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Buying
- Buying
A Guitar
- By Michael Casamento
The advantages and disadvantages of buying a vintage
guitar over a later model reissue.
- Jazz
On A Budget - By Jon Dalton
Learn how to purchase a guitar and amp to suit
your budget
- Shopping
For A Guitar Amplifier
- By Michael Casamento
Covers the important factors someone needs to consider
when shopping for a guitar amplifier. The article defines the
different types of amps, and the advantages of each.
- The
Revolution of Electric Guitars
- By Kathy Unruh
Sometime during the 1930's electric guitars were
introduced onto the music scene, which began a revolution in sound
and technology that continues to this day. After Rock and Roll
was born in the 1950's, it didn't take very long for electric
guitars to grow in popularity and become one of the most coveted
instruments of all time.
Health
- Musician's
Injuries - By Jean Littman
For many musicians, repetitive movement injuries are more feared
than stage fright or an unresponsive audience. If they are also
heavy computer users, their risks are further compounded.
- Musicians
Injuries - By Linda Dessau
This article takes a look at musicians' injuries. For an expert
perspective, I interviewed Dr. Sarah Mickeler, B.Mus., D.C. Dr.
Mickeler is a former professional musician and a chiropractor
who concentrates on musicians' injuries in her practice.
Maintenance
-
String
Problems At Outdoor Gigs? -
By Professor String
Playing
an outdoor gig can be fun. Most guitarists spend their time
playing and practicing indoors. So, when the opportunity arises
to get some outside fresh air and sunshine, many guitarists
will jump on it.
-
Guitar
Tuning Tips
- By Edward Cupler
Most new guitar players and even some experienced
ones have trouble staying and playing in tune. I'll try listing
here some of the common mistakes and there solutions.
-
How
To Change Your Guitar Strings
- By Kathy Unruh
Changing your guitar strings might make you feel
a litte uncomfortable if you have never done it before, but
it's really quite simple and should become a regular part of
your guitar care routine.
-
The
Secrets of Correctly Stringing Your Guitar - By Thomas
Freeland
Why do you care about stringing your guitar you
may ask. Well the reason is simple. It will make you sound better
because if your guitar is properly strung, you will get longer
natural sustain.
Masterclass
- Take
A Breath, Listen To The Spaces - By Chris Standring
As jazz guitarists, there is a terrible tendency
for us to play a lot of notes, firstly because the genre historically
has given us permission to do so, and second, archtop jazz guitars
don't generally lend themselves to sustaining notes, so in order
to 'get over', guitarists fall into the trap of overplaying
- Creative
Music Tools - Why Licks? Why Not?
- By Mark Stefani
Great lines (including bass) plus great progressions equals great
music. It's not all that unbelievable when you think about it.
- Maintaining
Your Focus
- By Mark Stefani
What is a high priority goal as opposed to a low priority goal?
Ah, that's a very tough question, because it differs from player
to player, and is highly dependent on what stage you're already
at, and where you're trying to go with your music.
- How
To Avoid Musical Burn Out - By Tom Hess
Do you sometimes find it difficult to stay focused
and motivated to practice or play music? Most musicians I know
(including myself) have had at least one significant period in
their lives when they have experienced musical burn out - a general
feeling of being uninspired, unmotivated, bored, or just plain
lazy!
- Emotion
In Music - Passing The 'Soul Test' - By Mark Stefani
Self-expression. Feeling. Soul. These are just
three ways of describing the one most integral part of a musical
experience, and without these elements of emotion there's really
nothing of lasting significance in a performance. As I've said
many times in the past, it's so easy to get caught up in the mental
or physical side of what we do, but they're utterly meaningless
without the most important ingredient of all.
- The
Pursuit Of Artistic Greatness
- By Tom Hess
The Pursuit of Artistic Greatness has been among
us for thousands of years, yet it has eluded most of us. It seems
almost impossible to pursue that which we can hardly define.(artistic
greatness). It's not surprising so many people, who may possess
all the potential they need, still fall short because they didn't
realize they already possessed the single most important element.
But what is it?
- How
To Develop Your Own Style Part 1 - By Tom Hess
Among musicians in general and guitar players specifically,
the approach that is commonly taken to being "original" is often
crippling, oppressing, unnatural. This is why so many people only
seem to struggle and become frustrated.
- How
To Develop Your Own Style Part 2
- By Tom Hess
Some musicians rely heavily on the crutch of their instrument
through improvising. While I do know that creating music in this
way is perfectly legitimate and can produce good results in some
situations, it is the most difficult process in which we can hope
to discover our own originality.
- Thoughts
From A Robben Ford Masterclass - By Chris Standring
An artist becomes a truly great artist when he
or she is thinking about their own music and how to make it unique.
