The evolution of the electric guitar reaches across time and space, creating an instrument that can inspire, entertain and educate throughout the world. When it comes to guitars, there are several manufacturers creating top-quality instruments today, but perhaps one of the best known names in guitar manufacturing is Fender.

Fender has been making guitars of all styles since 1946, and is the leading manufacturer of top-quality guitars today. Many of today’s top artists in rock, country, R&B, jazz or world music swear by the Fender name, making it a top choice for musicians and guitarists of all skill levels. In 1982, Fender released its Squier line of guitars, aimed at the novice or student guitar player, offering quality at affordable prices. Fender Squier guitars include models such as the Telecaster and Stratocaster, as well as Fender Squier Precision Bass and Fender Squier Jazz Bass models, each seeking to ensure the best playing experience for newly fledged guitarists around the world.



Even the youngest or least experienced guitar player can appreciate the affordability and quality provided by the Fender Squier line of guitars. Models like the Bullet Strat HSS Electric Guitar with Tremolo, Classic Vibe Stratocaster 50s Electric Guitar or Bronco Bass Guitar each bring great sound together with an affordable price. Based upon the highest-quality guitars expertly researched and constructed by Fender, the Squier line of electric, jazz and bass guitars can give a professional sound and playing experience to musicians and guitar players with even the smallest level of experience.

Labels: Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Fender, Guitar, Jazz

Often touted as “A sizzling guitar goddess,”  “One of the most compelling cones of her generation,” and “Among the best bop guitar players with a fresh approach and something new,”  Sheryl Bailey is more than just a jazz phenomenon; as an Associate Professor in the Guitar department at the Berklee College of Music, she is also a mentor of future guitar players.

Growing up surrounded by music (her mother played the piano) Sheryl Bailey dabbled in both piano and trumpet as a child. When her mom grudgingly bought Sheryl her first guitar at the age of 13, she was done dabbling and ready to buckle down. After taking lessons and practicing throughout her high school years, Sheryl attended and graduated from Berklee College of Music. She has since become an award-winning jazz guitarist, and immerses herself in music on a daily basis by preforming, teaching, writing, touring, and recording at a near-impossible pace.

Sheryl views her guitar as a voice of sorts, and she enjoys teaching aspiring guitarists to use that voice as effectively as possible; to not only play guitar, but to excel at it. Thus, as she states on her website, “I try to make my teaching as practical and as based in the real world as possible…I try to bring [my] experience to my students, to tell them this is what you really need to know to go out there and do it, and be successful.”

And she has certainly made her real-life application of music in the classroom work to her advantage as a musician as well: she has toured internationally on her own, with her trio the Sheryl Bailey 3, and with David Krakauer’s “Klezmer Madness”; performed with a variety of other big-name musicians including Gary Thomas, Dena Derose, and Howard Alden; recorded several CDs and a live DVD; and published numerous books and columns.



And as if this impressive resume was not enough, Sheryl has also been featured in the August 1999 issue of Guitar Player magazine February 2003 issue of Just Jazz Guitar, and has earned several accolades including 3rd place in the 1995 Thelonius Monk International Jazz Guitar Competition and a position as a US State Department Jazz Ambassador for a tour of South America in 2000. And all of this in addition to teaching “Sizzling Guitar Goddess?” Guitar Superhero seems to fit better!

Labels: Artist, Guitar, Jazz

At one time or another, most people have had the dream of being in a band, making music, rising to fame and becoming an icon throughout the land. But, starting a band may be one of the hardest steps in the ascent to fame and fortune. Since there are no true methods to fame in the music business, a little help can go a long way in being sure that a band or artist is on the right path. Knowing some of the main benchmarks to start up a band can make the difference between an awesome experience and an agonizing musical fail.

1. Know your instrument. Whether you are a drummer, vocalist, trombone player or love the electric guitar, if you don’t know how to sound good, there is not point to starting a band.

2. Find other musicians. A band is not a solo career, it’s a band, and it should be full of individuals who can work and play together well. Ask your friends, family or hold auditions for the instrumentalists needed.

3. Practice together. A band does nobody any good if it cannot play a song written for multiple artists. Practicing alone ensures you know your instrument, but practicing together connects the players, allowing the beauty of collaboration to enhance the music.

4. Write a song. Even if the song will never be heard outside of the basement, garage or other practice area, it’s an experience that every band should have. From drums to lyrics and harmonies, an original song will document the band’s progress.

5. Play a show. Even if the band is only performing in the garage, having an audience is a great way to get feedback and understand the dynamics in music and within the band itself that occur when others are watching.

6. Market the band. Get some flyers together, post on Facebook or YouTube. Find unique ways to get the word out about your immensely talented band.

7. Record a song. It’s one thing to practice, and another to play in front of an audience, but a good recording of the band can be a monumental step in the band’s evolution.



From finding people to play in the band, procuring instruments and equipment, practicing, recording and finding places to play, a band can be a full-time job, and many times without pay. No matter the style of music, however, the process of starting a band can be a learning experience that can last a lifetime.

Labels: Electric Guitar

The blues is more than a style of music; it’s a calling and a way of life. From its lyrical styling and historical roots to the blues riffs on an electric guitar, the blues, despite its connotation, somehow makes people happy.  When it comes to a great blues guitar sound, Robert Cray may be the top name in blues today, blending together classic blues with modern flavor, all on his signature Fender electric guitar.

