#music

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

 

 

 

 

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: , , , , , , , , |

Luck o’ the Irish ~ St. Patrick’s Day Songs!

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day (3/17) ~ learn to play an Irish jig!
1. Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That’s An Irish Lullaby)   video/audio   guitar chords & lyrics
2. The Galway Girl   video/audio   guitar chords & lyrics
3. Irish rhythm patterns   strumming & scales/notes

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Play on…
Marlene

*To hear about the history of these songs and more Irish song inspirations listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 54!

 

 

 

 

2021-03-09T11:04:26-08:00March 11th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , , , , , , , |

6 Song Inspiration Ideas

Song inspiration* can some from numerous sources, like the ideas listed below:
1. Your play list
2. Store/restaurant music
3. Radio
4. Concerts
5. Holidays, seasons, special occasions
6. Out of the blue
And, I recommend you write down the song title when the inspiration hits you!
Play on…
Marlene

*To hear details about these 6 ideas listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 53!

 

 

 

 

2021-03-03T08:50:59-08:00March 4th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

How to Play the Calypso Strum

There are several strumming patterns you can play on your guitar, Calypso (well, that’s what I call it!) is one of my favorites and the cool thing is it’s adaptable to just about any song. It’s a great strum to have in your guitar playing bag of tricks!
Here’s the pattern:
down ↓ , down ↓ , up , pause, up ↑ , down ↓ ,  up ↑*

Play on…
Marlene

*To hear examples of the strum and tips to gain muscle memory for this pattern listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 52!

 

 

 

 

2021-02-23T15:07:48-08:00February 25th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

How to Find the Best Video Lessons for You!

Virtual guitar lessons are popular, especially right now, but how do you know which ones will best meet your individual needs? Use these 7 steps to help vet your choices:
1. Who’s teaching?
2. What’s the delivery format?
3. What are the content levels?
4. How long are the lessons?
5. How are the lessons structured?
6. Are there lesson categories?
7. What is the cost?
I hope that helps!
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn more details about these 7 steps listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 51!

 

 

 

 

3 Music Resources For Guitar Players

If you’ve ever been inspired to play a song, but didn’t know where to find the music*, then check out these 3 easy music resources:
1. Tab Websites
2. Sheet Music
3. Guitar Song Books
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn more about tab sites, sheet music and guitar song books listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 50!

 

 

 

 

2021-02-10T10:37:00-08:00February 11th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

More About Guitar Tabs ~ Notations & Symbols

Understanding tab notations and symbols* beyond the fret numbers can be helpful. Here are some common notations:
1. x = mute
2. b = bend
3. h = hammer on
4. p = pull off
5. / \ = slides
6. ~~~ = vibrato
7. * = repeat
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn more about these notations and how to play them listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 49!

 

 

 

 

2021-02-03T15:48:07-08:00February 4th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

7 Simple Steps to Memorize a Song

Memorizing an entire song* can be useful and these 7 steps can make it easy to memorize a song.
1. Choose a song you like
2. Listen to the song
3. Find the music
4. Practice the song
5. Play along with the song
6. Play using the lyrics only
7. Play sans music
Play on…
Marlene

*To learn more about how to memorize an entire song using these 7 simple steps listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 48!

 

 

 

 

2021-01-27T17:53:34-08:00January 28th, 2021|Categories: Thursday Tip|Tags: , , , , , , , |

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