Are you interested in learning classical guitar? Are you new to guitar altogether? Then you’re in the right place. We’re about to take a look at what you need to know to get started in classical guitar, a musical style some consider an art form unto itself. Classical guitar can be difficult, but anyone can…
If you want your music to be heard, you have no choice but to promote it. But not all promotional plans are effective, and unless you have some experience in marketing, putting together a winning strategy can be difficult. Fortunately, if you’re committed to the cause, you will find a way. And if you’re reading…
In general, blues guitar is relatively easy to play. You just need to learn the 12-bar form, identify the key you’re playing in, and you’re off to the races. But the forefathers of the blues – like Robert Johnson – didn’t stop there. Some of the most revered blues players either picked out complex patterns…
Lyrics. Just say the word, and some musicians will immediately freeze up. What is it about writing lyrics that’s so hard? Why do we place so much importance on the words that we put to music? For the recording of Check Your Head, The Beastie Boys were said to have locked themselves in a room…
A harmonic is a tool that helps you create variety in your musical ideas. It’s a lot like playing any other note on the guitar, except that harmonics have a very distinct bell-like sound to them, and they give you access to notes you wouldn’t otherwise be able to play. With harmonics, we are definitely…
There’s an age-old debate in the music industry: is it better to try to appeal to everyone, or to find an audience for the unique music you create? First of all, not even The Beatles are liked by everyone, so appealing to the entirety of the human race is a ridiculous idea. But even if…
The best thing about two-hand tapping is that it’s easy to do, and it sounds cool to boot. If you’ve already developed a bit of a comfort level with basic lead guitar techniques, then you’re ready to give it a try. If not, then you may want to spend some time working on your hammer-ons…
Do you pay attention to news and world events? Are you fascinated by what’s happening across the globe, and do you have strong opinions about it? If so, your attention on the media could actually be benefiting your music career. Not in a sleazy, manipulative kind of way, but more in a relevant, timely and…
You may have noticed how some of the greats – past or present – aren’t just tasteful, fast, or technical guitar players. Many of them are really flexible too! Some of my students like to point out how small and stubby their fingers are, but if you know anything about working out, you know that…
Social media sites come and go. But Instagram and Pinterest are among the few sites that have risen quickly through the ranks and have even shown some staying power. What they have in common is that they are both visually-focused platforms. Pictures and videos drive huge engagement, which is why these content types are the…
Wouldn’t you love to be able to jump into any band or musical situation and fill in the spaces with awesome guitar licks? The more experience you gain as a musician, the easier this becomes. But you need to have a willingness to explore the fretboard, even if what you’re playing doesn’t sound that great…
Snapchat has quickly risen through the ranks as a popular social media app, and its user base is growing so fast that it may even exceed that of Twitter and Pinterest by the end of the year. More than just a communication tool, marketers and musicians everywhere have been experimenting with the platform to start…
Even in today’s internet-centric world, traditional media such as radio, TV, and direct mail can be incredibly effective promotional tools. TV represents an ever-increasing opportunity for musicians, as new channels continue to be introduced – niche shows and commercials along with them. But it can also be a highly competitive field to get into. So…
As you look to explore new genres, add some flavor to your playing, or read off of lead sheets at Sunday morning church services, there may come a time when you need to learn chords you’ve never heard of or tried before. If you’re relatively new to guitar, 7 chords probably fall under this category….
As a guitarist, it’s beneficial to be able to play in a variety of different styles. And although note and chord choices sometimes do define a style, more often than not, the rhythmic patterns do more to evoke a particular genre or feel than the notes themselves. Syncopated rhythms are what define dance music. And…