“Learn Guitar With Drew” YouTube Guitar Lesson Channel!

February 5, 2019

Subscribe now for lessons, gear reviews, performances and more!

I created this YouTube guitar lesson channel to share what I’ve learned from 24 years of teaching private guitar lessons! I really enjoy teaching one on one but wanted the opportunity to help as many people as I could along their path of learning to play guitar.

The channel features lessons on a multitude of different topics, techniques, and songs from many genres, styles. My goal is to help the brand new student from purchasing the right axe, learning to play their very first song, all the way to the advanced player looking to take it up a notch.

The videos are separated into playlists to help you find what you are looking for. If you would like private instruction, that is available too.

Please send me a quick email and we can work out the details. drewbentleyguitarlessons@gmail.com I love comments so if there is anything you would like me to cover, please let me know. Keep an eye out for gear reviews and some performance stuff as well. I look forward to being your 24/7 guitar instructor and guide

SUBSCRIBE NOW by clicking this link!

Official “Bold Horizon” Album Reviews

June 14, 2019

There is nothing better than having your work reviewed by people who are in the industry. I have received a couple album reviews for “Bold Horizon” thus far. Please look for a review of the JD Strum album, “Just Another Story” as well in the post titled JD Strum.

Sunday, July 14th, the fabulous D.J. Jim Price from 105.9 QWIK did an album review of “Bold Horizon” in his “Professor’s corner” Below is the written copy of the review along with a video of the “On Air” reading of the review. Jim then played “Muscle Car” on the show.

Enjoy…

Jim Price, D.J. 105.9 KWIK ROCK, host of the Homegrown Rocker. July 14th, 2019

“It’s time now for the Professor’s CD corner on the Homegrown Rocker on Lion Country’s rock station, 105.9 QWIK ROCK.

Drew Bentley has been an active part of the Pittsburgh music scene during the past two decades, performing in various bands and also co founding the regionally popular band JD Strum. Drew has embarked on his first solo album venture called Bold Horizon, an album where he explores frontiers of rock jazz and blues, armed with his guitar. An all instrumental album, “Bold Horizon” features ten distinctive compositions that blend and vary between genres, and through the fusions capture a myriad of moods. Backed by drummer Brian Edwards, bassist George Elliott and Keyboard player Scott Anderson, Drew works his guitar strings turning his instrumental displays into an extension of his personality at any given moment. He can clearly shred demonstrated on tracks such as this number your now hearing called “Carpe Diem” Drew stretches out and tests bold horizons with this multi flavored exploitative rocker called “Distant Worlds”. Blues becomes Drew’s frontier on this number your now hearing called “Cloak And Dagger” while mild repertoire jazz informs the next track you’ll hear called “Daydreams”. Through it all, Drew shows obvious fluency and prowess with his guitar work which is tasteful and serves each composition never becoming over indulgent or over obsessive. Recorded using several studios and engineers and produced by Drew, “Bold Horizon” sounds clean, clear, vibrant and full. Whiles Drew’s guitar is the prominent voice, the sound is balanced and all four musicians sound distinctive in the mix. Drew Bentley’s first fore into the solo album, “Bold Horizon“, is a successful one and the album “Bold Horizon” provides an inspiring, invigorating listening journey for guitar proficinados and casual fans alike, you can get the CD through Drew’s website www.drewbentley.com from the album, let’s hear Drew Bentley with one called “Muscle Car” on the Homegrown Rocker…

Lion countries rock station 105.9QWIK ROCK and the Homegrown Rocker, music from Drew Bentley, out of the Pittsburgh area and a track called “Muscle Car” which you will find on the CD we just reviewed in the Professor’s CD corner. The album is called “Bold Horizon” and as I said during the review; Strong overall album. If you like good guitar, rock and good guitar playing, your going to like what Drew is doing on the “Bold Horizon” album, he gets into a number of different styles, blends them all together vary smoothly. Very solid musicianship throughout the album, I definitely like it and if your a fan of guitar music you definitely want to check it out. You can get the CD through Drew’s website which is drewbentley.com Drew, by the way, also has his band project JD Strum still going although these days it’s more of a duo with his songwriting partner Jeff Marks. JD Strum was just in action last night at a place called the Double Wide Grille in Irwin, that’s near Pittsburgh.

