Resources
Blues Improvisation Using Guide Tones
Improvisation is one of the most exciting aspects of playing music and is a direct manifestation of our desire to create, express ourselves, and jam with other musicians. Learning to improvise and expand one’s improvisational skills are among the most common goals...
Common Questions from People Learning The Guitar
Common Questions from People Learning The Guitar This is a series of in-depth conversations between me and many students over the years about the difficulties that they have faced on their journey of learning the guitar and how we have overcome them. Note: this is...
Feel The Music When You Play Guitar
Feel The Music When You Play We always hear the phrases like a guitarist's "touch" and that one should "feel the music" associated with great players and other musicians but it's easy to overlook the significance of these particular words. Just...
Part 5 – Pentatonic Scales
Pentatonic Scales We have made it this far which means you should now know at least 1 major scale position (but most likely a few or even all 5) and be able to use it/them in a creative way, playing little melodies and phrases, using all parts of the position...
Part 4 – Transitioning Between Thinking Major and Minor
Transitioning Between Thinking Major and Minor Ok, so it's probably getting clear that the major and minor scales can really be thought of as the same pattern but with different root note positions within that pattern. Often they will seem to be described as...
Part 3 – The Minor Scale…
The Minor Scale What do you mean "I already know it?" Now, remember how earlier on we went through the Major Scale and not only memorised where all the Major Root Notes were but also added the Minor Root Notes to our mental labelling? By the end we should have...
Part 2 – How to Use the Major Scale on guitar
HOW to Use the Major Scale on guitar So by now, you (hopefully) know at least 1 major scale pattern. On guitar there are 5 patterns (often called positions) that make up the major scale between 12 frets. After 12 frets the patterns will start again because the...
Part 1 – Begin with the Parent Scale: The Major Scale
Begin with the Parent Scale: The Major Scale This is a 5- step lesson that contains a lot of information so take it slowly and patiently. Try to apply each suggested exercise. By the time you reach the end you should have a very strong foundation on which...
Think Like a Farmer: Planting and Watering Seeds
Think Like a Farmer: Planting and Watering Seeds I often like to say to students that learning to play guitar should be simple. I'm choosing my words very carefully here- should be simple. I'm not being smarmy! Instead, I'm just trying to...
Remember Your Reasons ‘WHY’
When to Recall Your Reasons for Playing Guitar It can be really tough to stick with things, trust me I know! It seems to be almost a curse at times that we desire so many things, behaviours and knowledge. With so many great activities to enjoy,...
What You See… is What You’ll Be
What You See... Is What You'll Be I have talked before about how aspiring to the wise attitude of a seasoned farmer is the way to go with approaching guitar practice (or any other practice really) and how getting ourselves to the skill...