Keith Courtney: April 2018

Monday, April 30, 2018

Orange Amps Releases Teleport: A Pedal That Brings Your App To Your Board

Orange Amplification brings back their 1970’s OMEC brand with a new product: the OMEC Teleport.

The Teleport is a soundcard with a twist – in addition to being a studio-quality USB recording interface, it fits inside a guitar pedal – perfect for a gigging musician.

The innovative, new OMEC Teleport is a universal connection device compatible with iOS, Android, MacOS or Windows devices without the need for any specific drivers or software requirements. It both A)converts analogue audio signals to digital enabling them to be processed with one of the many applications available, including the supplied AmpliTube CS Orange Edition from IK Multimedia, and B) converts digital to analogue, brining your app to your pedalboard or mixing board.

“As a touring musician, I needed something simple that allowed me to bring my studio software & apps with me on tour. Now you can teleport the studio to the road and the road to the studio with the first interface ready for your pedalboard. Record, play, practise or discover new virtual instruments. No boundaries, no limits… Teleport… Anywhere… Anytime.” Danny Gomez

An Audio Interface for Studio & Gig

The OMEC Teleport interface is a universal connection device (IOS, Android, Mac, PC) without any specific drivers or software requirements. It features high quality ADC/DAC converters – through a USB B connector – housed in a small effect pedal enclosure.

The Teleport allows you to convert both analog audio signals (an instrument for example) to digital to be processed with the many applications available.

Additionally, the Teleport gives you the ability to convert digital audio signals to analogue (through mixers, D.I. boxes, amplifiers, etc.).

With this versatility the Teleport can be used for a wide range of applications:

musicians that want to play, record, mix or process their sound, with the autonomy provided by mobile devices;
Bluetooth connected musicians, like keyboard players or DJs employing the same devices for their sessions;
even the amateur music lover who wants to convert music stored on their devices to analogue with renewed quality.

Price & Availability

The OMEC Teleport is available worldwide, $139.99.

Buy on Amazon.com >>

More Features

Mono-to-Stereo: Mono IN and Stereo OUT with a parallel buffer. TNow you can experiment with stereo effects from a single channel input signal.

Lightweight: Built in a robust but lightweight pedal enclosure.

9V Power: The OMEC Teleport uses the same 9V DC input as your other pedals.

Includes Amplitube CS: A complete, full-featured guitar/bass amp and effects rig for Windows/MacOS for capturing your performances. It features an immense amount of tools, tones and controls. The standard AmpliTube CS is included for free. That package includes the virtual OR120, Tiny Terror, Rockerverb 50, AD30 and matching Orange Cabs.

High-End AC/DC Converters: Uses high quality analogue to digital and digital to analogue converters to ensure accurate sound replication, allowing for a high quality signal to noise ratio. Even with high-gain signals, enjoy less fizz and more tone.

Buffered Bypass: Uses a buffered bypass to avoid the tonal effect of adding additional cable to your signal chain.

The post Orange Amps Releases Teleport: A Pedal That Brings Your App To Your Board appeared first on The Guitar Journal.

Sunday, April 29, 2018

Classical vs Acoustic Guitar: Which is Easier to Learn for Beginners?

There are two opinions among people.

One of them is that you should start with a steel-string acoustic guitar (the type you see commonly) first, because if you learn how to play acoustic guitar you will learn to play classical and other types of guitars faster.

Some people think it is easier to start with a classical guitar.

To cut to the chase: No matter what people say, you need to choose guitar you prefer playing. If you like acoustic guitars, start with acoustic guitar, if you prefer classical or even electric guitar, go with those models first.

Acoustic or Classical Guitar – Which One to Choose?

If we talk about physical issues, the acoustic guitar is a bit harder to play because it has a heavy gauge. After some time, though, you will get used to this. If you are a beginner, and you don’t have any experience with guitars, it’s a good idea to borrow a friend’s guitar and hold it for a while. That way you will be more motivated to learn how to play if you like how that type of guitar fits you.

