Author Archives: Tom

You can

Posted on July 6, 2020 by Tom

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” – Henry Ford Also said, in part, by Phil X about his recent video of Deep Purple’s Highway Star keyboard solo. Trying to cop a keyboard solo on guitar is tough but try the one in this song and your fingers might fall off! […]

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Getting some time to play my guitar

Posted on July 4, 2020 by Tom

My wife and I are going to a 4th of July party this afternoon but I have a song that came to me overnight. I want to save something of the tune to work on later but getting the time to play and get ready to go to the party is a challenge. Still, I […]

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Still Got Classic Rock After All These Years

Posted on July 3, 2020 by Tom

I’m sitting in a waiting room this morning at the doctor’s office and the office staff has music going in the background. 80’s music. Bon Jovi, Livin’ On a Prayer, to be specific. I always laugh when I think back to my mother’s disdain for Classic Rock and how it is mainstream now. The new […]

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Guitar Practice Makes Perfect?

Posted on July 1, 2020 by Tom

Building on yesterdays topic, Time to Practice, a good friend of mine who has played jazz guitar for many years sent the following for the more serious guitarist: From Tom Monaco: One of the most important things for anyone to learn and grow in music is practice. Many guitarists are self-taught, using a variety of ways […]

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Time to Practice

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Tom

Feeling like you don’t have time to practice? You work all day and get home exhausted. The kids need your attention, your spouse would like some time, you have obligations,… Where do you find the time to pick up your guitar and play? Time can easily derail what was an honest effort to learn or […]

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The Care and Feeding of Your Guitar

Posted on June 29, 2020 by Tom

As we march into summer, you may be experiencing some changes in your guitar. They will be subtle for the most part but keep an eye out for them. Here are some things to look for, primarily for acoustic instruments: Increased string height (action) making chords more difficult. Bellied top due to increased moisture absorbed […]

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A Little Guitar Competition

Posted on June 28, 2020 by Tom

I have played in a number of bands over the years. The 80’s and early 90’s were the time of “hair metal” and “glam bands” and I was part of that in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore, MD metro areas. It was probably the closest I have ever gotten to getting signed to a record deal – […]

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Do You Have G.A.S?

Posted on June 27, 2020 by Tom

One Sunday when I was kid, we went to church as was the standard practice in my Catholic family. There were five of us kids at the time (three brothers and one sister) and on this Sunday, I was next to my sister. Fairly random ordering but here we were sitting, standing kneeling as the […]

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The Evolution and Location of Just 2 Play Guitar

Posted on June 26, 2020 by Tom

The plan and direction of Just 2 Play Guitar. We are already seeing some international interest and plan to offer events wherever our students are located.

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Putting my Guitar in the Closet

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Tom

I’ve seen a lot of guitarists over the years and been mega impressed at the virtuosity and skill of some of these players. Others…not so much. There are two reactions I have had: I can do that! Why even try? I’m giving it up and hiding my guitar in the closet Wait a minute! Is […]

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