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The Harp Guitar

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This instrument, the Harp Guitar, is the sweetest and most challenging one to perfect. Some of the great musicians to play this instrument have been Robbie Robertson, Steve Howe, Pat Metheny just to name a few.

The Harp Guitar is considered beautiful to the eyes and ears. Even Gibson was a Guitar Harp producer. We have a great Canadian woman who creates these missing links to the musical past and she is, Linda Manzer.

I have chosen Michael Hedges to illustrate this to you today. Unfortunately, like all the great ones, he is no longer with us. He was only 43 when he pasted away from a car crash.

The Guitar Harp has the appearance of a mythical instrument from the days of Robbin Hood, the Lutes of 1265 C.E. (C.E. = Common Era, used to be called A.D.) or the Baroque period. An ageless instrument at that!

I have never seen one up close but if I could be alone with one for a moment or so, I would try to decode this thing once and for all. I have tried my luck on a Lute and it was really fun to play. I love the sound and the action on the Lute. The neck is wide and the length is short, which makes it easier to play in my eyes. I suggest that if the opportunity presents itself, you should take full advantage of the moment to broaden your musical horizons.

Keep on Jammin’, (even Harp style)




The guitar solo that I can nail the best

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This is the solo that I know I can pull off live with no hesitation. I do not consider myself as a lead guitar player but others might object to this. I do not wish to be thrust into the limelight because musically, I feel uncomfortable with it.

The band that I played this song/solo with was called “Pylis”, pronounced “Pie-lis”. We were a band from Brantford Ontario in the early 80’s. Saga was the style of music that we naturally gravitated to. It was challenging to us and we could reproduce live quite effortlessly.

The first guitar solo on this song was something that I could not wait to play. It had to be played with a steady fingers and the ability to milk the hell out of every note! In my opinion, it was one of the best songs we played.

Tony, the keyboardist and my best friend, was the backbone for this one. His abilities to play many keyboards at once left not only myself but others to say, “How the hell did he do that?” The sound that he made doing this was sooo huge that it honestly boggled my mind how he could play it to a “T” at will. When he played it, it was like listening to the album without anyone else playing. WOW!

Aldo, the bassist, was way too much fun to hang out with. Too bad the bonehead didn’t come out to Tony’s “80’s band Reunited” held Oct. 10th/2004 at the Hard ball in Milton Ont.! (I have to acknowledge Tony’s wife, Laura, for all the support that she gave for this memorable event. If it wasn’t for her, it wouldn’t have been the success that it was.) Aldo was one of the singers in the band and he could pulloff Geddy Lee like no one else.

Now for the drummer, Chris W. He was like the older brother that I would love to drink to excess with one minute then, wrestle him to the ground. He was a tall and lanky fellow. This made it child’s play to me. Being a little guy, I always went for his ankles and then just pushed him over for starters! He had such the perfect voice for this song that it made you wish that you could sing it just like he did. His drumming was 2nd to none. He had this Silver Slingerland 8 piece kit, the one that Neil Peart used in 1975-76, that was out of this world and boy could he play like it as well!

So here is the tune that I’ve been talking about, so just sit back and enjoy!

Keep on Jammin’

While his Ukulele Gently Weeps – WOW

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The guy plays this song so well on his ukulele that, it makes me want to go out and buy one.

I’ve been to “Strawberry Field” in New York city, right in front of the Dakota Apartments where John Lennon lived and unfortunately was fatally shot.

I was in New York in 1986 and I can tell you it’s a fabulous city to visit, not to mention living there would be a blast. The feelings that we all felt when we were right there at Strawberry Fields in Central Park, was quite intense.

Anyways, just listen to this song then follow the chord progressions that he does, in concert with his strumming, and it is just the most wonderful tune to be exposed to. Enjoy!

Try to, keep on Jammin’, like this guy

Bruce Cockburn – If a tree falls in the forest

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Now this is a song that I will attempt when I get a moment or so.


I heard Bruce do an acoustic version of this one on the radio and as usual, they didn’t announce which album it was from. Is it just me or, does this tick you off too? As said best by Charlie Brown “AAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!”

I love the use of his wammie bar on his guitar. He is the type of player who will either use or not use an effect and pull it off right both ways. This is what I shoot for when choosing a song that I want to play. If I can’t tackle a song correctly then I’ll try and try again! However, if I can’t, then I be a man and just let some get away!

Keep on Jammin’

Bruce Cockburn – If I had a Rocket Launcher Live

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If I Had a Rocket Launcher by Bruce Cockburn, performed live (10/21/06) at the Tarrytown Music Hall. Marty Balin featuring Slick Aguilar, Charlie DeChant, Gordon G.G. Gebert, Dave Trupia, Michael Sciotto.
Video 8:01 minutes

This is a favorite song of mine to play live. If you ever get the opportunity to see me perform, it will be on my play list. I do the acoustic version very well. The solo parts are challenging enough, and this is maybe the only song beside Neon that I can always change up every time I play or just have an extended solo to it.

Bruce plays the song in so many positions that he makes it all look easy, but the great ones always do don’t they.

My Larivee L-03 has the depth that you need to pull off a technical song like this live. My DigiTech chorus pedal is the perfect fit for this tune – like it was made for it. Hopefully when I find the time, I’ll tape video of it and let you be the judge on how to improve portions of the song, or which parts to eliminate. Hopefully the latter won’t come into play. 😉

Keep on Jammin’

Wow, I can play this song too

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Journey is a band that I really respect. The vocals are so powerful. The guitar is just cutting through the air and the keyboards bring both together like nothing that I can describe. I remember when this song came out, I pretended to be sick so I could stay at home and figure it out on piano.

To this day I still love playing this song, but I honestly wish I had vocals like these guys to pull it off just right!

Keep on Jammin’

The hardest tune I can’t play … yet

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Well, the song that I would die to play live is ” The Clap” by Steve Howe from YES, (search you tube under, “YES, the clap” or “Steve Howe plays Clap”) is the one to go for,for me! I’ve played mood for a day and other standards to good response but this song is in a league of it’s own.

This next one is something that you can get a better view of how to play this one the way he plays it.

The toughest song I can play, and sing

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Well as you already know, I enjoy the challenge that comes with playing some of John Mayer’s tunes. I love the chord progressions that he exposes us to. He also brings the high difficulty of playing guitar while making “Pop Music”. I honestly hope that other musicians, who make pop music, notice that the bar is raised VERY HIGH because of this man!

Anyways, Neon is the song that I find that is the toughest song to sing and play at the same time while USING FINGERS ONLY. I actually am still in the process of fine tuning this song, if truth be told. I can play and sing the song to the level of any hack can but if it ain’t perfect … well, I refuse to play it live. Nothing worst then people listening to you live at a venue and knowing by the look in their eyes that you are just another guy playing guitar. I must admit that I am very hard on myself but that’s the way I’ve always been. When I do master and play it live, this will be such a natural high that I will find it hard to contain myself.

The song that I’m trying to reproduce is a collage of many of his versions of this tune. I am working on the acoustic one first then playing the electric one will come easier, I hope! There are many little and subtle things that he does version to version that I want to incorporate into one version. In all honesty, I think that I am not that great at improvising solo’s at all. I fuck around but I am nowhere near the level that I really should be!

So below is a great version of Neon done live by JM and I want you to play this over and over again and please give me your input on the difficulty of both playing and singing this song live.

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