Guitar legend Joe Satriani and internet guitar sensation FunTwo perfrom onstage for YouTube Live!

FunTwo gained fame because of his rock Canon in D performance and has one of the most viewed videos on YouTube.

The two performed the famous Pachelbel’s tune (which was originally arranged by JerryC). FunTwo had a really cool guitar and did really well despite being side by side with the Satch.

The Guitar Hero introduction was a little lame. Other than that, they both rocked the crowd. I’m sure wherever JerryC maybe, he wished he was the one on that stage.

If you want to learn how to play the song, check out our post on Canon in D rock.

The Balalaika is a triangular shaped stringed instrument of Russian origin. from the highest-pitched to the lowest, the prima balalaika, sekunda balalaika, alto balalaika, bass balalaika and contrabass balalaika. All have three-sided bodies, spruce or fir tops and backs made of from three to nine wooden sections, and all have three strings. The prima balalaika is played with the fingers, the sekunda and alto either with the fingers or a pick depending on the music being played, and the basses and contrabasses (equipped with extension legs which rest on the floor) are played with leather picks.

An important part of balalaika technique is the use of the left thumb to fret notes on the lower string, particularly on the prima, where it is used to form chords. The side of the index finger of the right hand is used to sound notes on the prima, while a plectrum is used on the larger sizes. One can play the prima with a plectrum, but it is considered rather heterodox to do so.

In 1989, Kramer Guitars released a triangle shaped electric guitar which they named the Electric Balalaika. It’s really a triangular shaped electric and does not resemble any properties of the original balalaika.

Here is the Balalaika in action:

If you’ve been to a NAMM in the past years, you know that the Taylor Guitars booth is one of the most important places in the event and is on top of everyone’s list to visit.

This year will be no different. Showcasing their new acoustics as well as their electric guitars, you are sure to find heavy traffic coming to the booth. Not to mention a lineup of great artists to make the best out of their guitars.

Here is the current lineup of artists:

Thursday, January 15th
2:00 p.m. Dennis Agajanian (www.dennisagajanian.com)
3:00 p.m. The Whistlestop (www.whistlestopmusic.com)
4:00 p.m. Doyle Dykes (www.doyledykes.com)
5:00 p.m. Leo Kottke (www.leokottke.com)

Friday, January 16th
2:00 p.m. Carina Ricco (www.carinaricco.com)
3:00 p.m. Marc Seal (www.marcseal.com)
4:00 p.m. Doyle Dykes
5:00 p.m. Sixwire (www.sixwire.com)

Saturday, January 17th
2:00 p.m. Elliot Murphy (www.elliottmurphy.com)
3:00 p.m. Jonalee White (www.jonaleewhite.com)
4:00 p.m. Pierce The Veil (www.myspace.com/piercetheveil)
5:00 p.m. Shaw Blades(www.myspace.com/shawbladesinfluence)

Be sure to visit Taylor Guitars on the second floor. Booth 213.

Don Randall, the person who named Fender Stratocaster has died of age-related causes. He was 91 years old. Randall was the driving force behind the brand’s success of the popular guitar model and led Leo Fender’s company to the top.

He came out with the Broadcaster name in 1950 which was Fender’s first commercial guitar and later renamed it to Telecaster due to a trademark dispute with another company. He then came up with the name Stratocaster for Fender’s newest guitar in 1957.

The Strat is one of the most commonly used electric guitar and can be heard in many historic recordings.

Fender also produces Stratocasters under the Squier brand in China, Indonesia and India at lower cost than Fender-branded models. While Squier Stratocasters are predominantly inexpensive versions of Fender Stratocasters, some models are also unique to the Squier brand, such as the OBEY Graphic series or Hello Kitty series. They also offer a starter kit through Costco, Target and other retailers, which comes with a budget Strat under the name Starcaster by Fender, which comes in standard and deluxe pickup configurations.