Fretting hand position can be a topic of some debate. The main question most people seem to focus on is the position of the thumb: should it always stay in the center of the neck or reach over the top? I’ve come across many people over the years who say they were told the thumb […]
Back to basics: pick vs fingers
Back to basics: pick vs fingers? No matter how accomplished we might become at anything, it’s always helpful to go back to basics. I’ve been playing music for most of my life and I still learn something new every time I revisit the fundamentals. So today let’s take a look at a very basic thing: […]
Riffin’: a video series on creating killer guitar riffs
Riffin’ is a series of lesson videos on using your knowledge of the fretboard to help come up with killer riffs and signature guitar parts. Each lesson focuses on a specific sound: riffs based on different interval types, scalar riffs, and chordal riffs. Check it out on The Punch-In: insight and inspiration for guitar players,
WHAT IS MUSICIANSHIP?
A musical performance can seem like a magical thing, especially when you’re watching a master. It seems effortless when the performer is fluid and natural and completely in command. We all understand the amount of work it takes to achieve that level of skill. Great technical ability comes from commitment and dedicated practice, and when […]
A CRASH COURSE IN CAPO TRANSPOSITION
You probably already know how to use a capo to change the pitch of a song to match a singer’s range. But did you know that you can use the capo to find new ways to “voice” a chord, or even create a signature guitar part? Remember that the moment you clip on that capo […]
SOUND IS IN YOUR HANDS
Guitar players love gear. A new guitar is a wonderful thing, often a great inspiration, and new toys are endless fun. (I have several new additions to my pedalboard and howling, chirping, and whooshing sounds are becoming a regular part of my live sound after years of just plugging straight into the amp). There are […]
