Hiya!
This Christmas Recital is tomorrow! And more information follows. Let’s have a good time!

2012 Christmas Recital
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Three P.M.
University Congregational Church
9209 E. 29th St. North
(One block west of North Webb Rd on 29th off of K96)
(In The Fellowship Hall in the West side of the building)

2012 Christmas Recital Information

The recital will be held at University Congregational Church this Sunday, December 16, at 3 PM. The building is located at 9209 E. 29th St North (One block west of Webb Rd. on 29th Street) and there is ample parking west parking lot. The recital will be held in the Fellowship Hall in the west side of the building. Enter through the North Door and that will lead you straight to the Fellowship Hall.

Participating students should plan on being at the venue at least 30 minutes prior to the start time (2:30 PM) to check in and get tuned up so we can start promptly at 3. Earlier if you need to do a sound check through the PA system, especially if you are playing along to a backing track or singing and playing.

To avoid any “YouTube moments” please refrain from recording any video of the recital performers unless you have specific permission to do so. This will help avoid any unnecessary performance anxiety or “red light syndrome”

In addition to the Parent and Student Potluck snack and beverage items (feel free to bring your favorite baked goods or 2 liter, anything you’d like to share) we’re also asking that everyone bring a non-perishable food item to benefit the Kansas Food Bank to show our appreciation for letting us use their fine facilities, and to help those in need during this Christmas season.

Please enjoy the snacks in the Fellowship Hall area.

Dress Code: Nice casual.

Please be sure to hang around for the grab bag giveaway generously provided by our friends at Midwest Drum and Percussion, and the group picture after wards.

A few volunteers to help set and tear down would be very helpful. If you are willing and able let me know.

Thanks for your interest and support of your guitar/bass studies with me. If you have any questions you can reach me at 304.1467.

—Robert

GuitarRW.com on the web.

The “Most Requested” bands, artists and topics by my guitar and bass students per the July 2012 newsletter: Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Taylor Swift, Praise Band Songs, Dave Matthews Band, Jason Mraz, Third Eye Blind, Alice Cooper, Megadeth, Radiohead, Colbie Calliat, Plain White T’s, Green Day, Def Leppard, songwriting and arranging, Matchbox 20, Gym Class Heroes, Jimi Hendrix, Steely Dan, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Kansas, The Byrds, The Beatles, Brandon Heath, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton/Cream, John Prine, Leonard Cohen, Woody Guthrie, School Jazz Band songs, John Denver, Zac Brown Band, Ed Sheeran, Kristian Stanfill, Sondre Lechre, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, Santana, Helloween, Accept, Jack Johnson, Uncle Kracker, Lynyrd Skynryd, Blind Guardian, Jackson Browne, Extreme, Tenth Avenue North, Johnny Cash, Eric Church, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Nickleback, Counting Crows, Jeff Buckley, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Veil Brides, Journey, and many, many more…

It’s Time to Play… “Stump The Instructor!”: Any student that is interested should bring in a recording of a song (Ipod, Mp3 player, or my preference, a CD) that the student is interested in learning how to play to “stump me.” This is a fun way to open up a dialogue about guitar-centric techniques that can be springboard for further study, and of course, lead to the student adding more songs to their repertoire…ie “jamming on tunes.”

Popular song guitar parts often can seem conventional and easy at first listen, and maybe they are, or maybe they can be simplified for a beginning student while easily nailed by an advancing, practicing student. But when we dig a little deeper we can often discover “tricks of the trade” that may introduce new techniques and ideas to expound upon. Does the artist use a capo like James Taylor, Taylor Swift or Bob Dylan? Do they utilize altered tunings, open tunings or a variation on standard tuning like Jimmy Page, Three Days Grace and Jimi Hendrix? How do you tackle tricky rhythms and accompaniment like Dave Matthews, Jason Mraz or Foster the People? How does Jeff Beck, Joe Satriani, or Jack White get that weird, wacky sound? Does that song by John Denver, Brad Paisley or Colbie Caillat use fingerpicking or hybrid picking? Will that piano based song by Elton John, Adele or Carrie Underwood translate to guitar? How do you breakdown that cool riff by Weezer, Switchfoot or Buckethead? What about that tricky chord progression by Eric Johnson, The Plain White Ts or The Beatles? All of these questions (and many, many more) are relevant to the curious advancing student and can be easily incorporated to supplement lessons, build guitar skills and get students jamming away. So what are ya waiting for?

Playing guitar is an awesome way to make music, entertain yourself and others, and express yourself musically, but your guitar won’t stay in tune by accident. Normal playing will knock your axe out of tune without even thinking about it…especially if you strum a lot or like to bend strings like Joe Walsh, Jimmy Page or Buddy Guy. Or if you like whammy bar sounds inspired by Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai and Jeff Beck. Your band-mates, vocalists you accompany, and especially, your audience will always appreciate your extra effort to stay in tune when practicing, rehearsing and performing. These days there are a multitude of affordable electronic tuners for guitars and basses that take a lot of the guess work out of staying in tune. The fine folks at Midwest Drum and Percussion keep a nice variety on hand that will work in a variety of ways for any type of guitar or bass. Feel free to ask me for more info about getting, and staying, in tune! Learn your A-B-Ts!

Thanks for stopping by my site!

While you are here please be sure to check out some videos from the 2011 Christmas Recital. It’s absolutely awesome to be able to showcase so many  students dedicated to having fun and making music while learning guitar.

This site will be regularly updated with student showcases, and articles, tips and useful links to stuff I find on the internet that will be relevant to guitar students (and their parents/guardians) and/or music enthusiasts of many types.

Hopefully you will like what you see and want to learn how to play guitar or bass yourself!

Click Here for more information about how to get started with the lesson program!