Thursday Tips
Jump Start Your Holiday Songs!
You can never be too prepared when it comes to holiday music and now’s the time to get started. Here’s 3* easy seasonal songs to help you get a jump on your holiday repertoire!
1. Over the River and Through the Wood (tablature)
2. Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah (chords)
3. Jingle Bells (chords)
Play on…
Marlene
*To hear my playing recommendations and song info, click here to listen to the podcast episode!
Learn About Gator Cases & Accessories – PLUS, You Could Win a Guitar Case & Strap!
Learn about the construction of the Gator Icon Series Gig Bag, including this cool video, as well as other great guitar accessories to make your playing life even better!
Play on…
Marlene
*To hear Marlene’s interview with Crystal Morris, President & Founder of Gator Cases, along with Rob McCoy, click here to listen to the podcast episode!
Hard Case vs Gig Bag
There are 2 types of guitar cases, hard cases and gig bags. Both have advantages and disadvantages*, here are a few to consider:
Hard Cases are made of heavy duty material, are very resilient, and they offer great protection for your guitar, but they are heavier and more expensive than a gig bag.
Gig Bags/Soft Cases are made of soft material or fabric, usually water resistant, and are lightweight. They are easier to carry and more affordable, but offer less protection.
Play on…
Marlene
*If you want to learn more about these 2 types of guitar cases, click here to listen to the podcast episode!
3 Halloween Songs to Play on Acoustic Guitar
Here’s 3 Halloween*-ish songs to help you get into the ‘spirit’ of things!
1. Dead Man’s Party by Oingo Boingo
2. Harvest Moon by Neil Young
3. Not Dead Yet by Lord Huron
Happy Halloween!
Play on…
Marlene
*To learn about these 3 songs and for my playing recommendations, click here to listen to the podcast episode!
What’s the Best Guitar Stand?
There are many guitar stand options each with their own features and benefits. Here are 6 guitar stand styles* to help you decide which one might best suit your needs.
1. A-frame stand
2. Tubular/Tripod stand
3. Wall Mounted stand
4. Premium stand – Enter Here for a chance to win a Premium Stand and Guitar Strap!
5. Cabinet stand
6. Multi-guitar stand
Note: stands pictured below
Play on…
Marlene
*To learn more about the 6 different guitar stand styles, click here to listen to my newest podcast episode!
Guitar stand styles, top row 1 – 4, bottom row 5 & 6
How to Play Pull Offs
Pull offs* are the reverse of hammers ons, it’s another way to play 2 notes with one string vibration. Here’s how to play pull offs:
1. Place finger 1, on fret 1, of string 1, play the string, then immediately pull off fret 1
2. Check the volume of the string sound, it should be even and clear
3. Play this skill using neighboring frets
4. Try this on different neck locations and with chords
5. Combine hammer ons and pull offs for trills
Play on…
Marlene
*To learn more about pull offs, click here to listen to my newest podcast episode!
Pull off tab
Trill tab
How to Hammer On
No hammer needed, just your finger!
To play a hammer on*, playing 2 notes with 1 string vibration, simply follow these 5 steps:
1. Play string 1, open, then quickly & strongly place your finger on fret 1
2. Practice this, be sure you’re only playing the string 1 time
3. Play this skill using neighboring frets
4. Check the volume of the string sound, it should be even and clear
5. Try this with chords, i.e. hammer on the 5th string of the G chord.
Play on…
Marlene
*To learn more about hammer ons, click here to listen to my newest podcast episode!