MusicPlayers.com December 31, 2018 By Bruce Sokolovic

Few records are capable of defying a specific genre while retaining an ongoing cohesiveness to the album. But guitarist Drew Bentley’s self-produced, Bold Horizon, is aptly named due to each track taking on its own vibe best described as “thoughtful arrangements unto themselves,” yet cohesive enough to form a solid collection of work. Fans of instrumental guitar in the vein of Eric Johnson/Andy Timmons/Prashant Aswani/Steve Morse will find something to like in each of these tunes.

Bentley employed the help of Brian Edwards on drums, George Elliot on bass, and Scott Anderson on keys. The Fuchs and CARR amps Drew uses throughout (and numerous guitars) are well mannered, recorded traditionally with a great mic into a great preamp. This translates beautifully in the recordings.

Showing off a keen sense of melody, there is an underlying mastery of the guitar that is apparent in each track. Never too over the top, you will not find any licks or tricks here that are impossible to execute without three hands. The record is approached with thought to the song, as opposed to something to prove and dazzle an attention defunct listener. Bluesy, hard rock and smooth jazz type melodic themes do not struggle for space, but coexist harmoniously—often in the same song. The songs are allowed to breathe and the parts are well thought out to flow nicely into one another.

This is a great sounding recording, with excellent balance, depth and polish, and the drum sounds are particularly impressive, sitting a bit forward in the mix (in a nice way). At times, we wished the guitar was a bit more up front, though. This record is a solid effort, though, and well worth a listen. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Thanks for taking the time to read about what these indusrty professionals are saying about the “Bold Horizon” album.

You can purchase the album by clicking here.

Please feel free to leave a comment below, maybe even a review of your own. I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks,

Drew

Electric guitar, stacked amps, and pedalboard

“Chip Away The Stone”

May 7, 2019

Drew taking a moment to breath…

“100% set up” said Bob, my super friendly restaurant manager. “You need to be 100% set up” I made the “mistake” of going across the hall way, of the little shopping mall, to grab a bagel. It was a good 30 minutes before the restaurant was open for business.. Opps, my bad. I was in my 20’s and feeling rather…undervalued. You see, I was living on my own and needed to pay that rent. Read More

“Bold Horizon”, my most ambitious undertaking thus far.

May 6, 2019

Whew! What a journey! What a struggle…I released my first all instrumental album. It’s out there in the world. I wonder how many sets of strings and tubes and picks one uses when recording an album? Let’s not forget the TWO times that my computer crashed in the process! Well, actually two different computers! Then there were the lost recorded tracks… I have a profound new respect record producers of the world…Anyways, Read More

Tones, Tones, Tones

May 4, 2019

It’s truly an interesting thing, this guitar playing thing. I often joke calling it my “jobby”… There is no real right and wrong when it comes to finding your sound. Some players use the same exact guitar for their entire career while others switch guitars after every song. Some players find that signature sound by using the same amps for a career. Maybe for others, still, it’s a certain drive pedal or delay setting that can cement their sound. Read More

Influences…

May 2, 2019

Influences…

This is one of my favorite things to talk/write about. Let me begin by saying that I have been influenced, molded, sculpted by too many players to possibly name in one little page. I’ve not only been affected by guitar players but also saxophonists, pianists, violinists, trumpet is a big one…Equally, so many genres have moved me in one direction or another. I am a huge fan of classical music and old school Jazz. Most of my “at home” listening is to these worlds. I am influenced by production quality (or lack there of) arrangements, album versions, B sides you name it! Of course I love the visual as well. Micheal Jackson had an amazing package of music and dance and custom. Like most musicians, my ear is always wide open, waiting for that next thing to make me go wow..ok! I love hearing new and unpredictable sounds and combinations of sounds. I think for this post, I will stick to my guitar guys and ladies who have made the biggest impact on me.

