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About Marlene Hutchinson

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So far Marlene Hutchinson has created 290 blog entries.

3 Simple Steps to Choosing the Best Guitar for You

With so many great guitars out there, choosing and purchasing the best one for you can be a little overwhelming. These 3 simple steps*
1. Budget: Know your budget & stick to it
2. Feel: How does it feel to hold & play?
3. Sound: Do you like the sound?
are an easy and fun way to narrow the field and ultimately choose your ‘Goldilocks guitar’ ~ the one that’s just right for you!
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn more details about the 3 Simple Steps to Choosing the Best Guitar for You listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 35!

 

 

2020-10-26T09:59:36-07:00October 29th, 2020|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

Understanding Acoustic Guitar Body Shapes & Sizes

Guitars are not a ‘one size fits all’ instrument. There are various guitar shapes and sizes* from small (Mini) to large (Jumbo) and everything in between. Understanding the differences can help you find the best one for you and your playing style. Here’s a list so you can size things up!
Classical
Dreadnought
Concert
Grand Concert
Orchestra/Grand Auditorium
Jumbo
Mini & Travelers

Play on…
Marlene

*To learn more about guitar shapes, sizes, and playing style applications listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 34!

 

 

2020-10-21T18:26:43-07:00October 22nd, 2020|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , , , , , , , |

How to Practice with a Metronome

Using a metronome* while playing can be helpful in many ways, like keeping your song tempo consistent and improving chord changes, notes and rhythm patterns. Try using this one (video) or download the free Pro Metronome app on your device. Start out by changing simple chords on the tick sound, at a slow tempo, then faster tempos. As you become more comfortable with the concept, then move on to songs, rhythms patterns, etc. Timing is everything! 
Play on…
Marlene

*To hear more about using a metronome, and other cool guitar info and insights, listen to my newest podcast, Guitar Friends interview with Preston Huber ~ episode 33!

 

 

2020-10-14T09:31:47-07:00October 15th, 2020|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , , , , , , , |

How to Play a Scale on Your Guitar

Playing scales on your guitar is fairly basic once you understand the interval patterns. The Major Scale pattern is W, W, H, W, W, W, H (W= Whole step, H= Half Step), so the notes for a C Major Scale* are C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. Give it a try and soon you’ll be scaling your guitar! 
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn more about the C Major Scale and hear a detailed description of how to play the scale listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 32!

 

 

2020-10-07T09:14:17-07:00October 8th, 2020|Categories: Thursday Tip|

Learn Your Musical ABC’s!

Learning the note letters and musical sequence* of those letters, including sharps & flats, are the building blocks to chords and scales. The letters are the first 7 letters of the alphabet; A, B, C, D, E, F & G, and they go in order including sharps (up) or flats (down) except between B & C and E & F. It’s all elementary!
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn more about and hear the musical ABC’s listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 31!

 

2020-10-01T07:33:00-07:00October 1st, 2020|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

How to Play Bar Chords

A bar chord* (sometimes spelled barre) is a guitar chord that is played using one finger to cover multiple strings in one fret. To play them, ‘bar’ a fret, then play a chord shape forward of that fret. For example, the F bar chord is played by barring fret 1 and an E chord shape. And, the entire shape can move to another fret to create a new bar chord like F#, G, G#, A ~ you can go far with a bar!
Play on…
Marlene

*To hear more about how to play bar chords listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 30!

 

2020-09-23T18:23:11-07:00September 24th, 2020|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , , , , |

6 Exercises to Improve Finger Strength & Dexterity

Strong, agile fingers (and hands) can make it easier to play guitar and easier to try more challenging skills. Here’s 6 simple exercises* to help you gain strength and dexterity.
1. White Knuckler & Sunburst, make a fist, then open your hands
2. Whoa & Oh Well, lock your arms, flex your hands up & down
3. Neck, Shoulder & Wrist Rolls
4. Grip & Release a Tennis Ball
5. Fingertip Push Ups, regular push ups, but on your fingertips
6. Finger Runs, play one finger per fret on each string
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn more about these 6 exercises listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 29!

2020-09-16T09:33:04-07:00September 17th, 2020|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , , , , |

What’s a Guitar Playing ‘Second Wind’?

You grab your guitar, start to play, make bloopers, and then after playing for say 20, 30 or 40 minutes you’re in your playing groove ~ your guitar playing ‘second wind’*, and that’s when you usually make the most progress. So keep on playing to reach your second wind! 
Play on…
Marlene

*You can learn about Gene Smith’s guitar playing second wind and more in my Guitar Friends Interview listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 28!

2020-09-10T13:23:14-07:00September 10th, 2020|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , , , , |

How’s Your Practice Routine Going?

Setting a practice routine* (and sticking to it) can help you to establish a guitar playing habit, which will ultimately lead to better playing and more guitar fun. Here’s a review of the 6 steps to setting a practice routine that I suggested back in April ~ sometimes we just need a little reminder!
1.  Set a day, time and frequency
2. Set the amount of time
3. Decide when to start
4. Map out a practice plan
5. Try it out for 30 days
6. After 30 days, assess and adjust
Play on…
Marlene

*To review more about setting a practice routine listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 27!

2020-09-02T10:47:54-07:00September 3rd, 2020|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , , , , |

5 Ways to Play the F Chord

The F chord can be a bit of a challenge to play, but you’ll find it in many songs, it just can’t be avoided. So here are 5 different ways to play the F chord*. Some are easier than others, but try them all and you be the judge. Then before you know it, F will be your ‘friend’!
Play on…
Marlene

P.S. I recommend the first one!

*To learn how to play each of these F chord shapes and some tricks to achieve F Chord success  listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 26!

2020-08-25T06:26:52-07:00August 27th, 2020|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , , , , , |
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