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On Practicing Guitar
Christian Botta
Guitarist, Singer, Teacher, Songwriter and Producer
Interests: Music, cinema, reading, hockey, family, friends, cooking, wine
Recent Activity
Sitting On Top of the World: From The Inside Out
Posted Jun 16, 2022 at On Practicing Guitar
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Thanks for your comment, Cyrus! I checked multiple sources and I have it right. Plus, it sounds right. However, your version sounds good. You should try writing a song around that. That's the way the pros do it! -Chris
Easy Guitar - Shine On You Crazy Diamond By Pink Floyd
The most memorable theme from Pink Floyd’s profound concept album, Wish You Were Here, makes a practical exercise for beginning guitarists. This lick enters the soundscape of “Shine On You Crazy Diamond" at 3:55, and it’s hard to imagine the rest of the work without it. It sounds simple, it so...
Learn San-Ho-Zay by Freddie King with Tab and Video
Posted Mar 12, 2022 at On Practicing Guitar
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Sorry to hear that, Steve! The only information that I could find at the time was on a bulletin board at the Shack Up Inn right outside Clarksdale. I would try giving them a call if I was down there and couldn't find any other info. -Chris
Visiting Avalon - Home of Mississippi John Hurt
July 29 - I was introduced to the music of John Hurt by a wonderful guitar teacher named Terry who I studied with between the ages of thirteen to sixteen. He taught me the technique variously known as ‘double thumbing,’ ‘Travis picking,’ or ‘alternating bass,’ and the main lick for “Spike Driv...
Thanks for checking in, Jeremy. The exhibit was at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. I think it may have made a few stops in other cities, but I'm not sure. I went three times. -Chris
Rock and Roll Dreams at the Metropolitan Museum
This is possibly the first Gibson Les Paul Sunburt from the late 1950s to find its way to England. Keith Richards brought it over after one of the Stones' early U.S. tours. You can see him playing it in the T.A.M.I. Show, a landmark rock and roll movie. I finally got out to see Play It Loud: ...
Jimi Hendrix's Little Wing Acoustic Guitar Lesson for Beginners
Posted Feb 11, 2022 at On Practicing Guitar
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12 Bar Blues Acoustic Guitar For Beginners
Posted Jan 30, 2022 at On Practicing Guitar
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Thanks for writing, Andy! I give lessons on Zoom and in person, if you happen to be in the New York area. Otherwise, check out my posts on the rhythm for Hey Joe and Dead Flowers. Hey Joe uses a pattern that's a combination of Knockin' On Heaven's Door and Dead Flowers. They're all linked. I hope to do more strumming articles soon. Thanks again,
Chris
Essential Strum Pattern in Knockin' On Heaven's Door
Strumming the guitar is sometimes challenging when you’re starting out. The motions can feel awkward, and it seems like there are many different patterns to learn. In fact, there are two main strum patterns that are absolutely essential, and if you get them down, it will make it easier to learn ...
Thanks for writing Phillip! I would love to go back there. -Chris
Visiting Avalon - Home of Mississippi John Hurt
July 29 - I was introduced to the music of John Hurt by a wonderful guitar teacher named Terry who I studied with between the ages of thirteen to sixteen. He taught me the technique variously known as ‘double thumbing,’ ‘Travis picking,’ or ‘alternating bass,’ and the main lick for “Spike Driv...
Thanks again, WC! It's a classic! Some others to try are In My Time of Dying by Led Zeppelin and No Expectations by the Stones. -Chris
Muddy Waters' "I Can't Be Satisfied" Lesson and Tab
I grew up a huge Johnny Winter fan, and as luck would have it, I got to see Muddy Waters perform in 1977 during his Hard Again tour. One of my biggest memories from that show at the Palladium in New York was Muddy sitting on a stool, playing a ferocious slide solo. He was getting so into it th...
Guitar Hand Positioning for Beginners
Posted May 28, 2021 at On Practicing Guitar
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I'm Gonna Ruin You! Covering a Forgotten Jimmy Reed A-Side
Posted Mar 21, 2021 at On Practicing Guitar
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Thanks, WC! I was looking at it the other day and thought about how it could have used some compression, ie the top notes were too much louder than the low ones. Gotta get back to basics. Where do you hail from? What are you working on these days? -Chris
Muddy Waters' "I Can't Be Satisfied" Lesson and Tab
I grew up a huge Johnny Winter fan, and as luck would have it, I got to see Muddy Waters perform in 1977 during his Hard Again tour. One of my biggest memories from that show at the Palladium in New York was Muddy sitting on a stool, playing a ferocious slide solo. He was getting so into it th...
