Want to play guitar like Steve Lukather?

March 20, 2023/0 Comments/in Blog /by Kaley Lynch

Want to learn to play guitar like Steve Lukather of Toto? Make your vision a reality with the Steve Lukather Player Study.

This course will teach you the guitar virtuoso’s techniques, including fast mixolydian runs, hybrid picking, alternate picking, and more.

Background

Steve Lukather, the son of a Paramount Studios assistant director and production manager, started playing musical instruments at an early age. He started with keyboards and drums and then taught himself to play guitar at age seven. Lukather got an acoustic guitar and a copy of The Beatles’ “Meet The Beatles” album for that birthday, the latter of which he credits for “changing his life”. During high school, he met the people who would become his future Toto bandmates.

Lukather’s first professional musician job was as a session musician for Boz Scaggs. He helped form Toto in 1976 along with fellow session musicians David Paich, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Porcaro, Bobby Kimball, and David Hungate.

Lukather is the original lead guitarist for the band and has been the sole continuous member of the group since its inception. He also serves as composer, backing and lead vocalist. He has won five GRAMMY Awards, three for his work with Toto.

As a session guitarist, Lukather has worked with prominent artists including Aretha Franklin, Lionel Richie, and Michael Jackson. He has also released eight solo albums.

Style

Lukather’s playing style is described as “melodic and intense”. He utilizes his knowledge of music theory to follow chord charts and changes in a way that’s characteristic of jazz musicians. He counts blues-rock guitarists like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, and Jimmy Page among his influences, as well as Steely Dan.

Gear

Lukather used to utilize an elaborate set of effects pedals in his playing setup, but now plays mostly modification-free other than delay. He has collaborated with EMG on his own Lukather signature “SL20” pickup system, as well as DiMarzio on a set of signature pickups named “Transition”. He endorses Music Man guitars.

Once you’ve mastered Lukather’s signature style, you can find tabs for dozens of Toto songs in the Fret Zealot app including “Rosanna”, “Africa”, and “Georgy Porgy”.

Songs you can play on one guitar string

March 20, 2023/0 Comments/in Blog /by Kaley Lynch

If you’re starting out on your guitar journey, a great way to build up your dexterity and technique is by playing songs on just one string. It’s a lot more fun than playing scales and will keep you motivated to learn.

Just because you’re sticking to one string doesn’t mean you have to be confined to playing “Mary Had a Little Lamb” or “Happy Birthday” – many riffs and melodies of popular songs can be played on one string!

Once you’re comfortable playing these songs on one string, most of them can be beefed up with chords or more advanced techniques!

Another One Bites the Dust – Queen

The iconic bass riff for this 1980 hit can also be played on one guitar string.

Thunderstruck – AC/DC

Angus Young’s guitar riff for this 1990 classic is one of the most memorable guitar lines of all time, but it can be played on just one string!

My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion

No pennywhistle needed. The theme song for 1997 blockbuster “Titanic” can be played on just the high “E” string.

Smoke on the Water – Deep Purple

Possibly one of the best-known one string songs of all time, you can learn this whole riff on the low E string and double it when you’re ready.

Running Down a Dream – Tom Petty

The riff of this 1989 hit can be played on one string, making it perfect for beginners. The chords are also fairly simple.

Seven Nation Army – White Stripes

The bass riff of “Seven Nation Army” is one of the best-known basslines of all time, but it can also be played on the “A” string.

Satisfaction – Rolling Stones

This 1965 hit will be “satisfying” to learn – the riff can be played on one string and the rhythm part consists of three simple chords!

Misirlou – Dick Dale

This surf rock classic can be played on just one string, as long as you can pick fast enough!

Sunshine of Your Love – Cream

This memorable riff can be played on just the D string.

Fret Zealot’s Spring Break Playlist

March 17, 2023/0 Comments/in Blog /by Kaley Lynch

There’s nothing like the first few days of spring! The Fret Zealot team made a playlist of songs that remind us of spring to get you ready.

Want to play guitar like Cory Wong?

March 13, 2023/0 Comments/in Blog /by Kaley Lynch

Do you want to learn to play like Cory Wong? The Cory Wong Player Study will take you on a deep dive of his funky signature style, including his innovative strum patterns and rhythmic single-note melodies.

Background

Cory Wong was raised in Minneapolis, Minn. His father exposed him to classic rock and jazz music at an early age, and he took piano lessons starting at age nine. Young Wong was inspired by bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Primus, and he decided to take up bass. Wong took both guitar and bass lessons, and started a punk rock band while still in high school.

