Blocking a tremolo in a few easy steps
Tools needed:
- Screwdriver
- Saw
- Some wood
1. Take backplate off, then slacken the top two screws to loosen the springs. They need to be slack but not flapping around.
2. Measure up a block of wood, about 2mm space each side
3. Saw the measured block (watch your fingers!)
4. Insert behind the trem block, fit the backplate and tune up
Next steps to getting your music played, Myspace
Following on from our first steps you should now have a recorded song that you want to share with the world.
The first place most people including me start is MYSPACE.COM.
This is a great way to get your music out there and a recommended first step.
Create an account, make sure your username is relevant E.g. your name or band name.
Uploaded your track and profile picture.
You are now there for millions to listen to.
I would start by adding friends by picking a few of your influences to start with, people who are fans of their music will also hop over to yours if they think you sound similar.
Once the friend request is accepted, post a thank you on their page but don't spam them or add links to your site directly, if people want to click on you they will.
Now watch the play list increase.
Next time, YouTube.
First steps to writing your own music
When I recorded my first music I decided to keep it simple and record a 4 track EP.
My EP
On a budget I recorded using the following:
- Macbook White (4GB RAM)
- Garageband (free with iLife)
- Line 6 Toneport UX1 (£60)
Took me about 4 months to get the tracks done and mastered to a level where I was happy releasing.
Getting reading for release
First step is to save them as projects in Garageband then save as mp3 (in Garageband, Share then share with iTunes), in at least 192kbps quality.
Lastly make sure all tracks a properly ID Tagged, adding your band name, track name etc.
Last thing you want is a fan to import into a music player and have to add the details themselves!
Artwork
Once you have your tracks and decided on a name for the EP and your tracks, then comes the artwork. Remember images you find on the net will mostly be copyright protected so don't get in trouble straight away.... I chose an image that I took a couple of summers ago, seemed to fit the bill for what I was after and I think looks kinda cool for an album cover.
Distribution model
Now comes the fun bit, are you going to give it away or charge?
I decided to give away a track on Myspace for a couple of months then start to charge a small amount for a download (£1.50). There are plenty of avenues for distributing your music nowadays with iTunes and alike springing immediately to mind.
After looking into various services I decided to take the brave move and sell myself, at least to start. I created a website, added a bio and music page adding a buy it now button provided via Paypal. This has worked out ok so far selling some copies. When I receive payment I send a download link which contains all of the tracks and artwork in a zip file. This can then be downloaded and added to your favourite music player.
If you take the iTunes road I would recommend using a company like CDBABY to help distribute, although going on your own is possible it does get tricky. Selling on iTunes requires getting a UPC code, which distributers can sort out for you.
So this is what I did, what have you done?
Bored being a bedroom musician?
In the last year I've gone from a frustrated bedroom guitarist to picking up an endorsement, having my music used as the theme music on the New York Rangers podcast and now this lovely site, which is getting some good feedback from various manufacturers.
I want to share the experience with you all to hopefully set some of you on your way to getting your music noticed and that there is a world out there for the bedroom musician.
I will be posting various articles over the coming weeks with an aim to guide anyone looking to follow in some of the same things I am doing.
Applying the thirds rule to practise
Practise makes perfect
Scheduled practise is so important when learning an instrument, its hard to stay disciplined but it does pay off in the end.
We all live busy lives but no matter how much time you put aside for practise is has to be planned out so that you don't carry on playing the same old riffs. It's good to be challenged by new stuff, thats why I use the third rule.
- 1/3 Technique and Scales
- 1/3 Playing over a backing track (try to use new techniques)
- 1/3 Learning a new song
E.g. You set aside 1 hour practise then its 20 minutes on each, do this daily and you are well on your way.
Let me know how you get on in the comments section.
Using iMovie09 to create intro’s
Put a video together to help you create better YouTube video's by having a nice intro.
Restringing, take time to clean fretboard too
Nice and oiled!
When restringing its easy to just change them and not think of the fretboard.
Over time a rosewood fretboard needs a bit of love, which is why whenever I change my strings I condition the fretboard at the same time.
I use PRS Fretboard conditioner, but you can use any of the lemon oil based ones on the market.
Once the strings are off, apply, leave for 10 minutes or so and wipe off any excess.
Restring and be safe in the knowledge you are caring for the fretboard 
Gibson Les Paul Scratchplate warning
There is great debate amongst Les Paul players of whether it looks better with or without the scratchplate.
Before
After
Personally I prefer the look and feel without a scratchplate, but here is a word of warning.
If you have a Gibson Les Paul that came fitted WITH a scratchplate then be careful as there is a screw just underneath it. If you lean hard on the scratch plate and then later remove it, you might find that you have damaged the maple top.
On our long term test LP I only used it with the scratchplate for a couple of weeks and on removal there is a slight mark, dent on the top where this screw was resting.
So if you are using a scratchplate now, check the spacing underneath and adjust so this doesn't happen to you.
Learning the fretboard
Know your notes?
As part of sharing my practise schedule thought it would be good to show you some tips for learning the notes on the fretboard, well the way I do it anyways.
I learnt the notes on the 6th (E) and 5th (A) string for 3rd, 5th and 7th frets (G-A-B-C-D-E).
Then to learn the 4th string you can use octaves:
E.g. Play F on 6th string (1st fret) then play F on 4th string (3rd fret), this shape can be used for all the notes on the 6th string, this gives a nice little shortcut for all notes on the 4th string.
You can then use this same principle for the 3rd string i.e. use the same shape on the 5th and 3rd strings - another handy shortcut.
The 2nd string can be learned on its own.
The 1st string is the same as the 6th.
I saw a tip from Joe Satriani where you set your metronome to 60, pick a note to play, then on each click play the same note in a different place.
Post your tips.
Practise makes perfect – Scheduled Practise
I find it hard to be disciplined about sitting down and practising new things rather than pick up the guitar and play the same old blues licks but I've made a conscious effort to start to sit down for an hour a night and stick to a practise schedule.
Between playing with others and this website I find I have little time to BUT here is the start of my routine:
- 10 mins warmup exercises
- 20 mins practising a technique (legato, sweep, tapping)
- 20 mins Theory using my trusty Guthrie Govan books
- Learn a new song OR some licks (BB King, Buddy Guy, Peter Green)
Anyone want to post their practise schedule, or give mine a try.