Thursday Tips
How Live Music Can Make You A Better Musician
Live music has so many benefits that can enhance and improve your playing abilities/styles. In fact, this Making Music Magazine article gives you 12 Reasons Live Music Will Make You A Better Musician. For me, numbers 1 and 8 really resonate!
Play on…
Marlene
How A Guitar Works
Do you know how string thickness, tension, length and frequency affect the sound? Learn how a guitar works in this interesting and informative video How Instruments Work ~ Guitar*.
Got guitar vibes?!
Play on…
Marlene
*This video is the work of learning design and development firm ansrsource for the MIM (Musical Instrument Museum).
Woodstock 50 Years Ago ~ Acoustic Guitars At Woodstock
In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock I thought you might enjoy reading this Acoustic Guitar article, Cataloging the Acoustic Guitars at Woodstock. It describes the acoustic guitars used by Arlo Guthrie, Richie Havens, Joan Baez and more, including videos of their performances. Peace, Love & Acoustic Guitars!
Play on…
Marlene
Do You Noodle? Guitar Noodle That Is!
Guitar noodling is freestyle playing, basically exploring random notes/chords and relying on trial and error. To noodle, start playing your guitar, randomly, with a ‘I wonder if this will work’ intention (as seen in this video) ~ that’s noodling!
Play on (and noodle on!)…
Marlene
P.S. Bonus, while noodling you may find sounds that you can try in some of your standard songs.
How To Play The Song Guitar Town By Steve Earle
Here’s a fun and fairly easy song to try, Guitar Town by Steve Earle. I was inspired by the song title since I’ll be teaching my workshops this weekend at the Copper Mountain, Colorado Guitar Town event. And though the song is not about or related to the event, I just love a good theme! Rocking in the Rocky Mountains!
Play on…
Marlene
P.S. I recommend playing the song along with the video, it’s pretty fun to jam with Steve Earle!
You Gotta See This!
Put the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona on your ‘must do’ list. You’ll see hundreds of instruments, of all kinds, from all over the world, and as old as 200 BC. On my recent visit I spent 4 hours (and it wasn’t enough time!) viewing this impressive collection, loving all the instruments, but of course focusing on the guitars. A couple of stand outs; a guitar from the 1400’s and a 25 string guitar (below) ~ imagine tuning all 25 strings!
Play on…
Marlene
7 Tips For Hosting A Successful Jam Session
Playing guitar with other guitarists is a wonderful way to share different musical tastes and styles. Here are 7 tips for hosting your own jam session:
- Invite guitarists of all levels; beginners, intermediate and advanced, and all ages too – you can learn from each other!
- Set up a comfortable spot for your group, like a big room or an outside space, with seating to accommodate your fellow guitarists and their guitars (remember the guitars will need a little elbow room!)
- Start out playing a couple of easy, ‘no brainer’ kind of songs together to get the musical ball rolling. Be sure to let your group know that they shouldn’t fret (ha, ha) if they don’t know the song, they can play along by looking at another guitarist in the group.
- Next encourage song suggestions from individuals in the group. As they play their song choice the rest of the group can jam along with that person – again watching other guitarists for the chords if it’s unfamiliar.
- It helps to have yummy food and drinks available for breaks.
- Have fun!
- Repeat step 6
Play on…
Marlene
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