Scales and arpeggios are two of the first things guitarists encounter when they start exploring the fretboard beyond chords. They can even look quite similar when written out as exercises, which raises an obvious question: What’s the difference between a scale and an arpeggio, and how should you use each one? The distinction becomes particularly […]
Many guitarists use the terms improvising and composing as if they mean the same thing. While both involve creating melodies, they require different mindsets and different skills. Understanding the difference can help you make better musical decisions. What Is Improvisation? Improvisation is creating music in real time. You don’t have the luxury of stopping, thinking,
Improvising vs. Composing Guitar Solos: What’s the Difference? Read More »
One of the strangest things about guitar education is that many players spend years practicing scales, techniques and songs without ever practicing creativity itself. They practice: But creativity? That is often treated as something mysterious. Either you “have it” or you don’t. And they assume they don’t. Some guitarists assume creativity is a gift that
The Hidden Skill Most Guitarists Never Practice: Creativity Read More »
An interesting thing happens when I get a new intermediate guitar student, some of whom still call themselves beginners. The first thing I ask them is:“What do you already know?” They’ll often start by showing me a riff, a song or even a solo. Then I ask:“Do you know scales, chords, techniques, arpeggios?” Usually the
The Intermediate Guitarist Trap: Why Many Players Stop Progressing Read More »
When most guitarists practice, they often focus on the “what” rather than the “how.” Scales, arpeggios, chords, and songs dominate their attention, but the finer details of tone, dynamics, and phrasing—the things that give your playing personality—are often overlooked. Yet, it’s these elements that turn ordinary notes into something extraordinary. Making every note you play
If you play classical guitar, your choice of strings is very important. The strings you use greatly affect the sound of your guitar. They affect your comfort while playing. And they even affect how long your guitar will last. This short article will help you choose the best nylon strings for you. Classical guitars use
Funk is a genre of music in which guitarists and other musicians can achieve extremely high levels of musicianship. I’ll be giving you a total of 30 funk guitar riffs divided into three lessons covering beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels of funk guitar playing. It is important to note, however, that the beginner level in
10 Funk Guitar Riffs that Get Harder: Part 1 – Beginner Level Read More »
(Hint: It’s Not Just Guitar Skill) Let’s be real — being good at guitar doesn’t always mean you’re good at teaching it. Sure, your teacher might be able to shred like crazy or play the solo from “Hotel California” backwards, but does that help you when your fingers are cramping on your first F chord?
The metronome is a tool that guitar players and other musicians use primarily for these purposes: In this lesson, I’ll show you how to use this device step by step, as well as how to get the most out of it by only using it when necessary. What is a metronome A metronome is a
How to use a metronome correctly when practicing the guitar Read More »
After learning to play “The Crying Machine” by Steve Vai, I arrogantly asked my teacher if I was almost as good as him. My teacher smiled. A knowing smile that said “of course not” I wanted to know why. If I can play one of Steve Vai’s songs, I can learn the rest and become
5 Ways to Make Your Guitar Playing Stand Out (even if you can’t play fast) Read More »
