Geoff's Guitar Chords

"Guitar Tips Christmas Special"

It's hard to believe that the Christmas season has come so quickly! This is your chance to get your chops buffed up and ready to play for relatives and friends. Please sit back and enjoy as we give you some of the world's most popular carols in addition to some great gift ideas.

In this edition:

In our last edition, we started our new series focused on playing a variety of different styles of music. Since the Christmas season has arrived, we thought it would be a great idea to give you the inside edge on how to play various carols and show you the techniques involved.

You'll learn how to wow your family and friends with some neat tricks and great sounding songs. It's the only time of the year that we get to cover this genre, so let's make it count!

Have you been looking for that perfect gift for your son, daughter, spouse or friend? Perhaps you're the one looking for that music related gift but you're not quite sure what to ask for. Worry no more, we have the solution for you!

Once again, we have teamed up with our friends at Guitar Trader to give you the ultimate top ten wish list designed specifically for new guitarists that won't break the budget. Check out the various instruments and see if they are the right fit for you.

Our latest site review for this edition takes us into the world of guitar tablature. See what Guitar Tab Universe has to offer you and how it can enhance your playing skills and broaden your repertoire.

In addition to all of that, we also have our regular installment of our Feedback Booth. See what your fellow subscribers are saying from around the world!

Without further a due, let's get into our first ever Christmas edition!

Rocking Around The Christmas Tree...

Simple yet impressive.

I remember when I was about thirteen years old, I walked into my favorite guitar shop around Christmas time. When I entered to store, I was immediately met with the most beautiful acoustic arrangement of Greensleeves that I had ever heard. My first thought was, "Wow, that looks nearly impossible to play."

All to often we underestimate ourselves and Christmas music tends to have a reputation for lighting fast finger picking that is equally intimidating as it is beautiful. The truth is, this is one of those situations that we have discussed in previous editions where the music is actually simple to play but looks rather difficult.

There is definitely a feel to Christmas music but the beauty is that you have half of the battle won before you even lift a finger. What is your leading edge? You already know how the songs sound. Chances are that you can hum them out, think of them in your head and easily pick up on the lyrics to many of the choruses.

This allows you to keep on track and know when you're playing a song the wrong way. It's actually the foundation to playing by ear. Although we won't be going into that topic today, keep in mind that Christmas carols are a great place to start if you want to learn how to play by ear.

The style.

The style of Christmas music is quite unique. The carols are written in a vast array of different keys and arrangements, in addition to having various tempos ranging from slow to fast. Some have chord progressions that are simple and easy to follow, while others can get a little more complicated.

This shows us that there isn't really a distinct pattern with Christmas music. Unlike rock, we don't have the advantage of having two predominant scales to choose from, rather, the entire range of scales.

This can be a great thing and it can be your worst nightmare if you don't feel comfortable with your scales or transposition. The good news is that amongst all of the hundreds of variations of your favorite Christmas carols, you will be guaranteed to find at least one version in the key of C or G, which makes life easier for most of us.

Setting the feel of the music is in the hands of the musician. Some songs call for a more regal approach, while others cry out for some blues. Christmas music is extremely flexible and allows you to play the song the way you personally like while everyone can still recognize what tune you're playing.

My base rule for playing Christmas carol leads is to never let something get boring. Are all of your notes on the same string for that song? Switch them up to different octaves, or add in a number of string slides and hammer on's/pull off's. Another great idea would be to bend up or down to different notes.

Keep the tempo appropriate for the song. As guitarists, we tend to be inclined to lean towards setting a faster pace for a song. Christmas tunes tend to sound really odd when you do that, so don't be afraid to kick back a little bit and let the music speak for itself.

On the same token, keep the beat nice and bouncy for those songs that are quicker. Jingle Bells is the perfect example. You want that nice "Skipping" tempo to accent what you are playing.

What techniques you need to know.

As you can already gather, Christmas music pushes us to use most of the techniques and theory that we have already learned in the past five months. In addition to all of the classic techniques that you see repeated over and over again, Christmas music also introduces us to a new concept.

Finger picking: Finger picking has traditionally been used when playing classical guitar. In todays' society, it has taken a turn towards the mainstream and can be heard on tracks ranging from Metallica to The Dave Mathews Band. It is particularly useful in spicing up your favorite carols and adding in that extra touch.

Not unlike the numbering system for your fretting hand and chord charts, each of your fingers on your strumming hand have a corresponding letter. These letters are what will allow you to keep track of what you are doing and first and foremost, allow the music to give you the picking pattern.

