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About Marlene Hutchinson

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So far Marlene Hutchinson has created 290 blog entries.

How to Host a Jam Session

A jam session* is a great reason to get back together with your guitar friends, especially now that things have opened up. Here’s a few tips for hosting:
~Choose a day, time & location
~Invite your guitar friends
~Sustenance is important! 
~Ask your ‘jammers’ to bring copies of at least 2 songs they like, that everyone can play together.
~Have fun jamming! 
Play on…
Marlene

*To hear about my jam session experiences and more hosting advice, listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 65!

 

 

 

 

2021-05-26T16:30:44-07:00May 27th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , , |

Taking Flight With Your Guitar!

Now that air travel seems more possible, I wanted to remind you that your guitar can go with you! And here’s how*:
1. It can be your carry-on luggage**
2. Use a gig bag or hard shell case for travel
3. Loosen your strings 1/2 turn each prior to flying 
4. Your guitar goes through security, like any other luggage
5. It’s allowed to be placed in the overhead compartment.
Up, up and away!
Play on…
Marlene
P.S. If you check your guitar rather than taking it onboard as a carry-on, use a hard case and mark it fragile for better protection.

*To learn my useful guitar air travel tricks & hints, listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 64!
**Flying with Guitar FAA Rules

 

 

 

 

2021-05-18T11:46:57-07:00May 20th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , , |

Spring Cleaning Your Guitar!

Spring’s in full swing and it’s a great time to clean your guitar*. There are 5 simple steps: 
1. Remove your strings
2. Wipe down your entire guitar to remove dust
3. Oil the fretboard, using mineral oil and a soft cloth
4. Polish the guitar body, head and back of neck, using guitar polish & a soft cloth
5. Replace your strings

Cleaning your guitar might even put a little ‘spring’ in your playing!
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn how to oil and polish your guitar, listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 63!

 

 

 

 

2021-05-10T10:05:33-07:00May 13th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

Mindfulness While Playing Guitar

Guitar playing is a mindful ~ present moment awareness ~ activity. Additionally, you can use mindfulness techniques*, like deep breathing while learning new skills, to help you gain playing abilities and muscle memories. Mindfulness can be instrumental to your playing!  
Play on…
Marlene

*To hear examples of simple mindful guitar playing techniques, listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 62!

 

 

 

 

2021-05-05T09:55:37-07:00May 6th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Cinco de Mayo (5th of May) Songs For Guitar!

Cinco de Mayo* (5th of May) is not just a day of Mexican food and margaritas, it’s a celebration of Hispanic culture. On that note (ha, ha) I thought you might like to play some fun, popular and fairly easy Spanish language songs. Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
Cielito Lindo  chords  audio
La Bamba  chords  tab intro  video
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn more about Cinco de Mayo and these two popular songs, listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 61!

 

 

 

 

2021-04-28T10:22:16-07:00April 29th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , |

How to Change Chords While Strumming Calypso

Changing chords while maintaining a constant calypso strum* can be challenging. It’s best to first try this with 2 chords that are easy for you to play, like A & D. For example, play A with 2 full calypso patterns and then the same with D, repeat several times. Your goal is to keep the strum going while you change chords, so there are no gaps ~ and therein lies the challenge!  
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn how to successfully change chords while keeping the calypso strum going, listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 60!

 

 

 

 

2021-04-22T06:51:49-07:00April 22nd, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , |

5 Songs To Rock On Tax Day!

Try these 5 tax themed songs*:
1. Taxman by The Beatles  chords   video
2. Sunny Afternoon by The Kinks   chords   video
3. Take The Money and Run by The Steve Miller Band  
     chords   video
4. After Taxes by Johnny Cash   chords   video
5. Carnival World by Jimmy Buffett   chords   video
I hope your tax day rocks!
Play on…
Marlene

*To hear about the history of these 5 tax songs, listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 59!

 

 

 

 

2021-04-13T10:23:39-07:00April 15th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

Top 10 Podcast Episodes!

One year ago tomorrow, April 9th, I launched my Tips For Guitar Playing Success podcast. So, in honor of the occasion I thought it would be fun to share the top 10 most downloaded episodes*. Were any of these in your top 10?!
10. Understanding Rhythm & Tempo
9. 5 Basic Chords You Should Know
8. How to Know if You’re on Your Fingertips
7. Learn, Play & Master Chord Progressions
6. How to Sing While Playing Guitar
5. Setting & Keeping Guitar Playing Goals
4. Getting Rid of String Buzzing
3. How to Change Chords Quickly
2. How to Alleviate Fingertip Soreness
And the #1 most downloaded episode was, strum roll, How to Set a Practice Routine
Play on…
Marlene

*To hear more about these Top 10 episodes, listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 58!

 

 

 

 

2021-04-07T10:25:44-07:00April 8th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

Tension Relieving Exercises For Guitarists

As I mentioned last week, tension can affect your playing. So, here are a few simple tension relieving stretches and exercises* to help you be a better guitarist!
1. Deep Breathing, always a great ‘go-to’
2. Arm Stretches 
3. Neck Rolls
4. Shoulder Rolls
5. Cardio: walk, run, jump, jumping jacks
Play on…
Marlene

*To hear descriptions of these tension relieving ideas, listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 57!

 

 

 

 

2021-03-31T11:06:14-07:00April 1st, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

How Tension Can Affect Your Guitar Playing

Tension* is good for some things, like our strings. But when our body and mind holds onto tension it can restrict muscle and tendon movements, and it can affect remembering skills like chord placements or rhythm patterns. Noticing and relieving any underlying tension can make you a better guitarist.
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn more about tension’s affect on your playing & how to notice and relieve tension, listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 56!

 

 

 

 

2021-03-24T10:40:55-07:00March 25th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , , , |
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