Bristol Guitar Teacher - Lewis Gabb
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How to Practice

3/1/2018

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It is important to manage your time when practicing the guitar. Although players like Steve Vai recommend a 12-15 hour a day practice schedule: (http://www.picksnlicks.com/Guitar%20Lessons/Exercises/30_hr_workout/30_hr_workout_1.html). Most of us frankly don’t have that amount of time to dedicate to playing (at least not in any given week). In order to maximise the benefit for each practice session I recommend targeting the below four aspects of guitar. I’m going to use the example of an hour long practice session and highlight the type of practice you should be doing throughout.
  1. Technique 15 mins – Your technique might well be the most boring thing to work on when practicing guitar but sadly it is essential. This is the time to run fingering exercises, various picking techniques and repeating licks. I teach many different exercises but I won’t go through them now. At some point I will upload a video showing a few; however, I’m sure any intermediate player will know more than a few and this is the time to run them.
  2. Scales and Chord Vocabulary 20 mins – Another boring one, but something that is necessary to rehearse and practice regularly. The way I like to practice this element is to take any guitar key and first find every chord in that key (this will also force you to use scales). Once you have found every chord try and substitute each chord for another voicing, so that you have at least two ways to play every chord. Then try and find an extension for each of those chords (7th, 9th, 13th etc). Finally bridge each chord with a picked lead line from either the parent scale of the chord, the root scale of the key in which you are playing or by using arpeggios.
  3. Rhythm and Strumming 15mins – This section should be a little more fun than the last. To practice rhythm I would recommend taking licks, riffs and songs that you can play well and sticking on a metronome. Playing along with a metronome will increase your natural sense of rhythm and if you’re having trouble getting your playing up to speed it is a great tool. With regards to strumming try exercises where you break down and dissect strumming patterns. Have a go at highlighting different beats while playing sixteenth note rhythms etc. I will upload a video in due course to explain this kind of practice.
  4. Be creative and learn new tunes! 10 mins + - Congratulations, if you have followed the above advice you have succeeded in completing a worthwhile practice session. Now it’s time to use all your skills to have fun on the guitar. Create your own music, solo over backing tracks and learn your favourite songs. I have only left ten minutes for this section but you will probably find yourself playing for a lot longer, which is great because you have already dedicated enough time to the boring stuff!
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Guitar Shopping In Bristol

2/23/2018

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PMT Online

Professional Music Technology is renowned for its esteemed reputation as a premier guitar shop, and you’ll find nowhere better than PMT Bristol to satisfy your 6-stringed cravings or get your first guitar.
Fender, Gibson and PRS guitars line Bristol’s lengthy guitar walls, along with a whole host of acoustics including Martin and Taylor guitars. Or if you prefer to pluck, pick or slap a bass guitar, their bass department has everything from Musicman to Fender Basses in stock, alongside the cheeky little one-offs and PMT Exclusives!
Alongside the axes, there is a massive range of guitar amplifiers, guitar accessories, guitar pedals, straps, guitar strings and anything else you might need to keep your creative juices flowing. There are also plenty of used and pre-loved guitars to choose from the part exchange service, so if you’d like to paw over someone’s old gear or even come in to the shop and swap your old equipment for something new and shiny, give them a call.

Hobgoblin Music

Hobgoblin Bristol is one of Bristol’s smaller, boutique music shops. It is an Aladdin's cave of musical instruments, plus much more in the way of music books and a full range of items for all types of musician at the counter. Car parks & meters are close by, Temple Meads Station is a 20 minute walk, or short bus ride.
The full Hobgoblin Music range of musical instruments is available. If there is a particular item you would like to have a look at, please call ahead to make sure it is in stock. In addition, there are many instruments unique to the store. They’re not just a guitar shop - each branch has a great range of specialist instruments too.

Treble Rock

Treblerock is a guitar shop in Bristol. Located in the heart of Clifton village and is surrounded by lovely little shops, restaurants and bars. They have a fantastic range of new and used guitars along with a selection of vintage guitars both electric and acoustic.

Absolute Guitars

Absolute Guitars is a specialist guitar shop based in Backwell, North Somerset.  Their retail shop is close to Nailsea and is 6 miles from Bristol City Centre. 
There are great motorway links from South Wales, Weston Super Mare and Clevedon They have a full retail shop with a wide range of electric guitars, bass guitars and acoustic guitars.   

Their key electric guitar brands include Fender, ESP/LTD, Squier, Tokai and Gretsch.  Their Acoustic guitar brands include Fender, Freshman, Crafter, Faith, Yamaha and Sigma. They also stock Blackstar and Fender Guitar Amplifiers and a range of effects pedals. 


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Rehearsal and Recording in Bristol

2/23/2018

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Room 4 Studios

Room 4 Studios can be found at 145a Whitehall Road, Bristol, BS5 9BJ and offers everything a band needs to record an EP. I have personally played in a band that recorded an EP here and can attest to the quality. Not only does Room 4 double up as a rehearsal and recording space, it also hires out equipment for bands who want to put on live shows. Prices for recording are reasonable and this reflects the quality service that Room 4 provides. If you’re looking to produce a few tracks on a budget this studio could be just what you need.

 Dockside Studios

Dockside Studios is a professional rehearsal and recording facility, located in central Bristol. Situated in a picturesque location right by Bristol Marina. The prices of the studio are perfect for anyone with an amateur budget or who want to record on a pay-as-you-go basis. The owners are very friendly and will always do everything they can to help. If this sounds like it’s your sort of recording atmosphere, Dockside Studios is located down at Unit 15, Albion Dockside Estate, Hanover Place, Bristol, BS1 6UT.
 Woodshed Recording Studio

Woodshed is a converted Police Station that houses a dance studio, a visual arts space and a circus training room. It is a great looking rehearsal and recording space.
It is located in a culturally rich location at The Island: located at Nelson Street, Bristol, BS1 2LE.
The recording facilities are reasonably priced and the staff are patient and friendly.
 Factory Studios

Factory Studios can cater for all your audio needs, from recording through to mixing, mastering and CD manufacture. They are able to undertake any size of recording project.
Their versatile facility comprises of a 500 sq.ft live room, vocal booth, acoustically treated control room, 24 input Logic Pro and MOTU based recording system, mics from AKG, Shure, Nakamichi, Studio Electronics, and monitoring from Event and Genelec.
Their lead engineer is always on hand to discuss your project and offer sympathetic professional advice.

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  • Bristol Guitar Teacher
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  • Guitar Lessons
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