Learn a Progression, Rob Chapman, Strymon El Capistan

Guitar Practice

Let's Learn a Progression

Today, let's take a look at a chord progression in Db. We work in a diminished chord, a minor 11 chord, and a couple altered dominant chords (with a #5).

Want to look at it from a theory point of view?

• In the first 2 bars (the top line), we have a I–ii–V iprogression in Db, using a passing diminished and a tritone-sub dominant (A7) before resolving to A♭7.
• In the second 2 bars (the 2nd line), we have a I–ii–V progression with a secondary dominant (B♭7#5) leading into ii, and an altered dominant (A♭7#5) resolving back toward D♭.

Guitarist Spotlight

Rob Chapman

Rob Chapman is an English guitarist, singer, YouTuber, and entrepreneur known for his high-energy playing style and approachable teaching videos. He first gained attention in the late 2000s by posting gear demos, lessons, and reviews online. His mix of humor, clear explanations, and rock-focused playing helped him build a large community of guitar players. Over time, he became one of the most recognizable online guitar personalities.

Chapman has played in several bands throughout his career. He co-founded the progressive rock group Dorje, where he performed as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist. He later launched another project, Clockwork Wolf & Co., which blends blues, Americana, and rock influences. His musical style draws from hard rock, metal, and blues, shaped by guitarists like Joe Satriani, Jimi Hendrix, and Devin Townsend.

In 2009, Chapman co-founded Chapman Guitars with Lee Anderton. The company became known for involving fans in the design process by letting players vote on features for new instruments. Chapman Guitars grew quickly and developed a reputation for producing modern, versatile guitars with comfortable necks and a wide range of pickup options. The brand serves players from beginners to professionals and remains an important part of Chapman’s work.

In 2023, Chapman expanded his business ventures by becoming a co-owner of Cerberus Guitars and Guitarmory Pickups. Cerberus Guitars is known for its metal-inspired designs and offers both high-end U.S. custom shop builds and more affordable models made overseas. Guitarmory Pickups is a boutique company that creates high-quality pickups for a variety of styles, including single-coils, humbuckers, and P-90s. Chapman has said that these new roles complement his work at Chapman Guitars and allow him to stay involved in different parts of the guitar-building world.

Throughout his career, Chapman has stayed focused on inspiring and educating guitarists. Whether through his bands, his instrument companies, or his online videos, he continues to be a major influence in the modern guitar community.

Gear Showcase

Strymon El Capistan

The Strymon El Capistan is one of those guitar pedals that players fall in love with almost instantly. When it came out in 2010, it stood out for how well it captured the warm, dreamy sound of old tape echo machines—without the hassle of maintaining real tape. Guitarists quickly realized it could deliver everything from smooth, vintage-style repeats to quirky, wobbly textures that feel straight out of an old recording.

Powered by a SHARC DSP processor, it doesn’t just imitate tape echo—it recreates the little imperfections that make tape delays so charming. You can hear subtle tape wear, gentle modulation, and even that slight saturation you’d get from pushing an old machine. Instead of feeling sterile or digital, the pedal responds in a very musical, organic way.

The El Capistan gives you three types of tape “machines”—Fixed, Multi, and Single—each with three variations, so there’s a lot to explore. The controls let you shape everything from the delay time to how old and worn-out your “tape” sounds. There’s even a built-in spring reverb for extra vintage flavor. And because Strymon hid a set of secondary functions under the hood, you can dive even deeper if you want to fine-tune things.

In 2022, Strymon released the V2 version, adding a few modern upgrades. The sound engine remains true to the original, but V2 includes a premium JFET input for better feel, an updated ARM processor for more efficient performance, and full MIDI control through the TRS jack. It also features a USB-C port for easier firmware updates and a redesigned footswitch that’s quieter and more durable.

Over time, the El Capistan has earned a reputation as a modern classic. It shows up on countless pedalboards because it’s reliable, sounds great, and inspires creativity. Whether you’re looking for subtle ambience, rhythmic echoes, or wild, atmospheric sounds, the El Capistan has a way of making everything feel a little more magical.

Check out the Strymon El Capistan

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News & Notes 🗞️

• Gretsch collaborated with Abbey Road Studios to create a new limited-edition Abbey Road RS201 Studiomatic electric guitar. The vintage-inspired hollowbody features Filter'Tron pickups, a custom-voiced Rumble Filter circuit, and an Abbey Road metal head badge.
• PRS Guitars announced the PRS Fiore HH, a dual-humbucker version of Mark Lettieri’s signature model. The Fiore HH offers a new configuration, changing from the original’s single-single-hum pickup setup, to humbucker only, and swapping the maple fretboard for rosewood. It is available in both gloss and satin finishes. 
• Taylor Guitars announced a signature Trey Hensley Gold Label 510e acoustic guitar. It features a sitka spruce top with tropical mahogany back and sides, a mahogany neck, and ebony fretboard, and LR Baggs Anthem SL electronics.
• Premier Guitar posted a new rig rundown video with Jeff Tweedy.
• 📺 Watch this: Trey Anastasio discussing his pre-show guitar warm-up routine.

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