The struggle for an identifiable and distinctive voice becomes
the number one goal.
- Take
Command Over Your Instrument - By Chris Standring
"What do you really want to say musically?
Play a phrase and damn well mean it! Every note from beginning
to end!"
- How
To Seriously Improve Your Guitar Playing - By Chris
Standring
There are bedroom guitar players and there are
live performers. There doesn't seem to be anything in between.
The minute you walk on to a stage (whether you get paid or not)
you are a professional. You are in the business of entertaining
and displaying your wares, so to speak. And if you really want
to seriously get your guitar playing together it is the latter
you need to strive for in my opinion.
- Developing
Good 'Time' -
By Chris Standring
How
do we approach improving our 'time'? Well first, it is extremely
important that we are aware that it is one of the most important
aspects of music. At all levels, we need to work on this.
- Playing
With Conviction - By Chris Standring
Imagine you are in a club or even a concert hall.
Play a musical phrase and imagine that the people in the back
of the theater need to "feel" that phrase, just like
you mean to feel it. How would you do that?
- Building
A Relationship With Your Guitar By Chris Standring
To become a wonderful guitarist takes time. This
article addresses the idea that positive results often happen
in their own time and that we must let things ebb and flow, just
like a healthy relationship.
- Defining
the True Artist - Do You Have What It Takes?
By Chris Standring
Great artists are uniquely different from the norm.
But what makes those true greats really stand out from the crowd?
This article explains why real talent is so elusive to many and
what musicians need to focus on in order to reach dizzying heights
of success.
- Reaching
For The Soul Zone
By Chris Standring
That Zen like trancendental state is what all serious
searching musicians are striving for. The question is; why is
it not always possible to get there? This article answers that
question and presents some thoughts on the subject.
- The
Art Of Improvising Part 1 - By Mark Stefani
The focus for this trio of brief articles is improvisation. My
intention here is to offer something concrete in the way of a
solid game plan, underlining some of the more important considerations
along the way. As with any other kind of approach philosophy,
the main goal is to 'cut some fat' from your practice schedule
and help you streamline your efforts in becoming the best soloist
that you can.
- The
Art Of Improvising Part 2 - By Mark Stefani
Despite
my general disdain for the fact that so many players and teachers
overemphasize scale practice, I'd be the last person on earth
to suggest that you skip the notion of including them in your
improvising arsenal. But let's spend a few moments defining the
most important scales to know, and why.
- The
Art Of Improvising Part 3
- By Mark Stefani
Yes, I know. I've heard the line before. Improvisation
is all about being spontaneous and creating 'on the fly.' A great
soloist never repeats himself. Right? Well, yes and no. While
it's certainly true that you want to be spontaneous, what you're
really after is the ability to play well at the same time.
- The
Secrets Of Transcribing Part 1 - By Mark Stefani
One of the biggest factors in successful transcription is familiarity
with either a style or an artist, so you may wish to choose a
project based on your desire to evolve within a certain style,
or your desire to absorb as much as you can from an artist that
you admire.
- The
Secrets Of Transcribing Part 2 -
By Mark Stefani
I'm
not about to lie to you. There's inherently a pretty high frustration
factor involved with transcription, sometimes to the degree where
it keeps a player away from doing it at all (which is a big mistake!).
- The
Secrets Of Transcribing Part 3
- By Mark Stefani
Don't even consider picking up your pencil until you can play
what you're going to attempt to notate. And by the way, use a
pencil (not a pen) with an "industrial strength" eraser. Accept
the fact that you're going to make a lot of mistakes until you
get good at this.
- Lost
In Time
- By Jamie Andreas
When you play your guitar, you must be able to
become "lost in time", lost in NOW. There must be no concern for
a future that takes your Attention out of the NOW.
- Learning
From The Masters
- By Aaron J. Weibe
In
October, I was able to get in touch with Pat Martino. He spends
a lot of time touring, so getting together with him took a few
tries. I have been well aware of Pat Martino for quite a long
time and I am well aware of his exceptional ability as a musician.
My lesson with him was on January 4th, 2007 at his home in Philadelphia.
Motivation
- Inspiration
- Go Grab It - By Chris Standring
We all get discouraged from time to time in our
musical journey. It's only natural. "Mom, can I get a
guitar for my birthday? - I really want to learn how to play guitar"
- is often how it begins. Then lessons start and it's just all
too much for many and most give up. This is the first 'wheat from
the chaff' separation.
- Humility
In Music
- By Mark Stefani
It's kind of funny. No one that I know really likes
or appreciates someone who comes across egotistically, even if
they can "back up the talk" with their acquired skill. Yet there's
a fine line between being perceived as egotistical and being perceived
as confident, and the case can clearly be made that the best and
most successful musicians are those who exude confidence with
a healthy ego.
