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About Marlene Hutchinson

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So far Marlene Hutchinson has created 290 blog entries.

Got Guitar? Play It!

Playing your guitar is one the best things you can do for yourself. But new guitar owners are often unsure how to start and guitarists who’ve maybe stopped playing often just need a little inspiration. All you need to do is find a way* – to play!
Play on…
Marlene

For new guitar players try Learn to Play Guitar in a Day! course on Teachable.
For emerging guitarists: Beginning April 1st you can learn a new skill each month in the Lesson of the Month Club – Details soon!  

*To learn ways to get playing, click here to listen to this week’s podcast episode!

 

      

 

 

 

2022-03-02T19:50:15-08:00March 3rd, 2022|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

3 Things You’ll Need to Start Playing Guitar!

Getting started is as easy as 1, 2, 3!*
You’ll need:
1. An Acoustic Guitar
2. A tuner
3. The newly formatted, easier than ever to follow, Learn to Play Guitar in a Day! course on Teachable

If you know anyone who would like to play guitar, let them know they can Save $10 when they enroll before 3/1/22.

Play on…
Marlene

*To learn about the best guitars and tuners for beginners, and more about the course, click here to listen to this week’s podcast episode!

 

      

 

 

 

2022-02-23T11:03:32-08:00February 24th, 2022|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

How to Learn to Play Guitar – In A Day!

Many people have asked me if it’s truly possible to learn to play guitar in just one day*. Though it might seem im-possible, it certainly is possible with the right course, the right instructor and realistic expectations!
Play on…
Marlene

P.S. If you know anyone who would like to try my newly updated course, let them know they can save $10!

*To learn how it’s possible to Learn to Play Guitar – in a Day! successfully, click here to listen to this week’s podcast episode!

 

      

 

 

 

2022-02-15T16:16:20-08:00February 17th, 2022|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

Guitar TLC, Tender Loving Care For Your Acoustic Guitar!

TLC, tender loving care, is not limited to people, our guitars need TLC too! Yes, we polish the body, oil the neck and change the strings, but what other ways can we share the guitar TLC? The simple answer is humidity*.  
Play on…
Marlene

*To hear about my experience with extreme weather conditions and guitar TLC recommendations, click here to listen to this week’s podcast episode!

 

      

 

 

 

2022-02-09T16:58:24-08:00February 10th, 2022|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

How to Play All You Need Is Love

February is Heart Month and Valentine’s Day, so I thought you might like to play All You Need is Love by The Beatles*.  The chords are: G, D, Em, Am, D7, D6, A, B7 & C, and the rhythm includes a couple of time signatures within this song, so start with a basic strum and then embellish from there. 
All You Need Is Love by The Beatles  chords/lyrics
Play on…
Marlene

*To hear about the song’s history and how to play this song, listen to this week’s podcast episode by clicking here!

 

      

 

 

 

2022-02-01T10:40:02-08:00February 3rd, 2022|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

Songs with 100 in the Title!

Today marks a podcasting milestone, the release of my Tips for Guitar Playing Success podcast show’s 100th episode ~ whoa-hoo!
In honor of the occasion I thought it would be fun to share a couple of ‘100’ themed songs* for you to play.
1. 100 Years by Five for Fighting  chords/lyrics
2. 100 Years Ago by The Rolling Stones  chords/lyrics
Enjoy and cheers to the next 100!
Play on…
Marlene

*To hear about these ‘100’ songs and playing suggestions, listen to this week’s podcast episode by clicking here!

 

      

 

 

 

2022-01-19T11:58:20-08:00January 27th, 2022|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

The Best Guitar Tuners for Acoustic Guitars

Tuning your guitar is obviously super important. I find that the clip-on electronic chromatic tuners are easy to use and very accurate, so here are a couple of brands/models that I like:
Snark: 1. SN5 basic tuner (pictured), 2. ST-8HZ includes a metronome
D’addario: Small/compact 1. Micro Headstock tuner, 2. NS Micro Soundhole tuner
Wegrower: 1. Basic tuner with a rechargeable battery
As far as tuning apps, GuitarTuna and Fender Guitar Tuner are good.
BTW ~ What’s the difference between a guitar and a fish?
A: You can’t tuna fish!
Play on…
Marlene

*To hear a more details about these tuners, listen to this week’s podcast episode by clicking here!

 

      

 

 

 

2022-01-11T12:40:33-08:00January 20th, 2022|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

The Secret to Achieving Your Guitar Playing Resolution

 With the new year upon us and (hopefully) your guitar playing resolution on your mind, I thought it would help to share a couple secrets* for success:
1. Keep your goal simple, like learn the F#m chord rather than learn all bar chords.
2. Be realistic about your time frame, like 6 months from now rather than by next week!
3. And ~ the ‘secret sauce’ ~ after 1 month review your goal, time frame, & plans, then adjust your time frame as necessary. After all, you still have 352 days left to make it happen!
Play on…
Marlene

*To hear a more detailed description of the secrets, listen to this week’s podcast episode by clicking here!

 

      

 

 

 

2022-01-11T09:25:09-08:00January 13th, 2022|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

Listen to the 5 Most Loved Episodes of 2021!

In case you missed them or want to listen to them again, here are the top 5* most listened to podcast episodes of 2021 ~ see if any of these were on your list of favorites!
#1 Acoustic Guitar vs Electric Guitar
#2 July 4th Patriotic Songs to Play
#3 Easy Christmas & Hanukkah Songs
#4 How to Play the D Scale on Your Guitar
#5 The Best Woods for Acoustic Guitars

Play on…
Marlene

*To hear a recap of the top 5 episodes, listen now by clicking here!

 

      

 

 

 

2022-01-05T17:05:17-08:00January 6th, 2022|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

15 Guitar New Year’s Resolution Ideas!

It’s a good time to reflect on your 2021 playing year and set your guitar goal(s) for next year. To help inspire you here’s 15 guitar resolution ideas:
1. Practice
2. Memorize a song
3. Learn a new music style
4. Learn note bending
5. Learn a new strum
6. Study music theory
7. Play tablature
8. Use a metronome
9. Play with others
10. Learn alternate tunings
11. Learn solo improvisation
12. Learn scales
13. Expand your chord knowledge
14. Understand song formatting
15. Write a song
Happy New Year!
Play on…
Marlene

*For more about these ideas and setting a 2022 goal, listen to my newest podcast episode by clicking here!

 You could win a $50 Guitar Center gift card, but hurry, your membership must be received by tomorrow night (12/31/21 at 11:59 pm PST).  Simply join my podcast club and you’ll be automatically entered in the drawing. Click here for more details and to join the club!

 

      

 

 

 

2021-12-29T19:09:50-08:00December 30th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |
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