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About Marlene Hutchinson

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So far Marlene Hutchinson has created 290 blog entries.

How to Play Auld Lang Syne with Bar Chords

Last December I shared simple ways to play Auld Lang Syne*, a couple with easy chords and a basic tab. This year I’m taking it up a notch and challenging you to play a bar chord version. It will be a great opportunity to ‘up’ your bar chording skills while prepping for your New Year’s Eve gig!
here’s the song/chords link
Merry Christmas!
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn how to play this bar chord version of Auld Lange Syne, listen to my newest podcast episode by clicking here!

DON’T FORGET!!! You could win a $50 Guitar Center gift card! Simply join my podcast club and you’ll be automatically entered in the drawing. Click here for more details and to join the club!

 

      

 

 

 

2021-12-23T08:26:32-08:00December 23rd, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

5 Helpful Guitar Duet Tips!

Playing music with another guitarist is so much fun! Here are 5 tips* that have helped me when I play with another person:
1. Decide on a song
2. Choose a format for your song (i.e. chords, tabs)
3. Run through the song and begin to choose parts/styles
4. Practice, both together and on your own
5. Feel each others’ vibe so you can synchronize!
You and your playing partner could become a dynamic duo!
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn more details about each of these 5 tips, listen to my newest podcast episode by clicking here!

DON’T FORGET!!! You could win a $50 Guitar Center gift card! Simply join my podcast club and you’ll be automatically entered in the drawing. Click here for more details and to join the club!

 

      

 

 

 

2021-12-13T12:44:28-08:00December 16th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , |

Easy Guitar Tablatures for the Holidays!

Christmas tablatures can be a beautiful way to musically celebrate the season. Here’s 2 easy guitar tabs for you to play:
1. Silent Night
2. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
These songs can be instrumental to your festivities!
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn how to play these tabs and for these songs’ histories, listen to my newest podcast episode by clicking here!

DON’T FORGET!!! You could win a $50 Guitar Center gift card! Simply join my podcast club and you’ll be automatically entered in the drawing. Click here for more details and to join the club!

 

      

 

 

 

2021-12-08T18:04:38-08:00December 9th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

12 Days of Christmas, a Lively Guitar Sing-along Song!

This is such a fun song* to play and sing, and it’s a wonderful song to involve everyone in the merrymaking of season! It’s pretty easy to play, C, G, A & D and here are the lyrics to have ready for your singers!  
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn all about this song and some really fun playing ideas, listen to my newest podcast episode by clicking here!

DON’T FORGET!!! You could win a $50 Guitar Center gift card! Simply join my podcast club and you’ll be automatically entered in the drawing. Click here for more details and to join the club!

 

      

 

 

 

2021-12-02T08:31:32-08:00December 2nd, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , |

Guitar Gratitude & Sharing the Guitar Love!

Thanksgiving Day is a great day for gratitude, including guitar gratitude*. Here are some of mine:
1. I’m grateful that I learned to play guitar way back when
2. I’m grateful to be able to teach people to play guitar
3. I’m grateful for my instrument, the wood, the strings, etc.
4. I’m grateful for you!
What’s your guitar gratitude?
Play on…
Marlene
P.S. Oh yeah, be sure to share the ‘guitar love’ by playing your beautiful guitar music for your family and friends!

*For guitar gratitude inspiration and ideas, plus playing suggestions, listen to my newest podcast episode by clicking here!

DON’T FORGET!!! You could win a $50 Guitar Center gift card! Simply join my podcast club and you’ll be automatically entered in the drawing. Click here for more details and to join the club!

      

 

 

 

2021-11-24T14:32:12-08:00November 25th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

Easy Christmas & Hanukkah Songs for Guitar!

It’s never too early to prep your music and with the holidays just around the corner, it’s a good time to get started. Here are 2 simple songs* to play on your guitar, a Christmas song and a Hanukkah song:
Christmas Deck the Halls
Hanukkah The Dreidel Song
The holidays are near, so prep your music to spread good cheer ~ Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Play on…
Marlene

*For playing suggestions and the songs’ facts, inspirations and backgrounds, listen to my newest podcast episode by clicking here!

DON’T FORGET!!! You could win a $50 Guitar Center gift card! Simply join my podcast club and you’ll be automatically entered in the drawing. Click here for more details and to join the club!

      

 

 

 

2021-11-16T17:47:45-08:00November 18th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , |

How to Weatherproof Your Acoustic Guitar

I can’t stress enough how significantly weather conditions can affect your guitar, especially humidity, both too much and too little. Here are 4 ideas to help you weatherproof* your guitar to achieve the best and most consistent conditions for your guitar’s wood, binding and strings:
1. Use a case, especially when transporting your guitar, and use a humidity system inside
2. Buy a hygrometer for your case and your guitar room (like the one in the photo)
3. Buy a room humidifier/dehumidifier for your guitar room
4. Clean & polish your guitar every 6 months 
And, a couple of ‘don’ts’:
Don’t store your guitar near a heating/AC vent or in damp areas like a basement or garage.
Don’t leave your guitar in your car or trunk.
Climate continuity can help your guitar have a long and healthy playing life!
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn about these 4 acoustic guitar weatherproofing ideas, listen to my newest podcast episode by clicking here!

You could win a $50 Guitar Center gift card! Simple join my podcast club with a $10 membership subscription and you’ll be automatically entered in the drawing. Click here for more details and to join the club!

      

 

 

 

2021-11-09T11:11:46-08:00November 11th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , |

Veterans Day Themed Songs to Play on Your Guitar

Here in the U.S.A., November 11th is set aside as a special day to honor and remember our military veterans. Songs to honor their service and sacrifices can be a very meaningful way to pay tribute, and here are a couple to try:
American Soldier by Toby Keith
Still a Soldier by Trace Atkins
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn more about these veteran themed songs and playing recommendations, listen to my newest podcast episode by clicking here!

You could win a $50 Guitar Center gift card! Simple join my podcast club with a $10 membership subscription and you’ll be automatically entered in the drawing. Click here for more details and to join the club!

      

 

 

 

2021-11-03T09:56:56-07:00November 4th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |

No Tricks, Just the Treat of Steel String Facts!

Steel strings* are designed with material and gauge variations to enhance playing styles and sounds. For example, phosphor bronze strings have a mellow sound, while 80/20 strings have a brighter sound. Lighter gauge strings are great for fingerstyle and lead players, while heavier gauges are best suited for hard strumming. It’s a good idea to play around with different brands, materials and sizes to find your steel string sweet spot!
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn more about steel acoustic guitar strings, listen to my newest podcast episode by clicking here!

BTW…Here’s a cool video that shows how steel strings are made!

Exciting News!

      

 

 

 

2021-10-28T07:43:30-07:00October 28th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , |

3 Spooktacular Halloween Songs to Play!

Get musically prepared for October 31st with these spooktacular Halloween songs*:
1. Monster Mash (fairly easy to play)
2. Witchy Woman (a little more challenging)
3. Thriller (pretty darn challenging, but really cool to play!)

Play on…
Marlene

*To learn about the history of these songs and playing suggestions/tips, listen to my newest podcast episode by clicking here!

Exciting News!

      

 

 

 

2021-10-20T15:43:15-07:00October 21st, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: |
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