A few months ago I was listening to a, new to me, a Chet Atkins tune and realized that I was doing that sort of thing myself. That wouldn’t notable except for the fact that I had never heard this piece before! I quickly realized that it sounded like Eric Johnson (probably my biggest guitar influence). I had learned that specific technique through EJ! That’s how this influence thing flows. That’s so cool!

I have landed in a bit of a strange place, guitar wise, because I love so many genres and styles. Ultimately one has to choose what team they will play for and what position they will occupy. My landing zone is somewhere between the vibe of Hendrix, balls of Van Halen, G3 guitar stars like E.J.and Steve Morse and jazzier/bluesier players like Larry Carlton and Robben Ford all the way to Pat Metheny. It seems like a wide net but it’s about as narrowed as my artistic pallet will allow. Maybe it may be best to list the people that have shaped my sound and direction the most. Not in absolute order: Eric Johnson, Steve Morse, Jimi Hendrix, Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, Steely Dan, Johnny A, Jimmy Page, the Beatles, Pat Metheny, Rik Emmett, Alex Lifeson, Eddie VanHalen, John Petrucci, Randy Rhoads, Nuno Bettencourt, Mike Stern, Steve Vai, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Neal Schon, Yngwie Malmsteen, Vinnie Moore, Joe Pass. Oh yeah, of course there’s Ace Frehley who started it all.

If you haven’t yet, please check out my latest album “Bold Horizon” by clicking on the link below .

Click here to listen to my latest album “Bold Horizon”!

Thanks for taking a few moments to read about my favorite players who have shaped my direction. I would love to hear from you, who are your influences? How did these players change your guitar life?

Drew

Teaching the guitar has been, and still is, an amazing experience.

April 27, 2019

What is more important then sharing music with the next generation? I’m sure that you can probably name quite a few things but you get my drift. I can honestly say that my 22 years of being a guitar instructor has enriched my life untold amounts. It is as exciting to be sitting across from a brand new 9 year old, struggling to balance the instrument, as it is to be jamming with a long time student who has just completed a guitar degree. I am super proud of a number of students who have gone on study the guitar in a university setting or to play in big time bands. The majority of the people that I know, aside form my childhood connections, are all from teaching or from playing in bands. My band “families” are everywhere. No matter where this recording career takes me, I plan to still be giving back to the next up and coming shredders.

I read a post from a really famous guitar star talking about how being a studio guitarist has helped him be well rounded etc. He spoke of the constant growth on his instrument due to the demands of needing to create for so many varied sessions. I think that teaching the guitar has had a similar effect on me. There have been zillions of songs that I never would have touched that have come across my “desk”. Probably the biggest take away is going back to the fundamentals all of the time. Taking people through my own system of learning, refining and improving it every time. Applying it to my own playing and practicing regularly and with purpose. I am still enthusiastic about this aspect of my personal professional guitar career.

If you are interested in reading some student’s reviews or studying with me (Skype/Facetime) please click on the link below and we can try to set something up. Also, keep an eye out for future teaching videos/PDF’s coming soon. I will be sharing some of my methods in a series of individual lessons. Ultimately, the D.B. Guitar School will be launching as well. This will be a full comprehensive video library of my teaching method and of course licks and stylistic applications.

Click here for Skype lessons!

Click here for my latest album “Bold Horizon”!

Please feel free to leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

Drew

Drew’s News & Views, Pittsburgh Tribune Review Article

March 30, 2019

Greensburg guitarist releases solo instrumental album, ‘Bold Horizon’

Click on the link above for the online version with video performance samples! Be sure to stop back to drewbentley.com for sound samples of the album.

Gear!

