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This Week on the Guitar Blog...

Hammer On's & Technique Practice Routines...
Examples should be done across the entire neck: This week on the Guitar Blog I discuss how players can use a series of exercises to help develop the art of the hammer on technique. For some jam practice, check out my FREE JamTrax on the JamTrax Page. Please consider visiting my PayPal Donation Page to help support the web-site. Have a great week everyone!

Have you got a guitar question?

I have hundreds of lessons here on my Blog site... Many have FREE MP3 Jam Tracks as well as PDF Lesson Handouts. Use the Search Box (up in the top right navigation menu) to find video lessons & blogs. My most recent guitar lesson videos are below... Enjoy and please consider a donation to help support this Guitar Blog & the Creative Guitar Studio online lesson projects.

May 18, 2012:
Relocating Melodic Passages

One fingerboard shape can be relocated to other areas creating new melodic lines. This simple idea can help players build lines when soloing or composing much faster than simply relying on full scales alone. Watch the video lesson to find out more...
Handout Coming Soon!

GUITAR THEORY: Relocating Melodic Passages

May 11, 2012:
Improving Musical Concentration

Concentration is the key to flawless musical performance, and with specialized training this important skill can be strengthened to help guitarists play much better. Watch the video lesson to find out more and Download the FREE MP3 JamTrack and PDF lesson handout for the practice examples.

RHYTHM GUITAR: Improving Musical Concentration

May 04, 2012:
Triple Octave Pentatonics

Flowing pentatonic scale lines during composition and improvisation can be a part of any guitarists playing with Triple Octave Pentatonics... Watch the video lesson to find out more, and Download the FREE MP3 JamTrack and PDF lesson handout for the practice examples.

IMPROVISATION: Triple Octave Pentatonics

April 27, 2012:
Arranging Stacked Arpeggios

Alter song sections by using simple layering techniques, combined with varied tone of your guitar and amp settings... Watch the video lesson to find out more, and Download the FREE MP3 JamTrack and PDF lesson handout for the practice examples.

GUITAR THEORY: Arranging Stacked Arpeggios

April 20, 2012:
Creating Unique Song Sections

SONGWRITING Creating Unique Song Sections

April 13, 2012:
Enter the Eleven Tone Matrix

Once we know the key signatures tonic, are there not simply 11 notes between the tonic and octave? Chromatic ideas await in this matrix of tonal movement options... Watch the video lesson to find out more, and Download the FREE MP3 JamTrack and PDF lesson handout for the practice examples.

IMPROVISING: Enter the Eleven Tone Matrix

April 06, 2012:
Enhancing Popular Jazz Harmonies

Two very common jazz progressions are covered here. The I,VI,II,V and the II,V,I. Through the video I explain how to enhance the changes with a few cool extensions and alterations... Watch the video lesson to find out more, and Download the FREE MP3 JamTrack and PDF lesson handout for the practice examples.

March 23, 2012:
Simple Tips for Fingerstyle Songwriting

You don't have to be an amazing fingerstylist to play at your next family gathering. All it takes is some basic fingerstyle ability and a few additional techniques... Watch the video lesson to find out more, and Download the FREE PDF lesson handout for the practice examples.

FINGERSTYLE GUITAR: Simple Tips for Fingerstyle Songwriting

March 16, 2012:
Unlocking the Guitar Neck Positions

There is a simple system that can impress various locations for a single note on the guitar neck. The locations operate within a 4 or 5 fret-span and once learned the neck becomes a very friendly place... Watch the video lesson to find out more, and Download the FREE PDF lesson handout for the practice examples.

GUITAR THEORY - Unlocking the Guitar Neck Positions

March 09, 2012:
The Ultimate Practice Routine for Modes

Mode practice is a lot of work if done properly. I advise the practice of each mode from each unique scale degree. As well, practice the appropriate arpeggio with the mode to solidify the correct harmonic step... Watch the video lesson to find out more, and Download the FREE PDF lesson handout for the practice examples.

PRACTICE & TRAINING - The Ultimate Practice Routine for Modes

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Guitar Blog Q and A

Your Email Q: Hi Andrew...

I'm really suprised with your great video lessons and I have one problem and hope that you could help me. I used to play guitar for about 4 years and then didn't play for about 1 year and I want to start with playing again, but I found it very hard because I don't know what to practice, what is most important, which book should I take? Thanks. - Antonio

A: Hi Antonio...

Congrats on returning to the guitar! Now, if you can afford a teacher, then most definately hook-up with somebody to help get you started once again. You'll also benefit from creating a practice schedule to help yourself organize all of your subject matter. Some simple subjects to start with can include; selecting songs to study and then going about organizing your time length for song practice, technique studies are excellent, rhythm guitar and rhythm exercises are very good. And, be sure to always get some theory in every week, as well as, music reading. I suggest players attempt at getting 30min. of practice in, 4-5 days per week. Of course, the more the better, so if you have more time, then by all means spend more hours on your material. Hopefully, you can afford some monthly lessons with a good instructor. That, above all else, will really aide you with carving out a solid learning path with your return to the instrument. Best of luck with your studies!

Thanks for writing in. - Andrew Wasson

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