No room for Show Ponies – Could you manage all of your gigs with just two guitars?
And if so, which two? When looking up reviews if new guitars, I often come across the acronym GAS, or Gear Acquisition Syndrome. This humorous shorthand phrase sums up the seemingly inante drive in many guitarists to buy more equipment, from amps and effects pedals to, of course, guitars. But how many guitars do we…
Acoustic guitar review: Cort CJ Retro
You’ve probably played a Cort guitar before, without even realising it. The Korean firm is one of the largest guitar building companies in the world. Yet most of their operations are to serve as contractors, building the lower-budget guitars of several major brands over the last few decades, including Ibanez, Squier, Schecter, PRS, Musicman and…
Hot space: the secret of good improvisation
It almost seems too obvious to even require mentioning, but it’s the best advice I was ever given as a young musician: Do less, and do it well If in doubt, leave it out goes the old adage about instrumental soloing. It equally applies to composition as well – but what else is improvisation, if…
Iconic Northumberland landmark, The Sycamore Gap, has been destroyed. Vandalism believed to be the cause.
The residents of Northumberland, and fans of the county’s stunning scenery around Hadrian’s Wall, woke up to devastating news this morning, as they discovered that the Sycamore Tree nestled in a dip along the wall near Twicebrewed has been felled. The tree, which led to the spot it stood in becoming known as The Sycamore…
Recent goings on and upcoming projects
As the rain sets in here in the UK, for what looks like a prolonged period, it seems that summer is well and truly over. The last few months have been pretty busy, so I thought I’d quickly let you in on what I’d been up to… …aside from the usual, that is My main…
Happy birthday, Kenny Burrell
July the 31st this year marks the 92nd birthday of Kenny Burrell, who, unlike many of the greats I feature in my Great Guitarists series, is still with us! Such an occasion is enough of an excuse to revisit his classic cut from 1963, Midnight Blue (if an excuse is even needed)… Those interested can…
Haiku for the end of June
High Sun burns the blooms Midsomer passes in heat Giving. And taking.
Great Guitarists #14: BB King
Amongst the most famous blues guitar players, there are the so-called Three Kings of the Blues. All unrelated despite the shared surname, these three guitar players helped to define the sound of modern blues guitar. We have already looked at Albert King and how his unorthodox technique and biting sound left a huge influence on…
Music & Wellbeing (Part 6): Music Therapy & Educational Wellbeing
Music and educational wellbeing So far, we have investigated the value of music in physical and mental wellbeing. As previously discussed, a better education leads to greater feelings of wellbeing, particularly in later stages of life (Merriam & Kee, 2014). With that in mind, if we are to consider the value of music on our…
Music & Wellbeing (Part 5): Music & Pain Relief
Music & pain relief So far, we have examined the positive effects of music on our wellbeing, both physically and mentally. However, if music can indeed make us ‘feel better’, is there any scope for its application towards pain relief? As well as being beneficial, can music be medicinal? There is historical evidence of music…
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