When we think of the great guitar players like Hendrix, Page, Santana, Gilmore, Van Halen we know they have a unique sound. In each case they played the guitar in their own way. They weren’t trying to be the next whoever. Sure they had guitar influences but they followed their own compass. I believe in…
Why online guitar lessons are becoming the preferred choice by many students
When I speak to students many say that they are not interested in online lessons because it feels strange and impersonal. I then follow up by asking if they have tried an online lesson and in almost every case the answer is no. I now teach exclusively online as do many teachers across a range…
Why is Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven’ the greatest song ever?
At no other point in history that I am aware was there a song that drove so many people to learn to play music than when Led Zeppelin released Stairway to Heaven. Sure a song like ‘Smoke on the Water’ has probably been played more times but it’s a simple riff played mostly by those…
Does measuring your practice make a difference?
Whenever a new student would begin lessons I would spend a portion of the first lesson asking them to fill in a daily practice log. Now most were happy to go along with my request but not all. Some students would feel it unnecessary, pointless or even over the top. Comments like “Guitar is just…
Guitar lessons at school… Good or bad idea?
Many parents receive a note from their child’s school offering guitar lessons at their school. This will seem appealing because it’s convenient and won’t require them to be driving their child to and from lessons. My personal observations show that students who learn outside of school almost always do better for a very good reason….
The mindset of a great guitar player
Mindset in my opinion is the critical factor in success on guitar. A lack of confidence for example would have to be the number one reason why people give up guitar. Let me describe a typical scenario where a student quits guitar. They get inspired, buy a guitar, find a teacher and begin their journey….
What’s your 5 year guitar plan?
You can become an amazing guitar player in 5 years if you have a plan. The odds are you have no 5 year plan for your guitar. Once we have clarity about where we want to be in 5 years from now we are more likely to take the right action today. Students without a…
Online guitar lessons are here
We now live in a time where guitar lessons will take a radical shift. Up until the last few years learning with a guitar teacher online was impossible. The technology required for a fast clear connection via webcam is only now coming online. In the next few years we will see a big leap forward…
Focus on doing quality practice and the progress will come.
The whole purpose of learning guitar is to progress but the irony is that the more we focus on progress the more frustrated we often become. There is actually a very good reason for this. We don’t really have control over progress. We hear all the time that we can achieve this or that if…
5 misconceptions about learning guitar. No. 5
Children can’t start learning guitar before age 7 years. This is common misconception with no factual basis. You only have to look at an instrument like violin which in my opinion is more difficult and starting at age 2 years is almost the accepted norm. Children can start whenever they can hold a small guitar…
5 misconceptions about learning guitar. No. 4.
Starting guitar as an adult is too late. Many people assume that if they didn’t start guitar lessons as a child they have missed the boat. While it is true that growing bodies and brains have advantages the reality is learning guitar successfully can be done at any age if you are physically capable and…
Satriani Drinking the Magic Elixir
Joe Satriani is much more than just a great guitarist. What I admire as much as his playing is his teaching. I only just found out by watching this series of video interviews that Joe’s mother was a teacher which makes sense. Joe was always comes across as a natural teacher and its probably due…
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