He decided to play music professionally at age 20 while studying at McNally Smith College of Music. Wong focused on jazz music in the early days of his career, performing in local jazz clubs and releasing two albums with jazz groups. He then started playing the Nashville circuit as a session player and guitarist, where he worked with a plethora of artists. In 2013, Wong met Ann Arbor band Vulfpeck and began touring and recording with the band in 2016. He’s also a member of The Fearless Flyers and has released solo albums.

Style

Wong is a modern funk legend, and is an expert at utilizing his right strumming hand to propel grooves into his music. In his playing, you can hear elements of Prince (natural for someone raised in Minneapolis, as well as some of the complex chords and scales he utilized while playing in jazz clubs.

Variety show

In 2021, Wong added another title to his resume – variety show host. “Cory and the Wongnotes” on YouTube is a musician’s dream – it features a full band, original music, comedy skits, and interviews with experts on topics like gear and music genres.

Once you master Cory Wong’s signature style, you can find tabs for Wong and Vulfpeck in the Fret Zealot app!

Want to learn to play guitar like B.B. King?

Five courses that will take your guitar playing to the next level

March 9, 2023/0 Comments/in Blog /by Kaley Lynch

You’ve memorized all of the chords, familiarized yourself with the scales, and built up a repertoire of songs. Now what?

These five advanced-level courses in the Fret Zealot app will help you level up, from good to Guitar God.

Master Your Fingers – Guitar Gym

Hit the gym – for your guitar skills. This course will have your fingers breaking a sweat through arpeggios, octaves, and scales to get you in fighting shape.

Pure Pentatonic Power: Rock and Blues Lead Guitar Course

Stuck in the pentatonic box? If you love playing rock and blues music but feel uninspired playing the same old licks, this course is for you. It will teach you all the pentatonic shapes, 18 licks, and the patterns, bends, and techniques of guitar greats like Jimi Hendrix and David Gilmour.

Flamenco Guitar

If you’re ready for something completely different, try this flamenco guitar course! It will take you through the defining techniques of flamenco guitar, which you can incorporate into your own playing to create a unique sound.

Triads for Guitar on Strings 1, 2, and 3

Spice up both rhythm and lead playing with this course, which will help you learn three different inversions of a triad as well as how to construct them.

Making the Modes Easy! Pro Lead Guitar Course

What are modes? This course explains them all, as well as how to use them for playing rock music.

These are the top ten Fret Zealot courses of 2022

How to learn alternate tunings

How to find time to practice guitar each day

Want to learn to play guitar like Joe Bonamassa?

March 7, 2023/0 Comments/in Blog, Guides /by Kaley Lynch

This Joe Bonamassa Player Study will fuel your “Drive” to be a better blues guitar player. This course will take you through the theory, scales and techniques Joe Bonamassa uses to create his distinctive fast runs and beautiful melodies!

Background

Joe Bonamassa picked up the guitar at the tender age of four. His father was a big music fan and played him records of British blues players like Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, which inspired the young Bonamassa. At 11, he was being mentored in guitar by “redneck jazz” pioneer Danny Gatton, and by 12 was gigging around Western New York and Pennsylvania on weekends with his band, Smokin’ Joe Bonamassa. Also that year, he opened for blues legend B.B. King for about 20 gigs.

Bonamassa played in a band called Bloodline with the sons of Miles Davis, Robby Krieger and Berry Oakley before putting out his debut solo album in 2000. He has released a total of 15 solo albums through his independent record label, 11 of which have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Blues chart.

In 2020, Bonamassa created an independent record label called Keeping the Blues Alive Records, dedicated to promoting blues musicians.

Style

Bonamassa has cited Eric Clapton, Jethro Tull, and Stevie Ray Vaughan as some of his biggest influences. He fuses rock and blues together in his playing, incorporating atypical groupings of notes in scale patterns. He also plays “outside of the box” by starting on second beats, utilizing string bends, and repeating rhythms.

Gear

Bonamassa has a huge guitar and gear collection. He got a head start on the collection since his parents own a music shop in Central New York. In 2019, he told Guitar World that he has more than 400 guitars and 400 amplifiers.

Bonamassa has said that his favorite guitar is his 1951 Fender Telecaster, nicknamed “The Bludgeon”. He also collaborated with Epiphone in 2021 to release a replica of his 1958 Gibson Les Paul Custom.

Once you’ve mastered Bonamassa’s signature style with the player study course, you can find tabs for 44 of his songs, including “A New Day Yesterday”, “If Heartaches Were Nickels”, and “Sloe Gin”.