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Mastering Palm Muting: Essential Technique for Rock Guitar
Palm muting is a fundamental technique in rock guitar, adding depth, rhythm, and power to your playing. Whether you’re looking to play...

The American Guitar Academy
40 minutes ago5 min read


From Roots to Riffs: How Blues Shaped Modern Music
Blues is the foundation of so much modern music that it’s easy to take its influence for granted. From the twangy chords of country to the electrifying solos of rock, and even the soulful rhythms of pop, the unmistakable fingerprints of blues are everywhere. But where did this genre come from, and how did it end up transforming the global music scene? Let’s trace the history of blues and explore how it shaped the sounds we love today, with special attention to the guitar, the

The American Guitar Academy
3 days ago5 min read


What is Bossa Nova? An Introduction to Brazil’s Iconic Style
Imagine lounging on a breezy Rio de Janeiro beach, the sun setting over the waves, and a soft guitar melody floating through the air. That, my friend, is the vibe of bossa nova —a Brazilian music style that’s smooth, sophisticated, and effortlessly cool. Whether you’ve heard “The Girl from Ipanema” at a café or caught its gentle rhythms in a movie, bossa nova has a way of making everything feel just a little more glamorous. But what exactly is bossa nova, and why has it captu

The American Guitar Academy
3 days ago5 min read


Essential Music Tech: All About MIDI
For musicians and producers, MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) has become one of the most indispensable tools in modern music...

The American Guitar Academy
4 days ago5 min read


Five Things No One Tells You
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

The American Guitar Academy
Oct 175 min read


The History of the Ukulele: Origins of Hawaii’s Favorite Instrument
The ukulele is more than a small, cheerful instrument; it’s a cultural icon with a rich history that spans continents. From its humble...

The American Guitar Academy
Oct 146 min read


Les Paul vs. Gibson SG
Les Paul vs. Gibson SG: Key Differences Explained Gibson’s Les Paul and SG models are two of the most iconic electric guitars in music...

The American Guitar Academy
Oct 116 min read


Guitar Repair – When to DIY, And When to Take It to a Professional
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...

The American Guitar Academy
Oct 114 min read


The Family Tree of Inspiration
In the age of a million different music streaming services, and algorithm-driven music suggestions, it is easy to discover new music....

The American Guitar Academy
Oct 114 min read


Stratocaster vs. Telecaster: Key Differences Explained
When it comes to electric guitars, few names are as iconic as the Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster. These two models have shaped the...

The American Guitar Academy
Oct 48 min read


Best Budget Gear
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...

The American Guitar Academy
Oct 35 min read


A Songwriting Guide: Building Your First Song on Guitar
Creating your first song on guitar can feel like a big step, but with a few simple techniques, you can start crafting music that’s...

The American Guitar Academy
Sep 306 min read


Improve Your Bends
If you’ve been playing guitar for a little while, you’ve probably heard a bend or two in your favorite songs. Moments where a note...

The American Guitar Academy
Sep 297 min read


Top 5 Guitar Styles to Try If You’re Stuck in a Rut
Feeling stuck in a guitar-playing rut? Maybe you’re tired of the same old chords, or you feel like your playing is missing a little...

The American Guitar Academy
Sep 275 min read


How Many Different Tones Do You Need?
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...

The American Guitar Academy
Sep 266 min read


Oddly Shaped Guitars
There is a seemingly endless number of ‘standard’ shaped guitars, such as the Fender Stratocaster or a Gibson Les Paul – all of which are...

The American Guitar Academy
Sep 244 min read


TAGA Students Pass RSL Rockschool Exams!!!
We’re excited to celebrate our students who recently completed their RSL Rockschool Graded Music Exam ! With hard work, focus, and...

The American Guitar Academy
Sep 241 min read


How to Sound Great Even When You’re Playing Simple Chords
Let’s face it: playing the guitar can seem intimidating when it feels like you need to know hundreds of complex chords. But here’s the...

The American Guitar Academy
Sep 235 min read


The 10 Most Iconic Guitar Riffs
10 Iconic Riffs Every Beginner Should Learn (and Why) When it comes to learning guitar, riffs are like the appetizers of the guitar...

The American Guitar Academy
Sep 186 min read


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

The American Guitar Academy
Sep 173 min read
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