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Practising guitar: one of the weekly tasks that often fall by the wayside for some of us with busy lives. So how do we find the time to practise if we only have limited free time to commit? Schedule in your practise Gym training, school pickups, your kid’s basketball game, after-work drinks with your buddies, date night. Life is busy, and no matter where we look, it is often hard to find a little slice of free time for guitar practice. This is why it will be incredibly important and valuable for us to schedule in our practice time. Just like we have scheduled all of the above events on our c ..read more

Going on holidays is lots of fun, but often when we come home we find that our fingers don’t want to do what we tell them to do when picking up a guitar for the first time. Try these simple tips for getting back in the groove with your guitar practice after returning from a holiday. Start simple There are positives and negatives about coming home from a holiday. Positives: you had a great time, you come home feeling refreshed, you now have a sun tan. Negatives: you get the post holiday blues, you have to go back to work, you fingers are now out of shape for playing guitar. Note that that las ..read more

Bass guitar is often seen as the backbone of any band, providing rhythm and groove that holds the music together. While the bass has often been a male-dominated instrument, many incredible female bassists have made significant contributions to music, breaking barriers and redefining the role of the bassist. Here’s a look at some of the most influential female bass guitarists who rock! Carol Kaye Carol Kaye, the bassist extraordinaire, has left an enduring legacy on the music industry with her unparalleled playing style and unwavering dedication. With a staggering 10,000+ recordings under her ..read more

As a guitarist, it’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of playing new techniques, learning complex songs, and exploring different styles. However, it’s essential to remember that a solid foundation in the basics is crucial for any level of guitarist, regardless of whether you’re an intermediate or advanced player. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of going back to basics and provide some practical tips on how to refocus your guitar playing. Why go back to basics? When you’re an intermediate or advanced guitar player, it’s tempting to skip over the basics and focus on more chall ..read more

Often overlooked, the art of being a great rhythm guitarist is so much more than strumming chords and having to be quieter than the lead guitarist. It’s actually the rhythm guitarist that has the skill of gluing the band together and giving impact to their sound. So how do you play rhythm guitar in a band? Study the greats A logical place to start when trying to get good at rhythm guitar is to study great rhythm players from great bands that you admire. Although many of these are names that you will know from some of the biggest bands of all time, there may be some unsung heroes that haven’t ..read more

Exploring the world of guitar chords can be a fun journey when you realise that there is much more beyond open position cowboy chords and barre chords! But where do you start when wanting to improve your guitar chord vocabulary? Seventh chords, and beyond! Chords – all (or most) guitarists love them! In fact, if you’re a guitarist that doesn’t love chords, then you’ve probably gone wrong somewhere, or perhaps you just haven’t been using the right ones yet. Yes chords can get quite boring if you’re just doing open position major and minor chords, and perhaps branching out into barre chords acr ..read more

Looking to take a break from practising guitar and relax over watching a film? How about seeing some of these greatest guitar solos used in movies? Here is a list to get you started. Back to the future One of the most talked about guitar scenes in movies that I am aware of, and in fact the movie that is the reason why many guitar players first picked up the instrument, is Back To The Future (1985), with its infamous “Johnny B. Goode” scene. This scene sees character Marty McFly playing the Chuck Berry classic at his parents high school dance, to which he has time traveled back to the year 19 ..read more

Although it’s not the most rock ’n roll thing to think about as a guitarist, looking after your health will be incredibly important to ensuring longevity as a musician and also to maximise the most out of your practice sessions! Warm-up and cool-down Being a guitarist is much like being an athlete, although it may not seem like it at first. Playing guitar involves us using many different small muscles in our hands, wrists, and arms, which need to be warmed up thoroughly before playing challenging material. Would a professional athlete jump straight onto the track for a 100-metre sprint? No w ..read more

New to guitar? Don’t fret! Choosing the right strings can seem overwhelming, but we’ve got your back. We’ll simplify the options and help you find what suits you best. Whether you’re strumming a sunny tune or rocking out a solo, your strings matter. They’re the bridge between your fingers and your sound, shaping your playing experience. Let’s dive into the basics, making sure you’re equipped for your musical journey. Guitar string materials Guitar strings are typically crafted from one of four primary materials: Steel: Known for its durability and bright tone, steel strings are commonly fou ..read more