- Are
You A Bad Student? - By Tom Hess
I wasted years of valuable time, thousands
of dollars and much frustration in my pursuit to become a great
guitarist and "make it" as a professional musician. If I knew
then what I know now, I might have been able to turn pro a lot
faster than I actually did.
- Keeping
It Simple
- By Mark Stefani
Simplicity. Such a basic concept, but one that
manages to elude so many people in so many ways, and never is
this more evident than in the field of music. I'd like to spend
this edition discussing this basic issue, and explain why I feel
that it's so important to never lose sight of this proven formula
for success.
- Assessing
Your Goals
-
By Mark Stefani
Goals, goals, goals. Anyone who knows me is aware
of the fact that I'm a goal-driven person by nature, regardless
of what the particular quest may be. Of course, I'm not exactly
the only individual with a fondness for setting goals, but I am
routinely reminded of how important it is to have our priorities
aligned properly, if we wish to fulfill them.
- Inspiration
Wanted - Apply Within! By Chris Standring
Every musician goes through mental road blocks
when it comes to improving. Often we just don't know what we should
be working on. This article shows you where to find all the inspiration
you need to get to that next level.
-
Climb
Every Mountain - By Jamie Andreas
Every
piece of music you work on is its own mountain. It is easy to
get 80% of the way up the mountain, any interested party can do
that. Closing in on that last 20%, well, that separates the men
from the boys, as they say.
- Fire
& Inspiration
- By Tom Hess
Find
out what truly inspires you to want to play music, write music,
jam with your friends, etc. Whatever it is for you, go there and
marinate in that inspiration. Get your mind in that place and
focus on it.
- If
You Believe, You Can
- By Tom Hess
If you believe that you can, and will, overcome
your greatest challenges, you will find a way, or you will seek
help from a teacher, trainer, coach or mentor that will help you
through it. If you don’t believe you can achieve, your done, it’s
over, because you won’t.
- The
80/20 Law - By
Tom Hess
Have
you ever noticed how some players, who practice less, seem to
make more progress than others who practice more? That can be
really frustrating for people in the second group.
- Take
The Test - by Tom Hess
On the surface, it may seem too simple or too obvious how one
can define one's purpose and reasons behind an ultimate goal.
I assure you it is not.
- Develop
Your Vision - By Craig Bassett
Guitarists...Want to learn how to maintain your
focus and motivation? This guitar lesson tells you THE most powerful
way!
- Natural
Talent - By Jamie Andreas
Having "talent" is not the primary factor in whether
or not you will become a good or great player. Your burning desire
and desperate need to play, coupled with the correct understanding
and approach, are the most important things you must have.
Performance
- The
Importance Of Having A Repertoire
- By Jamie Andreas
The reason many players don't have a repertoire
is: 1) Nobody told them how important it is, and 2) Nobody told
them how to GET one, 3) it is EASIER to leave things half finished,
in pieces, than to put it together.
- Express
Yourself By Tom Hess
Virtually any process you use to create music
is valid. However the typical way in which guitarists try to create
is very limiting and, even worse, tends not to work well for descriptive
self expressive purposes.
- Performing,
What's the Big Deal? - By Linda
Dessau
Symptoms of performance anxiety (stage fright)
include "butterflies" in the stomach, quickened heart
rate or more severe symptoms such as hyperventilation, dizziness
or intense fear. This article looks at the five main reasons for
performance anxiety.
Practice
- The
Art Of Practicing - How To See Real Results By
Chris Standring
Learning to play an instrument can be a chore.
More importantly the process can be completely overwhelming to
many. This article discusses how to put the fun back into practice
and shows how you can see fast results.
- An
Analysis Of 'Suck' - By Tom Hess
"The
greatest players are not great because they were naturally talented.
In every case, truly great players become great because their
practice habits are effective!"
- Discover
Your Discomfort By
Jamie Andreas
There
are a few things that are always true when we are unable to play
something we want to play on the guitar.
- Your
Growth As A Guitarist: Vertical Or Horizontal
- By Jamie Andreas
When
we learn how to really practice, we start to feel powerful. Problems
and challenges don't frighten us, they excite us. Because we know
that we can look forward to those problems getting smaller and
smaller, weaker and weaker, as we continue to apply The Principles
of Correct Practice.
- The
Secret Of Speed - By Jamie Andreas
The relative state of tension or relaxation in the muscles is
one of the hardest things to be aware of. I once saw a person
play with so much tension in her right shoulder that it was up
to her earlobe!
