Guitar Noise

Singing in a New Year

Have you ever wanted to play guitar and sing at the same time? It's a lot like chewing gum and walking, entirely possible to do both simultaneously. These lessons lay out the basics of singing for guitar players.

Check out all our lessons on singing and playing guitar.

Auld Lang Syne

David Hodge, December 31, 2008

Say goodbye to 2008 and welcome 2009 in style with this beautiful chord melody arrangement in Drop D tuning.

Joy To The World

David Hodge, December 31, 2008

It all started with being in Double Drop D tuning! Here is a very easy chord melody arrangement of this popular Christmas carol.

Targeting a Mode - Turning Scales into Solos - Part 6

David Hodge, December 15, 2008

We are going to look at how to recognize when to use the Dorian scale, and also take a moment or two to compare and contrast it with the minor pentatonic scale.

Angels We Have Heard On High

David Hodge, December 15, 2008

This is a traditional French carol, arranged so we can review some of our recent lessons on bass lines and Travis style finger picking.

Don't miss: How To Practice Guitar With A Limited Amount Of Time by Tom Hess

Guitar Noise Podcasts

Recent Articles

He Is Born (Il est né)

Doug Sparling, December 14, 2008

This lesson is a simple DADGAD arrangement of a very well-known, traditional French Christmas Carol titled Il Est Né, which translates to He Is Born.

Silver Bells

David Hodge, December 1, 2008

Here is another chord melody arrangement of a Christmas classic that most beginners should be able to get a handle on fairly quickly. As a bonus, it’s arranged so that you can play it either finger style or with a pick.

The First Noel

Peter Simms, November 24, 2008

Not so much a lesson as a nice chord melody arrangement of this beautiful Christmas song, courtesy of Peter. Never too early to get started on your holiday material.

Man on the Moon - R.E.M.

David Hodge, November 17, 2008

Man on the Moon is a beautiful song that beginners can play easily, and it doesn’t take all that much to add some very nice touches to it for a solo arrangement. It also offers a good look at how to “cheat” on quick chord changes.

The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) - Simon and Garfunkel

David Hodge, November 17, 2008

We’re going to combine a very simple walking bass with some of our Travis picking (and “pinching”) and create a light, lilting arrangement of this Simon and Garfunkel song. Even beginners can tag along as we’ll be using chord shapes that involve only one or two fingers of the fretting hand!

Guitar and Music Books

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing Bass Guitar

by David Hodge

Whether readers have just picked up the bass or are learning to improve their technique, this book provides a strong foundation in reading music, purchasing the right equipment, and care and maintenance of the bass guitar.

Customer reviews:

"David Hodge has written a very good book on the bass - of which there are very few."
"Mr. Hodge anticipates questions very well, and his conversational writing style translates superbly to learning an instrument."

Read our full review of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing Bass Guitar.