The letter system goes as follows for your right hand (or left for lefties.)

p = thumb

i = index

m = middle

a = ring

...Remember the acronym "Pima" and you're all set. Music will tell you which finger to use by matching the corresponding letter over that note. More advanced pieces of music will require you to figure this out on your own but by that point, you will most likely know the theory to work it out without the letters.

Start off by remembering these helpful tips:

Some guitarists prefer to use just their thumb and index finger. Some also use their middle finger if needed. They are in the "If it sounds good play it" camp. I use this effect for more fuller sounding chords.

I'll hit the root note with my thumb, and strum out the rest of the chord with my index or middle finger. I do not use this method for individual string picking because it actually complicates the picking patterns.

When using the classical method of finger picking described in detail above, use these tips to get adjusted to your new found finger positioning:

Another unique way of integrating finger picking with a pick is using both at the same time. If you have ever listened to a country album, you've probably heard this. Simply hold your pick between your thumb and index finger and use your middle and ring finger to pick out additional notes.

You can also be a little adventurous and curl the pick under your index finger so you can switch between the modern and classical styles of picking. We'll go more in depth on that another time.

Here's a demonstration of the thumb/index combination on a classic chord progression. Give it a try yourself and start inventing your own finger picking style!

Tools of the trade.

There are some tools that you can use to make life easier for yourself while playing your favorite Christmas carols. The first one we'll discuss is the capo. You may remember the capo from a previous lesson on transposing, found here.

You can use your capo for quick key changes while still holding the same chord shape. In other words, play those complicated chords without the complicated fingerings. It doesn't look professional while playing at a gig but it's the perfect tool for around the fire place.

The second gadget evolves around your fingers. Many people complain that when they first start finger picking, they get a very muted sound. This is normal but one way to counteract that is by putting on a set of finger picks.

Manufacturers make them to fit all three fingers plus one for the thumb. They can come in plastic or metal and cover the tips of your fingers, in addition to the bottom of them. I like to refer to them as finger nail extensions. They do take some getting used to but they make great stocking stuffers!

Putting it into practice...

Now that you have the general idea of what Christmas music is all about, we can move onto the fun part... Playing it! Please enjoy the following arrangements of some of the more popular tunes of the season. They all encompass the various techniques we have discussed but are also enjoyable and easy to learn.

Please note: These are only my interpretation of the songs. All have been personally arranged by myself. These are intended for personal use only.

"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" Intro

"Let It Snow"

"Silent Night"

"Jingle Bells"

Site Review

Guitar Tab Universe

Guitarists are always in need of one common thing, material to play. The unfortunate situation that we face in our modern world is that there's no such thing as something for nothing, that is, until Guitar Tab Universe came around. No longer do you have to pay money for your favorite music, simply stop by this site and get the songs you want.

The truth is that tab sites are not a new revolution. They have been around for almost as long as the internet. However, few sites put together a package that is built upon reliance, accuracy and continued improvement. These are just a few of the many aspects that Guitar Tab Universe has strived to perfect since its existence and they have succeeded in their journey thus far.

Recently, Guitar Tab Universe went through a make over to make life easier for guitarists. The new and improved site allows you to search for tabs that pertain just to guitar, bass, mandolin or any instrument. The results show up in a nicely formatted order that allows you to scroll through, instead of having to go page by page and waiting for content to load.

As if that wasn't enough, the front page tells you the most recent songs added to the database, the top 25 guitar and bass tabs, in addition to the top 25 most popular songs. If you want to go more in depth, the next step is simply a click away.

Go into the Guitar Tab Universe forum and meet new friends, read album reviews, talk about the legends of the guitar or request tabs. It's a great community that has a tremendous knowledge base. They also have an extensive links page devoted to hooking you up with the best musical sites on the web.

In short, I highly recommend this site to any guitarist, regardless of skill level. No tab site is 100% accurate due to user submissions but this site works to weed out the bad posts and to keep the good ones, earning it the reputation of excellence it deserves.

It also has great seasonal sections, making it the perfect choice for any of you who would like to find more free Christmas carols. This is the place to get your free music and you will not be disappointed.

Click here to check them out.

Top Ten Gift Ideas

I've always said that the best gifts come not in the form of money or clothes but music. Whether you're three years old or approaching retirement... You can never go wrong when you show someone your affection for them through music.

This year we wanted to give you a heads up on what's hot out there in terms of musical instruments and accessories for musicians. Since this is a site designed to start guitarists off on their journey into the realm of music, we thought it would only be appropriate to give you a list of things that could help you along dramatically.

