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Harmony and theory bible (part 10) - Aeolian Mode

Welcome to my Harmony and Theory Bible series.

These articles will aim to teach you how to approach theory and harmony in a fun and creative way. Here you will find everything from beginners' areas like intervals, chords, scale construction and modes, to more complex harmony analysis and soloing approaches. Whether you are total beginner or somebody looking to recap on some knowledge, this is the place for you.

In today’s article we are focusing on the 6th mode of the major scale – Aeolian mode.

There's no avoiding the influx of internet shredders, and it certainly has something to do with the growing popularity of the X-factor style competitions like Guitar Idol and the hundreds of other competitions starting every day; not to mention how easy it is to record a great sounding record at home on a budget. This certainly isn't a bad thing - we really encourage the scene, everyone has an equal opportunity to present themselves to the world. The downside is that it's easy to dismiss, or never even come across someone like Australia's Chris Brooks. I can tell you - that would be a real shame! There's a clear Shrapnel era influence in his playing, but never at the expense of the melody. Chris has technique to boot but knows what makes a good album and there is no better example of this than his upcoming release "The Axis of all Things". I can't recommend this album enough, there's nothing better than hearing an instrumental guitar album that screams Tafola, Moore and Kotzen.

Interview with Jan Zehrfeld of Panzerballett

As you start reading this, you'll be thinking exactly as I did when my good friend Max Waibel told me to check out Panzerballet at this year's MusikMesse in Germany - I've never heard of them. Well all I can say is i'm certainly glad I took his advice - so I really urge you to read on an maybe discover your new favorite band. To quote another good friend Panzerballett do what any great band should "leave me confused, nauseous and with an urge to buy merchandise". There really is no band out there quite like Panzerballett, combining the complete mind melting polyrhythmic grind of bands like Meshuggah with the smooth sophisticated sort of Jazz you may expect to find in an elevator. There are solos Michael Brecker would be proud of and compositions Zappa would be jeleous of. From covers to originals - metal vocals to crazy atonal female singing (on a Rammstein cover that needs to be heard to be believed). There will be Cynic style cleans, and free improvisations all around. What's not to love? Check out their website and pick up their music now!

So let’s start by explaining: It’s not often I’ll write a gear review, but it’s been this way to maintain my integrity as a gear snob! As I’ve explained on various websites in the past, when it comes to gear I’m very much of the “no expenses spared” camp. This is what we do, it’s our passion and our life – you wouldn’t see Monet working in Crayola or Gordan Ramsay serving up KFC in one of his dishes would you? I’m not going to waste your time telling you about every little piece of gear I get sent unless it’s something that REALLY catches my ears and I’m happy to use night after night.

"Tom, outstanding guitar playing for only being 18 years old. You've got a bright future ahead of you!" - Derryl Gabel

“Incredible playing and sophistication. Tom is the one to watch for the future of Fusion Guitar” - Tom Quayle

“Teen Guitar God” - Total Guitar Magazine

These are some of the comments levelled at this young Northerner who never fails to impress with his guitar skills.

5 years after he picked up a guitar, at the tender age of 14, a video of an unaccompanied solo he performed at his school was featured in the “Best of YouTube” section in Total Guitar Magazine praising his playing.

I was curious to find out more about him.

If you're a guitar teacher you will certainly be familiar with this scenario. You're preparing a lesson for a student and its all there - you've used sibelius/powertab/guitarpro to write out all of your material, there are licks, exercises and maybe even chord diagrams. If you're like me - you will meet that inevitable frustration when you cant draw scale diagrams, well the good people at Neck Diagrams www.neckdiagrams.com finally have your solution. Of course, there is a lot more to this program than just being able to draw a few scale diagrams, so lets take look at it in depth.

From folk to metal - the story behind 7-string guitars

Seven and eight string guitars are quite a staple in today's metal music, being used by bands like Meshuggah, Fear Factory, Scar Symetry, Periphery and many others. From progressive, rhythmic and technically challenging pieces to unashamed down tuned brutality, these guitars seem to have been carved to cater for the heavy riff hungry hordes of the heavier side of rock ever since Steve Vai's Universe first appeared on the scene. Their true origin and applications, however, go far beyond such a restrictive set of musical genres.

This is some examples over how to play over an odd time signature and place some arpeggios that are not the standard sweep shapes.

Hi everybody. The long awaited competition is now live. This time our sponsor is Neck Diagrams - an awesome software for scale charts, chords and much more.

Get your axes and rock the planet.

Brett Garsed is a true guitarists guitarist. For 3 decades now Brett has been tearing up the scene with his groundbreaking techniques, unique voice and his ability to write a great tune. From the infamous Varney spotlight column to arena tours with pop acts, and from session work to fusion shred-offs with Shawn Lane theres not much Brett hasnt done, yet he still remains one of those lesser known heroes of the guitar community. With 2011 seeing the release of Brett's latest work "Dark Matter" perhaps it's Bretts time to get that praise he deserves, or perhaps he will continue to be that mystical outsider with a cult following among the greatest players in the world. I recently caught up with the master to chat about life, music and all things Dark Matter, lets see what he had to say.