Category Archives: Guitar

Baritone Guitar: How to Transpose on the Fly

Posted on January 9, 2022 by Tom

To transpose on the fly with a baritone, knowing a little music theory goes a long way. This is different than slapping on a capo or imagining your guitar with a capo that can lower the notes, all of the notes are in different places. Even tuning takes on a slightly different meaning. Let me […]

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Cleaning Your Guitar: What is the Right Chemical?

Posted on May 16, 2021 by Tom

It is high time you cleaned your guitar. You use the typical window cleaner or some light furniture polish but some parts need something different. Using the right cleaner is important for a couple of good reasons: make the job easy and avoid damaging the finish. Here is an explanation of the best chemicals to […]

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MIDI for Guitarists: How to Unlock Infinite Potential

Posted on April 5, 2021 by Tom

MIDI for guitarists seems like an oxymoron that only a moron would actually consider. However, I have been hard at work getting the latest addition to my home rig configured – a MIDI pedalboard. Back in my post entitled, Do You Have G.A.S?, I mention my virtual studio. It is one of many paths to […]

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3 Problems You Didn’t Know You Had and How to Fix Them

Posted on March 23, 2021 by Tom

Recently, I was shopping for a 12-string electric guitar and found a great deal on one. A floor model D’Angelico Premier in transparent red. Nice wide neck for my fat fingers and sounds like a dream. I played a Danelectro 12 and had a Fender 12 but found my fingers bumping up against adjacent strings […]

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Feedback: How to Crush It or Sing With It!

Posted on December 19, 2020 by Tom

Feedback is a blessing and a curse. Sometimes it is the sweetness of sustain, while other times it is killing your performance. Let’s a take a look at what it is and how to channel it for musical nirvana. Feedback: Understanding It Before we can really know how to either defeat feedback or use it, […]

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Playing With Time: How to Spice Up An Old Song

Posted on December 15, 2020 by Tom

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 […]

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How to Learn Fingerstyle: 16th Century Greensleeves

Posted on November 13, 2020 by Tom

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 […]

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Building v.s. Buying a Guitar: How to Avoid Disaster!

Posted on October 2, 2020 by Tom

When considering whether to build a guitar, your own style and skill are major determinants in success. These tips will help you decide.

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How to Travel With a Guitar: 3 Solid Ideas

Posted on August 29, 2020 by Tom

You want to travel with a guitar and you are not a professional musician. How can you take your music with you and still keep your load light? I’ve been doing this for years and have accumulated a few ideas that you might want to implement. Whether you are driving or flying or cruising the […]

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Choosing the Best Guitar For You: Does Size Matter?

Posted on August 25, 2020 by Tom

Choosing the Best Guitar for you can be a challenge. So many types and styles can get you lost in confusion. I touched on the subject of size in a previous post about How to Get Started and I would like to expand on that a bit. I’m a big guy. My wife is…not so […]

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