As a five-time Grammy Award winner, Cray has been recognized for his unique blues guitar sound that has kept the world of music on its toes, and modern blues on the radar. Cray has not only established himself as a major player in the world of blues music, but has also been recognized for his vocal style, as well as his role as a music producer. In 1993, Cray produced Shame + A Sin, a throwback to classic blues sound that was well received throughout the blues community. His method for replicating a “barroom” sound even with modern instruments and equipment required the detuning of piano strings and the removal of the bass drum head from the studio drum set. Some people may recognize Cray from his appearance in National Lampoon's Animal House, as the bassist for Otis Day and the Knights, or his appearances with Eric Clapton while on tour or at festivals.



Robert Cray keeps on redefining a genre of music that has tremendous historical significance in the world today. The blues has influenced innumerable artists in all types of music, bringing the sounds of soul, R&B, rock, pop, hip-hop, gospel, country, and rap to new heights, while still maintaining its standalone style. With his signature Robert Cray Standard Stratocaster Fender electric guitar, and an even more promising career ahead, Robert Cray is poised to continue taking the blues to a new level.

Labels: Blues, Guitar, Stratocaster

So, you want to be the next Lennon or go down in the Rock-n-Roll History of Fame?  You want your song to be requested via screams at concerts for generations to come? The easy part of songwriting is the applause at the end of that iconic ballad you are dying to write. The hard part is knowing where to start.

Songwriting might be as intimidating as it is appealing.  Just like any other skill, songwriting can improve with practice. One of the best ways to begin songwriting is to grab an instrument, like an electric or acoustic guitar and just begin brainstorming. For guitar players, much of the magic can actually fall in the chord progressions used in the chorus, increasing the interest of the hook of the song. For the verses, guitar chords should be simple, allowing the lyrics to shine through, supported by the strum of the guitar.

In terms of guitar technique while songwriting, knowing the chords of the key the song is written in is essential to the overall tone and flow of the song. Once the basic chords are mastered, elaborating further into the key can help produce interest and dynamics. Additionally, both strumming and picking on the acoustic or electric guitar can increase the complexity of the guitar tone. Many people also follow formulas when writing songs, concentrating on chords, measures and lyric blocks as singular entities within the song. There are a wealth of resources online that help songwriters write for all types of audiences, with different methods to help ease the process and bring out the songwriter for all to hear.



Writing a hit song isn't something that can be accomplished without talent, skill, and effort. Whether a song is written for the piano, electric or acoustic guitar, it’s the practice, mastery of the guitar, and a willingness to share with the world that can take a song to the top of the charts, or even just to the heart of someone special.

Labels: Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Songwriting

When it comes to drumming and drum sets for rock, jazz, country, R&B and most genres of music, there are two basic drum choices to help a drummer beat out a rhythm unlike any other: acoustic or electric. Acoustic drums are the standard for sound quality and playability in performance and recording, but the advances in electric drumming are increasing the use of these multi-faceted instruments.

Acoustic drums create sound through the drums themselves, eliminating much of the need for amplification or enhancement when played. Electric drums, on the other hand, are virtually silent instruments, except for the tapping sound when struck with drum sticks. Electric drums need amplification in order to be heard when performing live or during practice sessions, in order to ensure the right sound is being played. Drum monitors are specifically designed to help drummers and music producers hear the best possible sound from electric drums, without compromising the technology built into an electric drum set.

Drum monitors can vary, depending on manufacturer or the selection of components used. Some drummers use high-quality headphones as a drum monitor in order to listen to the output of an electric drum set. Drum manufacturers like Pearl or Roland make drum monitors that work with specific drum sets, and even include mixers, equalizers and more. The main function of a drum monitor is to allow the sound of the drums to be heard before it is recorded or otherwise input into a computer, and there are a wide range of configurations available that can suit any recording space, music genre and budget.



The ease of music production through computer-based mixing and sound, the ability to create a true drum sound, or a wide range of effects, tones and instrumentation has increased the use of electric drum sets in all types of music. The right drum monitor can help increase the drummer’s ability to create or enhance a personal sound while still utilizing the abundance of technology available within electric drums.

Labels: Drumming, Drums, Gear

No two guitars are the same, making the quest to obtain the perfect axe just a little more challenging, and a lot of fun. With the different brands on the market that offer a wide range of enhancement, or even a simple sound, the new guitarist can be overwhelmed with the choices available. One of the more harrowing decisions any guitar player must make when buying a guitar is whether to buy an electric or acoustic guitar.

Most of the time, the guitar used is defined by the music played. Folk music is rarely played on an electric guitar, while it’s nearly impossible to thrash an acoustic. Electric guitars are almost the definitive symbol of rock music, including punk, alternative, classic rock and all of the different genres within that niche, as well as jazz, funk and blues. Electric guitars can be loud, add a range of tones, pitches and mind-shattering emotion to the music while creating a sound that is almost impossible to ignore. They are designed to work with amps and effects pedals, and they may be somewhat easier to play, since the “action” on an electric guitar is much closer to the neck. Electric guitars are better designed guitar solos and leads than acoustic guitars.

Acoustic guitars, on the other hand, are perfect for all types of music that requires a softer, mellower sound. Acoustic guitars can provide a rhythmic structure to “unplugged” music, an emotional backdrop for ballads, or can be an essential part of heavy metal. As a versatile instrument, the acoustic guitar can be ideal for students, or an enhancement to a professional guitarist’s repertoire. Since acoustic guitars are constructed differently than electric guitars, the playability is different and can be more difficult for smaller hands, or those with mobility issues.



The war between electric and acoustic guitars is one that continues to challenge the world of music, bringing new layers of inspiration throughout performances and recording sessions, as well as within the classroom. When it comes down to which is better, or what type of guitar to buy, it’s the personal preference that determines whether an electric or acoustic guitar is best.

Labels: Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Guitar