Becoming a creative songwriter, rather than a gift a few inherit through their genes, is a skill that can be trained and developed. There are theoretical aspects that can be learned (such as the elements of music), but it also requires a lot of time training your mind to create. In today’s songwriting exercises, we will …
10 Essential Songwriting Exercises to Hone the Craft Read More »
I have a love/hate relationship with artificial intelligence. The idea of having robots do the things I hate doing is the most exciting thing since Heavy Metal. But the prospect of having robots do the things I enjoy doing faster and better than I can is unsettling. Hearing Peter Gabriel express his concerns about AI …
Will AI replace musicians? 7 Things robots can never do better Read More »
In this article we will look at ten rhythmic patterns that gradually become more complex, along with guitar tab examples. Before playing these rhythmic patterns on the guitar, it is important to understand the fundamental elements used to create rhythm in music. Rhythmic elements In music, rhythm is created by combining different note durations and …
10 Rhythm Patterns That Get More Complex (with guitar tabs) Read More »
What are guitar arpeggios? Why you should learn them, and how?
Guitar scales vs modes: Which should you use and when? In my earlier stages of learning the guitar I used to think that modes were scales for experienced players, and hence harder to learn and master. While it is true that advanced guitar players tend to use modes more often than beginners, the difference between …
What is the difference between a scale and a mode? Read More »
If you’re learning the electric guitar, you’ve probably noticed that unless you plug it into an amplifier or use an alternative, such as a computer, the notes are audible but very faint. And if you like music with distortion or other effects, playing unplugged not only sounds lower in volume but also very different. Should …
Is it better to practice the electric guitar with or without an amp? Read More »
In this lesson I explain what guitar scales are and why you benefit from learning them. In today’s lesson I’ll give you 5 easy guitar scales you can learn and start using right now. Each scale will also come with a short guitar lick based on its notes. Keep in mind that, while learning scales on guitar has many benefits such as improving finger independence and dexterity, the ultimate purpose of scales is to …
It is important for all guitarists, not just “shredders,” virtuosos, or Neo-classical metal players, to learn how to play the guitar faster than their previous level of speed. The reason for this is that being able to play fast gives you an advantage over everything you play at a slower tempo. Let me give you …
Blues music has many defining characteristics such as song structure, rhythm, chord progressions, scales, as well as the blues turnaround. The turnaround is most commonly used in the final two bars of a 12-bar blues, but it can also be used as an intro and in other structures such as the 8-bar and 16-bar blues. …
I began studying music theory alongside the guitar because it seemed like the right thing to do. That if you want to become a musician, you should also learn the theory behind it. I’m glad I studied music theory, but as you’ll see in the music theory tips for guitar players below, I didn’t learn it in the most efficient way possible. The following music theory tips are aimed at correcting misconceptions I had, and ineffective methods I used when I started playing 28 years ago, as well as those I frequently notice in new students. Music theory is not reading standard music notation. “Why should I learn to read notes when I can use guitar tabs?” I’m sometimes asked when introducing music theory to guitar students. …