March 27, 2019

There’s probably not one aspect of guitar playing that’s more fun than gear! Sure it’s amazing to write music and record music and can be an absolute obsession, playing shows in front of expectant audiences, sharing your vision and passion, is obviously what it’s really all about…but…There’s something about the instruments themselves’s that speaks to you. It happens when you experience your first electric guitar up close, or maybe it’s when you first saw a guitar in a magazine or on TV. I still get totally excited when I walk into a music store!

Like a lot of us, I have gone through so much equipment in my career that I could never list it all. I have owned twenty one guitars and let most of them go for various reasons. Some I would still like to get back! I have what I need (pretty much) to make the sounds in my head come out but my wish list is huge! For me it comes down to the Stratocaster sound, Telecaster sound the 335 and the Les Paul, as the four pillars of electric guitar tone. I also like the idea of having one live guitar that can cover all of those bases pretty well. As for amplifiers, again, my wish list is extreme but, for now, I am pretty darn happy with my Fuchs ODS and Carr Slant 6.

Pedals are maybe the most fun of all. There are so many amazing manufacturers that have new pedals coming out seemingly every day but let’s not forget all of the classics that never go out of style. Throw in recording gear, all of the killer tech advances and a whole host of miscellaneous stuff and it’s really pretty incredible.

It’s all in the quest for the very best tone that we can achieve. Everyone of us has a different idea what that means and it may change over time. From the pick to the string/cable/pedalboard/cable/amp/mic/mic cable/preamp/AD conversion/sample rate/etc… the mix/plug ins/outboard gear blending old and new/mastering/format/ it all matters and matters a lot. Technology is catching up with tradition and I’m starting to embrace all of that more and more. At least I’m not at a lose for things to obsess over! lol

Please have a listen to “Bold Horizon” to hear some of these tools in action! Also, feel free to leave a comment, I’d love to have a chat about your gear!!

Guitars

“2016 Anderson Drop Top, Deep Ocean Blue (my live guitar)”

“2014 Anderson Classic, Tobacco Burst”

“2011 Anderson Classic Tobacco Burst”

“2012 Paul Reed Smith SC58 Faded Grey Black”

“2010 Gibson 335 Tobacco Burst”

“Warmoth Telecaster”

“2004 Martin 000C-16RGTE Acoustic”

“2007 Alverez AC60SC Classical”

Amplifiers

2003 Carr Slant 6V

2009 Fuchs ODS30SLX

FUCHS Mini Cab Celestian G12H 30 speaker

The Pedalboard

Trailer Trash Pedal Board. Custom wired by Trailer Trash’s Rooster Olson.

signal chain- Fulltone Clyde Deluxe(wah wah), Hilton Volume Pedal, next 7pedals wired into a Loop Master true bypass strip ,Analog Man Sun Face NKT 275 Red Dot(fuzz face), Peterson Strobostomp 2 (tuner), Xotic EffectsRobotalk 2(envelpoe filter), Sweetsound Mojo Vibe(uni vibe), Trex Comp Nova(compressor), Xotic Effects RC Booster( clean boost),Voodoo Lab Analog Chorus, next 8 pedals wired into a Musicom Labs MK 3 Audio Controller(midi controller) Keely Katana Blues Drive, Analog Man-Ibanez TS9 808 Silver Mod -Tube Screamer(distortion), Rockbox Boiling Point(distortion), Eventide Pitch Factor(harmonizer),Eventide Mod Factor(modulation effects) Eventide Time Factor(delay) Trex Room Mate 2(reverb) Trex Replica(delay in the effects loop of the Fuchs)

4 Evidence Audio Melody cables- from the pedal board to the amps, Mogami Platnum from Pedal Board to guitar.

Having trashed countless pedals, and having multiple pedal board “breakdowns” on stage, I broke down, and built this layout. (see picture) The board was assembled by Trailer Trash Pedalboards. This board runs two amps, has a programable midi controller, and a true bypass strip for the “extras” that I may want to grab. It is hard wired, reliable, and is super quiet.