Also, before making the final decision, you must choose your budget, because many beginners have a very limited budget or they simply don’t want to invest a larger amount of cash because they are not sure if they would like what they get.

The best acoustic guitars around $100-$200 would be perfect for beginners, you may visit here for more info.

You can get a better idea of guitar price ranges by checking out this article.

Is Acoustic Guitar Hard to Play?

Example of a concert-shaped guitar by C.F. Martin

Example of a concert-shaped steel-string acoustic guitar by C.F. Martin.

Acoustic guitar is a bit bigger than a classical guitar. The body shape of the acoustic guitar is different than classical guitar. For example, it has a scratch plate. This is an easy way to tell difference between this types of guitars.

For beginners, learning to play acoustic guitar is a bit harder than learning to play classical guitar (though it’s not that hard really). If you start with guitar lessons for your new acoustic guitar and you already think that it will be hard, you can be demotivated and this will make things even worse.

Acoustic guitar is a guitar with a soul. Most people play acoustic guitar with their fingertips, but you can also use picks, or even thumb picks. You need to decide for yourself what style and what type of music you’ll play on acoustic guitar. Keep an open mind to all types of music and your heart will tell you what music is the right choice for you.

Physical Characteristics

Acoustic guitar is a musical instrument with six strings, some models have different types of body, some of them has a different construction, and you must test all of them to see what works best for you and your body posture.

It is also very useful to buy a strap if you plan to play guitar while standing up. Acoustic guitar is similar to classical, but there are some differences.

The string is the first thing you will notice when we talk about differences. Acoustic guitars have steel strings, and classical guitars have nylon strings.

Body size of acoustic guitars is similar to classical guitars, although classical is a bit smaller.

Classical guitars have wider fingerboard.

Some Important Things About Classical Guitar

Front and lateral view of a typical modern classical guitar

Classical guitar is not quite as popular among musicians, but it certainly deserves to be. It is very cool to own a classical guitar, even though many people prefer electric or even electric-acoustic guitars.

In my opinion, classical guitar deserves more attention because it has an amazing ability to communicate emotions and gives you a chance to express your feelings through music. You don’t have to use words, let the music tell your story. Classical guitar is an old-school type of guitar and this is part of what makes it so special and unique.

Although classical guitar has a name associated with classical music, it is not used only for playing classical music. You don’t have to play Mozart on your guitar, you can use it to play different styles and types of music, some as jazz, rock, pop or even, you guessed it – classical music.

Classical guitar is a bit rigid, but it gives you a chance to have a good time, you can play all types of music and learn how to produce a different kind of sounds. You can also play different tempo, different speed or different notes.

Also, you don’t have to play alone, of course. You can play with others, you can experiment and simply have some good time. This is what playing guitar is all about after all. The great majority of guitar players play guitar because they love it, not because it is their job to do it.

Final verdict

A very important decision is in front of you – should you start with classical or acoustic guitar?

If you like traditional music, without any additional sound effects, classical guitar provides pure and clear sound.

If you want the modern type of feel while you play guitar, you can go with acoustic guitar, it gives you more opportunity to experiment and to try new things.

No matter what model you choose, invest some time and practice a lot, this is the way you will truly become an amazing guitar player.

The 10 Best Easy Fingerpicking Songs for Beginners

Two Flamenco Techniques to Enhance Your Right Hand

The post Classical vs Acoustic Guitar: Which is Easier to Learn for Beginners? appeared first on The Guitar Journal.

Saturday, April 14, 2018

Binge-Watch Some Tommy Emmanuel: Complete San Francisco Workshop 2014

Tommy Emmanuel is widely hailed as the best acoustic guitar player in the world. He’s got a cult following around the world. And, certainly, we’re a tiny bit obsessed here at The Guitar Journal.

So, imagine the delight upon finding that a generous YouTube user (thank you!) posted full recordings of Tommy’s 2014 San Francisco Workshop.

