Funky Fingerstyle Guitar
Most of my favorite musicians in the world did not get college degrees in music. The list is very long 🙂 to name a few…Tommy Emmanuel, Charlie Parker, George Benson, Stevie Wonder all do not have degrees.
Should you?
[Read more…] about Do You Need a College Music Degree?
Usually I stress the importance of a good musical education. Often I teach hands-on guitar techniques.
Without my teachers & mentors I would not be the person and musician I am today.
However, there is a fundamental but “advanced” step in making music. What I am about to say may sound contradictory.
After you’ve been a good student, go ahead and throw away everything you’ve learned.
[Read more…] about Learn Guitar Technique, then Throw it Away
In this post, I will show you the basics of thumb & finger interaction…That said, there is always more than one way to attack a problem. Currently (2018) I am experimenting with the opposite of what I say here – more like a Larry Graham bass technique.
Here are the basics as they are taught to guitarists 95% of the time, so start here. Enjoy!
I got a question from a blog reader recently that said:
How, in your mind, can you coordinate both a bass line with your thumb and a melody line with your fingers? I can’t seem to divide my mind that way. What can I do to gain finger independence?
There is a 2 part answer!
[Read more…] about Thumb and Finger Independence for Fingerstyle Guitarists
Learning to blend technique and feel are like having a good balance of “head and heart.”
Both are important!
I got a question recently from a subscriber that read…
I was wondering what your opinion was on practicing technique, learning scales, chord progressions, and theory in the context of a song versus on their own.
This is really a good – and complex question. Here goes… [Read more…] about What’s the Best Approach for Improving Your Guitar Technique?
This is a pretty taboo subject, but let’s dive in.
I recently got an email from a reader saying:
“Hi Adam. I’m going through a phase where I can’t find any I situation or have as much fun playing as I used to. Have you got any idea or any tips or me to get back into it? Thanks – Mick”
Musicians are human, and all of us have ups & downs because it is built into our system. When we have ups & downs, much of “how we feel” has do do with the presence or absence of certain naturally produced brain chemicals.
[Read more…] about Practicing Guitar and Your “Happy” Brain Chemicals…