www.nextlevelguitar.com Click thelink above to receive free exclusive videos, newsletters, and lots more free guitar and music goodies from Next Level Guitar. In this beginner video lesson we teach how to play an easy and fun 12 bar acoustic blues. You can play this on acoustic or electric - lots of fun and easy - check it out! Many more full on video lessons as well as a FREE 3-day all access site pass at the full on video instructional website at: www.nextlevelguitar.com

Yummy… ever in search of smaller and more delectable tube amps for my guitar-playing pleasure, I came across this video over on Fender’s website this morning and just wanted to share it here. It’s a short but tantalizing demonstration of Fender’s newly reissued 5-watt tweed ‘57 Champ, paired with the company’s sexy Custom Shop La Cabronita Especial.

Unfortunately, my pocketbook says it’s time to stop bleeding-out, but honestly, great big sound from a tiny amp is my holy grail, and that 57 Champ’s got a lot of tone for such a small piece of equipment. I’ll be keeping an eye out to see what kind of deals appear on these little hand-wired beauties. They’re currently selling for just under $1,000. Way out of my price range.

The Custom Shop La Cabronitas are currently fetching a princely $5,000… anybody tried one yet? I’d be interested to hear your opinion –– they appear to be in short supply in these parts.

Care to comment?

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Crystal Bowersox on “American Idol” last week

Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

This is the week we’ve all been waiting for. Following Tuesday and Wednesday night’s performances, we will be down to season nine’s top 12, and the competition on “American Idol” will start to get serious.

After last week’s surprise switcheroo due to Crystal Bowersox’s illness, the remaining 12 ladies served up a mixed bag of good, bad and eh on Wednesday night. Lilly Scott and Siobhan Magnus proved to be suddenly strong competition for Bowersox, who stormed back from her undisclosed ailment to regain her spot as the woman to beat this year.

So what do the rest of the ladies need to do to win the hearts — and ears — of the nation? How can they get enough votes to avoid landing in the bottom two? Here’s what we do (and don’t) want to see from these “Idol” hopefuls, starting with those who need the most work.

Didi Benami
It feels like this once-promising singer has seriously lost her way. After ditching the thing that got her to the big show (i.e., sensitive singer/songwriter material with a jazzy twist), Benami was undone by a hard-to-watch warble through the Bill Withers soul classic “Lean on Me.” Didi would be wise to dig into the Lily Allen or Corinne Bailey Rae songbook to get back into the game.

Paige Miles
The judges have told Miles she has the strongest voice in the competition this year, but so far, she’s failed to make much of an impression personality-wise. Last week, Kara DioGuardi faulted her for smiling through a cover of Kelly Clarkson’s “Walk Away,” dissing Miles for not getting the angry mood of the song right. And she should know — she co-wrote it! She needs to put the coloring books away and bite off a meaty Alicia Keys song that will allow her to open up and show some serious emotion.

Katie Stevens
This teenager needs to find her inner child. After weeks of going too old, Stevens is in danger of losing her spot if she doesn’t show the panel that she could be a youthful, contemporary artist. She tried to display her younger side by singing Bailey Rae’s signature “Put Your Records On,” but even that didn’t work because the judges said it felt too unfocused and bland, with Simon Cowell suggesting she needed a bit more time to figure out what kind of artist she wants to be. Unless Stevens can smash it with a convincing tumble through a Katy Perry or Rihanna song, she might be back in her old classroom next week.

Lacey Brown
Proving you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t, Brown followed the judges’ advice and performed Sixpence None the Richer’s “Kiss Me” — and they didn’t like it. In order to stick around, she needs the kind of signature moment Magnus provided with her Aretha Franklin power note, so this week’s selection should focus on displaying her range and originality.

Siobhan Magnus
Has one note ever meant so much? Magnus, this year’s token quirky girl, could very well have stamped her ticket to the top 12 last week thanks to that massive wail at the end of her version of Franklin’s “Think.” Now, Magnus just has to keep surprising the judges and audience to stay in the running. Luckily, she hasn’t painted herself into a genre corner so far and has displayed an indie-leaning sensibility, so she’s free to try out anything on the charts, from Lady Gaga to Owl City.

Katelyn Epperly
The judges weren’t crazy about Epperly’s slow take on Coldplay’s “The Scientist,” but America gave it a thumbs-up and she made it to sing another day. She should strap the guitar back on this week and give us a new twist on a contemporary singer/songwriter, perhaps even putting some jazz into a Taylor Swift tune.

Lilly Scott
Scott is on a roll. She nailed her Beatles cover two weeks ago, gave another solid performance with Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” last week, again proving that while she may not have the best voice, she’s got a unique stage presence and memorable delivery. It would be great to see her sit at a piano this week and rework a contemporary ballad, say something from Muse or Carrie Underwood.