Guitar Teacher - Now Accepting Students
Posted Feb 2, 2021 at On Practicing Guitar
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Thank you, Rory! It's great to hear from you. You might try learning the song "And It Stoned Me," by Van Morrison. It has the same strum pattern but with an extra chord, and then there's a bridge, a chorus and a little melodic figure, as well. Same key/chords. I give Zoom lessons, BTW. You'd be surprised at how much you can learn in one private lesson after you've been working so hard to figure things out by yourself. Thanks again,
Chris
Essential Strum Pattern in Knockin' On Heaven's Door
Strumming the guitar is sometimes challenging when you’re starting out. The motions can feel awkward, and it seems like there are many different patterns to learn. In fact, there are two main strum patterns that are absolutely essential, and if you get them down, it will make it easier to learn ...
Thank you, Bones! I'm glad that it was helpful for you. I hope this finds you well and that you're getting plenty of practice in during this challenging year.
Take care,
Chris
Essential Strum Pattern in Knockin' On Heaven's Door
Strumming the guitar is sometimes challenging when you’re starting out. The motions can feel awkward, and it seems like there are many different patterns to learn. In fact, there are two main strum patterns that are absolutely essential, and if you get them down, it will make it easier to learn ...
Eight Million Ways (To Be Alone)
Posted Nov 26, 2020 at On Practicing Guitar
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Key To The Highway Video and Tab
Posted Nov 7, 2020 at On Practicing Guitar
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Doug,
Thanks for writing! I spoke to Mike Maggio and he did indeed sell some guitars at one time with his name on them, he said they were as you describe, Strats in a natural finish. He added, "Small world!" Do you still have it? -Chris
Adventures in Guitar Mods – The Squier 51
Ever since my friend Steve changed the ancient volume pot in my ’76 Strat to a brand new American made CTS pot, I have been itching to learn how to do guitar mods. My obsession may even have begun shortly after a student of mine brought over a black Fender Squier 51. These guitars are famous f...
Thanks, Jim! It was easier to narrow it down to LPs, and then stuff that I've mainly been listening to currently. There's a story behind almost every great record, if you think about it, especially if you've been listening to them for a long, long time. Like when I went by In Living Stereo to hang out and listen to some stuff, I had to bring that Brahms record. It really came to life on that outrageous system, like it was a living, breathing creature. That record has been with me for years. It kind of has a life of its own. Like the time the old lady underneath me in Sunnyside banged on the floor while I was listening to it. She only banged like twice. The other time, it was for EPMD! That I could understand... -Chris
20 Sweet Vinyl Albums For Tough Times
One of my guitar students asked me for recommendations of albums on vinyl so I dashed off this list. Many of them I’ve had for a long time and some for less, but one thing that they almost all have in common is that it’s pretty easy to listen all the way through. Yeah, you got to flip ‘em. Als...
Hi, Bruce
I really dig King Zapatas' playing as well. I saw GCJ recently without him and something was definitely missing. The song is a relatively simple minor blues. I think the chord progression is in my post. You should be able to figure out a great deal about what KZ is playing by watching the video and other videos that include him. Get in touch with me on email if you want to continue the discussion. This blog is associated with my website, chrisbottaguitar.com, which has a link for my email. I'm really interested in rhythm guitar, and other guitarists who appreciate it. It's an art. Thanks for writing! -Chris
Gary Clark, Jr. Solo with Tab for "When My Train Pulls In"
When I first heard Gary Clark, Jr., I have to admit I was a bit skeptical. The hype surrounding his playing, his acting gigs, the perfect image and awesome singing voice made me wonder about his gasp, authenticity as a player, but the truth is that what I heard in terms of his guitar playing d...
20 Sweet Vinyl Albums For Tough Times
Posted May 1, 2020 at On Practicing Guitar
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Fred,
Sorry for the late reply. I looked online at the museum's website and didn't see much info, as you must have, as well. I suggest contacting the Shack Up Inn, which is located in Clarksdale. That's how I got the info that led me to the caretaker, Floyd. Believe me, it was just a piece of paper stuck up on the wall, probably hand-written with the phone number and basic info. I only saw it by chance. OK, maybe it was printed and on a bulletin board I don't remember it that way. There are many fans that make the pilgrimage and you've probably found your way by now. Let me know how it goes.
Chris
Visiting Avalon - Home of Mississippi John Hurt
July 29 - I was introduced to the music of John Hurt by a wonderful guitar teacher named Terry who I studied with between the ages of thirteen to sixteen. He taught me the technique variously known as ‘double thumbing,’ ‘Travis picking,’ or ‘alternating bass,’ and the main lick for “Spike Driv...
Hi, Jim
This post, https://onpracticingguitar.chrisbottaguitar.com/2017/09/compound-strumming-pattern-in-hey-joe.html
has links to some other similar posts, including the one above and one for Dead Flowers. They're all related. There's also a good one for Wild Thing. Thanks for visiting and for your comment! I'm starting to do some Zoom/Skype lessons. Let me know if you're interested. -Chris
Essential Strum Pattern in Knockin' On Heaven's Door
Strumming the guitar is sometimes challenging when you’re starting out. The motions can feel awkward, and it seems like there are many different patterns to learn. In fact, there are two main strum patterns that are absolutely essential, and if you get them down, it will make it easier to learn ...
Guitarist Available
Posted Mar 5, 2020 at On Practicing Guitar
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