Light Up That Fretboard

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=1366' target='_blank'>http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=1366</a><br /><br /></div><i>"I remember the days, long, long ago, when hours of my time were spent hunched over the fretboard of an electric guitar in the vain hope of pulling off a stunning guitar solo or coming up with a riff that would sell a million records. Unfortunately I failed miserably in my quest to become lead guitarist with a world famous heavy metal band, which is why I entered the only-slightly-less glamourous world of IT journalism. But that’s because I didn’t have the right teaching … at least that’s the story I’m sticking to. With the help of a new development in the world of axe technology, however, I reckon I would have stood a better chance. Optek’s innovative Fretlight guitar has bright red LEDs embedded in the fretboard at every fingering position, which light up scales, tunes and chords and progressions that you can follow with your fingers."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/1366-guitar.jpg" /> <br /><br />This is one of the more unique digital music products I've seen - I play bass myself, but have pondered learning to play guitar, and this seems like it would be a good way to get started. Now if only I had more time in my day. :roll:

[David Horn]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooo....................

I have a diagram showing that very idea which I thought of some years ago, but didn't know how to take further at the time, sitting in my desk drawer.

Damn and blast it! Will I never make my millions? I'm just going to sit here and cry for a bit.

[Chris Gohlke]

Yamaha has made a product like this for a while.

http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productview.jhtml?sku=YA617

I like this better though because it is more of a "real" guitar.

[Gary Sheynkman]

Jason....a guitar is the same thing with a bass....just add two strings on the bottom. The top 4 strings are EXACTLY the same :wink:

You can do it. I believe in you

[Jason Dunn]

Jason....a guitar is the same thing with a bass....just add two strings on the bottom. The top 4 strings are EXACTLY the same :wink: You can do it. I believe in you

Ah, young Gary. The notes are the same, but the style of playing, fingering, and everything else is completely and utterly different. Anyone who plays guitar or bass knows that. ;-)

[Gary Sheynkman]

thats why guitar class at my school rocks!

we are encouraged to explore fingerings. I tend to play the 12 bar blues (1-4, 1-2-3, 1-3, 1-3-4,1-4,1-4 by string) using a bassist type fingering because it easier. I'm not naive....just giving you are hard time...although you are exceedingly better than I am at internet rebutals.

[Chris Gohlke]

Since we are on the subject of guitars, I recently bought one. One of my regrets was that as I child I never learned to play an insturment. Can anyone recommend a good resource (book, video, or on-line) to learn to play? Preferably something with some more interesting songs to play (I like the hard rock/heavy metal genre).

[Gary Sheynkman]

Well....

This might sound elitist to some but before you go and find tabs I'd say learn theory. Thats right. Notes, keys, signatures, etc etc etc. With those skills you will be a good musician, not just a guitarists. I see these crazy punk rocker kids in my guitar class (who are amazing) fail because they can't memorize key signatures and how intervals sound :roll:

Get the following:

Aaron Shearer's begginer books. The theory book is black with an orange guitar and the playing book is black with a red guitar on it.

Also get the HOT book (email or IM me for the author because I don't remember of the top of my head)

With those two books, you will lay a proper foundation for your guitar playing. You will be able to transpose etc etc etc. Rhythm is also very important. I'm not asking you to do clapping drills, but a metronome will really help you along when you are starting out.

All that + some tabs and you will be able to play most classical and rock music......with practice. :wink:



enjoy