Resources

This Blog is similar to time, because it only moves one direction, FORWARD
I just wanted to say that Music Theory wise, the net is full of essential and free information on guitar(other instruments too but guitar is what matters)

http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/
This site is amazing, and now I have it open up whenever I start Chrome, extremely useful scale charts, chords, and telling you which chord goes with which scale.

http://www.jguitar.com/
Not as good as the last one but also free.

http://www.songsterr.com/
Good free tabs, you can sign up to be a member and get extra features, but it is not required(there is a good iPhone app version as well)

If I remember any other good sites I will be posting them

This is the Beginning

Thats right! I am far from death, as is this blog.

 Since the last post I have been heavier on my theory and reading. Scales in particular, and I can very proudly say that I understand them much much better after I realized that scales were a series of the same repeating notes , for Phrygian Dominant if the root is A(the lowest A in standard tuning(E-A-D-G-B-E) would be on the 5th fret of your low E string)

Phrygian Dominant -A A# C# D E F G

if the root note(aka Key) were "B" the notes would be

B C D# E F# G A

This may make no sense to you, or maybe its too simple for your level but the major factor for me making sense of the scales etc was to study and learn what note was where on the fretboard

Lately I've been relaxing by watching Metalocalypse here's one of their music video's.




Definitely a Dethklok fan, now I plan to go play some scales.

Happy birthday to my brother

Its the end of they year, but really who gives a shit? It is my brothers birthday though and that is something I do give a shit about! So happy birthday Mark! Bend this year over and make it your bitch!!

-Billy Tough

Mr. Jeff Beck

I think I am as impressed by him as I am by Mr Tommy Emmanuel(his classical gas is just beyond awesome watch and see)

Tommy Emmanuel

I did not know that Jeff Beck used to be in the Yardbirds with Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. I am also wondering how did I not know this, and I feel like I've been missing out.  Mr Jeff Beck plays with an amazing electric fingerstyle, and shares initials with Tenacious D's front man, and I absolutely love the feel of this song..

Jeff Beck

Still working on my own progress and going sometime this week to some open mic to see if I can play in front of the people a little more relaxed, and a little better!

-Billy Tough

Guitar Warrior Ewan

A man I suspect to be the highlander, but this is truly awesome good job Mr. Dobson

-Billy Tough

When it's Cold

Hey there fellow guitarists, practicing and potential! The weather has been getting colder and colder as you may have noticed. Hopefully, most guitarists are storing their instrument in its case, or have some method to keep it humidified (I use a humidifier I got from my local music shop which is basically a plastic case with a sponge inside that is slightly damp and goes between 2 strings over the sound hole). The dryness caused during winter can damage your guitar from water leaving wood too quickly(especially in newer instruments)

Although that is not the only issue with winter, your hands are at risk too! It is very important, to let your hands warm up  before playing, for the sake of your tendons. So let them warm up to room temperature to avoid unnecessary injuries, and while you're at it stretch your hands. I looked at a few good videos on youtube for avoiding Carpal Tunnel, Arthritis, etc.

I'm no expert on this subject in any way but these are things I did not know about until recently, so you have been warned, my recommendation is to go to www.google.com and/or www.youtube.com

186 days, and preparing for next Open Mic. Tonight I'll be trying out a video at lesson at home, from Tommy Emmanuel on his version of Classical Gas which is leaps and bounds past the original Mason Williams version. If I can learn the intro riff in the next week I will be surprised!

Peace!
-Billy Tough

Tough Crowd

Last night I held true to my word and played a couple songs at an Open Mic in Ottawa. I was pretty nervous but not anywhere near the level I thought I would be, although I was scheduled to play during a hockey shoot out. The song I went for was Classical Gas by Mason Williams

Classical Gas

So it was a little rough of a start but definitely made me feel more at ease on stage for the future.

-Billy Tough