Playing along with songs is such an important skill. It is a lot of fun, plus it can really help getting your timing together. A way to start doing it is to start assigning parts of the song we hear to the rhythms I went through. The drum beat is ess ...
So we want to actually play along with a song in CAGED chord shapes. Why? To get a better idea of where chord tones are, where arpeggios will lay on top, to see things in one position instead of sliding all over the neck, to see how our chords ...
I sit in with a lot of bands and people. I'm constantly asked to play a song that I've never heard, with people that do know the song. It can be intimidating! Having a grasp on some theory concepts, common song structures and some listening skills, y ...
What guitar player doesn't like a new toy? New guitar, new amp, new pedals... the reality is that while that may inspire you to play more, it doesn't matter in the bigger picture. Guitar players tend to think that without the latest gadget they're mi ...
So you want to be Jimi Hendrix but you're not even sure how to solo. Sure you know a few scales, even can play a halfway decent lick but when it comes to improvising you just end up playing the same scale up and down or just draw a blank. You are ...
It's happened to everyone, where you're playing and feel like your just recycling the same things over and over. The biggest thing is getting yourself out of your normal routine. 1) Only allow yourself to use new ways to play the chords If yo ...
I'm probably in the minority here, but I've found people that obsess over their fingering for a certain chord/arpeggio/scale is time better spent elsewhere. You want to have a decent idea of what the most efficient way to finger them are, hence why I ...
Like most of you I had visions of grandeur when I began, but soon I found myself playing the same thing I was playing for years. A lot this comes down to lack of focus on your goals. I always recommend taking time out of your guitar playing to lay ou ...
The Golden Rule of most music is: K.I.S.S. - keep it simple, stupid. A lot of times over complicating your part actually takes away from the over all effect you can have on the song as a whole. I can't tell you in how many songs I perform sometimes j ...
It happens to everyone... getting your fingers to do what the chord chart is telling you to do. Sometimes it's the stretch, sometimes it's the placement/order of your fingers. Regardless, getting our fingers to play that chord we're working on can be ...