Crystal Bowersox
At this point, it’s Crystal’s game to lose. She’s proven she can kill it with classic-rock tunes, thanks to a very strong gospel-tinged rendition of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Long as I Can See the Light,” but this week might be her chance to tackle a newer artist and prove that she can be relevant now. A Jack Johnson song might do the trick.

What do you want to see from the girls on Tuesday night? Who do you hope steps up their game this week? Let us know below!

Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page, where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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Notorious B.I.G.

Photo: MTV News

Tuesday (March 9) is a day not to mourn, but to celebrate the life and legacy of one of music’s most gifted artists: the Notorious B.I.G.

His voice, his flow, his rhymes, his swag — whatever you wanted, B.I.G. had it to offer. He could tell stories, battle it out, ignite the party or kick game to the ladies. Christopher Wallace was made for rap.

We didn’t get much time with Biggie. He put out his first album in 1994, and he died in early 1997 before the release of his second LP (Life After Death). Due to his work ethic, however, we have a catalog of timeless music that is often imitated, never duplicated. As mesmerizing as a Biggie song was, part of his allure as an artist was his charming personality. He’s a rare breed that could capture the wit and magnetism in his offstage persona and bring it to his music.

Here, we are taking you back into our vaults to relive Biggie’s best MTV interviews. He was candid and thoughtful as he spoke about the inspiration for his music, his stage performance and much more.

On Tuesday night, Diddy is going to celebrate the life of his friend and marquee artist at Brooklyn club the Lab.

“We’re trying to make March 9th a national hip-hop holiday,” Diddy told MTV News last week. “It already is, on the low. MTV is going to have a big special. We’re doing a party. I’m going to Brooklyn. It’s gonna be the first time I’m throwing a party in Brooklyn. I’m from Harlem. Everybody in Harlem knows you don’t usually go over the bridge to Brooklyn. It’s a big, big deal. Me being such a Harlemite, I’m going over there to pay respect to my man. It’s gonna be a big party in Brooklyn with Mister Cee. It’s a big day. It’s a day to celebrate his life. It’s a day to celebrate the life of the man. We done did the movie, the records. It’s something that, I guess, as a label we’re obsessed with: making sure people don’t forget about this man in a positive way. March 9 is Biggie Day. … Bump Biggie all day, feel good and positive.”

On Tuesday, MTV Jams will be playing videos by B.I.G. and a slew of other fallen musical soldiers, such as Michael Jackson, Tupac Shakur, Aaliyah, Big Pun, the Lost Boyz and their deceased member Freaky Tah and Camoflauge. This week’s “Sucker Free Sunday” on MTV2 is running a special tribute to Biggie, hosted by Diddy.

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Lil Wayne

Photo: Louis Lanzano/AP

Shortly after Lil Wayne turned himself in to serve his yearlong prison sentence, the superstar MC’s absence could be felt, both online — where Weezy had been busy tweeting and posting videos in recent weeks — and on the street.

“It’s messed up looking at his situation, being a role model,” Wince Aubrey, 32, told MTV News. “But he got caught red-handed, so he’s being a man and owning up to his responsibility. He’s gonna be missed.”

Lil Wayne’s sentencing had been delayed a number of times, first for dental surgery he required and then once again after a fire occurred at the courthouse last week. But on Monday, the rapper was formally sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to attempted gun possession. The New Orleans native will now call Rikers Island his home at least until November, when he could be released after eight months for serving his jail stint with good behavior.

“Wow, that really sucks,” MTV.com reader Courtney wrote. “I think that this is so stupid. … He is a good artist and donates a lot of money to charities. I hope he gets out early!!!”

“DAMN! So, finally he’s gone,” Superman commented online. “Stay strong, Weezy. Best rapper alive.”

But not all fans were saddened by the departure of the nearly ubiquitous hip-hop star.

George Asatrian, 21, argued that Lil Wayne won’t be missed too much. “Hip-hop won’t be affected too much by him going to jail,” he told MTV News. “Because he probably has so much music to last, and I think he has enough people under him who will hold him down until he comes back.”

Brooklynite Angel Velasquez said that even though the rapper’s sentence is short, it will still be challenging. But he cautioned about too much hype surrounding Lil Wayne’s imprisonment. “It’s not all about Weezy,” he said. “There’s a lot more entertainers out there.”

What do you think about Lil Wayne’s jail time? Will you miss the rapper while he’s out of the public eye? Let us know below!

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www.nextlevelguitar.com Click thelink above to receive free exclusive videos, newsletters, and lots more free guitar and music goodies from Next Level Guitar. In this beginner video lesson we teach how to dress up your playing to sound more interesting and different by using new techniques, new strums, and new chords - check it out. Many more full on video lessons as well as a FREE 3-day all access site pass at the full on video instructional website at: www.nextlevelguitar.com

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This is a sample of The Beatles - Blackbird guitar lesson found at totallyguitars.com. Visit the site for this and many more acoustic guitar lessons. Don’t forget to check out our acoustic guitar member community in the forum as well as our free guitar lessons and TARGET Program.