Guitar Nine Columns

I usually will come up with ideas by throwing on my drum machine and just playing riffs, or by sitting in front of the TV and getting inspiration from whatever is on. I wrote the song "The Fugitive" while watching the movie of the same name. All the action was incredible, and the song turned out to be just as intense.

Doing clinics has allowed me go to places and promote myself where I wouldn`t have been able to have even dreamed of going to. I`ve done clinics/workshops/performances in Germany, Spain, Japan, Greece, Sweden, UK, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, France, Canada, Belgium and of course the U.S. Being one of the top clinicians in the U.S. has gotten me to places I only read about in school.

I guess like a fingerprint, no one musician can be exactly alike, so that helps a bit. If I were to make any distinction, it would be that I really respect the tune itself and have always sacrificed technical acrobatics and note bombardment for the sake of melody, depth and feel - which I`ll will admit is a constant battle.

Fusing Latin, Caribbean and North African Influences

Gutty Guitars, Expressive Vocals

Just Enough Brilliant Fingerstyle

Progressive/Metal, Jazz/Fusion Instrumentals

Jackhammer Picking, Dive Bombs Away!

Rock/World/New Age Instrumental Works

French Duo Releases Demo

New England Based Metal Band Strikes Back

Polish Instrumental Neo-Classical Masterworks

Bluesy Shred, Instrumental Hard Rock

Scorched, Raw Guitar

From Hard/Dark To Ethereal

Music industry guru Christopher Knab with tips on building the ideal music promotional kit.

Another fistful of double arpeggio ideas.

Mike returns with the second part of his column on coordinating your hands, while developing speed and accuracy.

You can bet your low `E` string that Canadian guitarist David Martone can improve your bottom end.

Neo-classical guitarist Tom Hess will break you of your tendency to quit.

You need to get `out` more, well, at least your playing does.

Virtuoso classical guitarist and instructor Jamie Andreas offers the benefits of a good review program in your practice regimen.

Indie marketing guru Tim Sweeney chips in on the makings of a great stage show.

I think gear is important because you want to sound your best. I took it to such an extreme, but that`s the cool thing about the studio - you can always learn and prepare for the time you get to record the next CD.

Makin' The Blues His Business

Progressive Blended With Americana & Jazz - Progabilly!

High Energy, Christian Heavy Rock

Jazz Guitarist Releases Remarkable CD

Percussive Acoustic Guitarist Plans Career

Modern Shred Guitar From Germany

Off-The-Scale Experimental Acoustic

Street-Wise, Acoustic/Electric Roots Rock

Group Blends Modern & Classic Rock

Southern-Fried Slide, Rockin' Blues

Dark, Moody Instrumental Rock

L.A.'s Guitar-Based Rock/Pop

Music industry guru Christopher Knab offers observations that should be taken as wake-up calls about establishing your career.

Getting rid of those nasty sonic holes in the center of your mix, by Canadian guitarist David Martone.

Canadian guitarist Greigg Fraser spills the beans on essential reading for guitar students everywhere.

Fingerstylist Steve Pappas arranges a beautiful Irish ballad for guitar.

The formulation, explanation and practical use of a new guitar tuning method.

How to play the same rhythm-melodic sequence on the same beat, starting on a different sixteenth each time.