Fly Rig

Line 6 HX Effects

Miscellaneous guitar gear

THD hotplate

Full Tone Fulldrive 2

Exotic effects AC booster

Voodoo Lab Tremelo

Ernie Ball VPJR

Line 6pod

Line 6 relay G 50 wireless system

Fishman Triple Play

Tone Rite

Digi Tech Trio Plus

Yamaha THR10

Yamaha THR10 Blues

Studio Slips bags,

Mono Double Guitar Bag

Please feel free to leave a comment below or shoot me an email. I love nerdy guitar gear talk!

You can check out my latest album “Bold Horizon” by clicking here!

Drew’s News & Views, “Bold Horizon”

March 23, 2019

Brand New Album “Bold Horizon”

Hello my friend,

I would like to share a few words with you about my brand new album, recently released on February 21st!

Bold Horizon” the title suggests the promise of a brand new day. A chance to do it right this time around. It’s not the past that matters but the promise of an adventure around the corner. I often think of life as driving in the fog, looking out for deer and fallen branches. What if we were able to lift those blinders and see far into the horizon? What if we could rise above our limits and make our visions a reality? Each of us has a plan that we want, in our heart of hearts, to execute. A dream that’s larger than life. The thing that is bigger than ourselves. We don’t think of Paul McCartney as old but as Sir Paul. None of us are truly limited by our physical bodies and life span. Music has an amazing healing and motivating quality. The soundtracks of our lives help to heal us in times of trouble and bring us great joy in times of celebration. “Bold Horizon” is one man’s attempt, a contribution, to add to the collective of music to help heal and celebrate this crazy life.

I set out to make my first solo album with some distinct things in mind. Those of you, who know me well, know that I can be, maybe, a bit intense. I wanted to do an instrumental album, like the ones that I’ve always love listening to. “Passion and Warfare”, “Avia Musicom”, “Blow By Blow”, “High Tension Wires”, to name a few. I have wanted to do this type of record dating back to hearing “Rising Force” for the first time, having been blown away by it, and all of the records that I’ve mentioned. I wanted to infuse a number of musical styles, to use a number of different guitars and pedals and amp combinations. I hoped to capture the best sounds that I could and put my heart into it. I wanted to write interesting arrangements for the pieces, to focus on composition and melody and use the guitar to sing. I can certainly say that I gave it my all. The spirit of the music is meant to be uplifting, encouraging and hopefully will give a little joy to a troubled world. Bold Horizon is dedicated to those who want to embrace a spirit of adventure.

Like to hear some song samples? Just click on the link below, or if your already on the site visit the music page.

https://drewbentley.com/albums/bold-horizon/

$9.99 Digital Download $19.99 CD and digital download!

thank you for your support!

Drew

$19.99 CD and digital download!

thank you for your support!

Drew

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Pittsburgh Tribune Review Article

March 18, 2019

I was honored and excited to get this interview with the Trib! I found that answering multiple questions, at the same time, is hard!lol I am sharing this with you for a few reasons. There are a few short live “play through” clips in the interview and also for maybe a different spin on my “Bold Horizon“ project. The making of it etc…

https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/greensburg-guitarist-releases-solo-instrumental-album-bold-horizon/

Click on the link above for the online version with video performance samples! Be sure to stop by https://drewbentleysongs.com/bold-horizon/ for sound samples of the album!

I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below and I’ll be sure to respond.

Drew

Older News »

News - Classic

“Learn Guitar With Drew” YouTube Guitar Lesson Channel!

Official “Bold Horizon” Album Reviews

“Chip Away The Stone”

“Bold Horizon”, my most ambitious undertaking thus far.

Tones, Tones, Tones

Influences…

Teaching the guitar has been, and still is, an amazing experience.

Drew’s News & Views, Pittsburgh Tribune Review Article

Gear!

Guitars

Amplifiers

The Pedalboard

Fly Rig

Miscellaneous guitar gear

Drew’s News & Views, “Bold Horizon”

Pittsburgh Tribune Review Article