If you’ve ever taken a guitar lesson, you’ve probably heard about the importance of practicing scales. You might have some questions about, what, exactly, one gets out of the exercise. Lots of people will use the word “tedious” and it’s not an unfair judgment. But practicing scales doesn’t have to be mind-numbing. (In fact, your […]
Guitar learning and the internet
The average person trying to learn guitar on the internet is being swamped with information. Too much information, frankly, because there are also lots of opinions on what has value to you and what doesn’t. Put those two things together and it’s hard to know what to practice, or whether you’re putting your energy in […]
Chopin Plays The Changes
This is a guest post by David Hamburger, a great fingerstylist, blues authority, and a teacher I respect greatly. Check out his lesson on “Statesboro Blues“. School is back, sort of, but getting there on time was never our strong suit, and now we’re rusty. We live close enough to walk, but some mornings when […]
SOTW: Carolina In My Mind, part 2
As promised, this followup lesson looks at the verses, bridge, and outro of James Taylor’s “Carolina In My Mind”. You can download tab here. But I’d also suggest you download the chord chart. Remember, TAB gives you a sequence of events, a series of locations on the neck. And it’s possible to grasp the musical […]
Do you practice music like you mow the lawn?
The way you mow the lawn might teach you something important about how to practice. Everyone has a method. Do you start at one side and make repeating alternate passes, or circle the perimeter until you get to the center? Either way, it’s a straight line: a job with a beginning and end and a […]
Guest post: jamming and playing by ear
Jamming on the guitar and playing by ear furthers your knowledge of the guitar, prepares you for many situations, and makes you a better rounded musician.
