Pete Denomme's Keys To Guitar Technical Prowess

The Keys To Technical Prowess (Guitar Basics Series#2)

And Honing Those Power Chops

By Mark Grove

Co-Writer: Pete Denomme

This is a repost: Not sure what year. 2004 or 2005

Pete Denomme has been working at this guitar Craft fronting his main band Blues Berry Jam and working with Blues Axeman Mike Nelson in their duo Old School. Pete is one of Southern Canada's most humble Guitarists, yet has the ability to play with the best of them and learn as well.  This article is dedicated to developing some simple tips to use when just playing by yourself, and when up on stage trying to wow a particular crowd.

M.G.: Do players tend to move too fast before establishing foundations that minimize mistakes?

P.D: That's a good question. A lot of players try to play fast riffs and licks that excite others, but if they aren't ready when chords change they tend to make mistakes. As well you tend to lose feeling in your playing ability as well. Learn chord structures slowly and take each phrase and play it bit by bit and actually tape what you are playing, so you can refer back to it and make the necessary changes as well. The short answer is yes.(laughs)

M.G.: Do you think that most players including pros play too many notes within given chord and phrase structures?

P.D.: That goes back to playing quick. But that has to do with styles of playing, and some play by playing a lot of notes, and others use a lot of sustain in their playing which can help you avoid making mistakes during changes. A great purveyor of using (The sustain principle) is Dave Wall of Robbie Antone's Blues Machine. He uses sustain well and can hold notes that help the band play more with feeling, and using vibrato as well.

Blues guys are bad for playing too many notes. Sorry guys.

M.G.: Do you think that players play too much of what they know and don't experiment enough?

P.D.: You should play enough of what you know so it comes off well, and as far as learning new styles that complement what you're already, doing like using Jazz and even metal to some degree in your guitar learning.

There are a few tips glommed from Robert Fripp such as things as simple as how to hold your guitar and how to hold your pick that have quite an effect on how you will progress on the guitar. First of all Pete Agrees with these principles as well.

First of all you should hold your Guitar pick parallel to the strings for just strumming gently. As you go faster normally you would angle the pick so not as much of it is hitting the strings. As far your fretting hand goes if you're taught classically your thumb should go along the back of the guitar neck. If you have it this way it's hard for you to use all your fingers properly too be able to manipulate the strings, especially with your pinkie.

Most players I jam and play with have their thumb on top of the neck. Ala Hendrix style.

This helps you bend strings more efficiently and anchor your thumb around the neck and deveop proper sustain and vibrato, which is very important in regards to "Stretching" your guitar craft. You won't develop the muscles in your fingers enough to be able to fret properly if you have your thumb behind the neck. But by having it around the neck you can tweak the low E string.

M.G.: Should beginners learn to play through their mistakes?

PD.: It's the only way you'll learn. Insecurity can be a great way to evolve further in your playing and delve into new territory. I play through my mistakes and sometimes it can become a part of your playing if used properly.

If you play Material that's been done by your act over and over without trying to change it or playing different styles of music, you tend to make mistakes more often by not stretching your playing.

MG: Do you think It's important to listen to other guitarists, not just to develop your playing ability but to develop solid timing skills?

P.D.: That's how we start out and it becomes a lifeline to some degree. Sometimes it motivates you to learn and grow as a guitarist and help you through a dry spell where you might be having trouble writing musical arrangements or lyrics. Players should watch what others do on their instrument and try applying that technique to their own instrument to develop timing and interpretive skills.

Pete Denomme: Very good questions Mark, Thank you.

In answering these questions you think about your own guitar playing and you realize aspects you haven't been aware of before,  and realize that you won't hone those monster chops if you don't play basic material and play through your weak spots,  and learn from styles that are progressive in nature to be able to reach new plateaus and become a solid musician.

Mark Grove-Canadian Guitar Player

Pete Denomme-Canadian Blues guitarist and frontman for Bluesberry jam and Old School

Pete runs a very successful club here in London called the London Music Club. There is a great blues jam every thursday and friday. You can click on to the London Music Club site to see some of the best Southern Canadian bands around.

Just click this link; www.londonmusicclub.com