Acoustic Guitar Notes, No. 49

From the publishers of Acoustic Guitar magazine
www.acousticguitar.com

NEW AT ACOUSTICGUITAR.COM SPONSOR: ACOUSTIC PRO MUSICIAN ENTER TO WIN A NEW ALVAREZ YAIRI GUITAR! WHAT'S HAPPENING GUITAR TALK UPCOMING IN ACOUSTIC GUITAR SPONSOR: WORKSHOP LIVE SUBSCRIBE TO ACOUSTIC GUITAR: FREE TRIAL ISSUE! PLAY GUITAR! STRINGLETTER.COM GUITAR MAKER DIRECTORY BACK ISSUES OF ACOUSTIC GUITAR ADVERTISE IN ACOUSTIC GUITAR SEND US YOUR COMMENTS AG NOTES: SUBSCRIBE, UNSUBSCRIBE, ARCHIVES

NEW AT ACOUSTICGUITAR.COM The June issue of Acoustic Guitar is on newsstands now. Access these features, articles, and lessons online: (To access special reader/subscriber features, including audio files and lessons, enter summer when prompted.) BOTH BARRELS BLASTING: Ben Harper’s command of roundneck and lap-steel guitars—not to mention singing, piano, bass, drums, vibraphone, and production—makes him perhaps the premier roots-rock Renaissance man of Generation X. Here he talks about how he avoids writer’s block, how he got the vintage sonic vibe on his latest album, Both Sides of the Gun, and why he feels like a classical musician trapped in a guitarist’s body. By Shawn Hammond HANGING WITH HEROES: Bryan Sutton’s new album is a round-robin with the world’s greatest bluegrass guitarists. In this feature lesson, the flatpicking master shares his insights about rhythm, the influence of players around you, and the importance of relaxation to the clarity of your tone and precision of your playing. NEW GEAR: Teja Gerken reviews Taylor’s first new body shape in more than ten years, and he finds that it boasts hallmark playability but breaks the mold with thumping bass and a smooth, complex character. Hear how it sounds online. LUTHIER'S WORKBENCH: Read Simone Solondz’ interview with Toronto-area luthier Sheldon Schwartz, who specializes in fingerstyle flattops. His scientific approach to construction, carbon fiber-reinforced braces, and long scales results in guitars with a unique voice and distinctive appearance. We frequently feature one of our readers’ rigs in the magazine and on our website. To be considered, send a description of your setup to editors.ag@stringletter.com LESSONS AND MUSIC TO PLAY: (To access special reader/subscriber features, including audio files and lessons, enter summer when prompted.) THE BASICS: Slurs—Hammer-ons and Pull-offs. Let Ron Forbes-Roberts be your guide into the subtleties of this simple technique, in which you play two or more notes with a single string pluck. Especially useful in folk songs, it is relatively easy to learn and will add a nice flair to your playing. With music to “The Cuckoo.” WOODSHED: Accompanying a Singer. Add the right amount of color to an arrangement by visualizing bite-sized chords up the fretboard, then add open strings and embellish these portable chord shapes. By Andrew DuBrock. PRIVATE LESSON: This month’s Private Lesson is with acclaimed fingerstylist Ed Gerhard. Learn to play this cool blues run in open G, which he uses to end his original piece “5 to 99” on the recent CD Sunnyland. HERE'S HOW: Practice doesn’t have to be boring or onerous. Well-organized, efficient practice sessions make a palpable difference in how well you play—and make playing more fun. Rick Elswit shows you how to “Make the Most Out of Your Practice Session.” Also in the June issue: “From Here to Gearvana”: The AG editors give you the cutting-edge gear scoop from the winter NAMM show, held last January in Anaheim, California; profiles of indie-rock band Calexico and veteran bluesman Ernie Hawkins; reviews of the Peavey Briarwood DR-3ER CDS and the new DigiTech JamMan; music to “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “The Cuckoo,” “Love Me Tender,” and more; reviews of new CDs by Ray Davies, Woody Mann, Jessi Colter, and others. Subscribers gain access to even more online features, including audio files and lessons, via the password included in each issue of Acoustic Guitar. http://www.acousticguitar.com Return to Top

SPONSOR: ACOUSTIC PRO MUSICIAN Largest Goodall dealer in the South! Goodall, Collings, McPherson, Everett, Petros, Sheppard, Charis, McCollum, Eggle, Renaissance, Schwartz, Vines, and many more. LOTS OF BRAZILIAN AND OTHER EXOTIC-WOOD ACOUSTIC GUITARS! Free accessories with each guitar. Like having your own music store! Thanks for letting me serve you. Playing for an audience of One, Danny Brevard Acoustic Pro Musician P.O. Box 3289 Lufkin, Texas 75903 Corporate Office: (800) 658-1167 danny@acousticpromusician.com www.acousticpromusician.com Return to Top

