There are a couple of keys that are very popular with guitarists: the keys of G, E, A and D. These keys feature lots of open string chords and sound great whether they are played in a group with two guitars or just a solo acoustic guitar. Because these keys are so popular it’s important to know how to play creative solos in these keys; not just the tired old major or minor pentatonic scale patterns. Read more »
Imagine this scenario …
There’s a great vibe in the room the band is pumping out a hot version of “Sweet Home Alabama” and the crowd is lovin’ it and everything is sounding sweet. It’s your chance for an outrageous guitar solo you step into the spotlight. Your favorite Fender Telecaster’s humming. What could possibly go wrong? Read more »
Do you spend hours trying to learn songs only to be frustrated yet again when you next pick up the guitar to find that you have forgotten the song(s) you have spent countless hours trying to memorize? If so, you are not on your own. 95% of newbie guitarists feel exactly the same way.
But what if there was another way to learn and instantly recall songs and information you have already practiced? The great news is: there is. The trick is to learn via connected learning, whereby new information is related to information you already know. Read more »
As a guitar instructor of many years I have seen that some guitar students have a natural ability to sing and play songs at the same time. Others struggle to get their singing and playing to match.
Here are a few tips to help you sing and play at the same time. Read more »
What do you do when your guitar playing seems to hit a wall? Are there songs that seem too hard to play? For many people bar chords seem too difficult to play. Never give up! Read more »
By Tom Hess
If you are like most players, you desire to become a better guitar player. Through my own learning experience and through teaching well over 1,000 students, I have learned a lot on this subject. Students often ask why they are not at the level that they desire to be and what can be done about it. I have asked myself this same question many times in the past. A long time passed before I began to understand the answers. Read more »
I’m enjoying creating our brand new Music Theory for Guitar program. One of several musical ideas in the program is known as a Deceptive Cadence. Worship musicians make use of the deceptive cadence frequently in order to lengthen a worship song. Read more »
Creative use of guitar effects can be a great way to enhance your music. The trick is to make sure your musical ideas are strong before you start reaching for an sound effect to save the day. The most common phrase heard around the recording studio by newbie band members is, “It’s okay. We’ll fix it in the mix.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Read more »
Here are some tips to keeping your guitar protected and cared for.
1. Get a guitar case and leave your guitar in the case. I used to suggest leaving your guitar on a guitar stand because it’s easier to remember to play it when it’s in view. Accidents, including earthquakes, can happen and your guitar is more protected in a guitar case. Read more »
Tired of playing the same dreary old chords on the guitar? Well, you are not on your own. Just about every home in the world has a guitar — or at least it seems that way. Some homes have two or more guitars to make up for the homes that don’t have any. With that many guitars buzzing away the all too familiar sound of the basic three chord song in the key of ‘G’ hardly grabs the listener’s ear these days.
But what if there was an easy way to create an endless array of crisp, clear professional-sounding chords on the guitar that would enhance your songwriting or group? The good news is there are many ways to add variety to tied old chords. Here is just one way you could approach modern rhythm guitar chord voicing. Read more »
