Mike Overly's 12 Tone Music News

Music, Guitar and Bass News from around the World Wide Web . . .
June 23, 2016
In This Issue

There are only so many notes that can be assembled into a melody.

Actually, there are 12 of them in Western music.  That melody can only be combined with so many rhythms.  It's a finite mathematical number, and simple math dictates that the same melodies and rhythms, and various combinations thereof, will keep recurring over time.

Just like they did repeatedly, over a period of centuries, for the exact melody and progression ultimately made famous by Led Zeppelin in 'Stairway to Heaven'.

More precisely, the 'Stairway' melody has existed since the early 1600s, and maybe even earlier, just like the melodies and rhythms of so many other major pop songs of our era.  We have the old compositions as proof; Zeppelin basically took a public domain progression, and made it into a hit song.  So why hasn't this inane lawsuit against Led Zeppelin been tossed already?

Blame the lawyers...

Image by  Paul Resnikoff
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This video demonstrates the basics of the technique as well as more advanced aspects of string bending. Topics covered here include supporting the bend with multiple fingers, hand position, when to bend up and when to bend down, unison bends, and choking off bends at the top of the pitch. In addition, it explores the "tactical advantage" to bending the... 
IN THE BASSMENT
The electric bass has always been an integral part of rock and roll. And I believe that the model and sound of a particular bass is perhaps the most important element of a groups sound. Case in point, could you picture James Jameson playing an Alembic bass, or Chris Squire playing an EB0? Me neither. So, lets go deeper into this concept as we look at THE 10 MOST IMPORTANT BASSES IN ROCK & ROLL HISTORY . . .

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT 
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WATCH THIS
These guys are skating on thin ice with their modified Ibanez electric guitar! Bad puns and click bait titles aside, the following video of some guys converting an old Ibanez they bought off craigslist and turning it into a skateboard has gone viral with well over 500,000 views. Personally I think their behavior was disgraceful and displayed a total lack of respect for a fine instrument as they shredded the Ibanez - they should have done it to a Fender Squire...

LEARN HERE 

Counterpoint is one of my favorite tools for composing, arranging, and improvising. The concept is very simple: Play two or more independent melodies at once. However, it's way easier to define than to execute. In this lesson, we'll walk through some very basic counterpoint ideas before turning to more musical-and fun-examples. 
 
GREAT GEAR
The best phaser pedal, if you go by popularity, might be the MXR Phase 90. If you agree, then I've just confirmed your preference and saved you some time. Otherwise, here's a complete list of phaser pedals based on reputation, features, and sound quality. Whether or not it's wise to go with one of the more expensive options, truly depends on your situation and playing style. But before we get there, I'll go techie about what the phaser effect actually is and what makes one good or bad.
 
ARTIST AWARENESS
 
Here is a rare opportunity to listen to The Incredible Wes Montgomery speak. Unfortunately, the interview guy talks to much, however, Wes's words of wisdom are well worth the patience needed to hear them. Not long after this interview was recorded, Wes died from a heart attack.   




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