I have two warnings for you before we dig into this. The first one comes in the form of your wallet. Guitar Trader brings you the absolute best bang for your buck but music is extremely expensive to begin with.

The prices you see are the best around but be prepared to see three to four digits on those price tags! If you need reassurance on the matter, you usually get what you pay

Secondly, musical equipment is extremely addictive. Take it from the people who are in the business: it never ceases! We affectionately call it GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome.) This list may very well send some of you into a GAS attack, at which point we will ask you to take some deep breaths and keep reading because it only gets better!

Let's start off with our number ten item and work our way down to the number one gift idea for the budding guitarist.

#10 BOSS RC-20XL Phrase Recorder Endless Loop & Riff Stacking

From a name you can trust, Boss brings yet another great tool to the guitar world. Venturing from the beaten path and their usual barrage of effects, Boss decided it was time to take a shot at a quick and simple method of recording short tracks and looping them to help you create your own band.

Tap a pedal and start to perform. Then tap your other pedal to stop. Repeat the process until you reach your 11 loop capacity. The maximum storage that this pedal can store is 16 minutes, which isn't bad considering how long the average instrumental is.

A great creative outlet for the beginner or the professional, it also features a neat "Undo' button to allow for correction of those little mistakes that are bound to happen.

This is one of those, "Nice toys" to have. The hands free operation is also neat but due to the price tag, this puppy is sitting at number ten. It was a great try though...

Click here to check it out.

#9 OVATION Trekker Travel Size Acoustic Guitar

Are you a musician who likes to travel? Know one who does? This guitar is a must have for anyone who simply can't leave home without their guitar. This smaller size guitar is built specifically for travel, practice or smaller size people.

It's the perfect size for carry on luggage and built out of quality materials... so it can handle some tougher conditions. Coupled with a hard-shell case (not included) you'll be prepared to go anywhere in the world with music at your fingertips.

The price is also reassuring. Personally, I would hate to take the chance of loosing an expensive guitar due to travel damage or theft. With this extremely affordable Ovation, those fears can be relieved.

The Ovation Trekker also has a solid spruce top, walnut bridge and gold hardware... looks, quality and convenience. What more could a guitarist ask for at Christmas?

Click here to check it out.

#8 FENDER Standard Strats

There's nothing like a Fender, and it's even better when you can get one for an awesome price! The Fender standard strats come in various colors but they all have the same quality. This guitar is the perfect guitar for any new guitarist to grow into and have a lot of fun with.

It's an extremely versatile guitar and is well suited to blues, rock, country and more. While not a made in America strat, these instruments still consist of great hardware and materials. If you eventually outgrow the guitar with your talent, you can always adjust your tone by swapping out pickups... which is extremely easy to do on these strats.

I have talked about Fender many times in the past and have heard nothing but great things from the owners and their guitars. I have personally played these particular guitars and recommend them to anyone who is starting, or needs a backup guitar.

Why isn't it higher on our list? With this guitar, you get a guitar and that's it. Don't forget to factor in the amp, case and other little essentials that all add up. If you have the budget, I highly recommend this guitar for starting out ... just be prepared for the bill!

Click here to check it out.

#7 TASCAM CD-GT1MKII Guitar Trainer/CD Player w/VSA Pitch Cont.

If you're looking for a great practice tool that combines ingenuity with affordability, Tascam has exactly what the doctor ordered. The Tascam CD-GT1MKII is the ultimate device to help you learn your favorite songs by ear.

Simply pop in any CD and off you go. Slow down the tempo to 50% with no problems! This allows you to learn hit songs at your own pace. Best of all, the sound will be as clear as any normal CD player, no matter what tempo you're at.

Unlike many other gizmos, the Tascam CD-GT1MKII will not loose the pitch of the original material. In addition to the tempo feature, you have a wide assortment of various options to choose from. Simply plug in your guitar to the built in jack and you can choose a custom tone from assorted effects that include distortions, chorus, delay, overdrive and much more.

Do you like to sing as well? Tascam has also taken care of that aspect and included all of the same features that you see for guitar to vocals. The effects are obviously different and you will need a mic but nowhere else will you find such versatility!

With a built in tuner, the ability to loop sections of songs, the ability to slow down music without losing pitch and the ease of use... you can't go wrong with adding this under the tree.

Click here to check it out.

#6 FENDER G-DEC Guitar Digital Center Amp

If you haven't seen my previous reviews on this great little amp, have a read:

Well, I would be absolutely remiss if I didn't mention this little marvel. It has hit the guitar world by storm as one of the best practice amps out there and professionals and beginners alike are loving it. What makes it so unique? Well, it's more of a question of what isn't unique on this puppy.

