Chord Practice, Delicate Steve, PJD Guitars, Ibanez 2025 Guitars
Guitar Practice
Today, let's take a look at a quick chord progression, and a riff based on it. It's relatively simple, but uses an often overlooked chord shape with a unique, soulful sound.
A '5' chord is a chord built just using the root and the fifth note (often with the root also played an octave higher). In this example, we take a 5 chord, and add a 9th note to it (for the first 3 chords in the progression, at least).
This requires a bit of a finger stretch, and is best played using the index, ring, and pinky finger on your fretting hand.
Next, we can play the notes of these chords individually, and come up with something like this:
Play around with altering the rhythm and the order you play the notes in, and see what other ideas you can come up with.
Guitarist Spotlight
Delicate Steve
Delicate Steve, the stage name of Steve Marion, is a guitarist, composer, and producer renowned for his unique instrumental music that skillfully blends rock, funk, blues, and world music with a playful yet emotionally resonant style.
Born in Fredon Township, New Jersey, Marion’s musical journey began at a young age. He experimented with music in his home studio, crafting a sound that challenged traditional musical boundaries.
His breakthrough came with the release of his debut album, Wondervisions, in 2011. This album established Marion as a rising star in the indie and instrumental music scenes. The album’s inventive guitar melodies and distinctive production garnered critical acclaim, solidifying his reputation as a creative force in modern music.
Marion’s music is characterized by his ability to make the guitar “sing” with vocal-like melodies that evoke a sense of narrative and emotion, even without lyrics. This unique approach has led him to collaborate with a diverse range of artists, including Paul Simon, The Black Keys, Mac DeMarco, Tame Impala, and Amen Dunes.
Over the years, Delicate Steve has released several well-received albums, including After Hours (2022), Positive Force (2012), This Is Steve (2017), and Till I Burn Up (2019). His latest release, Delicate Steve Sings (2024), features instrumental covers and intimate originals. Contrary to the album’s title, it remains entirely instrumental. The record revolves around channeling iconic voices through his guitar, an idea that struck him while listening to Willie Nelson during a trip to Greece.
Each of Delicate Steve’s albums showcases his creative compositions, inspiring guitar work, and experimental edge, all tied together by the skillful use of effects and exceptional production.
Known for his energetic and uplifting live performances, Marion’s ability to connect with audiences has solidified his reputation as one of the most inventive and versatile guitarists of his generation. His music continues to inspire and push the boundaries of instrumental music.
Key Gear:
- Gibson ’66 Melody Maker SG in Pelham Blue, modified with two PAF humbuckers
- 1966 Fender Stratocaster
- Strymon Lex (delay, reverb, and Leslie simulator)
- Digitech Whammy
- Dunlpo Cry Baby Wah
- Strymon TimeLine Delay
- Boss DS-1 Distortion
Check out Street Breeze from his album 'After Hours':
Check out Delicate Steve: Website | Instagram | Facebook
Gear Showcase
PJD Guitars
PJD Guitars are meticulously crafted works of art, renowned for their stunning finishes, exceptional tone, and unparalleled playability.
Founded in 2010 by Leigh Dovey, PJD Guitars emerged from Leigh’s passion for guitar building, nurtured by his woodworking skills acquired from his father. Over the past nearly-15 years, PJD has undergone remarkable growth, evolving from a focus on traditional guitar styles to the creation of their own innovative designs.
PJD offers a diverse range of guitar models that truly stand out in the crowded guitar market.
The Carey model draws inspiration from the Gibson Les Paul, but it boasts a neck, fretboard, and headstock reminiscent of Fender guitars, particularly with its 25.5” scale length.
The St. John is a standout among offset guitar designs, featuring a unique combination of a P90 pickup in the neck position and a humbucker in the bridge, providing a range of tones that are rare on other guitars.
The York, a relatively recent addition to their lineup, offers a fresh take on the t-style design, equipped with custom hand-wound single coil pickups.
For those seeking an S-style guitar, PJD’s Woodford model is an excellent choice.
PJD Guitars are available in two main series: Standard and Custom Shop Elite. Standard Series models typically feature a satin finish, while Elite models come with custom flame-tops, additional color options, and other premium upgrades. Both the Carey and St. John models are offered in both solidbody and semi-hollow body configurations.
While most of PJD’s dealerships are located in Europe, they have recently expanded to include dealers in Thailand and Dubai, and many of their dealers offer international shipping services.
🎸 Trending
- Ibanez announced their new guitar lineup for 2025. While the updates focus pretty heavily on their AZ &RG series', there are also new/updated signature models, revamped acoustic guitars, and updates to their budget-friendly Artstar Expressionist and Artcore semi-hollow line.
- Cory Wong interviewed jazz-guitar virtuoso Mike Stern on his podcast. They discussed him playing with Billy Cobham, Miles Davis, and Jaco Pastorius, the decline of arts spaces in America, and much more. Apple | Spotify
- Ben Eunson posted quick a video about how to improvise like a pro (hint: its about single string playing).
- Michael Palmisano did a deep dive into Harry Hood by Phish from a recent show (12/30/2024).
- Rick Beato interviewed the incredible Tommy Emmanuel about the Art of Solo Guitar Playing.
Currently spinning in the Office
Delicate Steve: After Hours
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