E Minor Lick using hammer ons, slides and septuplets.

Here is a cool E minor lick that I got from Randy Rhoads. I changed it to septuplets (7 notes per beat)

Pick the first note than hammer on the others. I perform the position shift slide with my pinkie.

Start slow and make sure the notes have even volume and clarity.

Start at 40 bpm and work your way up to 100 bpm.

Good Luck!

Happy Birthday Susan Tedeschi

Happy Birthday to Susan Tedeschi. A great singer and guitar player who happens to be married to another great guitar player Derek Trucks

Check out this video.

E Blues Lick

Here is a E Blues lick that is similar to the one used by Jimmy Page in Whole Lotta Love.

Play it slow and make sure your bends are the correct pitch. Once you have learned the lick move it to other keys.

You can play it fast or slow.

Good Luck!

Article in the Lake County News Sun

Here is an article on about The Music Gallery and my teaching methods.

HIGHLAND PARK — Music and technology have been merging at a rapid pace with the advancement of the Internet, and guitar teachers at the Music Gallery in Highland Park are using computers to increase the speed and decrease the frustration involved in mastering the instrument.

With the top-of-the line computers and high-speed Internet connections installed in the shop’s lesson studios, teachers have the songs that students want to learn available in seconds, and are able to slow down the speed of the music to make learning the note and chord progressions less complicated for starters of all ages.

Computer programs can also provide playback software and background tracking to allow students to play along with any number of instruments to increase their abilities and knowledge of ensemble playing. New amplifiers add a dizzying array of effects and tones that once called for a an assortment of additional pedals and devices.

“After their first lesson, they can get out of here and go home to play a song for mom and dad,” said Music Gallery owner Frank Glionna. “If they are adults they can go impress whoever they want.”

Glionna said the monetary investment in the equipment has been more than worthwhile in terms of time saved for both students and teachers and customer satisfaction.

“We went full tilt,” he said.

Longtime Music Gallery guitar teacher Dave Krater of Round Lake said that in the past, a lot of students would quit because they became frustrated with the speed of the music they wanted to play.

“Now I can use an incremental increase. It takes away the intimidation factor and instead of giving up, they’re playing in a couple of weeks,” Krater said.

Krater said he can also save songs at different speeds and pitches send them home with students on MP3 format so they can practice at home, not just in the studio.

“That’s the nice thing about modern technology,” said Krater, who teaches a variety of guitar styles from classical to rock and has students ranging in age from 6 to 60 embracing the new advancements.

Glionna and Krater said what used to take an hour of class time now can be accomplished in a half hour.

The Music Gallery offers both individual classes and band camps in a variety of guitar and bass categories and age groups. 

For information on guitar and bass group or individual lessons, visit www.musicgalleryinc.com.

Video of TV Appearances.

Over the years I have made a number of TV appearances.

Here are a couple of those videos.

Finger Exercise

If you are tired of the same old 1,2,3,4 exercise check out this exercise.

Use alternate picking (down/up) and start slow. Try 60 beats per minute and try to work up to 200 bpm

Good luck!

Check out this video of one of my favorite guitarists.

Paul Gilbert has long been a favorite guitarist of mine and I had the opportunity to take a lesson from him when I attend Musician's Institute in the late 80's.

Here is one of my favorite compositions.

Now Teaching at The Music Gallery Academy in Highland Park.

Since my schedule is currently full at my Lake Zurich location I have added another location with more available time slots.

I am teaching at The Music Gallery on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Space is limited so call now!

FIRST LESSON IS FREE!

Lessons are $35 per half hour at The Music Gallery. Lessons are billed 4 at a time. For available lesson times and to sign up call 847-432-6350. Spots are filling fast!

The Music Gallery is located at:

2558 Green Bay Rd
Highland Park, IL 60035
847-432-6350

A Review

Recent reviews by Dave K.

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Open Lesson Times

I now have an opening at 3:30pm on Sundays. Call me at 224-475-6929 to sign up!