.

But the question still remains: what keeps those guys going strong after 20 years of extensive touring, recording and composing? You tell me…

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I’m not into cigar box guitars, the fact is that I understand them as a step in the evolution of the guitars, I recognize the historical value, but I can not go beyond this point.

Well, this morning, I stumbled upon this set of pictures on Flick, very interesting guitars made of a cigar box, a lunch box, etc. I don’t know if they actually play, but they sure look interesting.

Well, at that moment I wasn’t decided to post this here, but I guess today the lady with the horoscope must have planed something for me, because from another source, I reached this site here and that was the end of it. I just had to post this here since it seems that cigar box guitars keep on following me this morning.

By the way, does any of you have such guitars at home? What kind of strings do you put on this guitars? Normal ones? Or what?

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Today I stumbled upon a few funny t-shirts that made me smile and, because it’s Friday, I said to share it with you, to start the WE in a funny mood. So, here we go:

For those of you spending the whole time on stage facing the amp behind, trying to tweak the sound…

Of course, some can’t help it…

OK, wear this in case you are not in a good mood…

Guitar players lick better…OK, I have no idea what this means and I really don’t want to find out!

The evolution of human race ends up here? OK, how about the rest of us? Huh?

Ah, yes…yes…here’s a shirt for the rest of us…Thank you!

Any other?

By the way, you can buy Life is Crap Humorous Guitar Dog T-Shirt … Small from Amazon today!

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You know, I have tried to record a few songs these last months, at home, because I have, like probably a lot of you, guys, some recorded ideas saved somewhere on my computers.

When a new idea comes to my mind, I usually take the guitar, record it with the digital camera on movie mode and then save it on my computer until I will find a better use for it. I have a few ideas saved somewhere on my computer and I really think they are nice. Says me. (my boss said once in a familiar environment, in a pub, after a few beers, after a girl looked at us “I know, I am pretty” “Who told you this?”, one asked?  “My mother” “Right!”)

OK, the idea is that I tried to record some of these songs for real, on my small recording setup, but I can say I was happy with the result. Something was missing but I couldn’t put my finger on the problem. Until one day, when I realized what was missing on those songs: my colleagues, my band mates! Really, no bullshit!

I realized each guy in the band puts his own stamp on a song even if he doesn’t realize it. Recording a song by yourself will never sound like when you record the song with the band, no matter how much you try, especially when you keep the same lineup for a long time.

The value of a band is bigger than the sum of the individual values and I strongly believe that no matter what you do, you can not just match the value of the whole band just by yourself. However, I don’t speak here about instrumental records, because in such a case the record is the exact value of the work and talent of that artist. But I do speak about rock bands, with a lead singer, bass player, piano player, etc.

Imagine how it would be for Aerosmith to get together at one moment and Steven Tyler to tell them that, guys, I’ve recorded a song for us, let’s play it the way it is. I bet that despite Steven’s talent, the result would be less better than if those guys would get together in one room to play the song together, as a band.

See where I’m headin’?

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I posted a couple of months ago about the Fender mouse pad. I guess the imagination and passion of the gadget builders are just endless, cause personally I couldn’t have imagined there is such thing as a guitar shaped Flash drive…

But there is such thing, damn it!

After searching a bit on the internet, I actually stopped wondering, after I have seen that there are also Flash drives shaped like a hamburger and as a biscuit…

I just wonder where will the imagination lead us to?

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