The Guitar Bar - where classic solos, riffs, guitar tabs and electrifying music videos are served.

Air on the G String (guitar tabs included)

swarmy — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 07:31:21 +0000

Walla! Here’s another classic classical piece. It’s less well known then Canon in D, but Im sure many of you have heard of it somewhere before. B-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l piece!

“The Air on the G String is an adaptation of Johann Sebastian Bach‘s famous Air. The air is usually played slowly and freely, and features an intertwining harmony and melody.” – Wikipedia

Once again, here are the guitar tabs for Air on the G String for you to practise.

Here is a slightly more challenging transcription as compared to many other available tabs of this song out there.

Goodbye, Pavarotti.

swarmy — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 14:41:04 +0000

No, Pavarotti wasn’t a guitarist, but he was a music legend nonetheless. Goodbye big guy, you will be missed.
Read more about Luciano Pavarotti here.

Watch this brilliant performance, how the music reaches out with every movement of his lips, with every twitch of his eyebrows. Oh man, need I say more?

A Change of Seasons – Dream Theater

swarmy — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 16:37:03 +0000

Came across this piece by Dream Theater many years ago when I downloaded it by accident. And till this day, it still remains as one of my all-time favourite song – A song that changes from one “season” to another, hence the title A Change of Seasons.

“Dream Theater was formed in 1985 under the name “Majesty” by Petrucci, Myung, and Portnoy, while they all were studying at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, before dropping out to help support the band. Though a number of lineup changes followed, the three original members remain today along with LaBrie and Rudess. Dream Theater has become one of the most commercially successful progressive bands since the height of progressive rock in the mid-1970s, despite being relatively unknown in mainstream rock circles. Though the band has had a few extremely successful hits (notably ‘Pull Me Under‘ in the early 1990s, which had extensive MTV rotation), it has mostly stayed underground for its career, feeding off support from fans.” - Wikipedia

It’s approximately 20 minutes long, but with the technical proficiency displayed by each member, my guess is that you’ll be savouring every drop of it.

Every single drop.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Blues Guitar Basics

swarmy — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 15:35:58 +0000

Basic blues guitar lesson for beginners. Enjoy!

The Blues Shuffle

And here’s a treat! A blues orgasm if you will! WELCOME TO THE HOME OF THE BLUES!

Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd (Guitar tabs included)

swarmy — Wed, 16 May 2007 15:33:03 +0000

What a hook! What a tune! Yee Haw!

I’m sure this song brings back fond memories and nostalgia to those of the older generation. And I doubt the upcoming generations can resist it either. Why? Cause’ it’s SIMPLY TOO DARN CATCHY!

” “Sweet Home Alabama” is a song by Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd that first appeared in 1974 on their second album, Second Helping……

Despite (or perhaps because of) the debate, the song has become one of the most popular examples of Southern rock. It reached the top ten of the US charts in 1974 and was the band’s second hit single.” - Wikipedia

And here’s an instructional on how to play the intro. Have fun! SWEET HOME ALABAMAAAAAAA! (Im not even from USA by the way)

Here are the guitar tabs for Sweet Home Alabama.

Joe Pass Series (Lesson) for the Jazz Guitar Enthusiasts!

swarmy — Sat, 05 May 2007 10:48:53 +0000

Yoyoyo! Im finally back from a long break, with this Joe Pass instructional series.

“In 1947 – 1950 when Joe Pass was in New York, players like Billy Bauer, Bill DeArango and Johnny Smith were the top players in the studios and on the local jazz scene. While they were making jazz guitar history Joe Pass was consumed by drugs and dropped out of sight for 12 years. But, with his enormous talent, Joe Pass still found his rightful place as one of the greatest jazz guitarists of the 20th century.” – Classic Jazz Guitar

Excellent Jazz Guitar Lessons for both beginners and pros alike, by the man himself! Two thumbs up!

Oh, and do take your time to practise as well as digest the many invaluable lessons thoughout this series. Enjoy!

Guitar Basics: How to Change Guitar Strings and about String Guages

swarmy — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 09:48:38 +0000

I have received some questions regarding how-tos recently. Below are useful resources that I have found to be particularly clear in explanation when learning about guitar strings, or more importantly, changing guitar strings for beginners.

Then again, I know great players who still do not know how to change their guitar strings!

Have fun with the lesson!

Locking Strings to the Tuner.

Changing strings for the Classical Guitar.

Choice of String guages.

Hotel California – Eagles (guitar tabs included)

swarmy — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 08:00:48 +0000

It never gets old even after 30 years!

Released as a single in early 1977, Hotel California remains one of the greatest songs of all time.

“The lyrics of the song describe the title establishment, a hotel where “you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave”. On the surface, the song is a tale of a weary traveler who becomes trapped in a nightmarish hotel that at first appeared tempting; as a metaphor the song may be commenting on drug addiction or simply the decadent lifestyle the hugely successful band had been caught up in. Another theory is that the song is about a mental hospital or a federal prison. The expression “check out” is also considered a metaphor for dying.” - wikipedia

Last but not least for the guitar enthusiasts, here are the guitar tabs for Hotel California.

Canon in D – Johann Pachelbel (guitar tabs included)

swarmy — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 22:44:42 +0000

Canon in D is the most popular piece of music by Johann Pachelbel.

It is particularly well known for its chord progression, which is widely used in popular music. Often played at weddings too, it remains a timeless classic.

Here are the Canon in D guitar tabs for those of you interested. Wait a minute, it is a must-learn! It is afterall the main arsenal to make girls go weak in their knees!

And for those looking for a greater challenge, here is Trace Bundy’s version. Have fun!

Interesting fact: Did u know that Valley of the Damned (by dragonforce) in which I posted earlier, uses the same chord progression as Canon in D?

Drifting – Andy Mckee

swarmy — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 05:26:53 +0000

Acoustic fingerstylist Andy Mckee from Kansas, shows an interesting way to play the guitar. I have no idea who he was till I saw his video. Stunning musicianship, coordination, rythm and skills. Real tight playing!

His achievements:

• First place winner of the 2004 Kansas Fingerstyle Guitar Championships
• First place winner of the 2003 Kansas Miscellaneous Acoustic Instrument Championships
• Second place winner of the 2004 Canadian Fingerstyle Guitar Championships
• Third place winner of the 2001 National Fingerstyle Guitar Championships
• Third place winner of the 2005 Canadian Fingerstyle Guitar Championships
- http://www.andymckee.com/