"What is Musician War"?
Musician War is an interactive web site that puts you up against an opponent in a musically intriguing, yet educational and fun "war" of musicianship. This site will teach you (through interaction with other members with our message board), style, finesse, recording and gear techniques, as well as meeting other fantastic musicians involved with the site.
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"Who started Musician War"?
Musician War was started by some people from GuitarTricks.com in 1999. You can read all about the history of Musician War here.
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"Why can't I hear anything when I click on a sound file in the war section?"
All the sound files on Musician War use MP3 file format. Most versions of Windows have a Windows media player that will play these files once they are clicked and downloaded. However, if you can't hear a file, we suggest downloading a player from one of the sites below. Musician War highly recommends either the Windows Media Player (http://www.microsoft.com) or the WinAmp player (http://www.winamp.com).
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"How do I interact with other members?"
Our Message Board is great place to communicate with our members. Messages here will be read by everyone on the site. This is a good place to ask your technical questions to the others, or ask advice. This board is moderated and you will be dealt with accordingly or banned if the use of profanity, or insults occur. A heated discussion or the occasional argument are all good things and happen in everyday life. But public humiliation and name-calling will not be tolerated.
There are also message boards on every war that takes place. Use these to compliment or give advice to competitors of that war. Constructive criticism in a professional manner is welcomed, but harsh comments or bashing is not allowed and will not be tolerated. If you can't say anything constructive, or aren't sure what you're talking about, simply vote and go about your business. Remember we have beginner players on this site that need instruction and encouragement.
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"What are the competition rules?"
In order for a game to be full, fair and fun, it needs rules. Ours are posted here. Each member is responsible for knowing the rules.
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"What is a challenge war?"
A challenge war is a customized competition created by one member to challenge others. A challenge war can have specifications about the instrument used, the style of music played, the backing track and the judging criteria for the customized contest.
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"What is a grudge match war?"
A grudge match is a personal challenge from one member to another. The member on the left side posted an entry with custom challenge rules and personally challenged the player on the right side to a competition based on those rules.
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"What is a skill matched war?"
A skill matched war is an open challenge from one member to any other member with a similar win/loss average. The challenger is matched up with any player whose average is +/-.125 of the challenger's average. For example, if player A has an average of .500, he will be matched up with any player whose average is between .375 and .625. If player A has a 0.000 average or has never competed before, player A will be matched up with any player between 0.000 and .250.
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"What is sweep picking and what are the requirements for this war?"
Sweep picking is a technique used by jazz players, fusion players and rock players. The "sweep" or "rake" effect is done with the right hand (if right handed) picking in a one motion down then up raking of the strings while palm muting. Example. When this right hand technique is applied to a chord structure like this E Minor example, you get this effect: Example. The requirements of this war are that the sweep technique must be used partially or entirely throughout your recorded piece. If you can't sweep pick, don't enter a piece in this war that doesn't have this technique. Sweep Picking techniques in full examples can be heard in our Sweep Picking war section.
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"What is tapping and what are the requirements for this war?"
Tapping has been around for years, but was made most recognizable (in my opinion) by Eddie VanHalen. It is a 2 hand technique that simulates that of a fast saxophone solo when played fast and accurately. Tapping is achieved by fingering notes on the left hand, and tapping (instead of picking) and pulling off on the right hand. This is an example of a basic tap. Once you have the basic tap technique down, you can move onto more advanced taps by using scales like this example. The requirements for this war are the piece must showcase the tapping technique partially or fully throughout the created piece. If you can't tap, don't enter a piece in this war that doesn't have this technique. Tapping techniques used in full can be heard in our Tapping war section.
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"How do I know if I qualify for Pro War?"
Pro War is intended to provide a forum for professional guitarists to compete in Guitar War without unfairly pitting them against amateur players.
Only members with a .500 average after 10 wars can compete in Pro War. If you are elegible, your personal section ("Your House") will present you with the option to enter Pro War.
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"Can I use an electric clean guitar in the Acoustic Melee?"
Absolutely not. This war is for acoustic guitars only and you will be disqualified if an electric is used. Effects and acoustic electric guitars are welcomed, but our members and we can tell if a full electric was used. If there is a doubt in your mind that the piece doesn't sound "acoustic" enough, do not submit it.
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"What is a backing track and do I need this?"
Backing tracks are used as accompaniment (bass, drums, keys, rhythm parts for you to solo over) to your piece which sometimes gives the listener more pleasure, and will definitely increase your chances of winning if you add one. There are various sites that offer backing tracks, and the use of these pieces is acceptable as long as you state which parts you did not play. An example: "I used the backing track called 'Fly' that I downloaded from a site. I played the lead guitar on the piece and added some drums." For originality purposes, and true authenticity of your piece, making up your own backing track is the best way to show your true self in your piece as well as gain the belief from the others on that site that it is indeed you!
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"What about copyright?"
Musician War makes no claim against your copyright. We will never redistribute your material beyond this site in any form without your express permission.
Your responsiblity is to only post material for which you are the copyright holder. The full copyright policy is found here.
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"How do I sign up?"
You can sign up with our online sign up form here. Members pay monthly dues to support the ongoing operation of the Musician War site. See the sign up form for rates and available payment options.
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"How do I cancel my membership?"
Log in with your user id and password and go to Your House. There you will find a link to cancel your membership.
Member dues already paid are non-refundable.
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"How does monthly credit card billing work?"
Recurring account billing happens on the 5, 15th or 25th of the month, depending on when in the month you signed up.
| Signup Day of Month | Rebill Day of Month |
| 1st - 10th | 10th |
| 11th - 20th | 20th |
| 21st - 31th | 28th |
When you cancel, your account expires a month after your last payment. In some cases, you will get a few extra days when you cancel.
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"What happens to my AKA name if I cancel my membership?"
Some members leave and come back (going to school, army service, etc.). If you let your membership expire, Musician War will reserve your AKA name and login information for at least six months. Just come back when you are ready for more.
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"How do I contact Musician War?"
Contact Musician War at
Musician War
2625 Alcatraz Avenue, #311
Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 991 - 7379
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