Thursday Tips
Tension Relieving Exercises For Guitarists
As I mentioned last week, tension can affect your playing. So, here are a few simple tension relieving stretches and exercises* to help you be a better guitarist!
1. Deep Breathing, always a great ‘go-to’
2. Arm Stretches
3. Neck Rolls
4. Shoulder Rolls
5. Cardio: walk, run, jump, jumping jacks
Play on…
Marlene
*To hear descriptions of these tension relieving ideas, listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 57!
How Tension Can Affect Your Guitar Playing
Tension* is good for some things, like our strings. But when our body and mind holds onto tension it can restrict muscle and tendon movements, and it can affect remembering skills like chord placements or rhythm patterns. Noticing and relieving any underlying tension can make you a better guitarist.
Play on…
Marlene
*To learn more about tension’s affect on your playing & how to notice and relieve tension, listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 56!
The Next Scale You Should Know
After the C scale (October 2020 tip), the G scale* is the next scale you should learn how to play. See the information below and give it a try!
Play on…
Marlene
*To learn more about the G Scale and hear how it sounds, listen to my newest podcast ~ episode 55!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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