Feel like you want to play with a full band before going to work? No problem! Simply plug your guitar into this amp and it will provide a full band for you. Perhaps you enjoy country but would like to try out rock... great, just turn a knob and the styles change simultaneously. Fender also thought it would be cool to pack in a tonne of great sounding effects for you to play around with, after all, you don't want to sound bad in front of the band.

Here's a clipping from Guitar Trader on some of the great features:

"The G-DEC is a 15-Watt combo amplifier with an 8" Special Design speaker. It has the familiar appearance of a Blackface Fender amp with special features added, such as a digital LCD display interface screen. It was designed from the ground up by the same Fender tone-team that brought you everything from the entry-level Front man series to the flagship Cyber-Twin SE. Features:

- Easy recall of guitar tones from Heavy Metal to Jazz to Punk to Country-- at the twist of a knob! o Drum beats, Bass lines, and other instruments provide musical backing in any style and tempo

- Internal synthesizer with MIDI interface allows playing with MIDI song files via computer- play all the backing tracks through the G-DEC! Every instrument from Piano to Percussion is in there! MIDI keyboards can also be hooked up to G-DEC to play the internal sounds.

- Special effects like Reverb and Echo plus crazy, creative sound effects!

- Easy-to-use automatic guitar tuner

- The amp's top provides a flat surface for placing a portable CD or MP3 player; these devices can be hooked up with the G-DEC for "play along" capability

- Internal Phrase Sampler can sample the incoming guitar signal to create loops, or song snippets from CD/MP3 may be captured for careful study.

- Shoulder strap for easy transport

- 15 Watts of power with a Special Design 8" speaker

- Future software upgrades can be loaded via MIDI"

I highly recommend this amp for its workmanship, price and overall "fun factor." I've played with them, read about them and now I want to share what I think of them. With lessons on all kinds of different styles right around the corner, you may want to consider this amp to give you the sounds you want to get the job done.

No, it's not a professional 200W tube amp but it is something that everyone can enjoy and have fun with. Beginners can get used to playing to a beat and get an idea of the effects they want to use while advanced players can let loose and have a great practice session.

This amp is indeed the perfect gift idea for any guitarist!

Click here to check it out.

#5 BC RICH Platinum Pro Warlock Floyd Rose Black

Ready to put the pedal to the metal? This guitar just screams out "Metal." Made by an extremely respected manufacturer, BC Rich has produced yet another guitar that is affordable and suitable for players ranging from beginner, to intermediate.

Amongst it's many features you'll find an authentic Floyd Rose Tremolo. Now you can have one of the leading edge guitars and perform tricks that you never dreamt of, without the need to consistently retune after you use your whammy bar.

From the tuners to the body, care was taken to insure that your playing experience would be the best that it could possibly be.

Once again, this comes as a guitar... Not a package. So extra costs will need to be factored in. Nonetheless, it's worth the money for the quality. A perfect guitar for rock or metal.

Click here to check it out.

#4 IBANEZ Jumpstart Pack IJS40 Metallic Red Guitar w/Amp & More

Now we have approached the little packages of joy. Ibanez has worked tirelessly to put together a guitar bundle that won't leave you rushing to the music store on boxing day looking for extra accessories. Everything you need to start is right there and ready to play as soon as you unwrap it.

Made by one of the leading guitar manufacturers, Ibanez is trustworthy and offers exceptional quality for the money you pay. When you purchase this package, you will receive the following items:

...Plus a one year subscription to Rolling Stone Magazine. The perfect gift at the perfect price. There is plenty of room to grow and learn more as a guitarist using this package. Previous students have used this package and I must say that it has proved to be very successful for them. I was extremely impressed by the guitar they received for the price that they paid.

Click here to check it out.

#3 FENDER DG-8S Pack Solid Top w/DVD Tuner Gigbag Strap & More

Now we've moved onto the acoustic bundles. In recent years I have seen an explosion of students who have absolutely no interest in playing electric guitar. Their heart and dreams are completely centered around playing an acoustic guitar.

Fender took notice of this and put together a great package that's perfect for any beginner or electric guitarist who is interested in taking on acoustic. It contains the needed essentials, plus a great DVD to help you with your first steps. I have personally played this guitar and was taken back by its timbre and resonance.

This kit includes a Fender guitar with nato body and spruce top, a gig bag, tuner, polish cloth, picks and an extra set of Fender bronze strings. Great setup that makes playing guitar fun. You never want someone who has never touched an acoustic guitar playing a cheap instrument. It is discouraging and hard to learn on. I highly recommend this bundle.