Prepare to binge watch an entire workshop. It’s that good.

If the videos below just aren’t enough, and you’re willing to spend a few dollars, Tommy also has a number of instructional DVD’s up at Truefire that are well worth the investment:

Tommy Emmanuel: San Francisco Workshop 2014

And if that wasn’t enough, Guitar World just posted an excellent Master Class. Tommy breaks down his playing style and gives a bunch of concrete exercises.

Tommy Emmanuel Master Class: Exclusive Tips on Fingerpicking, Flatpicking, Harp Harmonics and More >>

And be sure to check out Tommy Emmanuel’s website, which also (of course) has great resources on learning his style. Go to website >>

Got more Tommy Emmanuel resources to recommend? Put ’em in the comments below!

The post Binge-Watch Some Tommy Emmanuel: Complete San Francisco Workshop 2014 appeared first on The Guitar Journal.

Saturday, April 7, 2018

What is Newgrass? A Primer on the Popular, Modern Wave of Bluegrass

Bluegrass has come a far way from it’s roots. It’s joined forces with rock, jazz, and world music – and created a new generation of amazing musicians playing this exciting new mashup: Newgrass.

AKA “New Acoustic”, or “Modern bluegrass”.

Odds are you’ve heard it and loved it, even if you didn’t know what it was called ; )

What is Newgrass?

Traditional bluegrass music sticks close to traditions. Instrumentation, song selection, playing styles – they’re all based in a long and storied bluegrass tradition. Specifically, in the playing and person of Bill Monroe.

In the 1970s, though, several new bands began pointing the way to a more liberal interpretation of bluegrass. One of those bands was “New Grass Revival”, including members Sam Bush, Courtney Johnson, Ebo Walker, Curtis Burch, Butch Robins, John Cowan, Béla Fleck and Pat Flynn.

New Grass Revival took bluegrass to a new level in a number of ways. First of all, they looked different. Instead of a traditional approach, they looked more like a crossover from the hippie movement.

More importantly, this new interpretation of bluegrass incorporated new sounds and new instruments in four key ways:

Songs might be pulled from other genres like rock or pop.
Arrangements included jazzier progressions and chord voicings.
New instruments were incorporated, like drums, dobro, and electric guitar.
Performances were more akin to jam-band style performances than the neat’n’tidy bluegrass formulas of the past.

A Brief History of Newgrass

By the late 80’s and early 90’s, Newgrass music was going mainstream. In 1991, Alison Krauss won best Bluegrass Album Grammy for “I’ve Got That Old Feeling”.

In 1988, Béla Fleck earned a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Recording (Vocal or Instrumental) for his album “Drive”. And in 1990, Béla Fleck earned another Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition for his song, “The Sinister Minister”, which has gone on to be a staple of Fleck’s performance for almost 3 decades. And, of course, many other Newgrass musicians were gaining notoriety along the way, as well.

A cultural turning point was, perhaps, reached with the popularity of the soundtrack to “O Brother Where Art Thou” in 2000. For many people that had never been exposed to bluegrass before, the Soggy Bottom Boys handling of songs like “Man of Constant Sorrow” and “Down to the River to Pray” instantly won them over. Of course, the Soggy Bottom Boys was a fictional band in the movie – but the film recordings were performed byf many of the great newgrass players like Alison Krauss, Dan Tyminski, and others.

Today, we see Newgrass artists commanding packed shows and busy touring schedules. People like: Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, Alison Krauss and Union Station, and The Infamous Stringdusters.

And the field keeps growing. New artists like: Chris Thile, Jordan Tice, and Trampled by Turtles are consistently breaking new ground.

For a quick way to listen to some of these artists, check out the last.fm station for Newgrass.

Players to Hear

There’s no shortage of great Newgrass players. Here are a few highlights. (And, of course, if you a favorite Newgrass artist, be sure to mention them in the comments below!)

Keith Courtney