There can be a number of reasons why your guitar doesn’t sound good when playing chords. The problem can be either your guitar, or (shock…horror) you! Some reasons for bad sounding chords can be old strings, bad tuning or intonation, fretboard problems, or simply the way you are fretting the chords. More experienced players can…
Learning to play by ear can seem like a daunting skill that you have to be born with in order to learn, and if you’re not born with it then surely it must take years if not a lifetime to master? Learning to play by ear can take a reasonably short time when starting with…
Wrist pain can be a common problem for guitar players, as the hand and wrist are often in motion while under tension. Some of the most common causes of guitar wrist pain include overuse, poor playing technique, and bad posture. If these problems are repeated regularly without addressing the cause of wrist pain, it can…
Everyone at some point in their guitar journey has experienced hand cramps, and it’s not just something that happens to beginners. Lead guitar players can also experience cramping in their playing hand after fast solo’s and extended playing like at a gig. Quite often new guitar players get them when learning to play barre chords….
Learning how to strum smoothly with a pick takes some practice. You have to become used to the plectrum that essentially becomes an extension of your fingertips. It can be a frustrating struggle when you first start, but with some time and practice it soon gets easier, until strumming with a pick feels completely natural…..
The joys of guitar should not be reserved exclusively for long haired punks still riding out their teenage years. Everyone should be able to and can, learn how to play the guitar, no matter their age. No matter how old you are learning guitar takes time and patience. They’ll be days of frustration where you’ll…
In a world where guitarists are typically regarded as the most important member of a band, the bass guitar has been relegated to the back of the queue when putting together your dream band lineup. But is the idea that bass guitar isn’t important a fair point or a misunderstanding of the instrument propped up…
A staple of the Southern United States Blues movement, slide guitar did away with the typical scales and progression of what had come before it and turned the guitar into something completely new. When you’re chasing that unique twangy sound, learning to use a slide and open tune your guitar to the most popular and…
As you start to dive deeper into the world of guitar playing you soon realize there are so many different ways to tune a guitar such as Half and Full step down tuning. I’m going to show you some easy to follow ways that you can down-tune your guitar so you can play your favorite…
Putting a strap on your guitar for the first time is not always as easy and straightforward as one would think. You want to protect your investment by doing it right the first time. There’s nothing more gut-wrenching than watching your pride and joy take a hit, and the damage can be devastating. The number…
