Hi, I'm Dean Halo! This is where I share my favorite insights about playing the guitar.
Being able to sing is always a bonus – especially if you can play another instrument at the same time. Researchers found that that singing causes positive neurotransmitters to be released in your brain and body. It’s also beneficial towards your lunges and cardiovascular system – because of the fact that singing requires you to …
Neal Schon has made the jump to an all-digital Fractal FM9, as seen in the most recent video tour of his stage setup. He’s decided to keep two traditional amps on stage, an EVH head with Marshal cabs. Neal will occasionally blend the traditional amps with his Fractal rig, although he seems to be taking …
Why do some musicians stand out above the rest? I have identified three points to pinpoint this issue. Anatomy – Not everyone’s body works exactly the same. Variations can range from smooth to convulsive movement. The makeup of the body chemistry plays a role in how well you can manage your instrument. Personality – The …
In my own experience, not all guitar technicians work at the same level. Guitars seem to have a “position 0” where everything is perfectly balanced. This type of action is seldom achieved by a technician that’s not also a player. In music stores, some guitars player great. The strings are slinky and the natural sound …
“No Hago Más Ná” translates to “I Do Nothing.” In Puerto Rico, this is a well-known song by El Gran Combo, the most famous Salsa band in the world. It conveys the Latin American culture of living life lazily, not working and just eating. Puerto Rico’s largest bank, Banco Popular, wanted to challenge this laid-back …
This mini guitar perfectly resembles the emoji. It was custom built for McRocklin by the Ibanez LA Custom Shop. It features a great playing neck, despite its size.
The Neotech Support Harness can alleviate pressure on the back, shoulders and neck. It can be especially useful if you’re suffering injuries. It can also be used while sitting down. The website lists the strap for $135, but Amazon has it listed for ~$80. Even with the Amazon discount, it’s still very pricey. I would …
If you’re interested in sound (which should be a prerequisite for all musicians,) Yamaha offers a great resource: The Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook. First published in 1988, it’s still highly relevant and applicable today. In fact, many lecturers refer back to this resource. For example, in this video the lecturer explains that older books are …
Real instruments move air. In a rock band, the keyboard is perhaps the least susceptible to this concept. It really depends on the type of monitoring. The drum kit, especially the kick drum, is a good example of pushing air. If you go back to earlier forms of music, the concept isn’t limited to a …
Learning how each parameter affects your sound is the easiest way to master a multi-effect unit. To do this effectively, having some knowledge helps. I’m currently working through the Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook. It does a great job at explaining core audio concepts that are applicable accross the board. I also found a related video …
