The Language of the Guitar
If you're new to the world of guitar, you may hear some terms and phrases bandied about that sound like people talking in a foreign language. In many cases, these are simply ways to describe how the mechanical parts of the instrument are calibrated for the...
Getting Out of the Way
When you're ready to branch out and play with other musicians, you're likely to find lots of available guitarists. Learning to blend musically with other musicians is an ongoing skill that can take years to develop and a lifetime to master. But...
All About Pickups
Pickups may just be the most important factor in shaping a guitar's sound. Yet, they often get overlooked when choosing an instrument. In this article, we'll go over basic pickup types, how they differ and what guitars you'll find them on. Binary Choice...
Frustration is Part of the Process
Ever feel frustrated with your progress on the guitar? Well, don't worry because you're in good company. One of the most common themes I hear from students is some variation of frustration. First off, just know that struggling to get where you want to be...
Learning to Solo
There are two primary approaches to constructing a solo on the guitar: 1) Work it out in advance 2) Improvise. Regardless of the method you're using, it can help to think of the solo as a structure that has a beginning, a middle and an end and not just a...
How Did They Get That Sound?
Ever hear a sound that you know is a guitar but you just can't figure out how it's done? More often than not, it's because the guitar's signal is being processed through an effects pedal. Listed below are the main types of guitar effects as well as some...
12 Bar Blues Holds the Key to the Universe
...well, at least to the musical universe. Learning this basic 12 measure pattern can help you in numerous ways along your guitar journey. If you're a fan of any popular music made in the last forty years, chances are you've enjoyed some form of a 12 bar...
Why I Love Epiphone Guitars
John Lennon played an Epiphone guitar. It was, and still is, called the Casino. In fact, John Lennon played the same Epiphone Casino from 1965 through his remaining years with the Beatles. The original sunburst finish was stripped off to a natural...
Embracing the Metronome
Metronomes can be a drag, there's no doubt about it. They have a way of interrupting that perfect timing you've established for yourself and causing you to question everything you've ever known to be true. Honestly, metronomes are lucky they don't all end up in...
But What About An Amp?
Just Make Some Noise... When you’re ready to buy your first amp a good rule of thumb is - just get something that makes sound and don’t spend too much money on it. Most amplifiers fit into that category so it’ll be tough to go wrong. Once you get used to the sound...