Special Group Class Available at Learn The Beat: 
Improv. & Blue Grass Guitar
With Guest Teacher Rick Sims

Sign Up Now!!!
$25 for 2 hr class w/ Jam
2nd weekend of May
May 9th, 2015 3 pm for 2 hrs
Call (530)334-3588, or email seanc@learnthebeat.com for details

Sean's Thoughts May 2014

"Why does string gauge matter?"

      "What does it mean when the strings say Heavy, Light, Medium, or Extra Light Gauge?"  I get this question chronically along with, "What are the best set of strings to use?" This feels like a Rhetorical question, but I will give you my feedback.

    First off, String gauge is very important. (Gauge is a term of measurement for the actual diameter of the string. Each string in a package has a different diameter for the note it will be tuned to. Weight sizes are universal, while gauge sizes are different for each instrument. So, when you shop by gauge instead of weight you would ask for the lowest diameter string in a package i.e .09 gauge electric & .012 gauge acoustic = light strings in guitar relative to the strings used on that instrument.) It is relative to the instrument you own.  For example:

    If you own a guitar that does not have a truss rod, like a classical guitar, you would buy extra light strings or Nylon strings.  The reason for this is there will be less tension and stress on the wooden neck of the instrument.  Stress = Bad Time and risk of long term damage. I.e. actual cracking & breakage at the seam of the head-stock, or body of the guitar due too extreme tension.

    If you own a standard acoustic guitar built with a truss rod, (Truss rod is an adjustable shaft of metal built inside of the neck of the guitar making it capable of handling any gauge string) you can use any gauge guitar string you prefer at that point. Usually experienced musicians, & electric guitar players prefer as heavy a string as their fingers can press down & their guitar can handle. Acoustic players tend toward medium to light strings & classical, or beginner players with little callus build up stick with the light & extra light gauge & nylon strings. But, there is no rule on this. It comes down to a balance of deciding factors: Guitar Care, Musician's Preference, & Genre of Music to ultimately decide. 

    Secondly, As far as the best string to use there are tons of brands to choose from.  The strings we recommend are sold in the store, I've personally selected certain brands that I know work well (Chosen for sound quality, ease of play, & durability.), and also stock specific strings that our customers have requested.  In a nutshell, there is no best string.  All the brands that are out there have specific sounds for specific genres of music along with the type of stringed instrument you own, however, the strings I carry are what I use. Martin, DaDarrio, Ernie Ball, and Dean Markley.  All affordable with prices starting as low as $8.00 Come down to the shop and see what we have.  Thanks for reading.

Sean Carpenter

L.T.B. News & Up Coming Events

Slap In Group Classes Plus Jam Sessions Available

(3 people min., materials fee required, if LTB provides instrument. Slap in apts. are available between 1:30pm, & 2:30pm Tues. to Fri. Groups vote on genre, so you may need to pick a day with a group that has already chosen your genre of music.

For Locals: $10 per person per Class,

For Vacationers: $35 per person per Class

Choose Genre Bellow

Gold Rush & Songs of the Old West

Country Western

Electronica, Techno, & DJ

Hip Hop, R&B, Soul, Rap, Dance

Classical, Band, Jazz, Orchestra, Traditional, & Opera

Punk, Rockabilly, Etc.

Alternative, & Ska

Screemo, Metal, Death Metal, Hard Rock Electric, & Grunge

Acoustic Rock ‘n’ Roll, Blues, & Folk

Steam Punk, & Other Theme Music

Tribal, Celtic, & Other Eclectic Music

Jam Sessions Available

(No min. on people, just show up with your own instrument, & jam. Snacks, drinks, & CD recordings of you jamming are extra. Concerts, nature walks, & recitals available. )

For Locals Only: $5 per Session

Choose Group

Rock, Blues, & Folk Adults Only Jam Session Thurs. 7:30pm to 8:30pm

Teen/Kids Only Jam Session Mon. to Fri. 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Modern Music Jam Session Wed. 7:00pm to 8:00pm

(After school bus does drop off at LTB’s Black Oak Center)

Rock Smith

(Guitar & Bass Practice Computer Gaming System)

$3 for 15 min.

$5 for 30 min.

$10 for 45 min.

$15 for 1 hr.

*Slap in apts. available Mon. to Fri. 3:30pm to 4:30pm, or any other free block day of.*

(Please Call to Schedule any Appointments prior to 3:30pm in advance, Before Showing Up at Our Store, because the Store May Not Be Regularly Open at That Time, if we don't know to expect you.)

Summer Classes! Starting first week of June 2015 be sure you call us and get signed up before they fill up!

June/July 2014 Newsletter #6

All Summer Long You're Invited To Come Enjoy...

At our store in Garden Valley.

Support Your Local Music Store

Buy a $5.00 Raffle Ticket

You Could Win This Hot Rodded Memphis Guitar
% Of The Proceeds Go Toward L.T.B. Scholarship Fund

For Sale Sold Custom Dobro Must See!

Our Students Rocking Out

Videos & Pictures Of Our Students -

(Max, David, & Ramiro 2013 Talent Show)

Musician's Bulletin Board

Hey everybody :)

Feel free to comment bellow about any of your music needs i.e. up coming concerts, or other music venues, need someone to jam with, looking for another member in your band? This post will have a running list of musical activities in the local area.

Sean's Thoughts February 2014

“I prefer the 6-string banjo over the standard 4-string any day of the week.  Not only do you have more strings J, you have the capability to make fuller sounding chords you never could with the standard banjo.  The idea of playing guitar chords on a banjo is appealing to a lot of musicians for this reason.  You get the same legendary sound, and a whole lot more.  So my vote goes to the 6-string.”

P.S. Drum Machines have no soul

~Sean

If you have any thought's on this please join the discussion, & comment bellow.