A New Year's Resophonic Resolution
Plus New Licks!
by Phil Leadbetter

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas, and that the holidays were good to you and your family. I always enjoy this time of year because I know that it won't be long until festival season is here again. January is always a great time for me to get in some extra picking. The Christmas shopping season is over, decorations are stored away for another year, and it's too cold to do yard work. Nothing better to do than to grab that ol' reso guitar and pick. Maybe even invite a few buddies over for a long-overdue jam session.

With the New Year upon us, a great resolution would be to take more time to pick, more time to practice, and more time to study up on the resonator guitar. You would be surprised at just how much setting up a schedule to do these things would help you. I know, sometimes it's tough with everything going on, but just a few minutes each day will help you immeasurably by keeping your fingers loose, your ear "tuned" and your mind sharp.

When I say keeping your ear "tuned", I mean being able to hear what is musically correct and what isn't, as well as knowing if the licks or solos you are playing sound appropriate. I once heard a great singer/musician asked by an interviewer, "What do you consider your greatest gift as a musician?" The interviewer expected to hear the artist to respond by saying, "My hands" or maybe, "My voice". Instead he replied, "My ears."

I got to thinking- that is so true!

Without your ears, you couldn't do any of it. It is so important to protect your ears. I never allow myself to be exposed to loud noises or machinery without ear protection such as earplugs. I never wear loud headphones or listen to music cranked up too loud with or without headphones. It's just not good for you. I can't take a chance on damaging something that I use to make my living. It's more than just something to think about. Protect those ears!

Now let's get down to playing something new!

This month we are going to learn a couple of cool new licks in the key of G, but you can use them in any key if you apply a capo. I never capo above the 4th fret (B) because to my ear, the guitar begins to sound odd if placed any higher- but that's just my preference. It's your guitar…..Do whatever you like.

Here's the first lick. This lick can be used as a fill between melodic notes, or even as a lick within a break. It has several cool possibilities:

The second lick has a pretty cool repetition using a hammer-on at the onset. Proper timing makes this lick work nice:

Work on these licks until they are clean and smooth. With practice they should give rise to a few extra riffs come festival season.

Looking forward to visiting with you again next month,

Phil Leadbetter

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