- The
Glue Of Repetition
- By Jamie Andreas
Once
you understand the mechanics of correct practice, including the
mental, emotional and physical aspects of the process, the most
powerful tool you can use when you sit down to practice is what
I call the Glue Of Repetition, and this glue is applied with another
tool, one that every student I have ever taught is required to
get, and learn how to use properly: a metronome.
- How
To Nail A Solo
- By Jamie Andreas
First
of all, we must have the basics of practice approach down, and
a proper foundation to our technique. If we do not know how to
teach our fingers anything, and as a result, all of our past efforts
in practice have given us a tension filled and handicapped pair
of hands, then we are like crippled people trying to run a marathon.
- Get
A Balanced Practice Diet -
By Craig Bassett
In this guitar lesson you'll learn how to structure
your guitar practice in THE most effective way!
- Guitar
Practicing or Guitar Playing?
- By Edward Cupler
Just because you’re holding your guitar doesn’t
mean that you’re playing it, and just because you’re
playing your guitar doesn’t mean that you’re practicing.
There is a real difference and it needs to be acknowledged if
you want to improve your level of playing skill.
- Managing
Your Time, When Music Isn't Your "Day Job"
By Linda Dessau
You CAN do everything. What you cannot do, however,
is do everything at the same time, or create a day that’s
longer than 24 hours.
- Music
Practice Techniques For Learning repertory
- By Elan Chalford
Several specific practice techniques are described
for making it easier and faster to learn new music repertory.
- When
Does Practice Make Perfect?
- By Lee Tribbey
So you have gotten a musical instrument as a gift,
right? Now what??
Professional
- How
to beat the competition in a freelance music world
- By Andre Berry
Want to be a successful touring sideman? Avoid
all the pitfalls from day one. Hear it from one of the busiest
touring pros in the US.
- Are
You Unique? By Kyle Hicks
Have you ever asked yourself or been asked by other
people questions like these: "What does my music have that really
makes it different and unique from anyone else's?" or "What sets
you apart from every other musician out there trying to make a
name for themselves?" Well, if you are like me, then you have
not only had these questions come up, but put much time and thought
into them while trying to prove and understand what really separates
you from everyone else.
- Jealousy
Among Musicians - By Linda Dessau
Jealousy – do you feel it? Do you sense it
in others? Does it hinder your relationships with other musicians?
Does it sap your confidence? Does it block your creativity? Here
are some questions to help you get clearer about the jealousy
in your life.
Recording
- The
Challenges Of Recording Solo Acoustic Guitar
By Chris Standring
Recording solo acoustic guitar in its exposed isolated
form can present some technical issues for sure. This article
looks at this challenging procedure and shows you things to watch
out for.
Songwriting
- Songwriting
Part One
- By Tom Hess
Any single songwriting process will be limiting.
You must really work hard to squeeze as much out of a single process
as possible. Of course having multiple processes is better than
having only one.
- The
Art of Writing a Good Song
- By Kathy Unruh
Did you know that good songwriting is often the
key to establishing a successful music career? But more than that,
it can be fun! When you write a song you are able to express yourself
in new and creative ways. Whether you're sad, happy, angry, or
in love... with words, you can fly!
- Writing
Original Songs? Part One
-
By Mark Stefani
If
a 36-inch yardstick represents all the theory that you could ever
imagine, you'll only need 6 inches of it to compose any song you'll
ever write. But you WILL need those 6 inches!
- Writing
Original Songs? - Part Two - By Mark Stefani
Structure and
organization. Yes, these traits most certainly exist in all successful
compositions that you're likely to hear. You'll do well to observe
what they are and pattern your song after a formula that your
listeners are inclined to be drawn to.
- Writing
Original Songs? Part Three
- By
Mark Stefani
In
almost all circumstances stylistically, the most potent note for
the bass role is simply the root. This means the note C on a C
chord, the note D on a D chord, and so on.
Teaching
- Finding
The Right Teacher By Chris Standring
Finding the right music teacher can be tricky. This article shows
you how.
- Teaching
By Travel Brochure By Jamie Andreas
Don't assume your student is even LISTENING
to you when you speak. Often, they are not. And THAT must be addressed,
before the subject you are trying to communicate is addressed.
Theory
- Modal
Theory for Guitar Players
- By Simon Duff
An overview of the construction of the modes of
the major scale for guitar players. Part 1 deals with the modes,
Part 2 deals with the harmonization of the modes, giving you the
chords to construct your own vamps to practice along with.
- Test
Your Note Knowledge - By Craig Bassett
How well do you know the notes on the guitar fretboard?
This guitar lesson shows you a way to know for sure!
- What
is Guitar Tablature
- By Dean Erickson
Guitar tablature or guitar sheet music can be found
online for free and if you don't know how to read it or play it
there are free guitar lessons online, too.
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