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Author Archives: Tom
Playing With Time: How to Spice Up An Old Song
So you want to do something different and spice up an old song. You’ve heard all of these old Christmas songs a million times and now you need to play one yourself. Going with the traditional arrangement is a safe bet when leading a sing-a-long but where’s the fun in that? I just finished watching […]
<span class="entry-utility-prep entry-utility-prep-cat-links">Posted in</span> Encouragement, Technique
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Good Time and How to Keep It
Good time means good rhythm and you will need it. I write about getting started in a previous post entitled, Learn To Play Guitar For Adults, and touch on this. One topic comes up most frequently and that is how to play rhythm well. We dedicate one entire courses at Just 2 Play Guitar to […]
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Getting Good at Guitar: How Long Will it Take?
Getting good at guitar or anything takes time. But how much time? You might be surprised at the answer: It depends! You don’t want to hear that but it is true. Your level of “good” is a function of just what you are trying to play. For most of us, it is not really that […]
<span class="entry-utility-prep entry-utility-prep-cat-links">Posted in</span> Encouragement
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How to Learn Fingerstyle: 16th Century Greensleeves
I taught myself how to play fingerstyle guitar at an early age. I’m not great at it, it is not the most orthodox approach but it gets the job done and I have been able to build on it over the years. As one friend said to me recently, if your method works then it […]
MAYA: How To Go To the Edge Without Going Over
MAYA means Most Advanced Yet Acceptable. A term coined by the legendary father of industrial design, Raymond Loewy. Major changes in any industry, even music, do not happen unless there is “something familiar yet surprising” in the mix. Consider Eddie Van Halen who just passed away. He is credited with being one of the most […]
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Building v.s. Buying a Guitar: How to Avoid Disaster!
When considering whether to build a guitar, your own style and skill are major determinants in success. These tips will help you decide.
Guitar Philosophy: How to Think Deeper About Your Playing
When it comes to guitar philosophy, where are you on your journey? You have some skills, have some songs and some cool ideas. Getting to the next level is going to take some thought and force you to go deeper. This post is your introduction to the beyond… What is a PhD? Pin-headed Dope, Piled […]
<span class="entry-utility-prep entry-utility-prep-cat-links">Posted in</span> Encouragement
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Break Old Habits: How to Get Creative
Break old habits but how? I get asked how to break out of the same scale routine, the same chords, and the same rhythm patterns. As I frequently say, use what you already know and build on it. Here are three ways I use to creatively destroy and build something new from what I already […]
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Minor Pentatonic Course now Available: Learn to Rock the Pentatonic!
Ready to learn how to rock with the minor pentatonic scale? Glenn Riley has his new Pentatonic Rock course up on Just 2 Play Guitar! You may have learned this scale and even use it in your blues but how well do you know it? Can you apply it in a more Rock context? The […]
Thanksgiving Songs: Missing in Action
Why are there no Thanksgiving songs? There might be one: Over the River and Through the Woods. I am not so sure about that one. That one seems a bit…uh, generic. Here are my guesses why this holiday is missing theme songs or any others for that matter. Not Enough Time to Write One Let’s […]
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