ENTER TO WIN A NEW ALVAREZ YAIRI GUITAR! Enter by August 31, 2006, and you could be the lucky winner of an Alvarez Yairi DYM96, with a solid, distressed Canadian spruce top and nicely figured, solid ovangkol back and sides (retail value $2,349). The runner-up will receive an Alvarez PJ85SC DVS and a Crate CA30DG amp. Enter the giveaway by clicking here or by clicking on the “Win” button in the left-hand menu bar at www.acousticguitar.com. Return to Top

WHAT'S HAPPENING BOSTON GUITARFEST 2006 Classical guitar virtuoso Eliot Fisk realizes a long-held dream as artistic director of Boston GuitarFest 2006, a first annual summer guitar workshop with the goal of highlighting the exceptional talent in the Boston area and rallying aficionados and professionals from around the world. The event runs Wednesday, June 7, through Sunday, June 11, and features concerts, master classes, workshops, exhibitions, and a guitar competition. Faculty members include Fisk, Mal Barsamian (oud), John Gibbons (harpsichord), Dmitri Goryachev, Adam Holzman, Robert Ward, Indian music master Peter Row, and Bach authority Christoph Wolff. Visit the GuitarFest website for more information. Return to Top

GUITAR TALK Join the conversations about guitars, acoustic players, playing techniques, gigs, and workshops in the online forums at Guitar Talk. www.acousticguitar.com/ubbcgi/ultimate.cgi Return to Top

UPCOMING IN ACOUSTIC GUITAR July: A feature lesson with ANDY SUMMERS; an in-depth interview with ROSANNE CASH about the feelings and craft that went into writing her new album; representatives from Pantheon Guitars, Dell’ Arte, Collings Guitars, Goodall Guitars, Santa Cruz Guitar Co., Huss and Dalton, Morris Guitars, Maton Guitars, Lowden Guitars, Breedlove Guitar Co., and National Reso-Phonic Guitars square off in an exclusive AG Winter NAMM roundtable for a GUITARMAKER GABFEST; a Private Lesson with JOHN KNOWLES; Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson remembers Cindy Walker; music to “Pinball Wizard,” “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic,” “God Is in the Roses,” and more. August: DAVE GROHL of the Foo Fighters talks about going acoustic; an exclusive feature lesson with RALPH TOWNER; a survey of VINTAGE-STYLE FLATTOPS from contemporary guitar makers; a Private Lesson with VICKIE GENFAN; reviews of new guitars from Luna, Larrivée, and La Patrie; music to the Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Daydream” and the Foo Fighters’ “What If I Do?”; tips on when to refinish your guitar; and more. Return to Top

SPONSOR: WORKSHOP LIVE Where do acoustic guitarists learn to play online? Unlock your full guitar playing potential now! http://discover.workshoplive.com/search/acoustic_guitar_lessons.html Return to Top

SUBSCRIBE TO ACOUSTIC GUITAR: FREE TRIAL ISSUE! For a complimentary issue of Acoustic Guitar, click the link below. If you like it and decide to continue, pay just $32.95 for 12 issues and save 45% off the cover price. If for any reason you decide not to continue, simply write 'Cancel' on the invoice and owe nothing. The FREE TRIAL ISSUE is yours to keep, no matter what. Click here for your free trial issue! Current subscribers, take care of all your subscription needs online: pay your bill, renew, give a gift, or change your address. Click here for Subscription Services Return to Top

PLAY GUITAR! The only magazine for beginning and developing guitarists. Subscribe at the Play Guitar! website www.playguitarmagazine.com Subscribe to Play Guitar! Return to Top

STRINGLETTER.COM A full catalog of titles from Acoustic Guitar Books; instruction and repertoire books, DVDs, and videos from other publishers and your favorite artists. Click here. Return to Top

GUITAR MAKER DIRECTORY With links to more than 165 guitar makers. Click here to go to the Guitar Maker Directory Return to Top

BACK ISSUES OF ACOUSTIC GUITAR We have issues going back to 1990 when Acoustic Guitar first hit the stands. Get them while they last! Click here for back issues Return to Top

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Got a question for Acoustic Guitar's editors? Please send us an email at editors.ag@stringletter.com or snail-mail Acoustic Guitar Editorial, PO Box 767, San Anselmo, CA 94979. We regularly print reader letters in our Mail column and reader questions and tips in Q&A.

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