About Play that THANG

"Play that Thang" was in the works for a while. 

"This is a CD ROM that's dedicated to all those that just want to pick up a guitar and play and create music on the freakin' thing without a bunch of fuss, or advanced mathematics!"  If that's you, then keep reading, because I'm pretty sure may be able to help.

To sum this CD ROM up in a nut shell it could have easily been called "Jeff 101" or "Shut up and play something 101."  What ever you want to call it the truth is this CD is a realistic look at how I approach both coming up with and developing a riff or hook, BUT, more importantly my approach to developing that hook into a full song.  I say my approach as that's all I can teach really, I can't show you how someone else does things.  That wouldn't make much sense.  However I should point out that, a lot of your favorite players take the exact same approach that I do. 

The techniques that I teach on this particular CD ROM is stuff that usually takes players years to figure out or in some cases, players never figure it out.  This is mostly because no self respecting music teacher would ever show you the stuff that's on this CD.  It doesn't have any foundation in theory, it's just about what sounds good and nothing more.  "I consider myself more of a pro guitarist trying to help some up and coming players out a little bit.  So I don't really need to concern myself with being a self respecting music teacher." " LOL "  This CD is called "Play that Thang" for a reason.  It's not called, "Suck the fun right out of guitar playing with complex math and over analysis 101"  There's plenty of theory on my other CDs.  This one is a little different.  And it's different on purpose. 

This CD is similar to what I teach on the "Rhythm 101" CD ROM but on a slightly higher skill level and far more involved as far as arrangement and solo etc.  This could easily be called "Rhythm 101 part 2" as well as the other mock names given above.  This is as much an expansion on Rhythm 101 as Lead 101 is an expansion on Soloing 101 topics.     

Unlike "Rhythm 101" however, there isn't a ton of theory covered on "Play that Thang." Granted there is theory covered of course but, that's not what this CD ROM is all about.  The theory covered on this CD is just what you need to know and understand to effectively play and more importantly create on the guitar.  I'm really all about you finding your style and playing like you.   

"Play that Thang" is a straight shooting look at playing the guitar, and being yourself while you do it.  

On this CD I share with you my approach to the fret board.  What goes through my head when I come up with a hook or a lesson for the site or a Vin Heuton track or what ever.  I also will go into some advanced lessons on "Beginners 101" topics, such as the notes on the fret board and fret board visualization.  Both of which are key elements to being an effective guitarist.

Now granted all of my CDs are technically "my approach" to things.  "Play that Thang" is a very honest look at a very hard to explain process.  I think this CD ROM will help out a lot of guitarists.  For some of you the info on this CD ROM is what you've been waiting for.  Again, I know I say this all the time, but man, I wish this CD existed when I was learning.  Where's a time machine when you need one. 

Some of the topics covered on this CD are,

1.  Scales and arpeggios myself and many other players use and use often to form riffs or song sections.  Some of these "scales" are non conventional and are what I call mixed bag scales.  9 tone or 10 tone etc.  They blend various modes together into one behemoth that you can use to solo with or create riffs with etc. 

2.  Chords and double stops common to everyday guitar playing and how to put them to good use.  As well as a look at some advanced chords that are not commonly used, but I will show you some cool ways you can use them to make some unique sounding riffs and or song or soloing sections. The chord portion of this CD ROM is like nothing else anywhere.  I'm giving you some trade secrets that really have nothing to do with theory AT ALL.  In fact if you apply any theory to it what so ever, it will only stifle you creativity in the long run.

3.  Expansion of "Rhythm 101" topics like song structure, and how to develop a good idea into something better.  Although this is a slightly more advanced look at it than was covered on Rhythm 101, more practical application.

4.  Tips and tricks on how to not get stuck in a rut with your playing.  Ruts are the worst thing that can ever happen to you but there are ways to not get into them or to get out of them if you're in one.   

And a whole lot more including a fully produced mp3 of a Vin Heuton track called, "Feelin big Guitars"  which is used as the Section 2 application lesson.  It's a nice warm up for Chris and I for our work on the Vin Heuton 1 CD and its also a great lesson for all of you to tie everything I cover on this CD together into a nice neat package.  Not to mention I happen to think it's a pretty awesome track too.    

In closing, this CD ROM will pair nicely with most of my other CDs, however it's suggested pairing is with either "Soloing 101" or "Rhythm 101."  "Play that Thang" is geared for all skill levels but, advanced beginner through intermediate skill level players will get the most out of it I'm sure.  Although if you're an advanced player who has trouble coming up with or creating music on the guitar, this CD ROM might well be worth you checking out.  But if you're a theory nut, you will need to put that to rest to get the most out of this CD.   

I never release anything until I think it's ready to go and this is what I consider a very important CD ROM, so I really nit picked it quite a bit before releasing it.

If you are at all a fan of my site, or my CD ROMs, this CD will NOT disappoint.  I'm going to share with you a lot of tricks of the trade and guitar secrets on this "Play that Thang" CD.  

I hope everyone who is a fan of this site will get a copy and check it out.  As with all of my CD ROMs and site content, "Play that Thang" will be like nothing else that's available to you out there. 

As most of you who have been fans of this site for a while know, I try to do things in a very innovative and unique way, and this CD ROM will be no exception to that.