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About Marlene Hutchinson

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So far Marlene Hutchinson has created 290 blog entries.

Learn to Play Your Guitar Music By Ear

What does it mean to ‘play by ear’? Basically the phrase “playing by ear” refers to the phenomenon that a person can play music without needing to rely on musical sheets and notes – and it can be learned*, so here’s 4 ideas to help you learn to play guitar by ear.
1. Listen to chords for the tone and pitch
2. Strum a chord and then hum it
3. Compare chords
4. Learn chord progressions
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn about how to develop your playing by ear skills listen to my newest podcast episode by clicking here!

 

 

2022-07-26T11:41:43-07:00July 28th, 2022|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

How to Play Slash Chords

Slash chords* (not named after Slash of Guns ‘n’ Roses fame) are chords with an added base note and typically look something like C/D. Which is described as C chord, slash, D in the bass and is played like this:

Another example:

Play on…
Marlene

*To learn more about slash chords and how to play them, listen to this week’s podcast episode!

2022-07-19T09:58:31-07:00July 21st, 2022|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

Learn, Play & Master Guitar Chord Progressions

Playing basic chord progressions can help with song understanding and development, plus they can help your chord changing abilities. Here are a few common chord progressions* to learn, play and master!
3 Chords:
A D E – C F G – D G A – G C D
4 Chords:
A D E D – C F G C – D G A D – E A B E
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn more about chord progressions and to play them with me, listen to this week’s podcast episode!

2022-07-12T17:04:54-07:00July 14th, 2022|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

How To Sing Along While Playing Your Acoustic Guitar

Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced guitarist, adding the lyrics and tune to a new song can be a challenge. Try these 5 steps to help you successfully sing along!
1. Listen to the song when not playing your guitar (i.e. while cooking, driving, etc.)
2. Gain your song playing skills. Play just the music (no singing) frequently.
3. Hum the tune while playing the song, and even picture the lyrics as you’re humming.
4. Add in the lyrics, try 1 line at a time (note: if this step is a little wonky, go to step 5)
5. ‘Jam’ along with the original artist, let them do the singing, then repeat step 4.
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn more about these 5 steps, listen to my the newest episode by clicking here!

2022-07-07T08:16:35-07:00July 7th, 2022|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , , |

3 Patriotic Songs to Play on 4th of July!

There are so many great patriotic songs that you can play on July 4th, or any other time for that matter. Here are 3 songs* that are festive and fun!
America the Beautiful  chords
You’re a Grand Old Flag  chords
Living in America  chords 
Play on…
Marlene
P.S. If you’re looking for more patriotic songs to play, check out past tips for  July 2018   July 2019   July 2020

*To learn more about each song’s history and inspiration, as well as playing suggestions, listen to my the newest episode by clicking here!

Check out our Star Spangled Savings! 40% off all courses and coaching July 1-4th. Use code STAR40 

 

 

 

2022-06-30T08:09:01-07:00June 30th, 2022|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

Taking Flight with Your Guitar!

Flying to your vacation destination? You can take your guitar too! 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 per string prior to flying 
4. Your guitar goes through security, like any other luggage
5. It’s allowed to be placed in the overhead compartment.
To learn my useful guitar air travel tricks & hints, listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 64!
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.

*Flying with Guitar FAA Rules

 

 

 

 

2022-06-22T10:49:57-07:00June 23rd, 2022|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

Road Trip! Safely Take Your Guitar Along for the Ride!

One of my favorite things about guitar is that it’s portable, it can go with you everywhere. So take it with you on your road trips and be sure to keep in mind these important ‘guitar in the car’ tips:
1. Keep your guitar in a case when traveling
2. Be aware of the guitar’s placement among the luggage
3. Don’t leave your guitar alone (and cooking) in your car for long periods of time.
4. Temperature; Remember – if your comfortable, your guitar is comfortable.
*To hear about these tips, and more, in more detail, click here to listen to this week’s podcast episode!
Play on…
Marlene

Guitar Courses/Coaching Now Available!
Learn to Play Guitar in a Day! course 
Lesson of the Month Club 
Coaching

 

      

 

 

 

2022-06-13T10:13:01-07:00June 16th, 2022|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

How to Play Guitar Using a Flat Pick

When it comes to playing rhythm patterns you have a few options, fingerstyle, using a pick, and/or a combination of both. Here’s some tips when using a flat pick*: 
1. Flat picks come in light, medium & heavy gauges, start with a medium
2. Pinch the pick between your thumb and finger 1, with the point towards the strings
3. When strumming down and up you’ll notice a good deal of rotation in your wrist
4. Picking patterns can be played with a pick only or a combination of a flat pick with fingerstyling.
*To learn more about how to play with a flat pick, click here to listen to this week’s podcast episode!
Play on…
Marlene

Guitar Courses/Coaching Now Available!
Learn to Play Guitar in a Day! course 
Lesson of the Month Club 
Coaching

 

      

 

 

 

2022-06-08T13:32:13-07:00June 9th, 2022|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

Getting Rid of String Buzzing

It can be annoying to play a song and then hear your strings buzzing, but those pesky sounds can be eliminated when you understand their origins. The culprit and solution could be…
1. Not pressing hard enough on the strings – Check the chord/note finger pressure
2. The guitar’s set up/action could be off – Have it checked
3. Too heavy handed with strumming – Lighten the intensity of your strum, especially on strings 6 & 5
4. Strings are too thick – Use lighter gauge strings
*To learn more about getting rid of string buzzing, click here to listen to this week’s podcast episode!
Play on…
Marlene

Guitar Courses/Coaching Now Available!
Learn to Play Guitar in a Day! course 
Lesson of the Month Club 
Coaching

 

      

 

 

 

2022-05-31T08:59:35-07:00June 2nd, 2022|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

How to Change Chords Quickly

Transitioning from chord to chord smoothly, quickly and accurately can be one of the most challenging skills for guitar players. A-chord-ingly (ha, ha) here are a few ideas* to help you improve and speed up those chord changes!
1.  Play two chord sequences repetitively, slowly at first
2. Play those two chords with a metronome
3. When playing chords in songs, keep the rhythm going
4. Anticipate the next chord
5. Think of one finger as the ‘leader’
6. Place the ‘leader’ finger first, then the others
*To improve your chord changing, click here to listen to this week’s podcast episode!
Play on…
Marlene

Guitar Courses/Coaching Now Available!
Learn to Play Guitar in a Day! course 
Lesson of the Month Club 
Coaching

 

      

 

 

 

2022-05-24T10:47:04-07:00May 26th, 2022|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |
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