ToneGear Guy

Prepared Guitar Since the 1940’s and John Cage, Prepared Piano...

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:12:00 -0500

Prepared Guitar

Since the 1940’s and John Cage, Prepared Piano has become the most common means by which to expand the sound of this classic instrument.

With Harmonik Mutes™ & SpiderCapo together, we can prepare our guitar in any number of ways to expand its’ sound palette. I call this Prepared Guitar.

The picture is an example . The 6^th & 5^th strings are capoed at the 8^th fret.

The 3^rd & 4th are not changed. The 2^nd & 1^st are muted at the 7^th fret natural harmonic.

The plucked strings will make the sounds, from 6^th to 1^st string:

C, F, D, G, F# Up 1 Octave, B Up 1 Octave.

The palette is expanded by:

-Playing in front OR behind the “harmoniked” 1^st & 2^nd strings.

-Flip the FINGERS of the 6^th & 5^th strings.

For me, this preparation opens many new sound paths.

Try your own! You can always capo 1 fret above ANY natural harmonic, as I have done here at the 7^th fret harmonic.

Kudos to Martin Blanes for first discovering this technique. Enjoy!

Twisted Sister’s Eddie Ojeda, says “This thing...

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:10:56 -0500

Twisted Sister’s Eddie Ojeda, says “This thing f’n rules….seriously, it is the only thing I consider a string cleaner”

"He was quite distant during that. It was kind of odd. He was in orbit. His place was on the stage...."

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:43:37 -0400

“He was quite distant during that. It was kind of odd. He was in orbit. His place was on the stage. And when he was off stage, he was not there at all. Occasionally, after a few drinks, he would be alright. But generally he was a little bit strange. Obviously now, I totally understand it.”

- Thom Yorke on Michael Stipe’s demeanor during their 1995 tour.

mrdreamnyc: WE DROVE TO INDIANA we kick off cmj with the...

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:34:00 -0400

mrdreamnyc:

WE DROVE TO INDIANA

we kick off cmj with the stereogum/popgun party tonight tuesday 10:30pm at glasslands. rsvp/buy tickets here.

four new songs…

Our friends - and one of our favorite bands - Mr. Dream begin a six show, five night CMJ marathon this evening. If you have not yet seen them, check them out. And if you have, then you know.

getinthegroove: Happy 64th Birthday to Mr. Bobby Weir!!!!

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:23:46 -0400

getinthegroove:

Happy 64th Birthday to Mr. Bobby Weir!!!!

"I definitely found [The String Cleaner] worked positively. By using it after every playing session,..."

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:12:20 -0400

“I definitely found [The String Cleaner] worked positively. By using it after every playing session, the strings resisted corrosion for a noticeably longer period of time and retained their punch longer as well. Regarding ease of use, there really wasnt any difficulty or high time requirements. Overall i would say that it was very effective and did not add any cumbersome rituals to my playing.”

- Justin K.

Thanks, Justin!

Jeff Mangum - who you might know by his performing pseudonym of...

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:26:54 -0400

Jeff Mangum - who you might know by his performing pseudonym of Neutral Milk Hotel - graciously filled the void left in the wake of the Radiohead rumors, by showing up at the Occupy Wall Street protests and giving a surprise, intimate performance last night.*

*or about as intimate as something can be in the middle of Manhattan

Dave Chiappetta & Steadfast Charlie will be playing a...

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:22:11 -0400

Dave Chiappetta & Steadfast Charlie will be playing a special CMJ show on Thursday Oct. 20th. And tickets are FREE. AND there will be an OPEN BAR from 8-9pm. FOR REAL.

ToneGear’s quest for world domination - or at least minor...

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:56:00 -0400

ToneGear’s quest for world domination - or at least minor world recognition - continues, as Lenker Music of New Zealand is now carrying ALL ToneGear items. That’s right. ALL. ToneGear and Lenker: A match made in New Zealand…

…We’re still working on the slogan.

GEARING UP FOR MUSIC CHINA (PUN INTENDED)

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:16:29 -0400

GEARING UP FOR MUSIC CHINA (PUN INTENDED)

Ambient-cool, courtesy of MGMT and, indirectly, Bauhaus

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:19:17 -0400

Ambient-cool, courtesy of MGMT and, indirectly, Bauhaus

The New Pornographers have a new video out that is very New...

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:18:22 -0400

The New Pornographers have a new video out that is very New Pornographer-y. Read: cool and weird. Enjoy.

"I have purchased three [String Cleaners] so far (one for each guitar I use for practice and..."

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 11:36:00 -0400

“

I have purchased three [String Cleaners] so far (one for each guitar I use for practice and gigging)… The product works as advertised and it might be #1 in that department among all the gear items I use. I tell all my friends that play guitar and bass about the String Cleaner and the stellar results I get with mine. The String Cleaner is a great product that lives up to the claims of the company.

Thank you very much again.

Sincerely a satisfied customer,
Bob E.

”

Google celebrates the posthumous 65th birthday of Freddie...

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:54:59 -0400

Google celebrates the posthumous 65th birthday of Freddie Mercury with this lovely tribute. Read more about it here.

It’s not quite a music video, more of a Ken Burns-ish...

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:05:01 -0400

It’s not quite a music video, more of a Ken Burns-ish slideshow put to music.

Still, enjoy Dave Chiappetta and Steadfast Charlie’s “video” for The Dance!

We’ve been on a muppets-kick lately, and we don’t...

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:47:30 -0400

We’ve been on a muppets-kick lately, and we don’t plan on stopping now. Today’s fix: Cookie Monster singing Tom Waits’ “God’s Away On Business”

A quick taste of DC&SC at Sullivan Hall. More to come in...

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 21:49:58 -0400

A quick taste of DC&SC at Sullivan Hall. More to come in the near future (hopefully)

THE MUPPETS TAKE ALT MUSIC

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:17:19 -0400

THE MUPPETS TAKE ALT MUSIC:

First listen of the new “Muppets: The Green Album” - courtesy NPR.

We are incredibly excited to be newly-endorsed by EDDIE OJEDA!...

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 14:57:40 -0400

We are incredibly excited to be newly-endorsed by EDDIE OJEDA! You may know him from his work in a little band called Twisted Sister.

Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel fame PLAYS Neutral Milk Hotel

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:56:52 -0400

Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel fame PLAYS Neutral Milk Hotel