As we age or have a major surgery, playing guitar or a heavy bass can take its toll on our body. Even when I was young, I’d get shoulder fatigue after being on stage for hours at a time. Finding the most comfortable guitar straps involves going through the motions like many players. I’ve tried […]
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Are you having a hard time getting a decent guitar sound? And, even if you aren’t this lesson is for you. Actually, this lesson is for every guitarist no matter what level. Most of my gigs (lately) have a backline (music lingo for amps, PA and drums) that is provided by the club or event […]
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For those of you that have read some of my previous posts you may recognize that I frequently refer back to my formative years hanging out at the music store. I’d reference the older players and teachers and their conversations. As I look back at those times I wonder what my guitar and music life […]
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You know that playing the guitar is cool. But, after your first lesson and practice session, you feel everything but cool. You’ve probably watched endless YouTube videos of classic guitar heroes (Hendrix, Van Halen, Satriani, Vai, Clapton, SRV, are the first that come to mind) plus the internet sensations; or, as I like to call […]
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Tablature, or TAB, has been around since the catgut-flailing, knicker-wearing fretheads of the Renaissance. Not much has changed; I mean, yeah, we traded catgut (or rather sheep intestines that were used for strings) to steel, that weird-shaped lute for a neon-colored, solid-body with a whammy bar and knickers for spandex. But, a musical shorthand that helped […]
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The fingerstyle guitar technique is used in every style of music and if you’re looking to explore this technique or searching for some warm-up exercises then you’ve come to the right place. In this article we’re going to take a look at 24 essential patterns that will help you develop the right-hand coordination skills to […]
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This article is a great place for beginners to begin their journey into the world of chords—the main ingredient needed for playing songs. We’ll begin with a couple of chords that are not only used in “Sweet Home Alabama,” but also used in tens of thousands of songs. Then we’ll talk about strumming and counting. […]
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I’m a big fan of songs and songwriting; but, there are so many elements that make up a song: verses, choruses, bridges, ramps, intros, outros, hooks, titles, lyrics, etc. Making it difficult for aspiring songwriters to know where and how to begin. In this series of articles (4 to be exact), we’re gonna talk about songwriting […]
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My early lessons were scheduled on a weekly basis at the local music store. However, I would go there every chance that I could, hang out, thumb through the guitar magazines and eavesdrop on the conversations of the older and more experienced players. They would mention guitarists and music styles that I’d never heard of. […]
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“No self-respecting rock guitarist, can consider himself a bonafide rock guitarist, if he can’t play the blues.” I remember as a teenager watching a rock and roll television special that, for its closing segment, featured B.B. King playing “Sweet Home Chicago” with a lineup of famous rock guitarists. There must’ve been more than a dozen […]
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