“Listening is the key to everything good in music.” — Pat Metheny
Tips & Tricks
Free Songwriting Lessons: Songs from Nothing
Songwriting Challenge: Songs from Nothing Required Equipment: Guitar (or another instrument you can play) Any recording device Required Skills: Be able to play two notes Description: Songs from Nothing is one of the easiest ways to start writing a song right…
Free Guitar Lesson of the Week: The Amazing Movable E Major Chord Shape
For today’s free guitar lesson, we’re going to use just one chord shape — E major — and create the four most common chords in Western music with it. In a couple of minutes we’ll be able to play literally…
Unlocking Open Strings in Your Playing
Today’s lesson is a guest post from Joel Cornell of Joel’s Guitar Lessons, a fellow Bay Area (Oakland) teacher who specializes in rock and metal guitar. If you like this lesson, head to his website and download a free copy of…
The Fastest Way to Start Playing Songs, Part 1: Playing Melodies
With first-time students, many guitar methods say to start by learning open chords. This method makes some sense: Open chords are used in many songs, you can strum most or all of the strings at once, achieving a bigger and…
Getting Kids Interested in Music
Many parents would like to introduce their kids to music. Music is a great outlet, a chance to develop creativity, and has a slough of well-documented health benefits. And on top of it all: Music is enjoyable for the players…
Singing while Playing Guitar: Divide and Conquer by Eliminating Variables
Singing while playing the guitar is a perennial headache for beginners. It seems to be this mysterious multitasking ability that the pros have and effortlessly throw out during performances. In reality, it just takes a bit of practice—and the best…
Discomfort and the Secret of Guitar Mastery
Becoming a decent guitar player is surprisingly easy. You just have to play for many hours—whatever music you enjoy—and after a while you’ll turn some heads. You’ll probably enjoy playing on your own or for friends, and perhaps have some…
15 Ways to Write a Song (Part 3)
And now, the final installment of songwriting ideas. Click here for #1-5. Click here for #6-10. Here are #11-15: 11. Collaborate: I’d venture the majority of well-known songs have been written by more than one person. Collaborating is excellent because as…
15 Ways to Write a Song (Part 2)
Another exciting installment of songwriting ideas. Click here for #1-5. Here are #6-10: 6. Try a new instrument or tuning: Just as with playing a new style or genre, playing a new instrument forces you to change things up. I…