Click here to check it out.

#2 IBANEZ Jampack Acoustic Solid Top Package Black IJP2SBK

Ibanez also offer an acoustic starter pack for beginners. The price is identical to Fender's offer and we had a hard time trying to decide which one would go where on our list. Our friends at Guitar Trader took a look at the sales and came back to us saying that this guitar was one of their top sellers.

We reviewed what other customers had said about the guitar in various forms and decided to put it as second. Both Fender and Ibanez offer a great product, so it comes down to personal taste.

When I was younger, I almost bought an Ibanez and must say that I have had an exceptional experience with their product line. For craftsmanship and quality control, Ibanez takes the number two spot.

Click here to check it out.

#1 SQUIER Strat Pack Arctic White w/Amp and more

The pack that started it all, and still leads at the front of its competition to this day, made by Fender, with Fender quality, the strat pack is by far the ultimate in beginner guitars. In fact, when Fender first released the Squire Strat Pack, I received it as a Christmas gift and that was my first electric guitar. The rest is history.

The amp gives you the power needed to jam with friends, or practice at home. You even have the option of practicing with earphones. Not unlike any other strat, your Squire strat comes equipped with all of the classic touches that made Fender famous.

Fender Strat Pack Includes:

... I can personally attest to the quality of this guitar as it is what got me started. While one shoe doesn't fit all, I truly believe in this guitar's flexibility to allow you to reach new heights and achieve your dreams.

Click here to get more details.

In closing, every manufacturer has its fair share of triumphs and failures. Be on the lookout for quality problems when shopping for a new guitar. Some are jewels but you can also get an instrument that isn't up to standards when you're shopping in this price range. Don't let this happen to you and get the best guitar for the money you pay.

Guitar Trader has an awesome return policy, great prices and will ship internationally if you ask. Give them a shot. Your pocket book will thank you for it!

Click here to check it out.

Feedback Booth

Every week we receive hundreds of emails in our offices from customers and subscribers alike. Many of you email just to say thanks, or to ask a few questions. Whatever the case, every email that lands in our inboxes are read and we truly do appreciate you sending them in.

Today we have a sampling of emails from subscribers who are seeing improvement in their playing through the newsletter. Let's get started.

Gagan Pokhrel writes to us with his great news:

"Hi Jordan, Thanks for your kind help and support as well as your instructions! I'm now playing bass in a local band. Thank you once again!"

Jeremiah Dsilva sends along his update and words of encouragement:

"Hey Jordan, I really don't remember when I first subscribed to the site. I always used to see your newsletters coming in but it's only recently have I started reading them. I'm from India and I play lead for many bands. However, recently I'm just playing Gospel/Christian rock. Whenever I receive your news letters I find they are really helpful .The little tips that you give are quite neat!"

Emanuel Kwalom has this site suggestion for his fellow subscribers:

"Hi man, Thanks for that email on learning all of the notes on the guitar: It made a scary task seem way more manageable. I found this web site that goes by the name of bluesblast (www.bluesblast.com). It has a lot of jam tracks which I think helped me a lot since I don't play with a band. It's free and it isn't limited to only the blues. I just thought I'd spread the good word!"

Safal M Joshi sends along a thank you and some suggestions for the future:

"Dear Jordan, I just want to drop down this message to thank you for all your newsletters that you have been sending to me.... It's really helpful and indeed I'm learning new techniques of guitar online... Thanks once again. I would like some tips or lessons on new styles of playing rhythm on acoustic guitar and some country or classical flavored lessons. Merry Christmas to you in advance! Sincerely, Safal M Joshi"

Thank you to all of you who write in. I would be remiss if I didn't mention all of the behind the scenes work that our staff do to make this newsletter happen. When you experience success through Guitar Tips, it's because a team of professionals with passion come together to make it happen.

Conclusion

We have come to the end of yet another newsletter. We hope that you've enjoyed it and took something that you will be able to share with your family and friends.

In our next edition, we will be taking a break from our current series to look at the past year in music history. We'll look at some of the hit songs, the people and the industry. Considering it will be the last issue of the 2005 year, we will also be giving you a sneak peak into the future of Guitar Tips and the newsletter.

Hear about the twists and turns we have in store for you in addition to how you'll be involved. In the meantime, keep emailing us with your thoughts and suggestions! We're always looking for new bands, solo tracks, questions to feature and comments.

Don't forget about our Guitar Forum either! It's a great way to build some knowledge on your Holliday break. In addition to that, a great stocking stuffer idea would be some new songs from GuitarVision. Just click here to find out about the new deal.

Until next time, keep on picking!