One thing that surprises me all the time with rock guitar players is how many random bits of riffs they know. In fact, I would hazard a guess that the average player would only be able to get through the whole song that those riffs come from 1 in 10 times. This is where rock guitar players differ from a jazz guitarist, because the latter tend to memorize changes and melodies much more frequently.  Some players, like Paul Gilbert, are a veritable encyclopedia of guitar riffs,

Learning guitar can feel like climbing a mountain when you’re just starting. But here’s a secret weapon for every aspiring rockstar:...

Mastering challenging musical passages is a common hurdle for musicians, but with the right approach, even the most intricate pieces can become second nature. Precision practice is a structured and intentional method designed to help musicians break down difficulties and progress with confidence. By incorporating deliberate practice, slow play, mental visualization, and tools like a metronome, you can refine your technique and turn struggles into strengths. This guide outline

You may have come across the idea of travel guitars before, but that is not what we are discussing in today’s blog post. Most travel guitars are a gimmick, and have issues with performance like tuning and ease of adjustment. Some even fold in half so they fit in a backpack, though the good ones from Ciari guitars, as demonstrated by guitar legend Steve Stevens, are notoriously expensive. You get what you pay for, I guess! You may be thinking that all electric guitars are basi

To articulate a phrase or melody, in fact any musical idea, is to give it your own personal signature. From another perspective, it is imperative to copy the articulations used by a guitarist if you wish to accurately emulate their style.  For many beginners it is difficult to execute many different articulations, and the different variations from there. When a beginner starts to incorporate this into their playing, they begin to border on intermediate territory. After this,

When learning guitar, understanding the basic building blocks of harmony and chord shapes is essential. Power chords, octaves, and octave...

After many years of playing, even the most seasoned of professionals develop bad habits, or at least habits that are bad for other people. This could be based on technique, a different way of learning a song or anything in between. However, there are also many different things that you pick up along the way, either out of necessity or otherwise, that offer a substantial improvement in every day operations.  In this blog post, I will go over five things that no one tells you b

It is an unfortunate fact that if you own a guitar then, at some point, something will go wrong or at least require adjustment. This is...

There is a huge market for budget equipment, and I would not be surprised if a greater share of the market was appropriated to budget...

At risk of explicitly stating the obvious, the answer to this question really depends on what music you are required to make, or if you...

A few months ago, we were delighted to host the fingerstyle magician himself, Mr Hide Takemoto! A Kyoto native originally, Takemoto moved...

fdaWhen you’re starting out with guitar, the world of music can seem pretty intimidating, especially with all the myths and...

In any discipline, and in fact at any point in your life, you will inevitably work with people that are difficult in some way. There are...

Starting a band is one of the most exciting adventures in music. Whether you’re jamming with friends in a garage or dreaming of playing...

Let us explore some more questions I have been asked recently. There are some interesting ones this time! What is the difference between...

As a guitar player, it is imperative that we have a solid grasp of rhythm. This can help us with comping, which is supporting a song with...

This is a special blog post, and definitely a longer one that you are probably used to reading from myself or Ryan here at The American...

I think it is time for another edition of Unanswered Questions. Here are some questions and, once again, are genuine things that I have...

In this installment of Unanswered Questions, we will discuss some helpful tips as well as trying to open your eyes, or those of the...

This week we have a different set of questions, all things that have been asked or I have thought to myself in the past. Let us jump...